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Abstract Multiple synchronous lung cancers (MSLCs) constitute a unique subtype of lung cancer. To explore the genomic and immune heterogeneity across different pathological stages of MSLCs, we analyse 16 MSLCs from 8 patients using single-cell RNA-seq, single-cell TCR sequencing, and bulk whole-exome sequencing. Our investigation indicates clonally independent tumours with convergent evolution driven by shared driver mutations. However, tumours from the same individual exhibit few shared mutations, indicating independent origins. During the transition from pre-invasive to invasive adenocarcinoma, we observe a shift in T cell phenotypes characterized by increased Treg cells and exhausted CD8+ T cells, accompanied by diminished cytotoxicity. Additionally, invasive adenocarcinomas exhibit greater neoantigen abundance and a more diverse TCR repertoire, indicating heightened heterogeneity. In summary, despite having a common genetic background and environmental exposure, our study emphasizes the individuality of MSLCs at different stages, highlighting their unique genomic and immune characteristics.

In response to challenges such as the subtle early fault indications and the fluctuating harmonic content in power systems affecting diagnostic accuracy， this paper presents a novel method for analyzing and diagnosing inter-turn short circuit faults in dry-type air-core reactors， taking into consideration the influence of harmonic voltages. Addressing three distinct operating conditions such as normal reactor operation， early-stage arc-type inter-turn short circuits， and mid-to-late-stage metal fusion-type inter-turn short circuits， the paper analyzes the operational characteristics of both series and parallel reactors under fault conditions to identify specific early fault indicators for inter-turn short circuits in each configuration. Additionally， the paper establishes a simulation model for inter-turn short circuit faults in reactors that accounts for harmonic voltage effects and analyzes the variation in electrical characteristics of series and parallel reactors under various operating conditions. Subsequently， it proposes a diagnostic method based on the current harmonic ratio for series reactor faults and another method based on the active power ratio for parallel reactor faults. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed method， the paper constructs an experimental test platform for inter-turn faults in series and parallel reactors and conducts experiments to confirm its correctness and efficacy.

The identification of shale lithology is of great importance for the exploration and development of shale reservoirs. The lithology and mineralogical composition of shale are closely related, but a small number of laboratory core analysis samples are insufficient to evaluate the lithology of the entire formation. In this study, a lithology identification method using conventional logging curves is proposed for the shale stratigraphy of the Qingshankou Formation in the Gulong Depression of the Songliao Basin, northeastern China. First, a mineral pre-training model is constructed using discrete petrophysical experimental data with logging data, and features are generated for the logging data. Second, an adaptive multi-objective swarm crossover optimization method is employed to address the imbalance of logging data. Finally, the model is combined with a Bayesian gradient boosting algorithm for lithology identification. The proposed method demonstrates superior performance to eXtreme Gradient Boosting, Support Vector Machines, Multilayer Perceptron, and Random Forest in terms of accuracy, weight perspective, and macro perspective evaluation indexes. The method has been successfully applied in actual wells, with excellent results. The results indicate that the workflow is a reliable means of shale lithology identification.

Abstract The only characteristic of alpha-synuclein (AS) accumulation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of Parkinson’s disease (PD) found in pathological studies is the “rostrocaudal gradient,” which describes the more frequent presence of AS accumulation in the upper GI tract than in the lower GI tract. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy and identify predictors of AS accumulation in the GI tract of PD patients. The frequency of AS accumulation in the GI tract was compared between PD patients (N = 97) who underwent radical GI surgery for cancer and individually matched controls (N = 94). We evaluated AS accumulation in the neural structures using phosphorylated AS immunohistochemistry. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictors of AS accumulation in the GI tract of PD patients. The frequency of AS accumulation was significantly higher in PD patients (75.3%) than in controls (8.5%, p-value

To address the issue of severe mine pressure manifestations and difficult-to-control deformation in deep coal seam roadways, an orthogonal numerical simulation experiment was conducted based on the Kastner formula.This experiment examined five factors affecting the stability of roadway surrounding rock: height-to-width ratio, lateral pressure coefficient, depth, cross-sectional shape, and surrounding rock strength.Sensitivity of each factor to roadway deformation and damage was studied using variance analysis and intuitive analysis charts.The stress distribution patterns of elliptical and rectangular roadways under different lateral pressure coefficients and height-to-width ratios were analyzed using the plane elasticity complex variable function theory.Optimal designs for the height-to-width ratio and shape of elliptical and rectangular roadways were developed.The results showed that the main factors affecting the stability of surrounding rock are the strength of the surrounding rock and the lateral pressure coefficient, while depth, cross-sectional shape, and height-to-width ratio are secondary factors.Elliptical roadways exhibit the smallest difference in surrounding rock stress under isotropic stress ratios.Rectangular roadways have lower stress concentration when the width is 5 m and the height-to-width ratio is approximately 0.6.For areas with rapid stress increase in rectangular roadways, an optimized rounded rectangular roadway was designed considering bearing characteristics and cross-sectional utilization, and a calculation formula for the corner radius was established.The optimization performance of this design was verified through numerical simulation.

Background/Aims Few multicenter studies have investigated the efficacy of hemostatic powders in gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. We aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of hemostatic powder therapy and the independent factors affecting rebleeding rates. Methods We retrospectively recruited patients who underwent a new hemostatic adhesive powder (UI-EWD; Next-Biomedical) treatment for upper and lower GI bleeding between January 1, 2020 and March 1, 2023. We collected patients’ medical records and bleeding lesions. The primary outcomes were clinical and technical success rates, and the secondary outcomes were early and delayed bleeding rates, refractory bleeding rate, mortality rate, and factors affecting early rebleeding rates. Results This study enrolled 135 patients (age: 67.7±13.6 years, male: 74.1%) from five hospitals. Indications for UI-EWD were peptic ulcers (51.1%), post-procedure-related bleeding (23.0%), and tumor bleeding (19.3%). The clinical and technical success rates were both 97%. The early, delayed, and refractory rebleeding rates were 19.3%, 11.1%, and 12.8%, respectively. Initially elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels (p=0.014) and Forrest classification IA or IB compared with IIA or IIB (p=0.036) were factors affecting early rebleeding. Conclusions UI-EWD showed high clinical and technical success rates; however, rebleeding after UI-EWD therapy in patients with initially high BUN levels and active bleeding, according to the Forrest classification, should be considered.

Abstract The advancement in extraterrestrial exploration has highlighted the crucial need for studying how the human cardiovascular system adapts to space conditions. Human development occurs under the influence of gravity, shielded from space radiation by Earth’s magnetic field, and within an environment characterized by 24-hour day-night cycles resulting from Earth’s rotation, thus deviating from these conditions necessitates adaptive responses for survival. With upcoming manned lunar and Martian missions approaching rapidly, it is essential to understand the impact of various stressors induced by outer-space environments on cardiovascular health. This comprehensive review integrates insights from both actual space missions and simulated experiments on Earth, to analyze how microgravity, space radiation, and disrupted circadian affect cardiovascular well-being. Prolonged exposure to microgravity induces myocardial atrophy and endothelial dysfunction, which may be exacerbated by space radiation. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress emerge as key underlying mechanisms along with disturbances in ion channel perturbations, cytoskeletal damage, and myofibril changes. Disruptions in circadian rhythms caused by factors such as microgravity, light exposure, and irregular work schedules, could further exacerbate cardiovascular issues. However, current research tends to predominantly focus on disruptions in the core clock gene, overlooking the multifactorial nature of circadian rhythm disturbances in space. Future space missions should prioritize targeted prevention strategies and early detection methods for identifying cardiovascular risks, to preserve astronaut health and ensure mission success.

Environmental factors are crucial elements that significantly influence the growth and development of plants. This study investigated the impact of environmental conditions (light, air temperature, air humidity, etc.) on the early growth of juvenile Korean fir (Abies koreana E.H.Wilson). Using random forest models and scatterplot matrix analyses, we examined the complex relationships between juvenile Korean fir early survival and various environmental factors. Specifically, a one-way ANOVA was conducted to assess the impact of light regulation in shading experiments on the growth of Korean fir seedlings. Additionally, a t-test was performed to compare the growth differences of Korean fir seedlings in two restoration sites with different canopy coverages. The results confirmed that light conditions significantly affect the growth of Korean fir seedlings, with better early growth observed in shaded conditions compared to full sunlight. Furthermore, field restoration site surveys indicated that the growth of height and root collar diameter of restored Korean fir seedlings was better in areas where the canopy coverage of the existing forest was between 60% and 75%. These findings suggest that the prerequisite for the restoration of the endangered Korean fir seedlings is the achievement of optimal light conditions during the early establishment phase.

Abstract Realizing the immense clinical potential of mRNA-based drugs will require continued development of methods to safely deliver the bioactive agents with high efficiency and without triggering side effects. In this regard, lipid nanoparticles have been successfully utilized to improve mRNA delivery and protect the cargo from extracellular degradation. Encapsulation in lipid nanoparticles was an essential factor in the successful clinical application of mRNA vaccines, which conclusively demonstrated the technology's potential to yield approved medicines. In this review, we begin by describing current advances in mRNA modifications, design of novel lipids and development of lipid nanoparticle components for mRNA-based drugs. Then, we summarize key points pertaining to preclinical and clinical development of mRNA therapeutics. Finally, we cover topics related to targeted delivery systems, including endosomal escape and targeting of immune cells, tumors and organs for use with mRNA vaccines and new treatment modalities for human diseases.

Abstract Background Tumor neoantigen peptide-based vaccines, systemic immunotherapies that enhance antitumor immunity by activating and expanding antigen-specific T cells, have achieved remarkable results in the treatment of a variety of solid tumors. However, how to effectively deliver neoantigens to induce robust antitumor immune responses remains a major obstacle. Results Here, we developed a safe and effective neoantigen peptide delivery system (neoantigen-ferritin nanoparticles, neoantigen-FNs) that successfully achieved effective lymph node targeting and induced robust antitumor immune responses. The genetically engineered self-assembled particles neoantigen-FNs with a size of 12 nm were obtained by fusing a neoantigen with optimized ferritin, which rapidly drainage to and continuously accumulate in lymph nodes. The neoantigen-FNs vaccine induced a greater quantity and quality of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and resulted in significant growth control of multiple tumors, dramatic inhibition of melanoma metastasis and regression of established tumors. In addition, no obvious toxic side effects were detected in the various models, indicating the high safety of optimized ferritin as a vaccine carrier. Conclusions Homogeneous and safe neoantigen-FNs could be a very promising system for neoantigen peptide delivery because of their ability to efficiently drainage to lymph nodes and induce efficient antitumor immune responses. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Realizing an efficient turnover frequency in the acidic oxygen evolution reaction by modifying the reaction configuration is crucial in designing high-performance single-atom catalysts. Here, we report a “single atom–double site” concept, which involves an activatable inert manganese atom redox chemistry in a single-atom Ru-Mn dual-site platform with tunnel Ni ions as the trigger. In contrast to conventional single-atom catalysts, the proposed configuration allows direct intramolecular oxygen coupling driven by the Ni ions intercalation effect, bypassing the secondary deprotonation step instead of the kinetically sluggish adsorbate evolution mechanism. The strong bonding of Ni ions activates the inert manganese terminal groups and inhibits the cross-site disproportionation process inherent in the Mn scaffolding, which is crucial to ensure the dual-site platform. As a result, the single-atom Ru-Ni-Mn octahedral molecular sieves catalyst delivers a low overpotential, adequate mass activity and good stability.

Abstract Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is the primary cause of heart failure, yet its underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Transmembrane protein 100 (TMEM100) plays a role in various disorders, such as nervous system disease, pain and tumorigenesis, but its function in pathological cardiac hypertrophy is still unknown. In this study, we observed that TMEM100 is upregulated in cardiac hypertrophy. Functional investigations have shown that adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9) mediated-TMEM100 overexpression mice attenuates transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced cardiac hypertrophy, including cardiomyocyte enlargement, cardiac fibrosis, and impaired heart structure and function. We subsequently demonstrated that adenoviral TMEM100 (AdTMEM100) mitigates phenylephrine (PE)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and downregulates the expression of cardiac hypertrophic markers in vitro, whereas TMEM100 knockdown exacerbates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. The RNA sequences of the AdTMEM100 group and control group revealed that TMEM100 was involved in oxidative stress and the MAPK signaling pathway after PE stimulation. Mechanistically, we revealed that the transmembrane domain of TMEM100 (amino acids 53–75 and 85–107) directly interacts with the C-terminal region of TAK1 (amino acids 1–300) and inhibits the phosphorylation of TAK1 and its downstream molecules JNK and p38. TAK1-binding-defective TMEM100 failed to inhibit the activation of the TAK1-JNK/p38 pathway. Finally, the application of a TAK1 inhibitor (iTAK1) revealed that TAK1 is necessary for TMEM100-mediated cardiac hypertrophy. In summary, TMEM100 protects against pathological cardiac hypertrophy through the TAK1-JNK/p38 pathway and may serve as a promising target for the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between prostatic urethral angle (PUA) and the development of surgical capsule calculi (SCC) within the prostate, and to examine the presence and impact of intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP). Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 90 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy, with preoperative assessments using both transrectal ultrasound of the prostate (TRUS) and magnetic resonance imaging. Patients were divided into groups with and without SCC and further categorized into type 1 and type 2 stones based on the location and severity of the calculi. Statistical analysis included chi-square and independent sample t-tests, with p

Abstract Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess powerful immunomodulatory ability. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UMSCs) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and to explore the potential mechanisms. Methods This prospective, self-controlled clinical study was conducted at Henan Provincial People’s Hospital. Patients with moderate-to-severe active UC, unresponsive to traditional drugs were continuously enrolled from September 2018 to March 2023. UMSCs were administered intravenously monthly for two months at a cell dosage of 1 × 106 per kg. The primary outcome was a clinical response at 2 months. The levels of cytokines and progerin in the plasma of the patients were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits, and longitudinal data was analyzed using generalized estimation equation. Results Forty-one patients were enrolled and received UMSC therapy. At 2 months, 73.2% (30/41) of patients achieved a clinical response, and 41.5% (17/41) achieved a clinical remission. At 6 months, 2 patients were lost to follow-up; the corresponding figures were 70.0% (25/41) and 34.2% (14/41), respectively. After UMSC therapy, the Mayo score, Mayo endoscopy score, mean and maximum values of Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity and Nancy index were significantly reduced compared with baseline values. Additionally, the levels of progerin and inflammatory markers, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, and IL-17 A decreased, while hemoglobin, albumin, and IL-10/IL-17 A ratio increased, particularly in the response group. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis showed age was an independent risk factor affecting efficacy (odds ratio, 0.875 (95% confidence interval (0.787, 0.972)); the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for age was 0.79. No serious adverse events were observed during or after UMSC therapy. Conclusion UMSCs are safe and effective for patients with UC, with age being an independent risk factor affecting efficacy. Mechanistically, UMSC treatment may ameliorate cell senescence and suppress the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Trial registration The study was retrospectively registered at www.chictr.org.cn/ (ChiCTR1900026035) on September 18, 2019.

The expanding production of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) can eventually cause their increased release into and presence in aquatic ecosystems, potentially threatening the health of aquatic organisms and the stability of the ecological environment. Generally, ENMs are repeatedly released into real-world aquatic environments in relatively low concentrations, potentially affecting photosynthesis in primary producers such as algae. However, knowledge regarding the effects of repeated exposure to ENMs on algal photosynthesis is still lacking. Herein, the physiological responses of the freshwater algae Chlorella vulgaris following single and repeated exposures to cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) were investigated at 10 mg/L, with a focus on photosynthesis. The results showed that repeated exposures triggered increased photosynthetic pigment contents, oxidative stress levels, decreased photosynthetic performance, and lower biomass in C. vulgaris compared to a single exposure. Photosynthesis-related genes (i.e., petA, petB, psaA, atpB, and rbcL) were found to be upregulated following repeated exposures. Particularly for petB, repeated rather than single exposure treatment significantly upregulated its expression levels by 2.92–10.24-fold compared to unexposed controls. Furthermore, increased exposure times could aggravate the interaction between CeO2 NPs and algae, elevating 8.13%, 12.13%, and 20.51% Ce distribution on the algal cell surface or intracellularly, compared to a single exposure. This study is the first to investigate the effects of ENM exposure times on algal photosynthesis, providing new insights into the assessment of the risks these materials pose to real-world aquatic environments.

Background: Streptococcus agalactiae is a recognized pathogen that primarily affects infants and pregnant women. However, its increasingly important role in causing invasive infections among non-pregnant adults has become a significant health concern due to the severity and variety of its clinical impacts. Methods: Nonduplicate S. agalactiae clinical strains associated with clinical infections (n = 139) were isolated from non-pregnant adults in Shandong, China. Antibiotic susceptibility testing, whole-genome sequencing and genomic analyses were conducted to characterize the genome and identify resistance features of these strains. Results: The strains exhibited universal susceptibility to penicillin, ampicillin, cefotaxime, meropenem, linezolid and vancomycin. Notably, high resistance rates were observed for erythromycin (91.4%), clindamycin (89.2%), levofloxacin (84.2%), tetracycline (54.0%) and, to a lesser extent, chloramphenicol (12.9%). Serotyping revealed seven serotypes and one non-typeable strain. Serotypes Ia, Ib, III and V predominated, representing 95.7% of the strains. Nineteen sequence types were categorized into seven clonal complexes, with CC10 being the most prevalent at 48.9%. The resistance genes mreA (100%), ermB (70.5%) and tetM (46.0%) were commonly detected. All the isolates carried at least one pilus backbone determinant and one alpha-like protein gene, with the PI-1+PI-2a and the bca gene being the most frequent at 84.2% and 54.7%, respectively. Conclusions: While S. agalactiae strains in non-pregnant adults retain sensitivity to β-lactam antibiotics, the elevated resistance to erythromycin, clindamycin, levofloxacin and tetracycline is concerning. Given the growing elderly population worldwide, the burden of S. agalactiae infections is significant. Continuous surveillance of serotype distribution and antibiotic resistance patterns is imperative for targeted prevention and therapeutic strategies.

Abstract Tin-lead halide perovskites with a bandgap near 1.2 electron-volt hold great promise for thin-film photovoltaics. However, the film quality of solution-processed Sn-Pb perovskites is compromised by the asynchronous crystallization behavior between Sn and Pb components, where the crystallization of Sn-based perovskites tends to occur faster than that of Pb. Here we show that the rapid crystallization of Sn is rooted in its stereochemically active lone pair, which impedes coordination between the metal ion and Lewis base ligands in the perovskite precursor. From this perspective, we introduce a noncovalent binding agent targeting the open metal site of coordinatively unsaturated Sn(II) solvates, thereby synchronizing crystallization kinetics and homogenizing Sn-Pb alloying. The resultant single-junction Sn-Pb perovskite solar cells achieve a certified power conversion efficiency of 24.13 per cent. The encapsulated device retains 90 per cent of the initial efficiency after 795 h of maximum power point operation under simulated one-sun illumination.

Abstract Background BAK1 (Brassinosteroid insensitive 1-associated receptor kinase 1) plays an important role in disease resistance in plants. However, the function of BAK1 family in cucumber and the decisive genes for disease-resistance remain elusive. Results Here, we identified 27 CsBAK1s in cucumber, and classified them into five subgroups based on phylogenetic analysis and gene structure. CsBAK1s in the same subgroup shared the similar motifs, but different gene structures. Cis-elements analysis revealed that CsBAK1s might respond to various stress and growth regulation. Three segmentally duplicated pairwise genes were identified in cucumber. In addition, Ka/Ks analysis indicated that CsBAK1s were under positive selection during evolution. Tissue expression profile showed that most CsBAK1s in Subgroup II and IV showed constitutive expression, members in other subgroups showed tissue-specific expression. To further explore whether CsBAK1s were involved in the resistance to pathogens, the expression patterns of CsBAK1s to five pathogens (gummy stem blight, powdery mildew, downy mildew, grey mildew, and fusarium wilt) reveled that different CsBAK1s had specific roles in different pathogen infections. The expression of CsBAK1-14 was induced/repressed significantly by five pathogens, CsBAK1-14 might play an important role in disease resistance in cucumber. Conclusions 27 BAK1 genes were identified in cucumber from a full perspective, which have important functions in pathogen infection. Our study provided a theoretical basis to further clarify the function of BAK1s to disease resistance in cucumber.

Abstract Background Clinical trials have shown that immunotherapy based on Vγ9Vδ2 T cells (Vδ2 T cells) is safe and well-tolerated for various cancers including cervical cancer (CC), but its overall treatment efficacy remains limited. Therefore, exploring the mechanisms underlying the suboptimal efficacy of Vδ2 T cell-based cancer immunotherapy is crucial for enabling its successful clinical translation. Methods Tumor samples from CC patients and CC cell line-derived xenograft (CDX) mice were analyzed using flow cytometry to examine the exhausted phenotype of tumor-infiltrating Vδ2 T cells. The interrelationship between BTN3A1 expression and Vδ2 T cells in CC, along with their correlation with patient prognosis, was analyzed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. CC cell lines with BTN3A1 knockout (KO) and overexpression (OE) were constructed through lentivirus transduction, which were then co-cultured with expanded Vδ2 T cells, followed by detecting the function of Vδ2 T cells using flow cytometry. The pathways and transcription factors (TFs) related to BTN3A1-induced Vδ2 T cells exhaustion and the factors affecting BTN3A1 expression were identified by RNA-seq analysis, which was confirmed by flow cytometry, Western Blot, and gene manipulation. Results Tumor-infiltrating Vδ2 T cells exhibited an exhausted phenotype in both CC patients and CDX mice. BTN3A1 expressed in CC is highly enhancing exhaustion markers, while reducing the secretion of effector molecules in Vδ2 T cells. Blocking TCR or knocking down nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A (NR4A) 2/3 can reverse BTN3A1-induced exhaustion in Vδ2 T cells. On the other hand, IFN-γ secreted by Vδ2 T cells promoted the expression of BTN3A1 and PD-L1. Conclusions Through binding γδ TCRs, BTN3A1 expressed on tumor cells, which is induced by IFN-γ, can promote Vδ2 T cells to upregulate the expression of TFs NR4A2/3, thereby affecting their activation and expression of exhaustion-related molecules in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Therefore, targeting BTN3A1 might overcome the immunosuppressive effect of the TME on Vδ2 T cells in CC.

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) treatment offers a promising avenue for manure valorization. However, there is a lack of larval density studies and ton-scale exploration in swine manure bioconversion. This study delves into the efficiency of larval fatty acid (FA) bioconversion, examining the impact of larval density on a kilogram scale and extending the analysis to a ton scale. Across a range of 50 to 600 larvae/kg, the larval FA content decreased from 15.3% to 7.85%. The peak larval FA yield, at 3.04% (based on manure dry matter), occurred at a density of 200 larvae/kg. Both low (50 larvae/kg) and high (600 larvae/kg) densities adversely affected BSFL bioconversion performance. Dominant larval FAs included C12:0 (39.7%), C16:1 (24.2%), C18:1 (17.5%), and C16:0 (8.3%). The scaling-up process maintained a consistent larval FA content and composition but resulted in decreased larvae FA yield due to increased larval mortality. Ultimately, each ton of swine manure yielded 12.4 kg of fresh larvae or 0.71 kg of larval FA components, corresponding to a 1.14% larval FA yield. This study underscores the feasibility of upscaling swine manure treatment using BSFL for FA bioconversion and emphasizes the necessity for large-scale studies to enhance larval survivorship and bioconversion efficiency.

Graphene-based materials (GBMs) have become potential soil pollutants due to their wide applications in agricultural environments. Although physiological mechanisms of plant responses to GBMs have been previously explored, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this paper, we analysed the physiological and transcriptomic changes of buckwheat (Fagopyrum spp.) roots exposed to 100 mg/L graphene oxide (GO) with different diameter. GO negatively affected root growth and higher diameters of GO caused more adverse effects on the root. In total 3 724 GO-responsive genes were identified in root by transcriptome analysis. 70 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were involved in ROS detoxification, and 37 transporter-encoding genes were found to be involved in GO response. These transporters may regulate the uptake and transport of GO in buckwheat. The gene expression of 84 transcription factors (TFs) showed a response to GO stress in the root, which may regulate the transporters and reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification-related genes. Finally, the difference in the transcriptomic response of the root to the three GO materials with different diameters was investigated. 49 GO-responsive genes may be involved in the difference in the toxicity of GO with different diameters. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of plant roots to GBMs.

Tall towers with large diameters on floating liquefied natural gas devices are highly sensitive to sway. If tower equipment is relatively high, swaying can easily cause uneven gas–liquid contact in the tower, inhibiting its absorption capacity. In this paper, gas–liquid counterflow triethylene glycol dehydration absorption towers are taken as the research object. A porous medium model was used to simplify the packing environment, and the Euler–Euler method was used to simulate the flow field in the tower. The flow field encompasses the effects of the gas–liquid phase dispersion force, gas–liquid phase diffusion coefficient, and interphase mass transfer. By introducing a dynamic grid model to establish sway boundary conditions, we quantitatively examine the influence of sway duration and angle on gas–liquid flow and mass transfer performance in absorption towers. The results show that, when the sloshing angle of the absorption tower is 9° and the sloshing period is 20 s, the influence of the disturbance of the absorption tower's internal flow field is increased by 85% and 78% respectively compared with normal working conditions. When the sloshing angle of the absorption tower is 9° and the sloshing period exceeds 21 s, the gas–liquid mass transfer inside the absorption tower diminishes. When the sloshing period of the regeneration tower is 6 s and the sloshing angle reaches 20°, the mass fraction of poor ethylene glycol in the regeneration tower fluctuates significantly in the first sloshing cycle, and unqualified products appear.

Abstract Objective Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a form of malignancy that exhibits a comparatively elevated occurrence and fatality rate. Given the relatively slower progress in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for CRC, there is a need to investigate more accurate and efficient biomarkers. Methods Core regulatory genes were screened using the TCGA database, and the expression of neurexophilin 4 (NXPH4) and its prognostic implications were validated using tissue microarray staining. The assessment of NXPH4 functions involved a range of experiments, including cellular, organoid, and murine models. Furthermore, a regulatory network between m5C, NXPH4, and HIF1A was established through several in vitro experiments. Results The overexpression of NXPH4 is associated with unfavorable prognoses in patients with CRC and hepatocellular carcinoma. Additionally, it facilitates the progression of malignant tumors both in laboratory settings and in living organisms of colorectal carcinoma. Our research also reveals that NXPH4 mRNA can avoid degradation through RNautophagy, relying on an m5C-dependent mechanism. Moreover, NXPH4 amplifies the HIF signaling pathway and stabilizes HIF1A by competitively binding to PHD4. Conclusions NXPH4, regulated by m5C, promotes malignant tumor progression and regulates the HIF pathway. Consequently, targeting NXPH4 through molecular therapies could potentially serve as an efficacious therapeutic strategy for the management of CRC exhibiting elevated NXPH4 expression. Graphical abstract

Abstract Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), derived from unfractionated heparin (UFH), has enhanced anticoagulant efficacy, long duration of action, and extended half-life. Patients receiving LMWH for preventive therapies would strongly benefit from its long-term effects, however, achieving this is challenging. Here, we design and evaluate a nanoengineered LMWH and octadecylamine conjugate (LMHO) that can act for a long time while maintaining close to 97 ± 3% of LMWH activity via end-specific conjugation of the reducing end of LMWH. LMHO can self-assemble into nanoparticles with an average size of 105 ± 1.7 nm in water without any nanocarrier and can be combined with serum albumin, resulting in a lipid-based albumin shuttling effect. Such molecules can circulate in the bloodstream for 4–5 days. We corroborate the self-assembly capability of LMHO and its interaction with albumin through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. This innovative approach to carrier-free polysaccharide delivery, enhanced by nanoengineered albumin shuttling, represents a promising platform to address limitations in conventional therapies.

Abstract Background Moral distress occurs in daily nursing work and plagues nurses. Improving the level of moral courage is one of the main strategies to reduce moral distress, and low levels of moral courage may lead to nurse burnout, increased turnover, and reduced quality of care. Methods Nine electronic databases in Chinese and English were searched for the level of moral courage among nurses, including PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, CNKI, Wan fang, Wei pu, CBM and Cochrane Library, for the period from the date of database creation to April 5, 2023. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies, followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the Meta-analysis and Systematic Reviews of Observational Studies guidelines, and data from the included studies were meta-analyzed in STATA version 15 using a fixed-effects model. Results Seventeen cross-sectional studies of moderate or high quality met the eligibility criteria and involved 7718 nurses, and the Nurses’ Moral Courage Scale (NMCS) was used to measure the self-assessed moral courage level of nurses. Eleven of these studies reported total scores for nurses’ moral courage, and the meta-analysis results showed a pooled mean score of 78.94 (95% CI: 72.17, 85.72); Fourteen studies reported mean entry scores for nurses’ moral courage, and the meta-analysis results showed a pooled mean score of 3.93 (95% CI: 3.64, 4.23). Conclusion The results of the meta-analysis showed that nurses’ moral courage levels were in the medium to high range, among the nurses who seemed to be male, non-nursing managers, high school education, had not experienced ethical issues, and considering resignation had lower levels of moral courage. The results of the meta-analysis may provide some reference for nursing managers and even hospital administrators to develop strategies to optimize nursing quality.

Haojun Ma,1– 3,* Rui Chen,1,* Nannan Han,1– 3 Hanming Ge,1 Shilin Li,1 Yanfei Wang,1 Xudong Yan,1,3 Chengxue Du,1,3 Yanjun Gao,4 Gejuan Zhang,1– 3 Mingze Chang1– 3 1Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi’an No.3 hospital, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China; 2Xi’an Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi’an No.3 hospital, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China; 3Neurological Intensive Care Unit, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi’an No.3 hospital, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi’an No.3 hospital, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Mingze Chang, Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi’an No.3 hospital, Xi’an, 710069, People’s Republic of China, Email changmingze191@163.comBackground: Stroke, particularly due to large vessel occlusion (LVO), is a major cause of mortality and disability globally. Endovascular therapy (ET) significantly improves outcomes for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients, but complications such as stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) increase mortality and healthcare costs. This study investigates the association between blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and the increased risk of SAP and explores the relationship between BBB disruption and medium-term functional outcomes.Methods: The retrospective cohort study was performed on AIS patients enrolled between January 2019 to February 2023 who underwent ET. Patients were divided into two groups: BBB disruption and without BBB disruption. Multiple logistic regression model was conducted to measure the association between BBB disruption and SAP. Mediation analysis was used to estimate the potential mediation effects on the associations of BBB disruption with SAP. A restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression model was used to further outline the connection between the highest CT value of hyperattenuated lesions areas and the risk of SAP.Results: The study included 254 patients who underwent endovascular therapy, with 155 patients in the BBB disruption group (exposure) and 99 patients in the without BBB disruption group (control). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a significantly increased risk of SAP in patients with BBB disruption (OR = 2.337, 95% CI: 1.118– 4.990, p = 0.025). Furthermore, mediation analysis suggested that this association may be partly due to malignant cerebral oedema and haemorrhagic transformation. The study found an inverse L-shaped dose-response relationship between the maximum CT values of BBB disruption areas and the incidence of SAP. SAP partially mediated the association between BBB disruption and 3-month poor functional outcome.Conclusion: BBB disruption are a potential risk factor for SAP. BBB disruption may affect short- and medium-term prognosis of patients after ET in part through SAP.Keywords: acute stroke, stroke-associated pneumonia, hyperattenuated lesions, endovascular therapy, blood-brain barrier disruption

Pasteurella spp. can cause fatal zoonotic infections in humans. We performed a multicenter study to investigate the prevalence and clinical features of Pasteurella infections in South Korea during 2018‒2022. We also conducted a collaborative systematic review and meta-analysis of the global burden of Pasteurella bacteremia. The study included 283 cases found an increasing trend in Pasteurella infections. Blood cultures were positive in 8/35 (22.9%) cases sampled, for overall bacteremia-associated rate of 2.8% (8/283). Aging was a significant risk factor for bacteremia (odds ratio 1.05 [95% CI 1.01–1.10]), according to multivariate analyses. For the meta-analysis, we included a total of 2,012 cases from 10 studies. The pooled prevalence of bacteremia was 12.4% (95% CI 7.3%–18.6%) and of mortality 8.4% (95% CI 2.7%–16.5%). Our findings reflect the need for greater understanding of the increase in Pasteurella infections and the global burden of Pasteurella bacteremia to determine appropriate case management.

Objective: To obtain the optimal enzyme and preparation process for Schisandra chinensis protein peptides and investigate its in vitro antioxidant activity. Methods: Seven proteases were used to hydrolyze Schisandra chinensis protein. Based on the degree of hydrolysis, free radical scavenging activity, polypeptide yield and content of different hydrolysates of Schisandra chinensis protein and the comprehensive evaluation of molecular weight in SDS-PAGE, the optimal protease was screened. The DPPH free radical scavenging rate was used as the index, and the optimal enzymatic hydrolysis process was determined by single factor test combined with response surface analysis. The scavenging ability of O2−·, ·OH, DPPH·, ABTS+·, Fe2+ chelating ability and Fe3+ reducing ability of Schisandrae chinensis protein peptides were analyzed and compared with Schisandra chinensis protein. Results: The optimum enzyme for the preparation of Schisandra chinensis protein peptides was alkaline protease. The optimum enzymatic hydrolysis parameters were as follows: substrate concentration 5%, enzyme-to-substrate ratio 1%, enzymatic hydrolysis time 3 h, enzymatic hydrolysis temperature 55 ℃, pH9.0. Under these conditions, the polypeptide content was 88.61%, the degree of hydrolysis was 24.21%, and the DPPH· scavenging rate was 86.96%. The free radical scavenging ability and reducing ability of Schisandrae chinensis protein peptides were better than those of Schisandrae chinensis protein. Conclusion: This study determined the optimum enzyme and hydrolysis process of Schisandrae chinensis protein peptides, and pointed out that Schisandrae chinensis protein peptides had better antioxidant activity in vitro and could be used as a natural antioxidant.

Volatile components in red orange essential oil extracted by two cold pressing processes (cup pressing and lime method) were analyzed by gas chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-Q/TOF). A total of 93 components were identified, 89 and 84 compounds were identified for the two types of red orange essential oils, respectively. Among the 93 components, there were 29 terpenes, 20 alcohols, 20 aldehydes, 5 esters, 2 ketones, 12 hydrocarbons, and 5 other compounds. There were 80 compounds shared by the two essential oils. The total volatile component content of red orange essential oil by cup pressing method was significantly higher than that by lime method. The highest content of these compounds was terpenes which total content was over 80%. In addition, the compounds with higher content were D-limonene, γ-terpinene, β-myrcene, linalool and α-pinene. According to principal component analysis (PCA), there was a significant difference in the volatile components of the two types of red orange essential oils. The relative odor activity value (ROAV) method indicated that linalool was the most important aroma component of the two red orange essential oils. And the citrus aroma properties of red orange essential oil extracted by cup pressing method was significantly stronger than that extracted by lime method. Linalool, thymol, β-myrcene, D-limonene, citronellal, and γ-terpinene were confirmed to the key aroma components of the red orange essential oils.

A distinctive method for extraction of the bilateral impacted mandibular second molars (MM2s) and moving the bilateral mesioangularly impacted mandibular third molars (MM3s) to the MM2 positions with appropriate occlusion by orthodontic uprighting and protraction was demonstrated in a 24-year-old woman and a 20-year-old woman, respectively. Although the surgical procedures should be performed under general anesthesia, rapid orthodontic treatment after tooth extraction aided in the initial teeth movement of the bilateral MM3s. The proposed treatment could be implemented and completed in 2 years or less. After undergoing the orthodontic treatment, the patient achieved robust bone support no matter with or without bone grafting. With this less technique-sensitive method, the patient still achieved improved posterior occlusion and masticatory function. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons should be consulted before this treatment option was adopted.

Background/purpose: The use of computed tomography (CT) for craniofacial measurements is common in medical imaging, but concerns about accuracy and reliability persist, especially with different CT technologies. This study assessed the accuracy of twenty-six common measurements on consecutive CT images from the same patients, using multidetector CT (MDCT) and cone-beam CT (CBCT) with two software programs (Amira and Dolphin). Materials and methods: Ten adult subjects with consecutive CBCT scans within one year were randomly selected. Another ten subjects with consecutive MDCT scans were paired with the CBCT group based on age, gender, race, occlusion, and craniofacial pattern. All digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) files were randomly coded and analyzed using the two software programs. Intra-examiner reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Successive measurement errors from consecutive scans for both imaging modalities and software programs were compared. Results: For most skeletal linear and angular measurements, Dolphin showed greater successive measurement errors compared to Amira. Eight of the 26 common measurements had errors greater than one unit (millimeter or degree). Despite almost perfect intra-examiner reliability for upper airway analysis, average successive measurement errors were notably high, particularly for intraoral and oropharyngeal airway volumes. The successive Dolphin measurement error for oropharyngeal airway volume on CBCT images was over three times that on MDCT images. Conclusion: Given the substantial successive measurement errors observed during consecutive CT scanning for the upper airway, this study does not support the quantitative use of CT for analyzing changes in airway dimensions for research purposes.

Tissue engineering technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, offering opportunities to construct biologically active tissues or organ substitutes to repair or even enhance the functions of diseased tissues and organs. Tissue-engineered scaffolds rebuild the extracellular microenvironment by mimicking the extracellular matrix. Fibrin-based scaffolds possess numerous advantages, including hemostasis, high biocompatibility, and good degradability. Fibrin scaffolds provide an initial matrix that facilitates cell migration, differentiation, proliferation, and adhesion, and also play a critical role in cell-matrix interactions. Fibrin scaffolds are now widely recognized as a key component in tissue engineering, where they can facilitate tissue and organ defect repair. This review introduces the properties of fibrin, including its composition, structure, and biology. In addition, the modification and cross-linking modes of fibrin are discussed, along with various forms commonly used in tissue engineering. We also describe the biofunctionalization of fibrin. This review provides a detailed overview of the use and applications of fibrin in skin, bone, and nervous tissues, and provides novel insights into future research directions for clinical treatment.

A 77-year-old man with a history of left nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma and partial hepatectomy for cholangiocarcinoma underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT for assessment of an irregular lung lesion. FDG-PET demonstrated development of an intensely avid spiculated left lower lobe pulmonary lesion and intensely avid left pulmonary hilar nodes, raising suspicion for a malignancy. Eleven days following the PET study, the patient was admitted to hospital with an altered mental state. CT brain revealed diffuse round hyperdensities within the brain parenchyma. Microbiology of the lung lesion was positive for Nocardia Beijingensis and he was subsequently diagnosed with disseminated nocardiosis.

This paper presents a single-fed Ku/Ka dual-band aperture-shared planar antenna array designed for satellite communication. The need to enhance data transmission speeds has driven the exploration of higher frequency bands, such as the Ku-band and Ka-band. Researchers have been investigating the design of multiband antennas to achieve space miniaturization and cost-effectiveness in these higher frequency bands. However, previous works faced challenges, including spatial efficiency limitations, complex radiator structures, band isolation issues, and increased complexity in the feeding network. To address the abovementioned challenges, this paper proposes a single-fed Ku/Ka dual-band shared-aperture planar antenna array. By combining a patch antenna for the Ku-band and a cavity antenna for the Ka-band, a simple and single-fed network is realized. The proposed antenna element is further extended to a linear array antenna and a sequentially rotated array antenna. The implemented sequentially rotated array antenna exhibited a measured impedance bandwidth of 17.4–19.7 GHz (12.4%) and 27.0–29.0 GHz (7.1%). Moreover, the proposed sequentially rotated array antenna demonstrated measured peak gains of 13.7 dBi for right-hand circular polarization in the Ku-band receiver and a measured peak gain of 15.6 dBi for left-hand circular polarization in the Ka-band transmitter, making it highly suitable for satellite communication.

Frosting is a common phenomenon of the ASHP under the heating mode in winter, and the outdoor air flow rate flowing through the evaporator of the ASHP was always thought to be a major contributor. In order to validate its contribution, effects of outdoor fan airflow rate on the performance of air source heat pumps (ASHPs) were investigated under the winter heating condition. The experiment was conducted in a laboratory at the standard 2 °C air dry bulb temperature (DB)/ 1 °C air wet bulb temperature (WB) frosting condition, which enabled the analysis of the operating performance, frosting performance, and heating performance of the ASHP unit by changing the airflow rate of the outdoor fan. Results showed that as the airflow rate of the outdoor fan reduced from 100% to 36%, the operating performance decline and the elevated frosting-defrosting loss were observed. Meanwhile, both the frosting rate and the operating efficiency during frosting-defrosting cycles showed an increasing trend then followed by decreasing tendency. The maximum frosting rate and operating efficiency were 0.92 g/m2.min and 2.92, respectively, which were observed at 74% airflow rate of the outdoor fan of the ASHP unit. The observation implied the existence of the “minimum frosting suppression airflow rate”. At 36% airflow rate of the outdoor fan of the ASHP unit, however, the performance of the ASHP unit was attenuated greatly, with the frosting-defrosting efficiency loss coefficient of 0.47, the heating capacity and COP reduction by 51.5 and 38.8%, respectively. These findings provided significant references to the optimization of ASHPs performance with variable airflow rate of the outdoor fan under frosting conditions.

Xi Cao,1 Yong-Li Xie,2,3 Jian-Ying Yi,1 Zhi-Li Liu,4 Meng Han,1 Ji-hui Duan,1 Qiang Gao,1 Hong Mu,1 Chun-lei Zhou1 1Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tianjin Stomatological Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China; 3Tianjin Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Function Reconstruction, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Third Central Hospital, Tianjin, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Hong Mu; Chun-lei Zhou, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China, Email mutjyzxyy@163.com; tj_zcl@hotmail.comPurpose: The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has posed a significant global public health challenge. Elucidating the laboratory profiles of individuals infected with this variant is crucial for assessing organ damage. This study aimed to investigate the variations in liver function tests and their correlation with demographic characteristics and inflammatory markers in patients with early Omicron variant infections.Patients and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 1133 mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 cases at Tianjin First Central Hospital. Data on age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and serum markers were collected and analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software, version 24.0.Results: Abnormal liver function parameters, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and total bilirubin (TBIL), were observed in 314 (27.71%) patients. “Hepatocellular type” was identified in 56 (4.94%) patients, “cholestatic type” in 185 (16.33%) patients, and “mixed type” in 73 (6.44%) patients. In the mixed group, we observed a pronounced elevation in the levels of ALT, AST, and GGT. Moreover, the hepatocellular group exhibited a statistically significant increase in AST and ALT concentrations relative to both the normal and cholestatic groups. Notably, the cholestatic group demonstrated a substantial increment in ALP levels. Males had a significantly higher prevalence of “abnormal liver enzyme markers” compared to females. Patients with “abnormal liver enzyme markers” exhibited significantly decreased immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels and elevated levels of inflammatory markers, including procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL6), as well as C-reactive protein (CRP) compared to normal group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that male gender and PCT levels were significantly associated with the risk of abnormal liver enzyme markers. Patients in hepatocellular group were likely accompanied with high CRP levels, whereas those in the cholestatic type were associated with high IL6 levels.Conclusion: Early Omicron infection might cause liver stress response. Elevated liver enzyme marker levels were correlated with age, gender, inflammatory factors, and IgG.Keywords: Omicron variant, “abnormal liver enzyme markers”, male, inflammatory markers

Longwave radiation is a significant renewable energy technology for energy-saving in buildings. By evaluating the potential and distribution of longwave radiation in China, this study simplifies the calculation process in architectural design. Weather data from 115 stations across five typical thermal climates in China are used to simulate atmospheric longwave radiation effects throughout the year. Statistical regression analysis is conducted to identify key meteorological parameters affecting longwave radiation cooling. The results show that altitude significantly influences the potential for summer cooling (p = 0.79, R2 = 0.62), while winter cooling potential is positively correlated with latitude distribution (p = 0.88, R2 = 0.77). The study also reveals that dew point temperature, relative humidity, and cloud cover are important factors in the regression models for winter and summer, respectively. Overall, the empirical regression model demonstrates statistical significance and provides valuable insights for longwave radiation heat transfer calculations in buildings.

Objective To develop an effective method for delivering VEGF and CD47 double-modified exosomes to treat renal damage induced by heat stroke so as to reduce and repair renal damage. Methods A plasmid fusion-expressing VEGF and CD47 targeting renal injury was constructed, transfected into rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs), and then fusion-exosomes were isolated and extracted. Transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and Western blotting were used to identify the obtained exosomes. Rats were intravenously injected with 200 μg of DiD-labeled unmodified exosomes, VEGF-modified exosomes and VEGF-CD47 double-modified exosomes, respectively, through the tail vein, and the effects of exosomes on the kidneys were detected and analyzed using a small animal in vivo imaging instrument. A total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, with 10 rats in each group, that is, blank control group (group A), heat stroke-induced renal injury model receiving PBS in 12, 24 and 36 h after modelling (group B), empty plasmid group (group C), Exos group (group D), ExosVEGF group (group E) and ExosVEGF-CD47. Kidney tissue and blood samples were collected in 72 h after 3 times of treatment. Pathological changes in kidney tissue were observed at the tissue level and the damage were scored. Changes in serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) levels were detected to evaluate the therapeutic effect. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to analyze the expression of the pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α and NF-κB, the proliferation regulatory signaling molecules Ki67, FGF2, pAMPK and pERK, and the fibrosis regulatory molecule FGF23, in order to comprehensively analyze the effects on proliferation and inhibition of fibrosis. Results BMMSCs and ExosVEGF-CD47 were successfully isolated and characterized, and a rat model of acute kidney injury was effectively constructed. Higher fluorescence intensity was found in the kidney tissue of the ExosVEGF-CD47 group than the Exos-Ctrl group and ExosVEGF group (P

Abstract Background Infectious diseases persistently pose global threats, and it is imperative to accelerate the professionalization of public health workforce. This study aimed to develop and validate the infectious disease control competency scale (IDCCS) for public health professionals to fill a theoretical gap and elevate practical capabilities by informing public health professionals’ development goals. Methods The initial item pool was generated through a literature review, and categorized into three dimensions (knowledge, practical skills, and leadership) based on the competency iceberg model and public health leadership framework. A two-round Delphi process was conducted to determine indicators within the scale. A pilot survey was utilized for item analysis and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). A formal survey was employed for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The weight value of each indicator was calculated using the analytic hierarchy process. Results An initial scale with three primary items, 14 secondary items, and 81 tertiary items was generated. Twenty experts participated in the two rounds of the Delphi process. Authority coefficients exceeded 0.9 in both rounds. Kendall's W was 0.29 and 0.19, respectively (both P

Abstract Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) is the causative agent of Q fever, a type of zoonoses withwidespread distribution. In 2019, a case of Q fever was diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) method in Xuyi County (Jiangsu province, China). The seroprevalence of previous fever patients and the molecular epidemiology of Coxiella in wild hedgehogs and harbouring ticks around the confirmed patient were detected to reveal the genetic characteristics and pathogenicity of the Coxiella strains. Four of the 90 serum samples (4.44%) were positive for specific C. burnetii IgM antibody, suggesting that local humans are at risk of Q fever. The positive rates of C. burnetii in hedgehogs and ticks were 21.9% (7/32) and 70.5% (122/173), respectively. At least 3 strains of Coxiella were found prevalent in the investigated area, including one new genotype of pathogenic C. burnetii (XYHT29) and two non-pathogenic Coxiella-like organisms (XYHT19 and XYHT3). XYHT29 carried by ticks and wild hedgehogs successfully infected mice, imposing a potential threat to local humans. XYHT19, a novel Coxiella-like microorganism, was first discovered in the world to co-infect with C. burnetii in Haemaphysalis flava. The study provided significant epidemic information that could be used for prevention and control strategies against Q fever for local public health departments and medical institutions.

Abstract The Indian summer monsoon (ISM) rainfall interannual variability is known to be strongly linked to the El-Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). This linear relationship is the primary factor in controlling the interannual variation in ISM precipitation. However, there are many outlier cases, and such deviations pose significant challenges in seasonal prediction over this region. Here we show that such challenges can be attributed to anomalous atmospheric pressure patterns in the Western North Pacific (WNP) region. The anticyclonic circulation anomaly over WNP region causes the easterly wind toward the Indian subcontinent, leading to positive precipitation anomalies with stronger low-level moist convergence, while the cyclonic circulation decreases ISM precipitation. The linear baroclinic model simulation results further support that the WNP circulation pattern can serve as an independent factor for forecasting precipitation over India. The WNP circulation anomaly play the crucial role generating ISM precipitation particularly for July and September. Our study suggests that the role of the WNP circulation anomaly should be carefully considered as the secondary prevailing mechanism on the subseasonal timescale during the boreal summer in addition to the ENSO signal.

Abstract This study aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of breast-conserving surgery plus radiotherapy (BCS + RT) and mastectomy in early breast cancer (EBC) patients who received neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST), and sought to construct and authenticate a machine learning algorithm that could assist healthcare professionals in formulating personalized treatment strategies for this patient population. We analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database on EBC patients undergoing BCS + RT or mastectomy post-NST (2010–2018). Employing propensity score matching (PSM) to minimize potential biases, we compared breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS) between the two surgical groups. Additionally, we trained and validated six machine learning survival models and developed a cloud-based recommendation system for surgical treatment based on the optimal model. Among the 13,958 patients, 9028 (64.7%) underwent BCS + RT and 4930 (35.3%) underwent mastectomy. After PSM, there were 3715 patients in each group. Compared to mastectomy, BCS + RT significantly improved BCSS (p

Abstract At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, traffic sharply fell due to social distancing policies in many locations. Correspondingly, many regions observed an increase in traffic volume (traffic recovery) as the pandemic eased in 2022. We examine how vaccination rates influence traffic recovery in Los Angeles County (LAC), controlling for differences in case counts, demographics, and socioeconomic factors across areas with different vaccination rates. We use arterial road sensor data as a proxy for the traffic volume within each ZIP code, alongside their respective demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. We find that a higher vaccination rate is statistically significantly associated with a larger traffic recovery, a finding that remains consistent across all explored models. This implies that an increased vaccination rate could reduce the public’s perception of the risks of disease infection, leading to a larger traffic recovery. Moreover, we found that variables including population, income, race, work industry, and commuting preferences were correlated with vaccination rates. This highlights potential inequalities based on race, income, and industry sectors in the COVID-19 vaccination and a return to normal traffic flow.

Abstract This study presents an approach that integrates compressed sensing technology with two-dimensional hyperchaotic coupled Fourier oscillator systems (2D-HCFOS) to address the challenge of slow encryption speeds in agricultural unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The primary challenge in enhancing encryption speed lies in the limited capacity inherent in traditional chaotic-based systems and the computational complexity of their processes. The 2D-HCFOS utilizes a complex two-dimensional hybrid chaotic system, which significantly enhances the security of agricultural UAV image data. Notably, the image encryption process is performed on a personal computer connected to the drone, ensuring efficient processing. By integrating advanced Fourier series and nonlinear coupled oscillators, the model surpasses existing chaotic-based methods, improving both the pseudo-randomness and robustness of encryption. Additionally, incorporating Bonouille functions into the discrete cosine transform (DCT) domain results in a sparser measurement matrix, which is essential for efficient encryption on personal computers. The effectiveness of 2D-HCFOS in securely encrypting agricultural drone images has been rigorously validated through simulations and analytical evaluations using sophisticated row, rotation, and matrix encryption techniques. The improved security performance is further verified by comparative analysis. Compared with other models, the Lyapunov index of 2D-HCFOS is 15.1039, and the sample entropy is 2.4987, indicating that it possesses superior chaotic performance and encryption reliability.

Abstract Objective This study aims to identify clinical laboratory parameters for the diagnosis of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM), establish optimal cutoffs for early screening, and develop a diagnostic model for precise diagnosis. Methods The study conducted a retrospective analysis of 279 NDMM patients and 553 healthy subjects at Zhejiang Province People’s Hospital between January 2008 and June 2023. Multifactor LR was employed to explore clinical laboratory indicators with diagnostic value for NDMM, determine optimal cutoff values and contract a diagnostic model. The diagnostic efficacy and clinical utility were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC), sensitivity, specificity, and other indicators. Results Multifactor analysis revealed that hemoglobin (Hb), albumin (Alb), and platelet distribution width (PDW) were significant diagnostic factors for NDMM. Optimal cutoff values for Hb, Alb, and PDW in MM diagnosis were determined, and the results showed a significant increase in the probability of NDMM diagnosis when Alb was below 39.3 g/L, Hb was below 11.6 g/dL, and PDW was below 14.1 fL. The diagnostic model constructed from the development cohort demonstrated a high area under the ROC curve of 0.960 (95% CI 0.942–0.978) and exhibited good sensitivity (0.860), specificity (0.957). The area under the curve (AUC) value of the diagnostic model in the external validation cohort was 0.979, confirming its good diagnostic efficacy and generalization. Conclusions The optimal cutoff values for Hb, Alb, and PDW and the diagnostic model designed in the study provided good accuracy and sensitivity for the initial screening and diagnosis of NDMM.

Abstract RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) modulate all aspects of RNA metabolism, but a comprehensive picture of RBP expression across tissues is lacking. Here, we describe our development of the method we call HARD-AP that robustly retrieves RBPs and tightly associated RNA regulatory complexes from cultured cells and fresh tissues. We successfully use HARD-AP to establish a comprehensive atlas of RBPs across mouse primary organs. We then systematically map RNA-binding sites of these RBPs using machine learning-based modeling. Notably, the modeling reveals that the LIM domain as an RNA-binding domain in many RBPs. We validate the LIM-domain-only protein Csrp1 as a tissue-dependent RNA binding protein. Taken together, HARD-AP is a powerful approach that can be used to identify RBPomes from any type of sample, allowing comprehensive and physiologically relevant networks of RNA-protein interactions.

Abstract Phyllosphere microorganisms execute important ecological functions including supporting host plant growth, enhancing host resistance to abiotic stresses, and promoting plant diversity. How leaf developmental stages affect plant-microbiome interactions and phyllosphere microbial community assembly and diversity is poorly understood. In this study, we utilized amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA and ITS genes to investigate the composition and diversity of microbial communities across different leaf developmental stages of rubber trees. Our findings reveal that endophytic microbial communities, particularly bacterial communities, are more influenced by leaf senescence than by epiphytic communities. The high abundance of metabolism genes in the endosphere of yellow leaves contributes to the degradation and nutrient relocation processes. Nutrient loss leads to a higher abundance of α-Proteobacteria (r-selected microorganisms) in the yellow leaf endosphere, thereby promoting stochastic community assembly. As leaves age, the proportion of microorganisms entering the inner layer of leaves increases, consequently enhancing the diversity of microorganisms in the inner layer of leaves. These results offer insights into the mechanisms governing community assembly and diversity of leaf bacteria and fungi, thereby advancing our understanding of the evolving functions of microbial communities during leaf senescence in general, and for an important tropical crop species in particular.