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Abstract We aimed to investigate the willingness of hospital staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and explore the associated factors and reasons of vaccine hesitancy among Chinese hospital staff, which were not yet known. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted online on the vaccine hesitancy of staff in a grade A tertiary general hospital in Beijing from February 22 to 23, 2023. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess associations between potential influencing factors and vaccine hesitancy. A total of 3269 valid respondents were included, and the rate of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was 32.67%. Multivariate logistic regression showed that women [1.50 (1.22–1.83)], having high-school education level [1.69 (1.04–2.76)], college degree [2.24 (1.35–3.72)] or graduate degree [2.31 (1.33–4.03)], and having underlying disease [1.41 (1.12–1.77)] were associated with a higher rate of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The main reasons for vaccine hesitancy included doubts for the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine and worries in adverse reactions. Hospital staff's willingness to vaccinate COVID-19 vaccine is generally high in the study. Hospitals should spread the knowledge of COVID-19 vaccine through multiple channels to improve the cognition of hospital staff and encourage vaccination based on associated factors.

There exists an inaccurate measurement problem in permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) due to low motor speed operation, high temperatures and humid environments, which will degrade the motion performance and stability of PMSMs. In this study, a model reference adaptive system without position measurement is presented in a PMSM to improve the output performance with external disturbance suppression caused by an environmental change. Firstly, a PI adaptive estimation law is designed to identify the motor speed. Then, a optimization method based on the sliding mode variable structure technique is proposed to realize the stability augmentation of the speed loop by using the parametric fuzzy logic design. To reject the current loop noise, an extended Kalman filter (EKF) is adopted to compensate the input signal in the current loop. The effectiveness of this proposed method is verified via a numerical simulation in the case of different speeds and external loads.

The accurate prediction of joint torque is required in various applications. Some traditional methods, such as the inverse dynamics model and the electromyography (EMG)-driven neuromusculoskeletal (NMS) model, depend on ground reaction force (GRF) measurements and involve complex optimization solution processes, respectively. Recently, machine learning methods have been popularly used to predict joint torque with surface electromyography (sEMG) signals and kinematic information as inputs. This study aims to predict lower limb joint torque in the sagittal plane during walking, using a long short-term memory (LSTM) model and Gaussian process regression (GPR) model, respectively, with seven characteristics extracted from the sEMG signals of five muscles and three joint angles as inputs. The majority of the normalized root mean squared error (NRMSE) values in both models are below 15%, most Pearson correlation coefficient (R) values exceed 0.85, and most decisive factor (R2) values surpass 0.75. These results indicate that the joint prediction of torque is feasible using machine learning methods with sEMG signals and joint angles as inputs.

ABSTRACT Objective There has been no definitive conclusion on the selection of the lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) in Lenke 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether it is enough to stop distal fusion at L3 in mild to moderate Lenke 5C AIS patients with posterior selective lumbar fusion, Ponte osteotomies and segmental direct vertebra rotation and to analyze the risk factors for postoperative complications in patients selecting L3 as the LIV. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on 106 Lenke 5C AIS patients who underwent corrective surgery in our institution from 2010 to 2021, with a minimum 2‐year follow‐up. The LIV was L3 or L4. According to the LIV, patients were initially divided into Group I (the LIV was L3) and Group II (the LIV was L4). Then, Group I was further divided into a complication group and a non‐complication group. Demographics, radiological parameters, postoperative complications, and clinical outcomes were recorded. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic analysis were used to identify the risk factors for postoperative complications in patients with L3 as the LIV. Results There were no significant differences in the demographics, radiological parameters, postoperative complications, or clinical outcomes between Group I and Group II (p > 0.05), and the outcomes were satisfactory in both groups. The main postoperative complications were distal adding‐on (11 cases), coronal imbalance (16 cases), proximal junctional kyphosis (2 cases), and internal fixation failure (4 cases). Logistic regression analysis revealed that age and postoperative C7‐CSVL were independent predictors of postoperative complications when selecting L3 as the LIV. Conclusion Terminating the distal fusion level at L3 was practical for mild to moderate Lenke 5C AIS patients. For patients selecting L3 as the LIV, younger patients should be cautious, and maintaining postoperative coronal balance is necessary for avoiding postoperative complications.

Abstract Background Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a complex three-dimensional deformity, and up to now, there has been no literature reporting the analysis of a large sample of X-ray imaging parameters based on artificial intelligence (AI) for it. This study is based on the accurate and rapid measurement of x-ray coronal imaging parameters in AIS patients by AI, to explore the differences and correlations, and to further investigate the risk factors in different groups, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the diagnosis and surgical treatment of AIS. Methods Retrospective analysis of 3192 patients aged 8–18 years who had a full-length orthopantomogram of the spine and were diagnosed with AIS at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2019 to March 2024. After screened 2092 cases were finally included. The uAI DR scoliosis analysis system with multi-resolution VB-Net convolution network architecture was used to measure CA, CBD, CV, RSH, T1 Tilt, PT, LLD, SS, AVT, and TS parameters. The results were organized and analyzed by using R Studio 4.2.3 software. Results The differences in CA, CBD, CV, RSH, TI tilt, PT, LLD and SS were statistically significant between male and female genders (p

Abstract Background Bovine mastitis significantly impacts the dairy industry, causing economic losses through reduced milk production, lower milk quality, and increased health risks, and early detection is critical for effective treatment. This study analyzed milk electrical conductivity data from 9,846 Chinese Holstein cows over a two-year period, collected during three daily milking sessions, alongside smart collar data and dairy herd improvement test results. The aim was to conduct a comprehensive genetic analysis and assess the potential of milk electrical conductivity as a biomarker for the early detection of bovine subclinical mastitis. Results The results revealed significant phenotypic and strong genetic correlations (-0.286 to 0.457) between milk electrical conductivity, somatic cell score, milk yield, activity quantity, and milking speed. Logistic regression models yielded area under the curve values ranging from 0.636 to 0.697 and odds ratio values from 9.70 to 10.69, demonstrating a certain predictive capability of milk electrical conductivity for identifying subclinical mastitis. Various factors influencing milk electrical conductivity, including lactation stage, environmental conditions, age at first calving, parity, and body condition score, were identified. The random regression model demonstrated moderate to high heritability of milk electrical conductivity (0.458 to 0.487), particularly during the early to mid-lactation periods, with all estimates exceeding 0.35 However, after day 275 of lactation, the heritability decreased to below 0.2. Notably, shifts in genetic factors affecting milk components were observed around 60 and 270 days into lactation, with increased environmental sensitivity to milk electrical conductivity during these periods. Conclusions This study demonstrates that milk electrical conductivity is influenced by multiple factors, such as age at first calving, parity, and body condition score, and exhibits significant phenotypic associations with somatic cell score, milk yield, activity quantity, and milking speed. Although milk electrical conductivity showed moderate to high heritability and potential as a predictor for subclinical mastitis, its low genetic correlations with SCS limit its effectiveness as a standalone indicator. Future research should focus on combining EC with other indicators to improve the accuracy of mastitis detection.

Abstract Background Sham acupuncture is a widely accepted control in acupuncture clinical trials. Given the nature of acupuncture, it is warranted to assess the blinding of sham-controlled trials. Despite the sham acupuncture design having been widely used, the overall blinding of sham acupuncture and the characteristics of blinding assessment in acupuncture trials are unclear. This research aims to assess the blinding status of acupuncture clinical trials and explore the blinding assessment characteristics in acupuncture trials. Methods This meta-analysis included all the acupuncture clinical trials published in English that performed blinding assessments and reported the results. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to April 2024. The primary outcome is Bang’s Blinding Index (Bang’s BI) and 95% credibility interval (CrI) was pooled using a Bayesian hierarchical model. The study adheres to the PRISMA guidelines. Results Sixty-four eligible studies published from 1999 to 2024 were included. The mean of Bang’s BI was − 0.24 (95% CrI − 0.34 to − 0.14, tau2 = 0.13) for the sham acupuncture group and 0.41 (95% CrI 0.32 to 0.49, tau2 = 0.10) for the verum acupuncture group. The characteristics of blinding showed that 62.50% of the trials had a Bang’s BI greater than 0 in the verum group and less than 0 in the sham group; in 28.15% of the trials, the Bang’s BI was greater than 0 in the verum group and greater than 0 in the sham group. Subgroup analysis revealed that area, number of research centers, treatment sessions, acupoints number, and evaluation timepoint can influence blinding results. Conclusion Overall blinding status in current acupuncture clinical trials shows a majority correctly guessing for the verum group and opposite guessing for the sham group. However, in some acupuncture trials, the blinding of sham acupuncture might be compromised. Factors such as the Asian population, penetrating sham needling, and querying participants about their group assignment during the study increase the risk of unblinding and warrant careful consideration in sham acupuncture control design. Furthermore, researchers should closely monitor the blinding status of sham acupuncture and transparently report details of blinding assessments. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42023403595.

Abstract Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic form of regulated cell death characterized by iron accumulation and uncontrolled lipid peroxidation, leading to plasma membrane rupture and intracellular content release. Cancer immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting PD-1 and PD-L1, has been considered a breakthrough in cancer treatment, achieving encouraging clinical anti-tumor effects in a variety of cancers. However, tumor immune evasion is indispensable to immunotherapy failure. The mechanisms of tumor immune evasion are quite complex, and its occurrence is inseparable from the ferroptosis in tumor microenvironment (TME). Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the role of ferroptosis in tumor immune evasion is crucial to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent advancements in understanding ferroptosis in cancer, covering molecular mechanisms and interactions with the TME. We also summarize the potential applications of ferroptosis induction in immunotherapy, as well as ferroptosis inhibition for cancer treatment in various conditions. We finally discuss ferroptosis as a double-edged sword, including the current challenges and future directions regarding its potential for cancer treatment.

ABSTRACT Objectives Understanding the patterns and implications of coexisting musculoskeletal conditions is crucial for developing effective management strategies and improving care for older adults. This study aimed to examine the associations between musculoskeletal multimorbidity burden and trajectory and holistic well‐being among middle‐aged and older adults. Methods This prospective study employed data from nine consecutive waves of the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA), spanning 2002–2018. We used latent class trajectory models (LCTM) to identify groups based on changes in musculoskeletal multimorbidity status. Subsequently, we employed linear mixed models to investigate the associations between musculoskeletal disease burden, trajectory groups, and seven dimensions of holistic well‐being: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), depression, memory, loneliness, social interactions, and life satisfaction. Results In total, 5272 participants (mean age: 71.9 years; SD: 8.9) were included in the final analysis. Four distinct trajectories were identified: a low‐burden group (48.37%), an emerging group (14.76%), a moderate‐burden group (26.00%), and a persistent burden group (10.87%). After adjustment, the findings demonstrate that the musculoskeletal disorder burden significantly impacts ADLs, depression, memory, social interactions, and life satisfaction in middle‐aged and older adults, with minor effects on IADLs and loneliness. Moreover, with the escalation of the burden, its impact significantly intensifies (p for trend is

Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) has recently gained increasing attention due to its significant role in cancer and other pathophysiologic states. The majority of circular DNAs detected by Circle-seq are small-size eccDNAs with enigmatic functions. One major technical hurdle is to synthesize eccDNA for functional identification. Here, we describe CAES (Circle-seq based Artificial EccDNA Synthesis), a promising and reliable method for artificial eccDNA synthesis. Eight eccDNAs carrying different microRNA genes (eccMIR) found in gastric cancer tissues, ranging from 329 bp to 2189 bp in size, were created utilizing the CAES method. Exonuclease V and single restriction-endonuclease digestion identified the circular structure of synthetic eccDNAs. The DNA circularization efficiency afforded by CAES ranged from 15.6% to 31.1%, which was negatively correlated with the eccDNA length. In addition, we demonstrated that CAES-synthesized eccMIRs can express both miRNA-3p and − 5p molecules efficiently independent of a canonical promoter in human cell lines. Further assays proved that these eccMIRs were functional as they were able to repress the luciferase gene containing a miRNA-target sequence in the 3′UTR as well as the endogenous mRNA targets. Finally, kinetics study revealed that eccDNA exhibited a decay rate similar to the standard plasmids and linear DNA in cultured cells. Together, this study offers a rapid and convenient method for Circle-seq users to synthesize artificial eccDNAs. It also demonstrates the promising potential of eccMIR as a bacterial DNA-free vector for safe and robust miRNA overexpression in both basic research and therapeutic applications.

Abstract Background This study aims to evaluate the long-term outcomes of one-stage posterior hemivertebra resection and short segment fusion with pedicle screw fixation in children with thoracolumbar congenital early-onset scoliosis (TLCEOS). It specifically investigates the durability of spinal correction and the incidence of complications over an average follow-up of 8.97 years. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on 32 patients treated at a tertiary scoliosis referral center from April 2003 to December 2019. Inclusion criteria were thoracolumbar hemivertebra (T11-L1), treatment via posterior hemivertebra resection and short segment fusion (≤ 5 segments), age under 10 years at surgery, and a follow-up of at least 5 years. Exclusions included idiopathic, syndromic, or neuromuscular scoliosis. Data on demographics, surgical procedures, and radiographic outcomes were collected, and clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS and R software. Results The study included 32 patients (22 males, 10 females) with a mean age of 5.00 ± 2.42 years at surgery and an average follow-up of 8.97 ± 2.81 years. On average, 3.47 ± 1.11 segments were fused. The main curve corrected from 38.64° ± 14.12° preoperatively to 9.06° ± 7.29° postoperatively, with a final correction rate of 61%. Significant improvements were observed in the SRS-22 domains of Appearance and Satisfaction with Treatment. There were 17 complications, including neurological, pulmonary, and mechanical issues, with some cases requiring revision surgery. Conclusions One-stage posterior hemivertebra resection and short segment fusion with pedicle screw fixation effectively correct TLCEOS long-term, offering significant improvements in patient appearance and satisfaction, with a manageable complication profile.

Abstract This paper proposes a method of impulse current generator modulated DC arc by combining the advantages of pulse and the RF to solve the low electron energy problem of direct current arc. Through experimental analyzing the electrical, spectral, and optical characteristics of the arc, the effect of impulse current generator (ICG) on improving electron energy is discussed. The results show that the ICG consumes more energy to enhance the strength of arc discharge, and therefore electron energy is increased in a microsecond scale. In addition, it is found that the electron energy of the arc discharge can be adjusted by varying inductance, capacitance, and discharge tube: increasing the inductance or capacitance can increase the electron energy firstly and then decrease it. In adjusting the three adjustable components, adjusting the inductor is the most effective method, followed by adjusting the capacitor, and adjusting the repetition frequency has the least effect. The reason is discussed, and it is believed that the results are related to leakage inductance and distributed capacitance.

Abstract Objectives The burden of pain in middle‐aged and older adults is considerable and significantly increases healthcare expenditures. We aimed to investigate the roles of handgrip strength (HGS) weakness and asymmetry in predicting pain across four nationally representative cohorts. Methods This longitudinal study utilized data from four major surveys: the Health and Retirement Study (HRS); the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA); the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE); and the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Multivariable cubic regression splines were employed to visually explore the nonlinear associations between HGS and pain in each cohort. The Cox proportional hazard model was applied to analyze the independent and combined relationship between HGS weakness and asymmetry and pain risk. Results We included 41,171 participants in the final analysis, with a mean follow‐up period of 4.68 ± 2.61 years (50.7% female, mean age 64.3 ± 9.3 years). No nonlinear relationship was found between HGS and pain incidence (nonlinear p 0.05 in CHARLS and HRS). After adjustment, the highest quartile groups had a significantly reduced risk of pain compared to the lowest quartile groups across all cohorts, with hazard ratios of 0.81 (0.74, 0.89) in CHARLS, 0.86 (0.77, 0.97) in HRS, 0.88 (0.77, 0.98) in ELSA, and 0.78 (0.73, 0.84) in SHARE. Participants with normal HGS had approximately 20% lower risk of pain compared to those with weak HGS. Each 5 kg increase in HGS was associated with decreased hazard ratios for pain: 0.95 (0.93, 0.97) in CHARLS, 0.97 (0.94, 0.99) in HRS, 0.96 (0.94, 0.99) in ELSA, and 0.94 (0.92, 0.95) in SHARE. The association between HGS asymmetry and pain risk was significant only in a few cohorts (HRS at 10%, 1.10 (1.03, 1.18); SHARE at 30%, 1.12 (1.05, 1.21)). No interaction effect between HGS weakness and asymmetry on pain risk was observed (all p‐values for interaction >0.05). Conclusions Our findings suggest that HGS can be used as an independent predictor of pain in middle‐aged and older European, American, and Chinese populations. However, our results do not support the use of HGS asymmetry as an independent predictor of pain risk. It is necessary to establish appropriate criteria for HGS asymmetry across different populations. The use of both weak HGS and asymmetry as predictors of health outcomes requires further validation in more diverse populations.

Abstract Recently, intelligent analysis of lung nodules with the assistant of computer aided diagnosis (CAD) techniques can improve the accuracy rate of lung cancer diagnosis. However, existing CAD systems and pulmonary datasets mainly focus on Computed Tomography (CT) images from one single period, while ignoring the cross spatio-temporal features associated with the progression of nodules contained in imaging data from various captured periods of lung cancer. If the evolution patterns of nodules across various periods in the patients’ CT sequences can be explored, it will play a crucial role in guiding the precise screening identification of lung cancer. Therefore, a cross spatio-temporal lung nodule dataset with pathological information for nodule identification and diagnosis is constructed, which contains 317 CT sequences and 2,295 annotated nodules from 109 patients. This comprehensive database is intended to drive research in the field of CAD towards more practical and robust methods, and also contribute to the further exploration of precision medicine related field. To ensure patient confidentiality, we have removed sensitive information from the dataset.

Objective Although the advantages of postoperative braces have been verified in many fields, it is not clear whether postoperative braces can help reduce patients' adverse psychological emotions such as kinesiophobia, anxiety, and depression. This study aims to analyze whether the use of a postoperative brace helps reduce adverse psychological emotions in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients undergoing spinal deformity surgeries. Methods All consecutive patients who underwent spinal corrective surgeries at our institution between April 2023 and July 2023 formed the prospective cohort. Outcome measures were collected in the preoperative period, 3 months after surgery, and 6 months after surgery. All patients were assessed using the Tampa scale for kinesiophobia (TSK), the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), and the numerical rating scale (NRS). A statistical model of propensity score matching was used to eliminate potential selection bias and maintain comparability. Multivariate linear regression models were used to determine the relationship between postoperative brace and adverse psychological emotions. Results After propensity score matching, this study ultimately enrolled 150 patients. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of demographic and perioperative variables. The fully adjusted model showed that the TSK scores of the non‐brace group at the 3‐month (ꞵ = 2.50, 95% CI 0.80–4.20, p = 0.005) and 6‐month follow‐up (ꞵ = 2.75, 95% CI 0.75–4.74, p = 0.007) were significantly higher than those of the brace group. The HADS score of the non‐brace group at the 3‐month follow‐up was significantly higher than that of the brace group (ꞵ = 1.75, 95% CI 0.28–3.22, p = 0.019). The NRS score of the non‐brace group at the 3‐month follow‐up was significantly higher than that of the brace group (ꞵ = 0.69, 95% CI 0.05–1.33, p = 0.034). At the 6‐month follow‐up, there were no significant difference for HADS score or NRS score between the two groups. Conclusion In the early postoperative period, the postoperative brace could provide AIS patients with psychological supports and help them reduce the frequency of adverse psychological emotions. The postoperative brace could continuously improve the fear of movement within 6 months after surgery, and help reduce anxiety, depression, and pain within 3 months after surgery.

Abstract Background Housing has been associated with dementia risk and disability, but associations of housing with differential patterns of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) among dementia-free older adults remain to be explored. The present study sought to explore the contribution of housing status on NPS and subsyndromes associated with cognitive dysfunction in community-dwelling dementia-free elderly in Singapore. Methods A total of 839 dementia-free elderly from the Epidemiology of Dementia in Singapore (EDIS) study aged ≥ 60 were enrolled in the current study. All participants underwent clinical, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI) assessments. The housing status was divided into three categories according to housing type. Cognitive function was measured by a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. The NPS were assessed using 12-term NPI and were grouped into four clinical subsyndromes: psychosis, hyperactivity, affective, and apathy. Associations of housing with composite and domain-specific Z-scores, as well as NPI scores, were assessed using generalized linear models (GLM). Binary logistic regression models analysed the association of housing with the presence of NPS and significant NPS (NPI total scores ≥ 4). Results Better housing status (5-room executive apartments, condominium, or private housing) was associated with better NPS (OR = 0.49, 95%CI = 0.24 to 0.98, P

Abstract In the era of smart agriculture, the precise labeling and recording of growth information in plants pose challenges for modern agricultural production. This study introduces strontium aluminate particles coated with H3PO4 as luminescent labels capable of spatial embedding within plants for information encoding and storage during growth. The encapsulation with H3PO4 imparts stability and enhanced luminescence to SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ (SAO). Using SAO@H3PO4 as a low-damage luminescent label, we implement its delivery into plants through microneedles (MNs) patches. The embedded SAO@H3PO4 within plants exhibits sustained and unaltered high signal-to-noise afterglow emission, with luminous intensity remaining at approximately 78% of the original for 27 days. To cater to diverse information recording needs, MNs of various geometric shapes are designed for loading SAO@H3PO4, and the luminescent signals in different shapes can be accurately identified through a designed program, the corresponding information can be conveniently viewed on a computer. Additionally, inspired by binary information concepts, MNs patches with specific arrangements of luminescent and non-luminescent points are created, resulting in varied luminescent MNs arrays on leaves. An advanced camera system with a tailored program accurately identifies and maps the labels to the corresponding recorded information. These findings showcase the potential of low-damage luminescent labels within plants, paving the way for convenient and widespread storage of plant growth information.

Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania parasites, continues to pose global health challenges. Current treatments face issues like resistance, safety, efficacy, and cost. This review covers the discovery, mechanisms of action, clinical applications, and limitations of key antileishmanial agents: pentavalent antimonials, amphotericin B, miltefosine, paromomycin, and pentamidine. Despite toxicity and resistance (antimonials), hospitalization needs and side effects (amphotericin B), regional efficacy variability (miltefosine), inconsistent outcomes (paromomycin), and severe side effects (pentamidine), these drugs are vital. Novel strategies to overcome the deficiencies of current therapies are highlighted, including combination regimens, advanced drug delivery systems, and immunomodulatory approaches. Comprehensive and cooperative efforts are crucial to fully realize the potential of advancements in antileishmanial pharmacotherapy and to reduce the unacceptable worldwide burden imposed by this neglected disease.

This article explores ecological theology in mainland China from 1990 to 2024 through the lens of Stephen B. Bevans’ contextual theology. By analysing its reception, it becomes clear that a distinctly contextualised ecological theology has not yet emerged in China. Considering this gap, the article examines potential directions for Chinese ecological theology across four dimensions of contextual theology. The academic and religious communities should focus on diversified yet overlapping approaches to develop Chinese ecological theology collaboratively. From the perspective of mutual learning between Chinese and Western civilisations, Chinese ecological theology should adopt ‘synthetic model’ to integrate traditional Chinese concepts of ‘Heaven-Nature-Human’ and respond to both local and global challenges. A synthetic model of Chinese ecological theology could become a significant voice in the international theological community, contributing to global sustainable prosperity. Contribution: This article makes two contributions. Firstly, it provides a systematic review and reflection on ecological theology in mainland China from 1990 to 2024. Secondly, it highlights the future development directions and models of Chinese ecological theology from the perspective of contextual theology.

The Orthopoxvirus (OPXV) genus of the Poxviridae includes human pathogens variola virus (VARV), monkeypox virus (MPXV), vaccinia virus (VACV), and a number of zoonotic viruses. A number of Bcl-2-like proteins of VACV are involved in escaping the host innate immunity. However, little work has been devoted to the evolution and function of their orthologues in other OPXVs. Here, we found that MPXV protein P2, encoded by the P2L gene, and P2 orthologues from other OPXVs, such as VACV protein N2, localize to the nucleus and antagonize interferon (IFN) production. Exceptions to this were the truncated P2 orthologues in camelpox virus (CMLV) and taterapox virus (TATV) that lacked the nuclear localization signal (NLS). Mechanistically, the NLS of MPXV P2 interacted with karyopherin α-2 (KPNA2) to facilitate P2 nuclear translocation, and competitively inhibited KPNA2-mediated IRF3 nuclear translocation and downstream IFN production. Deletion of the NLS in P2 or orthologues significantly enhanced IRF3 nuclear translocation and innate immune responses, thereby reducing viral replication. Moreover, deletion of NLS from N2 in VACV attenuated viral replication and virulence in mice. These data demonstrate that the NLS-mediated translocation of P2 is critical for P2-induced inhibition of innate immunity. Our findings contribute to an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of OPXV P2 orthologue in innate immune evasion.

Shoot stem cells, harbored in the shoot apical meristem (SAM), play key roles during post-embryonic development of Arabidopsis and function as the origin of plant aerial tissues. Multiple transcription factors are involved in the sophisticated transcriptional regulation of stem cell homeostasis, with the WUSCHEL (WUS)/CLAVATA3 (CLV3) negative feedback loop playing a central role. WUS acts as a master regulator in maintaining stem cells through its transcriptional regulatory activity including repressive and activating abilities. Although the interaction between WUS and TOPLESS confers the repressive activity of WUS in transcriptional control, the mechanism by which WUS activates gene expression remains elusive. Here, we showed that DORNRÖSCHEN competitively interacts with WUS and disturbs the WUS homodimer, which recruits BRAHMA to activate CLV3 expression via nucleosome depletion for maintaining the stem cell pool.

Binding phospholipid is a simple, yet flexible, strategy for anchorage of bacterial effectors at cell membrane to manipulate host signaling responses. Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate are the only two phospholipid species known to direct bacterial effectors to establish inner leaflet localization at the plasma membrane. Here, selectivity of phosphatidic acid (PA) by bacterial effectors for the plasma membrane anchorage and its molecular entity was identified. C-terminal BID domain of Bartonella T4SS effectors (Beps) directed the plasma membrane localization of Beps in host cells through binding with PA. A hydrophobic segment of the 'HOOK' subdomain from BID is inserted into the bilayer to enhance the interaction of positively charged residues with the lipid headgroups. Mutations of a conserved arginine facilitating the electrostatic interaction, a conserved glycine maintaining the stability of the PA binding groove, and hydrophobic residues determining membrane insertion, prevented the anchorage of Beps at the plasma membrane. Disassociation from plasma membrane to cytosol attenuated the BepC capacity to induce stress fiber formation and cell fragmentation in host cells. The substitution of alanine with aspartic acid at the -1 position preceding the conserved arginine residue hindered BepD anchoring at the plasma membrane, a vital prerequisite for its ability to elicit IL-10 secretion in host macrophages. In conclusion, our findings reveal the PA-binding properties of bacterial effectors to establish plasma membrane localization and will shed light on the intricate mechanisms employed by bacterial effectors within host cells.

BackgroundPrevious studies have demonstrated widespread brain neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the neurobiological and pathogenic substrates underlying this structural atrophy across the AD spectrum remain largely understood.MethodsIn this study, we obtained structural MRI data from ADNI datasets, including 83 participants with early-stage cognitive impairments (EMCI), 83 with late-stage mild cognitive impairments (LMCI), 83 with AD, and 83 with normal controls (NC). Our goal was to explore structural atrophy across the full clinical AD spectrum and investigate the genetic mechanism using gene expression data from the Allen Human Brain Atlas.ResultsAs a result, we identified significant volume atrophy in the left thalamus, left cerebellum, and bilateral middle frontal gyrus across the AD spectrum. These structural changes were positively associated with the expression levels of genes such as ABCA7, SORCS1, SORL1, PILRA, PFDN1, PLXNA4, TRIP4, and CD2AP, while they were negatively associated with the expression levels of genes such as CD33, PLCG2, APOE, and ECHDC3 across the clinical AD spectrum. Further gene enrichment analyses revealed that the positively associated genes were mainly involved in the positive regulation of cellular protein localization and the negative regulation of cellular component organization, whereas the negatively associated genes were mainly involved in the positive regulation of iron transport.ConclusionOverall, these results provide a deeper understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying structural changes in prodromal and clinical AD.

Ultrasonic vibration and pulsed current can achieve energy concentration and effectively improve the forming ability of Magnesium alloy sheets. The uniaxial tensile tests of AZ31B sheets assisted by electric pulse, ultrasonic and electric pulse-ultrasonic composite energy fields were carried out, respectively. The influence of the effective current density and duration of the electric pulse on the softening, hardening and residual effects in the deformation process caused by the coupling action were explored. The electric pulse suppresses the promoting effect of ultrasonic vibration on twinning and together with ultrasonic vibration promotes dislocation slip to coordinate deformation. The composite energy field can thus further reduce the deformation resistance. The softening, secondary hardening and residual softening phenomena caused by the electric pulse-ultrasonic composite energy field become more and more significant with the prolongation of duration. When the ultrasonic field with a frequency of 21 kHz and an amplitude of 10 μm is combined with a frequency of 600 Hz and the effective current density increases from 0 to 30 A/mm2, the influence on the softening and secondary hardening process exhibits an initial increase followed by a decrease as the current density increases, while the influence on the residual softening shows the opposite trend.

BackgroundThe quantitative assessment of individual muscle and fascial stiffness in patients with low back pain remains a challenge. This study aimed to compare the stiffness of the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF), erector spinae (ES), and multifidus (MF) in patients with and without chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) using shear wave elastography (SWE). It also sought to explore the relationship between muscle and fascial stiffness and the levels of pain and dysfunction in patients with CNLBP.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 30 patients with CNLBP (age 27.40 ± 4.57 years, 19 males, 11 females, BMI 22.96 ± 2.55 kg/m2) and 32 healthy controls (age 27.94 ± 4.94 years, 15 males, 17 females, BMI 22.52 ± 2.26 kg/m2) were enrolled. Stiffness of the TLF, ES, and MF was measured using SWE, and Young’s modulus values were recorded. The numeric rating scale (NRS) for quantifying pain intensity and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were recorded for the case group to examine their correlations with the resilience index.ResultsThe CNLBP group exhibited significantly higher shear modulus values at the L4-5 bilateral TLF (left: p = 0.014, d = 0.64; right: p = 0.002, d = 0.86), ES (left: p = 0.013, d = 0.66; right: p = 0.027, d = 0.58), and MF (left: p = 0.009, d = 0.69; right: p = 0.002, d = 0.85) compared to the control group. Comparable findings were observed for the right ES (p = 0.026, d = 0.59) and left MF (p = 0.020, η2 = 0.09) at L1-2. Strong correlations were observed between the shear modulus of the bilateral TLF (left: r = 0.57, p = 0.001; right: r = 0.65, p < 0.001) at L4-5 and the NRS scores. Moderate correlations were noted between the shear modulus of the ES (left: r = 0.42, p = 0.022; right: r = 0.48, p = 0.007) and MF (left: r = 0.50, p = 0.005; right: r = 0.42, p = 0.023) at L4-5 and the NRS scores. Additionally, the shear modulus of the MF (r = 0.50, p = 0.005) on the left side of L1-2 showed similar correlations. Strong correlations were observed between the shear modulus of the bilateral TLF (left: r = 0.60, p < 0.001; right: r = 0.58, p < 0.001) at L4-5 and the ODI scores. Moderate correlations were observed between the shear modulus of the right TLF (r = 0.43, p = 0.017), ES (r = 0.38, p = 0.037), and MF (r = 0.44, p = 0.015) at L1-2, as well as the bilateral MF (left: r = 0.46, p = 0.011; right: r = 0.45, p = 0.012) at L4-5, and the ODI scores. No significant correlations were found at other measurement sites.ConclusionIn patients with CNLBP, the stiffness of the lumbar fascia and muscles is generally higher than in individuals without LBP. However, this increase is not uniform across all lumbar regions, with the most significant changes observed in the L4-5 segments. In addition, higher stiffness may be associated with pain and dysfunction, primarily manifested in the TLF.

Abstract Background Human health is a complex, dynamic concept encompassing a spectrum of states influenced by genetic, environmental, physiological, and psychological factors. Traditional Chinese Medicine categorizes health into nine body constitutional types, each reflecting unique balances or imbalances in vital energies, influencing physical, mental, and emotional states. Advances in machine learning models offer promising avenues for diagnosing conditions like Alzheimer's, dementia, and respiratory diseases by analyzing speech patterns, enabling complementary non-invasive disease diagnosis. The study aims to use speech audio to identify subhealth populations characterized by unbalanced constitution types. Methods Participants, aged 18–45, were selected from the Acoustic Study of Health. Audio recordings were collected using ATR2500X-USB microphones and Praat software. Exclusion criteria included recent illness, dental issues, and specific medical histories. The audio data were preprocessed to Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs) for model training. Three deep learning models—1-Dimensional Convolution Network (Conv1D), 2-Dimensional Convolution Network (Conv2D), and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM)—were implemented using Python to classify health status. Saliency maps were generated to provide model explainability. Results The study used 1,378 recordings from balanced (healthy) and 1,413 from unbalanced (subhealth) types. The Conv1D model achieved a training accuracy of 91.91% and validation accuracy of 84.19%. The Conv2D model had 96.19% training accuracy and 84.93% validation accuracy. The LSTM model showed 92.79% training accuracy and 87.13% validation accuracy, with early signs of overfitting. AUC scores were 0.92 and 0.94 (Conv1D), 0.99 (Conv2D), and 0.97 (LSTM). All models demonstrated robust performance, with Conv2D excelling in discrimination accuracy. Conclusions The deep learning classification of human speech audio for health status using body constitution types showed promising results with Conv1D, Conv2D, and LSTM models. Analysis of ROC curves, training accuracy, and validation accuracy showed all models robustly distinguished between balanced and unbalanced constitution types. Conv2D excelled with good accuracy, while Conv1D and LSTM also performed well, affirming their reliability. The study integrates constitution theory and deep learning technologies to classify subhealth populations using noninvasive approach, thereby promoting personalized medicine and early intervention strategies.

Abstract Background Endoscopic spine lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-LIF) is well-regarded within the academic community. However, it presents challenges such as intraoperative disorientation, high rates of nerve damage, a steep learning curve, and prolonged surgical times, often occurring during the creation of the operative channel. Furthermore, the undefined safe operational zones under endoscopy continue to pose risks to surgical safety. We aimed to analyse the anatomical data of Kambin’s triangle via CT imaging to define the parameters of the safe operating area for transforaminal posterior lumbar interbody fusion (TPLIF), providing crucial insights for clinical practice. Methods We selected the L4–L5 intervertebral space. Using three-dimensional (3D), we identified Kambin’s triangle and the endocircle within it, and recorded the position of point ‘J’ on the adjacent facet joint as the centre ‘O’ of the circle shifts by angle ‘β.’ The diameter of the inscribed circle ‘d,’ the abduction angle ‘β,’ and the distances ‘L1’ and ‘L2’ were measured from the trephine’s edge to the exiting and traversing nerve roots, respectively. Results Using a trephine with a diameter of 8 mm in TPLIF has a significant safety distance. The safe operating area under the TPLIF microscope was also clarified. Conclusions Through CT imaging research, combined with 3D simulation, we identified the anatomical data of the L4–L5 segment Kambin’s triangle, to clarify the safe operation area under TPLIF. We propose a simple and easy positioning method and provide a novel surgical technique to establish working channels faster and reduce nerve damage rates. At the same time, according to this method, the Kambin’s triangle anatomical data of the patient’s lumbar spine diseased segments can be measured through CT 3D reconstruction of the lumbar spine, and individualised preoperative design can be conducted to select the appropriate specifications of visible trephine and supporting tools. This may effectively reduce the learning curve, shorten the time operation time, and improve surgical safety.

MOX (mixed oxide) fuel plays a positive role in promoting sustainable development in nuclear energy. The quantitative determination of plutonium in mixed MOX fuel is also essential to nuclear security and safeguards. In this regard，neutron multiplicity measurement methods serve as crucial non-destructive testing techniques and play a vital role in quantitatively detecting plutonium in MOX fuel. In order to study the factors that influence the quantification process of plutonium，enhance measurement accuracy，and streamline the process，this study develops a comprehensive and specific simulation system for the multiplicity-based plutonium quantification method in MOX fuel. Based on the AWCC device as the basic model (simulation model with a detection efficiency of 23.89% and a die-away time of 45.42 μs)，the combination of MCNP and MATLAB software is utilized to recombine the detector capture times of fission neutrons and (α，n) neutrons obtained from MCNP software with the particle emission time series obtained by MATLAB sampling，forming a complete pulse time series. After receiving the multiplicity moments of fission neutrons in MOX fuel (vs1=2.157，vs2=3.808，vs3=5.283，vi1=2.855，vi2=6.953，vi3=13.899)，simulated pulse sequence acquisition，multiplicity analysis，and quantitative calculation are performed on four samples with different shapes and sizes. Each sample is measured for 300 s with a pre-delay time of 3 μs，a gate width of 54 μs，a long delay of 2 ms，and repeated three time’s measurements. Additionally，the simulated quantitative calculation results 240Pu are compared with the set values. The results indicate that the mass of 240Pu and the α-value obtained through simulated pulse analysis meet the requirement of less than 5% relative error compared to the actual input values. This work provides technical support for data interpretation in the quantitative measurement of plutonium in MOX fuel.

Abstract This paper proposes a super‐resolution reconstruction model, SRPGANto improve the visual quality of images based on generative adversarial networks (GANs) by improving the network structures of the generator and the discriminator. In the generator, a dual branch residual block is designed instead of the residual block, including a branch with an attention mechanism and a branch without an attention mechanism, to extract more differentiated features. Normalization methods are explored to avoid unstable training and bath normalization artifacts and use a half instance normalization layer that is more suitable for underlying visual problems compared with traditional batch normalization. In the discriminator, PatchGAN is applied instead of typical GAN to improve the generation of local texture by discriminating each patch rather than the global image. The experimental results on the public datasets demonstrate that the proposed SRPGAN can achieve excellent quantitative evaluation while improving the visual quality of reconstructed images.

Abstract Based on the engineering background of 1353 working face in Daizhuang Coalmine, the paper identifies three primary issues with the working face mining process: conventional pressure relief means are limited, risk of impact and the length of working face changes, It also proposes comprehensive control measures to improve the blasting roof cutting scheme, optimize mining speed and the location of the stopping line. The three improvement measures mentioned above are simulated numerically, and the effects of the drilling and blasting plan, mining speed, and stopping line location on stress distribution are determined. The results show that by implementing the three improvement measures, the stress variation interval can be efficiently controlled and the working face's production safety can be increased. Finally, it is determined that the 1353 working face of Daizhuang Coalmine adopts the pressure relief method of drilling on one side and cutting the roof 20 m deep on the other side, and the mining speed of the working face is 3 m/day and the length of the stopping line is 85 m. Based on the on-site monitoring results, the implementation of comprehensive treatment measures can effectively improve the surrounding rock state of 1353 working face, which has certain guiding significance for the mining of irregular working face.

To address stress concentration in mining roadways, particularly in the inclined, thick, and hard roof, and lessen the impact of sudden overlying strata collapse, a comprehensive study was conducted on the 1301N transport roadway in No.6 Great Wall Mine. The research utilized various methods such as theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and field monitoring to optimize the key parameters of roof cutting and roadway retaining, leading to improved control of the surrounding rock and reduced risk of impact disturbance. Firstly, based on field geological data, the theoretical minimum roof-cutting height and angle of the 1301N transportation gateway were calculated using the coefficient of rock crushing and swelling and masonry beam theory. Furthermore, in order to confirm and enhance the accuracy of the theoretical findings, we utilized PFC2D numerical software to create a model of the roof-cutting retaining roadway situated in the No.1301N working face. By employing the control variable approach, we studied the response characteristics of roof stress, displacement, and surrounding rock fabric tensor of the retaining roadway at various roof-cutting heights and angles. The analysis results indicate a logarithmic relationship between cutting height and pressure relief effect. The effect increases with height, but growth amplitude decreases. There is an “S” growth relationship between the roof-cutting angle and the pressure relief effect. The pressure relief effect first increases and then decreases with the increase of the roof-cutting height. The change law between pressure relief parameters and pressure relief effect reveals that there is an optimal value for the selection of the roof-cutting height and an optimal solution for the selection of the roof-cutting angle. Based on the results of theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, it is determined that the most suitable roof-cutting height is 13 m, and the optimal roof-cutting angle is 10°. The field monitoring shows that the control effect of the surrounding rock under the roof-cutting parameters is good, and the deformation of the surrounding rock of the retaining roadway is small. It can effectively meet the mining demand of the next working face and verifies the effectiveness of optimizing the roof-cutting parameters. This provides a theoretical basis and practical reference for the selection of the parameters of roof cutting and retaining roadway under similar geological conditions.

Abstract Introduction To investigate the association between cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) patterns and dementia‐related neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) among multiregional and ethnic seniors. Methods Four Asian studies (discovery) and UK Biobank (validation) were included. CMM was defined as two or more of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, stroke, and heart disease. The latent class analysis identified CMM patterns. Two‐step individual participant data (IPD) and Cox regressions explored associations between CMM and the presence and short‐term (1–2 years) incidence of four neuropsychiatric subsyndromes: psychosis, hyperactivity, affective, and apathy. Results A total of 2950 Asian and 40,424 UK participants were included. Metabolic multimorbidity (≥2 of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus) was associated with the presence (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00–1.81; and 1.93, 1.73–2.16; in the respective data set), and incidence (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.91, 1.53–10.01; and 6.94, 2.52–19.07) of affective subsyndrome. Cardio‐cerebrovascular multimorbidity (≥2 of hypertension, stroke, and heart disease) was not associated with any NPSs. Discussion Metabolic multimorbidity may exacerbate the neuropsychiatric disturbances of possible dementia. Highlights Four Asian multiregional and ethnic studies were included as the discovery data set, with the UK Biobank being applied as the validation data set. Metabolic multimorbidity had a higher presence and short‐term incidence of affective syndromes. Cardio‐cerebrovascular multimorbidity was not associated with any neuropsychiatric symptoms.

The present study aims to investigate the unknown relationship between inhibitory control and repetitive subconcussion induced by the indirect brain impacts. We enrolled 28 parachuters exposed to repetitive subconcussion (SC) and 27 matched health controls (HC). Parachuters who have completed at least 70 actual parachuting (71–112 times) and at least 1500 simulated platform jumps (1500–4500 times) were included in the SC group. The SC group had a reduced accuracy rate in both the Stroop congruent and incongruent conditions. Larger N2 and N450 amplitudes were elicited in the frontal regions of the SC group, which indicate compensatory adaptations to the deficit in conflict monitoring. The reduced frontal resting-state EEG complexity in full-band (1–40 Hz) may demonstrate the frontal structural damage following the indirect brain impacts of repetitive subconcussion. Pearson correlation analysis showed that in the SC group, the frontal beta-band sample entropy values are positively correlated with the accuracy rate of the Stroop incongruent condition, suggesting the frontal beta-band sample entropy values may serve as potential electrophysiological markers of impaired inhibitory control after indirectly repetitive brain impacts. This study provides the robust evidence that repetitive subconcussion resulting from indirect brain impacts may lead to impairment of inhibitory control.

Craft beer brewers need to learn process control strategies from traditional industrial production to ensure the consistent quality of the finished product. In this study, FT-IR combined with deep learning was used for the first time to model and analyze the Plato degree and total flavonoid content of Qingke beer during the mashing and boiling stages and to compare the effectiveness with traditional chemometrics methods. Two deep learning neural networks were designed, the effect of variable input methods on the effectiveness of the models was discussed. The experimental results showed that the CARS-LSTM model had the best predictive performance, not only as the best quantitative model for Plato in the mashing (R2p = 0.9368) and boiling (R2p = 0.9398) phases but also as the best model for TFC in the boiling phase (R2p = 0.9154). This study demonstrates the great potential of deep learning and provides a new approach to quality control analysis in beer brewing.

ABSTRACT: The rise of operational noise as an environmental pollutant for farm animals is an emerging concern. The mechanisms through which music can alleviate oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis induced by noise exposure remain underexplored. This study aims to investigate the alleviating effects and underlying mechanisms of long-term music exposure on noise-induced damage to the chicken spleen. Male Arbor Acres (AA) broilers were divided into four groups: control (C), acute noise stimulation (NS), noise stimulation with music mitigation (NSM), and music only (M). NS and NSM groups were exposed to noise (simulating sudden intensity noise, 115 to 120dB) for 10 minutes daily for a week, starting at 14-days-old. NSM and M groups then received 28 days of 6-hour daily music (Mozart K.448, 60–65 dB). The results showed that noise stimulation significantly activated the Keap-1/Nrf2 and NF-κB signaling pathways. Long-term music intervention has also been demonstrated to successfully mitigate oxidative stress and abnormal apoptosis induced by acute noise stimulation. Microscopic examination of the spleen revealed that acute noise stimulation resulted in an increase in splenic cells, a decrease in lymphocytes, and blurred boundaries between the red and white pulps in the NS group. However, these pathological changes were alleviated in the NSM group following music intervention. Compared with the control group, the NS group exhibited significantly elevated oxidative stress parameters. In contrast, music intervention in the NSM group notably improved antioxidant capacity and partially alleviated morphological abnormalities in the spleen. Additionally, noise stimulation activated the NF-κB pathway, upregulating the downstream genes of the inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Noise-induced mitochondrial damage led to apoptosis, as observed by TUNEL staining, along with increased gene and protein expression of Bcl-2, Bax, Cyt-C, Casp-3, Casp-8, and Casp-9. These findings indicate that acute noise exposure can induce splenic damage via oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis by modulating the Keap-1/Nrf2 and NF-κB pathways. Prolonged music stimulation effectively mitigates noise-induced damage, offering a vital experimental foundation for further research on noise pollution's impact on organisms and music's alleviating role.

ABSTRACT: Lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) is a common pyrethroid insecticide widely used for ectoparasite control and hygiene pest prevention in poultry and this study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of LCT-induced cardiac injury in chickens. Low, medium, and high-dose LCT exposure models in chickens were established and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, dihydroethidium (DHE) staining, TUNEL staining, immunofluorescence, biochemical analysis, and gene expression analysis were used to study the effects of LCT exposure on the chicken heart. The results showed that LCT exposure increased the serum levels of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), led to muscle fiber breakage and inflammatory cell infiltration and caused cardiac tissue damage. The DHE staining and biochemical analysis revealed that LCT exposure resulted in the excessive accumulation of ROS, decreased activities/levels of catalase (CAT), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and glutathione (GSH), and increased levels of the oxidative damage marker malondialdehyde (MDA). The TUNEL staining indicated that LCT exposure increased apoptosis possibly through the elevated expression of pro-apoptotic genes in the mitochondrial pathway, the reduced expression of anti-apoptotic genes, the upregulation of pro-inflammatory factors and the downregulation of anti-inflammatory factors. Here, LCT exposure significantly inhibited the expression of genes in the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and activated the expression of genes in the CYP450 enzyme system. Compared to the low-dose group, the high-dose LCT exposure group showed lower levels of apoptosis and inflammation, possibly related to the low oxidative stress levels mediated by the decreased expression of the CYP450 enzyme system. In conclusion, LCT exposure induces oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation in chicken hearts, which may be associated with the inhibition of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and activation of the CYP450 enzyme system. This study provides a theoretical basis for the safer use of insecticides in poultry production.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignant tumour with high incidence and mortality rates worldwide. Despite current treatment modalities, including surgical resection and chemotherapy, challenges such as postoperative recurrence, metastasis and drug resistance persist. Therefore, investigating the feasibility and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in treating gastric cancer is crucial for discovering new anti-gastric cancer drugs or adjuvant therapies. Pachymic acid (PA) is a natural triterpenoid found in the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Poria cocos (PC) (Schw. Wolf). Recent studies have reported its inhibitory effects on various cancer cells, including liver, cervical, breast and gastric cancer. Our in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that PA inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells. The treatment of gastric cancer cells with various death inhibitors revealed that PA may suppress gastric cancer progression by inducing ferroptosis. Malondialdehyde, Fe2+, reactive oxygen species and glutathione assays were performed to validate the effects of PA on ferroptosis in gastric cancer. High-throughput sequencing combined with analysis of the TCGA database identified PDGFRB as a potential downstream target of PA. In vivo experiments indicated that the PDGFRB overexpression could counteract the antitumour effects of PA, while ferroptosis induced by the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway may play a key role in this process. This study provides initial evidence that PA, through its interaction with PDGFRB, alters the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway, leading to ferroptosis in gastric cancer cells, thus manifesting its antitumour properties. This discovery holds promise for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for gastric cancer patients.

Far red photon flux accelerates photosynthetic electron transfer rates through photosynthetic pigments, influencing various biological processes. In this study, we investigated the impact of differing red and far-red light ratios on plant growth using LED lamps with different wavelengths and Ca1.8Mg1.2Al2Ge3O12:0.03Cr3+ phosphor materials. The control group (CK) consisted of a plant growth special lamp with 450 nm blue light + 650 nm red light. Four treatments were established: F1 (650 nm red light), F2 (CK + 730 nm far-red light in a 3:2 ratio), F3 (650 nm red light + 730 nm far-red light in a 3:2 ratio), and F4 (CK + phosphor-converted far-red LED in a 3:2 ratio). The study assessed changes in red and far-red light ratios and their impact on the growth morphology, photosynthetic characteristics, fluorescence characteristics, stomatal status, and nutritional quality of cream lettuce. The results revealed that the F3 light treatment exhibited superior growth characteristics and quality compared to the CK treatment. Notably, leaf area, aboveground fresh weight, vitamin C content, and total soluble sugar significantly increased. Additionally, the addition of far-red light resulted in an increase in stomatal density and size, and the F3 treatments were accompanied by increases in net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), and stomatal conductance (Gs). The results demonstrated that the F3 treatment, with its optimal red-to-far-red light ratio, promoted plant growth and photosynthetic characteristics. This indicates its suitability for supplementing artificial light sources in plant factories and greenhouses.

BackgroundAlthough depression symptoms are commonly reported in patients with subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment (svMCI), their impact on brain functions remains largely unknown, with diagnoses mainly dependent on behavioral assessments.MethodsIn this study, we analyzed resting-state fMRI data from a cohort of 34 svMCI patients, comprising 18 patients with depression symptoms (svMCI+D) and 16 patients without (svMCI-D), along with 34 normal controls (NC). The study used the fraction of the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF), resting-state functional connectivity, correlation analyses, and support vector machine (SVM) techniques.ResultsThe fALFF of the right cerebellum (CERE.R) differed among the svMCI+D, svMCI-D, and NC groups. Specifically, the regional mean fALFF of CERE. R was lower in svMCI-D patients compared to NC but higher in svMCI+D patients compared to svMCI-D patients. Moreover, the adjusted fALFF of CERE. R showed a significant correlation with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) scores in svMCI-D patients. The fALFF of the right orbital part of the superior frontal gyrus was significantly correlated with Hamilton Depression Scale scores in svMCI+D patients, whereas the fALFF of the right postcingulate cortex (PCC.R) showed a significant correlation with MOCA scores in svMCI-D patients. Furthermore, RSFC between PCC. R and right precuneus, as well as between CERE. R and the right lingual gyrus (LING.R), was significantly reduced in svMCI-D patients compared to NC. In regional analyses, the adjusted RSFC between PCC. R and PreCUN. R, as well as between CERE. R and LING. R, was decreased in svMCI-D patients compared to NC but increased in svMCI+D patients compared to svMCI-D. Further SVM analyses achieved good performances, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82 for classifying svMCI+D, svMCI-D, and NC; 0.96 for classifying svMCI+D and svMCI-D; 0.82 for classifying svMCI+D and NC; and 0.92 for classifying svMCI-D and NC.ConclusionThe study revealed disruptive effects of cognitive impairment, along with both disruptive and complementary effects of depression symptoms on spontaneous brain activity in svMCI. Moreover, these findings suggest that the identified features might serve as potential biomarkers for distinguishing between svMCI+D, svMCI-D, and NC, thereby guiding clinical treatments such as transcranial magnetic stimulation for svMCI.

Reconstructing semantic indoor scenes is a challenging task in augmented and virtual reality. The quality of scene reconstruction is limited by the complexity and occlusion of indoor scenes. This is due to the difficulty in estimating the spatial structure of the scene and insufficient learning for object location inference. To address these challenges, we have developed PesRec, an end-to-end multi-task scene reconstruction network for parameterizing indoor semantic information. PesRec incorporates a newly designed spatial layout estimator and a 3D object detector to effectively learn scene parameter features from RGB images. We modify an object mesh generator to enhance the robustness of reconstructing indoor occluded objects through point cloud optimization in PesRec. Using the analyzed scene parameters and spatial structure, the proposed PesRec reconstructs an indoor scene by placing object meshes scaled to 3D detection boxes in an estimated layout cuboid. Extensive experiments on two benchmark datasets demonstrate that PesRec performs exceptionally well for object reconstruction with an average chamfer distance of 5.24 × 10-3 on the Pix3D dataset including 53.61 % mAP for 3D object detection and 79.7 % 3D IoU for the estimation of layout on the commonly-used SUN RGB-D datasets. The proposed computing network breaks through the limitations caused by complex indoor scenes and occlusions, showing optimization results that improve the quality of reconstruction in the fields of augmented reality and virtual reality.