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Highlights The Janus-type multifunctional ultra-flexible polytetrafluoroethylene-carbon nanotube-Fe3O4/MXene (FCFe/M) membranes were fabricated via a shear-induced in situ fibrillation technique followed by vacuum-assisted filtration. Thanks to the strategic distribution of the MXene conductive reflection layer and the silk-like FCFe electromagnetic wave’s absorption layer, the membranes achieve robust electromagnetic interference shielding and effective antireflection through the absorption-reflection-reabsorption mechanism. The membranes exhibit exceptional thermal management performance, including efficient heat dissipation and electrothermal/photothermal conversion capabilities, further enhancing their promising potential for applications in flexible wearable technologies.

In this study, YHx (where x represents the H/Y ratio) monoliths were fabricated using Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS), employing yttrium hydride powder as the raw material. The effects of different sintering temperatures (800 °C–1200 °C) on the thermal conductivity and microstructural evolution of the YHx monoliths, including porosity, grain size, precipitated phases, and internal defects, were investigated. The results indicate that the sintering temperature exerts a significant influence on thermal conductivity and microstructural evolution. Notably, the thermal conductivity of these samples initially increases with rising sintering temperature, but subsequently decreases under identical testing conditions. This phenomenon is primarily attributed to the effects of porosity and precipitate phase. Furthermore, the presence of twin crystals also contributes to the reduction in thermal conductivity. The procedures provide an initial framework for understanding the relationship between thermal conductivity and the evolution of microstructure.

CVD SiC samples exposed to 400 keV He ion irradiation at 750 °C were subsequently corroded in FLiNaK molten salt at 750 °C for 166 h. After corrosion, the dissolution of Si led to the formation of a carbon-rich layer and obvious denudation of the SiC. The microstructure of the C-rich layer was first visualized and characterized via TEM, confirming that a graphitic structure was present inside the layer. Furthermore, the AFM images indicate that the denudation depth increases with increasing irradiation dose. Moreover, the Ni impurities in the salt play a key role in the irradiation-promoted corrosion of SiC. These findings suggest that Ni can preferentially react with irradiation-included homonuclear Si‒Si bonds to promote SiC corrosion. Moreover, the number density of He bubbles decreases as their size increases near or within the C-rich layer, and it is speculated that the vacancies created by the loss of Si result in the migration and coalescence of He bubbles. In conclusion, irradiation and corrosion at high temperatures induced synergistic damage behavior in SiC.

Abstract TiAlSiN is a potential protection coating for die steel to improve the surface hardness, anti-wear performance and suitability. In the present study, TiAlSiN is deposited on H13 die steel by high power impulse magnetron sputtering and the effects of bias voltage, deposition temperature, and film thickness on the performance of coatings are studied. The microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties of coatings are analyzed by energy dispersive spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, nanoindentation, friction and wear tests. The results show that with the changes of sputtering parameters, the content of Ti, Al, Si, and N fluctuates slightly. With the increase of bias voltage, deposition temperature and film thickness, the diffraction peaks of Ti3Al2N2 phase become wider. Higher bias voltage, deposition temperature, and film thickness are beneficial for obtaining coatings with high hardness, and strong wear resistance. By observing the surface morphology of coatings after grinding with Si3N4 balls, it was found that the wear mechanism of coatings contains abrasive wear, fatigue wear, and oxidative wear.

Abstract Background As the number of HIV-infected patients increased, the number of patients requiring general surgery has subsequently increased. However, impairment of immune function due to HIV infection increases the risk of postoperative surgical-site infection and significant harm to patient health. This study aimed to examine the risk factors for surgical-site infection after general surgery. Methods The patients’ data were from Zunyi fourth hospital medical information system. Machine learning based Boruta algorithm were used for variable screening. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analysis were performed to examine the relationship between significant variables and surgical-site infection. Results A total of 125 general surgery postoperative HIV-infected patients participated in the study. Surgical-site pathogen culture identified Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and mixed bacteria as the three most common pathogens causing Surgical-site infection. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis to adjust for risk factors identified type III surgical incision (OR = 9.92, 95% CI = 1.28–76.75) and elevated preoperative white blood cell (WBC) count (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.12–1.51) as independent risk factors for postoperative surgical-site infection, whereas CD4 + T lymphocyte count greater than 400 cells/µL was identified as a protective factor (OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.09–0.60) while. The restricted cubic spline analysis results directly reflected the dose-response relationship between continuous variables and postoperative surgical-site infection. Conclusions Type III incision and an elevated WBC count pose a higher risk of postoperative surgical-site infection. A CD4 + T lymphocyte counts greater than 400 cells/µL provided a protective effect of lower risk of surgical site infection. Preoperative serum neutrophil percentage, albumin level, red blood cell count, and serum urea level within a specific range were beneficial in reducing the risk of incisional infections. Our research provides a theoretical basis for clinical practice.

Abstract Background The deformation of oral and maxillofacial region leads to not only the damage of morphology and function, but also a series of aesthetic and psychological problems, severely affecting the quality of life of patients. Oral tissue engineering refers to developing biomaterials for repair or regeneration, with the application of tissue engineering technologies. This has become an area of increasing prominence. Current biologically inert materials are insufficient to fulfill clinical requirements. Therefore, tissue-engineered biomaterials with bioactive, even bionic properties are desperately needed. Main body The complexity of the anatomy and the diversity of tissue types of oral and maxillofacial region pose great challenges to the regeneration, in the aspects of both biomaterials and manufacturing technologies. Biomaterials in clinical practice or research have evolved from natural materials to synthetic materials, from homogeneous materials to multiple composite materials. And now composite materials have increasingly demonstrated their advantages in terms of physicochemical and biological properties over conventional materials. In terms of manufacturing, traditional coating, sintering, and milling technologies can no longer satisfy the requirements for high-precision bionic structures of oral-tissue-engineering biomaterials. Scientists have turned to biofabrication technologies such as microfluidics and additive manufacturing. Short conclusion This review aims to summarize the noteworthy advancements made in biomaterials of oral tissue engineering. We outlined the current biomaterials and manufacturing technologies and focused on various applications of these materials that may be connected to clinical treatment and research. We also suggested the future direction of development for biomaterials in oral tissue engineering. In future, biomaterials characterized by precision, functionalization, and individualization will be manufactured through digital, microfluidic, and 3D printing technologies. Graphical abstract

Abstract Walking pace is a simple and functional form of exercise and a strong predictor of health, but little is known about its causal association with rheumatoid arthritis. This study aimed to investigate the causal effect of WP on the developing RA using Mendelian randomization analysis. The genetic variation associated with WP was selected as an instrumental variable from the latest genome-wide association studies. Summary-level data for the outcomes were obtained from the corresponding GWAS. The inverse-variance weighted method was used as the primary MR analysis. The results were further tested using a multivariable MR approach based on Bayesian model averaging. Confounders (BMI, SMK, HBP, TD) with close associations with RA were included in the analysis. An observational study with individual data from UK Biobank was performed to reinforce our findings. The MR results indicated the significant inverse associations of WP with the risk of RA (odds ratio (OR), 0.31; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.15, 0.62; p = 1.05 × 10 −3). After adjusting for the risk factors, the associations for WP and RA did not change substantially. Observational study results demonstrated the same effect of WP on reducing the risk of RA. The Mendelian randomization analysis and observational study provide evidence suggesting that walking pace is a protective factor for rheumatoid arthritis. Given its simple measurement, walking pace may be a pragmatic target for interventions.

Objective: To explore the application of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in the perioperative period of lung transplantation. Methods: We retrospectively collected the clinical data of 27 lung transplant patients who underwent ERAS during the perioperative period, while 12 lung transplant patients receiving routine treatment served as controls. General information was collected, including the specific implementation plan of ERAS, the incidence of complications and survival rate during the perioperative period (0.05). The perioperative survival of the ERAS group was 81.5%, which was higher than the control group (66.7%), but there is no statistically significant difference. Comparison of post-extubation NRS scores, the ERAS group had lower NRS scores at 12 h (5.30 ± 0.14 vs 6.25 ± 0.75), 24 h (3.44 ± 0.64 vs 5.58 ± 0.9), 48 h (2.74 ± 0.66 vs 4.08 ± 0.79) and 72 h (1.11 ± 0.80 vs 2.33 ± 0.49) than the control group, the difference was statistically significant (p0.05). Conclusion: The ERAS can be applied to lung transplant patients to relieve postoperative pain, shorten postoperative tube time, and shorten postoperative stay. Perioperative pulmonary rehabilitation exercises are beneficial to reducing the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications.

BackgroundAngiogenesis is closely associated with tumor growth and metastasis, and microvascular density (MVD) is currently the clinical standard for evaluating tumor angiogenesis. Thus, the detection of intratumoral MVD is of great significance for understanding disease progression and predicting patient prognosis.MethodsTumor tissue sections of 238 patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) who underwent radical surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was carried out using a CD34 polyclonal antibody to determine intratumoral MVD, and the relationship of CD34-MVD with the clinicopathological characteristics and survival time of LUAD patients was analyzed.ResultsCD34-MVD was associated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, tumor recurrence, and patient survival status; patients with tumor size ≤3 cm (P = 0.015), negative for lymph node metastasis (P = 0.049), no tumor recurrence (P = 0.021), and survival (P = 0.042) had higher MVD. Survival analysis suggested that patients with high MVD had higher disease-free survival (log-rank P = 0.005) and overall survival (log-rank P = 0.004) compared to patients with low MVD. The Cox proportional hazards model showed that a high MVD (P = 0.022) reduced the risk of postoperative tumor recurrence in patients with LUAD.ConclusionDecreased intratumoral CD34 positive microvessels were associated with tumor development in patients with LUAD. CD34-MVD is an independent risk factor affecting postoperative tumor recurrence in patients with LUAD and can be used as a prognostic indicator for this group of patients.

Abstract Photoacoustic tomography offers a powerful tool to visualize biologically relevant molecules and understand processes within living systems at high resolution in deep tissue, facilitated by the conversion of incident photons into low-scattering acoustic waves through non-radiative relaxation. Although current endogenous and exogenous photoacoustic contrast agents effectively enable molecular imaging within deep tissues, their broad absorption spectra in the visible to near-infrared (NIR) range limit photoacoustic multiplexed imaging. Here, we exploit the distinct ultrasharp NIR absorption peaks of lanthanides to engineer a series of NIR photoacoustic nanocrystals. This engineering involves precise host and dopant material composition, yielding nanocrystals with sharply peaked photoacoustic absorption spectra (~3.2 nm width) and a ~10-fold enhancement in NIR optical absorption for efficient deep tissue imaging. By combining photoacoustic tomography with these engineered nanocrystals, we demonstrate photoacoustic multiplexed differential imaging with substantially decreased background signals and enhanced precision and contrast.

Abstract Thermoelectric technology has recently emerged as a distinct therapeutic modality. However, its therapeutic effectiveness is significantly limited by the restricted temperature gradient within living organisms. In this study, we introduce a high-performance plasmonic-thermoelectric catalytic therapy utilizing urchin-like Cu2−xSe hollow nanospheres (HNSs) with a cascade of plasmonic photothermal and thermoelectric conversion processes. Under irradiation by a 1064 nm laser, the plasmonic absorption of Cu2−xSe HNSs, featuring rich copper vacancies (VCu), leads to a rapid localized temperature gradient due to their exceptionally high photothermal conversion efficiency (67.0%). This temperature gradient activates thermoelectric catalysis, generating toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) targeted at cancer cells. Density functional theory calculations reveal that this vacancy-enhanced thermoelectric catalytic effect arises from a much more carrier concentration and higher electrical conductivity. Furthermore, the exceptional photothermal performance of Cu2−xSe HNSs enhances their peroxidase-like and catalase-like activities, resulting in increased ROS production and apoptosis induction in cancer cells. Here we show that the accumulation of copper ions within cancer cells triggers cuproptosis through toxic mitochondrial protein aggregation, creating a synergistic therapeutic effect. Tumor-bearing female BALB/c mice are used to evaluate the high anti-cancer efficiency. This innovative approach represents the promising instance of plasmonic-thermoelectric catalytic therapy, employing dual pathways (membrane potential reduction and thioctylated protein aggregation) of mitochondrial dysfunction, all achieved within a singular nanostructure. These findings hold significant promise for inspiring the development of energy-converting nanomedicines.

Abstract Background The role of mast cells in malignancies remains unclear, and there is no clear correlation between mast cells and tumor microvessels, tumor growth, or lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) prognosis. This study aims to explore the association between mast cell density (MCD) and intratumoral microvessel density (MVD), clinicopathological parameters, and prognosis in LUAD, by evaluating mast cell infiltration characteristics and their prognostic significance. Methods This retrospective investigation involved 238 patients with LUAD undergoing complete resection. Tumor and normal lung tissue sections outside the tumor were immunohistochemically stained for MCD in the intratumoral and outside regions, respectively. CD34 polyclonal antibody was used to measure intratumoral MVD. Results Intratumoral regions of LUAD had a higher MCD (P

Abstract Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a severe type of the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NASH is a growing global health concern due to its increasing morbidity, lack of well-defined biomarkers and lack of clinically effective treatments. Using metabolomic analysis, the most significantly changed active lipid sphingosine d18:1 [So(d18:1)] is selected from NASH patients. So(d18:1) inhibits macrophage HIF-2α as a direct inhibitor and promotes the inflammatory factors secretion. Male macrophage-specific HIF-2α knockout and overexpression mice verified the protective effect of HIF-2α on NASH progression. Importantly, the HIF-2α stabilizer FG-4592 alleviates liver inflammation and fibrosis in NASH, which indicated that macrophage HIF-2α is a potential drug target for NASH treatment. Overall, this study confirms that So(d18:1) promotes NASH and clarifies that So(d18:1) inhibits the transcriptional activity of HIF-2α in liver macrophages by suppressing the interaction of HIF-2α with ARNT, suggesting that macrophage HIF-2α may be a potential target for the treatment of NASH.

Abstract Background Metastasis renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients have extremely high mortality rate. A predictive model for RCC micrometastasis based on pathomics could be beneficial for clinicians to make treatment decisions. Methods A total of 895 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded whole slide images (WSIs) derived from three cohorts, including Shanghai General Hospital (SGH), Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) and Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohorts, and another 588 frozen section WSIs from TCGA dataset were involved in the study. The deep learning-based strategy for predicting lymphatic metastasis was developed based on WSIs through clustering-constrained-attention multiple-instance learning method and verified among the three cohorts. The performance of the model was further verified in frozen-pathological sections. In addition, the model was also tested the prognosis prediction of patients with RCC in multi-source patient cohorts. Results The AUC of the lymphatic metastasis prediction performance was 0.836, 0.865 and 0.812 in TCGA, SGH and CPTAC cohorts, respectively. The performance on frozen section WSIs was with the AUC of 0.801. Patients with high deep learning-based prediction of lymph node metastasis values showed worse prognosis. Conclusions In this study, we developed and verified a deep learning-based strategy for predicting lymphatic metastasis from primary RCC WSIs, which could be applied in frozen-pathological sections and act as a prognostic factor for RCC to distinguished patients with worse survival outcomes.

ABSTRACT The great gerbil (Rhombomys opimus) is a gregarious rodent in Central Asia and is one of the major pests found in desert forest and grassland areas. The distribution changes and migration routes of R. opimus in Central Asia under climate change remain unexplored. This study employed multi‐model ensemble, correlation analysis, jackknife method, and minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model to simulate the potential habitat of R. opimus under current and future (2030 and 2050) climate scenarios and estimate its possible migration routes. The results indicate that the ensemble model integrating Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), and Maximum Entropy Model (MaxEnt) performed best within the present climate context. The model predicted the potential distribution of R. opimus in Central Asia with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.986 and a True Skill Statistic (TSS) of 0.899, demonstrating excellent statistical accuracy and spatial performance. Under future climate scenarios, northern Xinjiang and southeastern Kazakhstan will remain the core areas of R. opimus distribution. However, the optimal habitat region will expand relative to the current one. This expansion will increase with the rising CO2 emission levels and over time, potentially enlarging the suitable area by up to 39.49 × 104 km2. In terms of spatial distribution, the suitable habitat for R. opimus is shifting toward higher latitudes and elevations. For specific migration routes, R. opimus tends to favor paths through farmland and grassland. This study can provide guidance for managing and controlling R. opimus under future climate change scenarios.

Abstract The high therapeutic potential of psilocybin, a prodrug of the psychotropic psilocin, holds great promise for the treatment of mental disorders such as therapy‐refractory depression, alcohol use disorder and anorexia nervosa. Psilocybin has been designated a ‘Breakthrough Therapy’ by the US Food and Drug Administration, and therefore a sustainable production process must be established to meet future market demands. Here, we present the development of an in vivo psilocybin production chassis based on repression of l‐tryptophan catabolism. We demonstrate the proof of principle in Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing the psilocybin biosynthetic genes. Deletion of the two aminotransferase genes ARO8/9 and the indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase gene BNA2 yielded a fivefold increase of psilocybin titre. We transferred this knowledge to the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans and identified functional ARO8/9 orthologs involved in fungal l‐tryptophan catabolism by genome mining and cross‐complementation. The double deletion mutant of A. nidulans resulted in a 10‐fold increased psilocybin production. Process optimization based on respiratory activity measurements led to a final psilocybin titre of 267 mg/L in batch cultures with a space–time‐yield of 3.7 mg/L/h. These results demonstrate the suitability of our engineered A. nidulans to serve as a production strain for psilocybin and other tryptamine‐derived pharmaceuticals.

This multicenter retrospective study aimed to assess the efficacy, intrarenal pressure (IRP), and complications of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) using a flexible and navigable suction ureteral access sheaths (FANS-UAS) in the reverse Trendelenburg lithotomy position (RTLP) for treating kidney and upper ureteral stones measuring 2–6 cm. Conducted at six medical centers in Fujian Province from 2022 to 2024, the study included 231 patients with a median stone size of 26 mm. The immediate stone-free rate (ISFR) was 90.48%, while the SFR at postoperative day 30 was 95.67%. Only two patients developed postoperative fever, two patients had ureteral laceration and most experienced mild pain. Although surgical time increased with stone size, factors such as sex, infundibulopelvic angle (IPA), and stone density had little effect on duration, and there was no significant difference between ISFR and 30-day SFR. Importantly, all IRP measurements remained within normal limits. These findings suggest that RIRS with FANS-UAS in RTLP is a safe and effective approach for managing upper urinary tract stones of 2–6 cm, especially in 2–4 cm stones.

BackgroundMelanoma, a malignant tumor of the skin, presents challenges in its treatment process involving modalities such as surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. However, there is a need for an ideal model to assess prognosis and drug sensitivity. Programmed cell death (PCD) modes play a crucial role in tumor progression and has the potential to serve as prognostic and drug sensitivity indicators for melanoma.MethodsWe analyzed 13 PCD modes including apoptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, netotic cell death, entotic cell death, lysosome-dependent cell death, parthanatos, autophagy-dependent cell death, oxeiptosis, disulfidptosis, and alkaliptosis. These modes were used to construct a model that incorporated genes related to these 13 PCD modes to establish a cell death index (CDI) to conduct prognosis analysis. Transcriptomic, genomic, and clinical data were collected from cohorts including TCGA-SKCM, GSE19234, and GSE65904 to validate this model.ResultsA CDI consisting of ten gene signatures was established using machine learning algorithms and divided into two groups based on CDI values. The high CDI group exhibited relatively lower numbers of immune-infiltrating cells and showed resistance to commonly used drugs such as docetaxel and axitinib. Our validation results demonstrated good discrimination in PCA analysis between CDI groups, and melanoma patients with higher CDI values had worse postoperative prognoses (all p < 0.01).ConclusionThe CDI model, incorporating multiple PCD modes, accurately predicts the clinical prognosis and drug sensitivity of melanoma patients.

Abstract Pyroptosis possesses potent antitumor immune activity, making pyroptosis inducer development a promising direction for tumor immunotherapy. Persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) are highly sensitive optical probes extensively employed in tumor diagnosis and therapy. However, a pyroptosis inducer based on PLNPs has not been reported yet. Herein, polyethylene glycol–poly lactic acid‐co‐glycolic acid (PEG–PLGA: PP) modified biodegradable CaS:Eu2+ (CSE@PP) PLNPs are synthesized as a pyroptosis inducer for tumor immunotherapy for the first time. The synthesized CSE@PP possesses biowindow persistent luminescence (PersL) and pH‐responsive degradation properties, allowing it to remain stable under neutral pH but degrade when exposed to weak acid (pH < 6.5). During degradation within the tumor, CSE@PP constantly releases H2S and Ca2+ while its PersL gradually fades away. Thus, the PersL signal can self‐monitor H2S and Ca2+ release. Furthermore, the released H2S and Ca2+ result in mitochondrial dysfunction and the inactivation of reactive oxygen species scavenging enzymes, synergistic facilitating intracellular oxidative stress, which induces caspase‐1/GSDM‐D dependent pyroptosis and subsequent antitumor immune responses. In a word, it is confirmed that CSE@PP can self‐monitor H2S and Ca2+ release and pyroptosis‐mediated tumor Immunotherapy. This work will facilitate biomedical applications of PLNPs and inspire pyroptosis‐induced tumor immunotherapy.

Background The main challenge against patients with cancer to derive benefits from immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-1/PD-L1 appears to be the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), in which IL-33/ST2 signal fulfills critical functions. However, whether IL-33 limits the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD-L1 remains uncertain.Methods Molecular mechanisms of IL-33/ST2 signal on anti-PD-L1 treatment lewis lung carcinoma tumor model were assessed by RNA-seq, ELISA, WB and immunofluorescence (IF). A sST2-Fc fusion protein was constructed for targeting IL-33 and combined with anti-PD-L1 antibody for immunotherapy in colon and lung tumor models. On this basis, bifunctional fusion proteins were generated for PD-L1-targeted blocking of IL-33 in tumors. The underlying mechanisms of dual targeting of IL-33 and PD-L1 revealed by RNA-seq, scRNA-seq, FACS, IF and WB.Results After anti-PD-L1 administration, tumor-infiltrating ST2+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) were elevated. Blocking IL-33/ST2 signal with sST2-Fc fusion protein potentiated antitumor efficacy of PD-L1 antibody by enhancing T cell responses in tumor models. Bifunctional fusion protein anti-PD-L1-sST2 exhibited enhanced antitumor efficacy compared with combination therapy, not only inhibited tumor progression and extended the survival, but also provided long-term protective antitumor immunity. Mechanistically, the superior antitumor activity of targeting IL-33 and PD-L1 originated from reducing immunosuppressive factors, such as Tregs and exhausted CD8+ T cells while increasing tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocyte cells.Conclusions In this study, we demonstrated that IL-33/ST2 was involved in the immunosuppression mechanism of PD-L1 antibody therapy, and blockade by sST2-Fc or anti-PD-L1-sST2 could remodel the inflammatory TME and induce potent antitumor effect, highlighting the potential therapeutic strategies for the tumor treatment by simultaneously targeting IL-33 and PD-L1.

BackgroundChronic alcoholic liver disease (CALD) is a global health problem which includes multiple pathological processes such as immune inflammation and oxidative stress. 4-hydroxy-2(3H)-benzoxazolone (HBOA), an alkaloid isolated from Acanthus ilicifolius L, has been shown to exert hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects. However, its effects on CALD remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of HBOA on CALD.MethodsRats were administered alcohol by gavage continuously for 12 weeks to establish the CALD model, and then treated with HBOA by gavage for 4 weeks. Transcriptomics and metabolomics were used to predict the potential mechanisms of the effects of HBOA on CALD. Liver histology and function, oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, and the TLR4/NF-κB pathway components were evaluated.ResultsHBOA significantly improved alcohol-induced liver injury and steatosis. It decreased the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6), and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione [GSH], and glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px]). Western blotting confirmed that HBOA treatment largely diminished NF-κBp65 nuclear translocation. Comprehensive transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses indicated that HBOA regulated the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway to achieve therapeutic effects in rats with CALD.ConclusionHBOA has a therapeutic effect on rats with CALD. Its mechanism of action mainly affects the glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway to promote lipid metabolism homeostasis by regulating the expression of Etnppl, Gpcpd1, and Pla2g4c. In addition, it may also inhibit the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby reducing the immune-inflammatory response.

Abstract To validate the feasibility of a fiber-optic pressure sensor-based pressure measurement device for monitoring intrarenal pressure and to analyze the effects of ureteral acess sheath (UAS) type, surgical location, perfusion flow rate, and measurement location on intrarenal pressure (IRP). The measurement deviations and response times to transient pressure changes were compared between a fiber-optic pressure sensing device and a urodynamic device IRP in an in vitro porcine kidney and in a water tank. Finally, pressure measurements were performed in anesthetized female pigs using fiber-optic pressure sensing device with different UAS, different perfusion flow rates, and different surgical positions at different renal calyces and ureteropelvic junctions (UPJ). According to our operation, the result is fiber optic pressure sensing devices are highly accurate and sensitive. Under the same conditions, IRP varied among different renal calyces and UPJ (P

Abstract Background Among people with COPD, smartphone and wearable technology may provide an effective method to improve care at home by supporting, encouraging, and sustaining self-management. The current study was conducted to determine if patients with COPD will use a dedicated smartphone and smartwatch app to help manage their COPD and to determine the effects on their self-management. Methods We developed a COPD self-management application for smartphones and smartwatches. Participants were provided with the app on a smartphone and a smartwatch, as well as a cellular data plan and followed for 6 months. We measured usage of the different smartphone app functions. For the primary outcome, we examined the change in self-management from baseline to the end of follow up. Secondary outcomes include changes in self-efficacy, quality of life, and COPD disease control. Results Thirty-four patients were enrolled and followed. Mean age was 69.8 years, and half of the participants were women. The most used functions were recording steps through the smartwatch, entering a daily symptom questionnaire, checking oxygen saturation, and performing breathing exercises. There was no significant difference in the primary outcome of change in self-management after use of the app or in overall total scores of health-related quality of life, disease control or self-efficacy. Conclusion We found older patients with COPD would engage with a COPD smartphone and smartwatch application, but this did not result in improved self-management. More research is needed to determine if a smartphone and smartwatch application can improve self-management in people with COPD. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT03857061, First Posted February 27, 2019.

The multi-energy Fe ions irradiation was performed to avoid the effect of non-uniformity of the ion irradiation damage on the mechanical test of nickel-base alloy (UNS N10003). In this study, the hardening behavior of GH3533 alloy (nickel-base alloy) under the multi-energy Fe ions irradiation at RT and 700 °C was investigated by using nanoindentation, micro-pillar compression techniques, SEM and TEM. The hardness value saturated at 0.5 dpa at RT, according to the nanoindentation results, however the hardness curve sharply rose at the dose of 8 dpa at 700 °C. The plastic deformation curves of the samples at 700 °C had fewer jagged amplitude behaviors and no slip band on the surface, according to the stress-strain curves and in-situ SEM images obtained following the micro-pillar compression test. TEM characterization showed only the dislocation loops and lines were observed at the dose of 8 dpa at RT. However, at 700 °C, precipitates deprived of Fe and Ni and enriched in Mo and Cr were seen close to the dislocation lines at 700 °C. The smooth curves during micro-pillar compression at 700 °C and the abrupt increase in hardness were caused by the high density and uniform dispersion of these precipitates. Additionally, a technique for assessing the hardening behavior under multi-energy ion irradiation was devised, which combines nanoindentation with micro-pillar compression testing.

This study investigates the effects of long-term heavy traffic loading on the performance of steel slag asphalt mixtures (SSAMs), including their high-temperature stability, low-temperature crack resistance, water stability, skid resistance, fatigue resistance, and volumetric stability. AC-13 asphalt mixtures with steel slag contents of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% were prepared and used in rutting tests, splitting tests, immersion stability tests, pendulum tests, and four-point bending fatigue tests. The effects of heavy traffic on the high-temperature deformation resistance and skid resistance of the SSAMs were considered by increasing the tire pressure in the rutting test. The results indicated that the high-temperature stability and fatigue resistance first increased and then decreased with the increase in steel slag content, with optimal contents of 75% and 50%, respectively. The low-temperature crack resistance and skid resistance increased with the increase in steel slag content. The volumetric stability decreased with the increase in steel slag content, but the volume expansion rate was less than 1.5% for all SSAMs. Under heavy traffic conditions, the permanent deformation and skid resistance value of the SSAMs significantly decreased. The permanent deformation was minimized when the steel slag content reached 75%. At the same tire pressure, the skid resistance of the SSAMs increased with a higher steel slag content, while the rate of increase slowed down. At the same steel slag content, the skid resistance decreased as the tire pressure increased, while the rate of decrease became slower.

Abstract Myocardial infarction (MI), a consequence of coronary artery occlusion, triggers the degradation of ferritin, resulting in elevated levels of free iron in the heart and thereby inducing ferroptosis. Targeting myocardial ferroptosis through the chelation of excess iron has therapeutic potential for MI treatment. However, iron chelation in post ischemic injury areas using conventional iron‐specific chelators is hindered by ineffective myocardial intracellular chelation, rapid clearance, and high systemic toxicity. A chitosan‐desferrioxamine nanosponge (CDNS) is designed by co‐crosslinking chitosan and deferoxamine through noncovalent gelation to address these challenges. This architecture facilitates direct iron chelation regardless of deferoxamine (DFO) release due to its sponge‐like porous hydrogel structure. Upon cellular internalization, CDNS can effectively chelate cellular iron and facilitate the efflux of captured iron, thereby inhibiting ferroptosis and associated oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. In MI mouse models, myocardial injection of CDNS promotes sustainable retention and the suppression of ferroptosis in the infarcted heart. This intervention improves cardiac function and alleviates adverse cardiac remodeling post‐MI, leading to decreased oxidative stress and the promotion of angiogenesis due to ferroptosis inhibition by CDNS in the infarcted heart. This study reveals a nanosponge‐based nanomedicine targeting myocardial ferroptosis with efficient iron chelation and efflux, offering a promising MI treatment.

As the most widely distributed scavenger birds on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Himalayan vultures (Gyps himalayensis) feed on the carcasses of various wild and domestic animals, facing the dual selection pressure of pathogens and antibiotics and are suitable biological sentinel species for monitoring antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). This study used metagenomic sequencing to comparatively investigate the ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) of wild and captive Himalayan vultures. Overall, the resistome of Himalayan vultures contained 414 ARG subtypes resistant to 20 ARG types, with abundances ranging from 0.01 to 1,493.60 ppm. The most abundant resistance type was beta-lactam (175 subtypes), followed by multidrug resistance genes with 68 subtypes. Decreases in the abundance of macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin (MLS) resistance genes were observed in the wild group compared with the zoo group. A total of 75 genera (five phyla) of bacteria were predicted to be the hosts of ARGs in Himalayan vultures, and the clinical (102 ARGs) and high-risk ARGs (35 Rank I and 56 Rank II ARGs) were also analyzed. Among these ARGs, twenty-two clinical ARGs, nine Rank I ARG subtypes, sixteen Rank II ARG subtypes were found to differ significantly between the two groups. Five types of MGEs (128 subtypes) were found in Himalayan vultures. Plasmids (62 subtypes) and transposases (44 subtypes) were found to be the main MGE types. Efflux pump and antibiotic deactivation were the main resistance mechanisms of ARGs in Himalayan vultures. Decreases in the abundance of cellular protection were identified in wild Himalayan vultures compared with the captive Himalayan vultures. Procrustes analysis and the co-occurrence networks analysis revealed different patterns of correlations among gut microbes, ARGs, and MGEs in wild and captive Himalayan vultures. This study is the first step in describing the characterization of the ARGs in the gut of Himalayan vultures and highlights the need to pay more attention to scavenging birds.

The irradiation damage behavior of 316L stainless steel (SS) fabricated using selective laser melting (SLM) and traditional manufacturing (TM) was investigated in terms of microstructural changes in hardness and swelling at RT under irradiation with 3 MeV Fe ions at doses of 0.3 to 6 dpa. At a dose of 6 dpa, the swelling heights of the SLM and TM samples were 39.1 nm and 30.7 nm, respectively, corresponding to swelling rates of 3.0 % and 2.4 %. The irradiated SLM 316L SS exhibited a lower degree of hardening at continuous fluences than the TM 316L SS. At a dose of 6 dpa, the hardening rates of the SLM and TM 316L SS specimens were 102.1 % and 84.1 %, respectively. Furthermore, TEM results showed that the density of dislocation loops in the TM 316L SS was 8.36 × 1023/m3 while that in the SLM 316L SS was 6.15 × 1023/m3. The average sizes of the dislocation loops were 1.35 and 1.22 nm, respectively. According to calculations using the dispersed barrier hardening (DBH) model, the dislocation loops were the primary factor influencing the irradiation hardening behavior. Under Fe-ion irradiation at RT, SLM 316L SS showed superior resistance to irradiation hardening and swelling compared with TM 316L SS.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) cartilage repair poses a considerable clinical challenge, and tissue engineering has emerged as a promising solution. In this study, we developed an injectable reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive multifunctional hydrogel (RDGel) to encapsulate dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs/RDGel in short) for the targeted repair of condylar cartilage defect. The DPSCs/RDGel composite exhibited a synergistic effect in the elimination of TMJ OA (osteoarthritis) inflammation via the interaction between the hydrogel component and the DPSCs. We first demonstrated the applicability and biocompatibility of RDGel. RDGel encapsulation could enhance the anti-apoptotic ability of DPSCs by inhibiting P38/P53 mitochondrial apoptotic signal in vitro. We also proved that the utilization of DPSCs/RDGel composite effectively enhanced the expression of TMJOA cartilage matrix and promoted subchondral bone structure in vivo. Subsequently, we observed the synergistic improvement of DPSCs/RDGel composite on the oxidative stress microenvironment of TMJOA and its regulation and promotion of M2 polarization, thereby confirmed that M2 macrophages further promoted the condylar cartilage repair of DPSCs. This is the first time application of DPSCs/RDGel composite for the targeted repair of TMJOA condylar cartilage defects, presenting a novel and promising avenue for cell-based therapy.

Abstract Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies that pose a serious threat to women's health. Reprogramming of energy metabolism is a major feature of the malignant transformation of breast cancer. Compared to normal cells, tumor cells reprogram metabolic processes more efficiently, converting nutrient supplies into glucose, amino acid and lipid required for malignant proliferation and progression. Non-coding RNAs(ncRNAs) are a class of functional RNA molecules that are not translated into proteins but regulate the expression of target genes. NcRNAs have been demonstrated to be involved in various aspects of energy metabolism, including glycolysis, glutaminolysis, and fatty acid synthesis. This review focuses on the metabolic regulatory mechanisms and clinical applications of metabolism-regulating ncRNAs involved in breast cancer. We summarize the vital roles played by metabolism-regulating ncRNAs for endocrine therapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy resistance in breast cancer, as well as their potential as therapeutic targets and biomarkers. Difficulties and perspectives of current targeted metabolism and non-coding RNA therapeutic strategies are discussed.

Abstract In the context of the proliferated evolution of network service types and the expeditious augmentation of network resource deployment, the requisition for copious labeled datasets to facilitate superior performance in traffic classification methods, particularly those hinging on deep learning, is imperative. Nonetheless, the procurement and annotation of such extensive datasets necessitate considerable temporal and human resource investments. In response to this predicament, this work introduces a methodology, termed MTEFU, leveraging a deep learning model-based multi-task learning algorithm, strategically designed to mitigate the reliance on substantial labeled training samples. Multiple classification tasks, encompassing duration, bandwidth size, and business traffic category, are incorporated, with a shared parameter strategy implemented amongst tasks to assure the transference of information across disparate tasks. Employing CNN, SAE, GRU, and LSTM as multi-task learning classification models, training validation and experimental testing were conducted on the QUIC dataset. A comparative analysis with single-task and ensemble learning methods reveals that, in the context of predicting network traffic types, the accuracy derived from the multi-task learning strategy, even with a mere 150 labeled samples, can emulate the 94.67% accuracy achieved through single-task learning with a fully labeled dataset of 6139 samples.

Abstract Background Liquid biopsy provides a non-invasive approach that enables detecting circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) using blood specimens and theoretically benefits early finding primary tumor or monitoring treatment response as well as tumor recurrence. Despite many studies on these novel biomarkers, their clinical relevance remains controversial. This study aims to investigate the correlation between ctDNA, CTCs, and circulating tumor-derived endothelial cells (CTECs) while also evaluating whether mutation profiling in ctDNA is consistent with that in tumor tissue from lung cancer patients. These findings will help the evaluation and utilization of these approaches in clinical practice. Methods 104 participants (49 with lung cancer and 31 with benign lesions) underwent CTCs and CTECs detection using integrating subtraction enrichment and immunostaining-fluorescence in situ hybridization (SE-iFISH) strategy. The circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) concentration was measured and the mutational profiles of ctDNA were examined by Roche AVENIO ctDNA Expanded Kit (targeted total of 77 genes) by next generation sequencing (NGS) in 28 patients (20 with lung cancer and 8 with benign lesions) with highest numbers of CTCs and CTECs. Mutation validation in matched tumor tissue DNA was then performed in 9 patients with ctDNA mutations using a customized xGen pan-solid tumor kit (targeted total of 474 genes) by NGS. Results The sensitivity and specificity of total number of CTCs and CTECs for the diagnosis of NSCLC were 67.3% and 77.6% [AUC (95%CI): 0.815 (0.722–0.907)], 83.9% and 77.4% [AUC (95%CI): 0.739 (0.618–0.860)]. The concentration of cfDNA in plasma was statistically correlated with the size of the primary tumor (r = 0.430, P = 0.022) and CYFRA 21–1 (r = 0.411, P = 0.041), but not with the numbers of CTCs and CTECs. In this study, mutations were found to be poorly consistent between ctDNA and tumor DNA (tDNA) in patients, even when numerous CTCs and CTECs were present. Conclusion Detection of CTCs and CTECs could be the potential adjunct tool for the early finding of lung cancer. The cfDNA levels are associated with the tumor burden, rather than the CTCs or CTECs counts. Moreover, the poorly consistent mutations between ctDNA and tDNA require further exploration.

AbstractContext di-(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) has potential reproductive toxicity. Bu-Shen-Tian-Jing formulations (BSTJFs) are beneficial for female reproductive capacity. However, BSTJF2 has much lower cytotoxicity than BSTJF1.Objective To investigate the effects of BSTJFs on ovarian granulosa cells exposed to DEHP and determine the potential molecular mechanisms.Methods and materials Human granulosa-like tumor cell line (KGN) cells were divided into control, DEHP, BSTJF1 and BSTJF2 groups. The DEHP group were given 1 μM DEHP for 24 h. They were then given BSTJF1 at 200 μg/mL or BSTJF2 at 100 μg/mL for 24 h. The control group was treated with the same concentration of DMSO (0.1%). Oxidative stress and mitochondrial function were measured. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HDAC3 and HSP90AA were determined. Integrative network pharmacology analysis of BSTJF2 was also performed.Results DEHP (1 μM) significantly suppressed the proliferation of KGN cells by 17%, significantly increased ROS levels by 28% and MDA levels by 47%, significantly decreased MMP levels by 22% and mtDNA copy by 30%. DEHP significantly increased protein expression of HDAC3 by 21%and HSP90AA by 64%. All these changes were significantly reversed by BSTJFs. Integrative network pharmacology analysis revealed HSP90AA was a key target (degree = 8). Both RGFP966 and BSTJF2 significantly reversed the increased expression of HDAC3 and HSP90AA, attenuated oxidative stress, and mitochondrial damage which were induced by DEHP.Conclusion BSTJFs might have therapeutic potential on oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage through the HDAC3/HSP90AA pathway which encourages further clinical trials.

The Environmental Trace Gases Monitoring Instrument (EMI-II) onboard the Chinese GaoFen-5B (GF5B) and DaQi-1 (DQ1) satellites is the successor of the previous EMI onboard the Chinese GaoFen-5 (GF5) satellite, and has a higher spatial resolution and a better signal-to-noise ratio. The GF5B and DQ1 were launched in September 2021 and April 2022, respectively. As part of China’s ultraviolet-visible hyperspectral satellite instrument series, the EMI-II aims to conduct network observations of pollution gases globally in the morning and early afternoon. In this study, NO2 data were retrieved from the EMI-II payloads on the GF5B and DQ1 satellites using the Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) algorithm. The two satellites were consistently compared, and the results showed strong consistency on various spatial and temporal scales (R2 > 0.8). In four representative regions worldwide, NO2 data from the EMI-II exhibited good spatial consistency with those from the TROPOMI. The correlation coefficient (R2) of the total vertical column density (VCD) between the EMI-II and TROPOMI exceeded 0.85, and that of the tropospheric NO2 VCD exceeded 0.57. Compared with single-satellite observations, the dual-satellite network of the GF5B and DQ1 can effectively increase the observation frequency. On a daily scale, dual-satellite observations can reduce the impact of cloud coverage by 6–8% compared to single-satellite observations, and there are two valid observations of nearly 50% of the world’s regions. Additionally, the differences between the two satellites can reflect the NO2 diurnal variations, which demonstrates the potential for studying pollutant gas diurnal variations.

Biosensors have emerged as a promising tool for the early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) due to their rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of cancer biomarkers. Saliva is a non-invasive and easy-to-obtain biofluid that contains various biomarkers of OSCC, including the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). In this study, an electrochemical aptasensor for the detection of CEA in saliva has been developed towards the diagnosis and early screening of OSCC. This aptasensor utilized a CEA-sensitive aptamer as sensitive elements. A fluorine-doped Tin Oxide (FTO) chip with a surface modification of a zinc oxide nanorod was employed as a transducer. Electrochemical measurements were carried out to detect the responsive signals originating from the specific binding between aptamers and CEAs. The measurement results indicated that this aptasensor was responsive to different concentrations of CEA ranging from 1 ng/mL to 80 ng/mL in a linear relationship. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.75 ng/mL. This aptasensor also showed very good specificity and regenerative capability. Stability testing over a 12-day period showed excellent performance of this aptasensor. All the results demonstrated that this aptasensor has great potential to be used for the detection of CEA in the saliva of OSCC patients. This aptasensor provides a promising method for the rapid detection of CEA with convenience, which has great potential to be used as a new method for clinical diagnoses and early screening of OSCC.

Phosphotungstic acid (HPW) can retain water in proton exchange membranes to increase proton conductivity; however, its water-soluble nature limits further application. In this work, we combined HPW and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) via sintering to prepare water-insoluble hybrids (HWN), where HPW was chemically linked to g-C3N4 to fix HPW. Then, HWN fillers were added to a sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) matrix to prepare composite membranes. The conductivity of the composite membrane with 10 wt% HWN is up to 0.066 S cm−1 at room temperature, which is 53% higher than that of the SPEEK control membrane (0.043 S cm−1). The composite membrane also showed stable proton conductivity after being immersed in water for 2000 h. Therefore, our study demonstrates that preparing water-insoluble nanofillers containing HPW components through sintering is a promising approach.

Abstract Degenerative musculoskeletal diseases are structural and functional failures of the musculoskeletal system, including osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), and sarcopenia. As the global population ages, degenerative musculoskeletal diseases are becoming more prevalent. However, the pathogenesis of degenerative musculoskeletal diseases is not fully understood. Previous studies have revealed that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a stress response that occurs when impairment of the protein folding capacity of the ER leads to the accumulation of misfolded or unfolded proteins in the ER, contributing to degenerative musculoskeletal diseases. By affecting cartilage degeneration, synovitis, meniscal lesion, subchondral bone remodeling of osteoarthritis, bone remodeling and angiogenesis of osteoporosis, nucleus pulposus degeneration, annulus fibrosus rupture, cartilaginous endplate degeneration of IVDD, and sarcopenia, ER stress is involved in the pathogenesis of degenerative musculoskeletal diseases. Preclinical studies have found that regulation of ER stress can delay the progression of multiple degenerative musculoskeletal diseases. These pilot studies provide foundations for further evaluation of the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of ER stress modulators in the treatment of musculoskeletal degenerative diseases in clinical trials. In this review, we have integrated up-to-date research findings of ER stress into the pathogenesis of degenerative musculoskeletal diseases. In a future perspective, we have also discussed possible directions of ER stress in the investigation of degenerative musculoskeletal disease, potential therapeutic strategies for degenerative musculoskeletal diseases using ER stress modulators, as well as underlying challenges and obstacles in bench-to-beside research.

Abstract Spatial transcriptomics (ST) technologies detect mRNA expression in single cells/spots while preserving their two-dimensional (2D) spatial coordinates, allowing researchers to study the spatial distribution of the transcriptome in tissues; however, joint analysis of multiple ST slices and aligning them to construct a three-dimensional (3D) stack of the tissue still remain a challenge. Here, we introduce spatial architecture characterization by deep learning (SPACEL) for ST data analysis. SPACEL comprises three modules: Spoint embeds a multiple-layer perceptron with a probabilistic model to deconvolute cell type composition for each spot in a single ST slice; Splane employs a graph convolutional network approach and an adversarial learning algorithm to identify spatial domains that are transcriptomically and spatially coherent across multiple ST slices; and Scube automatically transforms the spatial coordinate systems of consecutive slices and stacks them together to construct a 3D architecture of the tissue. Comparisons against 19 state-of-the-art methods using both simulated and real ST datasets from various tissues and ST technologies demonstrate that SPACEL outperforms the others for cell type deconvolution, for spatial domain identification, and for 3D alignment, thus showcasing SPACEL as a valuable integrated toolkit for ST data processing and analysis.

Abstract Objective To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of total flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae (TFRD) in conjunction with a calcium phosphate/collagen scaffold for the repair of cranial defects in rats. Methods The subjects, rats, were segregated into four groups: Control, TFRD, Scaffold, and TFRD + Scaffold. Cranial critical bone defects, 5 mm in diameter, were artificially induced through precise drilling. Post-surgery, at intervals of 2, 4, and 8 weeks, micro-CT scans were conducted to evaluate the progress of skull repair. Hematoxylin–eosin and Masson staining techniques were applied to discern morphological disparities, and immunohistochemical staining was utilized to ascertain the expression levels of local osteogenic active factors, such as bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and osteocalcin (OCN). Results Upon examination at the 8-week mark, cranial defects in the Scaffold and TFRD + Scaffold cohorts manifested significant repair, with the latter group displaying only negligible foramina. Micro-CT examination unveiled relative to its counterparts, and the TFRD + Scaffold groups exhibited marked bone regeneration at the 4- and 8-week intervals. Notably, the TFRD + Scaffold group exhibited substantial bone defect repair compared to the TFRD and Scaffold groups throughout the entire observation period, while histomorphological assessment demonstrated a significantly higher collagen fiber content than the other groups after 2 weeks. Immunohistochemical analysis further substantiated that the TFRD + Scaffold had augmented expression of BMP-2 at 2, 4 weeks and OCN at 2 weeks relative to other groups. Conclusions The synergistic application of TFRD and calcium phosphate/collagen scaffold has been shown to enhance bone mineralization, bone plasticity, and bone histomorphology especially during initial osteogenesis phases.

KVPO4F (KVPF) has been extensively investigated as the potential cathode material for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) owing to its high theoretical capacity, superior operating voltage, and three-dimensional K+ conduction pathway. Nevertheless, the electrochemical behavior of KVPF is limited by the inherent poor electronic conductivity of the phosphate framework and unstable electrode/electrolyte interface. To address the above issues, this work proposes an infiltration-calcination method to confine the in-situ grown KVPF into the mesoporous carbon CMK-3 (denoted KVPF@CMK-3). The assembled KVPF@CMK-3 nanocomposite features three-dimensional interconnected carbon channels, which not only offer abundant active sites and significantly accelerate K+/electron transport, but also prevent the growth of KVPF nanoparticle agglomerates, hence stabilizing the structure of the material. Additionally, V–F–C bonds are created at the interface of KVPF and CMK-3, which reduce the loss of F and stabilize the electrode interface. Thus, when tested as a cathode material for PIBs, the KVPF@CMK-3 nanocomposite delivers superior reversible capacitiy (103.2 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C), outstanding rate performance (90.1 mAh g−1 at 20 C), and steady cycling performance (92.2 mAh g−1 at 10 C and with the retention of 88.2% after 500 cycles). Moreover, its potassium storage mechanism is further examined by ex-situ XRD and ex-situ XPS techniques. The above synthetic strategy demonstrates the potential of KVPF@CMK-3 to be applied as the cathode for PIBs.

Abstract Achievement of high photoluminescence quantum efficiency and thermal stability is challenging for near-infrared (NIR)-emitting phosphors. Here, we designed a “kill two birds with one stone” strategy to simultaneously improve quantum efficiency and thermal stability of the NIR-emitting Ca3Y2-2x (ZnZr) x Ge3O12:Cr garnet system by chemical unit cosubstitution, and revealed universal structure-property relationship and the luminescence optimization mechanism. The cosubstitution of [Zn2+–Zr4+] for [Y3+–Y3+] played a critical role as reductant to promote the valence transformation from Cr4+ to Cr3+, resulting from the reconstruction of octahedral sites for Cr3+. The introduction of [Zn2+–Zr4+] unit also contributed to a rigid crystal structure. These two aspects together realized the high internal quantum efficiency of 96% and excellent thermal stability of 89%@423 K. Moreover, information encryption with “burning after reading” was achieved based on different chemical resistance of the phosphors to acid. The developed NIR-emitting phosphor-converted light-emitting diode demonstrated promising applications in bio-tissue imaging and night vision. This work provides a new perspective for developing high-performance NIR-emitting phosphor materials.

Background and Purpose: Emerging researches have regarded serum chloride as a capable predictor of mortality in liver cirrhosis. We aim to investigate the clinical role of admission chloride in cirrhotic patients with esophagogastric varices receiving transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), which is unclear. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of cirrhotic patients with esophagogastric varices undergoing TIPS in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University. Mortality outcome was obtained by following up for 1-year after TIPS. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression were used to identify independent predictors of 1-year mortality post-TIPS. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were adopted to assess the predictive ability of the predictors. In addition, log-rank test and Kaplan–Meier (KM) analyses were employed to evaluate the prognostic value of predictors in the survival probability. Results: A total of 182 patients were included ultimately. Age, fever symptom, platelet-to lymphocyte-ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), total bilirubin, serum sodium, chloride, and Child-Pugh score were related to 1-year follow-up mortality. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, serum chloride (HR = 0.823, 95%CI = 0.757–0.894, p

Gastric/gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancer represents a significant global health challenge. Radical surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment for resectable G/GEJ cancer. Supported by robust evidence from multiple clinical studies, therapeutic approaches, including adjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiation, and perioperative chemotherapy, are generally recommended to reduce the risk of recurrence and enhance long-term survival outcomes post-surgery. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have altered the landscape of systemic treatment for advanced or metastatic G/GEJ cancer, becoming the standard first-line therapy for specific patients. Consequently, exploring the efficacy of ICIs in the adjuvant or neoadjuvant setting for resectable G/GEJ cancer is worthwhile. This review summarizes the current advances in the application of ICIs for resectable G/GEJ cancer.

Abstract Near‐infrared (NIR) luminescent metal halide (LMH) materials have attracted great attention in various optoelectronic applications due to their low‐temperature solution‐processable synthesis, abundant crystallographic/electronic structures, and unique optoelectronic properties. However, some challenges still remain in their luminescence design, performance improvement, and application assignments. This review systematically summarizes the development of NIR LMHs through classifying NIR luminescent origins into four major categories: band‐edge emission, self‐trapped exciton (STE) emission, ion emission, and defect‐related emission. The luminescence mechanisms of different types of NIR LMHs are discussed in detail by analyzing typical examples. Reasonable strategies for designing and optimizing luminescence/optoelectronic properties of NIR LMHs are summarized, including bandgap engineering, self‐trapping state engineering, chemical composition modification, energy transfer, and other auxiliary strategies such as improvement of synthesis scheme and post‐processing. Furthermore, application prospects based on the optoelectronic devices are revealed, including phosphor‐converted light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), electroluminescent LEDs, photodetectors, solar cells, and x‐ray scintillators, as well as demonstrations of some related practical applications. Finally, the existing challenges and future perspectives on the development of NIR LMH materials are critically proposed. This review aims to provide general understanding and guidance for the design of high‐performance NIR LMHs materials.

The distribution and migration routes of the most studied swan species, mute swans (Cygnus olor), in East Asia are largely unknown because most of those studies were conducted in Europe and North America. In 2016 and from 2021 to 2022, we deployed satellite tracking devices on 22 and 10 mute swans wintering at the Ili River, Xinjiang of Western China, and summering at Ulansuhai Lake, Inner Mongolia of Eastern China, to determine their migration routes. Eight environmental factors, namely, human population density, the shortest distance to the nearest transportation route, elevation, aspect, slope, air temperature, wind speed and gross primary productivity (GPP), were used to analyse the environmental differences at the stopover sites of swan populations between Eastern and Western China. Ebinur and Ulungur Lakes in Xinjiang of Western China and Kapchagay Reservoir and Sasykkol and Alakol Lakes in Eastern Kazakhstan were the summering sites for the Western Chinese swan population; for the Eastern Chinese swan population, in addition to the Yellow River Delta being identified as a wintering site, the Hongze Lake Region of Jiangsu and Danaoban Lake of Inner Mongolia in China were also identified for the first time as wintering and summering sites, respectively. We also found that human population density and GPP were crucial determinants of stopover duration in the Eastern and Western Chinese swan populations both in spring and in autumn. Our findings provide basic data for future research on mute swans in East Asia and will contribute to conservation action plan development through current conservation status evaluations of important summering, wintering and stopover sites along the migration routes of mute swans.

Abstract In order to establish a set of perfect heterojunction designs and characterization schemes, step‐scheme (S‐scheme) BiOBr@Bi2S3 nanoheterojunctions that enable the charge separation and expand the scope of catalytic reactions, aiming to promote the development and improvement of heterojunction engineering is developed. In this kind of heterojunction system, the Fermi levels mediate the formation of the internal electric field at the interface and guide the recombination of the weak redox carriers, while the strong redox carriers are retained. Thus, these high‐energy electrons and holes are able to catalyze a variety of substrates in the tumor microenvironment, such as the reduction of oxygen and carbon dioxide to superoxide radicals and carbon monoxide (CO), and the oxidation of H2O to hydroxyl radicals, thus achieving sonodynamic therapy and CO combined therapy. Mechanistically, the generated reactive oxygen species and CO damage DNA and inhibit cancer cell energy levels, respectively, to synergistically induce tumor cell apoptosis. This study provides new insights into the realization of high efficiency and low toxicity in catalytic therapy from a unique perspective of materials design. It is anticipated that this catalytic therapeutic method will garner significant interest in the sonocatalytic nanomedicine field.

Suspended shellfish aquaculture, utilizing longlines and buoys fixed on the sea surface, is a crucial source of global seafood. However, typhoons, as the most common disasters in coastal regions, can generate massive waves and pose a threat to the safety of suspended aquaculture facilities. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the risk levels associated with suspended aquaculture farms during typhoon waves. The example of a large-scale suspended mussel farm in the East China sea was examined in this study. The wave conditions under extreme wind conditions (25m/s) and different typhoon paths were predicted using the SWAN model and modeled results compared well with the observed wave and wind data. The results indicated that when the center of the east-side typhoon was located at the same latitude as the farm, it will face the highest risk level. However, for the west-side and intermediate sweeping typhoons, the risk level reached highest in the farm, when the typhoon center is lower than the latitude of it. Under the combined effects of wind fetch and topography, the risk level in the southeast farming area of the island is the highest under different wind conditions. The farms to the northwest of the island face a higher risk level during the passage of east-side sweeping typhoons, while the southern farms of the island experience an elevated risk level during the west-side and intermediate sweeping typhoons. It is suggested that farming regions with lower risk levels are more conducive to the cultivation of species with longer culture cycles. Conversely, regions considered at higher risk are more suitable for species with shorter culture cycles. The study affords a reference for the optimization and insurance of suspended aquaculture farms.

Abstract Aim To evaluate the efficacy and safety of vonoprazan–amoxicillin (VA) dual therapy for radically eradicating Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Methods The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang databases were searched up to July 7, 2022, to identify clinical trials comparing the efficacy of VA dual therapy and triple therapy for H. pylori eradication. After evaluating the quality of the included studies, random effects models were conducted, and risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate the efficacy and safety of each approach. Results Six publications (including four randomized controlled trials) involving 2019 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, the eradication rate for VA dual therapy was 89.9%, while it was 85.2% for triple therapy based on other acid inhibitors. The eradication rate of H. pylori in the VA dual regimen group was higher than that in the PPI-based (omeprazole or lansoprazole) triple therapy group (RR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.07–1.23, p

Abstract Introduction This retrospective cohort study aimed to compare the change in upper airway and craniocervical posture after orthodontic treatment between adolescent and adult patients with Class II high-angle malocclusion. Methods A total of 12 adolescent (mean ± standard deviation age = 13.0 ± 2.0 years) and 12 adult patients with Class II high-angle malocclusion (mean ± standard deviation age = 23.7 ± 6.4 years) were selected in this study. The lateral cephalograms and cone beam computed tomography images of adolescent and adult patients were taken before and after treatment, which can be employed to evaluate the variables of craniofacial morphology, upper airway, and craniocervical posture through paired t tests, respectively. An independent sample t test was performed to observe the differences between two groups after orthodontic intervention. For adults and adolescents, the correlation between craniofacial morphology, upper airway, and craniocervical posture was determined through Pearson correlation analysis. Results In all subjects, the improvements in vertical and sagittal facial morphology after treatment were observed. Anterior and inferior movements of the hyoid bone, an increase of upper airway dimension, posterior tipping of the head and a reduction of cervical inclination in the lower and middle segments post-treatment were identified in adolescence (P 0.05). Mandibular plane inclination, growth pattern, occlusal plane inclination, and chin position were all significantly correlated with craniocervical posture in adolescent patients. Besides, the mandibular growth pattern and chin position in adult patients were significantly correlated with craniocervical posture (P

Abstract Understanding tumor heterogeneity and immune infiltrates within the tumor-immune microenvironment (TIME) is essential for the innovation of immunotherapies. Here, combining single-cell transcriptomics and chromatin accessibility sequencing, we profile the intratumor heterogeneity of malignant cells and immune properties of the TIME in primary central nervous system diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PCNS DLBCL) patients. We demonstrate diverse malignant programs related to tumor-promoting pathways, cell cycle and B-cell immune response. By integrating data from independent systemic DLBCL and follicular lymphoma cohorts, we reveal a prosurvival program with aberrantly elevated RNA splicing activity that is uniquely associated with PCNS DLBCL. Moreover, a plasmablast-like program that recurs across PCNS/activated B-cell DLBCL predicts a worse prognosis. In addition, clonally expanded CD8 T cells in PCNS DLBCL undergo a transition from a pre-exhaustion-like state to exhaustion, and exhibit higher exhaustion signature scores than systemic DLBCL. Thus, our study sheds light on potential reasons for the poor prognosis of PCNS DLBCL patients, which will facilitate the development of targeted therapy.