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Di Bo,1,* Jing Liu,1,* Yuhong Li,2 Jiandong Wang,3 Yudong Wang2 1Perinatal Department of Obstetrics, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, 100026, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Gynecologic Oncology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, 100026, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jiandong WangDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, No. 251 Yaojiayuan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100026, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +8613910566755Email wangjiandongxy@ccmu.edu.cnYudong WangDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, NO. 1961, Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +8618017316053Email gfywangyudong@126.comPurpose: To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pregnancies that are complicated by cervical cancer and to identify appropriate therapeutic protocols.Patients and Methods: Clinical data were acquired from 14 subjects attending hospitals in Beijing and Shanghai, China, between January 2015 and December 2019. Then, we analyzed clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatments, and prognosis.Results: Of the 14 cases, there were two cases of abortion, two cases of chemotherapy during the second trimester, two cases of cold knife conization, and eight cases of expectant management and extended postpartum treatment. The gestational age ranged from 28 to 40 weeks. All subjects and infants survived except for the fetuses that underwent abortions.Conclusion: Early diagnosis of cervical therapy, and the provision of multivariate therapy, can prolong gestational age and improve the survival rate of both pregnant women and infants.Keywords: pregnancy, cervical cancer, treatment, pregnancy outcome

Gu Jie Wu,1,2,* Kuan Ren,1,2,* Min He,1,2 Jian Xun Xu,1,2 Zhen Qing Li,1,2 Ding Bo,1,2 Qun Xue3 1Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 2Medical College of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Qun XueDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail ntfyxuequn@163.comBackground: Sorting nexin-20 (SNX20) is a member of the sorting nexin family of proteins. It plays a crucial role in the regulation of innate immunity. However, the prognostic risk, potential mechanisms, immunotherapy, and other functions of SNX20 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remain unclear.Methods: We analyzed and validated the expression and prognostic role of SNX20 in LUAD through a combination of The Cancer Genome Atlas, Gene Expression Omnibus, Oncomine, TIMER, and Human Protein Atlas databases. Further, we analyzed the correlation between SNX20 expression and clinical characteristics of LUAD, and the prognostic value of SNX20 in LUAD was evaluated. Using fitted SNX20 expression and other clinical parameters, a predictive model with predictive performance for the overall survival of patients with LUAD was constructed. The potential biological function of SNX20 in LUAD was explored using gene set enrichment analysis. In addition, we analyzed the correlation between SNX20 expression and the immune microenvironment and survival.Results: SNX20 was downregulated in most cancer types, was associated with poor prognosis in LUAD and could be an independent prognostic factor for patients with LUAD. The predictive model developed by us had good predictive power for determining the overall survival of patients with LUAD. Biofunctional analysis revealed that genes co-expressed with SNX20 mainly promoted the immune process and inhibited the cell proliferation process in LUAD. We observed that high expression of SNX20 was accompanied by a better immune microenvironment and survival in patients with LUAD. Furthermore, the LUAD immune response was elevated with an increase in SNX20 expression. Finally, we found that SNX20 expression was significantly associated with various tumor-infiltrating immune cells, and it was widely involved in regulating various immune molecules in LUAD and affecting immune infiltration in the tumor microenvironment.Conclusion: Our results suggested that SNX20 is a potential immune-related biomarker and therapeutic target associated with the prognosis of patients with LUAD. This provided a new strategy for the development of immunotherapeutic and prognostic markers in LUAD.Keywords: SNX20, biomarkers, lung adenocarcinoma, prognosis, immune infiltration

Patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) are at high risk for erectile dysfunction (ED) due to potential cavernous nerve (CN) damage during surgery. Penile hypoxia after RP is thought to significantly contribute to ED pathogenesis.We previously showed that corpora cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs) undergo phenotypic modulation under hypoxic conditions in vitro. Here, we studied such changes in an in vivo post-RP ED model by investigating CCSMCs in bilateral cavernous neurectomy (BCN) rats.Sprague-Dawley rats underwent sham (n = 12) or BCN (n = 12) surgery. After 12 weeks, they were injected with apomorphine to determine erectile function. The penile tissues were harvested and assessed for fibrosis using Masson trichrome staining and for molecular markers of phenotypic modulation using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. CCSMC morphological structure was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).Erectile function was significantly lower in BCN rats than in sham rats. BCN increased hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and collagen protein expression in corpora cavernous tissue. H&E staining and TEM showed that CCSMCs in BCN rats underwent hypertrophy and showed rough endoplasmic reticulum formation. The expression of CCSMC phenotypic markers, such as smooth muscle α-actin, smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, and desmin, was markedly lower, whereas vimentin protein expression was significantly higher in BCN rats than in control rats.CCSMCs undergo phenotype modulation in rats with cavernous neurectomy. The results have unveiled physiological transformations that occur at the cellular and molecular levels and have helped characterize CN injury-induced ED.

Purpose This study examined longitudinal changes in interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) and predictors of clinically significant interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) in a screening population with ILAs. Materials and Methods We retrieved 36891 low-dose chest CT records from screenings between January 2003 and May 2021. After identifying 101 patients with ILAs, the clinical findings, spirometry results, and initial and follow-up CT findings, including visual and artificial intelligence-based quantitative analyses, were compared between patients diagnosed with ILD (n = 23, 23%) and those who were not (n = 78, 77%). Logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant parameters for the clinical diagnosis of ILD. Results Twenty-three patients (n = 23, 23%) were subsequently diagnosed with clinically significant ILDs at follow-up (mean, 8.7 years). Subpleural fibrotic ILAs on initial CT and signs of progression on follow-up CT were common in the ILD group (both p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that emerging respiratory symptoms (odds ratio [OR], 5.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28–24.21; p = 0.022) and progression of ILAs at follow-up chest CT (OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 1.00–16.54; p = 0.050) were significant parameters for clinical diagnosis of ILD. Conclusion Clinically significant ILD was subsequently diagnosed in approximately one-quarter of the screened population with ILAs. Emerging respiratory symptoms and progression of ILAs at followup chest CT can be predictors of clinically significant ILDs.

Abstract Objective To investigate the effects of zoledronic acid on muscle metabolism in mice with osteoporosis and sarcopenia and elucidate the possible underlying mechanism. Methods Twenty-four 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups: non-suspension (N-SUS), suspension (SUS), suspension + zoledronic acid (ZA), and suspension + PTH(PTH) groups. Equal doses of saline, zoledronic acid, and PTH were administered subcutaneously. After 4 weeks, the mice were sacrificed, and body weight and muscle mass (gastrocnemius and soleus) were measured, the right tibia of mice was taken for micro-CT examination, and the muscle specimens were analyzed using HE staining, ATPase staining, western blotting, and real-time PCR. Results Compared with the N-SUS group, the bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular bone relative volume (BV/TV) and trabecular bone number (Tb.N) were significantly decreased in the SUS group (P

Abstract Background LncRNAs play essential roles in multiple tumors. However, research on genome-wide lncRNA alterations and their functions in cervical cancer (CC) is limited. This study aims to explore key lncRNAs in CC progression and uncover the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of CC. Methods In this study, we analyzed 30 tissues from CC, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and normal (NOR) using transcriptome sequencing and weighted gene co-expression network analysis to establish gene modules related to the NOR-CIN-CC transition. Machine learning diagnostic models were employed to investigate the role of lncRNAs in this transition. Molecular biological experiments were conducted to elucidate the potential mechanisms of CARMN in CC, with a particular focus on its transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of abnormal expression in CC. Results CARMN was identified as a hub gene in two modules significantly associated with the NOR-CIN-CC transition. Analysis using ten machine learning models confirmed its critical role in this progression. The results of RNA-seq, qPCR and RNAScope performed in another cohort of 83 cervical tissues all showed that CARMN was significantly downregulated in CC. CARMN significantly enhanced the interaction between Keap1 and Nrf2, leading to increased ROS levels. The elevated ROS levels suppressed the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, leading to autophagy arrest via autophagic flux blockade. Additionally, CARMN interacted with TFAP2α to repress MAPK13 transcription, further inhibiting the MAPK cascade. A promoter SNP (rs12517403) was found to increase CC risk (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.11–1.61) and reduce CARMN expression by decreasing SP1 binding. Furthermore, the RNA binding proteins that could modulate CARMN RNA stability were also determined using RNA-pulldown assay. The results demonstrated that YBX1, a component of the coding region instability determinant (CRD)-mediated mRNA stabilization complex, promoted CARMN RNA stability. DHX9, another component of complex, acted as a scaffold to bridge YBX1 and CARMN. Conclusions CARMN exerts an anti-cancer effect in CC progression by inhibiting the Akt-mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways. rs12517403 and the YBX1/DHX9 complex are key mechanisms influencing its transcription and stability in CC cells. CARMN represents a promising biomarker for CC diagnosis and therapeutic target.

Abstract Background To evaluate the utility of glucose chemical exchange saturation transfer (glucoCEST) MRI with non-contrast injection in predicting the histological grade of rectal cancer. Methods This prospective analysis included 60 patients with preoperative rectal cancer who underwent pelvic glucoCEST, amide proton transfer-weighted imaging (APTWI), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). In total, 21 low-grade and 39 high-grade cases were confirmed by postoperative pathology. The MTRasym (1.2 ppm), MTRasym (3.5 ppm), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of lesions between the low-grade and high-grade groups were compared. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was generated to evaluate the diagnostic performance of each technique. Logistic regression (LR) analysis was applied to determine independent predictors and for multi-parameter combined diagnosis. Results Elevated MTRasym (1.2 ppm), MTRasym (3.5 ppm) values and lower ADC values were observed in the high-grade group compared with low-grade cases (all p

Abstract Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) was recommended for limited‐stage small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients with complete or partial response to primary chemoradiotherapy. But it is still controversial regarding its role in SCLC patients who have had radical resection. This meta‐analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of PCI in resected SCLC patients. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CENTRAl, and ClinicalTrials for controlled trials and cohort studies regarding PCI in postoperative SCLC patients. The correlation between PCI and post‐operative outcomes in SCLC patients, including survival and brain metastasis rate (BMR), was examined using hazard ratios (HRs) and risk ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Quality of studies was assessed by the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS), and publication bias was assessed by Begg's test. Meta‐analysis of eight studies with 2688 patients in total showed PCI was associated with improved overall survival (OS) for resected SCLC (HR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.57–0.75, p

Abstract Metro systems play an important role in reducing urban traffic congestion and promoting the sustainable development of urban transport in megacities. With the expansion of a metro network, transfer stations are necessary for increasing the service connectivity of a metro network. An accurate estimation of transfer passenger flow can help improve the operations management of a metro system. This study proposes a data‐driven methodology for estimating the transfer passenger flow volume of each transfer station in a metro network by mining smart card data. The estimated transfer passenger flow data are visualized to show the spatial‐temporal distribution characteristics of metro transfer passenger flow. The case study results of the Shenzhen Metro network demonstrate that the proposed data‐driven methodological framework is very effective in estimating different types of transfer passenger flows, such as total transfer passenger flow, hourly transfer passenger flow, and inbound and outbound transfer flows at each transfer station. The spatial‐temporal distribution characteristics of transfer passenger flow can be very useful for designing effective and efficient passenger flow management measures to ensure the safe and efficient operation of a metro system.

Background This study employed a bidirectional Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach to explore the causal relationships between Oral Lichen Planus (OLP), diabetes mellitus (DM), and glycemic control. It also aims to identify potential pharmacological and herbal treatments that effectively address both OLP and the metabolic dysfunctions associated with DM. Methods This study employs a two-way MR approach to investigate the potential causal relationships between diabetes type and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, and the risk of OLP. We analyzed differentially expressed genes from the OLP dataset in the Genomics Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, cross-referencing these with HbA1c-related genes for enrichment analysis. Additionally, the Drug-Gene Interaction Database (DGIdb) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database (TCMSP) were utilized to assess the effectiveness of specific drugs, herbs, and ingredients in treating OLP while managing blood glucose levels. Results The MR analysis revealed a significant association between Type 1 Diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and an increased risk of OLP, unlike Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This finding indicates a unique immunological interaction in T1DM that may predispose individuals to OLP. The drug prediction analysis focused on core targets linked to OLP and HbA1c, evaluating the therapeutic potential of retinoic acid, prednisone, and thalidomide for treating OLP and regulating blood glucose levels. Additionally, herbal medicines such as Ecliptae herbaand Amygdalus communis vas, along with herbal ingredients like quercetin, luteolin, and 17-beta-estradiol, were identified for their anti-inflammatory properties and potential to mitigate metabolic dysfunction in diabetes. Conclusion The study highlighted a complex interplay between diabetes and OLP, underscoring the efficacy of integrated therapeutic strategies that target both conditions. The findings suggest that both pharmaceutical and herbal treatments can effectively manage the clinical manifestations of OLP and associated metabolic challenges. This holistic approach to treatment could significantly enhance patient outcomes by addressing the interconnected aspects of these chronic conditions.

Abstract Background Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) is a highly aggressive form of soft-tissue sarcoma that predominantly affects children. Due to limited benefits and resistance to therapy, there is an unmet need to explore alternative therapeutic strategies. Case presentation In this report, we present a rare case of pediatric ERMS located on the right side of the maxillary gingiva. A composite reference guide integrating clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic findings was used for a definitive diagnosis. Targeted next-generation sequencing of tumor biopsy was performed to identify genetic alterations. A 12-year-old female was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and underwent a tracheotomy to relieve asphyxiation caused by a 5.5 cm diameter mass compressing the tongue root and pharyngeal cavity. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed a hybrid morphology characterized by clusters of round and spindle cells. Further immunohistochemistry assays indicated positive immunoreactivity for desmin, myogenin, and MyoD1. Various genetic alterations were identified, including mutations in GNAS, HRAS, LRP1B, amplification of MDM2 and IGF1R, and two novel IGF1R fusions. Negative PAX-FOXO1 fusion status supported the clinical diagnosis of ERMS. Initial treatment involved standard chemotherapy; however, the tumor persisted in its growth, reaching a maximum volume of 12 cm × 6 cm × 4 cm by the completion of treatment. Subsequent oral administration of anlotinib yielded a significant antitumor response, characterized by substantial tumor necrosis and size reduction. Following the ligation of the tumor pedicle and its removal, the patient developed a stabilized condition and was successfully discharged from PICU. Conclusions Our study highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis established on multifaceted assessment for the effective treatment of ERMS. We present compelling evidence supporting the clinical use of anlotinib as a promising treatment strategy for pediatric ERMS patients, especially for those resistant to conventional chemotherapy.

Abstract Prostate cancer (PC) is an epithelial malignancy occurring in the prostate. PC ranks second in incidence among all male malignancies globally by the latest statistics from the World Health Organization. Notably, China has seen a more rapid increase in PC incidence compared to developed European and American nations. By 2022, the newly reported cases and deaths due to PC in China increased to 134,200 and 47,500, respectively. Thus, early diagnosis and standardized treatment for prostate cancer in China remain far-reaching objectives. Burgeoning research on advanced PC and castration-resistant prostate cancer in recent years have paved the way for a new era of integrated treatment methods including novel endocrine drugs, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Future therapies involve precision treatment guided by genetic testing and individualized integrated treatment as part of a multidisciplinary integrated diagnosis and treatment model for PC. The Genitourinary Oncology Committee of the China Anti-Cancer Association (CACA-GU) has invited multidisciplinary experts across fields including surgery, oncology, pathology, radiology, herbal medicine, physiatry, and psychology to collaboratively write, discuss, and revise guidelines on managing PC. The CACA Guidelines for Holistic Integrative Management of Prostate Cancer includes epidemiology, screening and diagnosis, treatment for localized PC, diagnosis and treatment of PC recurrence after radical prostatectomy, management of metastatic PC, traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment of PC, and rehabilitation from PC. This guideline aims to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment management of PC in China. It is more aligned with China’s clinical practice, highlights Chinese characteristics, and bears significant clinical importance.

Abstract In response to real-world scenarios, the domain generalization (DG) problem has spurred considerable research in person re-identification (ReID). This challenge arises when the target domain, which is significantly different from the source domains, remains unknown. However, the performance of current DG ReID relies heavily on labor-intensive source domain annotations. Considering the potential of unlabeled data, we investigate unsupervised domain generalization (UDG) in ReID. Our goal is to create a model that can generalize from unlabeled source domains to semantically retrieve images in an unseen target domain. To address this, we propose a new approach that trains a domain-agnostic expert (DaE) for unsupervised domain-generalizable person ReID. This involves independently training multiple experts to account for label space inconsistencies between source domains. At the same time, the DaE captures domain-generalizable information for testing. Our experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of this method for learning generalizable features under the UDG setting. The results demonstrate the superiority of our method over state-of-the-art techniques. We will make our code and models available for public use.

Objective: To investigate whether angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1 A1166C) gene polymorphism was associated with the effectiveness of valsartan monotherapy in Chinese patients with essential hypertension. Methods: This retrospective analysis included 198 patients (⩾18 years of age) who received valsartan monotherapy (80 mg/day) for newly developed essential hypertension at the authors’ center between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2023. Genotyping for AGTR1 A1166C gene polymorphism was done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-melting curve analysis of genomic DNA from peripheral blood samples. A dominant genetic model for AGTR1 A1166C (AA genotype versus AC + CC genotype) was used. Multivariate regression analysis of baseline variables and AGTR1 polymorphism was conducted to identify predictors of target blood pressure attainment (

Abstract Background Agricultural irrigation is an important practice to safeguard crops against drought and enhance grain yield in arid regions. The Hexi Corridor, known as a classic arid region, faces significant pressure on agricultural production and food security due to the scarcity of water resources. There is an urgent need to investigate agricultural water use of the irrigated regions. Water use efficiency (WUE), defined as the ratio of gross primary productivity (GPP) to actual evapotranspiration (ET), serves as a valuable indicator linking carbon assimilation and water loss. It enables the quantification of areas where water can be utilized more effectively. However, the long-term spatiotemporal dynamics of WUE and driving mechanism in the irrigated areas of the Hexi Corridor remain unclear. Results This study used GPP calculated by a light use efficiency model (EF-LUE), ET estimated by an ETMonitor model and irrigated cropland maps across China (IrriMap_CN) to examine the spatiotemporal dynamics of irrigated cropland WUE and its controlling factors in the Hexi Corridor from 2001 to 2018. The results are as following: (1) The average annual WUE was approximately 1.34 ± 0.38 g C kg−1 H2O yr−1, with an increasing trend of 0.012 g C kg−1 H2O yr−1, and faster growth observed during 2011–2018 compared to 2001–2010. (2) The contribution of GPP to WUE trends and WUE interannual variability (IAV) was greater than that of ET. (3) The dominant climatic factors of WUE IAV in the Hexi Corridor were SPEI, precipitation, and soil moisture. (4) The standardized Structural Equation Model (SEM), incorporating the relationship between WUE and factors such as water, energy, NDVI, and water-saving irrigation, explained 81% of the variation in irrigated cropland WUE. Here, biological factors (GPP and NDVI) were the primary factors influencing WUE variability, and water-saving irrigation had a stronger indirect effect than climate factors (water and energy) on variation in WUE. Conclusions Our findings offer valuable theoretical insights into the mechanisms governing the interaction between the carbon and water of irrigated cropland, guiding the management of water resources and land in agricultural practices within the Hexi Corridor.

Abstract In this paper, we establish the existence and stability of periodic solutions for neutral-type differential equations with piecewise impulses on time scales. We first obtain some sufficient conditions for the existence of a unique periodic solution by using the Banach contraction mapping principle. We also prove the existence of at least one periodic solution using the Schauder fixed point theorem. In addition, we establish the stability results based on the existence of periodic solutions. It is worth noting that the results of this paper are based on time scales, so that they are applicable to continuous, discrete, and other types of systems.

Abstract Background The administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) during spinal surgery has been shown to reduce blood loss. However, the efficacy and safety of intravenous TXA (ivTXA) and topical TXA (tTXA) are poorly documented. The present meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of ivTXA and tTXA administration in spinal surgery. Methods Potentially relevant academic articles were identified from PubMed, Ovid, Cochrane Library, CNKI database, and Wanfang Data from the date of inception until March 1, 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized controlled trials (non-RCTs) were included in our meta-analysis if they compared the efficacy and safety of ivTXA versus tTXA administration during spinal surgery. Secondary sources were identified from the references of the included literature. The meta-analysis was performed in accordance with the guidelines of the Cochrane Reviewer’s Handbook and the PRISMA statement. Data were summarized using RevMan 5.3 software from Denmark. Results Four RCTs and one non-RCT met our inclusion criteria. The pooled outcomes demonstrated that ivTXA groups compared with tTXA groups had significantly less amount of total blood loss [weighted mean difference (WMD)=-159.55, 95% CI (-181.91,-137.19), P

Abstract Background In daily life, people often follow others’ gaze direction to infer their attention and mental state. This phenomenon is known as gaze following. Objective This study aimed to explore whether gaze following in different age groups is influenced by celebrity identity. Methods We recruited 70 participants, including 35 older adults and 35 young adults. The experimental materials consisted of three faces with different identity information (a political leader, a movie star, and an ordinary person). Each face had left and right gaze conditions. Targets and cues were presented with both longer and shorter stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) conditions. Results Both older adults and young adults exhibited similar gaze following behaviors. Importantly, the celebrity effect on gaze following was observed in both groups, with stronger effects induced by the leader’s and star’s gazes compared to the ordinary person’s gaze. Older adults showed a larger facilitation effect under the longer SOA condition compared to the shorter SOA, while no such SOA-related facilitation effect was found for young adults. Conclusion These findings suggest that older adults can integrate social information from others’ faces (celebrity identity) into the process of gaze following as effectively as young adults.

Abstract Despite advancements in chemotherapy and the availability of novel therapies, the outcome of adult patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) remains unsatisfactory. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of B-ALL. Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1) is a poor prognostic factor for multiple cancers. Here, the expression of BRG1 was found to be higher in patients with B-ALL, irrespective of the molecular subtype, than in healthy individuals, and its overexpression was associated with a poor prognosis. Upregulation of BRG1 accelerated cell cycle progression into the S phase, resulting in increased cell proliferation, whereas its downregulation facilitated the apoptosis of B-ALL cells. Mechanistically, BRG1 occupies the transcriptional activation site of PPP2R1A, thereby inhibiting its expression and activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to regulate the proto-oncogenes c-Myc and BCL-2. Consistently, silencing of BRG1 and administration of PFI-3 (a specific inhibitor targeting BRG1) significantly inhibited the progression of leukemia and effectively prolonged survival in cell-derived xenograft mouse models of B-ALL. Altogether, this study demonstrates that BRG1-induced overactivation of the PPP2R1A/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway plays an important role in promoting the progression of B-ALL. Therefore, targeting BRG1 represents a promising strategy for the treatment of B-ALL in adults.

Abstract To investigate the role of miR-223-3p in the modulatory effect of paeonol (Pae) on high glucose (HG)-induced endothelial cell apoptosis. HG (25 mmol/L) was used to induce cellular damage and apoptosis in the mouse cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (MCMECs). Various concentration of Pae was tested and 60 μmol/L Pae was selected for the subsequent studies. MCMECs were transfected with exogenous miR-223-3p mimics or anti-miR-223-3p inhibitors. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay and apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry. The expression of miR-223-3p and NLRP3 mRNA was measured using real-time quantitative RT-PCR, and protein level of NLRP3 and apoptosis-related proteins was detected by immunoblotting. Pae significantly attenuated HG-induced apoptosis of MCMECs in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, Pae (60 µmol/L) significantly reversed HG-induced down-regulation of miR-223-3p and up-regulation of NLRP3. Pae (60 µmol/L) also significantly blocked HG-induced up-regulation of Bax and Caspase-3 as well as down-regulation of Bcl-2. Moreover, exogenous miR-223-3p mimics not only significantly attenuated HG-induced apoptosis, but also significantly suppressed NRLP-3 and pro-apoptotic proteins in the MCMECs. In contrast, transfection of exogenous miR-223-3p inhibitors into the MCMECs resulted in not only significantly increased apoptosis of the cells, but also significant suppression of NLRP3 and pro-apoptotic proteins in the cells. Pae attenuated HG-induced apoptosis of MCMECs in a concentration-dependent manner. MiR-223-3p may mediate the modulatory effects of Pae on MCMEC survival or apoptosis through targeting NLRP3 and regulating apoptosis-associated proteins.

In order to better detect and identify the running state of the wind turbine equipment and its generator in the power system wind farm, and then improve the operation reliability of the wind turbine in the power system wind farm, the monitoring method of power system state operation based on Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) model was studied. The SCADA model pre installs different types of sensors on the units of the power system to collect, record and store the power data of the power system. The empirical wavelet transform method is selected to extract the signal characteristics from the state operation signals collected by the SCADA model. ReliefF algorithm is used to select features related to equipment status monitoring from the extracted status operation signal features. Fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm is used to analyze the correlation of feature selection results and identify power system operating conditions. According to the condition identification results of power system, support vector regression prediction algorithm is selected to output the monitoring results of power system state operation. The experimental results show that the monitoring time of the generator and other equipment is less than 100 ms, which provides a strong guarantee for the reliable operation of the power system. This result not only validates the validity of the monitoring and data acquisition model proposed in this paper, but also provides a new idea and method for the intelligent operation and safety management of power system.

Since their discovery in 1981, quasicrystals have challenged traditional crystallography, showcasing the diversity of material structures. Quasicrystals are ordered structures in higher-dimensional Cartesian coordinate systems projected into lower dimensions. Exploring whether materials can grow into high-symmetry ordered structures in different mathematical coordinate systems is an intriguing topic. This paper reports a new crystallization growth mode in InSiO thin films, exhibiting high symmetry in spherical and cylindrical coordinate systems, named cylindrical symmetric rotating crystals (CSRC). These crystals show rotational symmetry in their lattice structure, consistent with cylindrical symmetry. They are also part of spherical crystals, which theoretically have one of the highest symmetries. Theoretical predictions suggest that a two-dimensional slice of a spherical crystal in conventional grating mode SEM images will display relatively complete Kikuchi patterns due to the wave properties of incident electrons, unlike crystals or quasicrystals, which show surface morphology from the particle properties of incident electrons. We formed InSiO CSRC by heating InSiO amorphous films and observed relatively complete Kikuchi patterns that quantitatively relate to the incident electron beam direction and energy. These findings align with theoretical predictions, indicating that the Kikuchi patterns in SEM images result from Bragg diffraction through coherent electron scattering within the crystals. Quantitative analysis of these patterns provides information on the lattice structure, constants, crystal orientation, stress information, defect concentration, and Brillouin zone of the InSiO material. This method of obtaining microstructural information directly from SEM images applies only to CSRC, not to conventional or quasicrystal samples.

IntroductionThe identification of peptides eluted from HLA complexes by mass spectrometry (MS) can provide critical data for deep learning models of antigen presentation prediction and promote neoantigen vaccine design. A major challenge remains in determining which HLA allele eluted peptides correspond to.MethodsTo address this, we present a tool for prediction of multiple allele (MA) presentation called LRMAHpan, which integrates LSTM network and ResNet_CA network for antigen processing and presentation prediction. We trained and tested the LRMAHpan BA (binding affinity) and the LRMAHpan AP (antigen processing) models using mass spectrometry data, subsequently combined them into the LRMAHpan PS (presentation score) model. Our approach is based on a novel pHLA encoding method that enables the integration of neoantigen prediction tasks into computer vision methods. This method aggregates MA data into a multichannel matrix and incorporates peptide sequences to efficiently capture binding signals.ResultsLRMAHpan outperforms standard predictors such as NetMHCpan 4.1, MHCflurry 2.0, and TransPHLA in terms of positive predictive value (PPV) when applied to MA data. Additionally, it can accommodate peptides of variable lengths and predict HLA class I and II presentation. We also predicted neoantigens in a cohort of metastatic melanoma patients, identifying several shared neoantigens.DiscussionOur results demonstrate that LRMAHpan significantly improves the accuracy of antigen presentation predictions.

Due to the increasingly fierce competition in recent years, the e-retailers try to establish cooperation alliance. In this paper, we study a profit allocation problem in the multiple-channels order fulfillment system of an e-retailers cooperation alliance. The aim of the cooperation is to maximize the total profit of the alliance by sharing the orders and inventories of goods of all e-retailers, which also helps to increase the profit of each e-retailer. After cooperation, a Rule-utilitarianism core (RUC) profit allocation mechanism is designed to fairly allocate the total profit of the alliance. RUC mechanism is compared with well know Shapley allocation and Egalitarian core allocation. The effectiveness of the RUC mechanism is verified by numeric experiments. The results show that the cooperation can bring more profits for all e-retailers and the RUC mechanism can insure the stability of the alliance on the basis of the contribution measure of each e-retailer to the alliance.

ABSTRACT Background Previous studies mainly concentrate on neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for delivery delay in FIGO Stage IB1–IIIB cervical cancer during pregnancy to prevent early preterm delivery while not affecting maternal outcome. Case Here, we described two pregnant patients with FIGO Stage IIIC cervical cancer about their diagnosis, treatment, and outcome. Both patients underwent cesarean delivery, left enlarged lymph node dissection, and longitudinal monitoring by circulating tumor DNA. Our study suggested that pregnant patient was completely response to NACT, which was confirmed by ctDNA monitoring, followed by left pelvic enlarged lymph node dissection during cesarean section and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy postpartum. The infant grew normally, without any evidence of chemotherapy‐related side effects after delivery. Conclusion In pregnant women with advanced cervical cancer, longitudinal ctDNA monitoring might be able to evaluate maternal response to NACT and confirm if delivery delay to optimize fetal outcome would compacting the maternal outcomes or not. Cervical cancer may not transmit across the placental barrier and so it is safe for delayed delivery until fetal maturity in utero during pregnancy.

Abstract Given the essential implications of Kuroshio Extension (KE) bimodality on oceanic dynamical environment and climate, the present study investigates the targeted observation schemes, based on the conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation (CNOP) method and a reduced‐gravity shallow‐water model, to improve the forecast skills of transition processes of KE bimodal states. To obtain a suitable observing array, the observation schemes, with different numbers of observation sites and observation distances between two sites, are designed. Furthermore, to demonstrate the superiority of the observing networks in predicting KE transition processes, two existing observation schemes and six random observation schemes are compared with the CNOP‐determined observing array. Based on this, a relatively optimal observing array with three sites and observation distance of 90 km is established, which is mainly located between 31°N and 33°N in the south of Japan. This targeted observing network is universal for two KE transition processes. The removal of initial errors on this array results in the mean prediction improvements of about 9.2% and 22.5% for KE transition processes from the low‐ to the high‐energy state and from the high‐ to the low‐energy state, respectively.

Limited evidence was available on ambient air pollution and pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD). The study aimed to evaluate the associations between short-term exposure to air pollutants and outpatient visits for pediatric AD. From 2016–2018, we collected data on six criteria air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO and O3) and daily outpatient visits for pediatric AD in 66 hospitals, covering all districts in Shanghai, China. The over-dispersed Poisson generalized additive model (GAM) was applied to fit the associations of criteria air pollutants with hospital visits. Two-pollutant models were fitted and stratified analyses by sex, age and season were conducted. We identified 477,833 outpatient visits for pediatric AD. Each interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM2.5 (IQR: 30.9 μg/m3), PM10 (8.9 μg/m3), NO2 (25.5 μg/m3), SO2 (5.8 μg/m3) and CO (0.283 mg/m3) on the concurrent day was significantly associated with increments of 2.08 % (95 % CI: 0.53 %, 3.65 %), 2.53 % (95 % CI: 0.87 %, 4.22 %), 8.14 % (95 % CI: 6.24 %, 10.08 %), 5.67 % (95 % CI: 3.58 %, 7.80 %), and 2.27 % (95 % CI: 0.70 %, 3.87 %) in pediatric AD outpatient visits, respectively. The effects of NO2 remained robust after adjustment for other air pollutants. The exposure-response curves for PM2.5 and PM10 were steeper for moderate-lower concentrations, with a flatten curves at high concentration; nearly linear relationships were found for NO2. Higher associations of NO2 exposure on AD were detected in children under 6 years old (p=0.01); and we observed larger effect of air pollutants in cool seasons (p

Acoustic cavitation plays a critical role in various biomedical applications. However, uncontrolled cavitation can lead to undesired damage to healthy tissues. Therefore, real-time monitoring and quantitative evaluation of cavitation dynamics is essential for understanding underlying mechanisms and optimizing ultrasound treatment efficiency and safety. The current research addressed the limitations of traditionally used cavitation detection methods by developing introduced an adaptive time-division multiplexing passive cavitation imaging (PCI) system integrated into a commercial diagnostic ultrasound platform. This new method combined real-time cavitation monitoring with B-mode imaging, allowing for simultaneous visualization of treatment progress and 2D quantitative evaluation of cavitation dosage within targeted area. An improved delay-and-sum (DAS) algorithm, optimized with a minimum variance (MV) beamformer, is utilized to minimize the side lobe effect and improve the axial resolution typically associated with PCI. In additional to visualize and quantitatively assess the cavitation activities generated under varied acoustic pressures and microbubble concentrations, this system was specifically applied to perform 2D cavitation evaluation for ultrasound thrombolysis mediated by different solutions, e.g., saline, nanodiamond (ND) and nitrogen-annealed nanodiamond (N-AND). This research aims to bridge the gap between laboratory-based research systems and real-time spatiotemporal cavitation evaluation demands in practical uses. Results indicate that this improved 2D cavitation monitoring and evaluation system could offer a useful tool for comprehensive evaluating cavitation-mediated effects (e.g., ultrasound thrombolysis), providing valuable insights into in-depth understanding of cavitation mechanisms and optimization of cavitation applications.

IntroductionAs one of the most common complications of diabetes, diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the main cause of heart failure in patients with diabetes. However, the lack of effective treatments for DCM remains a clinical challenge. (Pro) renin receptor (PRR) is a member of renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS). Here, we aim to determine whether PRR is involved in myocardial pyroptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy.MethodsWe established diabetic rats model by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). PRR overexpression adenovirus or PRR knockdown adenovirus was injected into the tail vein. Western blot, histopathology and immunohistochemistry staining, ELISA and Echocardiography were used to detect cardiac function changes and myocardial injury levels of DCM rats. Primary cardiomyocytes were stimulated with high glucose and PRR overexpression or PRR knockdown was achieved by adenovirus transfection, we also used the inhibitor of AMPK to decrease the activity of AMPK. Western blot, Real-time PCR, Immunofluorescence and ELISA were used to detect the level of PRR and pyroptosis in cardiomyocyte.ResultsWe found that high glucose increased the expression of PRR in heart. After overexpression of PRR, the expression of the pyroptosis related proteins such as Caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18, and NLRP3 was significantly increased, the phosphorylation level of AMPK was significantly decreased, and the fibrosis level was significantly increased, thus aggravating the cardiac function injury of DCM. On the contrary, PRR knockdown can alleviate the level of myocardial pyroptosis in DCM and improve cardiac function. The related mechanism was that PRR could inhibit AMPK phosphorylation and promote the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome.DiscussionPRR aggravated pyroptosis of cardiomyocyte, increased the dysfunction of cardiomyocyte, and may be related to the decrease of AMPK phosphorylation and the overactivation of NLRP3. This may provide new ideas and targets for the treatment of DCM.

ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the influence of combining autologous platelet-rich gel (APG) with continuous vacuum-sealed drainage (CVSD) and the exogenous recombinant human acidic fibroblast growth factor (rh-aFGF) on the healing processes of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). The primary objective is to elucidate the complex molecular mechanisms associated with DFU, providing innovative perspectives for its treatment.MethodsNinety patients diagnosed with DFU were randomly allocated into three distinct groups. Group A underwent CVSD following wound cleansing to facilitate healing. In Group B, in addition to conventional treatment, negative pressure wound therapy was applied, and rh-aFGF was introduced into normal saline for lavage, building upon the procedures of Group A. Group C received APG along with the interventions applied in Group B. The clinical efficacy of each group was systematically observed and analyzed. Additionally, changes in plasma oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) were assessed both before treatment and 14 days post-treatment.ResultsFollowing treatment, all groups exhibited commendable clinical efficacy. Group C demonstrated a superior wound healing rate, reduced frequency of dressing changes, and shorter wound healing duration (P< 0.05). Compared to baseline measurements, the levels of superoxide dismutase and PEDF increased, while malondialdehyde, VEGF, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and monocyte chemotactic factor MCP-1 decreased in the wound tissue across all groups. Notably, Group C showed the most significant improvement in clinical efficacy and fortification of molecular mechanisms against oxidative stress (all P< 0.05).ConclusionsThe integrative therapeutic approach combining APG with CVSD and rh-aFGF demonstrates notable efficacy in advancing wound healing. This effectiveness is evident through the reduced frequency of dressing changes and alleviation of wound-related pain. Additionally, the treatment regimen improves the cure rate for challenging, refractory wounds. These favorable outcomes can be attributed to the reduction of oxidative stress levels, attenuation of the local inflammatory response, and the enhancement of the balance between PEDF and VEGF.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Diabetic kidney disease(DKD) is a complication of diabetes. If not treated in time, it will lead to severe glomerular damage, causing irreversible damage, and ultimately may lead to uremia and even death. Yishen Huashi Granule (YSHS) is a Chinese patent medicine for treating DKD by invigorating the spleen and removing dampness, which has shown a good curative effect. Aim of the study: This study systematically evaluated the clinical efficacy and blood biochemical improvement of YSHS combined with conventional therapy (CT) in treating DKD. Materials and methods: By August 2024, four English databases (PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Embase) and four Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database (WF), China Biological Medicine Database (CBM), and China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP)) were searched to screen literature, extract information, and evaluate quality according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The language of these literature is limited to Chinese and English, but not limited to published sources. Meta-analysis and bias analysis were performed using Steata 16 software and Review Manager 5.3 software. The bias risk tool in the Cochrane Handbook was used to assess the quality of the literature. At 95 % confidence interval (CI), relative risk (RR) and Cohen's d were used for the categorical and continuous variables, respectively. To evaluate heterogeneity, the Q test and I2 statistics were employed within a random-effects model framework. Results: A total of 28 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comprising 2416 patients were included in this study. There were 1200 patients in the control group and 1216 in the treatment group. Compared with CT, combined YSHS therapy is more effective at improving clinical efficiency rate [RR(95 % confidence interval (CI)) = 1.26(1.21, 1.32), I2 = 15.83 %], renal function (urinary albumin excretion rate [SMD(95%CI) = -1.72(-2.27, −1.17), I2 = 95.5 %], 24-h quantitative urine protein level [SMD(95%CI) = -1.50(-2.51, −0.50), I2 = 95.52 %], blood urea nitrogen [SMD(95%CI) = -1.13(-1.46, −0.81), I2 = 89.81 %], SCr [SMD(95%CI) = -2.34(-3.36, −1.32), I2 = 97.90 %], eGFR [SMD(95%CI) = 0.50(0.18,0.82), I2 = 51.51 %]), glucose metabolism levels (FBG [SMD(95%CI) = -0.50(-0.87, −0.14), I2 = 89.67 %], 2hPG [SMD(95%CI) = -0.83(-1.39, −0.26), I2 = 87.11 %], HbA1c [SMD(95%CI) = -0.79(-1.74, −0.15), I2 = 94.6 %]), lipid metabolism levels (TC [SMD(95%CI) = -1.53(-2.32, −0.75), I2 = 95.49 %], TG [SMD(95%CI) = -0.96(-1.08, −0.77), I2 = 86.05 %], LDL-C [SMD(95%CI) = -1.25(-1.81, −0.69), I2 = 90.56 %], HDL-C [SMD(95%CI) = 0.71(0.43, 0.98), I2 = 55.92 %]), oxidative stress indicators (SOD [SMD(95%CI) = 6.00(2.77, 9.24, I2 = 99.01 %], MDA [SMD(95%CI) = -2.81(-3.58, −2.05), I2 = 89.64 %]), ALB [SMD(95%CI) = 1.01(0.63, −1.39), I2 = 68.89 %], vWF [SMD(95%CI) = -0.84(-1.08, −0.60), I2 = 0 %], ET-1 [SMD(95%CI) = -0.89(-1.13, −0.65), I2 = 0 %], and MAP [SMD(95%CI) = −1.76(-3.26, −0.25), I2 = 94.05 %]. The incidence of adverse reactions in YSHS combination therapy was not high [SMD(95%CI) = 0.99(0.97, 1.02), I2 = 0.03 %]. Conclusion: The meta-analysis revealed that YSHS combined with CT therapy is superior to CT in improving clinical outcomes, renal function, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress. Yishen Huashi granules is more effective and safer for Diabetic kidney disease treatment.

IntroductionThis study explores the effectiveness of music therapy in repairing psychological trauma in bereaved families, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of its potential therapeutic impact. It begins with an analysis of the current situation faced by bereaved families, identifying the psychological challenges they experience.MethodsThe research design included the recruitment of participants from bereaved families, who were then divided into an experimental group and a control group. An optimized Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network model was constructed to analyze music therapy data, tailored specifically to capture the nuances of this therapeutic process. The experimental procedure detailed the specific operations involved in the music therapy sessions and established a clear comparison framework between the two groups.ResultsThe performance of the proposed LSTM model demonstrated high accuracy (0.85), precision (0.86), recall (0.84), and F1-score (0.85), indicating its effectiveness in predicting treatment outcomes. When compared to the Self-Reporting Inventory-90 (SCL-90) scale, the model captured the trend of treatment effects with a high level of accuracy and reliability. Notably, participants numbered 2, 6, and 8 in the experimental group showed substantial improvement rates of 67.21%, 71.45%, and 75.67%, respectively, in their psychological health issues.DiscussionThe comparative analysis between the experimental and control groups confirmed that the music therapy approach, as guided by the proposed LSTM model, led to a more significant improvement in psychological health issues for bereaved families. This suggests that the model offers a promising avenue for enhancing the effectiveness of music therapy in this context.

Backgrounds The management of lung complications, especially fibrosis, after COVID-19 pneumonia, is an important issue in the COVID-19 post-pandemic era. We aimed to investigate risk factors for pulmonary fibrosis development in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.Methods Clinical and radiological data were prospectively collected from 64 patients who required mechanical ventilation due to COVID-19 pneumonia and were enrolled from eight hospitals in South Korea. Fibrotic changes on chest CT were evaluated by visual assessment, and extent of fibrosis (mixed disease score) was measured using automatic quantification system.Results 64 patients were enrolled, and their mean age was 58.2 years (64.1% were males). On chest CT (median interval: 60 days [IQR; 41–78 days] from enrolment), 35 (54.7%) patients showed ≥3 fibrotic lesions. The most frequent fibrotic change was traction bronchiectasis (47 patients, 73.4 %). Median extent of fibrosis measured by automatic quantification was 10.6% (IQR, 3.8–40.7%). In a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model, which included nine variables with a p value of

ObjectiveTo explore the association between representative insulin resistance (IR) indices and the risk of kidney stone disease in an American adult population. The representative IR indices referred to metabolic score for IR (METS-IR), triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio, triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI), visceral adiposity index (VAI), and homeostatic model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR).MethodsWe investigated adult participants who joined the 2015–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and reported kidney stone histories. Weighted proportions, multivariable regression analysis, and restricted cubic splines were used to evaluate the associations between IR indices and kidney stones after their adjustment for gender, age, race, education, smoking status, alcohol drinking frequency, hypertension and diabetes status, physical activity level, water intake, and levels of calcium, cholesterol, and uric acid.ResultsA total of 19,225 participants were included. The weighted prevalence of kidney stone was 11.1%. A multivariable logistic regression model showed a dose–response relationship between the METS-IR and kidney stone [odds ratio (OR) = 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.01, 1.04), p

Objective: This study aimed to explore the potential causal relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) and myopia. Methods: The study included 3,459 patients who underwent corneal refractive surgery at our institution between 2021 and 2023. Preoperative data on IOP, spherical equivalent (SE), axial length (AL), and corneal thickness (CCT) were collected. The association between IOP and myopia was investigated through rank correlation analysis, and causal inference was examined using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods, including MR-Egger, weighted median, mode-based estimation, simple mode, and inverse variance weighted (IVW) approaches. Utilizing summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), IOP was considered as the exposure, with myopia as the outcome variable. IVW method was employed for the primary analysis, supplemented by sensitivity analyses. Results: Cross-sectional analysis revealed a non-significant association between corrected IOP (cIOP) and myopia (r = -0.019, P = 0.12). MR analysis indicated a non-significant genetic causal relationship between cIOP and myopia under the IVW method (OR = 1.001; 95 % CI [0.999–1.003], P = 0.22), a finding corroborated in replication samples (OR = 0.98; 95 % CI [0.96–1.00], P = 0.099). Conclusion: This study did not find a direct causal link between IOP and the development of myopia. These findings challenge the traditional role attributed to IOP in the progression of myopia and highlight the complex, multifactorial process of myopia development. This provides a new perspective on understanding the intricate mechanisms behind myopia progression.

The significance of intelligent transportation systems and artificial intelligence in road transportation networks has made the prediction of traffic flow a subject of discussion among transportation engineers, urban planners, and researchers in the last decade. However, limited research has been done on traffic flow modelling of long and short trucks considering that they are among the major causes of traffic congestions and traffic-related accidents on freeways, especially freeway collisions between them and passengers’ vehicles. This study focused on the traffic flow of long and short trucks on the N1freeway in South Africa due to its high traffic volume and persistent traffic congestions caused by trucks. We obtained traffic data from this freeway using inductive loop detectors and video cameras. Traffic flow variables such as speed, time, traffic density, and traffic volume were identified, and the traffic datasets comprising 920 datasets were divided into 70% for training and 30% for testing. A hybrid ANN-PSO model was used in modelling the truck traffic flow due to its ability to converge to optimization quickly. The PSO's features (accelerating factors and number of neurons) assist in evaluating traffic flow conditions (traffic flow, traffic density, and vehicular speed). Also, PSO algorithms are simple and require few adjustment parameters. The results suggest that the ANN-PSO model can model long and short trucks traffic flow with a R2 training and testing of 0.999 0and0.993 0. This is the first study to undertake a longitudinal analysis of traffic flow modelling of long and short trucks on a freeway using a metaheuristic algorithm (ANN-PSO). The results of this study will provide knowledgeable insights (division of traffic flow variables and analysing of traffic flow data) to transportation planners and researchers when it comes to minimizing truck-related accidents and traffic congestions on freeways.

Abstract This study investigates the gas–liquid two-phase counter-current flow through a vertical annulus, a phenomenon prevalent across numerous industrial fields. The presence of an inner pipe and varying degrees of eccentricity between the inner and outer pipes often blur the clear demarcation of flow regime boundaries. To address this, we designed a vertical annulus with adjustable eccentricity (outer and inner diameters of 125 mm and 75 mm, respectively). We conducted gas–liquid counter-current flow experiments under specific conditions: gas superficial velocity ranging from 0.06 to 5.04 m/s, liquid superficial velocity from 0.01 to 0.25 m/s, and five levels of eccentricity (e = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1). We collected differential pressure data at two distinct height distances (DP1: 50 mm and DP2: 1000 mm). We used vectors, composed of both the probability density functions (PDFs) of the differential pressure signals and the power spectral density (PSD) reduced via Principal Component Analysis, as features. Using the CFDP clustering algorithm—based on local density—we clustered the flow regimes of the experimental data, thereby achieving an objective and consistent identification of the flow regime of gas–liquid two-phase counter-current flow in a vertical annulus. Our analysis reveals that for DP1, the main differences in the PSD of various flow regimes occur within the 0.5–1 Hz range. Among the three flow regimes involved, the slug flow exhibits the highest power intensity, followed by the bubbly flow, with the churn flow having the least. In terms of differential pressure distribution, the bubbly and churn flows have a concentrated distribution, while the slug flow is more dispersed. For DP2, the PSD differences primarily exist within the 0.5–2 Hz range. The churn flow has the highest power intensity, followed by the slug flow, with the bubbly flow being the weakest. Here, the bubbly flow's differential pressure distribution is concentrated, while the slug and churn flows are more dispersed. Based on the results of the flow regime classification, we generated a flow regime map and analyzed the influence of annulus eccentricity on the flow regime. We found that in most cases, pipe eccentricity does not significantly affect the flow regime. However, in the transition region—such as the bubbly to slug flow transition zone—flows with medium eccentricity values (e = 0.5, 0.75) are more likely to transition to slug flow. We compared the visual recognition results of flow regimes with the clustering results. 4.04% of the total samples showed different results from visual recognition and clustering, primarily located in the flow regime transition area. Since visually distinguishing flow regimes in these areas is typically challenging, our methodology offers an objective classification approach for gas–liquid two-phase counter-current flow in a vertical annulus.

Abstract Individuals often use others’ gaze and head directions to direct their attention. To investigate the influence of autistic traits on social attention, we conducted two experiments comparing groups with high and low autistic traits in single-cue (Experiment 1) and conflicting-cue (Experiment 2) scenarios. Our findings indicate that individuals responded more rapidly to the direction of a single social cue or the consensus of multiple cues. However, we did not observe significant differences in social attention between individuals with high and low autistic traits. Notably, as the stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) increased, individuals with low autistic traits exhibited greater improvements in reaction speed compared to those with high autistic traits. This suggests that individuals with low autistic traits excel at leveraging temporal information to optimize their behavioral readiness over time, hinting at potential variations in cognitive flexibility related to autistic traits.