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In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of Lepidocephalichthys berdmorei was first determined by the primer walking sequence method. The complete mitochondrial genome was 16,574 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and a control region (D-loop). The gene arrangement pattern was identical to that of other teleosts. The overall base composition was 29.9% A, 28.5% T, 25.5% C, and 16.1% G, with an A+T bias of 58.4%. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses were conducted based on 13 PCGs from the mitochondrial genomes of 18 cobitid species using with three different methods (Neighbor-joining, Maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference). All methods consistently showed that the four species of the genus Lepidocephalichthys form a monophyletic group. This study would provide effective molecular information for the Lepidocephalichthys species as well as novel genetic marker for the study of species identification.

Abstract Diabetes foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the common complications of diabetes patients, which may lead to infection, necrosis and even amputation. Therefore, early diagnosis, classification of severity and related treatment are crucial for the patients. Current DFU classification methods often require experienced doctors to manually classify the severity, which is time-consuming and low accuracy. The objective of the study is to propose a few-shot DFU image classification method based on deep residual neural network and transfer learning. Considering the difficulty in obtaining clinical DFU images, it is a few-shot problem. Therefore, the methods include: (1) Data augmentation of the original DFU images by using geometric transformations and random noise; (2) Deep ResNet models selection based on different convolutional layers comparative experiments; (3) DFU classification model training with transfer learning by using the selected pre-trained ResNet model and fine tuning. To verify the proposed classification method, the experiments were performed with the original and augmented datasets by separating three classifications: zero grade, mild grade, severe grade. (1) The datasets were augmented from the original 146 to 3000 image datasets and the corresponding DFU classification’s average accuracy from 0.9167 to 0.9867; (2) Comparative experiments were conducted with ResNet18, ResNet34, ResNet50, ResNet101, ResNet152 by using 3000 image datasets, and the average accuracy/loss is 0.9325/0.2927, 0.9276/0.3234, 0.9901/0.1356, 0.9865/0.1427, 0.9790/0.1583 respectively; (3) Based on the augmented 3000 image datasets, it was achieved 0.9867 average accuracy with the DFU classification model, which was trained by the pre-trained ResNet50 and hyper-parameters. The experimental results indicated that the proposed few-shot DFU image classification method based on deep ResNet and transfer learning got very high accuracy, and it is expected to be suitable for low-cost and low-computational terminal equipment, aiming at helping clinical DFU classification efficiently and auxiliary diagnosis.

Abstract Episodic memory involves the processing of spatial and temporal aspects of personal experiences. The lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) plays an essential role in subserving memory. However, the mechanisms by which LEC integrates spatial and temporal information remain elusive. Here, we recorded LEC neurons while male rats performed one-dimensional tasks. Many LEC cells displayed spatial firing fields and demonstrated selectivity for traveling directions. Furthermore, some LEC neurons changed the firing rates of their spatial rate maps during a session (rate remapping). Importantly, this temporal modulation was consistent across sessions, even when the spatial environment was altered. Notably, the strength of temporal modulation was greater in LEC compared to other brain regions, such as the medial entorhinal cortex, CA1, and CA3. Thus, we demonstrate spatial rate mapping in LEC neurons, which may serve as a coding mechanism for temporal context, and allow for flexible multiplexing of spatial and temporal information.

Abstract Background This study systematically reviews recent research comparing clinical outcomes and gait function changes in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) versus unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Methods A systematic search of the Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase databases was conducted, covering publications from January 2013 to September 2024, to identify studies evaluating changes in clinical scores and gait parameters in patients undergoing TKA or UKA. Following stringent selection criteria, data were synthesized from studies involving 171 TKA and 148 UKA patients, focusing on reported gait outcomes and aggregating findings for comprehensive analysis. Direct comparisons between TKA and UKA were performed to assess differences in clinical scores and gait parameters, aiming to elucidate the relative efficacy of each surgical approach and provide robust evidence for clinical decision-making. Results Ten studies met the inclusion criteria for post-operative gait outcome comparisons between TKA and UKA, with seven studies also addressing clinical scores. One study reported greater improvement in WOMAC scores for the UKA group at 6 months post-operation (P 0.05). All ten studies assessed gait parameter recovery, with three studies showing no significant differences at 1 year (P > 0.05). However, seven studies identified superior gait recovery in the UKA group across various parameters, including walking speed, step and stride length, single support time, heel strike force, knee joint range of motion, knee flexion angles during different gait phases, peak knee adduction moment, peak tibial internal rotation moment, gait symmetry, and stride length symmetry (P

Abstract Background Segond fracture is considered a component of the anterolateral complex (ALC) injury, yet the underlying cause and clinical outcomes of this bony avulsion remain subjects of debate. Additionally, MRI measurements of altered tibiofemoral position in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-injured patients with a Segond fracture have not been reported. The purpose of this study is to measure the rotational tibiofemoral position on MRI in ACL-injured patients with a Segond fracture. Methods A total of 44 patients with a primary ACL injury and a concomitant Segond fracture were included in the Segond fracture group, with the time from injury to MRI within 3 months. Avulsion was confirmed via preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans. The control group comprised 44 matched patients with primary ACL injury and an MRI-determined ALC injury but without a Segond fracture, also with the time from injury to MRI within 3 months. The MRI-determined ALC injury included injuries to the anterolateral ligament, Kaplan fibers, and anterolateral joint capsule, as identified based on previous studies. Sex, age, and BMI were matched between the two groups using propensity score matching (PSM). Arthroscopic findings, concomitant collateral ligament injuries, and preoperative MRI measurements were compared between the two groups. Results The Segond fracture group demonstrated a higher frequency of concomitant patellar and femoral trochlear injuries (p = 0.0110) and lateral collateral ligament injuries (p = 0.0121) compared to the control group. Additionally, significantly increased internal rotational tibial subluxation (IRTS) (p = 0.0095) and axial internal tibial rotation (ITRa) (p = 0.0306) were observed in the Segond fracture group. A strong positive correlation was found between IRTS and ITRa (rp = 0.8201), indicating that these two tibial rotation measurement methods were correlated. No significant differences were observed in the measurements of anteroposterior tibiofemoral position and posterior tibial slope (PTS) between the two groups. Conclusion The presence of a Segond fracture was associated with significantly increased internal tibial rotation measured on MRIs, suggesting that this bony avulsion may represent a more severe form of ALC injury in ACL-injured patients and should be managed with caution.

Abstract Tpeak-Tend interval (Tp-Te) is an indicator of transmural dispersion of repolarization, which is often related to ventricular arrhythmias. The relationship between Tp-Te and vasovagal syncope (VVS) has been reported in previous studies, but very little is known about Tp-Te in differentiation between psychogenic pseudosyncope (PPS) and VVS in children. We aim to discuss the predictive value of Tp-Te of supine and orthostatic electrocardiogram (ECG) in the diagnosis between PPS and VVS in children. The 31 children with PPS and 40 children with VVS from July 2014 to November 2023 were enrolled as the study group. Meanwhile, 30 healthy children who underwent a physical examination in the same hospital were selected as the control group. Tp-Te and QT interval in 12-lead supine and orthostatic ECG were measured. (1) Supine ECG: ① The Tp-Te/QT in PPS group was significantly lower than that in control group in II lead (P 0.05). ② The Tp-Te in VVS group was significantly higher than that in control group in aVR, aVF, and V4 lead (P

Abstract A proportion of hippocampal CA1 neurons function as place cells from the onset of navigation, which are referred to as early place cells. It is not clear whether this subset of neurons is predisposed to become place cells during early stages, or if all neurons have this potential. Here, we longitudinally imaged the activity of CA1 neurons in developing male rats during navigation with both one-photon and two-photon microscopy. Our results suggested that a largely consistent population of cells functioned as early place cells, demonstrating higher spatial coding abilities across environments and a tendency to form more synchronous cell assemblies. Early place cells were present in both deep and superficial layers of CA1. Cells in the deep layer exhibited greater synchrony than those in the superficial layer during early ages. These results support the theory that an initial cognitive map is primarily shaped by a predetermined set of hippocampal cells.

In our recent examination of the Phintella specimens collected from Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, a new species and the unknown female of P. liae Wang, Mi & Peng, 2023 were recognised, based on the morphological characteristics and molecular evidence.A new species of Phintella Strand, 1906 is described: P. hongkan sp. nov. (♂♀) from Hainan, China. The unknown female of P. liae Wang, Mi & Peng, 2023 is also described for the first time. Diagnostic photos of both species are provided.

Abstract Background The healing and remodeling process of tendon grafts after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) has received significant attention. This study aims to identify preoperative factors associated with postoperative signal intensity of the ACL graft after primary ACLR. Methods A total of 90 patients underwent primary ACLR using hamstring tendon autografts by the same senior surgeon between January 2013 and December 2020 were included. Patients were followed up and scheduled for a 2-year postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan at our institute. Concomitant injuries were confirmed by arthroscopy. Posterior tibial slope (PTS) and anterior tibial subluxation (ATS) were measured on preoperative MRI, whereas the normalized signal intensity of the ACL graft was evaluated on postoperative MRI and calculated as the ratio of the graft signal intensity to that of the patellar tendon. Multivariable linear regression models were performed to identify preoperative factors associated with the postoperative signal intensity of the ACL graft. Results Multivariable analyses showed that increased global PTS (GPTS) (P = 0.008) and concomitant articular cartilage injuries (P = 0.005) were associated with higher average signal intensity of the ACL graft on two-year postoperative MRI, while preoperative internal rotational tibial subluxation (IRTS) calculated as the difference between lateral ATS and medial ATS did not show a significant association. Specifically, an increased GPTS was significantly associated with higher signal intensity in the proximal section of the ACL graft (P = 0.005), whereas no significant associations were observed in the middle and distal sections. Conclusions Increased preoperative GPTS was significantly associated with higher signal intensity of the ACL graft on 2-year postoperative MRI after primary ACLR, suggesting that a steep preoperative tibial slope may contribute to a suboptimal ligamentization process in hamstring tendon autografts. Level of evidence Level III, retrospective cohort study.

In order to realize the effective prevention and control of coal dust, the magnetic-electric coupling spray dust reduction technology is proposed. First, by measuring the surface tension and contact angle of magnetized water under different magnetization intensities and magnetization times, its wetting and atomization properties are analyzed. Secondly, the magnetized water was magnetized with optimal parameters to increase the applied electric field to explore the effects of electrode voltage, electrode ring parameters, and electrode spacing on the charging characteristics and atomization performance of magneto-electrically coupled water. Then, the dust reduction effects of ordinary water, magnetized water and magneto-electrically coupled water were compared by the self-built dust removal experimental platform. Finally, COMSOL software is used to simulate the changes of collision patterns between the above three liquids and coal dust particles. The experimental results show that: the best dust reduction parameters of magnetized water solution are magnetization intensity of 350 mT and magnetization time of 30 min; the best parameters of magneto-electrically coupled water are electrode voltage of 9 kV, electrode ring parameter of 8 cm and electrode spacing of 3.5 cm; the dust reduction efficiency of magneto-electrically coupled solution is higher than that of other two kinds of liquids, and the dust capturing efficiency of magneto-electrically coupled spray is increased by 38.84% compared with that of ordinary water at the time of total dust, and the dust reduction efficiency reaches 91.2%; the dust capture efficiency of the magneto-electrically coupled spray is 38.59% higher than that of ordinary water in respirable dust, and the dust reduction efficiency reaches 82.3%. The droplets are more easily adhered to the surface of coal dust particles under the three working conditions of ordinary water, magnetized water and magneto-electrically coupled solution.

Abstract Background The effectiveness of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in therapy diminishes with age. It has been reported that transcription factors (TFs) play a crucial role in the aging and functionality of stem cells. Nevertheless, there is limited understanding regarding the involvement of TFs in the aging mechanism of ADSCs. Methods RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was utilized to discern the differentially expressed genes in ADSCs obtained from donors of varying ages. TFs exhibiting significant variations across age groups were identified and subsequently validated. ADSCs were manipulated to exhibit either enhanced expression or reduced levels of HES1 and STAT1 via lentivirus transfection and small interfering RNA (siRNA) techniques. The impact of these genetic alterations on ADSCs’ proliferation, migration, and cellular senescence was assessed using EdU, transwell, and senescence-activated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining assays. The DNA sequences bound by HES1 were investigated through the CUT & Tag assay. Lastly, the therapeutic efficacy of aged ADSCs with HES1 overexpression was evaluated in skin injury model of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Results 678 genes showed differential expression between ADSCs obtained from young and old donors (Y-ADSCs and O-ADSCs), with 47 of these genes being TFs. Notably, the expression of the TF hairy and enhancer of split 1 (HES1) was notably reduced in ADSCs from old donors. Introducing HES1 overexpression in aged ADSCs resulted in improved cellular function and the suppression of cellular senescence, while reducing HES1 levels in young ADSCs had the opposite effect. Mechanistically, HES1 was found to interact with the promoter region of another TF, signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), to inhibit its transcription. Knocking down STAT1 could fully reverse the negative effects caused by decreased HES1 in ADSCs, leading to a reduction in the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8. Ultimately, restoring HES1 expression in aged ADSCs demonstrated enhanced therapeutic potential in promoting skin wound healing. Conclusion HES1 acts as an inhibitor of cellular senescence in the aging progression of ADSCs through the modulation of STAT1 expression, suggesting a promising avenue for rejuvenating senescent ADSCs and improving wound healing.

Abstract Background Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have changed the therapeutic landscape for diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients, but their underlying mechanisms are complicated and not fully understood. Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs), the dynamic contact sites between mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), serve as intracellular platforms important for regulating cellular fate and function. This study explored the roles and mechanisms of SGLT2 inhibitors in regulating MAMs formation in diabetic podocytes. Methods We assessed MAMs formation in podocytes from DKD patients’ renal biopsy samples and induced an increase in MAMs formation in cultured human podocytes by transfecting OMM-ER linker plasmid to investigate the effects of MAMs imbalance on podocyte injury. Empagliflozin-treated diabetic mice and podocyte-specific SGLT2 knockout diabetic mice (diabetic states were induced by streptozotocin and a high-fat diet), empagliflozin-treated podocytes, SGLT2-downregulated podocytes, and SGLT2-overexpressing podocytes were used to investigate the effects and mechanisms of SGLT2 inhibitors on MAMs formation in diabetic podocytes. Results MAMs were increased in podocytes and were associated with renal dysfunction in DKD patients. Increased MAMs aggravated HG-induced podocyte injury. The expression of SGLT2 was increased in diabetic podocytes. In addition, empagliflozin-treatment and podocyte-specific SGLT2 knockout attenuated MAMs formation and podocyte injury in diabetic mice. Empagliflozin treatment and SGLT2 knockdown decreased podocyte MAMs formation by activating the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, while SGLT2 overexpression had the opposite effect. Conclusions Inhibition of SGLT2 attenuates MAMs imbalance in diabetic podocytes by activating the AMPK pathway. This study expands our knowledge of the roles of SGLT2 inhibitors in improving DKD podocyte injury and provides new insights into DKD treatment.

Improving the comprehensive performance of low alloyed Mg is a significant challenge for biomedical applications. This paper developed a high-performance Mg–Zn alloy with uniform ultrafine grains and nano-precipitates through a straightforward, high-temperature reciprocating equal channel angle extrusion (ECAP) process and researched the microstructure, mechanical property, degradation behaviour, and biocompatibility of the developed alloy. Results showed that the lean Mg–2Zn alloy successfully refined grain to about 1 μm and produced plenty of nano-particles with uniform distribution, providing high comprehensive mechanical properties (YS: 235 MPa, UTS: 267 MPa, EL: 15.6 %). Additionally, Zn-riched nano-particles in the matrix could decrease the Zn aggregation at the corrosion layer-matrix interface and form a dense oxide film, achieving a low degradation rate (0.13 mm/year in vivo). Finally, this work realizes the low alloy content, low cost, and good properties of one biodegradable Mg alloy, which will benefit the promotion of future clinical applications.

Achieving impressive superplasticity is an important strategy to manufacture Mg alloy products with complex shapes. In the present study, we report that an excellent superplastic deformation with elongation larger than 500% can be achieved at 623 K and 1.0 × 10−3 s−1 in a Mg-1.51Zn-0.59Ca-0.59Al-0.70Mn (wt.%, ZXAM2111) alloy fabricated by equal-channel angular pressing. The superplastic deformation is mainly carried by grain boundary sliding (GBS), accompanied by a grain size growth from ∼3.0 µm to ∼6.0 µm after deformation. Before deformation, the ZXAM2111 alloy is mainly characterized by a strong co-segregation of Zn and Ca atoms at grain boundaries and uniformly distributed β-Mn particles. With deformation proceeding, the β-Mn particles further dynamically precipitate along grain boundaries that parallel the tensile axis, leading to improved resistance to grain coarsening. Although the enhanced stabilizing effects decrease the strain rate sensitivity value, the resulting impressive microstructure stability provides a cornerstone of the active operation of GBS, facilitating the achievement of superplastic deformation. The present work could provide insight into developing low-alloyed Mg alloys with high microstructure thermal stability to achieve superplasticity.

Abstract Liver kinase B1 (LKB1) is a serine/threonine kinase controlling cell homeostasis. Among post-translational modification, Sumoylation is vital for LKB1 activating adenosine 5’-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the key regulator in energy metabolism. Of note, AMPK-regulated fatty acid metabolism is highly involved in maintaining normal renal function. However, the regulative mechanisms of LKB1 Sumoylation remain elusive. In this study, we demonstrated that β-catenin, a notorious signal in renal fibrosis, inhibited the Sumoylation of LKB1, thereby disrupting fatty acid oxidation in renal tubular cells and triggering renal fibrosis. Mechanically, we found that Sumo3 was the key mediator for LKB1 Sumoylation in renal tubular cells, which was transcriptionally inhibited by β-catenin/Transcription factor 4 (TCF4) signaling. Overexpression of Sumo3, not Sumo1 or Sumo2, restored β-catenin-disrupted fatty acid metabolism, and retarded lipid accumulation and fibrogenesis in the kidney. In vivo, conditional knockout of β-catenin in tubular cells effectively preserved fatty acid oxidation and blocked lipid accumulation by maintaining LKB1 Sumoylation and AMPK activation. Furthermore, ectopic expression of Sumo3 strongly inhibited Wnt1-aggravated lipid accumulation and fibrogenesis in unilateral ischemia-reperfusion mice. In patients with chronic kidney disease, we found a loss of Sumo3 expression, and it was highly related to LKB1 repression. This contributes to fatty acid metabolism disruption and lipid accumulation, resulting in renal fibrosis. Overall, our study revealed a new mechanism in fatty acid metabolism dysfunction and provided a new therapeutic target pathway for regulating Sumo modification in renal fibrosis.

The separation and recovery of uranium from natural water is of great significance to the exploitation of unconventional uranium resources. In our paper, a novel polyacrylonitrile(PAN)/Hummers oxidized lotus seedpod carbon composite was prepared, and adsorption of U(Ⅵ) ion from U(Ⅵ)-CO3 solution under weakly alkaline condition was also studied. Batch adsorption experimental results show that at room temperature, pH=8.0, ρ(U(Ⅵ))=50 mg/L, cT(CO3)=2 mmol/L, the adsorption reaches equilibrium after 840 min, and the maximum adsorption capacity is about 51.92 mg/g. The increase of the pH values, calcium ion concentration, magnesium ion concentration and carbonate concentration inhibit the U(Ⅵ) adsorption. Thermodynamic results indicate that it is a spontaneous, endothermic chemical adsorption process. Characterization results show that the composite displays good structure stability during U(Ⅵ) adsorption process, meanwhile, the phenolic —OH and —COOH(C=O) are the main adsorption sites on the composite surfaces. In the presence of calcium/magnesium ions, the order of adsorption affinity of U(Ⅵ) on the composite material is as follows: Mg-U(Ⅵ)-CO3 system＞Ca-U(Ⅵ)-CO3 system. The results can provide the new materials for the separation and extraction of uranium from natural uranium-containing water.

Abstract Background Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at higher risk of developing pulmonary infection (PI), and plasma fibrinogen level may be an independent risk factor for PI. However, the relationship between fibrinogen level and PI incidence in the SCI population remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the association between plasma fibrinogen level and the occurrence of PI among SCI patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 576 SCI patients admitted to the Rehabilitation Medicine Department between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2021. Following exclusions, 491 patients were included in the final analysis, with 139 PI cases identified. Results Surgery, level of injury and chest comorbidities were covariates in the relationship between fibrinogen level and PI incidence. Other identified potential risk factors for PI included age, D-dimer level, urinary tract infections (UTI), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), anticoagulant therapy, injury mechanism, and the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grades. After adjusting for these factors, we found that for every 1 g/L increase in fibrinogen level, the risk of developing PI increased by 18% (HR = 1.18, P = 0.011), and indicating a positive linear relationship between fibrinogen level and PI incidence. Conclusion Plasma fibrinogen was an independent risk factor for PI in patients with SCI, especially for AIS-B and C grades. Proactive management of fibrinogen level after admission to rehabilitation medicine department could be crucial in reducing the incidence of PI in this vulnerable population. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

Water mist charging and solution active treatment, as two kinds of efficient dust removal methods, showed good dust removal effect when they used independently. In order to explore the settling effect of the combined use of the two on fine dust, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant was used to prepare the active solution, and copper burr ring electrode was used for corona charging. Under the background of micron droplet field charging, the charging effect of micron active droplet and its wettability to anthracite were investigated. The results show that the active solution is more sensitive to electric field than pure water. Water mist charging and solution activity treatment showed synergistic effects on enhancing droplet fragmentation, reducing droplet size and enhancing solution wettability. Compared with ordinary water mist, micron-charged active water mist has higher capture efficiency for anthracite dust, and sedimentation efficiency for total dust and respirable dust is up to 91.77% and 90.45%.

Abstract Background Mitotic processes play a pivotal role in tumor progression and immune responses. However, the correlation between mitosis-related genes, clinical outcomes, and the tumor microenvironment (TME) in colon cancer remains unclear. This study aims to develop a prognostic and therapeutic significance model for colon cancer based on mitosis-related genes. Methods RNA expression profiles and clinical data of 453 colon cancer patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Mitosis-related genes were selected from the MsigDb database. The gene model was constructed using differential analysis, univariate and multivariate Cox regression, and Lasso regression analyses. The predictive model was validated using data from the GSE17536, GSE17537, and GSE39582 datasets. Predictive accuracy was evaluated via Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves, while nomograms were developed by integrating clinical and pathological features. Gene set enrichment analysis explored biological processes and pathways linked to the model. TME was assessed using ESTIMATE, and the proportion and function of immune cells were analyzed through CIBERSORT. Drug sensitivity analysis was conducted using the CTRP database. Results A predictive model based on 17 mitosis-related genes (KIFC1, CCNF, EME1, CDC25C, ORC1, CCNJL, ANKRD53, MEIS2, FZD3, TPD52L1, MAPK3, CDKN2A, EDN3, NPM2, PSRC1, INHBA, BIRC5) was created. The model exhibited robust predictive performance across both training and validation cohorts. Nomograms for predicting 3-, 5-, and 7-year survival rates in colon cancer (COAD) patients were generated. The model's correlation with immune cell infiltration and function was highlighted. Conclusion The mitosis-related gene model serves as a valuable indicator for predicting survival outcomes in colon cancer patients.

Abstract Objective Lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) is increasingly utilized in the treatment of lymphedema. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of the “Overlapping” LVA technique, which addresses the size mismatch between lymphatic and venous vessels in lymphedema treatment. Methods Between August 2022 and April 2023, seventeen patients diagnosed with lymphedema were enrolled in this study. The severity of lymphedema in these patients was classified according to the International Society of Lymphology (ISL) staging system.All patient underwent LVA procedures, anastomosis techniques including the Overlapping, end-to-end and octopus anastomosis. The techniques of anastomosis, anastomosis time, patency rate, and volume of limb lymphedema were evaluated. Results Our study enrolled 17 lymphedema patients who underwent the LVA procedure. All patients showed significant postoperative improvement in limb edema. The mean drainage volume was 472.29 ml. The Overlapping technique demonstrated a 100% success rate as assessed by clinical observation and intraoperative Indocyanine Green (ICG) lymphography. The average anastomosis time was 5.3 min, reducing operative time compared to traditional methods. Conclusions These findings suggest that the Overlapping technique could serve as a valuable addition to the current LVA technique. This Overlapping anastomosis technique provides a wide range of applications for lymphatic anastomosis treatment and prevention of lymphedema.

Abstract Background The growth and yield of pepper, a typical temperature-loving vegetable, are limited by low-temperature environments. Using low-temperature sensitive ‘Hangjiao No. 4’ (Capsicum annuum L.) as experimental material, this study analyzed the changes in plant growth and photosynthesis under different treatments: normal control (NT), low-temperature stress alone (LT), low-temperature stress in strigolactone pretreated plants (SL_LT), and low-temperature stress in strigolactone biosynthesis inhibitor pretreated plants (Tis_LT). Results SL pretreatment increased the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and PSII actual photochemical efficiency (φPSII), reducing the inhibition of LT on the growth of pepper by 17.44% (dry weight of shoot). Due to promoting the accumulation of carotenoids, such as lutein, and the de-epoxidation of the xanthophyll cycle [(Z + A)/(Z + A + V)] by strigolactone after long-term low-temperature stress (120 h), non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) of pepper was increased to reduce the excess excitation energy [(1-qP)/NPQ] and the photoinhibition degree (Fv/Fm) of pepper seedlings under long-term low-temperature stress was alleviated. Twelve cDNA libraries were constructed from pepper leaves by transcriptome sequencing. There were 8776 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 4473 (51.0%) upregulated and 4303 (49.0%) downregulated genes. Gene ontology pathway annotation showed that based on LT, the DEGs of SL_LT and Tis_LT were significantly enriched in the cellular component, which is mainly related to the photosystem and thylakoids. Further analysis of the porphyrin and chlorophyll biosynthesis, carotenoid biosynthesis, photosynthesis-antenna protein, and photosynthetic metabolic pathways and the Calvin cycle under low-temperature stress highlighted 18, 15, 21, 29, and 31 DEGs for further study, which were almost all highly expressed under SL_LT treatment and moderately expressed under LT treatment, whereas Tis_LT showed low expression. Conclusion The positive regulatory effect of SLs on the low-temperature tolerance of pepper seedlings was confirmed. This study provided new insights for the development of temperature-tolerant pepper lines through breeding programs.

Abstract Background This study aims to verify the effectiveness of a deep neural network (DNN) in automatically identifying pulp calcification on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Methods This study retrospectively analysed 150 CBCT images. Pulp calcification was identified and manually annotated by three endodontists with 10 years of experience. A DNN model based on the U-Net architecture was constructed to identify pulp calcification, and ten rounds of fourfold cross-validation were conducted. The model performance was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results The model achieved a sensitivity of 75.91 ± 2.84% in automatically identifying pulp calcification, with a specificity of 68.88 ± 2.35%, an accuracy of 72.78 ± 2.13%, and an AUC of 73.68 ± 3.09%. According to the ranking for diagnostic tests, the proposed method achieved a “good” grade for sensitivity, accuracy, and AUC and a “fair” grade for specificity. Conclusions The results indicate that the proposed method shows promise for identifying pulp calcification on CBCT images. Future research aims to expand the dataset and refine the model, thereby enhancing its clinical applicability. The integration of artificial intelligence into diagnostic and treatment systems is anticipated to increase the efficiency of diagnosing pulp calcification and assist dentists in assessing the difficulty of root canal treatment cases preoperatively. Clinical registration Registration was performed on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( https://www.chictr.org.cn/ ) (Registration number: ChiCTR2300077078, 27/10/2023) and National Medical Research Registry Information System ( https://www.medicalresearch.org.cn/ , 30/10/2023) (Number: MR-44–23-039664).

Abstract Background Chlamydia and gonorrhea notifications are rapidly rising in men who have sex with men (MSM). Currently, there are limited data on the prevalence of chlamydia and gonorrhea across various anatomical sites. Our study aimed to explore the prevalence, association and changing trends of urethral and rectal chlamydia and gonorrhea among MSM in Guangdong Province, China. Methods We analyzed data among MSM attending sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinics in the Guangdong governmental sentinel network between 2018 and 2022. Chi-square tests were used to compare the difference, Join-point regressions for analyzing changing trends, and multivariate logistic regressions for examining associated factors. Results We included 4856 men in the analysis. Rectal chlamydia significantly increased from 13.8% to 26.4% over the past 5 years (average annual percentage change [AAPC] 19.2%, 95%CI 1.0-40.6, p = 0.043). After adjusting for covariates, chlamydia infection positively associated with main venue used to seek sexual partners (aOR = 2.31, 95%CI 1.17–4.55), having regular sexual partners in the past 6 months (aOR = 3.32, 95%CI 1.95–5.64), receiving HIV counselling and testing services (aOR = 2.94, 95%CI 1.67–5.17), receiving peer education (aOR = 1.80, 95%CI 1.14–2.83), infection with syphilis (aOR = 2.02, 95%CI 1.02–4.01) and infection with gonorrhea (aOR 7.04, 95% CI 3.01–16.48). Gonorrhea infection positively associated with having regular sexual partners in the past 6 months (aOR = 3.48.95%CI 1.16–10.49), and infection with chlamydia (aOR 7.03, 95% CI 2.99–16.51). Conclusions To conclude, our findings reveal a high prevalence of chlamydia infections among MSM, particularly in the rectal area. Comprehensive chlamydia and gonorrhea health services are necessary for MSM to improve sexual health.

Aminoglycosides (AGs) are a class of antibiotics with a broad spectrum of activity. However, their use is limited by safety concerns associated with nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity, as well as drug resistance. To address these issues, semi-synthetic approaches for modifying natural AGs have generated new generations of AGs, however, with limited types of modification due to significant challenges in synthesis. This study explores a novel approach that harness the bacterial biosynthetic machinery of gentamicins and kanamycins to create hybrid AGs. This was achieved by glycodiversification of gentamicins via swapping the glycosyltransferase (GT) in their producer with the GT from kanamycins biosynthetic pathway and resulted in the creation of a series of novel AGs, therefore referred to as genkamicins (GKs). The manipulation of the hybrid biosynthetic pathway enabled the targeted accumulation of different GK species and the isolation and characterization of six GK components. These compounds display retained antimicrobial activity against a panel of World Health Organization (WHO) critical priority pathogens, and GK-C2a, in particular, demonstrates low ototoxicity compared to clinical drugs in zebrafish embryos. This study provides a new strategy for diversifying the structure of AGs and a potential avenue for developing less toxic AG drugs to combat infectious diseases.

Abstract Background Dysregulation of vascular homeostasis can induce cardiovascular diseases and increase global mortality rates. Although lineage tracing studies have confirmed the pivotal role of modulated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the progression of pathological vascular remodeling, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Methods The expression of Tudor-SN was determined in VSMCs of artery stenosis, PDGF-BB-treated VSMCs and atherosclerotic plaque. Loss- and gain-of-function approaches were used to explore the role of Tudor-SN in the modulation of VSMCs phenotype both in vivo and in vitro. Results In this study, we demonstrate that Tudor-SN expression is significantly elevated in injury-induced arteries, atherosclerotic plaques, and PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs. Tudor-SN deficiency attenuates, but overexpression aggravates the synthetic phenotypic switching of VSMCs and pathological vascular remodeling. Loss of Tudor-SN also reduces atherosclerotic plaque formation and increases plaque stability. Mechanistically, PTEN, the major regulator of the MAPK and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways, plays a vital role in Tudor-SN-mediated regulation on proliferation and migration of VSMCs. Tudor-SN facilitates the polyubiquitination and degradation of PTEN via NEDD4-1, thus exacerbating vascular remodeling under pathological conditions. BpV (HOpic), a specific inhibitor of PTEN, not only counteracts the protective effect of Tudor-SN deficiency on proliferation and migration of VSMCs, but also abrogates the negative effect of carotid artery injury-induced vascular remodeling in mice. Conclusions Our findings reveal that Tudor-SN deficiency significantly ameliorated pathological vascular remodeling by reducing NEDD4-1-dependent PTEN polyubiquitination, suggesting that Tudor-SN may be a novel target for preventing vascular diseases.

Local defects in coatings allow aggressive electrolytes penetrate to the coating/substrate interface, accelerating the corrosion of the exposed Mg substrate and compromising its biocompatibility. In this work, self-healing calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) coating incorporated with 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (3,5-D) or 5-amino salicylic acid (5-A) is designed on Mg. The results reveal that the self-healing and corrosion resistance performance of DCPD improves after adding 3,5-D/5-A. Namely, incorporating 3,5-D/5-A into DCPD accelerates the self-healing process and repair the coating at the initial stage. The released 3,5-D/5-A additives could adsorb on the exposed Mg surface and combine with the Ca2+ ions to precipitate. The interfacial adsorption mechanism of 3,5-D/5-A additives is disclosed by quantum chemical calculation. The simultaneously responsive adsorption and deposition of additives during coating degradation increase the thickness and compactness of the deposition layer at the coating defects, further inhibiting corrosion and stabilizing pH. These findings suggest taking biocompatibility recovery into consideration of preparing self-healing coating for biomedical applications.

Abstract Flow admission control (FAC) aims to efficiently manage the service requests while maximizing the network utilization. With multiple connection requests, access delay or even service interruption may occur. This paper proposes a novel FAC approach to reduce the contention between the end nodes and ensure high utilization of the networking resources for software defined IIoT. First, incoming flows are classified into different priorities using back propagation neural network based on selected features representing the current network status. Second, with the designed flow admission policies, bandwidth and buffer size are estimated with stochastic network calculus model. Finally, the thresholds of the proposed FAC scheme are dynamically decided based on the above two parameters. Various flows are admitted or rejected via the proposed FAC to maintain real time processing. Unlike traditional FAC schemes rely on static priority systems, the proposed scheme leverages machine learning technique for dynamic flow prioritization and the stochastic network calculus model for precise estimation. Computer simulation reveals that the proposed scheme accurately classifies the flows, and substantially decreases the transmission delay and improves the network utilization compared to the existing FAC schemes. This highlights the superiority of the proposed scheme meeting the demands of software defined IIoT.

To achieve efficient chitosan oligosaccharide preparation, chitosan oligosaccharide was prepared from chitosan through a pre-ultrasound-microwave assisted composite enzymatic method. The enzymatic hydrolysis process conditions were optimized using reducing sugar content as an indicator based on the response surface design method. In addition, the antioxidant capacity of chitosan oligosaccharide was examined. The results showed that the composite enzymes consisting α-amylase and chitosanase (1:1) possessed superior hydrolysis ability for chitosan than others. The optimum conditions of chitosan oligosaccharide preparation were as follows: A microwave power of 200 W, ultrasonic power of 200 W, 5 min pre-ultrasound-microwave time, 1% substrate concentration, pH5.8, temperature at 53.5 ℃, 0.24% composite enzyme additive amount, and 5.7 h enzymatic hydrolysis time. Under these conditions, the reducing sugar content reached the maximum (8.10 mg/mL). The prepared chitosan oligosaccharide contained 2~6 sugars with average molecular weight of 993.5 Da. The chitosan oligosaccharide had strong free radical scavenging activity, with the IC50 of DPPH and ABTS+ free radicals at 0.274 and 0.127 mg/mL, respectively, as well as the ferric reducing power reached the maximum value of 24.56 mmol/L at 1.5 mg/mL. The results show that the ultrasound-microwave pretreatment combined with composite enzymatic method has a good application prospect in the preparation of chitosan oligosaccharide.

Mg is a typical biodegradable metal widely used for biomedical applications due to its considerable mechanical properties and bioactivity. Biodegradable polymers have attracted great interest owing to their favorable processability and inclusiveness. However, it is challenging for the degradation rates of Mg or polymers to precisely match tissue repair processes, and the significant changes in local pH during degradation hinder tissue repair. The concept of combining Mg with polymers is proposed to overcome the shortcomings of materials, aiming to meet repair needs from various aspects such as mechanics and biology. Therefore, it is essential to systematically understand the behavior of biodegradable Mg/polymer composite (BMPC) from the design, manufacturing, mechanical properties, degradation, and biological effects. In this review, we elaborate on the design concepts and manufacturing strategies of high-strength BMPC, the “structure-function” relationship between the microstructures and mechanical properties of composites, the variation in the degradation rate due to endogenous and exogenous factors, and the establishment of advanced degradation research platform. Additionally, the interplay among composite components during degradation and the biological function of composites under non-responsive/stimuli-responsive platforms are also discussed. Finally, we hope that this review will benefit future clinical applications of “structure-function” integrated biomaterials.

BackgroundChronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CIHH) can effectively alleviate type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this process, the underlying mechanism in its association with the epigenetic regulation of DNA methylation in the promoter regions of glucose metabolism key enzyme genes remains unclear yet.ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of CIHH on expression and promoter region methylation of key enzyme genes related to glucose metabolism in diabetes mice, and to explore the underlying mechanism by which CIHH regulates glucose metabolism.MethodsForty C57BL/6J male mice were divided randomly into a normobaric normoxic control (NN/CON) group, a chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia intervention control (CIHH/CON) group, a normobaric normoxic diabetic model (NN/DM) group, and a chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia intervention diabetic model (CIHH/DM) group. The mice in the NN/DM and the CIHH/DM groups were fed for 7 weeks with high-fat and high-sugar diet. Subsequently, these mice were intraperitoneally injected consecutively with 50 mmol·L−1 streptozotocin (STZ) for 5 d at a dose of 40 mg·kg−1 (body weight) per day to create T2DM model mice. The mice in the CIHH/DM and the CIHH/CON groups were intervened by simulating hypobaric hypoxia at 5000 m altitude for 6 h per day, while the mice in the NN/DM and the NN/CON groups were always placed in a normobaric normoxic environment. All mice were continuously treated for 4 weeks, and blood glucose were monitored during this period. After the CIHH intervention experiment, the glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity of mice were evaluated. A set of indicators involved in key glycolytic enzymes glucokinase (GK) and pyruvate kinase (PK), as well as key gluconeogenic enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxyl kinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6P) were measured in the liver of mice, including enzyme activity, relative mRNA expression level, and DNA methylation level in the gene promoter regions.ResultsCompared with the mice in the NN/DM group, the blood glucose levels of the mice in the CIHH/DM group decreased after the 25th day of the CIHH intervention (P0.05), and their correlations with mRNA expression levels were also not statistically significant (P>0.05).ConclusionCIHH intervention may reduce blood glucose level, improve glucose tolerance, alleviate insulin resistance, and regulate the key enzyme activities of glucose metabolism and the relative mRNA expression of their corresponding genes in T2DM mice, but the above phenomena are not related to the DNA methylation levels in the promoter regions of these key enzymes.

Abstract Dissipation and the accompanying fluctuations are often seen as detrimental for quantum systems since they are associated with fast relaxation and loss of phase coherence. However, it has been proposed that a pure state can be prepared if external noise induces suitable downwards transitions, while exciting transitions are blocked. We demonstrate such a refrigeration mechanism in a cavity optomechanical system, where we prepare a mechanical oscillator in its ground state by injecting strong electromagnetic noise at frequencies around the red mechanical sideband of the cavity. The optimum cooling is reached with a noise bandwidth smaller than but on the order of the cavity decay rate. At higher bandwidths, cooling is less efficient as suitable transitions are not effectively activated. In the opposite regime where the noise bandwidth becomes comparable to the mechanical damping rate, damping follows the noise amplitude adiabatically, and the cooling is also suppressed.

Abstract Background Cis-regulatory elements (CREs) are crucial for regulating gene expression, and G-quadruplexes (G4s), as prototypal non-canonical DNA structures, may play a role in this regulation. However, the relationship between G4s and CREs, especially with non-promoter-like functional elements, requires further systematic investigation. We aimed to investigate the associations between G4s and human cCREs (candidate CREs) inferred from the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) data. Results We found that G4s are prominently enriched in most types of cCREs, especially those with promoter-like signatures (PLS). The co-occurrence of CTCF signals with H3K4me3 or H3K27ac signals strengthens the association between cCREs and G4s. Genetic variants in G4s, particularly within their G-runs, exhibit higher regulatory potential and deleterious effects compared to cCREs. The G-runs within G4s near transcriptional start sites (TSSs) are more evolutionarily constrained compared to G-runs in cCREs, while those far from the TSS are relatively less conserved. The presence of G4s is often linked to a more favorable local chromatin environment for the activation and execution of regulatory function of cCREs, potentially attributable to the formation of G4 secondary structures. Finally, we discovered that G4-associated cCREs exhibit widespread activation in a variety of cancers. Conclusions Our study suggests that G4s are integral components of human cis-regulatory elements, extending beyond their potential role in promoters. The G4 primary sequences are associated with the localization of CREs, while the G4 structures are linked to the activation of these elements. Therefore, we propose defining G4s as pivotal regulatory elements in the human genome.

Abstract Acute liver failure (ALF) is characterized by the rapidly progressive deterioration of hepatic function, which, without effective medical intervention, results in high mortality and morbidity. Here, using proteomic and transcriptomic analyses in murine ALF models, we found that the expression of multiple splicing factors was downregulated in ALF. Notably, we found that KH-type splicing regulatory protein (KHSRP) has a protective effect in ALF. Knockdown of KHSRP resulted in dramatic splicing defects, such as intron retention, and led to the exacerbation of liver injury in ALF. Moreover, we demonstrated that KHSRP directly interacts with splicing factor 3b subunit 1 (SF3B1) and enhances the binding of SF3B1 to the intronic branch sites, thereby promoting pre-mRNA splicing. Using splicing inhibitors, we found that Khsrp protects against ALF by regulating pre-mRNA splicing in vivo. Overall, our findings demonstrate that KHSRP is an important splicing activator and promotes the expression of genes associated with ALF progression by interacting with SF3B1; thus, KHSRP could be a possible target for therapeutic intervention in ALF.

Abstract Background Amino acids are crucial for nutrition and metabolism, regulating metabolic pathways and activities vital to organismal health and stability. Glycine and histidine act as potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents; however, limited knowledge exists regarding the associations between these amino acids and hyperlipidemia and hypertension. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between dietary glycine and histidine, and hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Methods This population-based cross-sectional study evaluated the influence of dietary glycine and histidine, as well as their combined effect, on hyperlipidemia and hypertension in Chinese adults participating in the Nutrition Health Atlas Project (NHAP). General characteristics were acquired using a verified Internet-based Dietary Questionnaire for the Chinese. Binary logistic regression, along with gender, age groups, and median energy intake subgroup analyses, was employed to investigate the associations between dietary glycine and histidine and hyperlipidemia and hypertension. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the impact of excluding individuals who smoke and consume alcohol on the results. Results Based on the study’s findings, 418 out of 1091 cases had hyperlipidemia, whereas 673 had hypertension. A significant inverse relationship was found between dietary glycine, histidine, and glycine + histidine and hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Compared with the 1st and 2nd tertiles, the multivariable-adjusted odd ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals) (CIs) of the 3rd tertile of dietary glycine for hyperlipidemia and hypertension were 0.64 (0.49–0.84) (p

Abstract Enoblituzumab, an immunotherapeutic agent targeting CD276, shows both safety and efficacy in activating T cells and oligodendrocyte-like cells against various cancers. Preclinical studies and mouse models suggest that therapies targeting CD276 may outperform PD1/PD-L1 blockade. However, data from mouse models indicate a significant non-responsive population to anti-CD276 treatment, with the mechanisms of resistance still unclear. In this study, we evaluate the activity of anti-CD276 antibodies in a chemically-induced murine model of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Using models of induced and orthotopic carcinogenesis, we identify ITGB6 as a key gene mediating differential responses to anti-CD276 treatment. Through single-cell RNA sequencing and gene-knockout mouse models, we find that ITGB6 regulates the expression of the tumor-associated chemokine CX3CL1, which recruits and activates PF4+ macrophages that express high levels of CX3CR1. Inhibition of the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis suppresses the infiltration and secretion of CXCL16 by PF4+ macrophages, thereby reinvigorating cytotoxic CXCR6+ CD8+ T cells and enhancing sensitivity to anti-CD276 treatment. Further investigations demonstrate that inhibiting ITGB6 restores sensitivity to PD1 antibodies in mice resistant to anti-PD1 treatment. In summary, our research reveals a resistance mechanism associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and identifies potential targets to overcome resistance in cancer treatment.

Abstract The groove density mismatching of compression gratings, an often-neglected key issue, can induce significant spatiotemporal aberrations especially for super-intense femtosecond lasers. We mainly investigate the angular chirp and the consequent degradation of the effective focused intensity introduced by the groove density mismatching of compression gratings in ultra-intense femtosecond lasers. The results indicate that the tolerances of grating groove density mismatching will rapidly decrease with the beam aperture or spectral bandwidth increases. For our 100PW laser under construction, the grating groove density mismatching should be as small as 0.001 gr/mm if the drop of effective focused intensity has to be controlled below 15%. More importantly, new angular chirp compensation schemes are proposed for both double-grating and four-grating compressors. This work reveals the importance of groove density matching of compression gratings, and can provide helpful guidelines for the design of ultra-intense femtosecond lasers.

Abstract Documenting tangible cultural heritage using 3D modeling techniques is gradually becoming an indispensable component of archaeological practice. The 3D modeling techniques based on photogrammetry and LiDAR scanning enable high-accuracy and high-realistic reconstruction of archaeological sites, and have been proven a powerful tool for documenting archaeological excavations. However, dynamically documenting an ongoing excavation using these techniques is still considered tedious, time-consuming, expensive, and dependent on expertise. Moreover, the application of 3D modeling techniques in archaeological excavations still faces some technical challenges, such as modeling with multi-source and multi-scale data, fusing local models at different times into a whole, achieving fast modeling while GPU workstations are not available in the field, and evaluating the quality of 3D models. As a result, there are still very few archaeological teams deeply engaged in dynamic documentation with 3D modeling techniques, and traditional drawing sketches and taking photographs still dominate. In these senses, documenting the archaeological excavation at the Yunxian Man site (located in Hubei, China) is an invaluable opportunity for exploration and practice. Archaeologists determined to conduct dynamically documenting at the beginning of the 6th excavation project for the site, and established a rotation system to reconcile physical excavation with digital preservation. Through repeated practice and communication, we proposed a workflow and pursued several new methods to enhance the feasibility of dynamically documenting, and obtained 4D models of the ongoing archaeological excavations. In 2022, the Yunxian Man site unearthed the most intact fossil of hominin cranium from about one million years ago in the Eurasian continent, preserving important and scarce anatomical features of early humans in Asia. As the original taphonomic context of the fossil corroded away during physical excavations, the digital documentation consisting of 4D models serves as permanent original data source in subsequent archaeological research. Moreover, we obtained cross-scale 3D models from geographical environment to archaeological site, excavation area, and cultural remains, and all of these 3D models are in an actual, unified coordinate framework. Thus, we can contribute to multidisciplinary cross-collaborative research through data sharing. Considering that digital documentations serve a great value in archaeological research, this paper focuses on sharing the workflow and methods to facilitate digital preservation for more archaeological projects.

Background: Cereal crops are a primary energy source for humans. Grain size and weight affect both evolutionary fitness and grain yield of cereals. Although studies on gene mining and molecular mechanisms controlling grain size and weight are constantly emerging in cereal crops, only a few systematic reviews on the underlying molecular mechanisms and their breeding applications are available so far. Aim of review: This review provides a general state-of-the-art overview of molecular mechanisms and targeted strategies for improving grain size and weight of cereals as well as insights for future yield-improving biotechnology-assisted breeding. Key scientific concepts of review: In this review, the evolution of research on grain size and weight over the last 20 years is traced based on a bibliometric analysis of 1158 publications and the main signaling pathways and transcriptional factors involved are summarized. In addition, the roles of post-transcriptional regulation and photosynthetic product accumulation affecting grain size and weight in maize and rice are outlined. State-of-the-art strategies for discovering novel genes related to grain size and weight in maize and other cereal crops as well as advanced breeding biotechnology strategies being used for improving yield including marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, transgenic breeding, and genome editing are also discussed.

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a vital non-destructive testing (NDT) technology that can be employed for detecting the backfill grouting of shield tunnels. To achieve intelligent analysis of GPR data and overcome the subjectivity of traditional data processing methods, the CatBoost & BO-TPE model was constructed for regressing the grouting thickness based on GPR waveforms. A full-scale model test and corresponding numerical simulations were carried out to collect GPR data at 400 and 900 MHz, with known backfill grouting thickness. The model test helps address the limitation of not knowing the grout body condition in actual field detection. The data were then used to create machine learning datasets. The method of feature selection was proposed based on the analysis of feature importance and the electromagnetic (EM) propagation law in mediums. The research shows that: (1) the CatBoost & BO-TPE model exhibited outstanding performance in both experimental and numerical data, achieving R2 values of 0.9760, 0.8971, 0.8808, and 0.5437 for numerical data and test data at 400 and 900 MHz. It outperformed extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) and random forest (RF) in terms of performance in the backfill grouting thickness regression; (2) compared with the full-waveform GPR data, the feature selection method proposed in this paper can promote the performance of the model. The selected features within the 5–30 ns of the A-scan can yield the best performance for the model; (3) compared to GPR data at 900 MHz, GPR data at 400 MHz exhibited better performance in the CatBoost & BO-TPE model. This indicates that the results of the machine learning model can provide feedback for the selection of GPR parameters; (4) the application results of the trained CatBoost & BO-TPE model in engineering are in line with the patterns observed through traditional processing methods, yet they demonstrate a more quantitative and objective nature compared to the traditional method.

ObjectiveTo explore the diagnostic value of micropure imaging (MI) combined with strain elastography (SE) in correcting artificial intelligence (AI) S-Detect technology for benign and malignant breast complex cystic and solid masses. MethodsThe S-Detect diagnosis results were corrected based on the manifestations of MI and SE of the 145 breast complex cystic and solid masses. Postoperative pathological results were used as the gold standard to calculate the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy before and after correction. Additionally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn for both groups, and the areas under the curves were compared. ResultsThere were 80 benign and 65 malignant pathological results. After the correction of S-Detect, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, as well as the areas under the ROC curves, were all improved compared to before the correction. ConclusionCombining MI and SE to correct the diagnostic results of S-Detect can help improve the diagnostic efficacy of breast complex cystic and solid masses.

Texture regulation is a prominent method to modify the mechanical properties and anisotropy of magnesium alloy. In this work, the Mg-1Al-0.3Ca-0.5Mn-0.2Gd (wt.%) alloy sheet with TD-tilted and circular texture was fabricated by unidirectional rolling (UR) and multidirectional rolling (MR) method, respectively. Unlike generating a strong in-plane mechanical anisotropy in conventional TD-tilted texture, the novel circular texture sample possessed a weak in-plane yield anisotropy. This can be rationalized by the similar proportion of soft grains with favorable orientation for basal slip and {101¯2} tensile twinning during the uniaxial tension of circular-texture sample along different directions. Moreover, compared with the TD-tilted texture, the circular texture improved the elongation to failure both along the rolling direction (RD) and transverse direction (TD). By quasi-in-situ EBSD-assisted slip trace analysis, higher activation of basal slip was observed in the circular-texture sample during RD tension, contributing to its excellent ductility. When loading along the TD, the TD-tilted texture promoted the activation of {101¯2} tensile twins significantly, thus providing nucleation sites for cracks and deteriorating the ductility. This research may shed new insights into the development of formable and ductile Mg alloy sheets by texture modification.

Abstract Background Female sex workers (FSW) are particularly vulnerable to unintended pregnancy. Research examining the experience of unintended pregnancy due to commercial sex among Chinese FSW, however, is limited. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of unintended pregnancy due to commercial sex among FSW in China. Methods In 2021, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 1257 FSW in five cities from Guangdong provinces in South China. Data were collected on social-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, experience of unintended pregnancy due to commercial sex and its pregnancy outcome, as well as experience of abortion in lifetime. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with unintended pregnancy. Results Among the 1257 FSW, 19.3% reported having at least one unintended pregnancy due to commercial sex. Of those, 96.7% chose to terminate the pregnancy through induced abortion, and 40.5% reported undergoing multiple induced abortions in their lifetime. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that FSW working in current location over one year (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR): 2.82, 95% CI 1.71–4.64) and having more than seven clients in the past week (aOR: 4.53, 95% CI 2.74–7.51) were more likely to have had unintended pregnancy due to commercial sex. Working in high tier (aOR: 0.21, 95% CI 0.14–0.30) and consistent condom use with clients in the past month (aOR: 0.16, 95% CI 0.10–0.23) were associated with a lower proportion of FSW having ever had unintended pregnancy. Conclusions Unintended pregnancy are prevalent among FSW in South China. Interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence of unintended pregnancy and enhancing post-abortion care could be necessary among Chinese FSW.

Abstract Risk prediction for subsequent cardiovascular events remains an unmet clinical issue in patients with coronary artery disease. We aimed to investigate prognostic metabolic biomarkers by considering both shared and distinct metabolic disturbance associated with the composite and individual cardiovascular events. Here, we conducted an untargeted metabolomics analysis for 333 incident cardiovascular events and 333 matched controls. The cardiovascular events were designated as cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction/stroke and heart failure. A total of 23 shared differential metabolites were associated with the composite of cardiovascular events. The majority were middle and long chain acylcarnitines. Distinct metabolic patterns for individual events were revealed, and glycerophospholipids alteration was specific to heart failure. Notably, the addition of metabolites to clinical markers significantly improved heart failure risk prediction. This study highlights the potential significance of plasma metabolites on tailed risk assessment of cardiovascular events, and strengthens the understanding of the heterogenic mechanisms across different events.

The spider genus Argiope Audouin, 1826, comprises 88 species worldwide, including 23 species occurring in China. Two Argiope species were collected by the spider survey on Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon National Nature Reserve, Xizang, southwest China, conducted in 2023.Two species of the orb-weaver spider genus Argiope from Xizang, China are described, including a new species, A. beibeng Mi & Wang, sp. nov. (♂♀) and a known species, A. caesarea Thorell, 1897 (♂♀). The unknown male of A. caesarea is described for the first time.

Abstract Background The myeloblastosis (MYB) transcription factor (TF) family is one of the largest and most important TF families in plants, playing an important role in a life cycle and abiotic stress. Results In this study, 268 Avena sativa MYB (AsMYB) TFs from Avena sativa were identified and named according to their order of location on the chromosomes, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the AsMYB and Arabidopsis MYB proteins were performed to determine their homology, the AsMYB1R proteins were classified into 5 subgroups, and the AsMYB2R proteins were classified into 34 subgroups. The conserved domains and gene structure were highly conserved among the subgroups. Eight differentially expressed AsMYB genes were screened in the transcriptome of transcriptional data and validated through RT-qPCR. Three genes in AsMYB2R subgroup, which are related to the shortened growth period, stomatal closure, and nutrient and water transport by PEG-induced drought stress, were investigated in more details. The AsMYB1R subgroup genes LHY and REV 1, together with GST, regulate ROS homeostasis to ensure ROS signal transduction and scavenge excess ROS to avoid oxidative damage. Conclusion The results of this study confirmed that the AsMYB TFs family is involved in the homeostatic regulation of ROS under drought stress. This lays the foundation for further investigating the involvement of the AsMYB TFs family in regulating A. sativa drought response mechanisms.

Abstract The optimized layout of electric vehicle (EV) chargers is not only crucial for users' convenience but also a key element in urban sustainable development, energy transition, and the promotion of new energy vehicles. In order to provide a basis for the problem of localization and capacity determination of chargers and compare the merits of several mainstream algorithms, this paper first establishes an optimization model with the objective of minimizing the total investment cost of all the chargers and the constraint of meeting the charging demands of all electric vehicles. Optimizations were performed using genetic algorithm (GA), surrogate optimization algorithm (SOA), and mixed integer linear programming (MILP) algorithm, respectively. In the case of using MILP, the original nonlinear optimization problem was transformed into a linear problem. In the planning of city-level EV chargers, MILP took 14182.57 s to calculate the minimum cost of 34.62 million yuan. After retaining only 10% of the original data amount, SOA took 87651.34 s to calculate the minimum cost of 3.01 million yuan. The results indicate that GA is prone to falling into local optima and is not suitable for large-scale optimization problems. SOA, on the other hand, requires significant memory consumption, so the issue of memory usage needs to be carefully considered when using it directly. Although MILP is only applicable to linear programming problems, it has the advantages of lower memory usage and higher reliability if the problem can be transformed into a linear one.

Abstract Patterns on polymers usually have different mechanical properties as those of the substrates, causing deformation or distortion and even detachment of the patterns from the polymer substrates. Herein, we present a wrinkling strategy, which utilizes photolithography to define the area of stress distribution by light-induced physical crosslinking of polymers and controls diffusion of residual solvent to redistribute the stress and then offers the same material for patterns as substrate by thermal polymerization, providing uniform wrinkles without worrying about force relaxation. The strategy allows the recording and hiding of up to eight switchable images in one place that can be read by the naked eye without crosstalk, applying the wrinkled polymer for optical anti-counterfeiting. The wrinkled polyimide film was also utilized to act as a substrate for the creation of fine copper circuit by a full-additive process. It generates flexible integrated circuit (IC) carrier board with copper wire density of 400% higher than that of the state-of-the-art in industry while fulfilling the standards for industrialization.

Question Collective evidence for the bidirectional association between depression and autoimmune diseases (ADs) is scarce, especially for subgroups of patients with specific ADs. We conducted a meta-analysis to determine the incidence rates and relative risks (RRs) of depression among patients with ADs, and vice versa.Study selection and analysis PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Ovid, PsycNet and Cochrane were searched up to 10 September 2024. Cohort studies evaluating longitudinal risks between ADs and depression were included. Incidence rates and RRs of depression among patients with ADs and vice versa were pooled.Findings The analysis included 47 studies, involving over 40.77 million participants. The pooled incidence rate of depression among patients with ADs was 6.71% (95% CI 5.10% to 8.77%), with an RR of 1.85 (95% CI 1.57 to 2.19), higher in patients aged over 45 (2.30; 95% CI 1.62 to 3.26) and females (1.88; 95% CI 1.61 to 2.20). Conversely, the pooled incidence rate of ADs among depression was 0.54% (95% CI 0.24% to 1.19%), with an RR of 1.84 (95% CI 1.10 to 3.09). The incidence rate and RRs also varied across subgroups with the highest incidence rate in the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (1.36; 95% CI 0.50 to 3.63) and RR in the genitourinary system (2.23; 95% CI 1.98 to 2.51).Conclusions This study identified a bidirectional association between depression and ADs, with higher RRs among patients aged over 45 and females. Especially higher risks were also found for specific types of ADs including endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases, genitourinary system, and skin and subcutaneous tissue.PROSPERO registration number CRD42024541053.

IntroductionEnsuring effective measures against the spread of the virus is paramount for educational institutions and workplaces as they resume operations amidst the ongoing public health crisis. A touchless and privacy-conscious check-in procedure for visitor assessment is critical to safeguarding venues against potential virus transmission.MethodsIn our study, we developed an interaction-free entry system featuring anonymous visitors who voluntarily provide data. This system introduces an adaptable venue entry management mechanism that accounts for both visitors' potential risk and the venue's capacity, aiming to curb the risk of localized infections. We assess visitors' liability based on their voluntarily provided data through radar map analysis. Additionally, we evaluate the venue's situation by quantifying its risk from multiple dimensions. A queuing model is then employed to control visitor access adaptively based on visitors' liability and the venue's availability.ResultsSince May, our university campus has been the operational site for the implemented system, catering to the needs of visitors across distinct venues. Using real-world implementation, we conduct a series of simulation experiments and case studies to verify the effectiveness of the HealthPass system in lowering infection risks.DiscussionThe system has demonstrated its capacity to reduce infection risks by adapting visitor entry procedures based on individual risk factors and venue conditions. Our results suggest that the integration of a dynamic queuing model and real-time data analysis can effectively manage the flow of visitors while ensuring public health safety.