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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.

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

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 Purpose The purpose of the study was to describe a novel growth guidance system, which can avoid metal debris and reduce the sliding friction forces, and test the durability and glidability of the system by in vitro test. Method Two major modifications were made to the traditional Shilla system, including the use of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) gaskets to avoid direct contact between the screw and rod, and polishing the surface of the sliding part of the rod. We tested the durability of the system by a fatigue test, which the samples were test on the MTS system for a 10 million cycle of a constant displacement. Pre and post-testing involved weighing the UHMWPE gaskets and observing the wear conditions. The sliding ability were measured by a sliding displacement test. The maximum sliding displacement of the system was measured after a 300 cycles of dynamic compressive loads in a sinusoidal waveform. Results After the fatigue test, all the UHMWPE gaskets samples showed some of the fretting on the edge of the inner sides, but its still isolated and avoided the friction between the screws and rods. There was no production of metallic fretting around the sliding screws and rods. The average wear mass of the UHMWPE gaskets was 0.002 ± 0.001 g, less than 1.7% of the original mass. In the sliding test, the novel growth guidance system demonstrated the best sliding ability, with an average maximum sliding distance(AMSD) of 35.75 ± 5.73 mm, significantly better than the group of the traditional Shilla technique(AMSD 3.65 ± 0.46 mm, P

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.

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.

Summary: Exo70, a key exocyst complex component, is crucial for cell motility and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in cancer metastasis. Despite its potential as a drug target, Exo70’s post-translational modifications (PTMs) are poorly characterized. Here, we report that Exo70 is transamidated on Gln5 with Lys56 of cystatin A by transglutaminases TGM1 and TGM3, promoting tumor metastasis. This modification enhances Exo70’s association with other exocyst subunits, essential for secreting matrix metalloproteinases, forming invadopodia, and delivering integrins to the leading edge. Tumor suppressor liver kinase B1 (LKB1), whose inactivation accelerates metastasis, phosphorylates TGM1 and TGM3 at Thr386 and Thr282, respectively, to inhibit their interaction with Exo70 and the following transamidation. Cantharidin, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug, inhibits Exo70 transamidation to restrain tumor cell migration and invasion. Together, our findings highlight Exo70 transamidation as a key molecular mechanism and target and propose cantharidin as a therapeutic strategy with direct clinical translational value for metastatic cancers, especially those with LKB1 loss.

Abstract Organic‐hybrid particle‐based materials are increasingly important in (opto)electronics, sensing, and catalysis due to their printability and stretchability as well as their potential for unique synergistic functional effects. However, these functional properties are often limited due to poor electronic coupling between the organic shell and the nanoparticle. N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) belong to the most promising anchors to achieve electronic delocalization across the interface, as they form robust and highly conductive bonds with metals and offer a plethora of functionalization possibilities. Despite the outstanding potential of the conductive NHC‐metal bond, synthetic challenges have so far limited its application to the improvement of colloidal stabilities, disregarding the potential of the conductive anchor. Here, NHC anchors are used to modify redox‐active gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with conjugated triphenylamines (TPA). The resulting AuNPs exhibit excellent thermal and redox stability benefiting from the robust NHC‐gold bond. As electrochromic materials, the hybrid materials show pronounced color changes from red to dark green, a highly stable cycling stability (1000 cycles), and a fast response speed (5.6 s/2.1 s). Furthermore, TPA‐NHC@AuNP exhibits an ionization potential of 5.3 eV and a distinct out‐of‐plane conductivity, making them a promising candidate for application as hole transport layers in optoelectronic devices.

ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to explore the relationship between changes in neural oscillatory power in the EEG, the severity of depressive-anxiety symptoms, and the risk of suicide in MDD.Methods350 MDD patients’ demographic and clinical data were collected, and their depressive and anxious symptoms were evaluated using HDRS-17 and HAMA-14, along with a suicide risk assessment using the Nurses’ Global Assessment of Suicide Risk (NGASR). EEG data were captured, processed, and analyzed to study brain activity patterns related to MDD. The participants were divided based on suicide risk levels, and statistical analyses, including chi-square, t-tests, Pearson’s correlations were used to explore the associations between brain activity, symptom severity, and suicide risk. Closely related variables were identified and ultimately the optimal model was screened using stepwise regression analysis with a forward strategy, and mediation effects were further used to determine the possible interactions between the variables in the regression model.ResultsThe regression model showed a significant effect of HDRS-17 and alpha power of Medial Occipital Cortex (MOC) on suicide risk, with elevated HDRS-17 increasing suicide risk and elevated alpha power decreasing suicide risk. Mediation effect analyses showed that MOC alpha power partially mediated the effect of depression level on suicide risk, and that an increase in depression severity may lead to a decrease in MOC alpha power, while a decrease in MOC alpha power may lead to an increase in suicide risk.ConclusionThe severity of depression directly increases suicide risk, whereas higher alpha power in the MOC serves as a protective factor, reducing this risk. Notably, MOC alpha power not only directly impacts suicide risk but also mediates the effects of both depression severity and anxiety levels on this risk.LimitationsThe relatively small sample size of this study may limit the representativeness of the overall MDD patient population and the detailed analysis of different subgroups. This study did not delve into the relationship between the severity of cognitive symptoms in MDD patients and suicide risk.

ABSTRACT: The fear response is a crucial adaptive mechanism for coping with environmental changes, and the individuals have different levels of fearfulness. The purpose of this study was to determine the status of the immune response and gut health in hens with different fear responses. A total of 80 healthy 75-wk-old native Lindian chickens were individually housed in conventional cages and categorized into high (TH) and low (TL) levels of fearfulness using the tonic immobility (TI) test. The immunological status and intestinal health of the laying hens were assessed, and the intestinal microbial community was sequenced using 16S rRNA testing. The results showed that the immune-related genes of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and IgG were significantly upregulated in the spleen of TH hens compared with hens in the TL group (P < 0.01). The inflammatory immune-related genes Toll-like receptor (TLR)2, TLR4, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, IL-10, and IgG were significantly increased in the intestinal tract, whereas IL-4, IgA, and the intestinal barrier gene claudin-4 were significantly decreased in TH hens (P < 0.05). In addition, serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-α and IgG were significantly higher in TH hens (P < 0.01). A high fear response also led to changes in gut microbial diversity, with a higher Simpson's index and lower β-diversity similarity than hens with a low-fear response (P < 0.05). The TH group showed an increase in 8 genera, including Bacillaceae and Coprococcus, whereas the genus Anaerorhabdus decreased (P < 0.05). The gut microbiota has also been associated with gut barrier genes, and inflammatory cytokines. Bartonella stimulates IL-1β and IgG secretion, whereas Lactobacillus inhibits IL-6 secretion, and Coprococcus and Subdoligranulum are associated with the maintenance of intestinal barrier function. The results of this study suggest that laying hens with high fear response levels have a more sensitive immune response and a more enriched gut microbiota, which may have positive effects on adapting to a complex environment.

Abstract The rapid advancements in large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT have raised concerns about their potential impact on academic integrity. While initial concerns focused on ChatGPT’s writing capabilities, recent updates have integrated DALL-E 3’s image generation features, extending the risks to visual evidence in biomedical research. Our tests revealed ChatGPT’s nearly barrier-free image generation feature can be used to generate experimental result images, such as blood smears, Western Blot, immunofluorescence and so on. Although the current ability of ChatGPT to generate experimental images is limited, the risk of misuse is evident. This development underscores the need for immediate action. We suggest that AI providers restrict the generation of experimental image, develop tools to detect AI-generated images, and consider adding “invisible watermarks” to the generated images. By implementing these measures, we can better ensure the responsible use of AI technology in academic research and maintain the integrity of scientific evidence.

Abstract Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) refers to a distinct class of circular DNA molecules that exist independently from linear chromosomal DNA. Extensive evidence has firmly established the significant involvement of eccDNA in cancer initiation, progression, and evolutionary processes. However, the relationship between eccDNA and brain aging remains elusive. Here, we employed extrachromosomal circular DNA sequencing (Circle-seq) to generate a comprehensive dataset of eccDNA from six brain structures of both young and naturally-aged mice, including the olfactory bulb, medial prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, caudate putamen, hippocampus, and cerebellum. Furthermore, through database annotation, we characterized the properties of mouse brain eccDNA, thereby gaining insights into the potential functions of eccDNA in the mouse brain. In conclusion, our study addresses a previously unexplored area by providing a comprehensive molecular characterization of eccDNA in brain tissues. The data presented in the study can be used as a fundamental resource to associate the molecular phenotypes of eccDNA with brain aging and gain deep insights into the biological role of eccDNA in mammalian brain aging.

Abstract The importance of P-stereogenic heterocycles has been widely recognized with their extensive use as privileged chiral ligands and bioactive compounds. The catalytic asymmetric synthesis of P-stereogenic phosphindane derivatives, however, remains a challenging task. Herein, we report a catalytic kinetic resolution of phosphindole oxides via rhodium-catalyzed diastereo- and enantioselective conjugate addition to access enantiopure P-stereogenic phosphindane and phosphindole derivatives. This kinetic resolution method features high efficiency (s factor up to >1057), excellent stereoselectivities (all >20:1 dr, up to >99% ee), and a broad substrate scope. The obtained chiral phosphindane oxides exhibit promising therapeutic efficacy in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and compound 3az is found to significantly inhibit renal cyst growth both in vitro and in vivo, thus ushering in a promising scaffold for ADPKD drug discovery. This study will not only advance efforts towards the asymmetric synthesis of challenging P-stereogenic heterocycles, but also surely inspire further development of P-stereogenic entities for bioactive small-molecule discovery.

Abstract To gain a more meaningful understanding of bone regeneration, it is essential to select an appropriate assessment method. Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) is widely used for bone regeneration because it provides a substantially higher spatial resolution. Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) ensure shorter scan time and lower radiation doses during quantitative evaluation. Therefore, in this study, DECT and Micro-CT were used to evaluate bone regeneration. We created 18 defects in the tibial plateau of the rabbits and filled them with porous polyetheretherketone implants to promote bone regeneration. At 4, 8, and 12 weeks, Micro-CT and DECT were used to assess the bone repair in the defect region. In comparison to Micro-CT (152 ± 54 mg/cm3), the calcium density values and hydroxyapatite density values obtained by DECT [DECT(Ca) and DECT(HAP)] consistently achieved lower values (59 ± 25 mg/cm3, 126 ± 53 mg/cm3). In addition, there was a good association between DECT and Micro-CT (R = 0.98; R2 = 0.96; DECT(Ca): y = 0.45x–8.31; DECT(HAP): y = 0.95x–17.60). This study highlights the need to use two different imaging methods, each with its advantages and disadvantages, to better understand the bone regeneration process.

Abstract High-resolution integration of large-scale and long-term anthropogenic nutrient discharge data is crucial for understanding the spatiotemporal evolution of pollution and identifying intervention points for pollution mitigation. Here, we establish the MEANS-ST1.0 dataset, which has a high spatiotemporal resolution and encompasses anthropogenic nutrient discharge data collected in China from 1980 to 2020. The dataset includes five components, namely, urban residential, rural residential, industrial, crop farming, and livestock farming, with a spatial resolution of 1 km and a temporal resolution of monthly. The data are available in three formats, namely, GeoTIFF, NetCDF and Excel, catering to GIS users, researchers and policymakers in various application scenarios, such as visualization and modelling. Additionally, rigorous quality control was performed on the dataset, and its reliability was confirmed through cross-scale validation and literature comparisons at the national and regional levels. These data offer valuable insights for further modelling the interactions between humans and the environment and the construction of a digital Earth.

Cold spray additive manufacturing (CSAM) technology offers a viable way for the preparation of copper matrix composites. However, weak inter-particle bonding constrains mechanical properties of CSAMed deposits. In this work, the effects of conventional annealing and pulsed current on the microstructure and mechanical properties of CSAMed Cu/Al2O3 deposits were investigated. The results reveal that both annealing treatment and pulsed current treatment could effectively improve the microstructure and mechanical properties of the materials. Following annealing at 500 °C/2 h, the ultimate tensile strength and elongation at break of the materials increased to 145.66 MPa and 2.95%, respectively. While, when the root mean square current densities was 123.2 A/mm2, the ultimate tensile strength and elongation at break enhanced to 142.65 MPa and 5.94%, respectively, after 90 s of treatment. The microstructure evolution and fracture surface analysis demonstrated that the interface between Cu particles was effectively healed following treatment, and the fracture mechanism of the materials was transitioned from brittle to ductile mode. Nevertheless, the interface between Cu and Al2O3 particles were not substantially improved, posing a limitation to further enhancement in mechanical properties of CSAMed Cu/Al2O3 deposits.

Electricity prices have complex features, such as high frequency, multiple seasonality, and nonlinearity. These factors will make the prediction of electricity prices difficult. However, accurate electricity price prediction is important for energy producers and consumers to develop bidding strategies. To improve the accuracy of prediction by using each algorithms' advantages, this paper proposes a hybrid model that uses the Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD), Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA), and Temporal Convolutional Network (TCN). EMD is used to decompose the electricity prices into low and high frequency components. Low frequency components are forecasted by the ARIMA model and the high frequency series are predicted by the TCN model. Experimental results using the realistic electricity price data from Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland (PJM) electricity markets show that the proposed method has a higher prediction accuracy than other single methods and hybrid methods.

The field-of-view (FOV), depth of field, and resolution of conventional microscopes are constrained by each other; therefore, a zoom function is required. Traditional zoom methods lose real-time performance and have limited information throughput, severely limiting their application, especially in three-dimensional dynamic imaging and large-amount or large-size sample scanning. Here, an adaptive multiscale (AMS) imaging mechanism combining the benefits of liquid lenses and multiscale imaging techniques is proposed to realize the functions of fast zooming, wide working distance (WD) range and large FOV on a self-developed AMS microscope. The design principles were revealed. Moreover, a nonuniform-distortion-correction algorithm and a composite patching algorithm were designed to improve image quality. The continuous tunable magnification range of the AMS microscope is from 9× to 18×, with the corresponding FOV diameters and resolution ranging from 2.31 to 0.98 mm and from 161 to 287 line-pairs/mm, respectively. The extended WD range is 0.8 mm and the zoom response time is 38 ms. Experiments demonstrated the advantages of the proposed microscope in pathological sample scanning, thick-sample imaging, microfluidic process monitoring, and the observation of living microorganisms. The proposed microscope is the first step towards zoom multiscale imaging technology and is expected to be applied in life sciences, medical diagnosis, and industrial detection.

In artificial intelligence (AI) based-complex power system management and control technology, one of the urgent tasks is to evaluate AI intelligence and invent a way of autonomous intelligence evolution. However, there is, currently, nearly no standard technical framework for objective and quantitative intelligence evaluation. In this article, based on a parallel system framework, a method is established to objectively and quantitatively assess the intelligence level of an AI agent for active power corrective control of modern power systems, by resorting to human intelligence evaluation theories. On this basis, this article puts forward an AI self-evolution method based on intelligence assessment through embedding a quantitative intelligence assessment method into automated reinforcement learning (AutoRL) systems. A parallel system based quantitative assessment and self-evolution (PLASE) system for power grid corrective control AI is thereby constructed, taking Bayesian Optimization as the measure of AI evolution to fulfill autonomous evolution of AI under guidance of their intelligence assessment results. Experiment results exemplified in the power grid corrective control AI agent show the PLASE system can reliably and quantitatively assess the intelligence level of the power grid corrective control agent, and it could promote evolution of the power grid corrective control agent under guidance of intelligence assessment results, effectively, as well as intuitively improving its intelligence level through self-evolution.

Abstract Different responses to external interference, such as regional conflict, could have distinct sustainability outcomes. Here, we developed a novel framework to examine global food shortages from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and quantify the embodied environmental impacts of disturbed and alternative food supply chains. The conflict could soon bring a 50–120 Mt shortage of nine dominant food products and cause temporal global cropland abandonment and greenhouse gas emissions decline. By contrast, the partial agricultural recovery in the next cultivation season will raise global cropland use and greenhouse gas emissions by 9–10% and 2–4% (mainly in China and Europe). However, optimized food supply networks with prioritized agricultural expansion in higher-efficiency countries could minimize food shortages and food-mile expenses, offsetting the postwar environmental increments from agricultural recovery by 45–89%. These results validate a framework to simulate the global social-ecological system, and underline the resistance opportunities and tele-connected consequences of regional disturbance.

Millimeter (mmWave) 5G phased arrays require multiple simultaneous features for reliable high data-rate communication. However, it is challenging to simultaneously achieve a true wideband operation for all parameters due to mutual coupling and grating lobe issues. A $5\times5$ -stacked patch rectangular phased array was designed and fabricated in a 15-layer low-temperature co-firing ceramic (LTCC) substrate. This work utilized multiple design strategies, such as employing stacked patch topology, electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structures, and the rotation of elements to obtain a true wideband performance. The single element of the phased array was a dual linear polarized stacked patch antenna with notched corners. Compared to a standard patch antenna, the bandwidth was enhanced by 15.3%. The undesired mutual coupling between elements was minimized by rotating nearby elements and introducing EBG structures between the adjacent elements. A wideband beamforming network composed of a Rotman lens and a 5-way Wilkinson power divider (WPD) was also designed and fabricated. The proposed phased array achieved 6 GHz of bandwidth, covering 24 to 30 GHz and achieving a maximum gain of 17.5 dBi and a wide beam-scanning range from–50 to +50 degrees. This work also introduced a figure of merit (FoM) based on all critical performance parameters for objective comparison with state-of-the-art designs. The proposed design achieved the highest FoM (0.451), whereas most similar 5G phased array designs achieved much lower FoM value.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Visible light‐based human–machine interactive media is capable of transmitting electrical readouts to machines and providing intuitive feedback to users simultaneously. Currently, many inorganic mechanoluminescent (ML) materials‐based interactive media, typically ZnS‐loaded phosphors (ZLPs), have been successfully demonstrated. However, organic ML materials‐based solutions were rarely exploited despite their huge merits of strong structural modification, abundant luminescence property, low cost, easy preparation, and so on. Here, we propose a novel interactive tactile display (ITD) based on organic ML materials (Cz‐A6‐dye) and triboelectric nanogenerator, with ultra‐brightness (130% enhancement) and ultra‐low threshold pressure (57% reduction) as compared to ZLPs. The proposed ITD achieves the conversion of weak mechanical stimuli into visible light and electrical signals simultaneously, without extra power supplies. Furthermore, the relationship between the luminous performance of organic ML materials and mechanical force is quantified, benefiting from the uniform ML layer prepared. Enabled by convolutional neural networks, the high‐accuracy recognition (97.1%) for handwriting and identity of users is realized at the same time. Thus, the ITD has great potential for intelligent wearable electronics and classified military applications.

Summary: Since the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022, European electricity prices have experienced considerable turbulence, primarily attributed to a shortage in the natural gas supply. We investigate the relationship between natural gas prices in the European continent and electricity prices in Nordic countries before and after the outbreak of war. Despite the low proportion of natural gas electricity generation, the empirical analysis reveals both direct and indirect transmission paths for natural gas prices in Nordic countries. Meanwhile, the theoretical analysis demonstrates how Nordic renewable (wind and solar) and other non-gas generators exercise market power through price bidding in the anticipation of an increase in gas prices or a shortage of gas supply, which results in higher electricity prices. Understanding the underlying factors and dynamics driving substantial price fluctuations in the Nordic electricity market is essential for comprehending the intricate interconnections within the European energy landscape.

This study aims to answer the question of whether the cross-sectional absolute deviation (CSAD)-based test is powerful enough to detect herding behavior in financial markets. Using US stocks as the main sample, I investigate the power of the CSAD-based test as a herding detection method, with a focus on two dimensions: the self-consistency of the method and the power of t-tests used in the method. I find that conducting the tests with a large number of stocks over extended time periods is likely to provide consistent conclusions on whether herding behavior exists in the stock market. These findings support the CSAD-based test as a herding detection method. However, with an overall mean of 59.37%, the estimated power of t-tests can be as low as 37.62%, indicating low testing power. Therefore, researchers should be careful when using the CSAD-based test as a herding detection method, especially when R^2s are low.

Background: Postoperative delirium (POD) often occurs in elderly patients after surgery. We conducted two clinical studies to determine whether COVID-19 vaccination has a protective effect on POD and to explore the role of CSF biomarkers in this process. Methods: We conducted two clinical studies, Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorder Risk Factor and Prognosis (PNDRFAP) and Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorder and Biomarker Lifestyle (PNDABLE), in which patients more than or equal to 65 years old who have had elective non-cardiac surgery were enrolled. The preoperative cognitive status of patients were evaluated by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) one day preoperatively. Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) was used to diagnose POD. We used the mediation model to analyze the relationship between CSF biomarkers, COVID-19 vaccination and POD, as well as Dynamic Nomogram to calculate the incidence of Non-Postoperative Delirium (NPOD). The main outcome of these studies was the incidence of POD during seven days postoperatively or before discharge, which was assessed by CAM. Results: In the final, 705 participants were enrolled in the PNDRFAP study, and 638 patients in the PNDABLE. In both studies, we found that the occurrence of POD was lower in patients who had injected COVID-19 vaccination before surgery compared with those without vaccination (PNDRFAP: 10.20 % [21/205] vs 25.80 % [129/500], P

PurposesDomestic and international research has found that patients with advanced cancer prioritize increasing their quality of life above extending their lives with simple or intensive treatments. The current study investigates the pathways to improve patients’ sense of well-being from the family, social, and individual levels, that is to say, it investigates the mediating roles of comprehending social support as well as psychological resilience in the relationship between family resilience and subjective well-being, and it also provides references for future intervention.MethodThe Family Resilience Questionnaire (FRQ), General Well-being Schedule (GWB), Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), and the Chinese version of the Cornor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10-item (CD-RISC) were all completed by 338 patients with advanced cancer who took part in the study.ResultsThe study’s findings demonstrated a significant and positive correlation between family resilience, subjective well-being, perceived social support, and psychological resilience. Additionally, there was a significant direct effect of family resilience on subjective well-being as well as a mediating and chain mediating effect between perceived social support and psychological resilience. The findings of this study will be very helpful in the future when it comes to enhancing the quality of life for patients with advanced cancer through intervention.ConclusionSubjective well-being can be influenced directly by the family resilience of advanced cancer patients, or indirectly through the psychological resilience and perceived social support.

Introduction Specific treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is still lacking, and acupuncture may relieve the symptoms. We intend to investigate the efficacy and safety of electro-acupuncture (EA) in alleviating symptoms associated with DPN in diabetes.Methods and analysis This multicentre, three-armed, participant- and assessor-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trial will recruit 240 eligible participants from four hospitals in China and will randomly assign (1:1:1) them to EA, sham acupuncture (SA) or usual care (UC) group. Participants in the EA and SA groups willl receive either 24-session EA or SA treatment over 8 weeks, followed by an 8-week follow-up period, while participants in the UC group will be followed up for 16 weeks. The primary outcome of this trial is the change in DPN symptoms from baseline to week 8, as rated by using the Total Symptom Score. The scale assesses four symptoms: pain, burning, paraesthesia and numbness, by evaluating the frequency and severity of each. All results will be analysed with the intention-to-treat population.Ethics and dissemination The protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (Identifier: 2022BZYLL0509). Every participant will be informed of detailed information about the study before signing informed consent. The results of this trial will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration number ChiCTR2200061408.

Chlorocholine chloride (CCC) is a plant growth regulator used worldwide that is detectable in cereals, fruits and animal products. The health effects of CCC exposure have raised public concern. Our previous research showed that CCC exposure decreased testosterone synthesis in pubertal rats. However, little is known about whether and how pubertal CCC exposure impacts spermatogenesis. In this study, we used BALB/c mice and spermatogonia-derived GC-1 cells to examine CCC-induced spermatogenic dysfunction. In vivo, pubertal CCC exposure led to decreased testicular weight, decreased testicular germ cells and poor sperm quality. This effect worsened after cessation of CCC exposure for the next 30 days. RNA-seq and western blot analysis revealed that CCC induced aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and ferritinophagy. Increased iron content and lipid peroxidation levels were also observed in CCC-treated testes. In vitro, it was identified that iron overload mediated by enhanced ferritinophagy occurred in CCC-treated GC-1 cells, which might be attributed to the PERK pathway in ERS. Further, for the first time, our study elucidated the involvement of AhR in CCC-induced iron overload, which aggravated testicular oxidative damage via lipid peroxidation. Considering the adverse impact of CCC exposure on rodents, supportive evidence from GC-1 cells, and the critical importance of spermatogenesis on male development, the effects of CCC on the male reproduction warrant increased attention.

Objective To compare the radiological outcomes in Lenke 5C type patients whose lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) was L3 or L4 in a case-match study. Methods We conducted a retrospective case-match study and included 82 patients in the study. Radiological results before surgery, after surgery, and at last follow-up were recorded and analyzed in the L3 and L4 groups. Results After matching the age, Risser’s sign, sex, and main Cobb, 41 pairs of patients were enrolled in our study. The total fusion segments in the L3 group (median [interquartile range]: 5.0 [6.0–5.0]) were shorter than those in the L4 group (6.0 [6.5–6.0]). The main curve was significantly corrected after surgery in both groups, and was comparable at the last follow-up between groups. In addition, according to the results of Fisher precision probability test, there was no significant difference of coronal or sagittal imbalance between the 2 groups at the 2-year follow-up. Conclusion The correction in coronal and sagittal planes in L3 group and L4 group remains similar. On account of more motion segments, L3 could be an ideal choice as LIV in moderate Lenke 5C type AIS. Long-term follow-up is needed to evaluate the effect of larger compensatory lumbar-sacral curve when stopping at L3.

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to analyze the learning curve of total operative time, bone cutting accuracy, and limb alignment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using a Chinese image-based knee surgery robot known as HURWA. Additionally, a comparison was conducted with conventional TKA to ascertain the benefits of robotic-assisted TKA. Methods In this retrospective study, we analyzed a series of patients (n = 90) who underwent robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty using the HURWA robot between December 2021 and October 2022. The procedures were performed by one of three orthopedic surgeons with varying levels of experience. As a control group, we selected the last 30 conventional TKA cases performed by each of these three surgeons. To determine the learning curve, we recorded the operative time, bone cutting error, and pre- and post-surgery radiographs. Results The study found no significant differences in total operative time, bone cutting accuracy, or limb alignment among the three surgeons. Of the three surgeons, surgeon 1, who had the most experience in joint arthroplasty, reached the learning curve in case 8, with the shortest bone cutting time and robot time. Surgeon 2 reached the learning curve in case 16, while surgeon 3 reached the learning curve in case 9. There was no observable learning curve effect for bone cutting accuracy and limb alignment. However, the percentage of cases where limb alignment differed from preoperative planning by 3° or less was higher in robotic-assisted TKA (77.97%) than in conventional TKA (47.19%). Conclusion The study determined that the learning curve for robotic-assisted TKA using the HURWA knee surgery robot ranged from 8 to 20 cases. No observable learning curve effect was detected for bone cutting accuracy or limb alignment. Experienced surgeons using the HURWA robot for bone cutting took less time and reached the learning curve earlier. The HURWA robot achieved better limb alignment without depending on the experience of conventional TKA.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of using Ponte osteotomy combined with posterior lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of patients with degenerative scoliosis. Method The medical records and imaging data of degenerative scoliosis patients in our department from 2013 to 2022 were retrospectively collected. A total of 47 patients were included, including 16 male patients and 31 female patients. The mean follow-up was 47.8 months. Whole spine X-rays in the standing position were performed on all patients preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the latest follow-up. The length of hospital stay, complications, operative duration, estimated blood loss, instrumented segment, fused segment, clinical scores, and various radiological indicators were recorded. Results The coronal vertical axis improved from 3.1 ± 1.9 cm preoperatively to 1.2 ± 1.0 cm postoperatively with an average reduction of 1.9 ± 1.7 cm. The preoperative coronal Cobb angle was 18.1 ± 10.6°, the immediate postoperative Cobb angle was 6.6 ± 3.9°, and the Cobb angle at the last follow-up was 5.8 ± 3.7°. The sagittal vertical axis decreased from 5.6 ± 3.7 cm preoperatively to 2.7 ± 1.9 cm immediately after the operation and was well maintained at the last follow-up (3.1 ± 2.5 cm). Lumbar lordosis increased from 22.2 ± 10.2° preoperatively to 40.4 ± 8.3° postoperatively and 36.0 ± 8.8° at the last follow-up. The ODI score, VAS low back pain score, and VAS leg pain score were also improved to varying degrees. Conclusion Ponte osteotomy combined with posterior lumbar interbody fusion can significantly improve coronal and sagittal plane deformities and postoperative functional scores in patients with adult degenerative scoliosis.

Abstract Background DNA damage response (DDR) pathways are essential to sustain genomic stability and play a critical role in cancer development and progression. Here, we investigated the profile of DDR gene mutations in early‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and their prognostic values. Methods We first examined 74 DDR genes involved in seven DDR pathways and then focused on six specific genes: ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK1, BARD1, and BRIP1. A total of 179 stage I and IIIa NSCLC patients who received curative resection in Peking Union Medical College Hospital and their corresponding samples were collected for DNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry and survival analysis. Results A total of 167 eligible patients were finally analyzed. Mutation frequencies were 82% and 26.3% for the selected 74 genes and six genes, respectively. Mismatch repair (MMR) and nucleotide excision repair (NER) alterations were observed more frequently in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and smokers were more likely to develop the selected six DDR gene mutations than those who never smoked. Deleterious mutations in the six genes were independent prognostic indicators of significantly longer disease‐free survival and overall survival. No association was found between DDR gene status and PD‐L1 expression, CD8 positive lymphocyte and tumor‐associated macrophage infiltration in tumor area. However, numbers of mutations were significantly increased among patients with DDR alterations. Conclusions Deleterious mutations of these six genes were common in resected NSCLC and could serve as prognostic biomarkers.

Abstract Objective The literature currently available on the characteristics of patients who require intensive care unit (ICU) admission after correction surgery for adult spinal deformity is lacking; this study aimed to identify risk factors for postoperative ICU admission following correction surgery for adult spinal deformity. Methods A retrospective review of patients who underwent primary posterior-based spinal fusion from 2015 to 2023 was performed. According to the ward they returned to, patients were further divided into an ICU group and a non-ICU group. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate preoperative and perioperative parameters to identify independent risk factors for postoperative ICU admission in adult spinal deformity patients. Results A total of 274 patients were included, including 115 males (41.97%) and 159 females (58.03%). The mean age of the patients was 32.00 ± 11.16 years (19–77 years). Following adjusted analysis, the preoperative and perioperative factors that were independently associated with ICU admission were age, body mass index ≥ 28 kg/m2, neuromuscular spinal deformity, respiratory disease, grade III-IV American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, a scoliosis Cobb angle ≥ 90°, a kyphosis Cobb angle ≥ 90°, and ≥ 12 fused segments. Compared with the non-ICU group, the ICU group had a higher incidence of complications, a longer hospital stay, and higher medical costs (P

This paper presents a non-linear model predictive control approach for offset-free tracking and the rejection of piece-wise constant disturbances. The approach involves augmenting the system’s state vector with the integral of the tracking error, enabling the design of a non-linear model predictive controller for this augmented system. Nominal closed-loop stability is enforced thanks to a terminal equality constraint and proven by a Lyapunov argument. Compared to the existing offset-free approaches in the literature, our method offers greater simplicity, as it does not rely on linear approximations of the system to control. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to estimate disturbances, a task that is especially challenging with non-linear systems. Comprehensive simulations and experimental tests are conducted according to a non-linear, coupled, two-tank laboratory experiment, demonstrating the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Human mobility data are crucial for transportation planning and congestion management. However, challenges persist in accessing and using raw mobility data due to privacy concerns and data quality issues such as redundancy, missing values, and noise. This research introduces an innovative GIS-based framework for creating individual-level long-term spatio-temporal mobility data at a city scale. The methodology decomposes and represents individual mobility by identifying key locations where activities take place and life patterns that describe transitions between these locations. Then, we present methods for extracting, representing, and generating key locations and life patterns from large-scale human mobility data. Using long-term mobility data from Shanghai, we extract life patterns and key locations and successfully generate the mobility of 30,000 virtual users over seven days in Shanghai. The high correlation (R² = 0.905) indicates a strong similarity between the generated data and ground-truth data. By testing the combination of key locations and life patterns from different areas, the model demonstrates strong transferability within and across cities, with relatively low RMSE values across all scenarios, the highest being around 0.04. By testing the representativeness of the generated mobility data, we find that using only about 0.25% of the generated individuals’ mobility is sufficient to represent the dynamic changes of the entire urban population on a daily and hourly resolution. The proposed methodology offers a novel tool for generating long-term spatiotemporal mobility patterns at the individual level, thereby avoiding the privacy concerns associated with releasing real data. This approach supports the broad application of individual mobility data in urban planning, traffic management, and other related fields.

Abstract Background Patients with coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) are characterized by hyperinflammation. Calprotectin (S100A8/S100A9) is a calcium‐ and zinc‐binding protein mainly secreted by neutrophilic granulocytes or macrophages and has been suggested to be correlated with the severity and prognosis of COVID‐19. Aim To thoroughly evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of calprotectin in patients with COVID‐19 by analyzing relevant studies. Methods PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were comprehensively searched from inception to August 1, 2023 to retrieve studies about the application of calprotectin in COVID‐19. Useful data such as the level of calprotectin in different groups and the diagnostic efficacy of this biomarker for severe COVID‐19 were extracted and aggregated by using Stata 16.0 software. Results Fifteen studies were brought into this meta‐analysis. First, the pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) were used to estimate the differences in the levels of circulating calprotectin between patients with severe and non‐severe COVID‐19. The results showed an overall estimate of 1.84 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–2.60). Diagnostic information was extracted from 11 studies, and the pooled sensitivity and specificity of calprotectin for diagnosing severe COVID‐19 were 0.75 (95% CI: 0.64–0.84) and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.79–0.94), respectively. The AUC was 0.89 and the pooled DOR was 18.44 (95% CI: 9.07–37.51). Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between elevated levels of circulating calprotectin and a higher risk of mortality outcomes in COVID‐19 patients (odds ratio: 8.60, 95% CI: 2.17–34.12; p

Ferroptosis, a defensive strategy commonly employed by the host cells to restrict pathogenic infections, has been implicated in the development and therapeutic responses of various types of cancer. However, the role of ferroptosis in oncogenic Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)-induced cancers remains elusive. While a growing number of non-histone proteins have been identified as acetylation targets, the functions of these modifications have yet to be revealed. Here, we show KSHV reprogramming of host acetylation proteomics following cellular transformation of rat primary mesenchymal precursor. Among them, SERPINE1 mRNA binding protein 1 (SERBP1) deacetylation is increased and required for KSHV-induced cellular transformation. Mechanistically, KSHV-encoded viral interleukin-6 (vIL-6) promotes SIRT3 deacetylation of SERBP1, preventing its binding to and protection of lipoyltransferase 2 (Lipt2) mRNA from mRNA degradation resulting in ferroptosis. Consequently, a SIRT3-specific inhibitor, 3-TYP, suppresses KSHV-induced cellular transformation by inducing ferroptosis. Our findings unveil novel roles of vIL-6 and SERBP1 deacetylation in regulating ferroptosis and KSHV-induced cellular transformation, and establish the vIL-6-SIRT3-SERBP1-ferroptosis pathways as a potential new therapeutic target for KSHV-associated cancers.

Triptolide (TP) is the major bioactive component of traditional Chinese medicine Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F., a traditional Chinese medicinal plant categorized within the Tripterygium genus of the Celastraceae family. It is recognized for its therapeutic potential in addressing a multitude of diseases. Nonetheless, TP is known to exhibit multi-organ toxicity, notably hepatotoxicity, which poses a significant concern for the well-being of patients undergoing treatment. The precise mechanisms responsible for TP-induced hepatotoxicity remain unresolved. In our previous investigation, it was determined that TP induces heightened hepatic responsiveness to exogenous lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Additionally, natural killer (NK) cells were identified as a crucial effector responsible for mediating hepatocellular damage in this context. However, associated activating receptors and the underlying mechanisms governing NK cell represented innate lymphoid cell (ILC) activation remained subjects of inquiry and were not yet investigated. Herein, activating receptor Killer cell lectin like receptor K1 (NKG2D) of group 1 ILCs was specifically upregulated in TP- and LPS-induced acute liver failure (ALF), and in vivo blockade of NKG2D significantly reduced group 1 ILC mediated cytotoxicity and mitigated TP- and LPS-induced ALF. NKG2D ligand UL16-binding protein-like transcript 1 (MULT-1) was found upregulated in liver resident macrophages (LRMs) after TP administration, and LRMs did exhibit NK cell activating effect. Furthermore, M1 polarization of LRMs cells was observed, along with an elevation in intracellular tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels. In vivo neutralization of TNF-α significantly alleviated TP- and LPS-induced ALF. In conclusion, the collaborative role of group 1 ILCs and LRMs in mediating hepatotoxicity was confirmed in TP- and LPS-induced ALF. TP-induced MULT-1 expression in LRMs was the crucial mechanism in the activation of group 1 ILCs via MULT-1-NKG2D signal upon LPS stimulation, emphasizing the importance of infection control after TP administration.