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Abstract Background Informal caregivers of older adults play a vital role in improving the degree to which older adults access community and healthcare services in a seamless and timely manner. They are fulfilling important navigation and support roles for their older care recipients. However, there is still little knowledge of the most significant facilitators and barriers to effective and efficient system navigation among caregivers. This paper aims to fill these knowledge gaps through investigation of the key factors (i.e., social capital/cohesion, caregiving supports, and utilization factors) affecting navigation difficulties faced by informal caregivers of older adults. Methods The Behavioural-Ecological Framework of Healthcare Access and Navigation (BEAN) model is used to frame the study. Using the General Social Survey on Caregiving and Care Receiving 2018, we analyzed 2,733 informal caregivers whose primary care recipients were aged 65 or older. Hierarchical logistic regression was conducted to identify the relationship between system navigation difficulties among informal caregivers and four sequentially ordered blocks of predictors: (1) sociodemographic (2), social capital/cohesion (3), caregiving supports, and (4) healthcare demand. Results The fully adjusted model showed that the probability of reporting navigation difficulties was lower for caregivers with social capital/cohesion compared to those without social capital/cohesion. In comparison, the probability of reporting navigation difficulties was higher among caregivers with caregiving support and among caregivers whose care receivers use a higher amount of health service use. Several sociodemographic covariates were also identified. Conclusion Our findings support certain aspects of the BEAN model. This study extends our understanding of potential facilitators and barriers that informal caregivers of older adults face while navigating complex community and health systems. There is a need to implement coordinated schemes and health policies especially for older adults with mental/neurological issues to address the challenges of their caregivers given the specific vulnerability identified in this study. The need for further research using different approaches to examine the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on caregivers’ system navigation experience is crucial.

Abstract Observational studies have suggested a bidirectional relationship between idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the causal association between these two neurodegenerative disorders remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the causal relationship between iNPH and AD using a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) method. Large-scale genome-wide association studies of iNPH (Ncase = 767, Ncontrol = 375,610) and AD (Ncase/proxy = 111,326, Ncontrol = 677,663) in European individuals were used to screen genetic instruments for MR analysis. Inverse variance-weighted (IVW) method was used as the main analysis, other MR methods and a series of sensitivity analyses were performed to ensure the reliability. In the forward MR analysis, genetic predisposition to iNPH had no effects on the risk of AD development. Likewise, in the reverse MR analysis, AD did not demonstrate a significant causal effect on iNPH. Sensitivity analyses bolstered the reliability of the MR results. Our MR study indicated no genetic evidence supporting a suggestive association between AD and iNPH in either direction, and provided evidence on the dichotomy between true iNPH and neurodegenerative NPH.

The Jingyang–Weinan Fault that Xi’an Metro Line 10 crosses is a Holocene active fault, and its future stick-slip earthquakes and coseismic dislocations pose a potential threat to the metro line. To reveal the deformation and stratum stress characteristics of the site caused by the stick-slip seismic and coseismic dislocations of the Jingyang–Weinan Fault zone, based on the Jingyang–Weinan fault zone crossed by Xi’an Metro Line 10, the geomechanical model of the fault zone site coseismic dislocations and stick-slip seismic was established, and the numerical simulation analysis of the stratum deformation and stress field characteristics of fault zone site was carried out considering different dislocation amounts and seismic intensity. The results show that under the coseismic dislocation, the stress reduction and strengthening zones appear in the hanging wall and footwall near the fault zone, and the site presents an inverse “S” shaped differential settlement failure. The differential displacement peaks at the fault zone, and the plastic zone is concentrated here. The deformation range and plastic zone of the hanging wall are 1.67 times and 2.50 times more than that of the footwall, respectively. The displacement and differential deformation of the site near the fault zone reach the peak value under the stick-slip earthquake. The influence range of the site displacement during the large earthquake is approximately 6.50 times more than that during the medium earthquake. It has a typical magnification effect on the hanging wall, and the displacement decreases linearly far away from the fault zone. The amplification factor of peak surface acceleration (PGA) in the large earthquake is 1.14 times more than that in the medium earthquake. The site shows “V” shear failure; the plastic zones of hanging wall and footwall in the large earthquake is about 1.40 times and 1.00 times larger than that in the medium earthquake, respectively. This study can provide a scientific basis for the seismic fortification of Xi’an Metro Line lines crossing the Jingyang–Weinan fault zone.

Abstract Streamflow in source region of Yellow River (SRYR) matters with regard to the adjacent and downstream water resources. Intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) in the streamflow in SRYR is of great significance to the sub-seasonal prediction of streamflow in SRYR, but is unknown. Here, we first report a 30–60-day ISO in the streamflow in SRYR, which is regulated by the atmospheric 30–60-day ISO at mid-high latitude over North Eurasia. The 30–60-day ISO in atmosphere is featured by a Rossby wavetrain, and the wave energy propagates southward onto the TP, which causes anomalous wind response over TP. The leading anomalous high (low) with anti-cyclonic (cyclonic) wind anomalies over the TP favors dry (wet) air in lower troposphere in SRYR, via enhancing the water vapor divergence (convergence). Dry (wet) air always results in strong (weak) evaporation from the Yellow River, which causes the later streamflow valley (peak) and thereby the 30–60-day ISO in the streamflow in SRYR.

Abstract In recent years, the widespread adoption of wireless sensor networks (WSN) has resulted in the growing integration of the internet of things (IoT). However, WSN encounters limitations related to energy and sensor node lifespan, making the development of an efficient routing protocol a critical concern. Cluster technology offers a promising solution to this challenge. This study introduces a novel cluster routing protocol for WSN. The system selects cluster heads and relay nodes utilizing the multi-strategy fusion snake optimizer (MSSO) and employs the minimum spanning tree algorithm for inter-cluster routing planning, thereby extending the system’s lifecycle and conserving network energy. In pursuit of an optimal clustering scheme, the paper also introduces tactics involving dynamic parameter updating, adaptive alpha mutation, and bi-directional search optimization within MSSO. These techniques significantly increase the algorithm convergence speed and expand the available search space. Furthermore, a novel efficient clustering routing model for WSN is presented. The model generates different objective functions for selecting cluster heads and relay nodes, considering factors such as location, energy, base station distance, intra-cluster compactness, inter-cluster separation, and other relevant criteria. When selecting cluster heads, the fuzzy c-means (FCM) algorithm is integrated into MSSO to improve the optimization performance of the algorithm. When planning inter-cluster routing, the next hop node is selected for the relay node based on distance, residual energy, and direction.The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed protocol reduces energy consumption by at least 26.64% compared to other cluster routing protocols including LEACH, ESO, EEWC, GWO, and EECHS-ISSADE. Additionally, it increases the network lifetime of WSN by at least 25.84%, extends the stable period by at least 52.43%, and boosts the network throughput by at least 40.99%.

Abstract Background Anthracnose, mainly caused by Colletotrichum fructicola, leads to severe losses in pear production. However, there is limited information available regarding the molecular response to anthracnose in pears. Results In this study, the anthracnose-resistant variety ‘Seli’ and susceptible pear cultivar ‘Cuiguan’ were subjected to transcriptome analysis following C. fructicola inoculation at 6 and 24 h using RNA sequencing. A total of 3186 differentially expressed genes were detected in ‘Seli’ and ‘Cuiguan’ using Illumina sequencing technology. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses indicated that the transcriptional response of pears to C. fructicola infection included responses to reactive oxygen species, phytohormone signaling, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and secondary metabolite biosynthetic processes. Moreover, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were involved in the defense of ‘Seli’. Furthermore, the gene coexpression network data showed that genes related to plant–pathogen interactions were associated with C. fructicola resistance in ‘Seli’ at the early stage. Conclusion Our results showed that the activation of specific genes in MAPK, calcium signaling pathways and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis was highly related to C. fructicola resistance in ‘Seli’ and providing several potential candidate genes for breeding anthracnose-resistant pear varieties.

BackgroundAs a minimally invasive approach to treating congenital heart disease (CHD), the application of the right subaxillary small incision (RSSI) has been developing fast in its indication spectrum. However, RSSI's use is still quite challenging for the surgical treatment of the low-age and low-weight infant patient group.ObjectivesTo investigate the safety and efficacy of performing RSSI surgery, treating CHD for infants with low-age and low-weight.MethodsBetween March 2010 and April 2023, Low-age (≤6 months) and low-weight (≤5 kg) infants with ventricular or atrial septal defect (ASD) as the main diagnosis were retrospectively included in this study. The infants were divided into the RSSI group and the median sternotomy (MS) group. Preoperative conditions, general surgical conditions, perioperative and postoperative outcomes, and long-term follow-up results were compared between the 2 groups.ResultsThe study included 783 cases. Of these, 434 were operated with MS, and 349 were operated with RSSI. A1:1 matched MS group (282 cases) and RSSI group (282 cases) were obtained after performing propensity score matching (PSM). Analysis of the 2 groups after PSM showed the differences in residual ASD/VSD, peak airway pressure, fraction of inspired oxygen/partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2/FiO2), and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) before return to the intensive care unit (ICU) and extubation were not statistically significant between groups, whereas mechanical ventilation time (P

Objective This study aims to assess the accuracy and stability of smartwatches in predicting acute mountain sickness (AMS). Methods In locations exceeding an altitude of 2500 m, a cohort of 42 subjects had their Lake Louise AMS self-assessment score, blood oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ), heart rate, and perfusion index measured using smartwatches, with the data seamlessly conveyed to the Huawei Cloud. Results A significant decrease in SpO 2 was observed in individuals positive for AMS compared to those negative ( p

Background: Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD), epirubicin and pirarubicin are the main anthracyclines widely used in China. PLD demonstrates therapeutic response comparable to epirubicin and pirarubicin in neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) of breast cancer. Objectives: The objectives of our study were to retrospectively assess the real-world effectiveness and prognostic characteristics of PLD as NAC for HR ⩽ 10%/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer. Design: This was a retrospective study. Methods: Our study enrolled patients with HR ⩽ 10%/HER2-negative breast cancer who received PLD-, epirubicin- or pirarubicin-based NAC from three centres in Hunan Province, China, between 2015 and 2022. We employed inverse probability of treatment weighting to balance the differences in patients’ characteristics among the PLD, epirubicin, and pirarubicin groups. The endpoints were pathological complete response (pCR), event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS). Results: A total of 267 patients were included. After NAC, the pCR rates in PLD group were superior to epirubicin group (PLD, 34.1%; epirubicin, 20.8%, p = 0.038). The differences in EFS (log-rank p = 0.99) and OS (log-rank p = 0.33) among the three groups were not statistically significant. Among the three groups, non-pCR patients had worse EFS than pCR patients (log-rank p = 0.014). For patients with pCR, the differences in EFS (log-rank p = 0.47) and OS (log-rank p = 0.38) were not statistically significant among the three groups, and the EFS (log-rank p = 0.59) and OS (log-rank p = 0.14) of non-pCR patients in the PLD group were similar to those in the epirubicin and pirarubicin groups. Conclusion: PLD had a similar therapeutic response and prognosis compared to epirubicin or pirarubicin in NAC for patients with HR ⩽ 10%/HER2 negative breast cancer, which means that PLD represents a potential NAC option.

IntroductionMultiple linked single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have shown potential in personal identification and mixture detection. However, the limited number of marker and sequencing errors have obstructed accurate DNA typing.MethodsTo develop more candidate loci, the diversity value (D-value) was introduced as a new parameter for screening the novel polymorphic multiple linked-SNP markers, referred to as multi-SNP. In this study, a “FD Multi-SNP Mixture Kit” comprising 567 multi-SNPs was developed for mixture detection. Additionally, a new computational error correction method was applied as a quality control approach for sequencing data.ResultsThe results demonstrated higher typing success rates than the conventional CE typing method. For single-source DNA, approximately 70–80 loci were detected with a DNA input of 0.009765625 ng. More than 65% of the minor alleles were distinguishable at 1 ng DNA with a frequency of 0.5% in 2- to 4-person mixtures.ConclusionThis study offers a polymorphic and high-resolution detection method for DNA genotyping and complex mixture detection, providing an alternative strategy for addressing challenging mixed DNA traces.

Objective Breast-conserving therapy (BCT) includes breast-conserving surgery (BCS) combined with radiation therapy (RT). RT plays a crucial role in improving the prognosis of patients who undergo BCS. However, obesity is a potential risk factor for resistance to radiation. The aim of this study was to evaluate any difference in the long-term prognosis of patients with early stage breast cancer and obesity treated with BCT or total mastectomy (TM).Design, setting and participants This was a retrospective cohort study involving 1125 patients diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and obesity at the Shanghai Cancer Center of Fudan University from 2013 to 2016.Outcome measures Obesity in the Chinese population was defined as a body mass index ≥28 kg/m2. Surgical options included BCT and TM. The primary survival outcomes were overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to control for the impact of confounding factors on prognosis.Results The median follow-up times in the BCT group and TM group without postoperative RT were 51.1 months (IQR of 40.6–68.1 months) and 61.8 months (IQR of 46.5–76.7 months), respectively. After IPTW, the baseline data were balanced. Compared with those in the TM cohort, patients in the whole IPTW cohort in the BCT cohort had worse DFS (HR 4.280, 95% CI 2.180 to 8.400; p

ObjectiveExperienced 3 years of pandemic-induced home life, in the post-epidemic period, preschoolers in China are falling short of the World Health Organization’s standards for screen time and outdoor activities. This notably impacts their physical well-being. The study aims to probe the associations between screen time, outdoor activities, and the physical health of preschoolers, offering insights to shape interventions targeting myopia and obesity prevention in children.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Guangdong Province, involving a representative sample of 23,992 preschoolers and their caregivers recruited through proportional stratified cluster sampling. Data collection utilized the Chinese Early Human Capability Index (CHeHCI, eHCi), a questionnaire on children’s media use in daily family life, and Body Mass Index (BMI). Linear regression and binary logistic regression models were employed to analyze the impact of screen time and outdoor activity duration on the physical health of preschoolers.ResultsIn the high family socioeconomic status (SES) group, children had significantly less screen time compared to those in the medium and low SES groups. Outdoor activity time varied significantly based on SES, with higher SES linked to extended outdoor engagement. Additionally, children’s eHCi health dimension score exhibited significant SES-related differences, showcasing higher scores for children in higher SES groups. In terms of gender differences, boys dedicated significantly more time to outdoor activities than girls, yet boys had a notably higher overweight rate. Furthermore, girls demonstrated better health outcomes based on eHCi health scores. A significant association emerged between overweight and screen time in children with high SES, indicating that prolonged screen time was linked to a higher likelihood of overweight based on BMI. Additionally, a substantial negative correlation was observed between children’s eHCi health dimension score and screen time. Furthermore, children’s outdoor activity time exhibited a significant positive correlation with eHCi health dimension score. Regression analysis revealed that screen time could significantly negatively predict children’s physical health score, while outdoor activity time could significantly positively predict children’s eHCi physical health score.ConclusionThe current study highlights that family SES, age, and gender play pivotal roles in influencing preschoolers’ screen time and outdoor activity duration, with family SES being particularly influential. Higher family SES correlates with reduced screen time, increased outdoor activity, and elevated health levels among children. Importantly, children’s screen time negatively predicts their health status, while outdoor time positively predicts their health status.

Abstract Purpose To summarize and analyze the safety and efficacy of a Y-shape Sigma stent loaded with I125 in patients with inoperable malignant main airway obstruction. Methods This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee, and a written informed consent was obtained from each participant. A Y-shape Sigma stent loaded with I125 was placed under vision from rigid bronchoscopy. The primary endpoint was alleviation of symptoms and improvement of Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score, and the secondary endpoint was complications and technical success. Results From November 2018 through June 2023, total 33 patients with malignant airway obstruction were palliatively treated by installing Y-shape Sigma stents loaded with I125. The airway lumen was immediately restored and the average airway opening significantly increased to 70 ± 9.4% after the procedure from baseline 30.2 ± 10.5% (p

Fruitlet calyx shedding in pear plants is apparently regulated via numerous pathways that involve both environmental triggers and phytohormones cues such as auxin. In this study, we found at 10 days after full bloom (DAFB) higher levels of indoleacetic acid (IAA) and tryptophan (Trp) in calyx persistence fruitlet (CPF) than calyx shedding fruitlet (CSF) of ‘Danshan Suli’ pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rhed.). Consisting with this, the activity of indolealdehyde oxidase (IAAIdO), which promotes IAA synthesis, was remarkably increased, and that of peroxidase (POD), which degrades IAA, dropped markedly in CPF but not in CSF. Further, qRT-PCR results revealed that most of 31 PbrARFs (encoding auxin response factors) in Pyrus bretschneideri were highly expressed in CPF, whereas PbrARF4, PbrARF24 and PbrARF26 were significantly down-regulated in CPF vis-a-vis CSF. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 6 PbrARFs clustered in the group Ⅲ, where PbrARF4 showed the closest affinity with AtARF1 that promotes organ abscission, indicating a putative role of PbrARF4 in mediating the process of calyx shedding in pear. In fact, the ectopic overexpression of PbrARF4 in Solanum lycopersicum resulted in an earlier-formed and deeper abscission layer (AL) in the transgenic plants, whose calyxes were more prone to wilt at the mature red stage (MR) compared with the control plants (wild-type). More importantly, expression levels of the abscission genes SlLS and SlCel2 in transgenic plants overexpressing PbrARF4 were significantly up-regulated in comparation with the WT, whereas those of SlBI and SlTAPG2 were considerably inhibited. Further, PbrJOINTLESS and PbrIDA, the two genes related to calyx shedding in pear, were up-regulated more in CSF than CPF. The findings contribute to a better understanding of PbrARFs involved in fruitlet calyx shedding of pear, which could prove beneficial to improving the quality of pear fruit.

Abstract Background Chlorophyll (Chl) is an agronomic trait associated with photosynthesis and yield. Gibberellin 2-oxidases (GA2oxs) have previously been shown to be involved in Chl accumulation. However, whether and how the PbrGA2ox proteins (PbrGA2oxs) mediate Chl accumulation in pear (Pyrus spp.) is scarce. Results Here, we aimed to elucidate the role of the pear GA2ox gene family in Chl accumulation and the related underlying mechanisms. We isolated 13 PbrGA2ox genes (PbrGA2oxs) from the pear database and identified PbrGA2ox1 as a potential regulator of Chl accumulation. We found that transiently overexpressing PbrGA2ox1 in chlorotic pear leaves led to Chl accumulation, and PbrGA2ox1 silencing in normal pear leaves led to Chl degradation, as evident by the regreening and chlorosis phenomenon, respectively. Meanwhile, PbrGA2ox1-overexpressing (OE) tobacco plants discernably exhibited Chl built-up, as evidenced by significantly higher Pn and Fv/Fm. In addition, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), physiological and biochemical investigations revealed an increase in abscisic acid (ABA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), and salicylic acid (SA) concentrations and signaling pathways; a marked elevation in reducing and soluble sugar contents; and a marginal decline in the starch and sucrose levels in OE plants. Interestingly, PbrGA2ox1 overexpression did not prominently affect Chl synthesis. However, it indeed facilitated chloroplast development by increasing chloroplast number per cell and compacting the thylakoid granum stacks. These findings might jointly contribute to Chl accumulation in OE plants. Conclusion Overall, our results suggested that GA2oxs accelerate Chl accumulation by stimulating chloroplast development and proved the potential of PbrGA2ox1 as a candidate gene for genetically breeding biofortified pear plants with a higher yield.

Abstract Research on amateur mountaineers is scarce, and this study aims to delve into the emotional experiences of ten amateur mountaineers during their ascent using the "Befindlichkeitsskala" (BFS) and Lake Louise Acute Mountain Sickness scoring system (LLS). These subjects were exposed to altitudes of 3140 m, 4300 m, and 5276 m, respectively. We found that LLS scores were negatively correlated with positive emotions (β = −27.54, p

Summary: Glioblastoma (GBM) is characterized by aggressive growth, invasiveness, and poor prognosis. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying GBM is crucial. This study explores the role of Sm-like protein 14 homolog A (LSM14A) in GBM. Bioinformatics and clinical tissue samples analysis demonstrated that overexpression of LSM14A in GBM correlates with poorer prognosis. CCK8, EdU, colony formation, and transwell assays revealed that LSM14A promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion in GBM in vitro. In vivo mouse xenograft models confirmed the results of the in vitro experiments. The mechanism of LSM14A modulating GBM cell proliferation was investigated using mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation (coIP), protein half-life, and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) analyses. The findings indicate that during the G1/S phase, LSM14A stabilizes DDX5 in the cytoplasm, regulating CDK4 and P21 levels. Furthermore, METTL1 modulates LSM14A expression via mRNA m7G methylation. Altogether, our work highlights the METTL1-LSM14A-DDX5 pathway as a potential therapeutic target in GBM.

One of the critical technologies to ensure cyberspace security is network traffic anomaly detection, which detects malicious attacks by analyzing and identifying network traffic behavior. The rapid development of the network has led to explosive growth in network traffic, which seriously impacts the user's information security. Researchers have delved into intrusion detection as an active defense technology to address this challenge. However, traditional machine learning methods struggle to capture complex threats and attack patterns when dealing with large-scale network data. In contrast, deep learning methods have the advantages of automatically extracting features from network traffic data and strong generalization capabilities. Aiming to enhance the ability of network anomaly traffic detection, this paper proposes a network traffic anomaly detection based on Deep Residual Shrinkage Network (DRSN), namely ''GSOOA-1DDRSN''. This method uses an improved Osprey optimization algorithm to select the most relevant and essential features in network traffic, reducing the features' dimensionality. For better detection performance of network traffic anomalies, a one-dimensional deep residual shrinkage network (1DDRSN) is designed as a classifier. Validation is performed using the NSL-KDD and UNSW-NB15 datasets and compared with other methods. The experimental results show that GSOOA-1DDRSN has improved multi-classification accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 Score by approximately 2 % and 3 %, respectively, compared to the 1DDRSN model on two datasets. Additionally, it reduces the time computation costs by 20 % and 30 % on these datasets. Furthermore, compared to other models, GSOOA-1DDRSN offers superior classification accuracy and effectively reduces the number of features.

Abstract Background Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a common choice for axillary surgery in patients with early‐stage breast cancer (BC) who have clinically negative lymph nodes. Most research indicates that obesity is a prognostic factor for BC patients, but studies assessing its association with the rate of positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) and the prognosis of patients with early BC undergoing SLNB are limited. Methods Between 2013 and 2016, 7062 early‐stage BC patients from the Shanghai Cancer Center of Fudan University were included. Based on the Chinese Body Mass Index (BMI) classification standards, the patients were divided into three groups as follows: normal weight, overweight, and obese. Propensity score matching analysis was used to balance the baseline characteristics of the participants. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between obesity and positive SLN rate. Cox regression analysis was used to investigate whether obesity was an independent prognostic factor for early‐stage BC patients who had undergone SLNB. Results No significant association was observed between obesity and positive SLN rate in early‐stage BC patients who had undergone SLNB. However, multivariate analysis revealed that compared to patients with normal BMI, the overall survival (hazard ratio (HR) 2.240, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27–3.95, p = 0.005) and disease‐free survival (HR 1.750, 95% CI 1.16–2.62, p = 0.007) were poorer in patients with high BMI. Conclusion Obesity is an independent prognostic factor for early‐stage BC patients who undergo SLNB; however, it does not affect the positive SLN rate.

Summary: Cardiac dysfunction, an early complication of endotoxemia, is the major cause of death in intensive care units. No specific therapy is available at present for this cardiac dysfunction. Here, we show that the N-terminal gasdermin D (GSDMD-N) initiates mitochondrial apoptotic pore and cardiac dysfunction by directly interacting with cardiolipin oxidized by complex II-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) during endotoxemia. Caspase-4/11 initiates GSDMD-N pores that are subsequently amplified by the upregulation and activation of NLRP3 inflammation through further generation of ROS. GSDMD-N pores form prior to BAX and VDAC1 apoptotic pores and further incorporate into BAX and VDAC1 oligomers within mitochondria membranes to exacerbate the apoptotic process. Our findings identify oxidized cardiolipin as the definitive target of GSDMD-N in mitochondria of cardiomyocytes during endotoxin-induced myocardial dysfunction (EIMD), and modulation of cardiolipin oxidation could be a therapeutic target early in the disease process to prevent EIMD.

The terahertz range, as a type of electromagnetic wave with wavelengths between microwaves and the infrared band, has the characteristics of penetration, low energy and a stable absorption spectrum of specific substances, and is widely used in non-destructive testing, human security inspections, biological tissue diagnoses and military detection. In particular, terahertz wave 3D imaging technology can detect the internal information of the target of detection, and it has become the focus of current research. This study carried out research on 3D reconstruction and object detection algorithms based on terahertz images. In view of the problem that the MVS (Multi-ViewStereo) series of 3D reconstruction algorithms ignore the context information between the cost layers and have unsatisfactory reconstruction effects when used on complex regions, an improved MVSNet 3D reconstruction algorithm FCTMVSNet(Feature and Cost Transformer Depth Inference for Unstructured Multi-view Stereo) based on Transformer is proposed here. A structured object recognition algorithm was designed to provide theoretical support for subsequent terahertz image-based object detection algorithms.

Abstract Background The primary management modalities for the patella in TKA include patellar resurfacing, patellar non-resurfacing, patellar resurfacing with denervation, and patellar non-resurfacing with denervation. Traditionally, meta-analyses have predominantly focused on examining comparisons between two management modalities. However, this study performed a network meta-analysis to compare all four patellar management interventions to identify the most optimal approach for patellar management in TKA. Methods A computer-based search of PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), The Cochrane Library, Web of science, Embase, and MEDLINE databases was performed to identify randomized controlled trials focusing on the four management interventions for the patella in TKA. Comparisons included two-by-two comparisons as well as those involving more than two concurrent comparisons. The search timeframe spanned from inception to June 30, 2023. Two independent authors extracted the data and evaluated the quality of the literature. The Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias (ROB) tool was used to evaluate the overall quality of the literature. Subsequently, a network meta-analysis was conducted using the “gemtc” package of the R-4.2.3 software. Outcome measures such as anterior knee pain (AKP), reoperation rate, and patient satisfaction rate were evaluated using odd ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Additionally, the knee society score (KSS), function score (FS), and range of motion (ROM) were evaluated using mean differences (MD) with associated 95% CI. The different treatment measures were ranked using the surfaces under the cumulative ranking curves (SUCRA). Results A total of 50 randomized controlled trials involving 9,283 patients were included in the analysis. The findings from this network meta-analysis revealed that patellar resurfacing exhibited significantly lower postoperative reoperation rate (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.24–0.63) and AKP (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.32–1) compared to non-resurfacing. Additionally, patellar resurfacing exhibited higher postoperative KSS clinical scores in comparison with non-resurfacing (MD: 1.13, 95% CI 0.18–2.11). However, for postoperative FS, ROM, and patient satisfaction, no significant differences were observed among the four management interventions. Conclusion Patellar resurfacing emerges as the optimal management modality in primary TKA. However, future studies should aim to reduce sources of heterogeneity and minimize the influence of confounding factors on outcomes. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023434418 identifier: CRD42023434418

Abstract Background The long-term impact of COVID-19-associated public health interventions on zoonotic and vector-borne infectious diseases (ZVBs) remains uncertain. This study sought to examine the changes in ZVBs in China during the COVID-19 pandemic and predict their future trends. Methods Monthly incidents of seven ZVBs (Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome [HFRS], Rabies, Dengue fever [DF], Human brucellosis [HB], Leptospirosis, Malaria, and Schistosomiasis) were gathered from January 2004 to July 2023. An autoregressive fractionally integrated moving average (ARFIMA) by incorporating the COVID-19-associated public health intervention variables was developed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of interventions and forecast ZVBs epidemics from August 2023 to December 2025. Results Over the study period, there were 1,599,647 ZVBs incidents. HFRS and rabies exhibited declining trends, HB showed an upward trajectory, while the others remained relatively stable. The ARFIMA, incorporating a pulse pattern, estimated the average monthly number of changes of − 83 (95% confidence interval [CI] − 353–189) cases, − 3 (95% CI − 33–29) cases, − 468 (95% CI − 1531–597) cases, 2191 (95% CI 1056–3326) cases, 7 (95% CI − 24–38) cases, − 84 (95% CI – 222–55) cases, and − 214 (95% CI − 1036–608) cases for HFRS, rabies, DF, HB, leptospirosis, malaria, and schistosomiasis, respectively, although these changes were not statistically significant besides HB. ARFIMA predicted a decrease in HB cases between August 2023 and December 2025, while indicating a relative plateau for the others. Conclusions China's dynamic zero COVID-19 strategy may have exerted a lasting influence on HFRS, rabies, DF, malaria, and schistosomiasis, beyond immediate consequences, but not affect HB and leptospirosis. ARFIMA emerges as a potent tool for intervention analysis, providing valuable insights into the sustained effectiveness of interventions. Consequently, the application of ARFIMA contributes to informed decision-making, the design of effective interventions, and advancements across various fields.

Abstract Background To predict the microvascular invasion (MVI) in patients with cHCC-ICC. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 119 patients who underwent CT enhancement scanning (from September 2006 to August 2022). They were divided into MVI-positive and MVI-negative groups. Results The proportion of patients with CEA elevation was higher in the MVI-positive group than in the MVI-negative group, with a statistically significant difference (P = 0.02). The MVI-positive group had a higher rate of peritumoral enhancement in the arterial phase (P = 0.01) whereas the MVI-negative group had more oval and lobulated masses (P = 0.04). According to the multivariate analysis, the increase in CEA (OR = 10.15, 95% CI: 1.11, 92.48, p = 0.04), hepatic capsular withdrawal (OR = 4.55, 95% CI: 1.44, 14.34, p = 0.01) and peritumoral enhancement (OR = 6.34, 95% CI: 2.18, 18.40, p

The precipitation gradient (PG) is a crucial parameter for watershed hydrological models. Analysis of daily precipitation and elevation data from 30 stations in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau (SETP) during the active phase of the Indian monsoon reveals distinct patterns. Below 3000 m, precipitation generally decreases with increasing altitude. Between 3000 and 4000 m, precipitation patterns are more complex; in western regions, precipitation increases with elevation, whereas in eastern regions, it decreases. Above 4000 m, up to the highest observation point of 4841 m, precipitation continues to decrease with elevation, with a more pronounced decline beyond a critical height. In the SETP, PGs for LYR and NYR are positive, at 11.3 ± 2.7 mm/100 m and 17.3 ± 3.8 mm/100 m, respectively. Conversely, PLZB exhibits a negative PG of −22.3 ± 4.2 mm/100 m. The Yarlung Zangbo River (YLZBR) water vapor channel plays a significant role in these PGs, with the direction and flux of water vapor potentially influencing both the direction and magnitude of the PG. Additional factors such as precipitation intensity, the number of precipitation days, precipitation frequency, and station selection also significantly impact the PG. Notable correlations between elevation and variables such as the number of precipitation days, non-precipitation days, and precipitation intensity. The precipitation intensity gradients (PIGs) are 0.06 ± 0.02 mm/d/100 m, 0.11 ± 0.04 mm/d/100 m, and −0.18 ± 0.04 mm/d/100 m for the three catchments, respectively. Future research should incorporate remote sensing data and expand site networks, particularly in regions above 5000 m, to enhance the accuracy of precipitation–elevation relationship assessments, providing more reliable data for water resource simulation and disaster warning.

IntroductionThe use of online follow-up services (OFUS) is becoming an increasingly important supplement to hospital care. Through OFUS, patients can find their doctors in online health communities (OHCs) and receive remote medical follow-ups after hospital treatment. However, the rate of effective use of OFUS by current patients is still low, and there is an urgent need for research to investigate the online information factors that affect patients' effective use of OFUS.MethodsBased on the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) of persuasion and an analysis of a panel dataset including 3,672 doctors in a leading OHC in China, this study explores how online information from doctors' knowledge contributions and patient feedback influences patients' effective use of OFUS.ResultsThe results show that both doctors' knowledge contributions and patient feedback positively influence patients' effective use of OFUS. Doctors' paid knowledge contributions and patients' paid feedback have stronger persuasive effects than doctors' free knowledge contributions and patients' free feedback, respectively. Moreover, there is a substitutional relationship between doctors' paid and free knowledge contributions and between patients' paid and free feedback in influencing patients' effective use of OFUS.DiscussionThe findings of this study suggest that OHC platforms and healthcare providers should account not only for the persuasive effects of doctors' knowledge contributions and patient feedback but also for influential differences and relationships between the types of doctors' knowledge contributions and patient feedback to better persuade patients to effectively use OFUS.

ObjectiveHormone receptor (HR)-low/HER2-negative breast cancers (BCs) are more likely to be basal-like BCs, with similar molecular features and gene expression profiles to HR-negative (estrogen receptor

The Resource for Coronavirus 2019 (RCoV19) is an open-access information resource dedicated to providing valuable data on the genomes, mutations, and variants of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this updated implementation of RCoV19, we have made significant improvements and advancements over the previous version. Firstly, we have implemented a highly refined genome data curation model. This model now features an automated integration pipeline and optimized curation rules, enabling efficient daily updates of data in RCoV19. Secondly, we have developed a global and regional lineage evolution monitoring platform, alongside an outbreak risk pre-warning system. These additions provide a comprehensive understanding of SARS-CoV-2 evolution and transmission patterns, enabling better preparedness and response strategies. Thirdly, we have developed a powerful interactive mutation spectrum comparison module. This module allows users to compare and analyze mutation patterns, assisting in the detection of potential new lineages. Furthermore, we have incorporated a comprehensive knowledgebase on mutation effects. This knowledgebase serves as a valuable resource for retrieving information on the functional implications of specific mutations. In summary, RCoV19 serves as a vital scientific resource, providing access to valuable data, relevant information, and technical support in the global fight against COVID-19. The complete contents of RCoV19 are available to the public at https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/ncov/.

Abstract To explore the clinical role of QPRT in breast cancer. The gene expression, methylation levels and prognostic value of QPRT in breast cancer was analyzed using TCGA data. Validation was performed using the data from GEO dataset and TNMPLOT database. Meta analysis method was used to pool the survival data for QPRT. The predictive values of QPRT for different drugs were retrieved from the ROC plot. The expression differences of QPRT in acquired drug-resistant and sensitive cell lines were analyzed using GEO datasets. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were conducted for those genes which were highly co-expressed with QPRT in tissue based on TCGA data and which changed after QPRT knockdown. Timer2.0 was utilized to explore the correlation between QPRT and immune cells infiltration, and the Human Protein Atlas was used to analyse QPRT’s single-cell sequencing data across different human tissues. The expression of QPRT in different types of macrophages, and the expression of QPRT were analysed after coculturing HER2+ breast cancer cells with macrophages. Additionally, TargetScan, Comparative Toxicogenomics and the connectivity map were used to research miRNAs and drugs that could regulate QPRT expression. Cytoscape was used to map the interaction networks between QPRT and other proteins. QPRT was highly expressed in breast cancer tissue and highly expressed in HER2+ breast cancer patients (P

In order to expand the basic theory of the recurrence relationship of Boros-Moll polynomial sequence, a new proof method for the recurrence relationship of Boros-Moll polynomial sequence was studied. Firstly, the recurrence relationship satisfied by the Boros-Moll polynomial sequence was appropriately deformed and partitioned. Secondly, the recursive relationship that satisfies as the difference of the sum of three parts was constructed. Finally, mathematical methods such as algebraic method and structured approach were used to find that the sum of the three parts is all zero. Furthermore, a new proof method for the recurrence relationship of Boros-Moll polynomial sequence was obtained. The results indicate that in the Boros-Moll polynomial sequence recurrence relationship, the recurrence relationship is cleverly deformed and partitioned, and the corresponding lemma is proved to be corrected, thus obtaining a new proof method. The research results enrich the relevant theory of recurrence relationship of the Boros-Moll polynomial sequence, and provide a certain theoretical reference value for the application of the Boros-Moll polynomial sequence in combinatorics, social science, information theory and other fields.

This is an essay in the field of mineral processing engineering. Aiming at the problem of difficult recovery of ultrafine ilmenite from a concentrator in Panzhihua-Xichang Area, a comparative study of flotation process was carried out. Using direct flotation, desliming flotation, "centrifugal-flotation", "superconducting flotation", "strong magnetic flotation", "suspension vibration-flotation" and other beneficiation processes, the test results show that: direct flotation and desliming flotation processes can not obtain titanium concentrate products with TiO2 grade greater than 46%. Suspension vibration and high intensity magnetic separation can obtain higher grade preenriched concentrate, which is conducive to the subsequent flotation operation. Centrifugation and superconductivity can obtain higher recovery of preenriched concentrate, which can ensure the effective recovery of ilmenite. But considering that superconducting preenrichment technology industry implementation investment is large, there is no mature industrial case at present; The high intensity magnetic separation and suspended vibration preconcentration process are easy to be industrialized, but the single processing capacity of the suspended vibration separator is limited. Therefore, the optimal flotation process was finally determined to be "strong magnetic flotation", which could obtain the index of titanium concentrate grade of 46.62%, recovery rate of 58.32% in open flotation operation and recovery rate of 43.78% in the whole process.

This is an essay in the field of mineral processing engineering. A low-grade fluorite ore is mainly composed of fluorite (28.85%), calcite (43.26%), quartz (12.01%) and feldspar (10.28%). Through detailed beneficiation test research，using acidized water glass and modified carbohydrate EM-318 as calcite inhibitors and using plant-based fatty acid soap EM-OL3 as fluorite collector,the fluorite concentrate with a grade of 97.59% and recovery of 90.98 % was obtained by the flowsheet of "-0.074 mm accounting for 65%, two roughings, one scavenging, and eight cleanings ". This experimental study shows that the combination of modified carbohydrate EM-318 and plant based fatty acid soap EM-OL3 as fluorite collector can efficiently separate fluorite from calcite,

One of the challenging issues that hinders the application of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is the poor solubility and the inevitable formation of bundles. Efforts still need to be made towards solving the problem. Herein, we report a non-covalent strategy to disperse aggregated SWCNTs by aromatic cyclic Schiff bases assisted by ultrasonic techniques. The aromatic cyclic Schiff base (OMM) was synthesized via Schiff base reactions, and the molecular structure was determined by ATR-FT-IR, solid-state 13C-NMR, and HRMS. Although the yielded product showed poor solubility in aqueous solution and organic solvents, it could interact with and disperse the aggregated SWCNTs in dimethyl formamide (DMF) under the condition of ultrasound. UV-vis-NIR, FL, Raman spectra, AFM, and TEM, along with computer simulations, provide evidence for the interactions between OMM molecules and SWCNTs and the dispersion thereof. The semiconductive (7,5), (8,6), (12,1), and (9,7)-SWCNTs expressed a preference for dissolution. The capability of dispersion is contributed by π-π, C-H·π, and lone pair (lp)·π interactions between OMM and SWCNTs based on the simulated results. The present non-covalent strategy could provide inspiration for preparing organic cyclic compounds as dispersants for SWCNTs and then facilitate their further utilization.

The Zanhuang Complex is situated on the eastern margin of the Trans-North China Orogen, with the Huangcha Pluton being a constituent of this complex. To ascertain the nature of the approximately 2.5-billion-year-old Huangcha Pluton, crucial evidence for understanding its extensional setting was sought through petrogenesis and dating investigations. LA-ICP-MS dating of zircon from the granite yielded an age of (2488 ± 6) Ma. Primarily composed of porphyritic monzonite with sporadic melanocratic enclaves, the Pluton’s phenocrysts are predominantly feldspar with minor quartz. The granite exhibits high SiO2 content (72.64%–74.16%) and alkali levels, with Na2O + K2O ranging from 7.59% to 9.07%, classifying it as a shoshonitic series with a slightly peraluminous feature. Enrichment in large-ion lithophile (LIL) elements (Rb, Th, and U) and depletion in Sr, V, Cr, Co, and Ni were observed, with high Rb/Sr and Ga/Al ratios ranging from 0.73 to 2.72 and 2.75 × 10−4 to 3.11 × 10−4, respectively. The rock exhibits high εNd(t) values, ranging from −0.06 to 0.88, with TDM2 ages falling between 2.79 and 2.87 billion years. Zircon grains display 176Hf/177Hf ratios ranging from 0.281266 to 0.281412 and εHf(t) values spanning from 0.96 to 6.18, calculated using the 207Pb/206Pb age. It is suggested that the Huangcha Pluton represents A-type granite formed via anatexis of the Neoarchean TTG in an extensional setting following orogenic processes. The formation of the Huangcha Pluton further corroborates the stabilization of the North China Craton towards the end of the Neoarchean. This finding supports the hypothesis that the North China Craton may belong to the Rae-family cratons, sharing similar magmatic and tectono-metamorphic records around ~2.5 billion years ago.

Brown spot, a serious disease caused by Nothophoma quercina, results in small, brown, round-to-oval lesions on the leaves and is a major concern in the pear industry. We previously reported a new pathogenic strain NqHH of Nothophoma quercina, which was isolated from ‘Huanghua’ pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai, cultivar Huanghua) leaves. However, genome information regarding this pathogen is limited. Herein, we detected the genome-wide sequence of the NqHH strain using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 and PacBio Sequel Ⅱ systems. The genome of NqHH was estimated to be 35.3 Mb with an N50 length of 1.37 Mb, encoding for 11,659 predicted protein-coding genes. This genome sequence provides valuable information for the selection of pathogenic effectors and comparative genomics of brown spot disease in pears. [Figure: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

To study the influence of grain arrangement on the surface profile of the workpiece, a mathematical model and its corresponding analytical algorithm of pyramidal abrasive belt grinding were established. The roughness value was simulated and predicted with Abaqus software. Grinding tests were carried out on the robot grinding system platform with pyramidal abrasive belt, and the surface profile were inspected and then compared with the simulation. The results show that the simulated roughness and the measured values have similar variation trend with good consistency, where the error is within 0.03 μm and the maximum error rate is 16.6%. The theoretical simulation and test results remain consistent, indicating that the model could be used to predict the surface roughness of workpiece ground with pyramidal abrasive belt.

Abstract Background The dried bark of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. The objective of this study was to explore the therapeutic basis of the dried bark of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle for the treatment of ulcerative colitis based on Virtual Screening–Molecular Docking–Activity Evaluation technology. Methods By searching the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology TCMSP Database and Analysis Platform, 89 compounds were obtained from the chemical components of the dried bark of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle. Then, after preliminarily screening the compounds based on Lipinski’s rule of five and other relevant conditions, the AutoDock Vina molecular docking software was used to evaluate the affinity of the compounds to ulcerative colitis-related target proteins and their binding modes through use of the scoring function to identify the best candidate compounds. Further verification of the compound’s properties was achieved through in vitro experiments. Results Twenty-two compounds obtained from the secondary screening were molecularly docked with ulcerative colitis-related target proteins (IL-1R, TLR, EGFR, TGFR, and Wnt) using AutoDock Vina. The free energies of the highest scoring compounds binding to the active cavity of human IL-1R, TLR, EGFR, TGFR, and Wnt proteins were − 8.7, − 8.0, − 9.2, − 7.7, and − 8.5 kcal/mol, respectively. The potential compounds, dehydrocrebanine, ailanthone, and kaempferol, were obtained through scoring function and docking mode analysis. Furthermore, the potential compound ailanthone (1, 3, and 10 µM) was found to have no significant effect on cell proliferation, though at 10 µM it reduced the level of pro-inflammatory factors caused by lipopolysaccharide. Conclusion Among the active components of the dried bark of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, ailanthone plays a major role in its anti-inflammatory properties. The present study shows that ailanthone has advantages in cell proliferation and in inhibiting of inflammation, but further animal research is needed to confirm its pharmaceutical potential.

Soil microbes drive soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization. Because microbial groups differ in metabolic efficiency and respond differently to temperature variation, it is reasonable to expect a close association of SOC mineralization and its temperature sensitivity (Q10 which is defined as the factor of the change of soil carbon mineralization induced by 10 °C temperature increase) with microbial community diversity and composition. However, these relations have rarely been tested. Here, we conducted an incubation experiment to assess the temperature responses of microbial α diversity and the relative abundance of microbial r- and K-strategists in soils from a wide range of ecosystems across a climate gradient in the southeast Tibet. The results indicated that the instantaneous α diversity and the relative abundance of r- and K-strategists are significantly (P