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Non-agglomerated and uniform Eu3+-doped NaGdF4 nanocrystals were synthesized via a facile one-step precipitation method at room temperature. Under pulsed magnetic fields, the luminescence properties of the as-prepared samples have been recorded and discussed in detail. Particularly, “controllable eliminating luminescence” of 5D0–7F0 transition in Eu3+ was achieved during the magneto-optical interaction. Magnetic field assisted cross-relaxation of excited electrons was derived from Zeeman splitting of the higher 5D energy level, and the magnetic confinement of f electron wave functions was proposed which were responsible for the change in luminescence intensity with a variation of magnetic field strength. The characteristic variation of the emission band under pulsed magnetic fields promises an optical probe for magnetic field detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanorod-like Zn2GeO4 and diverse Zn2GeO4:xEu nanostructures were controllably synthesized via a surfactant-free hydrothermal route. Detailed composition and morphology were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The influence of Eu3+-doping on the phase and size transition of Zn2GeO4 nanocrystals was investigated, and a possible Zn2GeO4:xEu crystal growth mechanism, which is ascribed to hetero-valence ion doping, is proposed. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra indicate that Zn2GeO4:xEu phosphors give both the bluish-white emission from the Zn2GeO4 host and orange-red emission of Eu3+ ions. The morphologies of calcined Zn2GeO4:xEu were studied and their PL properties were also investigated. The results suggested that the emission of both the Zn2GeO4 host and Eu3+ ions can be adjusted via tuning the concentration of Eu3+-doping, excitation wavelengths and calcination schedules of the Zn2GeO4:xEu nanocrystals. Therefore, Zn2GeO4:Eu nanocrystals with multi-color as well as white light emission displayed a potential application for white light-emitting diodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutation of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC gene), an early event in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence, is present in 70-80% of sporadic human colorectal adenomas and carcinomas. To test the hypothesis that mutation of the APC gene alters microbial interactions with host intestinal mucosa prior to the development of polyposis, culture-independent methods (targeted qPCR assays and Illumina sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene V1V2 hypervariable region) were used to compare the intestinal microbial composition of 30 six-week old C57BL/6 APCMin/+ and 30 congenic wild type (WT) mice. The results demonstrate that similar to 12-14 week old APCMin/+ mice with intestinal neoplasia, 6 week old APCMin/+ mice with no detectable neoplasia, exhibit an increased relative abundance of Bacteroidetes spp in the colon. Parallel mouse RNA sequence analysis, conducted on a subset of proximal colonic RNA samples (6 APCMin/+, 6 WT) revealed 130 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, fold change ≥ 2, FDR <0.05). Hierarchical clustering of the DEGs was carried out by using 1-r dissimilarity measurement, where r stands for the Pearson correlation, and Ward minimum variance linkage, in order to reduce the number of input variables. When the cluster centroids (medians) were included along with APC genotype as input variables in a negative binomial (NB) regression model, four of seven mouse gene clusters, in addition to APC genotype, were significantly associated with the increased relative abundance of Bacteroidetes spp. Three of the four clusters include several downregulated genes encoding immunoglobulin variable regions and non-protein coding RNAs. These results support the concept that mutation of the APC gene alters colonic-microbial interactions prior to polyposis. It remains to be determined whether interventions directed at ameliorating dysbiosis in APCMin/+mice, such as through probiotics, prebiotics or antibiotics, could reduce tumor formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monodisperse rice-like Ni2+-doped β-Ga2O3 nanostructures were phase-controllably synthesized via a hydrothermal route and subsequent calcination. The detailed phase, composition and morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), which showed that the rice-like β-Ga2O3 nanostructures were assembled with nanorods with a diameter of ∼50 nm along their entire length. The phase formation and transition behavior of β-Ga2O3 nanocrystals were investigated, and a possible crystal growth mechanism for the rice-like GaOOH nanostructure was proposed. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra indicated that Ni2+-doped β-Ga2O3 phosphors exhibit a broadband near-infrared emission (1200–1600 nm). Besides, the magnetic properties were also investigated, revealing the ferromagnetic nature of the Ni2+-doped β-Ga2O3 nanocrystals. The single phase Ni2+-doped β-Ga2O3 nanocrystals endowed with optical and magnetic bifunctional properties have promising potential application in the fields of optical communication, biological diagnosis and magnetic information storage, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Borosilicate glasses doped with PbO, ZnS, or PbS were fabricated to investigate the visible emissions (one located at 370 nm and another at 550 nm) observed in the PbO and ZnS codoped glass. Several series of glassy systems were designed to investigate the mechanism of above visible emissions. The absorption, photoluminescence ( PL), photoluminescence excitation ( PLE) spectra, and lifetime measurements were used to characterize all the emissions. The nanosecond level lifetimes for all the samples' 370 nm emissions ascribed the 370 nm emission to the glass defects. Measured lifetimes for the PbS quantum dots ( QDs) in the glasses with an emission in the near-infrared region which was about 8 μs was close to the values for the yellow emission, which confirmed the formation of PbS nanoclusters in the codoped glass was responsible for the yellow emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new single-DoF modularized spatial mechanism was proposed. • The proposed mechanism can mimic the undulatory motion of a sailfish. • The proposed spatial mechanism has good torque transmission ability. • A prototype of sailfish-like robot was fabricated and swims effectively with one motor. Bionic robotic fish remains a challenging yet intriguing topic in the field of robotics. Although various mechanical structures and materials have been employed in many fish-inspired robots, addressing the complexity and reliability of controlling multiple motors simultaneously in series joints of these robots remains an issue. This study introduces a new solution that utilizes mechanical coupling motion to replicate the undulatory motion of a swimming sailfish. To realize this, we propose a novel single-degree-of-freedom modularized spatial mechanism and develop a theoretical method to ensure the fish-inspired robot's body movement aligns with the undulatory locomotion of an actual sailfish. As all electronic components, including motors, can be installed in the head, waterproofing the undulatory part becomes unnecessary. This enhances the reliability of the sailfish-inspired robot. Two independently controlled pectoral fins are positioned on the head for steering purposes. An experimental prototype, measuring 1250 mm in length, is tested to assess its swimming performance. The results indicate that the proposed mechanism can effectively transmit torque and motion, and the sailfish-inspired robot is capable of mimicking the locomotion of a swimming sailfish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Biomaterials-mediated retinal progenitor cell (RPC)-based transplantation therapy has shown substantial potential for retinal degeneration (RD), but it is limited by the poor RPC survival, proliferation and differentiation. Herein, the gelatin-hyaluronic acid (Gel-HA)-based hydrogels formed via moderate Michael-type addition reaction with or without the introduction of mussel-inspired polydopamine (PDA), i.e. Gel-HA-PDA and its counterpart Gel-HA hydrogels are developed, and their effects on the biological behaviour of RPCs, including adhesion, survival, proliferation, differentiation, delivery and migration are investigated. The hybrid hydrogels can adopt the intricate structure of the retina with suitable mechanical strength, degradation rate and biological activity to support cellular adhesion, survival and delivery. Meanwhile, Gel-HA hydrogel can remarkably promote RPC proliferation with much larger cell clusters, while Gel-HA-PDA hydrogel significantly enhances RPC adhesion and migration, and directs RPCs to preferentially differentiate toward retinal neurons such as photoreceptors (the most crucial cell-type for RD treatment), which is mainly induced by the activation of integrin α5β1-phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. This study demonstrates that Gel-HA hydrogel possesses great potential for RPC proliferation, while mussel-inspired PDA-modified Gel-HA hydrogel with superior biocompatibility can significantly promote RPC neuronal differentiation, providing new insights for developing biomedical materials applied for RPC-based transplantation therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Develop and evaluate an ensemble clinical machine learning–deep learning (CML-DL) model integrating deep visual features and clinical data to improve the prediction of supraspinatus/infraspinatus tendon complex (SITC) injuries. Methods: Patients with suspected SITC injuries were retrospectively recruited from two hospitals, with clinical data and shoulder x-ray radiographs collected. An ensemble CML-DL model was developed for diagnosing normal or insignificant rotator cuff abnormality (NIRCA) and significant rotator cuff tear (SRCT). All patients suspected with SRCT were confirmed by arthroscopy examination. The model's performance was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the curve (AUC) metrics, and a two-round assessment was conducted to authenticate its clinical applicability. Results: A total of 974 patients were divided into three cohorts: the training cohort (n = 828), the internal validation cohort (n = 89), and the external validation cohort (n = 57). The CML-DL model, which integrates clinical and deep visual features, demonstrated superior performance compared to individual models of either type. The model's sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under curve (95% confidence interval) were 0.880, 0.812, 0.836, and 0.902 (0.858–0.947), respectively. The CML-DL model exhibited higher sensitivity and specificity compared to or on par with the physicians in all validation cohorts. Furthermore, the assistance of the ensemble CML-DL model resulted in a significant improvement in sensitivity for junior physicians in all validation cohorts, without any reduction in specificity. Conclusions: The ensembled CML-DL model provides a solution to help physicians improve the diagnosis performance of SITC injury, especially for junior physicians with limited expertise. Critical relevance statement: The ensembled clinical machine learning–deep learning (CML-DL) model integrating deep visual features and clinical data provides a superior performance in the diagnosis of supraspinatus/infraspinatus tendon complex (SITC) injuries, particularly for junior physicians with limited expertise. Key points: 1. Integrating clinical and deep visual features improves diagnosing SITC injuries. 2. Ensemble CML-DL model validated for clinical use in two-round assessment. 3. Ensemble model boosts sensitivity in SITC injury diagnosis for junior physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jurassic shale in the northeastern Sichuan Basin is one of the main target intervals for continental shale gas exploitation. Research on the pore structure and gas-bearing properties of shales is the key issue in target interval optimization. Through core observation, geochemistry, bulk minerals, scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption, and isothermal adsorption experiments, various lithofacies with different pore structure characteristics were clarified. In addition, the factors that control gas-bearing properties were discussed, and a continental shale gas enrichment model was finally established. The results show that the Jurassic continental shale in the northeastern Sichuan Basin can be classified into six lithofacies. Organic pores, intergranular pores, interlayer pores in clay minerals, intercrystalline pores in pyrite framboids, and dissolution pores can be observed in shale samples. Pore structures varied in different shale lithofacies. The contact angle of shales is commonly less than 45°, leading to complex wettability of pores in the shales. Free gas content is mainly controlled by the organic matter (OM) content and the brittleness in the Jurassic shale. The adsorbed gas content is mainly controlled by the OM content, clay mineral type, and water saturation of the shales. The enrichment mode of the Lower Jurassic continental shale gas in the northeastern Sichuan Basin is established. Paleoenvironments control the formation of organic-rich shales in the center part of lakes. The "baffle" layer helps the confinement and high pressure, and the complex syncline controls the preservation, forming the enrichment pattern of the complex syncline-central baffle layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence from previous studies has suggested that ginger extract exhibits the potential as an alternative treatment for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we want to investigate whether ginger supplement improves the clinical manifestation of hospitalized COVID-19 individuals. Methods: A total of 227 hospitalized individuals with COVID-19 were randomized to either the control (n = 132) or intervention group (n = 95). The intervention group took ginger supplement orally at the dosage of 1.5 g twice daily, until they were discharged from the hospital. Both groups received the same standard of general medical care during hospitalization, and the length of stay was recorded and compared between groups. Results: Among all participants, a significant reduction in hospitalization time (the difference between the treatment and control groups was 2.4 d, 95% CI 1.6–3.2) was detected in response to the ginger supplement. This effect was more pronounced in men, participants aged 60 years or older, and participants with pre-existing medical conditions, relative to their counterparts (P-interactions < 0.05 for all). Conclusion: Ginger supplement significantly shortened the length of stay of hospitalized individuals with COVID-19. Trial registration: The trial was registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200059824). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The absence of patellar ligament will bring about a severe negative impact on daily life. Many reconstruction techniques have been described in adults. However, there is a lack of technical introduction regarding the reconstruction of the patellar ligament in children. The purpose of this study was to report a surgical technique for reconstructing the patellar ligament in children. Method: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data on a patellar ligament (tendon sheath fibroma) patient with allogeneic tendon reconstruction. An 8‐year‐old child with postoperative recurrence of left patellar ligament tumor was enrolled in our study. Anterior tibialis tendon allograft was used to reconstruct the patellar ligament after complete resection of the patellar ligament for the tumor. The tunnels were constructed on the deep surface of the tibial tubercle and the root of the quadriceps tendon (to decrease the harmful impact on patella development), respectively. The allogeneic tendon was passed through the tunnels above in the shape of "8," and the two ends of the tendon were attached to the bleeding bone bed at the inferior edge of the patella with suture anchors to achieve better bone‐tendon healing. During the follow‐up, the knee's range of motion and imaging manifestations were recorded. Result: Postoperative pathology suggests chondromesenchymal hamartoma, a rare benign soft tissue tumor different from the previous operation (tendon sheath fibroma). During the 4‐year follow‐up, the patient's active range of motion of the knee achieved 0° to 120°; and the patient could walk normally without any external help. Physical examinations (the apprehension sign and J sign) showed no ligamentous instability or patellar ligament tenderness. Imaging analysis showed that the ratio length of the patellar ligament to the patella was almost normal. The integrity, continuity, and shape of the allogeneic ligament showed excellent results in MRI. Combined with clinical and imaging findings, allogeneic tendon patellar ligament reconstruction was deemed successful. Conclusion: Allogeneic ligament reconstruction technique can provide a treatment option by reconstructing the extensor mechanism, minimizing the impact on patellar development, and augmenting biological healing for children with the absence of the patellar ligament. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibrosis is the main cause of limited range of motion (ROM) of shoulder in patients with frozen shoulder (FS). Overexpression of Interleukin 6 (IL-6) has been correlated with pathogenesis of FS. However, the underlying mechanism remains largely unexplored. In the current study, we focused on isolating synovial fibroblasts of FS and determining the influence of IL-6 as well as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway on the fibrotic process of synovial fibroblasts in FS by using RNA Sequencing (RNA-seq) and other molecular biology techniques. Synovial fibroblasts of FS express more extra cellular matrix (ECM) than that of control. RNA-seq results and bioinformatic analysis indicate that PI3K-Akt signaling pathway play an important role in the fibrotic process of FS, and IL-6 is the most related gene among those related to this process. The expression levels of IL-6 / IL-6R in FS synovial fibroblasts and IL-6 in culture supernatant were both significantly increased. siRNA interference with the expression of IL-6 attenuates the fibrosis level of FS as well as phosphorylation level of Akt. The findings suggest that synovial fibroblasts are key effector cells of fibrosis of FS. Activation of PI3K-Akt pathway can promote fibrosis of synovial fibroblasts in FS. IL-6 is up-regulated in synovial fibroblasts of FS and promoted the FS fibrosis through PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. • Synovial fibroblasts are key effector cells in the fibrogenesis of frozen shoulder. • Inflammation of synovial fibroblasts induces the fibrotic process. • IL-6 promotes fibrosis through PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On-site analysis can provide qualitative or/and quantitative information of samples at the sample location. Up to date, a variety of portable instruments have been available for on-site analysis, some of which have even been commercialized. For an on-site analysis, all the steps including sampling, sample preparation, separation/non-separation, detection and data processing must be carried out on-site. Portable GC and GC-MS have been widely used in on-site environmental sample analysis. Moreover, there are many types of optical instruments based on absorption, emission or scattering have also been used for field analysis, each with its own advantages and application capabilities. Due to the limits of detection and selectivity of instruments being used, sample preparation is used in most applications. This review summarizes the current advances of on-site sample preparation devices, on-site GC/GC-MS, and on-site optical instruments in detail. Finally, the future development direction of these field instruments is also discussed. • This paper reviewed the current advances of on-site sample preparation devices, GC/GC-MS, and optical analysis instruments. • The parameters of various on-site commercial instruments are compared and summarized. • The future development direction of these on-site instruments is discussed briefly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The LDH-based cascade catalytic system (CoCuFe-LDH@Gox) is constructed. • The system shows strong POD-like activity and efficient cascade catalytic ability. • It has a high antibacterial effect against drug-resistant bacteria. • It can effectively polarize M2 macrophages to reduce inflammation. • It promotes rapid healing of drug-resistant bacteria-infected wounds. The emergence of drug-resistant bacteria has rendered traditional antibiotics ineffective, posing a serious threat to human health. There is an urgent need to find alternative antimicrobial agents. Inspired by enzyme immobilization and multi-enzyme biocatalysis, we have designed a tri-metal layered double hydroxide (LDHs)-based cascade catalytic system (CoCuFe-LDH@Gox nanosheets) for treating drug-resistant bacterial infections and promoting wound healing. The synergistic effects of the Co, Cu, and Fe in the tri-metal LDHs structure endow CoCuFe-LDH nanosheets with excellent peroxidase (POD)-like activity. The large specific surface area of CoCuFe-LDH nanosheets render them ideal carriers for glucose oxidase (Gox). CoCuFe-LDH@Gox nanosheets can catalyze glucose to produce gluconic acid and H 2 O 2. The generated gluconic acid decreases the local pH, further enhancing the POD-like activity of CoCuFe-LDH@Gox nanosheets at wound site. CoCuFe-LDH@Gox nanosheets can then catalyze H 2 O 2 generating hydroxyl radicals (•OH) to effectively kill drug-resistant bacteria. This synergistic integration of the catalytic LDHs and the Gox components enables the cascade catalytic system to be highly effective against drug-resistant bacteria. In addition to its remarkable antibacterial properties, this LDHs-based system also exhibits excellent biocompatibility and considerable immunomodulatory capabilities. It can accelerate the healing of drug-resistant bacteria-infected wounds by inhibiting the inflammatory response and regulating macrophage polarization. These multifunctional attributes make the CoCuFe-LDH@Gox nanosheets a highly promising candidate for the treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections in future clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mobility of shale oil plays a crucial role in shale oil recovery and its economic benefits. However, accurately predicting shale oil mobility is challenging due to the complex composition (organic matter and inorganic minerals), strong heterogeneity, and the development of numerous micro-nano pores of shale reservoir. This study focused on the mobility of shale oil in the Fengcheng Formation of Mahu Sag through multistep rock-eval pyrolysis experiments and molecular dynamics simulations. Besides, the effects of total organic carbon (TOC) content, mineral composition, pore structure, temperature, and pressure on shale oil mobility were investigated. Finally, a new method for evaluating shale oil mobility considering both the movable oil content and the pore volume occupied by movable oil is proposed. The results reveal that the siltstone in the Fengcheng Formation has significantly higher movable oil content compared to shale. The movable oil content and proportion of movable oil are primarily controlled by the TOC content and mineral composition. Molecular simulation results show that when the pore size is less than 4 nm, there is only adsorbed oil. When the pore size is greater than 4 nm, bulk fluid begins to appear, and the maximum thickness of adsorbed oil is 1.92 nm. Additionally, the fluid transport capacity in slit pores is significantly higher than that in cylindrical pores. The larger the pore size, the higher the temperature and the lower the pressure, the better the mobility of shale oil. It provides a more accurate assessment of shale oil mobility when the movable oil content and the pore volume occupied by movable oil were both considered. In the future, more factors should be integrated to evaluate the mobility of shale oil. • The shale oil mobility was investigated by combining experiments and MD simulations. • The movable oil content of siltstone is much higher than that of shale. • The effect of pore geometry on fluid flow was studied by MD method for the first time. • An innovative method for evaluating the mobility of shale oil was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The role of strong proton adsorption materials in enhancing OER in neutral seawater. • Experiment shows Pd oct -O-Co oct prevents Co restructuring, boosts charge transfer. • Pd single atoms into Co 3 O 4 shifts d-band, boosts metal traits, lowers energy barrier. Direct electrolysis of pH-neutral seawater for hydrogen generation is a promising method for storing renewable energy. However, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) faces a selectivity challenge, competing with chlorine evolution and confronting severe corrosion issues of the electrode. Here, we have synthesized ultrathin, polycrystalline, porous Co 3 O 4 nanosheets with Pd single atoms (Pd SA -Co 3 O 4) for efficient and stable pH-neutral seawater decomposition. The octahedral Pd-O-Co active unit, generated by the synergistic coordination of the Pd single atom strong proton adsorption (SPA) material with Co 3 O 4 nanosheets, resulted in Pd SA -Co 3 O 4 have activities 3, 5, and 31 times higher than Co 3 O 4 , IrO 2 , and commercial Co 3 O 4 , respectively. It also remained stable in pH-neutral seawater for 80 h. Operando in situ Raman spectroscopy combined with density functional theory calculations showed that synergistic interactions between the strong proton adsorption of Pd single atoms and the active site Co enhanced the adsorption of intermediates and significantly reduced the free energy of adsorption at the rate-determining step (O*→OOH*). The Pd-O-Co active units inhibited the transformation of the dynamic structure of the Co 3 O 4 substrate and reduced the corrosive effect of Cl ions during the OER process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Fungal β-diversity significantly differed between the DW and NW treatments. • No significant bacterial β-diversity difference between the DW and NW treatments. • Compared to the CK, the NW treatment significantly increased bacterial ACE, Chao1 and Shannon diversity indices. • Compared to the CK, the NW treatment significantly increased fungal ACE diversity. • AP and TN are the main factors affecting bacterial Shannon diversity after DW and NW. The global temperature is continuously rising, and the impacts of nighttime warming (NW) and daytime warming (DW) on ecosystems have drawn widespread attention. However, most studies on the effects of daytime and nighttime warming on ecosystems have focused primarily on aboveground processes, but little is known about how they affect underground processes, particularly soil microorganisms. Therefore, we examined the effects of daytime and nighttime experimental warming (CK: control, DW: daytime warming, NW: nighttime warming, DW + NW: daily warming) on soil bacterial and fungal diversities at the Experimental Station of Zengcheng Forestry Science Research Institute in Guangdong, China. The results showed that, compared with the CK treatment, the NW rather than DW treatment significantly increased the abundance-based coverage estimator (ACE) diversity index of bacteria and fungi. Fungal beta diversity significantly differed between the DW and NW treatments, while there was no significant difference in bacterial beta diversity. Our research indicated that the NW treatment creates a more favourable microenvironment than the DW treatment, accelerating the mineralization of soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus nutrients, which may be the reason for changes in microbial diversity. Our study provides important theoretical support and practical guidance for predicting the impact of global climate change on the diversity of microbial ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, WiFi and 4G communication technology are preferred in coal mine wireless communication system in China. With development of intelligent construction of coal mine, the performance of coal mine wireless communication system cannot meet needs of intelligent development of coal mine. The paper described key technologies and performance advantages of the fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G) by comparing with previous generation mobile communication technologies. It also discussed composition and networking mode of mine-used 5G wireless communication system. Combined with characteristics of 5G communication technology and needs of coal mine intelligentization development, it put forward application scenarios of 5G communication technology in coal mine, such as underground unmanned driving and intelligent transportation, whole mine location service, equipment remote control, fault remote diagnosis, large broadband service data transmission, coal mine robot cloud control, whole mine safety monitoring information collection, virtual reality/augmented reality mine. It is pointed out that 5G technology application scenarios for coal industry still need to be continuously explored and improved, and since 5G network has high requirements for carrying network, coal mine should estimate deployment cost, and build mine 5G communication network based on its own development status and needs.

Abstract The additive manufacturing technique of micro-stereolithography (µSL) is applied to fabricate alkaline niobate (K 0.48 Na 0.52 NbO 3, KNN) based lead-free piezoceramics. Complex KNN-based piezoceramic green parts with fine dimensional characteristics, such as a piezoceramic transducer array and a hollow hemisphere, have been printed. The two-step debinding and sintering processes are employed to obtain crack-free dense KNN ceramics with complex shapes. These printed KNN ceramics exhibit superior piezoelectric and ferroelectric performance (ε r = 2150, d 33 = 170 pC/N, P r = 12.1 μC/cm2, E C = 6.1 kV/cm, and T C = 230 °C), which are comparable to those of KNN piezoceramics made by traditional methods. These results suggest that the µSL technique may serve as an alternative method to manufacture KNN lead-free piezoceramic components, especially for the application with complex architectures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A hierarchical nanostructure consisting of Co-FeS2 and NiFe-LDH was prepared. • The Co-FeS2 nanowires as trunks ensure a rapid transfer of electrons. • Electronic interaction between sulfide and NiFe-LDH boosts the catalytic activity. • This catalyst showed excellent catalytic performance towards overall water splitting. In this study, a hierarchical cactus-like nanostructure with cobalt doped iron disulfide (Co-FeS 2) needle nanowires as trunks and nickel-iron layered double hydroxide (NiFe-LDH) nanosheets as branches was constructed as a self-supporting electrode for overall water splitting in alkaline electrolytes. A low electron density NiFe-LDH derived from the strong electronic interaction between sulfides and NiFe-LDH is remarkably effective in facilitating the adsorption of H 2 O and OH−, while the presence of Co atoms in FeS 2 facilitates the hydrogen adsorption. Such a synergetic effect improved the HER performance in alkaline electrolytes significantly. In terms of the OER process, the Fe/Co oxyhydroxides produced from in situ phase transition from Co-FeS 2 in conjunction with NiFe-LDH endow the electrode with excellent OER activity. Furthermore, the Co-FeS 2 needle nanowires with metal-like conductivity allow for rapid electron transfer during electrochemical processes, and the hierarchical structure exposes substantial active sites and facilitates electrolyte penetration. In alkaline media, the electrode demonstrated outstanding HER and OER catalytic activity, requiring small overpotentials of 131 mV and 220 mV to reach current densities of 10 mA cm−2 and 20 mA cm−2, respectively. Moreover, it only needed 1.58 V to drive 10 mA cm−2 when utilized simultaneously as both cathode and anode for overall water splitting. A hierarchical cactus-like nanostructure with Co-FeS 2 nanowires as trunks and NiFe-LDH nanosheets as branches for overall water splitting electrocatalysis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental pollution caused by silkworm (Bombyx mori) excrement is prominent, and rich in refractory cellulose is the bottleneck restricting the efficient recycling of silkworm excrement. This study was performed to investigate the effects of housefly larvae vermicomposting on the biodegradation of cellulose in silkworm excrement. After six days, a 58.90% reduction of cellulose content in treatment groups was observed, which was significantly higher than 11.5% of the control groups without housefly larvae. Three cellulose-degrading bacterial strains were isolated from silkworm excrement, which were identified as Bacillus licheniformis , Bacillus amyloliquefaciens , and Bacillus subtilis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. These three bacterial stains had a high cellulose degradation index (HC value ranged to between 1.86 and 5.97 and FPase ranged from 5.07 U/mL to 7.31 U/mL). It was found that housefly larvae increased the abundance of cellulose-degrading bacterial genus (Bacillus and Pseudomonas) by regulating the external environmental conditions (temperature and pH). Carbohydrate metabolism was the bacterial communities' primary function during vermicomposting based on the PICRUSt. The results of Tax4Fun indicated that the abundance of endo-β-1,4-glucanase and exo-β-1,4-glucanase increased rapidly and maintained at a higher level in silkworm excrement due to the addition of housefly larvae, which contributed to the accelerated degradation of cellulose in silkworm excrement. The finding of this investigation showed that housefly larvae can significantly accelerate the degradation of cellulose in silkworm excrement by increasing the abundance of cellulose-degrading bacterial genera and cellulase. [Display omitted] • Housefly larvae can degrade 58.90% cellulose in silkworm excrement within 6 days. • Three cellulose-degrading bacteria in Bacillus were isolated and identified. • Housefly larvae can reshape the bacterial community composition. • Housefly larvae can improve the abundance of cellulose-degrading bacterial genera. • Housefly larvae increased the abundance of cellulase during vermicomposting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver cancer represents a multifactorial, multistage, and intricately progressive malignancy. Over the past decade, artesunate (ART), initially renowned for its anti-malarial efficacy, has been the focus of over 3000 studies uncovering its diverse pharmacological actions, including anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, metabolic regulatory, anti-fibrotic, and anti-cancer properties. This review highlights ART's role in the multistep progression from hepatitis to cancer and its underlying regulatory mechanisms, revealing signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and ferroptosis (a novel form of programmed cell death) as promising therapeutic targets. ART demonstrates efficacy in inhibiting hepatitis virus infections, modulating inflammation, and facilitating recovery from inflammatory processes. During stages of hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis, ART reverses fibrotic and cirrhotic changes by suppressing hepatic stellate cell activity, regulating inflammatory pathways, inhibiting hematopoietic stem cell proliferation, and inducing ferroptosis. Additionally, ART hinders hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, induces apoptosis and autophagy, combats drug resistance, and enhances chemosensitivity. Collectively, ART exhibits multi-step actions across multiple targets and signaling pathways, highlighting its potential as a clinical candidate for the prevention and treatment of liver cancer, from hepatitis and hepatic fibrosis to advanced HCC., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Bioactive hydrogels have emerged as promising artificial niches for enhancing stem cell-mediated tendon repair. However, a substantial knowledge gap remains regarding the optimal combination of niche features for targeted cellular responses, which often leads to lengthy development cycles and uncontrolled healing outcomes. To address this critical gap, an innovative, data-driven materiomics strategy is developed. This approach is based on in-house RNA-seq data that integrates bioinformatics and mathematical modeling, which is a significant departure from traditional trial-and-error methods. It aims to provide both mechanistic insights and quantitative assessments and predictions of the tenogenic effects of adipose-derived stem cells induced by systematically modulated features of a tendon-mimetic hydrogel (TenoGel). The knowledge generated has enabled a rational approach for TenoGel design, addressing key considerations, such as tendon extracellular matrix concentration, uniaxial tensile loading, and in vitro pre-conditioning duration. Remarkably, our optimized TenoGel demonstrated robust tenogenesis in vitro and facilitated tendon regeneration while preventing undesired ectopic ossification in a rat tendon injury model. These findings shed light on the importance of tailoring hydrogel features for efficient tendon repair. They also highlight the tremendous potential of the innovative materiomics strategy as a powerful predictive and assessment tool in biomaterial development for regenerative medicine., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Materials published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Purpose: For the repair of atrial/ventricular septal defects (ASD/VSD), transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is easy to perform, cost-effective, and does not require general anesthesia and intubation. Still, TTE is not universally accepted. To compare efficacy and safety of TTE versus transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to guide percutaneous ASD/VSD closure., Methods: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were searched for articles published from their inception to December 2023. The primary outcome was the procedural success rate. The secondary outcomes were residual shunt, late complications, procedure time, and fluoroscopy time. All meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model., Results: Eight studies and 1295 patients were included. There were no significant differences between TTE and TEE regarding the procedural success rate (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 0.90-4.13, p = 0.092; I 2  = 52.2%, P heterogeneity  = 0.063) and residual shunt rate (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.38-1.76, p = 0.600; I 2  = 0%, P heterogeneity  = 0.518). Compared with TEE, TTE reduced the frequency of late complications (OR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.14-0.43, p < 0.001; I 2  = 13.8%, P heterogeneity  = 0.326), reduced the procedure time (WMD = -8.92, 95% CI: -12.08, -5.75, p < 0.001; I 2  = 87.4%, P heterogeneity  < 0.001), and reduced the fluoroscopy time (WMD = -5.08, 95% CI: -9.59, -0.56, p = 0.028; I 2  = 95.6%, P heterogeneity  < 0.001). The sensitivity analyses showed that the results of the meta-analyses were robust., Conclusion: Compared with TEE, TTE showed no differences regarding the rates of success and residual shunt, but there were lower rates of late complications and shorter procedure and fluoroscopy times., (© 2024 The Author(s). Echocardiography published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

This study investigates how dynamic fluctuations in matrix stiffness affect the behavior of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) within a three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel environment. Using hybrid hydrogels with tunable stiffness, we created an in vitro model to mimic the varying stiffness of the cardiac microenvironment. By manipulating hydrogel stiffness, we examined CF responses, particularly the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a marker of myofibroblast differentiation. Our findings reveal that increased matrix stiffness promotes the differentiation of CFs into myofibroblasts, while matrix softening reverses this process. Additionally, we identified the role of focal adhesions and integrin β1 in mediating stiffness-induced phenotypic switching. This study provides significant insights into the mechanobiology of cardiac fibrosis and suggests that modulating matrix stiffness could be a potential therapeutic strategy for treating cardiovascular diseases., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

We experimentally demonstrated a ridge waveguide (RW) distributed feedback (DFB) continuous-wave (CW) laser array with high output power, low relative intensity noise (RIN) and narrow linewidth for all 16 channels with 200-GHz-spacing. The ridge waveguide is formed above an offset-quantum-well structure to increase single transverse mode waveguide width to 8-µ;m for higher output power and lower noise. A relatively long cavity length of 800-µm as well as a backup laser technique are introduced to achieve good single mode stability. The fabricated RW-DFB laser array realizes the maximum power over 85 mW, RIN lower than -155 dB/Hz and Lorentzian linewidth below 250 kHz for each channel laser. Besides, the side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) is over 51 dB for all 16 channels. These features can help to boost the application in wavelength dimension multiplexed system.

Background: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a prevalent vascular disease and a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Notoginsenoside Fc (NFc) is a protopanaxadiol-type saponin that has been shown to have beneficial effects on several disorders. However, its function in DVT is unclear., Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) to mimic DVT in vitro and treated with NFc to investigate its functions. CCK-8 assay was utilized for measuring cell viability. Western blotting was used for detecting protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines, apoptosis-related markers, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ). Flow cytometry was performed for cell apoptosis detection. Levels of oxidative stress-related markers were examined by the DCFH-DA method and ELISA. RT-qPCR was utilized for the measurement of PPAR-γ mRNA level., Results: NFc increased the viability and suppressed inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress in ox-LDL-treated HUVECs. NFc treatment induced upregulation of PPAR-γ in HUVECs., Conclusion: NFc mitigates ox-LDL-induced dysfunction of HUVECs., (©The Author(s) 2024. Open Access. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons CC-BY International License.)

We demonstrated a high-performance partially corrugated waveguide distributed feedback (PCW-DFB) laser with high output power, low relative intensity noise (RIN) and narrow linewidth. By introducing offset quantum-well structure that provides enough threshold gain difference for single transverse mode operation, the laser can achieve single mode behavior with an 8-µm-wide ridge waveguide. The laser has been designed by the simulation model based on the coupled wave equations, and the fabricated PCW-DFB laser with the cavity length of 1.3 mm exhibited an output power higher than 190 mW. Stable single mode characteristics have been achieved with a side-mode suppression-ratio (SMSR) over 55 dB. The RIN was less than -160.5 dB/Hz at an injection current of 470 mA, and the linewidth reached 45 kHz.

Background: The critical shoulder angle (CSA) has been reported to be highly associated with rotator cuff tears (RCTs) and an increased risk of RCT re-tears. However, the measurement of the CSA is greatly affected by the malpositioning of the shoulder. To address this issue, a two-step neural network-based guiding system was developed to obtain reliable CSA radiographs, and its feasibility and accuracy was evaluated., Methods: A total of 1,754 shoulder anteroposterior (AP) radiographs were retrospectively acquired to train and validate a two-step neural network-based guiding system to obtain reliable CSA radiographs. The study included patients aged 18 years or older who underwent X-rays and/or computed tomography (CT) scans of the shoulder. Patients who had undergone shoulder surgery, had a confirmed fracture, or were diagnosed with a musculoskeletal tumor or glenoid defect were excluded from the study. The system consisted of a two-step neural network that in the first step, localized the region of interest of the shoulder, and in the second step, classified the radiography according to type [i.e., 'forward' when the non-overlapping coracoid process is above the glenoid rim, 'backward' when the non-overlapping coracoid process is below or aligned with the glenoid rim, a ratio of the transverse to longitudinal diameter of the glenoid projection (RTL) ≤0.25, or a RTL >0.25]. The performance of the model was assessed in an offline, prospective manner, focusing on the sensitivity and specificity for the forward, backward, RTL ≤0.25, or RTL >0.25 types (denoted as Sens F, B, -, + and Spec F, B, -, + , respectively), and Cohen's kappa was also reported., Results: Of 273 cases in the offline prospective test, the Sens F , Sens B , Sens - , and Sens + were 88.88% [95% confidence interval (CI): 50.67-99.41%], 94.11% (95% CI: 82.77-98.47%), 96.96% (95% CI: 91.94-99.02%), and 95.06% (95% CI: 87.15-98.40%), respectively. The Spec F , Spec B , Spec - , and Spec + were 98.48% (95% CI: 95.90-99.51%), 99.55% (95% CI: 97.12-99.97%), 95.04% (95% CI: 89.65-97.81%), and 97.39% (93.69-99.03%), respectively. A high classification rate (93.41%; 95% CI: 89.14-96.24%) and almost perfect agreement (Cohen's kappa: 0.903, 95% CI: 0.86-0.95) were achieved., Conclusions: The guiding system can rapidly and accurately classify the types of AP shoulder radiography, thereby guiding the adjustment of patient positioning. This will facilitate the rapid obtainment of reliable CSA radiography to measure the CSA on proper AP radiographs., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://qims.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/qims-23-610/coif). R.Y. reports that this study received funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81972067), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Sun Yat-sen University (No. 2020004), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82002342). The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2024 Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Power battery is one of the core components of electric vehicles (EVs) and a major contributor to the environmental impact of EVs, and reducing their environmental emissions can help enhance the sustainability of electric vehicles. Based on the principle of stiffness equivalence, the steel case of the power cell is replaced with lightweight materials, a life cycle model is established with the help of GaBi software, and its environmental impact is evaluated using the CML2001 method. The results can be summarized as follows: (1) Based on the four environmental impact categories of GWP, AP, ADP (f), and HTP, which are the global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), abiotic depletion potential (ADP (f)) and human toxicity potential (HTP), the environmental impact of lightweight materials is lower than that of the steel box. Among them, the aluminum alloy box has the largest reduction, and the Carbon Fiber Sheet Molding Compound (CF-SMC) box is the second. (2) In the sensitivity analysis of electric structure, an aluminum alloy box is still the most preferable choice for environmental impact. (3) In the sensitivity analysis of driving mileage, the aluminum alloy box body is also the best choice for vehicle life. (4) Quantitative assessment using substitution factors measures the decrease in greenhouse gas emissions following the substitution of steel battery box with lightweight materials. The adoption of aluminum alloy battery box can lead to a reduction of 1.55 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, with a substitution factor of 1.55 tC sb -1 . In the case that composite materials have not been recycled commercially on a large scale, aluminum alloy is still one of the best materials for the integrated environmental impact of the whole life cycle of the battery boxes., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

An abundance of refractory cellulose is the key limiting factor restricting the resource utilization efficiency of silkworm ( Bombyx mori ) excrement via composting. Screening for cellulose-degrading bacteria is likely to provide high-quality strains for the safe and rapid decomposition of silkworm excrement. In this study, bacteria capable of degrading cellulose with a high efficiency were isolated from silkworm excrement and the conditions for cellulase production were optimized. The strains were preliminarily screened via sodium carboxymethyl cellulose culture and staining with Congo red, rescreened via a filter paper enzyme activity test, and identified via morphological observation, physiological and biochemical tests, and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence. Enzyme activity assay was performed using the 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid method. DC-11, a highly cellulolytic strain, was identified as Bacillus subtilis . The optimum temperature and pH of this strain were 55 °C and 6, respectively, and the filter paper enzyme activity (FPase), endoglucanase activity (CMCase), and exoglucanase activity (CXase) reached 15.40 U/mL, 11.91 U/mL, and 20.61 U/mL. In addition, the cellulose degradation rate of the treatment group treated with DC-11 was 39.57% in the bioaugmentation test, which was significantly higher than that of the control group without DC-11 (10.01%). Strain DC-11 was shown to be an acid-resistant and heat-resistant cellulose-degrading strain, with high cellulase activity. This strain can exert a bioaugmentation effect on cellulose degradation and has the potential for use in preparing microbial inocula that can be applied for the safe and rapid composting of silkworm excrement.

Objective: Patch technology has been the new technique in the treatment of partial thickness of the rotator cuff tear (PTRCTs) to address the limitation of traditional techniques. Compared with allogeneic patches and artificial materials, coracoacromial ligament is obviously closer to their own biology. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the functional and radiographic outcomes following arthroscopic autologous coracoacromial ligament augment technique for treatment of PTRCTs., Method: This study included three female patients with PTRCTs who underwent arthroscopy operation in 2017 with an average age of 51 years (range from 50 to 52 years). The coracoacromial ligament implant was attached to the bursal side surface of the tendon. The clinical results were evaluated by American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Simple Shoulder Test (SST), acromiohumeral distance (AHD) and muscle strength before and 12 months after operation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed 24 months after operation to assess the integrity of the anatomical structure of the original tear site., Result: The average ASES score improved significantly from 57.3 preoperatively to 95.0 at 1-year follow-up. The strength improved significantly from grade 3 preoperatively to grade 5 at 1 year. Two of three patients underwent the MRI at 2-year follow-up. Radiographic released the complete healing of rotator cuff tear. No implant-related serious adverse events were reported., Conclusion: The new technique of using autogenous coracoacromial ligament patch augment provides good clinical results on patients with PTRCTs., (© 2023 The Authors. Orthopaedic Surgery published by Tianjin Hospital and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

We present an 8-µm-wide 800-µm-long high-power, single-mode and low RIN DFB laser using a dual-waveguide structure. The introduced passive lower waveguide has weakenes the lateral optical confinement for the ridge waveguide, and thus reduces losses caused by the p-doped layers and maintains single mode stability of the laser. The fabricated laser exhibited an output power higher than 170 mW and a relative intensity noise (RIN) below -157 dB/Hz along with a side-mode suppression-ratio (SMSR) over 55 dB. The temperature tuning from -10°C to 60°C allows an 8.6 nm wavelength tunability with a variation coefficient of 0.12 nm/K. The relaxation oscillation frequency is around 8 GHz, and the linewidth is about 250 kHz at 100 mW output power for the fabricated laser. The characteristics of the proposed high-power laser, including high slope efficiency, single mode stability and low noise, make it a suitable candidate for optical communication.

Insufficient oxygen availability in tissue engineering is one of the major factors for the failure of clinical transplantation. One potential strategy to conquer this limitation is the fabrication of spontaneous and continuous oxygen supplying scaffolds for in situ tissue regeneration. In this work, a versatile fluorine-incorporating hydrogel is designed which can not only timely and continuously supply oxygen for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to overcome deficient oxygen before vascularization in scaffolds, but can present a higher antibacterial capability to avoid bacterial infections. The HAp@PDA-F nanoparticles are first prepared and then incorporated with the quaternized and methacrylated chitosan forming CS/HAp@PDA-F by photo-crosslinking. In vitro results indicate that CS/HAp@PDA-F hydrogel has outstanding mechanical performance, moreover, it also has the oxygen-carrying ability to prolong survival ability, enhance proliferation activity, and preserve osteogenic differentiation potency and promote osteogenic-related genes expression of rat bone mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) under hypoxic environment. Furthermore, the CS/HAp@PDA-F hydrogel can inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, providing a good antibacterial activity. Additionally, in vivo experiments demonstrate higher bone volume and bone mineral density, and more new bone tissue generation in CS/HAp@PDA-F group than in CS/HAp@PDA group. These results indicate that the rational design of fluorinated hydrogel possesses a good clinical application prospect for bone regeneration., (© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Purpose: To investigate (1) whether measurement of the critical shoulder angle (CSA) is still reliable in some nonstandard anteroposterior radiographs; and (2) whether the ratio of the transverse to longitudinal diameter of the glenoid projection (RTL) could be used to determine the reliability of the CSA in nonstandard anteroposterior radiographs., Methods: The authors analyzed radiology records from 2017 to 2019 for patients with computed tomography (CT) scans of the shoulder. According to the Suter-Henninger classification system, each CT scan underwent 3-dimensional (3D) reconstructions to obtain 8 digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs), including 1 type A1 film and 7 type D1 films with different rotation angles. CSA and RTL were measured on all films, and 2 blinded reviewers evaluated DRRs. The relationship between RTL and CSA was determined by Pearson correlation test. The threshold value was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses using RTL as predictors and defined reliable CSA as criterion in the logistic regression. Intra- and inter-rater reliability were assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Discriminative capacity was calculated with ROC analyses and area under the curve (AUC). An optimal measurement cutoff with resultant sensitivity and specificity was calculated., Results: A total of 86 patients were included, mean age 40.70 ± 18.25 years, 19 of whom had rotator cuff tears (RCTs) and 67 without RCTs. Spearman's correlation test revealed that the deviation of CSA was positively correlated with RTL, correlation coefficient 0.544 (P < .001) in all patients and 0.686 (P < .001) only in patients with RCTs. ROC analysis of all patients showed that the AUC of the RTL was 0.90, and the optimal cutoff point was 0.25 (sensitivity 88%, specificity 87%). ROC analysis only of patients with RCTs showed that the AUC of the RTL was 0.95, and the optimal cutoff point was 0.22 (sensitivity 95%, specificity 92%)., Conclusion: The ratio of the transverse to longitudinal diameter of the glenoid projection (RTL) is of good predictive value in defining the reliability of the CSA in malposition films. Based on the results, the CSA can be considered reliable if its RTL is <0.25., Level of Evidence: III, retrospective cohort study investigating a diagnostic test., (Copyright © 2020 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES) questionnaire is an effective tool for evaluating shoulder joint function. The development and usage of a mobile version of the ASES questionnaire has the potential to save time, money, and effort., Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the equivalence between the paper and mobile versions of the ASES questionnaire and their acceptability among patients., Methods: The paper and mobile versions of the ASES questionnaire were used to evaluate the shoulder joint function of 50 patients with shoulder pain. This study included patients from the shoulder clinic of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman method were used to evaluate the agreement (reliability) of the scores obtained by the two methods (paper versus mobile)., Results: Of the 50 patients recruited from March 2018 to May 2019, 46 (92%) completed the study. There was a high agreement between the paper and mobile versions of the ASES questionnaire (ICC=0.979, 95% CI 0.943-0.987; P<.001). The mean difference between the scores of the mobile and paper versions was 1.0, and only 1/46 (2%) had a difference greater than the minimal clinically important difference of 12 points. About 75% of patients preferred the mobile version to the paper version., Conclusions: Our study shows that the mobile version of the ASES questionnaire is comparable to the paper version, and has a higher patient preference. This could prove to be a useful tool for epidemiological studies and patient follow-up over longer periods of time., (©Jingyi Hou, Qingyue Li, Menglei Yu, Fangqi Li, Yiyong Tang, Yi Long, Yamuhanmode Alike, Yuanhao Zhang, Maslah Idiris Ali, Congda Zhang, Weiping Li, Rui Yang. Originally published in JMIR mHealth and uHealth (http://mhealth.jmir.org), 17.07.2020.)

Objectives: Stem cell factor (SCF) is considered as a commonly indispensable cytokine for proliferation of haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which is used in large dosages during ex vivo culture. The work presented here aimed to reduce the consumption of SCF by sustained release but still support cells proliferation and maintain the multipotency of HSCs., Materials and Methods: Stem cell factor was physically encapsulated within a hyaluronic acid/gelatin double network (HGDN) hydrogel to achieve a slow release rate. CD34 + cells were cultured within the SCF-loaded HGDN hydrogel for 14 days. The cell number, phenotype and functional capacity were investigated after culture., Results: The HGDN hydrogels had desirable properties and encapsulated SCF kept being released for more than 6 days. SCF remained the native bioactivity, and the proliferation of HSCs within the SCF-loaded HGDN hydrogel was not affected, although the consumption of SCF was only a quarter in comparison with the conventional culture. Moreover, CD34 + cells harvested from the SCF-loaded HGDN hydrogels generated more multipotent colony-forming units (CFU-GEMM)., Conclusion: The data suggested that the SCF-loaded HGDN hydrogel could support ex vivo culture of HSCs, thus providing a cost-effective culture protocol for HSCs., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) with most current methods can hardly satisfy clinical application requirement. While in vivo, HSCs efficiently self-renew in niche where they interact with 3D extracellular matrix and stromal cells. Therefore, co-cultures of CD34 + cells and mesenchyme stem cells derived from human amniotic membrane (hAMSCs) on the basis of biomimetic macroporous three-dimensional (3D) poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds are developed, where scaffolds and hAMSCs are applied to mimic structural and cellular microenvironment of HSCs. The influence of scaffolds, feeder cells, and contact manners on expansion and stemness maintenance of CD34 + cells is investigated in this protocol. Biomimetic scaffolds-dependent co-cultures of CD34 + cells and hAMSCs can effectively promote the expansion of CD34 + cells; meanwhile, indirect contact is superior to direct contact. The combination of biomimetic scaffolds and hAMSCs represents a new strategy for achieving clinical-scale ex vivo expansion of CD34 + cells., (© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. Notably, racial/ethnic disparities exist in both incidence and mortality., Purpose: The aim of this case study was to investigate the impact of race/ethnicity on age at diagnosis of colorectal cancer in a defined population in Suffolk County, NY., Methods: Data were retrospectively collected on race/ethnicity, health insurance status, age at diagnosis, stage at diagnosis, gender, smoking status, alcohol intake, tumor location, and body mass index for colorectal cancer patients with medical records in the Stony Brook University Medical Center database (2005-2011). Population-based data on Hispanic and non-Hispanic Whites were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry of New York State for an overlapping time period. Permutation-based ANCOVA and logistic regression with stepwise variable selection were conducted to identify covariates and first-order interactions associated with younger age at diagnosis and cancer stage as a dependent categorical variable., Results: Of 328 colorectal cancer patients, Hispanics were diagnosed at a median younger age of 57y vs. 67y than non-Hispanic Whites (FDR = 0.001). Twenty-six percent of Hispanics were diagnosed with colorectal cancer prior to the recommended age (50y) for colorectal cancer surveillance compared to 11% of non-Hispanic Whites (FDR =0.007). Analysis of New York State registry data corroborated our findings that Hispanic colorectal cancer patients were diagnosed at a median younger age than non-Hispanic Whites. Permutation-based ANCOVA identified race/ethnicity and health insurance as significantly associated with age of diagnosis (P=0.001). Logistic regression selected (younger) age at diagnosis as being significantly associated with stage IV disease. The limitations of the case study reside in the use of self-reporting of race and ethnicity and in the small sample sizes., Conclusions: Hispanics may be at higher risk for colorectal cancer (<50>y) and younger age at diagnosis is associated with advanced disease.