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Abstract Background The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of marking methods on the outcomes of body composition analysis and provide guidance for the selection of marking methods in mouse body composition analysis. Methods Male C57BL/6J mice aged 6 weeks were randomly assigned for pre‐ and post‐ ear tagging measurements. The body composition of the mice was measured using a small animal body composition analyzer, which provided measurements of the mass of fat, lean, and free fluid. Then, the mass of fat, lean and free fluid to body weight ratio was gained. Further data analysis was conducted to obtain the range and coefficient of variation in body composition measurements for each mouse. The distribution of fat and lean tissue in the mice was also analyzed by comparing the fat‐to‐lean ratio. Results (1) The mass of all body composition components in the ear tagging group was significantly lower than that in the control group. (2) There was a significant increase in the range and coefficient of variation of body composition measurements between the ear tagging group and the control group. (3) The fat‐to‐lean ratio in the ear tagging group was significantly lower than that in the control group. Conclusions Ear tagging significantly lowered the results of body composition analysis in mice and higher the results of measurement error. Therefore, ear tagging should be avoided as much as possible when conducting body composition analysis experiments in mice.

This article elucidates the concept of large model technology, summarizes the research status of large model technology both domestically and internationally, provides an overview of the application status of large models in vertical industries, outlines the challenges and issues confronted in applying large models in the oil and gas sector, and offers prospects for the application of large models in the oil and gas industry. The existing large models can be briefly divided into three categories: large language models, visual large models, and multimodal large models. The application of large models in the oil and gas industry is still in its infancy. Based on open-source large language models, some oil and gas enterprises have released large language model products using methods like fine-tuning and retrieval augmented generation. Scholars have attempted to develop scenario-specific models for oil and gas operations by using visual/multimodal foundation models. A few researchers have constructed pre-trained foundation models for seismic data processing and interpretation, as well as core analysis. The application of large models in the oil and gas industry faces challenges such as current data quantity and quality being difficult to support the training of large models, high research and development costs, and poor algorithm autonomy and control. The application of large models should be guided by the needs of oil and gas business, taking the application of large models as an opportunity to improve data lifecycle management, enhance data governance capabilities, promote the construction of computing power, strengthen the construction of “artificial intelligence + energy” composite teams, and boost the autonomy and control of large model technology.

The preparation process of soy hull nanocellulose hydrogel was optimized by Box-Behnken response surface. The structure and properties of soy hull nanocellulose hydrogel were studied. On the basis of single factor experiment, the preparation process of soy hull nanocellulose hydrogel was optimized through response surface with three factors and three levels when the maximum stress was used as the index. The structure and properties of soy hull nanocellulose hydrogel were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X ray polycrystalline diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy, UV spectrophotometer, etc. The optimal process parameters were as follows: gelling temperature 191 ℃, freezing time 102 h, CaCl2 concentration 7%. Under this condition, the actual maximum stress of soy hull nanocellulose hydrogel was 84.11 kPa, which was close to the predicted value of 83.7 kPa. The nanocellulose of soy hull/sodium alginate/CaCl2 (SCNFs/SA/CaCl2) hydrogel showed uniform 3D network structure, excellent tensile performance (elongation at break was 220%), mechanical strength (83.97 kPa), transmittance (82%), and electrical conductivity (1.58 S/cm). The SCNFs/SA/CaCl2 hydrogel also had excellent mechanical strength and fatigue resistance after five cycles of stretching, so the service life of hydrogel was increased. This study provides a new method for preparing a tough, transparent, conductive and fatigue-resistant nanocellulose hydrogel.

Abstract Having an accurate understanding of the scale effect of surface morphology characteristics is crucial to examining the mechanical behavior of rock structural plane. At present, the quantification and sampling methods of surface morphology show diversity, which is the potential reason for the inconsistent research conclusions on scale effect. Firstly, based on mathematical statistics and correlation analysis, the most representative parameter is proposed from hundreds of morphological parameters. Then, the previous scale effect sampling methods are analyzed. In order to ensure that the selected samples are representative, a novel sampling method, considering all morphological information, is proposed. By means of the novel quantification and sampling methods, the size effect characteristics are systematically analyzed. Under the conditions of different rock types, shear directions and sampling locations, etc., discontinuity roughness does not change significantly with sampling scale. As sampling scale increases, the distribution range of representative samples is gradually concentrated, the total amount decreases, and the proportion increases. However, the distribution of representative samples on the initial structural plane does not show obvious regularity. These findings would provide theoretical support for the deformation control and stability analysis of rock mass in engineering.

Abstract Background In the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer, chemotherapy plays a pivotal role. Despite its effectiveness, this regimen is often marred by side effects such as anemia, neuropathy, fatigue, nausea, and malnutrition, which significantly affect patients’ tolerance to the treatment. Some studies have shown that vitamin C could potentially augment chemotherapy’s tolerability, notably by boosting iron absorption, ameliorating anemia, and relieving pain and numbness in hands and feet. Nevertheless, the integration of vitamin C with chemotherapy to mitigate toxic side effects and enhance the quality of life for advanced pancreatic cancer patients has not been examined in any randomized controlled trials to date. Methods A prospective, single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial will be conducted at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from September 2023 to September 2026. A total of at least 100 patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma exhibiting distant metastases will be recruited and randomly assigned to the chemotherapy group or the chemotherapy plus vitamin C group. The primary endpoint is the rate of anemia. Secondary endpoints include the rate of grade 3 neuropathy, change of numeric rating scale, quality of life, and overall survival. Discussion This study aims to assess the impact of low-dose vitamin C on enhancing the quality of life for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer undergoing gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy. Trial registration The trial was registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06018883) on August 31, 2023.

Pulpitis, an inflammatory disease of dental pulp tissues, ultimately results in the loss of pulp defense properties. Existing clinical modalities cannot effectively promote inflamed pulp repair. Oxidative stress is a major obstacle inhibiting pulp repair. Due to their powerful antioxidative capacity, mesenchymal stem cell-derived small extracellular vesicles (MSC-sEVs) exhibit potential for treating oxidative stress-related disorders. However, whether MSC-sEVs shield dental pulp tissues from oxidative damage is largely unknown. Here, we showed that dental follicle stem cell-derived sEVs (DFSC-sEVs) have antioxidative and prohealing effects on a rat LPS-induced pulpitis model by enhancing the survival, proliferation and odontogenesis of H2O2-injured dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). Additionally, DFSC-sEVs restored the oxidative/antioxidative balance in DPSC mitochondria and had comparable effects on ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction with the mitochondrion-targeted antioxidant Mito-Tempo. To improve the efficacy of DFSC-sEVs, we fabricated an intelligent and injectable hydrogel to release DFSC-sEVs by combining sodium alginate (SA) and the ROS sensor RhB-AC. The newly formed SA-RhB hydrogel efficiently encapsulates DFSC-sEVs and exhibits controlled release of DFSC-sEVs in a HClO/ClO− concentration-dependent manner, providing a synergistic antioxidant effect with DFSC-sEVs. These results suggest that DFSC-sEVs-loaded SA-RhB is a promising minimally invasive treatment for pulpitis by enhancing tissue repair in the pulp wound microenvironment.

Abstract The potential brain mechanism underlying resilience to socially transferred allodynia remains unknown. Here, we utilize a well-established socially transferred allodynia paradigm to segregate male mice into pain-susceptible and pain-resilient subgroups. Brain screening results show that ventral tegmental area glutamatergic neurons are selectively activated in pain-resilient mice as compared to control and pain-susceptible mice. Chemogenetic manipulations demonstrate that activation and inhibition of ventral tegmental area glutamatergic neurons bi-directionally regulate resilience to socially transferred allodynia. Moreover, ventral tegmental area glutamatergic neurons that project specifically to the nucleus accumbens shell and lateral habenula regulate the development and maintenance of the pain-resilient phenotype, respectively. Together, we establish an approach to explore individual variations in pain response and identify ventral tegmental area glutamatergic neurons and related downstream circuits as critical targets for resilience to socially transferred allodynia and the development of conceptually innovative analgesics.

CX stainless steel, produced through selective laser melting technology, exhibits a predominance of martensite with minor austenite. The fine-grained structure of CX stainless steel promote corrosion resistance, while a high density of dislocations and precipitates are unfavorable for resisting corrosion but beneficial to wear resistance. This research investigates the wear and tribo-corrosion behaviors of CX stainless steel under different loads. The contributions of corrosion, wear, and their interaction to the volume loss are calculated, and the failure mechanisms of CX stainless steel under varying loads are analyzed. It is indicated that with an increase in loads, the contributions of the corrosion-wear interaction (ΔV) to the volume loss decrease, and those of pure wear (Vw) become predominant. The additional wear caused by corrosion (Vcw) grows with the increasing load, due to the formation of “corrosion micro-cells” and collapsed pits. In the case of pure frictional wear, abrasive wear and fatigue wear are the dominant failure mechanisms. For the tribo-corrosion, the dominant failure mechanisms are abrasive wear, fatigue wear, and corrosive wear. With increasing loads, the failure mechanism of tribo-corrosion transitions from abrasive wear to fatigue wear.

Abstract Self-powered skin attachable and detachable electronics are under intense development to enable the internet of everything and everyone in new and useful ways. Existing on-demand separation strategies rely on complicated pretreatments and physical properties of the adherends, achieving detachable-on-demand in a facile, rapid, and universal way remains challenging. To overcome this challenge, an ingenious cellulose nanofiber-mediated manifold dynamic synergy strategy is developed to construct a supramolecular hydrogel with both reversible tough adhesion and easy photodetachment. The cellulose nanofiber-reinforced network and the coordination between Fe ions and polymer chains endow the dynamic reconfiguration of supramolecular networks and the adhesion behavior of the hydrogel. This strategy enables the simple and rapid fabrication of strong yet reversible hydrogels with tunable toughness ((Value max -Value min )/Value max of up to 86%), on-demand adhesion energy ((Value max -Value min )/Value max of up to 93%), and stable conductivity up to 12 mS cm−1. We further extend this strategy to fabricate different cellulose nanofiber/Fe3+-based hydrogels from various biomacromolecules and petroleum polymers, and shed light on exploration of fundamental dynamic supramolecular network reconfiguration. Simultaneously, we prepare an adhesive-detachable triboelectric nanogenerator as a human-machine interface for a self-powered wireless monitoring system based on this strategy, which can acquire the real-time, self-powered monitoring, and wireless whole-body movement signal, opening up possibilities for diversifying potential applications in electronic skins and intelligent devices.

Abstract Maintaining food safety and quality is critical for public health and food security. Conventional food preservation methods, such as pasteurization and dehydration, often change the overall organoleptic quality of the food products. Herein, we demonstrate a method that affects only a thin surface layer of the food, using beef as a model. In this method, Joule heating is generated by applying high electric power to a carbon substrate in ~2000 K. The beef surface in direct contact with the heating substrate is subjected to ultra-high temperature flash heating, leading to the formation of a microbe-inactivated, dehydrated layer of ~100 µm in thickness. Aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, yeast and mold on the treated samples are inactivated to a level below the detection limit and remained low during room temperature storage of 5 days. Meanwhile, the product quality, including visual appearance, texture, and nutrient level of the beef, remains mostly unchanged. In contrast, microorganisms grow rapidly on the untreated control samples, along with a rapid deterioration of the meat quality. This method might serve as a promising preservation technology for securing food safety and quality.

In order to obtain high temperature protective coatings with low diffusivity, high entropy (HEA) as well as high entropy oxide (HEO) diffusion barriers were deposited between the NiCrAlY coating and the substrate by magnetron sputtering. These two coatings were subjected to constant temperature oxidation tests at 1050 °C. These results show that the two coatings containing diffusion barriers have better high-temperature oxidation properties compared to the NiCrAlY coating. Both HEA and HEO diffusion barriers have the desired performance in hindering the diffusion of elements between the coating and the substrate. The evolution of these two diffusion barriers and the mechanism of diffusion resistance during the oxidation process have been investigated.

Abstract Cellulose is an important abundant renewable resource on Earth, and the microbial cellulose utilization mechanism has attracted extensive attention. Recently, some signalling molecules have been found to regulate cellulose utilization and the discovery of underlying signals has recently attracted extensive attention. In this paper, we found that the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentration under cellulose culture condition increased to approximately 2.3-fold compared with that under glucose culture condition in Ganoderma lucidum. Further evidence shown that cellulase activities of G. lucidum were improved by 18.2-27.6% through increasing H2S concentration. Then, we observed that the carbon repressor CreA inhibited H2S biosynthesis in G. lucidum by binding to the promoter of cbs, a key gene for H2S biosynthesis, at “CTGGGG”. In our study, we reported for the first time that H2S increased the cellulose utilization in G. lucidum, and analyzed the mechanism of H2S biosynthesis induced by cellulose. This study not only enriches the understanding of the microbial cellulose utilization mechanism but also provides a reference for the analysis of the physiological function of H2S signals.

Abstract The ependymal epithelium forms the cerebrospinal fluid barrier, separating the brain and spinal cord from the cerebrospinal fluid. However, in specific regions of the central nervous system, there are neurons that directly interface with the cerebrospinal fluid, including neuronal bodies, dendrites, or axons, This constitutes what is referred to as the "cerebrospinal fluid contacting neurons system (CSF-CNS)". The research team led by Professor Zhang has successfully utilized cholera toxin subunit B coupled horseradish peroxidase complex (CB-HRP) to selectively label the specialized neuron system that interfaces with cerebrospinal fluid, pioneeringly designating it as the "cerebrospinal fluid-contacting nucleus", commonly referred to as the "CSF-contacting nucleus". For the first time, the discovery of the CSF-contacting nucleus provides compelling morphological evidence for the existence of a distinct neural structure within the brain parenchyma that establishes a connection with the cerebrospinal fluid, thereby suggesting its potential significance in facilitating material and information exchange between the brain parenchyma and cerebrospinal fluid. After conducting a comprehensive series of studies on the morphological structure, material expression, gene analysis and functional aspects of the CSF-contacting nucleus in rodents and non-human primates, it has been revealed that there are fibrous connections between the CSF-contacting nucleus and the cerebral cortex and subcortical nuclei being involved in the regulatory mechanisms of pain, cognition, learning and memory, emotion, addiction, stress and anxiety responses, visceral activity, olfaction, vision processing and perception, auditory processing, perception, motor control and coordination, homeostasis regulation including maintenance of body energy and fluid balance, as well as the control of sleep–wake cycles and synchronization of biological rhythms. Current experiments have confirmed that the CSF-contacting nucleus is related to pain, morphine dependence and withdrawal, learning and memory, as well as stress. This present article offers a comprehensive review of the neurobiological characteristics and recent advancements in pain regulation of the CSF-contacting nucleus. The aim is to provide novel insights into the investigation of pain regulation within bidirectional regulatory pathway between the brain and cerebrospinal fluid, with a specific focus on elucidating the role of the CSF-contacting nucleus as a bridge structure. Additionally, the objective of this research is to propose innovative strategies for pain management and associated disorders in the future.

Abstract The present study aimed to prepare and evaluate a new probiotic functional beverage, using single‐probiotic and compound probiotic fermentation on okara. Four different forms of fermentation microorganisms used were Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus S24 (Lr), Lacticaseibacillus paracasei 6244 (Lp), Lactobacillus acidophilus 11,073 (La), and mixed fermentation (Lr + Lp + La). The physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, flavor change, and storage period of fermented okara beverages with probiotics were investigated. The results showed that different fermentation schemes could significantly improve the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, and sensory quality of the okara beverages. The number of viable bacteria in the Lp group (3.53 × 108 CFU/mL), isoflavone content (0.514 μg/mL) were the highest; total phenol and flavonoid content were 3.32 and 5.68 times higher than in the CK group, respectively. DPPH and ABTS+ free radical scavenging rates were increased by 11.32% and 20%, respectively (p

Under accelerating urbanization, urban air pollution has emerged as a critical research area. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) poses significant health risks, yet research exploring the nonlinear impact of multi-dimensional urbanization (M-URB) on PM2.5 and its spatial spillover effect remains insufficient. Considering China’s emphasis on new urbanization and ecological civilization construction, both of which are defined by sustainable development attributes, research on the effects of urbanization on PM2.5 becomes imperative. Therefore, we performed exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) and standard ellipse deviation (SED) analysis to investigate the dynamic spatiotemporal characteristics of PM2.5 in 285 cities in China from 2006 to 2020. In addition, we employed a spatial econometric model to examine the nonlinear impact and spatial spillover effect of M-URB on PM2.5. Our analysis revealed that between 2006 and 2020, China experienced a fluctuating and declining trend in PM2.5 levels, with a regional distribution characterized by east–west polarization. The PM2.5 showed a pronounced clustering characteristic, with its centroid demonstrating a discernible “south to north” movement pattern. In addition, M-URB displayed varying degrees of nonlinearity along with geographical spillover effects on PM2.5. Population urbanization (P-URB), social urbanization (S-URB), and ecological urbanization (e-URB) initially facilitated and later mitigated the presence of PM2.5, demonstrating inverted N-shaped patterns. The processes of economic urbanization (E-URB) and land urbanization (L-URB) resulted in a rise in PM2.5 levels, and the correlation between these factors has yet to achieve a point of improvement in air quality. Hence, the spatiotemporal variation in PM2.5 in China is attributable to the convergence and interplay of several elements, including socioeconomic factors and governmental policies. The findings of this study provide a valuable reference point for the implementation of strategies aimed at mitigating PM2.5 pollution and enhancing air quality.

Intercropping of ornamental flowering plants like Lycoris radiata Herb. and Cuphea hookeriana Walp. with tea trees can enhance the visibility and esthetic appeal of tea gardens. However, there has been limited research of the impact of intercropping ornamental flowering plants with tea trees on the soil in tea gardens. During this study, our objective was to analyze the effects of intercropping systems on tea garden soil by examining the physicochemical properties of rhizosphere soil samples from tea gardens intercropped with L. radiata and C. hookeriana. We also performed rhizosphere microbial metagenomic sequencing to assess the microbial community structure. The results revealed significant improvements in soil physicochemical indicators, particularly pH. Although intercropping systems had minor impacts on bacterial diversity and abundance, they had more pronounced effects on the community structure of microorganisms at the phylum and genus levels. Furthermore, an analysis of microbial functions using Functional Annotation of Prokaryotic Taxa (FAPROTAX) revealed enrichment of carbon and nitrogen cycling pathways in the tea garden soil. Our findings indicated that intercropping practices have the potential to enhance the visual appeal of tea gardens while improving soil fertility and modulating the microbial community structure. These results contribute to our understanding of intercropping strategies and the implications of intercropping for tea tree growth and ecosystem functioning.

Context: Ultrasound (US) is the most economical and widely used method for detecting lesions in parathyroid regions. Identifying typically parathyroid adenomas as hypoechoic nodules with clear margins. However, 10 % of lesions exhibit atypical features, such as the dual concentric sign, and the cognition of them still needs to be improved. Objective: To promote understanding of clinical and histopathological features for parathyroid lesions with the dual concentric echo sign and to investigate its pathogenesis and methods for distinguishing from cervical lymph nodes to improve US diagnostic accuracy. Methods: Retrospectively, patients were categorized into three groups: Group 1, with 36 patients showing parathyroid lesions with dual concentric echo signs; Group 2, with 40 patients displaying classic hypoechoic parathyroid lesions; and Group 3, comprising 36 patients with identified lymph nodes, which were all examined from January 2018 to December 2019. The clinical data on demographics, clinical symptoms, serum levels, histopathologic findings, and US image characteristics were thoroughly reviewed. Results: According to the clinical data, no significant differences in demographics or lesion sizes were observed in Group 1 and Group 2 (p > 0.05). No significant variances were noted in biochemical markers, including PTH, T-25OHD, and ALP. However, a notable difference was identified in adjusted serum calcium levels, which were significantly lower in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (p

Additively manufactured a low carbon Fe–Cr–Ni–Al Corrax stainless steel has ultra-high strength, but the mechanism at work when the steel cracks is still unclear. In this study, Corrax stainless steel was tensile tested to fracture and cracks in the vicinity of the fracture surface were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and electron-backscattered diffraction. The results show that the cracks propagated at angles of 45–60° to the tensile axis. Some cracks were transgranular, and high-angle grain boundaries had little effect on crack propagation. Crack propagation was inhibited in regions with lower Taylor factors. Kernel average misorientation value analysis established that the crack propagation process is accompanied by significant plastic deformation. The influence of particles and unfused pores on crack propagation is also discussed.

In this study, the influence of different functional groups (carbonyl, ether, carboxyl, and hydroxyl) on microporous development and competitive adsorption for CO 2 -CH 4 was investigated using Connolly potential theory, molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, and grand canonical Monte Carlo based on the macromolecular representation of coal vitrinite (CV). Results indicated that microporous diameter induced from the carboxyl (COOH) and hydroxyl (OH) was more sensitive to increasing temperature than carbonyl (CO) and ether (C2O). The COOH and OH could induce more micropores than the other functional groups. The adsorption capacities of OH-CV and COOH-CV were significantly higher than C2O-CV, CO-CV, and C-CV (coal vitrinite purified by carbon atoms) and they all decrease with the decreasing temperature. Both the calculation results of Locate- and Isotherm task suggested that OH and COOH have a significantly higher adsorption amount than other coal macromolecules and the others have a close adsorption amount. The adsorption selectivities of CO 2 over CH 4 ( S A/B ) for all the functional groups were higher than 1 here, indicating the adsorption preference of CO 2 over CH 4 . For the pressure dependence, the S A/B first decreases significantly for the pressure of 4 MPa with the increasing pressure, indicating that high pressure was not conductive to the replacement of CH 4 by CO 2 . For almost all the pressures here, the S A/B follows the order of COOH-CV > OH-CV≈C2O-CV≈Ori-CV≈CO-CV≈C-CV, indicating the highest adsorption preference of CO 2 over CH 4 for COOH, and OH-CV.

Maxillofacial bone defects caused by congenital malformations, trauma, tumors, and inflammation can severely affect functions and aesthetics of maxillofacial region. Despite certain successful clinical applications of biomaterial scaffolds, ideal bone regeneration remains a challenge in maxillofacial region due to its irregular shape, complex structure, and unique biological functions. Scaffolds that address multiple needs of maxillofacial bone regeneration are under development to optimize bone regeneration capacity, costs, operational convenience. etc. In this review, we first highlight the special considerations of bone regeneration in maxillofacial region and provide an overview of the biomaterial scaffolds for maxillofacial bone regeneration under clinical examination and their efficacy, which provide basis and directions for future scaffold design. Latest advances of these scaffolds are then discussed, as well as future perspectives and challenges. Deepening our understanding of these scaffolds will help foster better innovations to improve the outcome of maxillofacial bone tissue engineering.

Abstract Background Staphylococcus aureus and its single or mixed biofilm infections seriously threaten global public health. Phage therapy, which uses active phage particles or phage-derived endolysins, has emerged as a promising alternative strategy to antibiotic treatment. However, high-efficient phage therapeutic regimens have yet to be established. Results In this study, we used an enrichment procedure to isolate phages against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) XN108. We characterized phage SYL, a new member of the Kayvirus genus, Herelleviridae family. The phage endolysin LysSYL was expressed. LysSYL demonstrated stability under various conditions and exhibited a broader range of efficacy against staphylococcal strains than its parent phage (100% vs. 41.7%). Moreover, dynamic live/dead bacterial observation demonstrated that LysSYL could completely lyse MRSA USA300 within 10 min. Scan and transmission electron microscopy revealed evident bacterial cell perforation and deformation. In addition, LysSYL displayed strong eradication activity against single- and mixed-species biofilms associated with S. aureus. It also had the ability to kill bacterial persisters, and proved highly effective in eliminating persistent S. aureus when combined with vancomycin. Furthermore, LysSYL protected BALB/c mice from lethal S. aureus infections. A single-dose treatment with 50 mg/kg of LysSYL resulted in a dramatic reduction in bacterial loads in the blood, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys of a peritonitis mouse model, which resulted in rescuing 100% of mice challenged with 108 colony forming units of S. aureus USA300. Conclusions Overall, the data provided in this study highlight the strong therapeutic potential of endolysin LysSYL in combating staphylococcal infections, including mono- and mixed-species biofilms related to S. aureus.

Abstract Background Pyroptosis has been demonstrated being closely associated with the inflammatory progression in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, platycodon D (PLD) has emerged as a key anti-inflammatory mediator in the inflammatory progression of various respiratory diseases. This study aims at investigating whether PLD could reduce inflammatory progression of CRS by inhibiting pyroptosis. Methods Nasal mucosal tissues from patients with CRS and the control group (simple nasal septal deviation) were analyzed for morphological difference using hematoxylin & eosin staining and for the expression of pyroptosis-related makers by immunofluorescence (IF). Human nasal epithelial cells (HNEpCs) were cultured and co-stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to construct an in vitro cellular model simulating CRS. After pretreatment with PLD, EthD-I staining, TUNEL staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and GSDMD-NT detection were performed to evaluate pyroptosis markers. The NLRP3 inflammasome was detected by IF and western blotting (WB). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by H2DCFDA staining, and mitochondrial membrane potential was evaluated by JC-1 staining. Mitochondrial morphology and structure were observed using TEM. The Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant signaling pathway was detected using WB. Results The nasal mucosa structure of patients with CRS exhibited significant damage, with a marked increase in the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins compared with the control group. LPS/ATP co-stimulation resulted in an increased expression of IL-18 and IL-1β in HNEpCs, causing significant damage to nuclear and cell membranes, GSDMD-NT accumulation around the cell membrane, and intracellular NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Furthermore, it led to increased ROS expression, significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and damaged mitochondrial structure. However, pretreatment with PLD significantly reversed the aforementioned trends and activated the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant signaling pathway. Conclusions The results of this study confirm that NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis plays a crucial role in the pathological process of nasal mucosal impairment in patients with CRS. PLD inhibits NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis, preventing inflammatory damage in HNEpCs of patients with CRS by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant signaling pathway, which in turn reduces ROS production and ameliorates mitochondrial damage.

Abstract Photon-initiated photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) with an Er: YAG laser has been introduced in root canal treatment to improve irrigation and facilitate the removal of bacteria in the root canal system. This study aimed to compare the antibacterial effectiveness of two different root canal irrigation techniques, conventional needle irrigation (CNI) and PIPS, using 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), in the treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis. Sixty patients with a total of sixty teeth affected by apical periodontitis were included in this study. The teeth underwent root canal therapy, and after mechanical instrumentation, they were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 30) based on the final irrigation protocol: CNI or PIPS with 1% NaOCl. Bacterial suspensions in the root canals were evaluated using Adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP) assay kit after mechanical instrumentation and after final irrigation. Then, a follow-up was conducted after 7 days. The results revealed that final irrigation significantly reduced ATP values in both the CNI and PIPS groups (P

Herein, laser remelting (LR) and hot press sintering (HPS) were combined to process high-entropy alloy (HEA) and strengthen desirable microstructure. The microstructural changes of HEA before and after LR processing were experimentally investigated. In Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) observations, it was found that the microstructure of the remelting zone was mainly composed of dendritic isometric crystals, and the laser remelting technique can refine the grain structure of HEA. The combined strengthening features of dislocations and twinning were observed by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the phase structure of the grains was analyzed in conjunction with the X-ray diffraction(XRD) analysis, confirming the presence of B2 with BCC solid-solution and FCC phase. Finally, micron-sized scratches, tensile experiments and microhardness experiments were performed, and it was found that the Mechanical properties of the remelting zone were significantly enhanced. It was demonstrated that the strengthening of HEA, sintered by LR and HPS techniques, is due to the synergistic influence of various strengthening mechanisms, such as fine grain strengthening, dislocation strengthening, solid-solution strengthening and twinning strengthening.

Abstract Hantaan virus (HTNV) is a pathogenic orthohantavirus prevalent in East Asia that is known to cause hemorrhagic fever with severe renal syndrome (HFRS), which has a high fatality rate. However, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved vaccine is not currently available against this virus. Although inactivated vaccines have been certified and used in endemic regions for decades, the neutralizing antibody (NAb) titer induced by inactivated vaccines is low and the immunization schedule is complicated, requiring at least three injections spanning approximately 6 months to 1 year. Replication-competent vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-based vaccines provide prolonged protection after a single injection. In this study, we successfully engineered the HTNV glycoprotein (GP) in the VSV genome by replacing the VSV-G open reading frame. The resulting recombinant (r) rVSV-HTNV-GP was rescued, and the immunogenicity of GP was similar to that of HTNV. BALB/c mice immunized with rVSV-HTNV-GP showed a high titer of NAb against HTNV after a single injection. Notably, the cross-reactive NAb response induced by rVSV-HTNV-GP against Seoul virus (an orthohantavirus) was higher than that induced by three sequential injections of inactivated vaccines. Upon challenge with HTNV, rVSV-HTNV-GP-immunized mice showed a profoundly reduced viral burden in multiple tissues, and inflammation in the lungs and liver was nearly undetectable. Moreover, a single injection of rVSV-HTNV-GP established a prolonged immunological memory status as the NAbs were sustained for over 1 year and provided long-term protection against HTNV infection. The findings of our study can support further development of an rVSV-HTNV-GP-based HTNV vaccine with a simplified immunization schedule.

Abstract Background Multispecies biofilms located in the anatomical intricacies of the root canal system remain the greatest challenge in root canal disinfection. The efficacy of Er:YAG laser-activated irrigation techniques for treating multispecies biofilms in these hard-to-reach areas has not been proved. The objective of this laboratory study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two Er:YAG laser-activated irrigation techniques, namely, photon-induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) and shock wave-enhanced emission photoacoustic streaming (SWEEPS), in treating multispecies biofilms within apical artificial grooves and dentinal tubules, in comparison with conventional needle irrigation (CNI), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), and sonic-powered irrigation (EDDY). Two types of multispecies root canal biofilm models were established in combination with two assessment methods using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) with the aim to obtain more meaningful results. Methods Ninety extracted human single-rooted premolars were chosen for two multispecies biofilm models. Each tooth was longitudinally split into two halves. In the first model, a deep narrow groove was created in the apical segment of the canal wall. After cultivating a mixed bacterial biofilm for 4 weeks, the split halves were reassembled and subjected to five irrigation techniques: CNI, PUI, EDD, PIPS, and SWEEPS. The residual biofilms inside and outside the groove in Model 1 were analyzed using SEM. For Model 2, the specimens were split longitudinally once more to evaluate the percentage of killed bacteria in the dentinal tubules across different canal sections (apical, middle, and coronal thirds) using CLSM. One-way analysis of variance and post hoc multiple comparisons were used to assess the antibiofilm efficacy of the 5 irrigation techniques. Results Robust biofilm growth was observed in all negative controls after 4 weeks. In Model 1, within each group, significantly fewer bacteria remained outside the groove than inside the groove (P 0.05). In Model 2, SWEEPS and EDDY exhibited superior bacterial killing efficacy within the dentinal tubules, followed by PIPS, PUI, and CNI (P

Abstract Purpose To study the value of ultrasound in the diagnosis of juxtaglomerular cell tumor (JGCT). Methods From January 2005 to July 2020, fifteen patients diagnosed as JGCT by surgical pathology in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were collected. All patients underwent preoperative ultrasound examination. The clinical, laboratory, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), surgical, and pathological features of the patients were analyzed retrospectively. Results The 15 patients were 5 males and 10 females with a median age of 29 years (10∼72 years). 14 of them had hypertension and one had normal blood pressure. The tumors were all solitary, with a median diameter of 1.5 cm (0.9–5.9 cm). Among the fifteen patients, eleven were correctly detected by preoperative ultrasound, and four were missed. There was a significant difference in tumor size (2.64 ± 1.48 cm vs. 1.23 ± 0.21 cm) and whether the tumor protruded outward (9/11 vs. 0/4) between the ultrasound-detected group and the ultrasound-missed group (p = 0.010, p = 0.011). Of the 11 tumors detected by ultrasound, four were extremely hypoechoic, two were hypoechoic, three were isoechoic, and two were hyperechoic. Color Doppler showed no blood flow in five tumors with the size range from 0.9 to 2.0 cm, and mild blood flow in six tumors with the size range from 2.8 to 5.9 cm. Conclusions JGCT is rare, and has characteristic clinical manifestations. Diagnosis should be suspected in case of secondary hypertension, particularly in young women, if no renal vascular cause was found. Ultrasound, combined with clinical manifestations, was helpful for the diagnosis.

Motivated by the fact that the fuzzy quasi-normed space provides a suitable framework for complexity analysis and has important roles in discussing some questions in theoretical computer science, this paper aims to study the nearest point problems in fuzzy quasi-normed spaces. First, by using the theory of dual space and the separation theorem of convex sets, the properties of the fuzzy distance from a point to a set in a fuzzy quasi-normed space are studied comprehensively. Second, more properties of the nearest point are given, and the existence, uniqueness, characterizations, and qualitative properties of the nearest points are obtained. The results obtained in this paper are of great significance for expanding the application fields of optimization theory.

Highlights The bioinspired self-sensing actuated gradient hydrogel was developed by a wettability-based method via precipitation of MoO2 nanosheets. Self-sensing actuated gradient hydrogel combined ultrafast thermo-responsive actuation (21° s–1), exceptional photothermal efficiency (3.7 °C s–1) and high sensing properties (GF = 3.94). The first self-sensing remote interaction system based on gradient hydrogel actuators and robotic hands was constructed.

Abstract N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is present in diverse viral RNA and plays important regulatory roles in virus replication and host antiviral innate immunity. However, the role of m6A in regulating JEV replication has not been investigated. Here, we show that the JEV genome contains m6A modification upon infection of mouse neuroblast cells (neuro2a). JEV infection results in a decrease in the expression of m6A writer METTL3 in mouse brain tissue. METTL3 knockdown by siRNA leads to a substantial decrease in JEV replication and the production of progeny viruses at 48 hpi. Mechanically, JEV triggered a considerable increase in the innate immune response of METTL3 knockdown neuro2a cells compared to the control cells. Our study has revealed the distinctive m6A signatures of both the virus and host in neuro2a cells infected with JEV, illustrating the positive role of m6A modification in JEV infection. Our study further enhances understanding of the role of m6A modification in Flaviviridae viruses.

Abstract Background A single injection of local anaesthetic (LA) in the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) can reduce pain after modified radical mastectomy (MRM) surgery, but the duration of analgesia is affected by the duration of the LA. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of continuous ESPB on acute and chronic pain and inflammatory response after MRM surgery. Methods In this prospective, randomised, controlled trial, we will recruit 160 patients, aged 18–80 years, scheduled for elective MRM surgery under general anaesthesia. They will be randomly assigned to two groups: a continuous ESPB group (group E) and a sham block group (group C). Both groups of patients will have a nerve block (group C pretended to puncture) and an indwelling catheter fixed prior to surgery. Electronic pumps containing LA are shielded. The primary outcome is the total consumption of analgesic agents. The secondary outcomes include the levels of inflammation-related cytokines; the occurrence of chronic pain (post-mastectomy pain syndrome, PMPS); static and dynamic pain scores at 2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h postoperatively; and post-operative and post-puncture adverse reactions. Discussion Analgesia after MRM surgery is important and chronic pain can develop when acute pain is prolonged, but the analgesic effect of a nerve block with a single injection of LA is limited by the duration of drug action. The aim of this trial is to investigate whether continuous ESPB can reduce acute pain after MRM surgery and reduce the incidence of chronic pain (PMPS), with fewer postoperative analgesic drug-related complications and less inflammatory response. Continuous ESPB and up to 12 months of follow-up are two innovations of this trial. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( https://www.chictr.org.cn/ ) ChiCTR2200061935. Registered on 11 July 2022. This trial is a prospective registry with the following registry names: Effect of ultrasound-guided continuous erector spinae plane block on postoperative pain and inflammatory response in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer.

Abstract Hantaan virus (HTNV) is asymptomatically carried by rodents, yet causes lethal hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in humans, the underlying mechanisms of which remain to be elucidated. Here, we show that differential macrophage responses may determine disparate infection outcomes. In mice, late-phase inactivation of inflammatory macrophage prevents cytokine storm syndrome that usually occurs in HTNV-infected patients. This is attained by elaborate crosstalk between Notch and NF-κB pathways. Mechanistically, Notch receptors activated by HTNV enhance NF-κB signaling by recruiting IKKβ and p65, promoting inflammatory macrophage polarization in both species. However, in mice rather than humans, Notch-mediated inflammation is timely restrained by a series of murine-specific long noncoding RNAs transcribed by the Notch pathway in a negative feedback manner. Among them, the lnc-ip65 detaches p65 from the Notch receptor and inhibits p65 phosphorylation, rewiring macrophages from the pro-inflammation to the pro-resolution phenotype. Genetic ablation of lnc-ip65 leads to destructive HTNV infection in mice. Thus, our findings reveal an immune-braking function of murine noncoding RNAs, offering a special therapeutic strategy for HTNV infection.

ABSTRACTThe cuttlebone is known for its ability to possess high specific stiffness, progressive failure and lightweight from the porous chambered structure. Inspired by the microstructural characteristics of cuttlebone and incorporating the wall gradient design, a series of double-asymmetric honeycombs were designed and processed by LPBF. Results indicated that bionic structural units with the junction design can maintain the integrity of the residual parts after local buckling and failure, improving the load-bearing capacity. The double-asymmetric honeycomb with gradation parameter α = 2/3 achieved a maximum specific compressive strength of 70.64 MPa cm3/g. As α decreases, there is an increase in specific energy absorption and a narrowing of the hysteresis loop. The as-build honeycomb had undergone stress-induced martensite transformation during compression. The dissipated mechanical energy (ME) decreased with the increasing cycle number and the decreasing α. The results provide design guidelines and process strategies for developing high-performance honeycombs.

Objective To assess the diagnostic value of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) for anastomotic leakage (AL) following colorectal surgery. Methods We retrospectively analyzed data for patients who underwent colorectal surgery at our hospital between November 2019 and December 2023. CRP and PCT were measured postoperatively to compare patients with/without AL, and changes were compared between low- and high-risk groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the diagnostic accuracy of CRP and PCT to identify AL in high-risk patients. Results Mean CRP was 142.53 mg/L and 189.57 mg/L in the low- and high-risk groups, respectively, on postoperative day (POD)3. On POD2, mean PCT was 2.75 ng/mL and 8.16 ng/mL in low- and high-risk patients, respectively; values on POD3 were 3.53 ng/mL and 14.86 ng/mL, respectively. The areas under the curve (AUC) for CRP and PCT on POD3 were 0.71 and 0.78, respectively (CRP cut-off: 235.64 mg/L; sensitivity: 96%; specificity: 89.42% vs PCT cut-off: 3.94 ng/mL; sensitivity: 86%; specificity: 93.56%; AUC: 0.78). The AUC, sensitivity, and specificity for the combined diagnostic ability of CRP and PCT on POD3 were 0.92, 90%, and 100%, respectively (cut-off: 0.44). Conclusions Combining PCT and CRP on POD3 enhances the diagnostic accuracy for AL.

Periprosthetic infection and mechanical loosening are two leading causes of implant failure in orthopedic surgery that have devastating consequences for patients both physically and financially. Hence, advanced prostheses to simultaneously prevent periprosthetic infection and promote osseointegration are highly desired to achieve long-term success in orthopedics. In this study, we proposed a multifunctional three-dimensional printed porous titanium alloy prosthesis coated with imidazolium ionic liquid. The imidazolium ionic liquid coating exhibited excellent bacterial recruitment property and near-infrared (NIR) triggered photothermal bactericidal activity, enabling the prosthesis to effectively trap bacteria in its vicinity and kill them remotely via tissue-penetrating NIR irradiation. In vivo anti-infection and osseointegration investigations in infected animal models confirmed that our antibacterial prosthesis could provide long-term and sustainable prevention against periprosthetic infection, while promoting osseointegration simultaneously. It is expected to accelerate the development of next-generation prostheses and improve patient outcomes after prosthesis implantation.

Long-term consumption of high-GI (glycemic index) foods can increase insulin resistance and increase the risk of diabetes. The annual production of okara, which is rich in dietary fiber and regulates postprandial glycemic response, is huge. The reconstituted rice with the addition of okara was prepared using extrusion reconstitution technology. The okara decreased gelatinization and enhanced gel strength, aging of the reconstituted rice. It also promoted water migration, formed V-shaped crystals, and increased the relative crystallinity and short-range orderliness. Within a certain range of addition, okara increased the resistant-starch content of reconstituted rice. It also improves glucose adsorption capacity and hysteresis coefficient, slowing down starch digestion in vitro. The results showed that okara altered the physicochemical properties of reconstituted rice and slowed down its starch digestion in vitro.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic condition resulting from insulin deficiency or systemic insulin resistance. In this disorder, either the pancreatic β-cells are unable to produce enough insulin, or the secreted insulin is ineffective to overcome the peripheral or central insulin resistance. Over time, glucose metabolism becomes dysregulated, resulting in overt DM characterized by hyperglycemia and chronic systemic inflammation. This research review explores the connections and potential correlations between DM and various psychiatric and neurological disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD). While no claims of direct causation can be made, DM does show significant correlations and associations with MDD, PD, and AD. Each of these conditions shows some overlap among risk factors, biological pathways, mechanisms, and therapeutic approaches with DM. Interestingly, depending on the factor, DM can influence the progression of MDD, PD and AD, and vice versa. This review of pathophysiological pathways and molecular events associated with these disorders allows for further investigation into establishing connections between each of these conditions.

Abstract Engineering porous organic polymers (POPs) into 1D morphology holds significant promise for diverse applications due to their exceptional processability and increased surface contact for enhanced interactions with guest molecules. This article reviews the latest developments in nanofibrous POPs and their derivatives, encompassing porous organic polymer nanofibers, their composites, and POPs‐derived carbon nanofibers. The review delves into the design and fabrication strategies, elucidates the formation mechanisms, explores their functional attributes, and highlights promising applications. The first section systematically outlines two primary fabrication approaches of nanofibrous POPs, i.e., direct bulk synthesis and electrospinning technology. Both routes are discussed and compared in terms of template utilization and post‐treatments. Next, performance of nanofibrous POPs and their derivatives are reviewed for applications including water treatment, water/oil separation, gas adsorption, energy storage, heterogeneous catalysis, microwave absorption, and biomedical systems. Finally, highlighting existent challenges and offering future prospects of nanofibrous POPs and their derivatives are concluded.

The star sensor is the most accurate measurement instrument in the spacecraft attitude measurement system, and the accurate centroid of the star point is the basis for ensuring the performance of the star sensor. Currently, the centroid of the gray method is the most widely used centroid extraction method in practice. Systematic errors caused by the centroid of the gray method and random noise in the detector imaging process are the main factors contributing to the deviation of the star centroiding coordinates. Considering the relationship between the point spread function and the pixel gray value, this paper proposes a centroiding method to reduce the star point centroiding error by fusing a priori information and energy distribution. The star charts are first preprocessed using a curvature filter and Gaussian blur to reduce the random noise. Then the complexity of the point spread function is considered, and the pixel gray values are corrected based on a priori information and gray value fuzzy processing. Finally, the symmetry of the one-dimensional energy distribution is used to quickly determine the sub-pixel deviation to get the star centroid coordinates. Through simulation and physical simulation experiments, the method was verified to be effective, and the extraction accuracy met the requirements of high-precision star sensors. The night sky observation test results demonstrate that the method in this paper can improve the measurement accuracy of the star sensors.

This study aims to develop a novel portable reversible thermochromic patch and evaluate its potential applications in temperature monitoring and indication. The film is based on the concept of electronic charge transfer thermochromic coatings, enabling accurate detection of high temperatures. Experimental results demonstrate that when the temperature of the monitored device’s circuit reaches 70 °C or above, the color of the film changes from deep blue to colorless, indicating potential overheating in the power grid. Using salt spray corrosion testing and cycle performance testing, we validate the film’s excellent corrosion resistance in harsh natural environments and its provision of reliable color indication. The film possesses portability and ease of attachment to various electrical devices and circuits requiring temperature sensing. By connecting the color information of the film to a computer system, we can achieve digital temperature monitoring, providing potential applications in future smart grid development.

The bonding performance between new and old concrete affects the reliability and service life of the repair structure. However, the bonding interface is complex and has many influencing factors, so selecting appropriate repair materials and evaluation methods for repair structures under different service environments is important. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the factors that influence bonding properties. These include the choice of repair materials, the condition of the existing concrete, the type of interfacial agents used, the service environment, and the testing methods employed. The paper concludes by examining the challenges and opportunities in developing interface bonding properties to provide insights and research directions for future theoretical analysis and experimental research.

In China, where energy activities, predominantly driven by fossil fuel combustion, account for nearly 90% of the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and coal power alone contributes over 40%, the shift towards carbon neutrality is a critical national ambition. This study conducts a comprehensive comparison of the environmental impacts of solar photovoltaic power generation (SPPG) and coal power, employing both life cycle assessment and ecological footprint analysis. We meticulously analyze the complete lifecycle of SPPG, pinpointing key stages of GHG emissions, and offer nuanced, localized policy recommendations. Our findings indicate that a 1 kWp SPPG module emits 1,601.18 kg of GHGs over its lifespan, equating to 1.35 kg/kW·h per unit of electricity produced—substantially lower than the 4.81 kg/kW·h emitted by coal power, thus highlighting the latter’s heightened environmental detriment. Additionally, this study assesses the ecological footprint of both energy sources in Ningxia. SPPG emerges with an ecological surplus, showcasing a per capita footprint of 0.0342 hm2, compatible with Ningxia’s ecological capacity. In stark contrast, coal power exhibits a sustained ecological deficit over the past 5 years, with a growing per capita footprint of 0.6529 hm2, underscoring its unsustainability. This research provides a detailed comparative analysis of the environmental impacts of SPPG and coal power in Ningxia, offering valuable insights for energy policymakers and industry stakeholders. It underscores the urgent need for industrial restructuring towards more sustainable and renewable energy sources, aligning with China’s broader objectives of environmental preservation and achieving carbon neutrality.

Background Postoperative sleep disturbance (PSD) is a common and serious postoperative complication and is associated with poor postoperative outcomes.Aims This study aimed to investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on PSD in older patients undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty.Methods In this prospective, double-blind, pilot, randomised, sham-controlled trial, patients 65 years and over undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty were randomly assigned to receive active tDCS (a-tDCS) or sham tDCS (s-tDCS). The primary outcomes were the objective sleep measures on postoperative nights (N) 1 and N2.Results 116 inpatients were assessed for eligibility, and a total of 92 patients were enrolled; 47 received a-tDCS and 45 received s-tDCS. tDCS improved PSD by altering the following sleep measures in the a-tDCS and s-tDCS groups; the respective comparisons were as follows: the promotion of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep time on N1 (64.5 (33.5–105.5) vs 19.0 (0.0, 45.0) min, F=20.10, p

Abstract Focal and systemic infections are serious threats to human health. Preclinical models enable the development of new drugs and therapeutic regimens. In vivo, animal bioluminescence (BL) imaging has been used with bacterial reporter strains to evaluate antimicrobial treatment effects. However, high‐sensitivity bioluminescent systems are required because of the limited tissue penetration and low brightness of the BL signals of existing approaches. Here, we report that NanoLuc (Nluc) showed better performance than LuxCDABE in bacteria. However, the retention rate of plasmid constructs in bacteria was low. To construct stable Staphylococcus aureus reporter strains, a partner protein enolase (Eno) was identified by screening of S. aureus strain USA300 for fusion expression of Nluc‐based luciferases, including Nluc, Teluc, and Antares2. Different substrates, such as hydrofurimazine (HFZ), furimazine (FUR), and diphenylterazine (DTZ), were used to optimize a stable reporter strain/substrate pair for BL imaging. S. aureus USA300/Eno‐Antares2/HFZ produced the highest number of photons of orange‐red light in vitro and enabled sensitive BL tracking of S. aureus in vivo, with sensitivities of approximately 10 CFU from mouse skin and 750 CFU from mouse kidneys. USA300/Eno‐Antares2/HFZ was a powerful combination based on the longitudinal evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of antibiotics. The optimized S. aureus Eno‐Antares2/HFZ pair provides a technological advancement for the in vivo evaluation of antimicrobial treatment.

Abstract Objective This study explored the achievement of primary and secondary goals and factors influencing their achievement in regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) for immature permanent teeth. Methods Dental records of all patients who received REPs for immature permanent teeth at the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology between January 2012 and January 2023 were retrieved. The evaluation of the primary goal was based on medical and radiographic records. The achievement of the primary goal was defined as the absence of clinical signs and symptoms, such as pain, swelling, or sinus tract and the absence of periapical radiolucency, as assessed on postoperative periapical radiographs. The achievement of secondary goal represented increased root wall thickness and/or increased root length, that is, continued root development. Periapical radiographs before and after treatment were used to evaluate the achievement of the secondary goal. The secondary goal was required to be achieved alongside the achievement of primary goal. Results A total of 436 teeth (136 anterior and 300 posterior teeth) were included in this study, 96.1% of which demonstrated achievement of the primary goal. Signs of failure (17 teeth) included crown fracture and uncontrolled and recurrent periapical lesions. In addition, 77.8% of teeth demonstrated achievement of the secondary goal, and more than half of the teeth exhibited a complete root development. Evaluation factors included patients’ age, sex, tooth type, etiology, preoperative periapical lesion, duration of clinical signs and symptoms, follow-up period, and stage of root development. The achievement of the primary and secondary goals were significantly related to age and tooth type (p

Abstract Objective The prevalence of prebiotic has increased substantially over the past decades. Little is known on its metabolic effects in zoo herbivores. We investigated the difference in faecal metabolites to characterize the composition and pathways involved after feeding inulin in zoo Baird's tapirs (Tapirus bairdii). Methods Faecal samples were collected from before inulin treatment group and after treatment groups in six adult tapirs and analysed using untargeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry methods. The differential metabolites identified and metabolic pathways involved were analysed using KEGG annotation. Results The results demonstrated significant alterations in faecal metabolites and metabolic pathways in comparison to the control group. The amounts of differential metabolites and metabolic pathways tended to enrich with time after the treatment. We found that tryptophan and purine metabolism were relevant to the important metabolic pathways of the metabolite differences. Conclusions The findings suggest that inulin may have potential applications in captive wildlife, which may provide insights into the effects of prebiotic supplementation on gut metabolites and highlights further research in this field.