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Abstract Background The objective of this study was to investigate the association between focal breast edema (FBE) and adjacent vessel sign (AVS) with tumor size, histologic grade, lymphovascular invasion, axillary lymph node status, Ki-67 index, and molecular subtype in breast cancer. These findings have provided valuable insights into the biological characteristics and prognosis of mass-type invasive ductal carcinoma (M-IDC). Methods We retrospectively included patients with M-IDC between January 2016 and December 2021. FBE was evaluated using T2-weighted sequence. AVS was assessed using maximum-intensity projection images obtained using early dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. The breast peritumor score (BPS) was defined as follows: BPS 1, absence of both edema and AVS; BPS 2, AVS without edema; BPS 3, AVS with peritumoral edema; BPS 4, AVS with prepectoral edema; and BPS 5, AVS with subcutaneous edema. The correlation between different BPS scores and clinicopathological variables was examined using Kendall’s tau-b correlation coefficient. The DeLong test was used to compare the performances of three clinicopathological models combined with peritumoral features (FBE, AVS, and BPS) in predicting luminal A-like M-IDC. Results In 228 patients with M-IDC, BPS was positively correlated with tumor size, histologic grade, lymphovascular invasion, axillary lymph node status, Ki-67 index, and negatively correlated with estrogen receptor expression (all P

IntroductionThis study investigated the potential link between serum klotho levels and cognitive function in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Materials and MethodsUtilizing NHANES data from 2011 to 2014, the research included 356 eligible participants. NAFLD was identified with the United States Fatty Liver Index (US-FLI), and cognition was measured by various tests including the Animal Fluency Test (AFT), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), Immediate Recall Test (IRT), and Delayed Recall Test (DRT). Weighted logistic regression and restricted cubic splines were employed to analyze the relationship between klotho levels and cognitive scores.ResultsA significant nonlinear association was observed between klotho levels and the performance in DSST and Delayed Recall Test (DRT). After controlling for confounding factors, the study found a positive association between higher serum klotho levels and improved cognitive performance in both AFT and DSST. However, there was no significant relationship between klotho levels and the IRT or DRT, regardless of whether the natural logarithm or quartile was considered.DiscussionThe findings suggest that a higher serum klotho level may be positively correlated with better cognitive performance in NAFLD patients.

Sepsis, a life-threatening condition, involves complex interactions among metabolic alterations, inflammatory mediators, and host responses. This study utilized a bidirectional Mendelian randomization approach to investigate the causal relationships between 1400 metabolites and sepsis, and the mediating role of inflammatory factors. We identified 36 metabolites significantly associated with sepsis (p < 0.05), with AXIN1, FGF-19, FGF-23, IL-4, and OSM showing an inverse association, suggesting a protective role, while IL-2 exhibited a positive correlation, indicating a potential risk factor. Among these metabolites, Piperine and 9-Hydroxystearate demonstrated particularly interesting protective effects against sepsis. Piperine’s protective effect was mediated through its interaction with AXIN1, contributing to a 16.296% reduction in sepsis risk. This suggests a potential pathway where Piperine influences sepsis outcomes by modulating AXIN1 levels. 9-Hydroxystearate also exhibited a protective role against sepsis, mediated through its positive association with FGF-19 and negative association with IL-2, contributing 9.436% and 12.565%, respectively, to its protective effect. Experimental validation confirmed significantly elevated IL-2 levels and reduced FGF-19, AXIN1, piperine, and 9-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid levels in sepsis patients compared to healthy controls. Piperine levels positively correlated with AXIN1, while 9-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid levels negatively correlated with IL-2 and positively correlated with FGF-19, supporting the Mendelian randomization findings. Our findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of sepsis, highlighting the unique roles and contributions of specific metabolites and their interactions with inflammatory mediators. This study enhances our understanding of sepsis pathophysiology and opens avenues for targeted therapeutic interventions and biomarker development for sepsis management. However, further research is essential to validate these pathways across diverse populations and fully explore the roles of these metabolites in sepsis.

BackgroundSepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction resulting from a dysregulated host response to infection, yet the potential causal relationship between the immunophenotype and sepsis remains unclear.MethodsGenetic variants associated with the immunophenotype served as instrumental variables (IVs) in Mendelian randomization (MR) to elucidate the causal impact of the immunophenotype on three sepsis outcomes. Additionally, a two-step MR analysis was conducted to identify significant potential mediators between the immunophenotype and three sepsis outcomes.ResultsOur MR analysis demonstrated a significant association between the immunophenotype and sepsis outcome, with 36, 36, and 45 the immunophenotype associated with the susceptibility, severity, and mortality of sepsis, respectively. Specifically, our analysis highlighted the CD14+ CD16+ monocyte phenotype as a significant factor across all three sepsis outcomes, with odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding confidence intervals (CIs) indicating its impact on sepsis (OR = 1.047, CI: 1.001-1.096), sepsis in Critical Care Units (OR = 1.139, CI: 1.014-1.279), and sepsis-related 28-day mortality (OR = 1.218, CI: 1.104-1.334). Mediation analyses identified seven cytokines as significant mediators among 91 potential cytokines, including interleukin-5 (IL-5), S100A12, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform, cystatin D, interleukin-18 (IL-18), and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). Furthermore, reverse MR analysis revealed no causal effect of sepsis outcomes on the immunophenotype.ConclusionOur MR study suggests that the immunophenotype is significantly associated with the susceptibility, severity, and mortality of patient with sepsis, providing, for the first time, robust evidence of significant associations between immune traits and their potential risks. This information is invaluable for clinicians and patients in making informed decisions and merits further attention.

Cognitive impairment is an important component of non motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD), and if not addressed in a timely manner, it can easily progress to dementia. However, no effective method currently exists to completely prevent or reverse cognitive impairment associated with PD. We therefore aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of near-infrared region II light (NIR-II) region illumination on cognitive impairment in PD through behavioral experiments (water maze and rotary rod) and multiple fluorescence immunohistochemistry techniques. The 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced group was compared with the MPTP- untreated rat group, showing a significant reduction in escape latency and significant increase in the fall latency in the MPTP-treated group. The horizontal analysis results indicated that NIR-II phototherapy improved the learning and cognitive abilities as well as coordination and balance abilities of rats. Post-treatment, the MPTP rats showed significantly shortened, escape latency, prolonged target quadrant residence time, and prolonged fall latency compared with pre-treatment. The longitudinal analysis results reaffirmed that NIR-II phototherapy improved the learning and cognitive abilities as well as coordination and balance abilities of rats. The multiple fluorescence immunohistochemistry analysis trend plot showed that the activated microglia and astrocytes in the hippocampus were highest in MPTP-induced PD untreated group, moderate in MPTP-induced PD treatment group, and lowest in the control group. Our data indicates that NIR-II illumination improves learning and cognitive impairment as well as coordination and balance abilities in PD rats by downregulating the activation of microglia and astrocytes in the hippocampus.

BackgroundAcute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe digestive system disorder with a significant risk of progressing to sepsis, a major cause of mortality. Unraveling the immunological pathways in AP is essential for developing effective treatments, particularly understanding the role of specific immune cell traits in this progression.MethodsEmploying a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach, this study first examined the causal relationship between AP and 731 immune cell traits to identify those significantly associated with AP. Subsequently, we explored the causal associations between 731 immune cell traits and sepsis. The analysis utilized extensive genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary datasets, with a focus on identifying common immune cell traits with statistically significant causal associations between AP and sepsis.ResultsOur investigation identified 44 immune cell traits unidirectionally associated with AP and 36 traits unidirectionally associated with sepsis. Among these, CD127 on CD28+ CD45RA- CD8+ T cells emerged as a common mediator, accounting for 5.296% of the increased risk of sepsis in AP patients. This finding highlights the significant role of specific memory CD8+ T cells in the pathophysiology of AP and its progression to sepsis.ConclusionThis study elucidates the critical role of specific immune cell traits, particularly CD127hi memory CD8+ T cells, in the progression of AP to sepsis. Our findings provide a foundation for future research into targeted immune-modulatory therapies, potentially improving patient outcomes in AP-related sepsis and offering new insights into the complex immunological dynamics of this condition.

The ground-based continuous hyperspectral remote sensing technique presents a unique opportunity to advance terrestrial ecosystem monitoring. Accurate retrieval of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) relies heavily on commercially available spectrometers with high spectral resolution (SR). However, high-SR spectrometers are resource-intensive and challenging to maintain, limiting their widespread deployment at observational sites. Here, we explored an alternative low-configuration and low-cost spectrometer for SIF retrieval at 2 sites cultivated with wheat and rice. The results revealed the strong correlations between irradiance and radiance measurements in the selected SIF bands from the high- and low-configuration spectrometers (R2 > 0.90, average root mean square error 0.90). Additionally, we utilized simulated data to examine the impact of SR and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on the far-red SIF retrieval from both high- and low-configuration spectrometers. Strong correlations (R2 > 0.80) were found between the simulated data with SNR ≥ 300 and SR < 2 nm. Furthermore, we investigated the relationships between crop gross primary productivity (GPP) and far-red SIF from both types of spectrometers and their ability to identify crop growth stages. SIF from both types of spectrometers exhibited high correlations with GPP (R2 > 0.70). The dates of various wheat-specific growth stages observed using the low-configuration spectrometer were consistent with those identified by the high-configuration spectrometer, with less than a 3-d differences for wheat. Our study confirms the capabilities of the low-configuration spectrometers for far-red SIF retrievals and promotes their deployment over large-scale ground observation networks, potentially advancing the large development of low-cost ground-based SIF measurements.

Background: As the omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) surges amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there is limited comorbidities data associated with viral shedding time (VST). We aimed to investigate the effect of comorbidities on VST in asymptomatic and mild patients with omicron. Methods: A multi-center, retrospective, observational study was conducted from March 12, 2022 to May 24, 2022 in Shanghai. The analysis was adjusted for patients’ baseline demographic, using log-rank test and logistic regression model. Results: The study enrolled 198,262 subjects. The median duration of viral shedding time (VST) was 8.29 days. The number of cumulative viral shedding events was significantly lower in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hyperlipidemia, diabetes, urinary system disease, and cardiocerebrovascular disease than in the no corresponding comorbidities group. Patients with comorbidities had a lower incidence of viral shedding, and the most significant independent risk factor is COPD (aOR 1.78, 95% CI: 1.53–2.08, p

Drought and salt stresses, the major environmental abiotic stresses in agriculture worldwide, affect plant growth, crop productivity, and quality. Therefore, developing crops with higher drought and salt tolerance is highly desirable. This study reported the isolation, biological function, and molecular characterization of a novel maspardin gene, OsMas1, from rice. The OsMas1 protein was localized to the cytoplasm. The expression levels of OsMas1 were up-regulated under mannitol, PEG6000, NaCl, and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments in rice. The OsMas1 gene was introduced into the rice cultivar Zhonghua 11 (wild type, WT). OsMas1-overexpression (OsMas1-OE) plants exhibited significantly enhanced salt and drought tolerance; in contrast, OsMas1-interference (OsMas1-RNAi) plants exhibited decreased tolerance to salt and drought stresses, compared with WT. OsMas1-OE plants exhibited enhanced hypersensitivity, while OsMas1-RNAi plants showed less sensitivity to exogenous ABA treatment at both germination and post-germination stages. ABA, proline and K+ contents and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and photosynthesis activities were significantly increased. In contrast, malonaldehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion radical (O2-·), and Na+ contents were significantly decreased in OsMas1-OE plants compared with OsMas1-RNAi and WT plants. Overexpression of OsMas1 up-regulated the genes involved in ABA signaling, proline biosynthesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging system, photosynthesis, and ion transport under salt and drought stresses. Our results indicate that the OsMas1 gene improves salt and drought tolerance in rice, which may serve as a candidate gene for enhancing crop resistance to abiotic stresses.

The simultaneous high-capacity and fast removal of radioactive barium ion (Ba2+) from nuclear wastewater is necessary but still faces large challenge. In this study, a novel adsorbent containing sulfonic group, MOF-808-SO3H, was prepared based on the oxidation of –SH group. Characterizations confirm the successful introduction of –SO3H, good porosity, and stability of the material. The adsorbent exhibits excellent capture ability for Ba2+ due to strong hard acid-base and electrostatic interactions, with the adsorption capacity of 152.0 mg g−1 and fast equilibrium adsorption time, superior to other reported materials. Optimal pH was found to be almost neutral and temperature cannot affect the adsorption largely. Besides, the irreversible adsorption was demonstrated and thereby the secondary pollution may be avoided. Therefore, our work provides an efficient adsorbent for capturing Ba2+ irreversibly, and proposes a feasible strategy for constructing adsorbents with simultaneous high adsorption capacity and fast kinetics.

To ensure the accuracy of state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) estimation for battery packs while minimizing the amount of pre-experiments required for aging modeling and the scales of computation for online management, a decisive-cell-based estimation method with training-free characteristic parameters and a dynamic-weighted estimation strategy is proposed in this paper. Firstly, to reduce the computational complexity, the state estimation of battery packs is summed up to that of two decisive cells, and a new selection approach for the decisive cells is adopted based on the detection of steep voltage changes. Secondly, two novel ideas are implemented for the state estimation of the selected cells. On the one hand, a set of characteristic parameters that only exhibit local curve shrinkage with aging is chosen, which keeps the corresponding estimation approaches away from training. On the other hand, multiple basic estimation approaches are effectively combined by their respective dynamic weights, which ensures the estimation can maintain a good estimation accuracy under various load profiles. Finally, the experimental results show that the new method can quickly correct the initial setting deviations and have a high estimation accuracy for both the SOC and SOH within 2% for a series battery pack consisting of cells with obvious inconsistency.

Crop growth stages are integral components of plant phenology and are of significant ecological and agricultural importance. While the use of remote sensing methods for phenology identification in cropland ecosystems has been extensively explored in previous studies, the focus has often been on land surface phenology, primarily related to the start and end of the growing season. In contrast, the monitoring of crop growth within an agronomic framework has been limited, particularly in the context of recently developed solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) data. Additionally, some critical growth stages have not received adequate attention or evaluation. This study aims to assess the utility of SIF data, collected from both ground and satellite measurements, for identifying critical crop growth stages within the realm of remote sensing phenological estimation. A comparative analysis was conducted using enhanced vegetation index (EVI) data at the Shangqiu site in the North China Plain from 2018 to 2022. Both SIF and EVI time-series data, obtained from ground and satellite sources, undergo a comprehensive phenological estimation framework encompassing pre-processing, modeling, and transition characterization. This approach involves reconciling time-series phenological patterns with crop growth stages, revealing the necessity of redefining the mapping relationship between these two fundamental concepts. After preprocessing the time-series data, the framework incorporates the phenological modeling process employing two double logistic models and a spline model for comparison. Additionally, it includes phenological transition characterization using four different methods. Consequently, each input dataset undergoes an assessment, resulting in 12 sets of estimations, which are compared to select the ideal estimation portfolio for identifying the growth stages of maize and winter wheat. Our findings highlight the efficacy of SIF data in accurately identifying the growth stages of maize and winter wheat, achieving remarkable results with an R-square exceeding 0.9 and an RMSE of less than 1 week for key growth stages (KGSs). Notably, SIF data demonstrate superior accuracy, robustness, and sensitivity to phenological events when compared to EVI data. This study establishes an estimation portfolio utilizing SIF data, involving the Gu model, a double logistic model, as the preferred phenological modelling method together with various compositing methods and transition characterization methods, suitable for most KGSs. These findings create opportunities for future research aimed at enhancing and standardizing crop growth stage identification using remote sensing data for a wide range of KGSs.