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Given the increasing needs of employees with computational skills, understanding the core competencies of K-12 computer science (CS) education is vital. This phenomenological research aims to identify critical factors of CS education in K-12 schools from the perspectives and visions of CS faculties in higher education and teachers in K-12 schools. This study adopted a phenomenological research design. The researchers conducted a semi-structured interview with 13 CS faculties and K-12 CS teachers in Michigan and analyzed the data using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that: (1) the core competencies for K-12 CS education include problem-solving through computational thinking, math background, and foundational programming skills, and (2) what is essential is not the programming languages taught in K-12 schools but computational thinking, which enables the learners to easily transfer from one language environment to another. The findings provide important implications for K-12 CS education regarding the core competencies and programming languages to be taught.

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.

Abstract Clinical trials and studies have implicated that E3 ubiquitin ligase BTBD3 (BTB Domain Containing 3) is a cancer-associated gene. However, the role and underlying mechanism of BTBD3 in colorectal cancer (CRC) is not fully understood yet. Herein, our study demonstrated that the mRNA and protein levels of BTBD3 were decreased in CRC tissues and associated with TYPO3 and Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Our results showed that circRAE1 knockdown and TYRO3 overexpression activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the EMT process-associated markers, indicating that circRAE1/miR-388-3p/TYRO3 axis exacerbated tumorigenesis of CRC by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In addition, overexpression of BTBD3 reduced CRC cell migration and invasion in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Our data demonstrated that BTBD3 suppressed CRC progression through negative regulation of the circRAE1/miR-388-3p/TYRO3 axis and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Our data further confirmed that BTBD3 bound and ubiquitinated β-catenin and led to β-catenin degradation, therefore blocked the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and suppressed the CRC tumorigenesis. This study explored the mechanism of BTBD3 involved in CRC tumorigenesis and provided a new theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of CRC.

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 Background The prevalence of self-injury and suicide is higher than the general population of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). However, the results reported in existing studies are highly variable in China. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize the currently available high-quality evidence to explore the prevalence and influence factors of self-injury and suicide among PLWHA in China. Method We retrieve literature written in Chinese and English through databases such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, SinoMed, CNKI, WanFang Database, and CQVIP from inception to 1 September 2022. Sata 16.0 software was used for analysis. Results A total of 28 studies were included with a sample size of 1,433,971 and had a satisfactory quality score of ≥ 5. The prevalence among PLWHA in China were 30% for suicidal ideation (SI), 5% for suicide attempt (SA), 8% for suicide plan (SP), 7% for attempted suicide (AS), and 3‰ for completed suicide. High stigma (OR = 2.94, 95%CI: 1.90 − 4.57), depression (OR, 3.17; 95%CI, 2.20 − 4.57), anxiety (OR, 3.06; 95%CI, 2.23 − 4.20), low self-esteem (OR, 3.82, 95%CI, 2.22 − 6.57), high HIV related stress (OR, 2.53; 95%CI, 1.36 − 4.72), and unemployment (OR, 2.50; 95%CI, 1.51 − 4.15) are risk factors for SI; high social support (OR, 0.61; 95%CI, 0.44 − 0.84) and spouse infected with HIV (OR, 0.39; 95%CI, 0.21 − 0.74) are protective factors for SI; depression (OR, 1.62; 95%CI, 1.24 − 2.13), high aggression (OR, 4.66; 95%CI, 2.59 − 8.39), and more negative life events (OR, 2.51; 95%CI, 1.47 − 4.29) are risk factors for AS; high level of education (OR, 1.31; 95%CI, 1.21 − 1.43) is risk factor for CS. Conclusion Figures indicate that approximately one-third of PLWHA had suicidal ideation, and three out of 1,000 completed suicide in China. Positive events are protective factors for self-injury and suicide among PLWHA, while negative events are risk factors. This suggests that psychosocial support and risk assessment should be integrated into the care of PLWHA.

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.

Background/purpose: The optimal timing of vascular access (VA) creation for hemodialysis (HD) and whether this timing affects mortality and health-care utilization after HD initiation remain unclear. Thus, we conducted a population-based study to explore their association. Methods: We used Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database to analyze health-care outcomes and utilization in a cohort initiating HD during 2003–2013. We stratified patients by the following VA creation time points: >180, 91–180, 31–90, and ≤30 days before and ≤30 days after HD initiation and examined all-cause mortality, ambulatory care utilization/costs, hospital admission/costs, and total expenditure within 2 years after HD. Cox regression, Poisson regression, and general linear regression were used to analyze mortality, health-care utilization, and costs respectively. Results: We identified 77,205 patients who started HD during 2003–2013. Compared with the patients undergoing VA surgery >180 days before HD initiation, those undergoing VA surgery ≤30 days before HD initiation had the highest mortality—15.92 deaths per 100-person-years, crude hazard ratio (HR) 1.56, and adjusted HR 1.28, the highest hospital admissions rates— 2.72 admission per person-year, crude rate ratio (RR) 1.48 and adjusted RR 1.32, and thus the highest health-care costs— US$31,390 per person-year, 7% increase of costs and 6% increase with adjustment within the 2-year follow-up after HD initiation. Conclusion: Late VA creation for HD can increase all-cause mortality, hospitalization, and health-care costs within 2 years after HD initiation. Early preparation of VA has the potential to reduce post-HD mortality and healthcare expenses for the ESKD patients.

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.

This study aims to identify effective teaching strategies and challenges in computer science (CS) teaching and K-12 CS teachers' needs for professional development (PD). The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with five K-12 CS teachers and eight CS instructors in higher education and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that (1) connecting the classroom to the real world, project-based assessment, and teamwork are effective teaching strategies; (2) teaching challenges include CS teachers' knowledge gaps, students' technology access and use, and elective courses; and (3) teachers' PD opportunities and needs include content and pedagogical knowledge and an ongoing learning community. The findings offer implications for K-12 CS education and teachers' PD.

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.

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.

Objective To explore the roles of serum tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 3（TIMP3） and sex determining region Y box protein 2（SOX2） in an early diagnosis of renal injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus（T2DM）. Methods From April 2022 to April 2023， 102 T2DM patients visiting General Hospital of North China Petroleum Administration Bureau were recruited as research subjects. Based upon 24 h serum urinary protein excretion rate（UAER）， they were assigned into two groups of renal injury（n = 40） and renal non-injury（n = 62）. Another 50 patients undergoing health examinations at General Hospital of North China Petroleum Administration Bureau were regarded as control group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） was utilized for measuring the serum levels of TIMP3 and SOX2. General profiles， serum levels of TIMP3， SOX2， glycosylated hemoglobin（HbA1c）， UAER， serum creatinine（Scr） and glomerular filtration rate（eGFR） of three groups were compared. Pearson’s correlation was utilized for examining the relationship between serum TIMP3/SOX2 and HbA1c， UAER， Scr and eGFR. Receiver operating characteristic curve（ROC） was applied for examining the diagnostic value of serum TIMP3/SOX2 for renal injury in T2DM patients. Results The serum levels of TIMP3 [（0.68 ± 0.17）μg/L vs （1.35 ± 0.35）μg/L] and eGFR [（105.99 ± 20.56）mL·min−1·（1.73 m2）−1 vs （133.15 ± 26.18）mL·min−1·（1.73 m2）−1] were obviously lower in T2DM patients than those in control group（P＜0.05）. Serum levels of TIMP3 [（0.47 ± 0.11）μg/L vs （0.82 ± 0.21）μg/L] and eGFR [（74.69 ± 10.22）mL·min−1·（1.73 m2）−1 vs （126.18 ± 27.23）mL·min−1·（1.73 m2）−1] were obviously lower in patients with renal injury than those without（P＜0.05）. Serum levels of SOX2 [（8.91 ± 1.82）kU/L vs （5.15 ± 1.31）kU/L]， HbA1c[（8.80 ± 1.55）% vs （5.52 ± 0.83）%]， UAER [（70.13 ± 18.06）mg/24 h vs （13.22 ± 3.61）mg/24 h] and Scr [（82.14 ± 15.23）µmol/L vs （53.19 ± 5.62）µmol/L] were obviously higher than those in control group（P＜0.05）. Serum levels of SOX2 [（10.81 ± 2.13）kU/L vs （5.15 ± 1.31）kU/L]， UAER [（156.83 ± 40.29）mg/24 h vs （13.22 ± 3.61）mg/24 h] and Scr [（113.77 ± 13.58）µmol/L vs （53.19 ± 5.62）µmol/L] were obviously higher in patients with renal injury than in patients without（P＜0.05）. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that TIMP3 was obviously correlated negatively with HbA1c， UAER and Scr（P＜0.05） and positively with eGFR（P＜0.05）. SOX2 was obviously correlated positively with HbA1c， UAER and Scr（P＜0.05） and negatively with eGFR（P＜0.05）. An obvious negative correlation existed between serum TIMP3 and SOX2（r = −0.590，P＜0.05）. The results of ROC indicated that the sensitivity and specificity of serum TIMP3 plus SOX2 in the diagnosis of renal injury in T2DM patients were 95.0% and 85.3% respectively. Both were obviously higher than those of TIMP3 and SOX2 alone. Conclusions Serum levels of TIMP3 and SOX2 decline markedly and the two are closely correlated with renal injury in T2DM patients. Both may be used for an early diagnosis of renal injury in T2DM patients.

Abstract Background Most gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) harbor c-KIT or PDGFRA mutations. Administration of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has significantly improved the survival of patients with GISTs. We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcome of advanced or recurrent GIST patients in Taiwan. Methods Patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2020 were enrolled. The collected data included baseline characteristics, treatment pattern, treatment outcome, genetic aberrations and survival status. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed and plotted with the Kaplan–Meier method. Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the prognostic factors of survival. Results A total of 224 patients with advanced or recurrent GISTs treated with TKIs were enrolled. All patients received imatinib treatment. Ninety-three and 42 patients received sunitinib and regorafenib treatment, respectively. The 48-month PFS and OS rates for patients treated with imatinib were 50.5% and 79.5%, respectively. c-KIT exon 9 and PDGFRA mutations were prognostic factors for a poor PFS and PDGFRA mutation was a prognostic factor for a poor OS in patients treated with imatinib in multivariate Cox regression analysis. The median PFS of patients who received sunitinib treatment was 12.76 months (95% confidence interval (CI), 11.01–14.52). Patients with c-KIT exon 9 mutations had a longer PFS than those with other genetic aberrations. The median PFS of patients treated with regorafenib was 7.14 months (95% CI, 3.39–10.89). Conclusions We present real-world clinical outcomes for advanced GIST patients treated with TKIs and identify mutational status as an independent prognostic factor for patient survival.

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.

Porous β-Ti composites hold large promise for lightweight components due to their exceptional strength-ductility synergy. However, their microstructural behavior under both impact and compressive conditions have received limited attention. This study investigates the compressive and impact behavior of porous β-type Ti–25Nb (at.%) composites fabricated using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). The composites feature a rhombic dodecahedron (RD) lattice structure and incorporate a central solid cylinder with varying diameters. Microstructural characterizations and finite element simulations were employed to analyze mechanical properties and stress distribution. Incorporation of 3 mm radius cylinders (TIII ∼45% porosity) significantly enhances compressive yield stress (88 ± 10 MPa), impact yield stress (153 ± 10 MPa), and impact energy absorption (41.2 J/cm³) while maintaining material plasticity. Compressive and impact loading initiate a martensitic transformation from β to α″ phase, strengthening the alloy through refined α″ formation with a finer grain size than β phase. Notably, a β→ α″ transformation and grain refinement occur in the node region that connects the solid cylinder and lattices, which undergoes significant deformation during impact. This observation suggests the impact resistance of porous β-Ti composites can be enhanced through tailored microstructures and strategic structural design.

Abstract Quantum loop and dimer models are prototypical correlated systems with local constraints, which are not only intimately connected to lattice gauge theories and topological orders but are also widely applicable to the broad research areas of quantum materials and quantum simulation. Employing our sweeping cluster quantum Monte Carlo algorithm, we reveal the complete phase diagram of the triangular-lattice fully packed quantum loop model. Apart from the known lattice nematic (LN) solid and the even $${{\mathbb{Z}}}_{2}$$ Z 2 quantum spin liquid (QSL) phases, we discover a hidden vison plaquette (VP) phase, which had been overlooked and misinterpreted as a QSL for more than a decade. Moreover, the VP-to-QSL continuous transition belongs to the (2 + 1)D cubic* universality class, which offers a lattice realization of the (fractionalized) cubic fixed point that had long been considered as irrelevant towards the O(3) symmetry until corrected recently by conformal bootstrap calculations. Our results are therefore of relevance to recent developments in both experiments and theory, and facilitate further investigations of hidden phases and transitions.

To improve the wear resistance of the inner wall of hydraulic support columns, Fe-based coatings X1, X2 and X3 were prepared on the inner wall of a hydraulic support column using laser cladding technology with three different Ni-content Fe-based alloy powders. The microstructure, mechanical properties and tribological performance of these coatings were analyzed using metallographic microscope, 3D confocal surface topography instrument, universal testing machine and high-speed reciprocating friction and wear testing machine. Results showed that three coatings were homogeneous and compact, and had good metallurgical bonding with the substrate. The cladding layers were mainly composed of α-Fe with a BCC structure and a(Fe-Cr) solid solution, with the formation of a(Fe-Cr-Ni) phase in the X2 and X3 cladding layers. Among the three coatings, the tensile strengthes of X1, X2 and X3 were 563, 597 and 470 MPa, respectively, with X2 having the highest tensile strength. The wear rates of the three coatings were all lower than that of the substrate, with the wear rate of the substrate being approximately eight times that of the X2 coating. The wear mechanism of the substrate was primarily dominated by adhesive wear and abrasive wear, while the wear mechanism of the coatings was mainly abrasive wear.

Abstract Objective A novel Proximal Femoral Bionic Nail (PFBN) has been developed by a research team for the treatment of femoral neck fractures. This study aims to compare the biomechanical properties of the innovative PFBN with those of the conventional Inverted Triangular Cannulated Screw (ITCS) fixation method through biomechanical testing. Methods Sixteen male femoral specimens preserved in formalin were selected, with the donors’ age at death averaging 56.1 ± 6.3 years (range 47–64 years), and a mean age of 51.4 years. The femurs showed no visible damage and were examined by X-rays to exclude diseases affecting bone quality such as tumors, severe osteoporosis, and deformities. The 16 femoral specimens were randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 8) and a control group (n = 8). All femurs were prepared with Pauwels type III femoral neck fractures, fixed with PFBN in the experimental group and ITCS in the control group. Displacement and stress limits of each specimen were measured through cyclic compression tests and failure experiments, and vertical displacement and strain values under a 600 N vertical load were measured in all specimens through vertical compression tests. Results In the vertical compression test, the average displacement at the anterior head region of the femur was 0.362 mm for the PFBN group, significantly less than the 0.480 mm for the ITCS group (p

Abstract Background Previous studies have shown that the addition of platinum to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) improved outcomes for patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, no studies have assessed the efficacy and safety of the combination of taxane and lobaplatin. In this study, we conducted a randomized controlled phase II clinical study to compare the efficacy and safety of taxane combined with lobaplatin or anthracycline. Methods We randomly allocated patients with stage I–III TNBC into Arm A and Arm B. Arm A received six cycles of taxane combined with lobaplatin (TL). Arm B received six cycles of taxane combined with anthracycline and cyclophosphamide (TEC) or eight cycles of anthracycline combined with cyclophosphamide and sequential use of taxane (EC-T). Both Arms underwent surgery after NAC. The primary endpoint was the pathologic complete response (pCR). Secondary endpoints were event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. Results A total of 103 patients (51 in Arm A and 52 in Arm B) were assessed. The pCR rate of Arm A was significantly higher than that of Arm B (41.2% vs. 21.2%, P = 0.028). Patients with positive lymph nodes and low neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) benefited significantly more from Arm A than those with negative lymph nodes and high NLR (P interaction = 0.001, P interaction = 0.012, respectively). There was no significant difference in EFS (P = 0.895) or OS (P = 0.633) between the two arms. The prevalence of grade-3/4 anemia was higher in Arm A (P = 0.015), and the prevalence of grade-3/4 neutropenia was higher in Arm B (P = 0.044). Conclusions Neoadjuvant taxane plus lobaplatin has shown better efficacy than taxane plus anthracycline, and both regimens have similar toxicity profiles. This trial may provide a reference for a better combination strategy of immunotherapy in NAC for TNBC in the future.

Abstract In addition to its recognized role in providing structural support, bone plays a crucial role in maintaining the functionality and balance of various organs by secreting specific cytokines (also known as osteokines). This reciprocal influence extends to these organs modulating bone homeostasis and development, although this aspect has yet to be systematically reviewed. This review aims to elucidate this bidirectional crosstalk, with a particular focus on the role of osteokines. Additionally, it presents a unique compilation of evidence highlighting the critical function of extracellular vesicles (EVs) within bone-organ axes for the first time. Moreover, it explores the implications of this crosstalk for designing and implementing bone-on-chips and assembloids, underscoring the importance of comprehending these interactions for advancing physiologically relevant in vitro models. Consequently, this review establishes a robust theoretical foundation for preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases related to the bone-organ axis from the perspective of cytokines, EVs, hormones, and metabolites.

Abstract Among middle‐aged and older people, balanced and nutritious diets are the foundation for maintaining bone health and preventing osteoporosis. This study is aimed at investigating the link between dietary folic acid intake and the risk of osteoporosis among middle‐aged and older people. A total of 20,686 people from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2010 are screened and included, and 5312 people aged ≥45 years with integral data are ultimately enrolled in evaluation. Demographics and dietary intake‐related data are gathered and analyzed, and the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of each tertile category of dietary folic acid intake and each unit increase in folic acid are assessed via multivariate logistic regression models. On this basis, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve is used to identify the optimal cutoff value of dietary folic acid intake for indicating the risk of osteoporosis. Of 5312 people with a mean age of 62.4 ± 11.0 years old, a total of 513 people with osteoporosis are screened, and the dietary folic acid intake amount of the osteoporosis group is significantly lower than that of the non‐osteoporosis group (p

With Polygonatum cyrtonema tender buds as subjects, Polygonatum cyrtonema tender bud tea was prepared using the technology for processing flat green tea after fixation by microwave, pan frying and steaming, respectively. The effects of different fixation methods on the quality of Polygonatum cyrtonema tender bud tea was then explored through physicochemical composition, color and gloss of tea broth, volatile aroma component analysis and organoleptic evaluation. The results showed that the Polygonatum cyrtonema tender bud tea prepared by microwave fixation not only presented good organoleptic properties, but also had the highest contents of water extract, soluble sugar, tea polyphenols and total flavonoids, 48.04%, 14.49%, 1.32% and 1.66%, respectively. A total of 84 volatile olfactory compounds were detected in Polygonatum cyrtonema tender bud tea prepared by the three different fixation methods, mainly consisting of aldehydes (12 types), ketones (11 types), olefins (10 types), alcohols (8 types) and esters (8 types). There were 10, 12 and 7 key aroma components in Polygonatum cyrtonema tender bud tea with microwave, pan frying and steaming fixation, respectively. Among them, ethyl butyrate was a unique key aroma component to microwave fixation, while heptanal, pentanal, hexanal and 1-pentanol were the key aroma components unique to pan frying fixation. Overall, there are differences in the quality of Polygonatum cyrtonema tender bud tea prepared by different fixation methods, among which microwave fixation is more suitable for the preparation of Polygonatum cyrtonema tender bud tea.

Abstract In the present study, a new turbomolecular pump (TMP) performance prediction algorithm is proposed according to the variable surface combined blade row (VSCBR) geometric model. The simulation calculation program is designed to perform structural optimization and flow field analysis. Research on the pumping performance of the traditional straight blade row (TSBR) indicates that when the blade velocity ratio is greater than 1, the increase in the pumping speed and compression ratio of the TMP gradually tends to stabilize. Response surface methodology is used to optimize the structural parameters of the first four stages of the combined blade row. The optimized VSCBR increases the pumping speed by 18.2% compared to that of the TSBR. The flow field analysis based on the optimized VSCBR shows that gas molecules reaching the rear blades are likely to approach the outlet, and the proportion of gas molecules in this region exceeds 50%. Therefore, the blades we designed should be conducive to additional gas molecules reaching the outlet.

Abstract The ionosphere can be artificially modified by employing ground-based high-power high-frequency electromagnetic waves to irradiate the ionosphere. This modification is achieved through the nonlinear interaction between the electromagnetic waves and the ionospheric plasma, leading to changes in the physical properties and structure of the ionosphere. The degree of artificial modification of the ionosphere is closely related to the heating energy density of high-frequency pump waves. Due to the high density of neutral constituents in the lower ionosphere and the high frequency of electron-neutral collisions, the energy of heating pump waves will be absorbed and attenuated during the penetration of the low ionosphere, seriously affecting the heating effect. This paper proposes a method to reduce the absorption of ionospheric heating pump waves by releasing electron attachment chemicals into low ionosphere to form a large-scale electron density hole. A model for mitigating pump waves absorption based on SF6 release is established, and the absorption at different frequencies is quantitatively calculated. The propagation characteristics of high-frequency signals in ionospheric holes are studied using a three-dimensional ray tracing method, and the results demonstrate that the chemical release method not only reduces the absorption attenuation of heating pump waves but also forms spherical electron density holes, which exhibit a focusing effect on the heating beam and enhance the heating effect. The results are of great significance for understanding the nonlinear interaction between electromagnetic wave and ionospheric plasma and improving the ionospheric heating efficiency.

Background: The Guangzhou Nutrition and Health Study (GNHS) aims to assess the determinants of metabolic disease in nutritional aspects, as well as other environmental and genetic factors, and explore possible biomarkers and mechanisms with multi-omics integration. Methods: The population-based sample of adults in Guangzhou, China (baseline: 40–83 years old; n = 5,118) was followed up about every 3 years. All are tracked via on-site follow-up and health information systems. We assessed detailed information on lifestyle factors, physical activities, dietary assessments, psychological health, cognitive function, body measurements, and muscle function. Instrument tests included dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning, carotid artery and liver ultrasonography evaluations, vascular endothelial function evaluation, upper-abdomen and brain magnetic resonance imaging, and 14-day real-time continuous glucose monitoring tests. We also measured multi-omics, including host genome-wide genotyping, serum metabolome and proteome, gut microbiome (16S rRNA sequencing, metagenome, and internal transcribed spacer 2 sequencing), and fecal metabolome and proteome. Results: The baseline surveys were conducted from 2008 to 2015. Now, we have completed 3 waves. The 3rd and 4th follow-ups have started but have yet to end. A total of 5,118 participants aged 40–83 took part in the study. The median age at baseline was approximately 59.0 years and the proportion of female participants was about 69.4%. Among all the participants, 3,628 (71%) completed at least one on-site follow-up, with a median duration of 9.48 years. Conclusion: The cohort will provide data that will be influential in establishing the role of nutrition in metabolic diseases with multi-omics.