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Abstract Background After observing differences in the number of reproductive complexes per proglottid within the genus Ligula, the genus Digramma was erected. However, the validity of Digramma has been previously questioned due to a low variability in the cox1, nad1 and ITS rDNA sequences between the two genera. We undertook a study to greatly increase the amount of sequence data available for resolution of this question by sequencing and characterizing the complete mitogenomes of Digramma interrupta and Ligula intestinalis. Results The circular mtDNA molecules of Digramma interrupta and Ligula intestinalis are 13,685 bp and 13,621 bp in size, respectively, both comprising 12 PCGs, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and two mNCRs. Both mitogenomes exhibit the same gene order and share 92.7% nucleotide identity, compared with 85.8–86.5% to the most closely related genus Dibothriocephalus. Each gene from D. interrupta and L. intestinalis is almost of the same size, and the sequence identity ranges from 87.5% (trnD) to 100% (trnH, trnQ and trnV). NCR2 sequences of D. interrupta and L. intestinalis are 249 bp and 183 bp in length, respectively, which contributes to the main difference in length between their complete mitogenomes. A sliding window analysis of the 12 PCGs and two rRNAs indicated nucleotide diversity to be higher in nad5, nad6, nad2, nad4 and cox3, whereas the most conserved genes were rrnL and rrnS. Lower sequence identity was also found in nad2, nad4, nad5, nad6 and cox3 genes between the two diphyllobothriids. Within the Diphyllobothriidae, phylogenetic analysis indicated Ligula and Digramma to be most closely related to one another, forming a sister group with Dibothriocephalus. Conclusions Owing to higher nucleotide diversity, the genes nad2, nad4, nad5, nad6 and cox3 should be considered optimal candidates to use as molecular markers for population genetics and species identification between the two closely related species. The phylogenetic results in combination with the comparative analysis of the two mitogenomes, consistently support the congeneric status of L. intestinalis and D. interrupta.

Abstract Background External segmentation and internal proglottization are important evolutionary characters of the Eucestoda. The monozoic caryophyllideans are considered the earliest diverging eucestodes based on partial mitochondrial genes and nuclear rDNA sequences, yet, there are currently no complete mitogenomes available. We have therefore sequenced the complete mitogenomes of three caryophyllideans, as well as the polyzoic Schyzocotyle acheilognathi, explored the phylogenetic relationships of eucestodes and compared the gene arrangements between unsegmented and segmented cestodes. Results The circular mitogenome of Atractolytocestus huronensis was 15,130 bp, the longest sequence of all the available cestodes, 14,620 bp for Khawia sinensis, 14,011 bp for Breviscolex orientalis and 14,046 bp for Schyzocotyle acheilognathi. The A-T content of the three caryophyllideans was found to be lower than any other published mitogenome. Highly repetitive regions were detected among the non-coding regions (NCRs) of the four cestode species. The evolutionary relationship determined between the five orders (Caryophyllidea, Diphyllobothriidea, Bothriocephalidea, Proteocephalidea and Cyclophyllidea) is consistent with that expected from morphology and the large fragments of mtDNA when reconstructed using all 36 genes. Examination of the 54 mitogenomes from these five orders, revealed a unique arrangement for each order except for the Cyclophyllidea which had two types that were identical to that of the Diphyllobothriidea and the Proteocephalidea. When comparing gene order between the unsegmented and segmented cestodes, the segmented cestodes were found to have the lower similarities due to a long distance transposition event. All rearrangement events between the four arrangement categories took place at the junction of rrnS-tRNA Arg (P1) where NCRs are common. Conclusions Highly repetitive regions are detected among NCRs of the four cestode species. A long distance transposition event is inferred between the unsegmented and segmented cestodes. Gene arrangements of Taeniidae and the rest of the families in the Cyclophyllidea are found be identical to those of the sister order Proteocephalidea and the relatively basal order Diphyllobothriidea, respectively.

Abstract Soil conditioner has good performance in improving soil environment and solving soil barrier problems. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of different types of soil conditioners on the distribution of soil aggregates and the yield of corn, and to find out the suitable soil conditioners for improving the barren soil in the Yellow River irrigation area. The treatments include no soil conditioner (CK), cow dung organic fertilizer soil conditioner with different organic matter contents (Om-20%, Om-30%, Om-40%, Om-45%), humic acid soil conditioner (Hu-20%) and amino acid soil conditioner (Am-25%). The result indicated that different types of soil conditioners promoted the formation of aggregates with particle size > 0.25 mm, improved the stability of aggregates, and increased the content of organic carbon and total nitrogen in macroaggregates. Compared with CK, the contents of organic carbon and total nitrogen of various soil conditioners in macroaggregates increased by 20.08-48.89% and 8.36-42.86%, respectively. The organic carbon content of macroaggregates under Am-25% treatment was significantly increased by 7.15% compared with Hu-20% treatment. The contents of available phosphorus, available potassium, organic carbon and total nitrogen under Am-25% treatment was increased by 6.37-45.86%, 6.29-22.39%, 3.49-12.05% and 2.64-19.74% than that of cow dung organic fertilizer soil conditioner treatments, respectively. Correlation analysis and structural equation model analysis showed that macroaggregates with particle size greater than 0.25 mm were positively correlated with corn hay yield. Aggregate stability and chemical properties accounted for 71% of corn hay yield changes, and organic carbon mainly affected corn hay yield through soil C/N ratio. Therefore, the application of soil conditioner, especially amino acid soil conditioner, to the barren soil in the Yellow River irrigation area can improve the physical and chemical properties of soil, promote the formation of macroaggregates, improve the stability of aggregates, and promote the high and stable yield of corn.

Abstract Background Tendomodulin (TNMD) is pivotal in various malignancies, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, its comprehensive impact across cancers, particularly its immunomodulatory function in CRC, remains underexplored. This study explored the role of TNMD in CRC by focusing on its immunomodulatory functions through comprehensive molecular and clinical analyses. Methods Multiple bioinformatics databases and analytical tools were utilized for the TNMD in pan-cancer analysis. To validate the role of TNMD in CRC, we performed experiments, including immunofluorescence (IF), immunohistochemistry (IHC), real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qPCR), western blotting, and cell migration assays. Results TNMD expression and gene mutation vary across cancers and offer high diagnostic value. Survival analysis found that TNMD is associated with prognosis in multiple cancers. Notably, in patients with high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) CRC, TNMD expression correlated positively with various immune cells, particularly natural killer (NK) cells, whereas it was inversely correlated with regulatory T cells (Tregs). Crucially, in patients with microsatellite stability (MSS) CRC, high TNMD expression was associated with better immunotherapy outcomes, indicating its potential as a biomarker for patient stratification and tailored treatment approaches. Furthermore, single-cell sequencing data revealed stronger interactions between TNMD-positive tumor cells and fibroblasts or macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Finally, TNMD was overexpressed in CRC tumor tissues and cell lines, thereby promoting invasion and metastasis. Conclusions Our findings reveal a critical immunomodulatory role of TNMD in CRC, particularly in influencing tumor–immune interactions. Beyond its potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker, TNMD promotes CRC metastasis and invasion, thus emerging as a promising therapeutic target. These findings highlight TNMD’s significance in CRC and potentially other malignancies.

Abstract Bacterial RNA helicase ρ is a genome sentinel that terminates the synthesis of damaged and junk RNAs that are not translated by the ribosome. It is unclear how ρ is regulated during dormancy or stress, when translation is inefficient and RNAs are vulnerable to ρ-mediated release. We use cryogenic electron microscopy, biochemical, and genetic approaches to show that substitutions of residues in the connector between two ρ domains or ADP promote the formation of extended Escherichia coli ρ filaments. By contrast, (p)ppGpp induces the formation of transient ρ dodecamers. Our results demonstrate that ADP and (p)ppGpp nucleotides bound at subunit interfaces inhibit ρ ring closure that underpins the hexamer activation, thus favoring the assembly of inactive higher-order oligomers. Connector substitutions and antibiotics that inhibit RNA and protein syntheses trigger ρ aggregation in the cell. These and other recent data implicate aggregation as a widespread strategy to tune ρ activity.

Abstract This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Defibrinogen (DF) therapy in addressing total deafness of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (TD-ISSNHL) and investigate the relationship between fibrinogen levels and auditory outcomes. A total of 342 cases of TD-ISSNHL were retrospectively analyzed, with patients divided into two main groups: an experimental group receiving batroxobin in conjunction with Ginaton and glucocorticoids, and a control group receiving Ginaton and glucocorticoids only. Auditory outcomes on the 10th day and the 14th day were analyzed and compared across these groups. Subsequently, the correlation between plasma fibrinogen and prognosis were analyzed within these groups. By the 10th day, the overall efficacy rates in the experimental groups were significantly higher than that in the control group (P = 0.039). Patients extending DF therapy to the 14th day showed a substantial improvement in the overall efficacy rate, from 50.98 to 82.35%. Additionally, significant differences in fibrinogen levels were observed on day 1, day 3, and day 5 ± 1 between the recovery and non-recovery groups (P = 0.013, P = 0.024, P = 0.005). Spearman’s rank correlation analysis indicated weak negative correlations between fibrinogen levels on day 1 and day 3 and hearing improvement, while the level on day 5±1 had a moderate negative correlation. Throughout the follow-up period, no major complications were observed. The study findings suggest that batroxobin therapy not only improves hearing recovery but also maintains plasma fibrinogen at a low and safe level. In addition, sustained low fibrinogen level throughout treatment serves as a predictor for better prognosis in TD-ISSNHL.

Abstract Natural products, recognized for their potential in disease prevention and treatment, have been integrated with advanced nano-delivery systems to create natural product-based nanomedicines, offering innovative approaches for various diseases. Natural products derived from traditional Chinese medicine have their own targeting effect and remarkable therapeutic effect on many diseases, but there are some shortcomings such as poor physical and chemical properties. The construction of nanomedicines using the active ingredients of natural products has become a key step in the modernization research process, which could be used to make up for the defects of natural products such as low solubility, large dosage, poor bioavailability and poor targeting. Nanotechnology enhances the safety, selectivity, and efficacy of natural products, positioning natural product-based nanomedicines as promising candidates in medicine. This review outlines the current status of development, the application in different diseases, and safety evaluation of natural product-based nanomedicines, providing essential insights for further exploration of the synergy between natural products and nano-delivery systems in disease treatment. Graphical Abstract

The genus Pimoa Chamberlin & Ivie, 1943, is highly diverse and currently contains 85 species, of which 67 are distributed in Asia. In this study, a new species of Pimoa is described from Southwest China: P. shimian Wang, Yao & Zhang, sp. nov. (♂♀). This new species is closely related to P. bomi Zhang & Li, 2021, and P. reniformis Xu & Li, 2007. The taxonomic keys for distinguishing these three closely related species and a distribution map of all Asian pimoids are also provided.

Abstract Background To explore the advantages of a lateral tibial locking plate combined with Jail screw fixation in the treatment of anterolateral tibial plateau collapse fracture (ATPCF). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with ATPCFs admitted to our hospital from February 2019 to February 2023. Twenty-six patients were successfully included, including 15 males and 11 females, with an average age of 58.6 ± 7.8 years (range 45–68 years). All fractures were Schatzker type II fractures. After fracture reduction and fixation, a lateral locking titanium plate was placed through the anterolateral approach of the tibial plateau, and two screws of appropriate length were placed in the sagittal direction according to the Jail screw technique. Postoperative evaluation indices included surgery time, fracture healing time, the degree of tibial plateau collapse shown by computed tomography (CT) images at 3 days and 1 year after surgery, and the patient's knee range of motion at 1 year after surgery. The effects of fracture reduction and fixation before surgery, 3 days after surgery and 1 year after surgery were evaluated by the Rasmussen radiological score. The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score was used to evaluate the knee joint function of patients at 1 year after surgery. Results The average operation time was 64 ± 6.8 min (range 56–82 min). The fractures healed clinically at 13.8 ± 2.8 weeks (range 12–18 weeks) postoperation. After 15 ± 3.1 months (range 12–19 months) of average follow-up, all the patients were pain-free with a full range of motion and stable knees. At the 1-year postoperative assessment, the CT images showed no secondary collapse of the articular surface, the average knee range of motion was 136.3 ± 2.5° (range, -5° to 135°), the average Rasmussen radiological score was 16.2 ± 0.8 points, and the average HSS knee score was 93.6 ± 3.2 points. Conclusions The fixation of a anterolateral tibial plateau collapse fracture(ATPCF) using a lateral locking plate and the Jail screw technique has achieved good knee joint function, providing a new option for the treatment of ATPCFs. The clinical efficacy is satisfactory in the short term, avoiding secondary articular surface collapse.

Abstract Roxarsone (V) (Rox(V)) is an organoarsenical compound that poses significant risks to aquatic ecosystems and various diseases. Reducing trivalent 3-amino-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid (HAPA(III)) offers a competitive advantage; however, it leads to localized arsenic contamination, which can disrupt the soil microbiome and impede plant growth. Three genes, BsntrA, arsC2, and BsexpA, encoding nitroreductase, arsenate reductase, and MFS transporter, respectively, were identified in the Rox(V)-resistant strain Brevundimonas sp. M20. A three-step approach, including nitroreduction, As(V) reduction, and HAPA(III) secretion, which is responsible for roxarsone(V) resistance, was subsequently confirmed. Moreover, the flavonoid compound baicalin occupied the HAPA(III) delivery space and grabbed the R127 residues via stronger interactions. This steric hindrance prevented the transportation of HAPA(III) by BsexpA to the extracellular space. These results demonstrate a new Rox(V) reduction pathway, providing a potential efflux pump inhibitor to trap more toxins.

Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs), also known as microribonucleic acids, are small molecules found in specific tissues that are essential for maintaining proper control of genes and cellular processes. Environmental factors, such as physical exercise, can modulate miRNA expression and induce targeted changes in gene transcription. This article presents an overview of the present knowledge on the principal miRNAs influenced by physical activity in different tissues and bodily fluids. Numerous research projects have emphasized the significant impact of miRNAs on controlling biological changes brought about by physical activity. These molecules play main roles in important processes such as the growth of skeletal muscle and heart muscle cells, the creation of mitochondria, the development of the vascular system, and the regulation of metabolism. Studies have shown that physical exertion utilizes the contributions of miR-1, miR-133, miR-206, miR-208, and miR-486 to revitalize and restore skeletal muscle tissue. Moreover, detecting alterations in miRNA levels and connecting them to the specific outcomes of various exercise routines and intensities can act as indicators for physical adaptation and the reaction to physical activity in long-term diseases. Numerous studies have confirmed that extracellular vesicles (EVs) which composed of different members such as exosomes have the ability to reduce inflammation through the activation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, physical activity greatly affects the levels of specific miRNAs present in exosomes derived from skeletal muscle. Therefore, exosomal miRNAs target some pathways that are related to growth and development, such asWnt/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1). Exercise-induced exosomes have also been identified as important mediators in promoting beneficial effects throughout the body. The aim of this review is to summarize the effect of exercise on the function of miRNAs and exosomes.

Abstract Independent pitch control (IPC) is a crucial technology for enhancing the performance of wind turbines, optimizing the power output, and reducing the loads by managing each blade. This paper explores the primary vibration modes of semi-submersible wind turbines under wind-wave coupling. Given the effectiveness of pitch control in vibration suppression, this paper addresses the limitations of conventional collective pitch control (CPC) by designing an independent pitch control method based on an equivalent wind speed model (EWIPC). This model constructs an effective representation of the actual wind speed’s influence on pitch angle by comprehensively considering the spatial distribution of wind speeds. This way, the control accuracy and response speed are significantly improved, making the control strategy more intuitive and efficient in complex wind speed environments. The proposed independent pitch control method is validated through simulations on the International Energy Agency (IEA) 15 MW wind turbine. The simulation results indicate that the EWIPC stabilizes wind turbine power output and reduces structural loads. Additionally, it demonstrates significant effectiveness in reducing vibrations of the blades and tower, as well as in eliminating 1P oscillations in the blade root bending moment.

Abstract Many bacteriophages modulate host transcription to favor expression of their own genomes. Phage satellite P4 polarity suppression protein, Psu, a building block of the viral capsid, inhibits hexameric transcription termination factor, ρ, by presently unknown mechanisms. Our cryogenic electron microscopy structures of ρ-Psu complexes show that Psu dimers clamp two inactive, open ρ rings and promote their expansion to higher-oligomeric states. ATPase, nucleotide binding and nucleic acid binding studies revealed that Psu hinders ρ ring closure and traps nucleotides in their binding pockets on ρ. Structure-guided mutagenesis in combination with growth, pull-down, and termination assays further delineated the functional ρ-Psu interfaces in vivo. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that Psu is associated with a wide variety of phage defense systems across Enterobacteriaceae, suggesting that Psu may regulate expression of anti-phage genes. Our findings show that modulation of the ρ oligomeric state via diverse strategies is a pervasive gene regulatory principle in bacteria.

Abstract The field of radiology is currently undergoing revolutionary changes owing to the increasing application of artificial intelligence (AI). This scoping review identifies and summarizes the technical methods and clinical applications of AI applied to magnetic resonance imaging of cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews was adopted and articles listed in PubMed and Cochrane databases from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2023, were assessed. In total, 67 articles met the eligibility criteria. We obtained a general overview of the field, including lesion types, sample sizes, data sources, and databases and found that nearly half of the studies used multisequence magnetic resonance as the input. Both classical machine learning and deep learning were widely used. The evaluation metrics varied according to the five main algorithm tasks of classification, detection, segmentation, estimation, and generation. Cross‐validation was primarily used with only one third of the included studies using external validation. We also illustrate the key questions of the CVD research studies and grade the clinical utility of their AI solutions. Although most attention is devoted to improving the performance of AI models, this scoping review provides information on the availability of algorithms, reliability of external validations, and consistency of evaluation metrics and may facilitate improved clinical applicability and acceptance.

Abstract Background Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most predominant histological subtype of lung cancer characterized by driver mutations detected in a substantial proportion of the cases. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are standard care for the patients with these mutations. In this study, we evaluated the efficiency of an NGS-based 8-gene test in selecting TKIs-sensitive patients in a cohort of treatment-naive Chinese LUAD patients and evaluated the sensitivity of rare compound mutations to different EGFR-TKIs in vitro. Material and methods Targeted sequencing covering the hotspot regions of eight LUAD driver genes was performed across 853 treatment-naive LUAD patients admitted in Henan Cancer Hospital (HNCH cohort). The mutational landscape of HNCH patients was compared with TCGA patients. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with presence of these mutations. Genetically modified LUAD PC9 cells were established to evaluate the sensitivity of selected EGFR rare compound mutations to different EGFR-TKIs. Results A total of 574 single nucleotide variants (SNVs), 270 indels, 88 amplifications, and 87 rearrangements were identified in this study, with EGFR and KRAS being the most frequently mutated genes. Females, mostly life-long non-smokers, had significantly higher EGFR mutation rates than males. Males, primarily smokers, more frequently had KRAS mutations. HNCH patients in general had a higher mutation count than TCGA patients (1.09 vs 0.93 mutations per patient (m/p)), in consistent with its higher proportion of patients with advanced disease. Rare EGFR compound mutations identified in this study, including Exon19del plus L747S/I744V and L858R plus V843I/T854A/G873, conferred genetically modified PC9 cells more sensitive to second-generation EGFR-TKI afatinib in-vivo. Conclusion This NGS-based 8-gene test efficiently identified over 70% of Chinese treatment-naive LUAD patients who are targetable for TKIs. Patients with rare EGFR compound mutations might consider second-generation EGFR-TKIs for treatment.

Abstract Rapamycin is an important natural macrolide antibiotic with antifungal, immunosuppressive and antitumor activities produced by Streptomyces rapamycinicus. However, their prospective applications are limited by low fermentation units. In this study, we found that the exogenous aromatic amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine could effectively increase the yield of rapamycin in industrial microbial fermentation. To gain insight into the mechanism of rapamycin overproduction, comparative transcriptomic profiling was performed between media with and without phenylalanine and tyrosine addition. The results showed that the addition of phenylalanine and tyrosine upregulated the transcription levels of genes involved in rapamycin biosynthesis, precursor production, and transporters. In addition, the transcription levels of many carbohydrate metabolism-related genes were down-regulated, leading to a decrease in growth, suggesting that balancing cell growth and rapamycin biosynthesis may be important to promote efficient biosynthesis of rapamycin in Streptomyces rapamycinicus. These results provide a basis for understanding physiological roles of phenylalanine and tyrosine, and a new way to increase rapamycin production in Streptomyces cultures.

Abstract Bacillus subtilis has been widely used as a biological control agent in agricultural production. Environmental strains of B. subtilis are an important source of biological control agents. However, due to its low genetic transformation efficiency, the genetic manipulation of the environmental and nondomesticated strains is challenging. In this study, the impact of competent cell preparation, pulse electroporation, and recovery culture on the electroporation efficiency of B. subtilis GLB191 was assessed utilizing response surface methodology. Results indicated that the concentration of glycine, DL-threonine, and Tween 80 used in a cell wall weakening solution during competent cell preparation, and the voltage applied during pulse electroporation were the primary factors affecting electroporation efficiency. Optimization of these factors led to nearly a three-fold increase (reaching 74.00 ± 5.10 CFU/µg DNA) in electroporation efficiency. The elimination of dam and dcm modifications to mitigate the influence of host restriction-modification systems was integrated to further increase the electroporation efficacy. An electroporation efficiency for replicative plasmids of 1.96 ± 0.05 × 106 CFU/µg DNA was achieved using the optimized strategy. Utilizing this improved methodology, the temperature-sensitive plasmid pJOE8899 was efficiently transformed into B. subtilis GLB191, resulting in a markerless knockout of pdeH. The optimized transformation strategy significantly enhances the efficiency of markerless genome editing of nondomesticated B. subtilis, offering the potential for future interpretation of their modes of action, which is critical for the development of the nondomesticated B. subtilis strains.

Abstract Background As one of the common adverse reactions after chemotherapy in breast cancer patients, chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) seriously affects the quality of life of breast cancer patients. Objective To explore the application effect of nurse‐led CINV management scheme based on risk assessment in breast cancer patients. Methods The researchers selected 90 breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy at Jiangsu Cancer Hospital from June 1, 2022, to June 1, 2023. The patients were divided into control group and intervention group. The control group implemented the routine nursing mode, and the intervention group implemented the nurse‐led intervention program based on risk assessment. On this basis, the intervention group applied the symptom management theory to the construction of intervention strategy to compare the CINV situation, quality of life, and psychological distress level between the two groups. Results The frequency of vomiting and the degree of nausea in the delayed stage were lower in the intervention group than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p

Abstract Background As core members of hospice care team, the hospice nurses’ ability to care for patients not only directly affects the standard of patient care, but also significantly impacts patient quality of life. It can be seen that it is very meaningful for patients to improve the caring behavior of hospice nurses. Therefore, it is necessary to deeply explore the influencing factors of nurses’ caring behavior and further clarify the mechanism between them. Methods The STROBE guideline was performed to report this study. We conducted a cross-sectional survey from December 2023 to February 2024. In this study, 392 hospice nurses were recruited from tertiary public hospitals in East China by convenient sampling method. Participants were investigated using the Practice Environment Scale, Professional Identity Scale, and Caring Behaviors Inventory. Structural equation modelling was utilized to verify the research hypotheses. Results The results revealed that there were significant and positive correlations between work environment, professional identity and caring behavior. Furthermore, professional identity partially mediated the relationship between work environment and caring behavior. Conclusion Work environment is critical to improving hospice nurses’ caring behavior. Professional identity plays an intermediary role impacting how work environment promotes caring behavior among Chinese hospice nurses. Nursing managers should have a correct understanding of the relationship between them. Targeted measures and coping strategies need to be actively taken to create a better working environment for hospice nurses. This would enhance professional identity, and thereby promote caring behavior.

Abstract Background To explore the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the healing of soft tissue around the implant after flap implantation and explore the possible mechanism. Methods A total of 58 patients who underwent implant surgery were enrolled, with a total of 70 implants. They were randomly divided into the LLLT group and the control group. The LLLT group underwent LLLT with Nd:YAG (Fotona, 1064 nm) immediately after surgery and on the 2nd and 3rd day in the surgical area, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Pain assessment was performed in the first 3 days after surgery. The weight of peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF), modified sulcus bleeding index (mSBI), gingival index (GI), and the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the 7th and 14th days after surgery were evaluated. Results On the first 3 days after surgery, the pain score of the LLLT group was significantly lower than that of the control group. On the 7th and 14th day after surgery, the PICF volume, mSBI, GI, and TNF-α levels of the LLLT group were lower than those of the control group. The VEGF levels in the LLLT group were significantly higher than that in the control group. Conclusions LLLT can promote the healing of the soft tissue after implantation, effectively relieve postoperative pain, improve clinical indicators, reduce TNF-α, and increase the expression level of VEGF, which is worthy of clinical application. Trial registration Retrospectively Registered Trials ChiCTR2400087562 (07/30/2024)

Music and language are unique communication tools in human society, where stress plays a crucial role. Many studies have examined the recognition of lexical stress in Indo-European languages using beat/rhythm priming, but few studies have examined the cross-domain relationship between musical and linguistic stress in tonal languages. The current study investigates how musical stress and lexical stress influence lexical stress recognition in Mandarin. In the auditory priming experiment, disyllabic Mandarin words with initial or final stress were primed by disyllabic words or beats with either congruent or incongruent stress patterns. Results showed that the incongruent condition elicited larger P2 and the late positive component (LPC) amplitudes than the congruent condition. Moreover, the Strong-Weak primes elicited larger N400 amplitudes than the Weak-Strong primes, and the Weak-Strong primes yielded larger LPC amplitudes than the Strong-Weak primes. The findings reveal the neural correlates of the cross-domain influence between music and language during lexical stress recognition in Mandarin.

In response to the lack of understanding of the rock burst prevention mechanism and the absence of evaluation methods for the prevention effect in surface hydraulic fracturing, this study focused on the hydraulic fracturing construction at No 401102 working face of the Mengcun Coal Mine. The research employed theoretical analysis, on-site monitoring, numerical simulation, and other methods to investigate the overlying strata structure and the movement form and process control mechanism of thick and hard key strata in the mining area after surface hydraulic fracturing. The study analyzed the characteristics of the dynamic load disturbance induced by the movement form and process changes of the thick and hard key strata and the characteristics of the influence of changes in the overlying rock structure on the degree of static load accumulation after the implementation of ground hydraulic fracturing in the mining space. It revealed the mechanism of ground hydraulic fracturing for preventing and controlling rock-bursts. Furthermore, the study proposed and applied a method for evaluating the effectiveness of surface hydraulic fracturing construction to prevent rock-bursts in coal mines, and the conclusions were as follows: ground hydraulic fracturing broke a complete thick hard rock formation into several fractured strata along the main fracture. The movement forms and processes of thick and hard rock strata was regulated to rotary or slippery movement, resulting in a reduction in the energy of mining-induced earthquakes and the equivalent additional disturbing stress in the working face. Additionally, the regulation of the overburden structure of the working face led to a change in the degree of static load concentration in the working face, thereby lowering the level of overburden pressure. Consequently, this reduced the scope of rock-burst hazard zones; Compared with the static load of the working face, the effect of ground hydraulic fracturing measures in regulating the dynamic load was more significant. Through theoretical calculations, the additional equivalent working face disturbance stress caused by the movement of the overlying rock after fracturing in the 401102 working face was 1.72 MPa, the peak strike support pressure was 42.26 MPa, and the influence range of the impact hazardous area was 12 m. These values were 76.0%, 8.5%, and 47.8% lower, respectively, than those observed with non-fracturing measures; In the fracturing particle flow numerical model, the fracturing main fissure provided a path for the development of the overlying rock structure, accelerated the extension of fissure development in the vicinity of the fractured layer position, and induced fractured strata to undergo slewing or sliding movement. Consequently, the height of the final overburden fissure development of the working face increased by 30 m, and the peak of the strike-supporting pressure at each measurement point was reduced by an average of 5.16 MPa; The evaluation parameter W was calculated as 0.62 for the rock burst prevention effect of the 401102 working face, indicating an excellent comprehensive evaluation of the fracturing rock burst prevention effect.

Abstract Natural products-coordinated metal ions to form the nanomedicines are in the spotlight for cancer therapy. Some natural products could be coordinated with metal ions forming nanomedicines via simple and green environmental self-assembly, which not only improved the bioavailability of natural products, but also conferred multiple therapeutic modalities and multimodal imaging. On the one hand, in the weak acidity, glutathione (GSH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) overexpression of tumor microenvironment (TME), such carrier-free nanomedicines could be further enhanced the therapeutic effect via optimizing the species of metal ions. On the other hand, nanomedicines could exert the precise treatment of tumor under the guidance of multiple imaging. Hence, this review summarized the research progress in recent years on the application of natural product-coordinated metal ions in cancer therapy. In addition, the prospects and challenges for the application of natural product-coordinated metal ions were discussed, especially how to improve targeting ability and stability and assess the safety of metal ions, so as to facilitate the clinical translation and application of natural product-coordinated metal ions nanomedicines. Graphical Abstract

In order to explore the best packaging form and storage method of rice-wheat mixed steamed bread, the effects of breathable packaging, deoxidized packaging and sealed packaging on the quality of rice-wheat mixed steamed bread were studied by analyzing the microbial content, moisture content, texture characteristics and sensory properties of steamed bread after steaming. The results showed that the moisture content, elasticity and hardness of steamed bun were the fastest, and the sensory score was the lowest. In the whole storage, the moisture content and hardness of deoxidized steamed bread were slightly less than that of sealed steamed bread, and the elasticity was greater than that of sealed steamed bread. When stored at 25 ℃, the total number of bacterial colonies in aerated, deoxidized and sealed steamed buns exceeded 6 lg CFU/g at 1, 6 and 3 d, respectively. The mold count exceeded the national standard GB/T 21118-2007 200 CFU/g on days 2, 5 and 4, and the sensory quality deteriorated on days 1, 3 and 5. When stored at 4 ℃, sealed, deoxidized and breathable steamed buns were stored at 8, 14 and 12 days, respectively, the total number of colonies exceeded 6 lg CFU/g at 8, 14 and 12 days, the mold count exceeded GB/T 21118-2007 200 CFU/g at 10, 12 and 10 days, and the sensory quality deteriorated at 8, 12 and 10 days. Therefore, the low-temperature storage form of deoxidized packaging makes the steamed bread have better storage quality.

Abstract To explore the formula for calculating the haemoglobin glycation index (HGI) in an appropriate Chinese population. Evaluating the applicability of the HGI calculation formula proposed by Hempe et al. in the Chinese population; according to the data from CHARLS 2011, 10,587 self-reported nondiabetics aged 20 years and older were selected as the study subjects, regression equations were constructed to fit the linear relationship between HbA1c and FPG in the population, and the profile characteristics of the resultant population were analysed. The standardized HGI formula put forth by Hempe and colleagues has been found unsuitable for application to the Chinese population. Leveraging CHARLS dataset, we derive a novel HGI calculation formula tailored to the Chinese demographic: HGI = Measured HbA1c-Predicted HbA1c, where Predicted HbA1c = 0.011×FPG + 4.032. We found statistically significant differences in HGI among obese individuals; those with higher waist circumference, total cholesterol levels, LDL levels, diastolic blood pressure and those with lower HDL levels. The HGI calculation formula proposed using CHARLS data is more applicable to the Chinese population and can be used as a standardised HGI to Chinese.

Abstract Bacterial infections, especially induced by multidrug-resistant pathogens, have become a significant global health concern. In the infected tissues, biofilms not only serve as a source of nutrients but also act as protective barriers that impede antibiotic penetration. Herein, we developed tea polyphenols epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) Au nanoparticles (E-Au NPs) through direct one-step self-assembly methods by EGCG chelating with Au ions to eradicate antibiotic-resistant bacteria methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and prevent the formation of biofilm under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. The outstanding antibacterial effect involved in mild photothermal therapy, reactive oxygen species production, pathogenicity-related genes regulation, and quinoprotein formation that were specific to the polyphenol-based NPs. The excellent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapeutic efficacy of E-Au NPs was validated and topically applied in murine MRSA-infected skin wounds and keratitis model in vivo to kill bacteria, reduce the inflammation response and promote wound healing. Furthermore, the ophthalmic and systemic biosafety profiles were thoroughly evaluated while no significant side effects were revealed achieving a balance between high-efficiency antibacterial properties and biocompatibility. This study provides an effective therapeutic agent of metal-phenolic materials for superficial tissue infection with favorable prognosis and potential in clinical translation. Graphical abstract

Abstract The continued increase in demand for food is such that flood-irrigation-based agricultural techniques are not expected to change in the future. Consequently, in cultivated areas dominated by river terraces that experience neotectonic movements, catastrophes caused by earthquakes that trigger material liquefaction may continue to occur. Among such catastrophes, low-angle, ultra-long-distance landslides induced by synergistic effects of tectonic and human activities are events that are not fully understood but can potentially be mitigated. A landslide-mudflow that occurred on December 18, 2023, during an Ms 6.2 earthquake in Jishishan, China, on the tertiary terrace of the Yellow River. We reveal the causal mechanisms by which geomorphology, tectonics, and human activities controlled the landslide-mudflow, and outline a new, potentially widespread, dual liquefaction layer-dominated failure mode for earthquake-induced landslides on river terraces. Our findings serve as a warning that urgent landslide-potential assessments should be conducted across river terrace irrigation areas in tectonically active regions.

Abstract Traditional English corpora mainly collect information from a single modality, but lack information from multimodal information, resulting in low quality of corpus information and certain problems with recognition accuracy. To solve the above problems, this paper proposes to introduce depth information into multimodal corpora, and studies the construction method of English multimodal corpora that integrates electronic images and depth information, as well as the speech recognition method of the corpus. The multimodal fusion strategy adopted integrates speech signals and image information, including key visual information such as the speaker’s lip movements and facial expressions, and uses deep learning technology to mine acoustic and visual features. The acoustic model in the Kaldi toolkit is used for experimental research.Through experimental research, the following conclusions were drawn: Under 15-dimensional lip features, the accuracy of corpus A under monophone model was 2.4% higher than that of corpus B under monophone model when the SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) was 10dB, and the accuracy of corpus A under the triphone model at the signal-to-noise ratio of 10dB was 1.7% higher than that of corpus B under the triphone model at the signal-to-noise ratio of 10dB. Under the 32-dimensional lip features, the speech recognition effect of corpus A under the monophone model at the SNR of 10dB was 1.4% higher than that of corpus B under the monophone model at the SNR of 10dB, and the accuracy of corpus A under the triphone model at the SNR of 10dB was 2.6% higher than that of corpus B under the triphone model at the SNR of 10dB. The English multimodal corpus with image and depth information has a high accuracy, and the depth information helps to improve the accuracy of the corpus.

Abstract Tumor heterogeneity is associated with poor prognosis and drug resistance, leading to therapeutic failure. Here, we used tumor evolution analysis to determine the intra- and intertumoral heterogeneity of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) and analyze the correlation between tumor heterogeneity and prognosis, as well as chemotherapy response, through single-cell and spatial transcriptomic analysis. We collected and curated 28 HGSOC patients’ single-cell transcriptomic data from five datasets. Then, we developed a novel text-mining-based machine-learning approach to deconstruct the evolutionary patterns of tumor cell functions. We then identified key tumor-related genes within different evolutionary branches, characterized the microenvironmental cell compositions that various functional tumor cells depend on, and analyzed the intra- and intertumoral heterogeneity as well as the tumor microenvironments. These analyses were conducted in relation to the prognosis and chemotherapy response in HGSOC patients. We validated our findings in two spatial and seven bulk transcriptomic datasets (total: 1,030 patients). Using transcriptomic clusters as proxies for functional clonality, we identified a significant increase in tumor cell state heterogeneity that was strongly correlated with patient prognosis and treatment response. Furthermore, increased intra- and intertumoral functional clonality was associated with the characteristics of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). The spatial proximity between CXCL12-positive CAFs and tumor cells, mediated through the CXCL12/CXCR4 interaction, was highly positively correlated with poor prognosis and chemotherapy resistance in HGSOC. Finally, we constructed a panel of 24 genes through statistical modeling that correlate with CXCL12-positive fibroblasts and can predict both prognosis and the response to chemotherapy in HGSOC patients. Our study offers insights into the collective behavior of tumor cell communities in HGSOC, as well as potential drivers of tumor evolution in response to therapy. There was a strong association between CXCL12-positive fibroblasts and tumor progression, as well as treatment outcomes.

Abstract Background Past reviews of infectious disease early warning systems have encountered some limitations, such as a focus on specific diseases or regions in certain studies and constraints imposed by time delays in others. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of infectious disease early warning systems, with a particular emphasis on assessing the development of these systems in the recent five years (2019 to 2023). The goal is to provide insights for future related research. Methods A comprehensive retrospective review was undertaken, utilizing data sourced from four prominent databases: WanFang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Web of Science, and PubMed. Following a meticulous classification process, a total of 49 articles aligning with our inclusion criteria were identified. To streamline the data collection and organization process, standardized extraction forms were employed, and data were efficiently organized using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Results This study uncovered various warning systems, including health departments, hospitals, social media platforms, statistical bureaus, meteorological departments, and wastewater monitoring systems. Drawbacks of traditional manual and statistical models included slow responsiveness and a surge in suspected cases. In contrast, hospital-based systems utilizing blockchain and smart contract technologies efficiently shared patient data, facilitating precise disease identification. Social media systems harnessed sentiment analysis for outbreak prediction, while statistical bureau systems integrated economic and population data for a novel perspective. Meteorological systems served as valuable complements, particularly for locally transmitted diseases. Wastewater monitoring systems added support by detecting crucial biological markers. Conclusion This article conducts an in-depth analysis of infectious disease early warning systems, including systems based on various data sources. Future efforts should integrate new technologies, along with healthcare and social data, to enhance the capabilities of early warning and prediction.

Abstract With the concept of "mosaic warfare," a novel combat style that involves constructing "kill webs" with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarms has emerged. However, little research has focused on this specific task scenario, particularly concerning the self-organization and adaptive collaboration of heterogeneous combat units in dynamic contested environments. Considering the scales and highly dynamic natures of such swarms, an adaptive communication network mechanism is developed based on the Molloy-Reed criterion. In contrast with common offline/noncombat task scenarios, the self-organization process is refined through agent-based modeling, and a combat effectiveness evaluation is introduced to provide enhanced task execution incentives. The proposed dynamic consensus-based coalition algorithm (DCBCA) addresses UAV intelligence defects such as "confusion," "forgetfulness," and "recklessness" during the dynamic target selection process, enabling effective bottom-up kill webs construction. Extensive simulation results demonstrate that the algorithmic system outlined in this paper can support the efficient and resilient operations of large-scale heterogeneous UAV swarms. The DCBCA outperforms the dynamically improved consensus-based grouping algorithm (CBGA) and the consensus-based timetable algorithm (CBTA) in terms of performance and convergence speed.

Radiotherapy remains a cornerstone in cancer treatment, leveraging ionizing radiation to eradicate malignant cells. Its efficacy, however, is frequently challenged by the heterogeneous sensitivity of tumors and surrounding tissues to radiation. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying radiosensitivity is crucial for improving treatment outcomes. Among the myriad of molecular players involved, the tumor suppressor protein p53 stands out as a central regulator with significant implications for radiosensitivity. Known as the “guardian of the genome”, p53 plays a pivotal role in maintaining genomic stability and orchestrating cellular responses such as cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, apoptosis, and senescence in response to various stress signals, including radiation-induced DNA damage. Activation of p53 triggers the transcription of target genes involved in DNA repair pathways, such as p21, MDM2, and GADD45, facilitating the repair of radiation-induced DNA damage or the elimination of irreparably damaged cells. This, in turn, influences the overall radiosensitivity of tissues. Mutations in the TP53 gene, which encodes p53, are among the most frequent genetic alterations in human cancers. Loss or dysfunction of p53 can compromise the cellular response to radiation, leading to increased resistance to therapy and poorer clinical outcomes. Conversely, intact p53 function is associated with enhanced radiosensitivity due to its ability to promote cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in response to radiation-induced DNA damage. In conclusion, elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which p53 influences radiosensitivity is essential for advancing our understanding of the radiation response in cancer cells and developing more effective therapeutic approaches to cancer treatment. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted role of p53 in modulating cellular responses to radiation, emphasizing its influence on radiosensitivity.

Background and objective Pembrolizumab (PEM) has been shown to be effective in clinical trials for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but clinical trials were based on cohorts of patients selected on specific criteria, and whether the findings are consistent with real-world patients is debatable. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PEM in the treatment of advanced NSCLC based on real-world data. Methods A retrospective collection of real-world data from patients with advanced NSCLC receiving PEM was conducted. Propensity score matching was used to eliminate inter-group differences and assess the efficacy and safety of PEM compared to chemotherapy. Results Among 450 matched patients, the incidence rates of any-grade adverse events were 79.87% in the PEM group and 86.71% in the chemotherapy group, while the incidence rates of grade ≥3 adverse events were 4.03% and 7.31%, respectively. The objective response rates were 48.63% for PEM and 36.00% for chemotherapy (P=0.011). The median progression-free survival was 15.5 months for PEM and 8.8 months for chemotherapy (P

Background and objective: Few studies on endoscopic management of primary obstructive megaureter (POM) in adult patients have been reported. Our objective was to describe our technique and long-term outcomes for endoscopic management of adult POM. Methods: We included 76 adult POM patients undergoing endoscopic management between September 2015 and January 2024. Under endoscopic control, the stricture was dilated to 24–30 Fr while maintaining a balloon pressure of 25–35 atm for 3 min. An additional incision of the stenotic ring using either an electrode or holmium laser was performed in 39 patients. Data for patient characteristics, intraoperative variables, surgical complications, and follow-up results were analyzed. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Surgical success was defined as no tubes or stents in the body, stable or improved symptoms and renal function, and the absence of reflux or obstruction during the follow-up period. Key findings and limitations: All procedures were completed without conversion to open or laparoscopic surgery. The median operative time was 45 min (range 16–165) with median estimated blood loss of 2 ml (range 0–150). The median postoperative hospital stay was 3 d (range 1–15). No intraoperative complication occurred. At median postoperative follow-up of 42 mo (range 3–100) the overall success rate was 92.1%. Restenosis of the vesicoureteral junction (Clavien-Dindo grade III) occurred in five patients (6.6%), and high-grade vesicoureteral reflux occurred in one patient (1.3%), all of whom required secondary reconstruction surgery. Conclusions and clinical implications: The results indicate that our endoscopic management for adult POM is safe and effective, with favorable long-term outcomes. This approach could potentially serve as a first-line treatment option for adult POM. Patient summary: Primary obstructive megaureter (POM) occurs when the flow of urine is blocked because of a narrow segment in the tube between the kidney and bladder (ureter), which causes widening of the ureter further up. For our minimally invasive technique, a telescope is inserted through the urethra and bladder to reach the ureter for surgical treatment. Our results show that this is a safe procedure for POM in adults.