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Abstract Background Treatment options for correcting limb-length discrepancy after limb-salvage reconstruction for proximal tibial osteosarcoma in children have several limitations. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility, complications, prognosis, and clinical outcomes of reconstruction using hemiarthroplasty after tumor resection in pediatric patients with proximal tibial osteosarcoma. Methods We conducted a comprehensive retrospective analysis of the data of pediatric patients with osteosarcoma of the proximal tibia who underwent surgery between December 2008 and November 2018 at our center. We enrolled 49 consecutive patients who underwent hemiarthroplasty. The cruciate ligaments of all patients were reconstructed using special spacers, and the medial and lateral collateral ligaments of the knee and joint capsule were reconstructed using a mesh. Postoperatively, if the unequal length of both lower limbs exceeded 4 cm or knee instability occurred, a second-stage surgery was performed for limb lengthening and replacing the distal femoral prosthesis. We analyzed the oncological prognosis, complications of hemiarthroplasty, postoperative stability, and postoperative function. Results The follow-up period ranged between 11 and 159 months, with a median of 84 (62, 129) months. The overall 5-year survival rate was 83.2%. Thirty-nine patients survived at the end of the follow-up period with 34 prostheses (87.2%). The overall prosthesis survival rate was 87.4% after 5 years, indicating the long-term benefits of the procedure. Limb length was measured in 28 adult patients. The average limb-length discrepancy was 33 ± 15 mm with a median of 33 mm (21, 47); the femur and tibia caused a discrepancy of 8.5 ± 9.9 mm and 24.8 ± 15.5 mm, respectively. The patients had 30–135° of knee motion, with a mean of 82 ± 24°. The femoral tibial angle was greater on the affected side than on the healthy side, with a mean difference of 4.5°±3.6°. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score was 25 ± 3. Five patients underwent second-stage distal femoral prosthesis replacement, with mean MSTS scores of 24 ± 2 and 28 ± 1 before and after second-stage surgery, respectively. Conclusions Hemiarthroplasty in children reduces limb-length discrepancy in adulthood by rebuilding cruciate ligaments, lateral collateral ligaments, and the joint capsule, thereby improving knee stability.

This paper proposes a spatiotemporal coordinated control method for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarms based on predefined time convergence in response to the coordinated ground attack problem of UAV swarms in a three-dimensional battlefield environment. First, we analyze the UAV swarm’s ground attack task scenario and its relevant elements and establish models for the UAV swarm, ground-moving targets, and attack problems. Building upon problem modeling, this paper considers the spatiotemporal coordinated strategy for a UAV swarm and designs a spatiotemporal coordinated control law for a three-dimensional spatial UAV swarm ground attack. The proposed spatiotemporal coordinated control law can guide the UAV swarm to reach the desired attack position within a specified time, achieving a spatiotemporal coordinated attack on ground-moving targets. A theoretical analysis based on the Lyapunov function demonstrates that the proposed control law can asymptotically stabilize the attack position error variable under a predefined time condition. Simulation results show that the proposed coordinated control law can achieve spatiotemporal coordination of the UAV swarm in a ground-moving target turning motion, enabling the completion of the multiangle coordinated attack on ground-moving targets within a specified time. Currently, research on the coordinated ground attack of UAV swarms mostly focuses on stationary targets, making it difficult to apply to coordinated attack tasks on moving targets. Although the coordinated tracking of moving targets by UAV swarms has been reported in the literature, spatiotemporal coordination among UAVs has not been considered. Therefore, this paper focuses on the spatiotemporal coordinated control strategy of UAV swarms, with a background of coordinated ground attacks by UAV swarms. First, this paper conducts a detailed analysis of the UAV swarm’s coordinated ground attack task in terms of time and multiple elements to establish a comprehensive task profile. Subsequently, by focusing on the core elements of coordinated ground attack by UAV swarms, this paper models both UAV swarms and ground-moving targets. Based on the established models and coordinated control strategy, this paper considers spatiotemporal coordination constraints and designs acceleration commands for each UAV to guide them to reach the specified attack positions at predefined time points, enabling coordinated attacks on the ground targets simultaneously. The designed acceleration control commands serve as inputs to the UAV’s autopilot, further generating lower-level control commands, such as speed, flight path angle, and heading angle, thereby achieving stable flight control of the UAVs. The proposed coordinated control strategy endows the UAV swarm with the capability to achieve spatiotemporal synchronized coordinated attacks, thereby enhancing the operational effectiveness of UAV-coordinated ground attacks.

Abstract Bioaerosols in public transportation systems raise critical environmental concerns, seriously threatening passenger health and safety. In this study, we investigate the spread characteristics of bioaerosols in a standard type-B subway compartment using both air sampling and sediment sampling methods. Additionally, without compromising indoor passenger comfort, two self-designed air purification devices, based on intense field dielectric (IFD) and dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) technologies, respectively, are successfully applied for the improvement of the subway air quality. The results show that bioaerosols can propagate rapidly throughout the entire compartment in 5 min via airborne transmission. Under the effect of the symmetric air ducts and compartment structure, the difference in bioaerosol concentration in the air is less than 10% between both ends of the compartment. Concurrent substantial bioaerosol deposition on the ground, seats, and windows underscores the risk of contact transmission. Furthermore, the real-time purification rates of the two devices integrated into the air conditioning system reach 59.40% and 44.98%, respectively. With their demonstrated high efficiency in purifying bioaerosols and modular design featuring low energy consumption, easy cleaning, and reusability, these devices stand out as viable long-term solutions for large traffic vehicles. These research findings provide practical equipment recommendations and installation strategies for optimizing indoor air quality in subways and are applicable to other similar transportation systems.

Abstract Liver metastasis remains the primary cause of mortality in patients with colon cancer. Identifying specific driver gene mutations that contribute to metastasis may offer viable therapeutic targets. To explore clonal evolution and genetic heterogeneity within the metastasis, we conducted single-cell exome sequencing on 150 single cells isolated from the primary tumor, liver metastasis, and lymphatic metastasis from a stage IV colon cancer patient. The genetic landscape of the tumor samples revealed that both lymphatic and liver metastases originated from the same region of the primary tumor. Notably, the liver metastasis was derived directly from the primary tumor, bypassing the lymph nodes. Comparative analysis of the sequencing data for individual cell pairs within different tumors demonstrated that the genetic heterogeneity of both liver and lymphatic metastases was also greater than that of the primary tumor. This finding indicates that liver and lymphatic metastases arose from clusters of circulating tumor cell (CTC) of a polyclonal origin, rather than from a single cell from the primary tumor. Single-cell transcriptome analysis suggested that higher EMT score and CNV scores were associated with more polyclonal metastasis. Additionally, a mutation in the TRPS1 (Transcriptional repressor GATA binding 1) gene, TRPS1 R544Q, was enriched in the single cells from the liver metastasis. The mutation significantly increased CRC invasion and migration both in vitro and in vivo through the TRPS1R544Q/ZEB1 axis. Further TRPS1 mutations were detected in additional colon cancer cases, correlating with advanced-stage disease and inferior prognosis. These results reveal polyclonal seeding and TRPS1 mutation as potential mechanisms driving the development of liver metastases in colon cancer.

Abstract Photo-thermal-coupling ammonia decomposition presents a promising strategy for utilizing the full-spectrum to address the H2 storage and transportation issues. Herein, we exhibit a photo-thermal-catalytic architecture by assembling gallium nitride nanowires-supported ruthenium nanoparticles on a silicon for extracting hydrogen from ammonia aqueous solution in a batch reactor with only sunlight input. The photoexcited charge carriers make a predomination contribution on H2 activity with the assistance of the photothermal effect. Upon concentrated light illumination, the architecture significantly reduces the activation energy barrier from 1.08 to 0.22 eV. As a result, a high turnover number of 3,400,750 is reported during 400 h of continuous light illumination, and the H2 activity per hour is nearly 1000 times higher than that under the pure thermo-catalytic conditions. The reaction mechanism is extensively studied by coordinating experiments, spectroscopic characterizations, and density functional theory calculation. Outdoor tests validate the viability of such a multifunctional architecture for ammonia decomposition toward H2 under natural sunlight.

Abstract Objective Breast cancer has become the most prevalent malignant tumor in women, and the occurrence of distant metastasis signifies a poor prognosis. Utilizing predictive models to forecast distant metastasis in breast cancer presents a novel approach. This study aims to utilize readily available clinical data and advanced machine learning algorithms to establish an accurate clinical prediction model. The overall objective is to provide effective decision support for clinicians. Methods Data from 239 patients from two centers were analyzed, focusing on clinical blood biomarkers (tumor markers, liver and kidney function, lipid profile, cardiovascular markers). Spearman correlation and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression were employed for feature dimension reduction. A predictive model was built using LightGBM and validated in training, testing, and external validation cohorts. Feature importance correlation analysis was conducted on the clinical model and the comprehensive model, followed by univariate and multivariate regression analysis of these features. Results Through internal and external validation, we constructed a LightGBM model to predict de novo bone metastasis in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values of this model in the training, internal validation test, and external validation test1 cohorts were 0.945, 0.892, and 0.908, respectively. Our validation results indicate that the model exhibits high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, making it the most accurate model for predicting bone metastasis in breast cancer patients. Carcinoembryonic Antigen, creatine kinase, albumin-globulin ratio, Apolipoprotein B, and Cancer Antigen 153 (CA153) play crucial roles in the model’s predictions. Lipoprotein a, CA153, gamma-glutamyl transferase, α-Hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and creatine kinase are positively correlated with breast cancer bone metastasis, while white blood cell ratio and total cholesterol are negatively correlated. Conclusion This study successfully utilized clinical blood biomarkers to construct an artificial intelligence model for predicting distant metastasis in breast cancer, demonstrating high accuracy. This suggests potential clinical utility in predicting and identifying distant metastasis in breast cancer. These findings underscore the potential prospect of developing economically efficient and readily accessible predictive tools in clinical oncology.

Abstract Leveraging the synergy between causal knowledge graphs and a large language model (LLM), our study introduces a groundbreaking approach for computational hypothesis generation in psychology. We analyzed 43,312 psychology articles using a LLM to extract causal relation pairs. This analysis produced a specialized causal graph for psychology. Applying link prediction algorithms, we generated 130 potential psychological hypotheses focusing on “well-being”, then compared them against research ideas conceived by doctoral scholars and those produced solely by the LLM. Interestingly, our combined approach of a LLM and causal graphs mirrored the expert-level insights in terms of novelty, clearly surpassing the LLM-only hypotheses (t(59) = 3.34, p = 0.007 and t(59) = 4.32, p

Abstract Breast cancer metastasis significantly impacts women's health globally. This study aimed to construct predictive models using clinical blood markers and ultrasound data to predict distant metastasis in breast cancer patients, ensuring clinical applicability, cost-effectiveness, relative non-invasiveness, and accessibility of these models. Analysis was conducted on data from 416 patients across two centers, focusing on clinical blood markers (tumor markers, liver and kidney function indicators, blood lipid markers, cardiovascular biomarkers) and maximum lesion diameter from ultrasound. Feature reduction was performed using Spearman correlation and LASSO regression. Two models were built using LightGBM: a clinical model (using clinical blood markers) and a combined model (incorporating clinical blood markers and ultrasound features), validated in training, internal test, and external validation (test1) cohorts. Feature importance analysis was conducted for both models, followed by univariate and multivariate regression analyses of these features. The AUC values of the clinical model in the training, internal test, and external validation (test1) cohorts were 0.950, 0.795, and 0.883, respectively. The combined model showed AUC values of 0.955, 0.835, and 0.918 in the training, internal test, and external validation (test1) cohorts, respectively. Clinical utility curve analysis indicated the combined model's superior net benefit in identifying breast cancer with distant metastasis across all cohorts. This suggests the combined model's superior discriminatory ability and strong generalization performance. Creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), CEA, CA153, albumin, creatine kinase, and maximum lesion diameter from ultrasound played significant roles in model prediction. CA153, CK-MB, lipoprotein (a), and maximum lesion diameter from ultrasound positively correlated with breast cancer distant metastasis, while indirect bilirubin and magnesium ions showed negative correlations. This study successfully utilized clinical blood markers and ultrasound data to develop AI models for predicting distant metastasis in breast cancer. The combined model, incorporating clinical blood markers and ultrasound features, exhibited higher accuracy, suggesting its potential clinical utility in predicting and identifying breast cancer distant metastasis. These findings highlight the potential prospects of developing cost-effective and accessible predictive tools in clinical oncology.

Abstract Background The neuroimmune network plays a crucial role in regulating mucosal immune homeostasis within the digestive tract. Synaptosome-associated protein 25 (SNAP-25) is a presynaptic membrane-binding protein that activates ILC2s, initiating the host's anti-parasitic immune response. Methods To investigate the effect of Moniezia benedeni (M. benedeni) infection on the distribution of SNAP-25 in the sheep's small intestine, the recombinant plasmid pET-28a-SNAP-25 was constructed and expressed in BL21, yielding the recombinant protein. Then, the rabbit anti-sheep SNAP-25 polyclonal antibody was prepared and immunofluorescence staining was performed with it. The expression levels of SNAP-25 in the intestines of normal and M. benedeni-infected sheep were detected by ELISA. Results The results showed that the SNAP-25 recombinant protein was 29.3 KDa, the titer of the prepared immune serum reached 1:128,000. It was demonstrated that the rabbit anti-sheep SNAP-25 polyclonal antibody could bind to the natural protein of sheep SNAP-25 specifically. The expression levels of SNAP-25 in the sheep's small intestine revealed its primary presence in the muscular layer and lamina propria, particularly around nerve fibers surrounding the intestinal glands. Average expression levels in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were 130.32 pg/mg, 185.71 pg/mg, and 172.68 pg/mg, respectively. Under conditions of M. benedeni infection, the spatial distribution of SNAP-25-expressing nerve fibers remained consistent, but its expression level in each intestine segment was increased significantly (P

Background: Questioned document examination (QDE) is a crucial sub-discipline of forensic science, and over the years, this discipline has developed a vast amount of research results and literature. However, the current studies have only reviewed the development of QDE for a period of time or a particular research direction, lacking a comprehensive review of this discipline since its origins. Aim: The aim of this study is to utilize bibliometric methods to review the history and development of QDE since 1934 and also to predict its future research trends. Materials: This study collects the literature of questioned document examination (QDE) from the Web of Science Core Collection database and uses four bibliometric analysis tools: CiteSpace, VOSviewer, SciMAT, and Bibliometric, to process relevant literature data. Methods: Through the analysis methods of journal co-citation analysis, keyword co-occurrence network analysis, literature cocitation analysis, and theme evolutionary analysis, the bibliometric data information in the QDE field is obtained, and a visualized knowledge mapping is constructed. Results: The results show that four research directions have been formed, basically. As far as the development trend of QDE research is concerned, the research field shows the change in content from cursory to detailed and in analysis from qualitative to quantitative, while the research field maintains a close relationship with chemical technology and computer science. Conclusions: The changes in QDE can be attributed to advancements in science and technology, which have influenced research methods. QDE also has a legal aspect, with a focus on enhancing scientific accuracy and evidentiary value. These developments aim to strengthen QDE’s identification power and promote its scientific and standardized growth. This will gradually enhance the reliability and strength of QDE evidence, making it more valuable in judicial practice.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the usefulness of porta hepatis lymph nodes (PHLNs) on ultrasonography (US) scans in diagnosing biliary atresia (BA) and predicting the outcomes after Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE) surgery. Methods A total of 668 patients from one hospital were enrolled in the study (542 non-BA and 126 BA). The independent and combined diagnostic efficacy of PHLNs, triangular cord (TC) thickness, and gallbladder morphology were assessed by drawing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and counting the area under the ROC curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). The US features, histopathological findings of PHLNs, and serum total bilirubin (TBIL) levels 3 months post-KPE were correlated. Results The AUC, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of PHLNs with hyperechogenicity and a maximum length larger than 8.4 mm were 0.898, 81.8%, 97.8%, 89.6%, and 95.8%, respectively. The combination of PHLNs, TC thickness, and gallbladder morphology achieved the best overall diagnostic efficacy among all indicators with an AUC of 0.927 and a sensitivity of 99.2%. The germinal center number and bile particle number of PHLNs were positively correlated with pathological size and US echogenicity intensity of PHLNs, respectively (r = 0.591, 0.377, p = 0.001, 0.004). The pathological size of PHLNs in BA patients was negatively correlated with jaundice clearance status 3 months after KPE surgery (r = −0.385, p = 0.047). Conclusion PHLNs with hyperechogenicity and a maximum length > 8.4 mm are useful US indicators for BA diagnosis. Additionally, the enlargement of PHLNs might play a role in predicting outcomes of KPE surgery. Critical relevance statement The article proposed for the first time that PHLNs with hyperechogenicity and a maximum length > 8.4 mm are a useful US indicator for diagnosing BA. Key Points PHLNs may be helpful in diagnosing BA and predicting outcomes after surgery. Enlarged hyperechoic PHLNs are a useful diagnostic indicator for BA, and play a role in predicting surgical outcomes. These findings can assist clinicians in more accurately diagnosing BA, enabling more timely treatments. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Various types of foreign fibres may be mixed in the planting, transportation, and production processes of cotton, which not only cause equipment to be out of control, but also leads to a decrease in the quality of cotton textile products and economic losses. The machine vision based detection method for cotton foreign fibres is widely used. Based on existing related research, we construct a classification dataset for cotton foreign fibres in practical scenarios, named the CF2113‐10 dataset. The authors design a basic foreign fibre classification network called CottonNet that balances performance and efficiency. The classification accuracy on the validation set reached 94.2%. In order to enhance the high‐level feature extraction ability, this paper improves the feature fusion method of residual networks and proposes CottonNet‐Res, which improves the classification accuracy to 95.1%. Finally, a classification model based on feature difference fitting, CottonNet‐Fusion, is proposed to address the classification problem of foreign fibre images sampled in complex environments. The classification accuracy of foreign fibre images sampled in ordinary scenes has improved to 97.4%, while the images sampled in complex environments maintain an accuracy of 90.3%.

Whey protein is an important food ingredient, but it is also considered a major food allergen. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ultrasound pretreatment on the structure, IgE binding capacity, functional properties and biological activity of whey protein isolate (WPI) hydrolysates (WPH), including WPI hydrolyzed by a combination of enzymes from Bromelain and ProteAXH (BA-WPI) and WPI hydrolyzed by a combination of enzymes from Papain W-40 and ProteAXH (PA-WPI). The IgE binding capacity of BA-WPI and PA-WPI was reduced to 40.28% and 30.17%, respectively, due to disruption/exposure/shielding of conformational and linear epitopes. The IgE binding capacity of sonicated WPI was increased, but ultrasound pretreatment further reduced the IgE binding capacity of the hydrolysates to 32.89% and 28.04%. This is due to the fact that ultrasound pretreatment leads to conformational changes including increased α-helix and β-sheet structure, exposure of aromatic amino acids, surface hydrophobicity, and increased sulfhydryl content, which increases the accessibility of allergenic epitopes to WPI by the enzyme. Multispectral and LC-MS/MS results further indicated that ultrasound pretreatment altered the conformational and primary structural changes of the hydrolysates. The thermograms showed that ultrasound pretreatment mainly altered the epitope spectra of β-lactoglobulin hydrolysates, while it had less effect on the epitope spectra of α-lactalbumin hydrolysates. Additionally, ultrasound pretreatment significantly improved the foaming properties, antioxidant activity, and α-glucosidase inhibition of the hydrolysates without impairing the solubility and emulsification properties of the hydrolysates. Therefore, ultrasound pretreatment is a feasible method to reduce the allergenicity of WPH and to improve their functional properties and bioactivity. Notably, ultrasonic pretreatment improved the effectiveness and efficiency of WPI hydrolysis, which is a feasible method to produce high-quality protein feedstock in a green, efficient, and economical way.

BackgroundEpithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE), is an uncommon, intermediate-grade malignant vascular tumor that can manifest in diverse organs, including the liver, lungs, and bones. Given its unique malignancy profile and rarity, there lacks a consensus on a standardized treatment protocol for EHE, particularly for hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE). This study aims to elucidate factors influencing the clinical prognosis of EHE by analyzing data from the SEER database, complemented with insights from a departmental cohort of 9 HEHE cases. Through this, we hope to shed light on potential clinical outcomes and therapeutic strategies for HEHE.MethodsUsing SEER data from 22 registries, we analyzed 313 liver cancer patients with ICD-O-3 9130 and 9133 histology. Twelve variables were examined using Cox regression and mlr3 machine learning. Significant variables were identified and compared. Clinical data, imaging characteristics, and treatment methods of nine patients from our cohort were also presented.ResultIn univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, Age, Sex, Year of diagnosis, Surgery of primary site, Chemotherapy, and Median household income were closely related to survival outcomes. Among the ten survival-related machine learning models, CoxPH, Flexible, Mboost, and Gamboost stood out based on Area Under the Curve(AUC), Decision Curve Analysis(DCA), and Calibration Curve Metrics. In the feature importance analysis of these four selected models, Age and Surgery of primary site were consistently identified as the most critical factors influencing prognosis. Additionally, the clinical data of nine patients from our cohort not only demonstrated unique imaging characteristics of HEHE but also underscored the importance of surgical intervention.ConclusionFor patients with resectable HEHE, surgical treatment is currently a highly important therapeutic approach.

Objective: To use ultra-widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (UWF SS-OCTA) to evaluate the choroidal features of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and type 1 macular neovascularization (MNV) attributable to central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Method: A cross-sectional research was carried out to examine patients with type 1 MNV due to CSC (50 eyes) and nAMD (98 eyes) utilizing UWF SS-OCTA examinations. The scan procedure covered a vertical 20 mm × horizontal 24 mm region with 9 subfields. A typical set of 68 healthy eyes was used for comparison. The effects of different diagnoses on choroidal parameters were assessed using covariance tests, using gender and age as variables. Results: The research showed that all choroidal characteristics were age-related (all p < 0.05). The calculated marginal averages of choroidal thickness (ChT) and choroidal volume (CV) in the central area were substantially lower in the nAMD group than in the CSC group and the normal group after age differences were taken into account (all p < 0.05). In both the superotemporal and temporal areas, the CSC group had a greater choroidal vascular index (CVI) compared to the nAMD group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the CSC group had a greater temporal area choriocapillaris density (CCD) than the nAMD group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: At the choroidal level, type 1 MNV due to CSC and nAMD may be distinguished by UWF SS-OCTA. Compared to the nAMD affected eyes, the CSC affected eyes had increased ChT, CV, CVI, and CCD in several areas. The two diseases could be distinguished based on ChT and CV.

Abstract Application of aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs) in large‐scale new energy systems (NESs) is challenging owing to the growth of dendrites and frequent side reactions. Here, this study proposes the use of Panthenol (PB) as an electrolyte additive in AZMBs to achieve highly reversible zinc plating/stripping processes and suppressed side reactions. The PB structure is rich in polar groups, which led to the formation of a strong hydrogen bonding network of PB−H2O, while the PB molecule also builds a multi‐coordination solvated structure, which inhibits water activity and reduces side reactions. Simultaneously, PB and OTF− decomposition, in situ formation of SEI layer with stable organic‐inorganic hybrid ZnF2‐ZnS interphase on Zn anode electrode, can inhibit water penetration into Zn and homogenize the Zn2+ plating. The effect of the thickness of the SEI layer on the deposition of Zn ions in the battery is also investigated. Hence, this comprehensive regulation strategy contributes to a long cycle life of 2300 h for Zn//Zn cells assembled with electrolytes containing PB additives. And the assembled Zn//NH4V4O10 pouch cells with homemade modules exhibit stable cycling performance and high capacity retention. Therefore, the proposed electrolyte modification strategy provides new ideas for AZMBs and other metal batteries.

There are a series of engineering risks, such as ground subsidence, building tilt and cracking, in the process of shield tunnel driving through buildings, which have many adverse effects on urban residents and engineers. In particular, the differences in the effects of the interaction of two-lane tunnels on the building structure and ground deformation field are less often considered under different spatial effects such as construction sequences and tunnel spacings. As well as the problem of analyzing the building as a whole out of reality. To solve these problems, the spatial effect of the shield tunnel underpassing the shallow foundation building is simulated by Plaxis3D software to study the sensitivity analysis of surface settlement and the internal forces and deformation law of the building above in the process of tunneling underpassing with different depths of burial H and horizontal distance D of the double line tunnel. The engineering impact zoning method can investigate the safety of tunnels and buildings under different spatial effects when tunnels pass through buildings. The splitting of the building into plates and columns can reveal the forces and deformation laws of different structural parts. The results show that during the construction process of the double-line tunnel, the tunnel constructed first has a “blocking effect” on the tunnel constructed later, which affects the distribution of the disturbance area to a certain extent and changes the curve shape of the settlement trough. When the “blocking effect” occurs, the surface settlement and building deformation will be significantly reduced. In the internal forces of the building, the plate structure is mainly subjected to changes in axial forces, while the column structure is mainly affected by shear forces and bending moments. The factor of safety of tunnels decreases as the tunnel spacing decreases and as the building loads above increase.

BackgroundEvidence shows that the total flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae (TFRD) can improve bone mineral density (BMD). However, there is no evidence to summarize the improvement of biochemical indicators of bone metabolism (BIBM).MethodsThe PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chongqing VIP Information Database (VIP) and SinoMed were searched from inception to 6 May 2024. The final included studies performed meta-analyses using RevMan 5.3.ResultsNine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were ultimately included. The TFRD group had higher bone gla protein (BGP) and type I procollagen-N-propeptide (PINP) compared to the Other therapies (WMD: 5.11; 95% CI: 3.37, 6.84; p < 0.00001; WMD: 13.89; 95% CI: 11.81, 15.97; p < 0.00001). The tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) decreased significantly (WMD: −1.34; 95% CI: −1.62, −1.06; p < 0.00001). The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) increased significantly (WMD: 7.47; 95% CI: 6.29, 8.66; p < 0.00001). There were no significant differences in serum calcium (SC) or serum phosphorus (SP) levels between the TFRD and control groups (WMD: 0.08; 95% CI: −0.04, 0.20; p = 0.17; WMD: 0.02; 95% CI: −0.02, 0.05; p = 0.36).ConclusionTFRD can stimulate bone formation and prevent bone resorption in osteoporosis (OP) patients, but it has no effect on SC and SP.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/.

Acoustic topological insulators have the excellent characteristic of the pseudospin-dependent one-way transmission of sound edge states immune to backscattering. We realize the broadband acoustic pseudospin topological edge states with subwavelength generalized topological insulators, which is achieved by reverse pseudospin-orbit coupling. The subwavelength band and broadband nontrivial bandgap can be achieved by adjusting the topological structure of the scatterers and introducing resonators. The results demonstrate that the resonator can significantly reduce the frequencies of p-states and d-states by introducing resonance scattering; the scattering size and rotation angles change the frequencies of p-states and d-states in opposite directions by adjusting the distribution of the sound field. Then, we experimentally realize the pseudospin-dependent one-way transmission of sound edge states along the interface separating phononic crystals with distinct topological phases. Our research provides a systematic scheme for the design of acoustic topological insulators with versatile applications.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy in China, with high recurrence rate and low resection rate among patients first diagnosed. Preoperative treatments including neoadjuvant and conversion therapy have the potential to overcome these challenges. In December 2021, Chinese expert consensus on neoadjuvant and conversion therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma was published. With the emersion of new evidence regarding the neoadjuvant and conversion therapies for HCC, the cooperative group brought together multidisciplinary researchers and scholars with experience in related fields to update the new edition (2023 Edition) for reference in China, including principle of the treatment strategies, the potential populations selection, treatment methods, multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and future research for preoperative treatments. The new consensus aims to provide guidance for clinical application. Through the use of neoadjuvant therapy and conversion therapy, we can enhance the resection rate and reduce the recurrence of intermediate-to-advanced HCC patients, thereby improving survival outcomes.

Abstract Although patients with alpha-fetoprotein-negative hepatocellular carcinoma (AFPNHCC) have a favorable prognosis, a high risk of postoperative recurrence remains. We developed and validated a novel liver fibrosis assessment index, the direct bilirubin-gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-platelet ratio (DGPRI). DGPRI was calculated for each of the 378 patients with AFPNHCC who underwent hepatic resection. The patients were divided into high- and low-score groups using the optimal cutoff value. The Lasso-Cox method was used to identify the characteristics of postoperative recurrence, followed by multivariate Cox regression analysis to determine the independent risk factors associated with recurrence. A nomogram model incorporating the DGPRI was developed and validated. High DGPRI was identified as an independent risk factor (hazard ratio = 2.086) for postoperative recurrence in patients with AFPNHCC. DGPRI exhibited better predictive ability for recurrence 1–5 years after surgery than direct bilirubin and the gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-platelet ratio. The DGPRI-nomogram model demonstrated good predictive ability, with a C-index of 0.674 (95% CI 0.621–0.727). The calibration curves and clinical decision analysis demonstrated its clinical utility. The DGPRI nomogram model performed better than the TNM and BCLC staging systems for predicting recurrence-free survival. DGPRI is a novel and effective predictor of postoperative recurrence in patients with AFPNHCC and provides a superior assessment of preoperative liver fibrosis.

Abstract Objective In this study, we used ultra-wide field swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (UWF SS-OCTA) to assess changes in retinal thickness (RT) and choroidal parameters in individuals who had received a diagnosis of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods The study encompassed the evaluation of 59 eyes from 47 patients with a diagnosis of CSC, alongside 33 fellow eyes and 31 eyes from healthy individuals (controls). The parameters assessed included RT, choroidal thickness (CT), choriocapillaris density, vascular density of the large choroidal vessel layer, three-dimensional choroidal vascularity index (3D-CVI), choroidal vessel volume per unit area (mCVV/a), and choroidal stroma volume per unit area (mCSV/a). Results Metrics including mCVV/a, mCSV/a, 3D-CVI, CT, and RT exhibited significantly elevated values in the eyes affected by CSC compared to those of the control group across nine subfields. Moreover, a substantial number of the subfields in both CSC-affected and fellow eyes exhibited increased values for mCVV/a, mCSV/a, 3D-CVI, CT, and RT when compared with the control group. Additionally, acute and chronic CSC subfields demonstrated significantly elevated values for mCVV/a, mCSV/a, 3D-CVI, CT, and RT in comparison to healthy control eyes. Notably, specific subfields associated with complex and atypical forms of CSC revealed higher metrics compared to those of the control group. Conclusion In conclusion, the UWF SS-OCTA proved to be a valuable tool for exploring the anatomical etiology and clinical classification and diagnosis of CSC.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a rare but aggressive malignancy. Despite previous reports, molecular characterization of this disease is not well understood, and little is known regarding OS in Chinese patients. Herein, we analyzed the genomic signatures of 73 Chinese OS cases. TP53, NCOR1, LRP1B, ATRX, RB1, and TFE3 were the most frequently mutated gene in our OS cohort. In addition, the genomic analysis of Western OS patients was performed. Notably, there were remarkable disparities in mutational landscape, base substitution pattern, and tumor mutational burden between the Chinese and Western OS cohorts. Specific molecular mechanisms, including DNA damage repair (DDR) gene mutations, copy number variation (CNV) presence, aneuploidy, and intratumoral heterogeneity, were associated with disease progression. Additionally, 30.1% of OS patients carried clinically actionable alterations, which were mainly enriched in PI3K, MAPK, DDR, and RTK signaling pathways. A specific molecular subtype incorporating DDR alterations and CNVs was significantly correlated with distant metastasis‐free survival and event‐free survival, and this correlation was observed in all subgroups with different characteristics. These findings comprehensively elucidated the genomic profile and revealed novel prognostic factors in OS, which would contribute to understanding this disease and promoting precision medicine of this population.

In recent years, with the rapid development of live-streaming commerce, the social dynamics and psychological impact of such online activities merit further discussion. In this study, we investigate the sensory experiences of viewers watching live streaming and examine how these online experiences influence consumer well-being. We developed a conceptual model to understand this mechanism based on the relationship between social presence, shopping enjoyment, familiarity, and consumer well-being. The results of 410 samples indicate that (1) social presence in live-streaming commerce has a significant positive effect on consumer well-being; (2) shopping enjoyment plays a mediating role in the process of social presence predicting consumer well-being; and (3) familiarity plays a moderating role in the second half of the indirect effect of social presence on well-being. This study examines the relationship between social presence and consumer well-being in the context of live-streaming marketing, expanding the research scenario of consumer well-being and clarifying the psychological mechanisms and boundary conditions of the effect of social presence on consumers well-being, which has important implications for online interactive marketing enterprises to enhance social presence and promote consumers long-term well-being.

Abstract Emotions, long deemed a distinctly human characteristic, guide a repertoire of behaviors, e.g., promoting risk-aversion under negative emotional states or generosity under positive ones. The question of whether Artificial Intelligence (AI) can possess emotions remains elusive, chiefly due to the absence of an operationalized consensus on what constitutes 'emotion' within AI. Adopting a pragmatic approach, this study investigated the response patterns of AI chatbots—specifically, large language models (LLMs)—to various emotional primes. We engaged AI chatbots as one would human participants, presenting scenarios designed to elicit positive, negative, or neutral emotional states. Multiple accounts of OpenAI's ChatGPT Plus were then tasked with responding to inquiries concerning investment decisions and prosocial behaviors. Our analysis revealed that ChatGPT-4 bots, when primed with positive, negative, or neutral emotions, exhibited distinct response patterns in both risk-taking and prosocial decisions, a phenomenon less evident in the ChatGPT-3.5 iterations. This observation suggests an enhanced capacity for modulating responses based on emotional cues in more advanced LLMs. While these findings do not suggest the presence of emotions in AI, they underline the feasibility of swaying AI responses by leveraging emotional indicators.

Abstract Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma in minors is considered to be a distinct entity from OSCC in older patients, with an uncertain etiology. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection may trigger the initiation and promote the progression of OSCC, but these roles have not been firmly established.We aimed to explore the correlation between HPV infection and the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma in minors and know the characteristics of OSCC in young patients more thoroughly. Method From January 2013 to December 2022,6 cases of OSCC aged

Objective: The content of total flavonoids, antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory capacity in different parts of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg which imitated wild planting were compared. Methods: Stems, leaves, root tubers and root whiskers of wild imitating-planted Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg were first extracted by alcohol extraction technology, and the content of total flavonoids was compared among different parts. Then DPPH free radical scavenging rate, ABTS+ free radical scavenging rate, hydroxyl free radical scavenging rate and ferric ion reducing power were used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of different parts of plants. Meanwhile, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cell inflammation model was established to compare anti-inflammatory ability of different parts of wild planting Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg by measuring the release of NO. Results: Under the optimal extraction conditions, the contents of total flavonoids in stem leaves, root tubers and root whiskers were 11.86±0.23, 8.48±0.10 and 7.52±0.02 mg·g−1, respectively. A total of 10 common peaks of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg were identified by HPLC fingerprint. Rutin (peak 6), quercetin (peak 8) and kaempferol (peak 9) were identified via comparisons with reference standards. The content of the three indexes was the highest in roots, followed by stems and leaves. The IC50 values of DPPH free radicals, ABTS+ free radicals and hydroxyl free radicals in different parts of the plant were detected, and the values of stem leaves were 0.2107, 0.2315 and 0.7625 mg/mL. Root tubers were 0.3134, 0.3758 and 0.8967 mg/mL. The roots were 0.2058, 0.2587 and 0.7856 mg/mL, respectively. The absorbance values of the reducing capacity of ferric ions in stem, tuber and root were 0.172, 0.153 and 0.184. Three parts of the wild imitating-wild plant were not toxic to RAW264.7 cells at the concentrations between 25~200 μg/mL and could effectively inhibit the release of NO induced by LPS that achieving a good anti-inflammatory effect. Conclusion: The results of this study provided a reference for the quality evaluation and a theoretical basis for waste recycling as well as subsequent whole resource development to the non-medicinal parts of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg from the wild.

In order to prevent the mixing of varieties and screen special medicinal or tea Chrysanthemum morifolium varieties, 16 samples of 8 medicinal C. morifolium varieties from different producing areas were used in this study. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and colorimetry were used to determine the quality components from different producing areas, we also determined their yield and quality based on principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA). The results showed that the variation coefficient of the amount of single capitulum per plant was the largest (39.03%) among the yield indexes, which was the main factor that constituted the dry weight of single capitulum per plant (r=0.800). Furthermore, the ‘Hongxin Ju’ from Zaozhuang had the highest value in both the amount of single capitulum (496.50) and dry weight of single capitulum per plant. The contents of medical components, including chlorogenic acid, 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid and total flavonoids showed significant differences (P

Abstract By employing metal oxides as oxygen carriers, chemical looping demonstrates its effectiveness in transferring oxygen between reduction and oxidation environments to partially oxidize fuels into syngas and convert CO2 into CO. Generally, NiFe2O4 oxygen carriers have demonstrated remarkable efficiency in chemical looping CO2 conversion. Nevertheless, the intricate process of atomic migration and evolution within the internal structure of bimetallic oxygen carriers during continuous high‐temperature redox cycling remains unclear. Consequently, the lack of a fundamental understanding of the complex ionic migration and oxygen transfer associated with energy conversion processes hampers the design of high‐performance oxygen carriers. Thus, in this study, we employed in situ characterization techniques and theoretical calculations to investigate the ion migration behavior and structural evolution in the bulk of NiFe2O4 oxygen carriers during H2 reduction and CO2/lab air oxidation cycles. We discovered that during the H2 reduction step, lattice oxygen rapidly migrates to vacancy layers to replenish consumed active oxygen species, while Ni leaches from the material and migrates to the surface. During the CO2 splitting step, Ni migrates toward the core of the bimetallic oxygen carrier, forming Fe–Ni alloys. During the air oxidation step, Fe–Ni migrates outward, creating a hollow structure owing to the Kirkendall effect triggered by the swift transfer of lattice oxygen. The metal atom migration paths depend on the oxygen transfer rates. These discoveries highlight the significance of regulating the release–recovery rate of lattice oxygen to uphold the structures and reactivity of oxygen carriers. This work offers a comprehensive understanding of the oxidation/reduction‐driven atomic interdiffusion behavior of bimetallic oxygen carriers.

Electro-synthetic fuel is proposed as an approach to achieve net-zero carbon emissions for heavy-duty internal combustion engines and meet carbon neutrality targets. This method is based on high temperature co-electrolysis using a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) coupled with Fisher-Tropsch (FT) synthesis due to its high efficiency and carbon recycling capacity. To access the techno-economic viability of this pathway and identify the key elements impacting the cost of electro-synthetic fuels, a comprehensive techno-economic model is constructed. This model aims to offer cost cutting guidance and includes SOEC, FT, and techno-economic sub-models, with SOEC and FT validated using literature data. The cost breakdown and sensitivity analysis indicate that heating costs, electricity prices, and stack lifetime are critical factors in reducing the cost of electro-synthetic fuel. Three alternative system layouts that fully utilize thermal and chemical energy are proposed to address the significant heating expense issue. Among these, the optimal system design lowers costs by approximately 5.3 %. Furthermore, this work introduces the contradiction between high performance, high stability, and low-cost accounting for the SOEC lifetime, which is bounded by operating current density. When considering the degradation and replacement of SOEC stacks, the long-term profitability of operating SOEC at a current density of 500 mA/cm2 is superior to that of 850 mA/cm2. Despite the most effective layout being currently unprofitable, it is anticipated that in the future, carbon trade, renewable electricity and technological advancements will drive the cost of electro-synthetic fuel to become competitive with that of diesel.

Objective: To develop a model combining clinical and radiomics features from CT scans for a preoperative noninvasive evaluation of Huvos grading of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with HOS. Methods: 183 patients from center A and 42 from center B were categorized into training and validation sets. Features derived from radiomics were obtained from unenhanced CT scans.Following dimensionality reduction, the most optimal features were selected and utilized in creating a radiomics model through logistic regression analysis. Integrating clinical features, a composite clinical radiomics model was developed, and a nomogram was constructed. Predictive performance of the model was evaluated using ROC curves and calibration curves. Additionally, decision curve analysis was conducted to assess practical utility of nomogram in clinical settings. Results: LASSO LR analysis was performed, and finally, three selected image omics features were obtained.Radiomics model yielded AUC values with a good diagnostic effect for both patient sets (AUCs: 0.69 and 0.68, respectively). Clinical models (including sex, age, pre-chemotherapy ALP and LDH levels, new lung metastases within 1 year after surgery, and incidence) performed well in terms of Huvos grade prediction, with an AUC of 0.74 for training set. The AUC for independent validation set stood at 0.70. Notably, the amalgamation of radiomics and clinical features exhibited commendable predictive prowess in training set, registering an AUC of 0.78. This robust performance was subsequently validated in the independent validation set, where the AUC remained high at 0.75. Calibration curves of nomogram showed that the predictions were in good agreement with actual observations. Conclusion: Combined model can be used for Huvos grading in patients with HOS after preoperative chemotherapy, which is helpful for adjuvant treatment decisions.

Abstract The DNA‐guided (gDNA) Argonaute from Thermus thermophilus (TtAgo) has little potential for nucleic acid detection and gene editing due to its poor dsDNA cleavage activity at relatively low temperature. Herein, the dsDNA cleavage activity of TtAgo is enhanced by using 2′‐fluorine (2′F)‐modified gDNA and developes a novel nucleic acid testing strategy. This study finds that the gDNA with 2′F‐nucleotides at the 3′‐end (2′F‐gDNA) can promote the assembly of the TtAgo‐guide‐target ternary complex significantly by increasing its intermolecular force to target DNA and TtAgo, thereby providing ≈40‐fold activity enhancement and decreasing minimum reaction temperature from 65 to 60 °C. Based on this outstanding advance, a novel nucleic acid testing strategy is proposed, termed FAST, which is performed by using the 2′F‐gDNA/TtAgo for target recognition and combining it with Bst DNA polymerase for nucleic acid amplification. By integrating G‐quadruplex and Thioflavin T, the FAST assay achieves one‐pot real‐time fluorescence analysis with ultra‐sensitivity, providing a limit of detection up to 5 copies (20 µL reaction mixture) for miR‐21 detection. In summary, an atom‐modification‐based strategy has been developed for enhancing the cleavage activity of TtAgo efficiently, thereby improving its practicability and establishing a TtAgo‐based nucleic acid testing technology with ultra‐sensitivity and high‐specificity.

Abstract Background Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the standard treatment for intermediate‐stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Given the lack of specific recommendations for conventional TACE (cTACE) and drug‐eluting bead TACE (DEB‐TACE) in patients having unresectable HCC with tumor infiltrating the common hepatic duct or the first‐order branch of the bile ducts (B1‐type bile duct invasion; B1‐BDI) after biliary drainage, we retrospectively compared the safety and efficacy of DEB‐TACE with cTACE in this patient population. Materials and Methods Using data from five tertiary medical centers (January 2017–December 2021), we compared complications, overall survival (OS), time to progression (TTP), and tumor response rate between patients having unresectable HCC with B1‐BDI who underwent DEB‐TACE or cTACE after successful biliary drainage. X‐tile software calculated the pre‐TACE total bilirubin (TBil) cutoff value, indicating optimal timing for sequential TACE after drainage. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed. Results The study included 108 patients with unresectable HCC (B1‐BDI) who underwent DEB‐TACE and 114 who received cTACE as initial treatment. After PSM (n = 53 for each group), the DEB‐TACE group had a longer TTP (8.9 vs. 6.7 months, p = 0.038) and higher objective response rate (64.2% vs. 39.6%, p = 0.011) than did the cTACE group, although OS was comparable (16.7 vs. 15.3 months, p = 0.115). The DEB‐TACE group exhibited fewer post‐procedural increments in the mean albumin‐bilirubin score, TBil, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), along with a significantly lower incidence of serious adverse events within 30 days (hepatic failure, ALT increase, and TBil increase) than the cTACE group (all p 99 μmol/L) had poorer OS in both groups (p

Summary: Obesity is a global health challenge with limited therapeutic solutions. Here, we demonstrate the engineering of an energy-dissipating hybrid tissue (EDHT) in the body for weight control. EDHT is constructed by implanting a synthetic gel matrix comprising immunomodulatory signals and functional cells into the recipient mouse. The immunomodulatory signals induce the host stromal cells to create an immunosuppressive niche that protects the functional cells, which are overexpressing the uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), from immune rejection. Consequently, these endogenous and exogenous cells co-develop a hybrid tissue that sustainedly produces UCP1 to accelerate the host’s energy expenditure. Systematic experiments in high-fat diet (HFD) and transgenic (ob/ob) mice show that EDHT efficiently reduces body weight and relieves obesity-associated pathological conditions. Importantly, an 18-month observation for safety assessment excludes cell leakage from EDHT and reports no adverse physiological responses. Overall, EDHT demonstrates convincing efficacy and safety in controlling body weight.

The disaster assessment and mitigation of urban infrastructure under explosion loads is a research focus. Prefabricated tunnels are usually connected by joints, and their mechanical properties under explosion loads are of concern. To evaluate the dynamic response characteristics of prefabricated frame tunnels with steel box joints under explosive loads, an anti-explosion strategy was proposed in this study. A three-dimensional refined numerical model of the dynamic response of prefabricated frame tunnels was established, and the reliability of the modelling method was validated by full-scale explosion test results. The deformation characteristics, structural stress, damage evolution, and failure mode of these tunnels under vehicle explosion loads were explored. The influences of the thickness, stirrup spacing, and reinforcement ratio on the anti-explosion ability of the middle partition wall were evaluated. The results show that the displacement response of the tunnel partition wall changed in three stages and that the displacement increased significantly when the TNT equivalent explosive force reached 227 kg. The joint of the middle partition wall underwent the most deformation, and the degree of damage of the tunnel corner and the joint was higher than that of other parts. Under the influence of the Mach effect caused by the overpressure shock wave, cracks were generated in the middle partition wall of the tunnel, and obvious tension and compression areas formed. At Z⩽0.8, the failure mode of section S5 of the middle partition wall was mainly a seismic collapse failure and combined bending and shear failure. An increase in the thickness of the middle wall and a reduction in the stirrup spacing helped to improve the anti-explosion performance of the middle wall in this tunnel.

The construction of fill slopes becomes a critical aspect when there is a need to change the terrain or create new terrain. However, due to the poor engineering properties of the fill material, especially when red sandstone with notable disintegration properties is used, the risk of slippage or collapse may occur. This material is prone to erosion and disintegration under the action of natural factors such as heavy rainfall, leading to severe soil erosion and slope instability. In addition, the construction of fill slopes inevitably causes the destruction of native vegetation, exacerbating environmental problems. To address these problems, an novel ecological approach for preventing water damage to red sandstone fill slopes was developed using the vegetation–high-performance turf reinforcement mat –anchor–drainage pipe–synergistic slope protection system. Three test red sandstone slopes with different protection methods (unprotected, three-dimensional (3D) protection mesh, and vegetation ecological protection system slopes) were constructed, and the feasibility and reliability of ecological protection against water damage to red sandstone fill slopes were analysed via the field test method. The results showed that the vegetation ecological protection system can effectively inhibit soil erosion and increase the survival rate of vegetation roots. Moreover, the the high-performance turf reinforcement mat provides a strong protective complex through interactions with vegetation roots, anchors, and drains, which significantly enhances slope stability. Under heavy rainfall conditions, the vegetation ecological protection system can effectively limit slope erosion due to water scour, thus maintaining the structural integrity of the slope.

ObjectiveThis study aims to develop an artificial intelligence model utilizing clinical blood markers, ultrasound data, and breast biopsy pathological information to predict the distant metastasis in breast cancer patients.MethodsData from two medical centers were utilized, Clinical blood markers, ultrasound data, and breast biopsy pathological information were separately extracted and selected. Feature dimensionality reduction was performed using Spearman correlation and LASSO regression. Predictive models were constructed using LR and LightGBM machine learning algorithms and validated on internal and external validation sets. Feature correlation analysis was conducted for both models.ResultsThe LR model achieved AUC values of 0.892, 0.816, and 0.817 for the training, internal validation, and external validation cohorts, respectively. The LightGBM model achieved AUC values of 0.971, 0.861, and 0.890 for the same cohorts, respectively. Clinical decision curve analysis showed a superior net benefit of the LightGBM model over the LR model in predicting distant metastasis in breast cancer. Key features identified included creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) and alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase.ConclusionThis study developed an artificial intelligence model using clinical blood markers, ultrasound data, and pathological information to identify distant metastasis in breast cancer patients. The LightGBM model demonstrated superior predictive accuracy and clinical applicability, suggesting it as a promising tool for early diagnosis of distant metastasis in breast cancer.

Background: Soft tissue sarcoma, a malignant tumor arising from mesenchymal tissues with poor prognosis. 5′-Nucleotidase Domain Containing 2 (NT5DC2) is a novel oncogene, and the precise involvement of NT5DC2 in soft tissue sarcoma were still undefined. Hence, our study aims to investigate NT5DC2 functions in soft tissue sarcoma progression. Methods: The tumor immune single-cell hub 2 (TISCH2) website, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) pan-cancer or sarcoma and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO, GSE21122) databases were applied to visualize the NT5DC2 status in the sarcoma databases. The NT5DC2 protein expression in sarcoma tissues in our hospital was detected by using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and analyzed the associations between NT5DC2 expression and clinicopathological parameters. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), colony formation, 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, wound healing, transwell, flow cytometry and xenograft model were used to elucidate the effects of NT5DC2 downregulated by lentivirus in sarcoma cell. Results: The TISCH2 website detection found that NT5DC2 expression is enriched in malignant cells in sarcoma single-cell database. Furthermore, the TCGA-sarcoma database indicated that NT5DC2 expression correlates with metastasis, positive margin status, prognosis, and diagnostic value. Additionally, IHC staining showed that 40 % of soft tissue sarcoma patients present high expression of NT5DC2, and NT5DC2 upregulation is closely associated with poor prognosis. Functional verification analysis further revealed that downregulating NT5DC2 expression can suppress sarcoma progression through the ECM-receptor interaction pathway. Conclusion: Low expression of NT5DC2 predicts a favorable prognosis in soft tissue sarcoma, and downregulated NT5DC2 expression can suppress sarcoma cell progression through the ECM-receptor interaction pathway.

Abstract Cardiac aging, particularly cardiac cell senescence, is a natural process that occurs as we age. Heart function gradually declines in old age, leading to continuous heart failure, even in people without a prior history of heart disease. To address this issue and improve cardiac cell function, it is crucial to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac senescence. This review summarizes the main mechanisms and key proteins involved in cardiac cell senescence. This review further discusses the molecular modulators of cellular senescence in aging hearts. Furthermore, the discussion will encompass comprehensive descriptions of the key drugs, modes of action and potential targets for intervention in cardiac senescence. By offering a fresh perspective and comprehensive insights into the molecular mechanisms of cardiac senescence, this review seeks to provide a fresh perspective and important theoretical foundations for the development of drugs targeting this condition.

Abstract Objective This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) based on existing evidence. Methods We conducted a comprehensive search through April 15, 2023, of seven major databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing adjunctive hyperbaric HBOT with non-HBOT (no HBOT or sham HBOT) treatments for AIS. Data extraction and assessment were independently performed by two researchers. The quality of included studies was evaluated using the tool provided by the Cochrane Collaboration. Meta-analysis was conducted using Rev Man 5.3. Results A total of 8 studies involving 493 patients were included. The meta-analysis showed no statistically significant differences between HBOT and the control group in terms of NIHSS score (MD = -1.41, 95%CI = -7.41 to 4.58), Barthel index (MD = 8.85, 95%CI = -5.84 to 23.54), TNF-α (MD = -5.78, 95%CI = -19.93 to 8.36), sICAM (MD = -308.47, 95%CI = -844.13 to 13227.19), sVCAM (MD = -122.84, 95%CI = -728.26 to 482.58), sE-selectin (MD = 0.11, 95%CI = -21.86 to 22.08), CRP (MD = -5.76, 95%CI = -15.02 to 3.51), adverse event incidence within ≤ 6 months of follow-up (OR = 0.98, 95%CI = 0.25 to 3.79). However, HBOT showed significant improvement in modified Rankin score (MD = 0.10, 95%CI = 0.03 to 0.17), and adverse event incidence at the end of treatment (OR = 0.42, 95%CI = 0.19 to 0.94) compared to the control group. Conclusion While our findings do not support the routine use of HBOT for improving clinical outcomes in AIS, further research is needed to explore its potential efficacy within specific therapeutic windows and for different cerebral occlusion scenarios. Therefore, the possibility of HBOT offering clinical benefits for AIS cannot be entirely ruled out.

The rice planthopper, Sogatella furcifera, is a piercing-sucking insect pest of rice, Oryza sativa. It is responsible for significant crop yield losses, and has developed moderate to high resistance to several commonly used chemical insecticides. We investigated the effects of the insect fungal pathogen Isaria javanica, alone and in combination with the chemical insecticide dinotefuran, on S. furcifera under both laboratory and field conditions. Our results show that I. javanica displays high infection efficiency and mortality for different stages of S. furcifera, reducing adult survival, female oviposition and ovary development. Laboratory bioassays showed that the combined use of I. javanica with a low dose (4–16 mg L–1) of dinotefuran resulted in higher mortality in S. furcifera than the use of I. javanica or dinotefuran alone. The combined treatment also had more significant effects on several host enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and prophenol oxidase activities. In field trials, I. javanica effectively suppressed populations of rice planthoppers to low levels (22–64% of the level in untreated plots). Additional field experiments showed synergistic effects, i.e., enhanced efficiency, for the control of S. furcifera populations using the combination of a low dose of I. javanica (1×104 conidia mL–1) and a low dose of dinotefuran (~4.8–19.2% of normal field use levels), with control effects of >90% and a population level under 50 insects per 100 hills at 3–14 days post-treatment. Our findings indicate that the entomogenous fungus I. javanica offers an attractive biological control addition as part of the integrated pest management (IPM) practices for the control of rice plant pests.

[Objective] Under the influence of corner effect in deep foundation pit, significant differences in deformation occur in the retaining structure at the pit corners. Buildings along various directions of the foundation pit experience varying settlement values. The corner effect is particularly pronounced in cobble stratum, posing a high risk of structural damage. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the impact law of corner effect in deep foundation pit in cobble stratum on the deformation of adjacent buildings. [Method] Taking Guangxi University Station of Nanning Rail Transit Line 5 as example, the influence range of the corner effect is studied through the analysis of actual monitoring data. A three-dimensional finite element calculation model is established using Plaxis software to analyze the deformation law of the diaphragm wall and adjacent buildings within the corner effect range. [Result & Conclusion] The corner effect range in cobble stratum is determined to be 2.8H (H as the excavation depth). The corner effect results in significantly greater horizontal displacement of foundation pit mid-section diaphragm wall compared to the corner, with a maximum increase of 82.2%. When the distance between buildings and the pit corner is≥1.5H, the restraining action of pit corner effect on building deformation weakens. With variations in the distance between buildings and the pit corner or edge, the uneven settlement values and tilt rates of building longitudinal walls show a steep parabolic change trend in the vertical direction to the foundation pit edge, while in the parallel direction to the foundation pit edge, the curve changes of the uneven settlement and tilt rates of building longitudinal walls can be divided into a parabolic trend with steep decline, convex, and concave patterns.

Abstract Background Harmonia axyridis is an effective natural enemy insect to a variety of phloem-sucking pests and Lepidopteran larvae, such as aphids, scabies, and phylloxera, while its industrial production is limited due to unmature artificial diet. Insect intestinal microbiota affect host development and reproduction. The aim of this study is to understand intestinal microbiota composition of H. axyridis and screen effective probiotics on artificial diet. Considering the role of the components and composition of the diet on the structure and composition of the intestinal microbiome, four kinds of diets were set up: (1) aphid; (2) basic diet; (3) basic diet + glucose; (4) basic diet + trehalose. The gut microbiota of H. axyridis was detected after feeding on different diets. Results Results showed that the gut microbiota between artificial diet group and aphid groups were far apart, while the basic and glucose groups were clearly clustered. Besides, the glucose group and trehalose group had one unique phylum, Cryptophyta and Candidatus Saccharibacteria, respectively. The highest abundance of Proteobacteria was found in the aphid diet. The highest abundance of Firmicutes was found in the basic diet. However, the addition of glucose or trehalose alleviated the change. In addition, the relative abundance of Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Enterobacteriaceae_unclassified, Enterobacteriales_unclassified and Serratia in the aphid group was higher than other groups. Moreover, the function of gut genes in each group also showed clear differences. Conclusion These results have offered a strong link between artificial diets and gut microbes, and also have provided a theoretical basis for the screening of synergistic probiotics in artificial diet.

[INLINE:1] Tibetan singing bowls emit low-frequency sounds and produce perceptible harmonic tones and vibrations through manual tapping. The sounds the singing bowls produce have been shown to enhance relaxation and reduce anxiety. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we used chronic restraint stress or sleep deprivation to establish mouse models of anxiety that exhibit anxiety-like behaviors. We then supplied treatment with singing bowls in a bottomless cage placed on the top of a cushion. We found that unlike in humans, the combination of harmonic tones and vibrations did not improve anxiety-like behaviors in mice, while individual vibration components did. Additionally, the vibration of singing bowls increased the level of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 in the somatosensory cortex and prefrontal cortex of the mice, decreased the level of γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABA) receptor α 1 subtype, reduced the level of CaMKII in the prefrontal cortex, and increased the number of GABAergic interneurons. At the same time, electrophysiological tests showed that the vibration of singing bowls significantly reduced the abnormal low-frequency gamma oscillation peak frequency in the medial prefrontal cortex caused by stress restraint pressure and sleep deprivation. Results from this study indicate that the vibration of singing bowls can alleviate anxiety-like behaviors by reducing abnormal molecular and electrophysiological events in somatosensory and medial prefrontal cortex.

Abstract The Xpert MTB/RIF test (Xpert) can help in the accurate screening of tuberculosis, however, its widespread use is limited by its high cost and lack of accessibility. Pooling of sputum samples for testing is a strategy to cut expenses and enhance population coverage but may result in a decrease in detection sensitivity due to the dilution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) by sample mixing. We investigated how the mixing ratio affected the detection performance of Xpert. We used frozen sputum samples that had been kept after individual Xpert assays of the sputa from Mtb-confirmed TB patients and non-TB patients. Our results showed that the overall sensitivity of the Xpert pooling assay remained higher than 80% when the mixing ratio was between 1/2 and 1/8. When the mixing ratio was raised to 1/16, the positive detection rate fell to 69.0%. For patients with either a high sputum Mtb smear score ≥ 2+, a time-to-positive culture ≤ 10 days, or an Xpert test indicating a high or medium abundance of bacteria, the pooling assay positivity rates were 93.3%, 96.8%, and 100% respectively, even at a 1/16 mixing ratio. For participants with cavities and cough, the pooling assay positivity rates were 86.2% and 90.0% at a 1/8 ratio, higher than for those without these signs. Our results show that the Xpert pooled assay has a high overall sensitivity, especially for highly infectious patients. This pooling strategy with lower reagent and labor costs could support TB screening in communities with limited resources, thereby facilitating reductions in the community transmission and incidence of TB worldwide.

Abstract Objective For patients with 1–2 positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) identified by biopsy, the necessity of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) remains a matter of debate. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the association between postoperative pathological factors and non-sentinel lymph node (NSLN) metastases in Chinese patients diagnosed with sentinel node-positive breast cancer. Methods This research involved a total of 280 individuals with SLN-positive breast cancer. The relationship between postoperative pathological variables and non-sentinel lymph node metastases was scrutinized using univariate, multivariate, and stratified analysis. Results Among the 280 patients with a complete count of SLN positives, 126 (45.0%) exhibited NSLN metastasis. Within this group, 45 cases (35.71%) had 1 SLN positive, while 81 cases (64.29%) demonstrated more than 1 SLN positive. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that HER2 expression status (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.10–4.60, P = 0.0269), LVI (OR 6.08, 95% CI 3.31–11.14, P

Abstract The CRISPR-Cas9 system offers substantial potential for cancer therapy by enabling precise manipulation of key genes involved in tumorigenesis and immune response. Despite its promise, the system faces critical challenges, including the preservation of cell viability post-editing and ensuring safe in vivo delivery. To address these issues, this study develops an in vivo CRISPR-Cas9 system targeting tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). We employ bacterial protoplast-derived nanovesicles (NVs) modified with pH-responsive PEG-conjugated phospholipid derivatives and galactosamine-conjugated phospholipid derivatives tailored for TAM targeting. Utilizing plasmid-transformed E. coli protoplasts as production platforms, we successfully load NVs with two key components: a Cas9-sgRNA ribonucleoprotein targeting Pik3cg, a pivotal molecular switch of macrophage polarization, and bacterial CpG-rich DNA fragments, acting as potent TLR9 ligands. This NV-based, self-assembly approach shows promise for scalable clinical production. Our strategy remodels the tumor microenvironment by stabilizing an M1-like phenotype in TAMs, thus inhibiting tumor growth in female mice. This in vivo CRISPR-Cas9 technology opens avenues for cancer immunotherapy, overcoming challenges related to cell viability and safe, precise in vivo delivery.

Abstract Background The outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) derived from Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) have long been acknowledged for their crucial role in the initiation of periodontitis. However, the implications of P. gingivalis OMVs in the context of cardiovascular disease (CVD) remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to clarify both the impact and the underlying mechanisms through which P. gingivalis OMVs contribute to the propagation of distal cardiovascular inflammation and trauma. Methods In this study, various concentrations (0, 1.25, 2.5, and 4.5 µg/µL) of P. gingivalis OMVs were microinjected into the common cardinal vein of zebrafish larvae at 48 h post-fertilization (hpf) to assess changes in cardiovascular injury and inflammatory response. Zebrafish larvae from both the PBS and the 2.5 µg/µL injection cohorts were harvested at 30 h post-injection (hpi) for transcriptional analysis. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was employed to evaluate relative gene expression. Results These findings demonstrated that P. gingivalis OMVs induced pericardial enlargement in zebrafish larvae, caused vascular damage, increased neutrophil counts, and activated inflammatory pathways. Transcriptomic analysis further revealed the involvement of the immune response and the extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction signaling pathway in this process. Conclusion This study illuminated potential mechanisms through which P. gingivalis OMVs contribute to CVD. It accentuated their involvement in distal cardiovascular inflammation and emphasizes the need for further research to comprehensively grasp the connection between periodontitis and CVD.

Many management strategies are available for pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms with liver metastases. However, a lack of biological, molecular, and genomic information and an absence of data from rigorous trials limit the validity of these strategies. This review presents the viewpoints from an international conference consisting of several expert working groups. The working groups reviewed a series of questions of particular interest to clinicians taking care of patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms with liver metastases by reviewing the existing management strategies and literature, evaluating the evidence on which management decisions were based, developing internationally acceptable recommendations for clinical practice, and making recommendations for clinical and research endeavors. The review for each question will be followed by recommendations from the panel.

Abstract Background A connection between lymphovascular invasion and axillary lymph node metastases in breast cancer has been observed, but the findings are inconsistent and primarily based on research in Western populations. We investigated the association between lymphovascular invasion and non-sentinel lymph node (non-SLN) metastasis in breast cancer patients with sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis in western China. Methods This study comprised 280 breast cancer patients who tested positive for SLN through biopsy and subsequently underwent axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) at The People’s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region between March 2013 and July 2022. We used multivariate logistic regression analyses to assess the association between clinicopathological characteristics and non-SLN metastasis. Additionally, we conducted further stratified analysis. Results: Among the 280 patients with positive SLN, only 126 (45%) exhibited non-SLN metastasis. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that lymphovascular invasion was an independent risk factor for non-SLN in breast cancer patients with SLN metastasis (OR = 6.11; 95% CI, 3.62–10.32, p