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Abstract Water is crucial for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6. As a major source of water use and pollution, industrial sector requires improved water management based on more systematic and refined analysis. Such analysis, however, is compromised by the accuracy, granularity, and coverage of industrial water data. Here we present an open dataset of China’s industrial water use, compiled from 1,480,265 plant-level reports. This high-resolution multi-scale dataset offers unparalleled details, supporting multi-scale analysis at the province, city, and county levels, and across 2-digit, 3-digit, and 4-digit industrial classifications. It provides comprehensive information on water use, recycling, pollution, and wastewater processing. Such data enables further macro- and micro-level analysis, including multi-regional input-output analysis, structural decomposition analysis, statistical analysis, machine learning, as well as many other advanced analytical methods. This dataset can equip researchers and policymakers with a valuable tool to advance sustainable water management, fostering alignment with global sustainability goals.

Abstract Human interventions, such as farmland management, have long been considered crucial for soil carbon sequestration, but little is known about the exact impact of these interventions on the net carbon flux, represented by net ecosystem productivity (NEP). Here, using multiple long-term, large-scale data and statistical data, we reveal that 75.54% of farmland NEP in China experiences an increase, with northern regions showing the greatest potential for future farmland carbon sequestration. This growth is primarily attributed to the role of farmland management, especially the enhancement of no-tillage, land consolidation and multiple cropping level (17.02%, major grain-producing areas in 2020). Notably, the current unreasonable practices of mechanized straw returning and irrigation have a negative impact on farmland NEP. Our results show that it is imperative to acknowledge the crucial role of human interventions on farmland NEP to strike a balance between food security and farmland carbon sequestration.

Abstract Previous research has established that the formation of Gardnerella vaginalis (GV) biofilm is one of the primary reasons for bacterial vaginosis (BV) recurrence. This study was the first to explore the impact of Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus, GBS) on GV biofilm in a co-culture scenario. The results revealed that GBS could significantly increased the GV biomass in 48-hours dual-species biofilms. The luxS gene of GBS was significantly higher in dual-species biofilm, while knockdown of the luxS gene resulted in a significant decrease in mono- and dual-species biofilms. Meanwhile, in vitro addition of AI-2 (product of luxS gene) substantially increased biofilm biomass. Furthermore, we found that the expression of two genes related to biofilm formation was notably elevated in GV after receiving AI-2 signals. Collectively, these findings suggest that GBS enhances GV biofilm formation via luxS/AI-2 in an in vitro co-culture model, which in turn may promotes recurrence of BV.

Abstract Background Dietary cholesterol promotes metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), with hepatic macrophages central to disease pathology. However, the mechanisms by which cholesterol-loaded macrophages influence MASH remain unclear. Methods In this study, mice were fed a cholesterol-rich choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD). Hepatic cholesterol levels, inflammatory markers, and pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization were assessed. In vitro studies examined the impact of cholesterol on macrophage polarization, identifying 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7) as a key cholesterol- and inflammation-responsive enzyme. DHCR7 expression in macrophages from MASH patients and model mice was evaluated. Functional studies involving in vitro knockdown and overexpression experiments, were complemented using myeloid-specific DHCR7 knockout mice. RNA sequencing was performed on liver tissues from wild-type and DHCR7 knockout mice to identify affected signaling pathways. Results CDAHFD-fed mice exhibited local cholesterol accumulation and a pro-inflammatory macrophage phenotype in the liver. Cholesterol overload in vitro promoted M1 polarization and liver inflammation, reversible by simvastatin. DHCR7 expression, responded to cholesterol and polarization state, was downregulated in M1-polarized and hepatic macrophages from MASH patients and mice. DHCR7 suppression promoted pro-inflammatory phenotype, while its overexpression showed anti-inflammatory effects. Myeloid-specific DHCR7 deficiency in CDAHFD-fed mice worsened liver inflammation and pro-inflammatory macrophage infiltration. RNA sequencing identified the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway in DHCR7-regulated effects, with DHCR7-PI3K axis activation mitigating cholesterol-driven inflammation. Conclusions These findings unveil novel mechanistic insights into MASH pathogenesis, suggesting targeting macrophage-specific DHCR7 activation may offer a promising therapeutic strategy for MASH.

Abstract In today’s increasingly specialized and fragmented sectoral chain, as well as increasingly close economic connections between regions, regional economic fluctuations caused by natural or human factors can be transmitted through the interregional economic network to external regions, causing losses. The assessment of external losses is the foundation for fully understanding the impact of emergencies and taking effective response measures. On the basis of the MRIO model, this paper constructs a model of the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown in Shanghai on the national economy and investigates the impact of artificial controls on the economies of various regions and sectors in China after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results indicate that the external losses caused by regional emergencies are much greater than the local losses. Second, the sectors with the greatest GDP losses caused by Shanghai’s lockdown are wholesale and retail, whereas the sectors with the greatest decline are metal product manufacturing, machinery and equipment maintenance services. Finally, the impact of Shanghai’s lockdown on other regions is not significantly related to their economic size or geographical location.

As the people's health and wellness needs continue to grow, traditional dietary nutrition, medicinal diets and other "treatment of disease" concept is increasingly popular, with "food and medicine substances", new food raw materials such as raw materials, new food, internet celebrity food endless, promoting the market to promote the promotion of food to strengthen the body and even prevent the treatment of disease "functionalization" trend is becoming increasingly significant. Even the prevention and treatment of disease "functionalization" trend is becoming more and more significant. Due to the fact that the regulatory positioning of food function claims is yet to be clarified, coupled with the people's limited knowledge of health food that can claim health care functions, and other factors, there has been an increase in the number of illegal behaviors such as false propaganda and illegal additives to food on the market, and these illegal behaviors mainly occur through network sales, conference marketing and so on, which seriously affects the safety of the consumers and their legitimate rights and interests. In order to standardize the management of food claims in China, it is recommended that, on the basis of strengthening risk assessment and strict supervision and law enforcement, focusing on improving the relevant regulations and standards, strengthening the popularization and publicity of food safety, and forming a synergy in the governance of food safety.

The traditional smoking process is a common method of processing aquatic products, but the issue of residual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is difficult to solve. Smoke flavorings, also known as liquid smoke, are prepared by separating and purifying the products of biomass pyrolysis reactions. The liquid smoking process using smoke flavorings not only gives the same smoked flavor and color to aquatic products, but also effectively reduces the residue of PAHs in smoked products. Besides, it has the advantages of a short process cycle and environmental friendliness, which is an ideal alternative to the traditional smoking process. This paper reviews the preparation process of smoke flavorings and analyzes their main chemical components and functional activities. Carbonyl compounds, organic acids and phenolic compounds constitute the main components of smoke flavorings, which give them functional activities such as flavor, color, antibacterial and antioxidant. The current status of the application of smoke flavorings in aquatic products processing is summarized, and their effects on the organoleptic properties and storage quality of aquatic products are introduced. The safety and use management of smoke flavorings are also discussed, with a view to providing references for the application of smoke flavorings in aquatic products processing.

Abstract Background The incidence of androgenetic alopecia in males is on the rise annually, with hair transplantation using follicular unit extraction (FUE) gaining increasing acceptance as an appropriate treatment for these individuals. Methods A retrospective study was undertaken, involving 158 male patients diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia, who underwent treatment between January 2016 and December 2020 at the Medical Cosmetology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Medical University. Demographic data and treatment characteristics were documented and analyzed. Clinical efficacy, operation-related complications, patient satisfaction rates, and quality of life scores were assessed and analyzed. Results Following FUE hair transplantation, over 90% of the hair follicles survived in 158 patients, with more than 85% of patients achieving a hair follicle survival rate exceeding 95% at 12 months post-operation. Patient satisfaction rates exceeded 98%, while the complication rate was below 6%. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that FUE is a minimally invasive hair transplant technique associated with a high hair follicle survival rate and optimal hair density. This approach proves effective in treating male androgenetic alopecia and merits further clinical application.

Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with a poor prognosis, largely due to the presence of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). These cells drive tumor progression, recurrence, and chemoresistance, making them critical targets for therapy. This study aims to identify novel GSC markers for improved diagnosis and targeted treatment. We utilized single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and bulk RNA-seq data to identify PDLIM1 as a novel GSC marker. PDLIM1 was specifically expressed in GSCs and was associated with poor prognosis and advanced tumor stages. Functional assays demonstrated that PDLIM1 overexpression enhanced GBM cell proliferation, reduced apoptosis, increased GSC proportions, and promoted chemoresistance and tumorigenesis. Conversely, PDLIM1 knockdown inhibited these processes. Mechanistically, PDLIM1 was found to exert its effects likely by promoting the PI3K-AKT pathway. In conclusion, PDLIM1 may serve as a potential marker of GSCs associated with poor prognosis, tumorigenesis, and chemoresistance in GBM, representing a potential therapeutic target for improving GBM patient outcomes.

Abstract Purpose This study analyzed antibiotic resistance mechanisms and molecular epidemiology of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR-PA), aiming at providing clues for prevention and control of MDR-PA infections. Methods The carbapenemase resistance genes (VIM, IMP, NDM, KPC, GES, OXA-40) of MDR-PA strains were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. The efflux pump system (MexA, MexC, MexE, MexX), AmpC and OprD2 were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR) in MDR-PA group and sensitive-Pseudomonas aeruginosa (S-PA) group. The homology analysis of MDR-PA strains was performed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Results A total of 81 MDR-PA strains were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from October 2022 to October 2023. Among the carbapenemase detected, the detection rate of NDM-1 was the highest, with a rate of 34.57% (28/81). MexA had a higher expression in MDR-PA group than that in S-PA group (P

Abstract Objective To investigate the specificity of Target of Myb1-Like1 (Tom1L1) expression in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues and analyze the predictive value of Tom1L1 in the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with rectal adenocarcinoma. Methods The cancerous tissues and paracancerous normal tissues of 102 patients diagnosed with colorectal adenocarcinoma without treatment were selected; quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were adopted to validate the expression level of Tom1L1 in the two groups. Furthermore, 34 patients with locally progressive mid-low rectal adenocarcinoma, who were treated with neoadjuvant Xelox chemotherapy prior to the operation, IHC was adopted to detect the expression of Tom1L1 protein in patients before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and to analyze the relationship between the expression level of Tom1L1 and the sensitivity of neoadjuvant therapy. Results The results of qPCR, Western blot and IHC showed that the expression of Tom1L1 in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues was significantly higher than that in paracancerous normal tissues, with a statistically significant difference (P

Abstract Background Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is typically characterised as the fetus’ inability to reach its inherent growth potential. A growing body of evidence points to the important role of the maternal gut microbiota in FGR development. However, comprehensive research on changes in maternal–fetal gut and intrauterine microbiota related to FGR is lacking. Methods In this case–control study, we sequenced bacterial 16S rRNA from 35 maternal faecal, 35 meconium, and 31 amniotic fluid samples collected from 19 pregnant women diagnosed with FGR and 16 healthy controls. We identified putative bacterial taxonomic and functional characteristics associated with FGR by comparing these to control samples. Results We identified 34 differential operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in amniotic fluid, seven differential OTUs in maternal faecal matter, and two differential OTUs in meconium. Compared to controls, FGR subjects exhibited enriched bacterial OTUs of the genus Bacteroides in the maternal gut. They also had depleted OTUs of the order Enterobacterales and genus Pseudomonas in the amniotic fluid and genus Stenotrophomonas in the fetal gut. These altered bacterial OTUs showed a significant correlation with neonatal weight and fetal ultrasonographic indexes. Additionally, we identified differential microbial functional pathways related to glycan and lipid metabolism in the maternal gut. We developed diagnostic biomarkers for FGR based on the maternal–fetal gut and amniotic fluid microbiota. Conclusions This study offers a comprehensive overview of the shifts in microbial composition and functional pathways in the maternal–fetal gut and amniotic fluid microbiota related to FGR, and present novel insights into the development and screening of FGR. However, the assessment of contamination’s impact on meconium and amniotic fluid remains inconclusive, necessitating further rigorous experimentation to address this scientific inquiry in future studies.

Abstract Background The solid pattern is a highly malignant subtype of lung adenocarcinoma. In the current era of transitioning from lobectomy to sublobar resection for the surgical treatment of small lung cancers, preoperative identification of this subtype is highly important for patient surgical approach selection and long‐term prognosis. Methods A total of 1489 patients with clinical stage IA1‐2 primary lung adenocarcinoma were enrolled. Based on patient clinical characteristics and lung imaging features obtained via deep learning, highly correlated diagnostic factors were identified through LASSO regression and decision tree analysis. Subsequently, a logistic model and nomogram were constructed. A restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to calculate the optimal inflection point of quantitative data and the differences between the groups. Results The three‐dimensional proportion of solid component (PSC), sex, and smoking status was identified as being highly correlated diagnostic factors for solid predominant adenocarcinoma. The logistic model had good prediction efficiency, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.85. Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the application of diagnostic factors can improve patient outcomes. RCS analysis indicated that the proportion of solid adenocarcinomas increased by 4.6 times when the PSC was ≥72%. A PSC of 72% is a good cutoff point. Conclusion The preoperative diagnosis of solid‐pattern adenocarcinoma can be confirmed by typical imaging features and clinical characteristics, assisting the thoracic surgeon in developing a more precise surgical plan.

Abstract Background Lychee seeds were fermented by three kinds of bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum, Saccharomyces cerevillus and ganoderma lucidum mycelium), and two effective strains were selected by two indexes of activity content and antioxidant, so as to further verify whether lychee seeds have waste multiplication effect and can protect cells damaged by oxidation from anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and safety. Results The contents of polyphenols, flavonoids and proteins in the solution fermented by Ganoderma lucidum mycelium did not increase, thus affecting the antioxidant capacity of the solution was far less than that of the water extract. The active content of the other two fermentation solutions was higher than that of the water extract, and the ability of scavenging free radicals of the two solutions increased with the increase of the volume fraction. At the cellular level, the two fermentation solutions showed repair effects on UVA-induced damaged cells. The contents of type I collagen (COL-1), total antioxidant capacity and ELN were increased, the contents of reactive oxygen species and MDA were decreased, and the expressions of inflammatory factors IL-6, TNF-a, iNOS and COX-2 were decreased in HaCaT cells. From the gene level, the mRNA contents of IL-6, TNF-a, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Bax and Bcl were significantly decreased. The test of chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (HTET CAM) showed that there was no bleeding and litchi seed fermentation liquid was not irritating. Conclusions Therefore, two kinds of litchi seed fermentation can be used as natural plant raw materials for cosmetics, and have strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging functions on skin, and also have good human safety. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Citrus red mites (P. citri) are key pests affecting citrus production worldwide due to pesticide resistance. The resistance mechanisms of ten pesticides are known, but a comprehensive study using transcriptome data is missing. This study employed deeptools, cuffdiff, rmats, bcftools and other software to examine gene expression variation, alternative splicing (AS), and mutations in mite resistance. The research highlighted that pesticides can regulate gene transcription, and red mites with resistance increase cytochrome P450, glutathione S-transferases, carboxylesterase, and acetylcholinesterase expression. Pyridaben also induces new AS events. Fluazinam-induced mites show mRNA splicing peaking earlier than transcription, both peaking at one day and returning to baseline after two days. AS profiles are similar in different mite populations with overlapping pesticide resistances. Lastly, specific mitochondrial SNPs in mites might mediate resistance against select pesticides.

Abstract Background Obesity in humans can lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Similarly, subcutaneous fat (SCF) in pigs affects feed utilization, and excessive SCF can reduce the feed efficiency of pigs. Therefore, identifying factors that suppress fat deposition is particularly important. Numerous studies have implicated the gut microbiome in pigs’ fat deposition, but research into its suppression remains scarce. The Lulai black pig (LL) is a hybrid breed derived from the Laiwu pig (LW) and the Yorkshire pig, with lower levels of SCF compared to the LW. In this study, we focused on these breeds to identify microbiota that regulate fat deposition. The key questions were: Which microbial populations reduce fat in LL pigs compared to LW pigs, and what is the underlying regulatory mechanism? Results In this study, we identified four different microbial strains, Eubacterium siraeum, Treponema bryantii, Clostridium sp. CAG:413, and Jeotgalibaca dankookensis, prevalent in both LW and LL pigs. Blood metabolome analysis revealed 49 differential metabolites, including tanshinone IIA and royal jelly acid, known for their anti-adipogenic properties. E. siraeum was strongly correlated with these metabolites, and its genes and metabolites were enriched in pathways linked to fatty acid degradation, glycerophospholipid, and glycerolipid metabolism. In vivo mouse experiments confirmed that E. siraeum metabolites curb weight gain, reduce SCF adipocyte size, increase the number of brown adipocytes, and regulate leptin, IL-6, and insulin secretion. Finally, we found that one important pathway through which E. siraeum inhibits fat deposition is by suppressing the phosphorylation of key proteins in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway through the reduction of tyrosine. Conclusions We compared LW and LL pigs using fecal metagenomics, metabolomics, and blood metabolomics, identifying E. siraeum as a strain linked to fat deposition. Oral administration experiments in mice demonstrated that E. siraeum effectively inhibits fat accumulation, primarily through the suppression of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, a critical regulator of lipid metabolism. These findings provide a valuable theoretical basis for improving pork quality and offer insights relevant to the study of human obesity and related chronic metabolic diseases. Video Abstract

Abstract Most current RM approaches are developed for fixed bottlenecks. However, the number and locations of bottlenecks are usually uncertain and even time‐varying due to some unexpected phenomena, such as severe accidents and temporal lane closures. Thus, the RM approach should be able to enhance traffic flow stability by effectively handling the time‐delay effect and fluctuations in traffic flow rate caused by uncertain bottlenecks. This study proposed a novel approach called deep reinforcement learning with curriculum learning (DRLCL) to improve ramp metering efficacy under uncertain bottleneck conditions. The curriculum learning method transfers an optimal control policy from a simple on‐ramp bottleneck case to more challenging bottleneck tasks, while DRLCL agents explore and learn from the tasks gradually. Four RM control tasks were developed in the modified cell transmission model, including typical on‐ramp bottleneck, fixed downstream bottleneck, random‐location bottleneck, and multiple bottlenecks. With curriculum learning, the entire training process was reduced by 45.1% to 64.5%, while maintaining a similar maximum reward level compared to DRL‐based RM control with full learning from scratch. Specifically, the results also demonstrated that the proposed DRLCL‐based RM outperformed the feedback‐based RM due to its stronger predictive ability, faster response, and higher action precision.

Abstract Rubus idaeus is a pivotal cultivated species of raspberry known for its attractive color, distinct flavor, and numerous health benefits. It can be used in pharmaceutical, cosmetics, agriculture and food industries not only as fresh but also as a processed product. Nowadays due to climatic changes, genetic diversity of cultivars has decreased dramatically. However, until now, the status of wild R. idaeus resources in China have not been exploited. In this study, we investigated the resources of wild R. idaeus in China to secure its future potential and sustainability. The MaxEnt model was used to predict R. idaeus suitable habitats and spatial distribution patterns for current and future climate scenarios, based on wild domestic geographic distribution data, current and future climate variables, and topographic variables. The results showed that, mean temperature of the coldest quarter (bio11), precipitation of the coldest quarter (bio19), precipitation of the warmest quarter (bio18), and temperature seasonality (bio4) were crucial factors affecting the distribution of R. idaeus. Presently, the suitable habitats were mainly distributed in the north of China including Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, Beijing, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang. According to our results, in 2050s, the total suitable habitat area of R. idaeus will increase under SSP1-2.6 and then will be decreased with climate change, while in the 2090s, the total suitable habitat area will continue to decrease. From the present to the 2090s, the centroid distribution of R. idaeus in China will shift towards the east and the species will always be present in Inner Mongolia. Our results provide wild resource information and theoretical reference for the protection and rational utilization of R. idaeus.

Abstract Taste, a pivotal sense modality, plays a fundamental role in discerning flavors and evaluating the potential harm of food, thereby contributing to human survival, physical and mental health. Patients with tongue cancer may experience a loss of taste following extensive surgical resection with flap reconstruction. Here, we designed a gustatory interface that enables the non-invasive detection of tongue electrical activities for a comprehensive operative assessment. Moreover, it decodes gustatory information from the reconstructed tongue without taste buds. Our gustatory interface facilitates the recording and analysis of electrical activities on the tongue, yielding an electrical mapping across the entire tongue surface, which delineates the safe margin for surgical management and assesses flap viability for postoperative structure monitoring and prompt intervention. Furthermore, the gustatory interface helps patients discern tastes with an accuracy of 97.8%. Our invention offers a promising approach to clinical assessment and management and holds potential for improving the quality of life for individuals with tongue cancer.

Highlights NaTFSI/SUL:OTE:FEC facilitates the formation of S, N-rich, dense and robust cathode–electrolyte interphase on NaNMF cathode, which improves the cycling stability under high voltage. By utilizing NaTFSI/SUL:OTE:FEC, the Na||NaNMF batteries achieved an impressive retention of 81.15% after 400 cycles at 2 C with the cutoff voltage of 4.2 V. The study offers a reference for the utilization of sulfolane-based electrolytes in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), while the nonflammability of the NaTFSI/SUL:OTE:FEC enhances the safety of SIBs.

As one of the field-dependent smart materials whose stiffness and damping properties can change instantaneously and reversibly, magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) has been extensively utilized on base isolation for vibration reduction. However, most previous studies have focused on the shear dynamic performance of MRE isolators, and there are few reports on the vertical extrusion performance of basic isolators within construction equipment. In this paper, MRE materials with strong bearing capacity and suitable vertical stiffness were fabricated by comprehensively considering the selection of raw materials, particle ratio, and sample size. The tension-compression viscoelasticity of the prepared MRE under varying magnetic fields and strain amplitudes was experimentally evaluated using an MRE axial MR testing system. Eventually, a single-degree-of-freedom dynamic test rig for vibration isolation of equipment in buildings, which integrates a vertical isolator with MRE as the core component, was constructed to perform a series of experimental investigations on the alterable frequency vibration capability of the designed MRE vertical isolator. The test results reveal that the controllable stiffness-damping properties of the prepared MRE in the axial tension-compression mode can enable the developed vertical isolator to exhibit superior frequency shifting and vibration attenuating characteristics in structural vibration.

Abstract Aberrant repair underlies the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis while effective strategies to convert fibrosis to normal regeneration are scarce. Here, we found that thyroid hormone is decreased in multiple models of lung injury but is essential for lung regeneration. Moreover, thyroid hormone receptor α (TRα) promotes cell proliferation, while TRβ fuels cell maturation in lung regeneration. Using a specific TRβ agonist, sobetirome, we demonstrate that the anti-fibrotic effects of thyroid hormone mainly rely on TRβ in mice. Cellularly, TRβ activation enhances alveolar type-2 (AT2) cell differentiation into AT1 cell and constrains AT2 cell hyperplasia. Molecularly, TRβ activation directly regulates the expression of KLF2 and CEBPA, both of which further synergistically drive the differentiation program of AT1 cells and benefit regeneration and anti-fibrosis. Our findings elucidate the modulation function of the TRβ-KLF2/CEBPA axis on AT2 cell fate and provide a potential treatment strategy to facilitate lung regeneration and anti-fibrosis.

Abstract Ferroptosis, distinct from apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy, is a unique type of cell death driven by iron-dependent phospholipid peroxidation. Since ferroptosis was defined in 2012, it has received widespread attention from researchers worldwide. From a biochemical perspective, the regulation of ferroptosis is strongly associated with cellular metabolism, primarily including iron metabolism, lipid metabolism, and redox metabolism. The distinctive regulatory mechanism of ferroptosis holds great potential for overcoming drug resistance—a major challenge in treating cancer. The considerable role of nanobiotechnology in disease treatment has been widely reported, but further and more systematic discussion on how nanobiotechnology enhances the therapeutic efficacy on ferroptosis-associated diseases still needs to be improved. Moreover, while the exciting therapeutic potential of ferroptosis in cancer has been relatively well summarized, its applications in other diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and kidney disease, remain underreported. Consequently, it is necessary to fill these gaps to further complete the applications of nanobiotechnology in ferroptosis. In this review, we provide an extensive introduction to the background of ferroptosis and elaborate its regulatory network. Subsequently, we discuss the various advantages of combining nanobiotechnology with ferroptosis to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce the side effects of ferroptosis-associated diseases. Finally, we analyze and discuss the feasibility of nanobiotechnology and ferroptosis in improving clinical treatment outcomes based on clinical needs, as well as the current limitations and future directions of nanobiotechnology in the applications of ferroptosis, which will not only provide significant guidance for the clinical applications of ferroptosis and nanobiotechnology but also accelerate their clinical translations. Graphical Abstract

Abstract The governance policies have a prominent impact on the development and regional planning of the Yangtze River Basin, a key region for China to achieve modernization. Taking the public policy documents issued by China’s central government for the Yangtze River Basin from 1980 to 2022 as the research object, this paper introduces the NLP (Natural Language Processing) technology and semantic analysis methods to carry out quantitative research on policies. This study first examines the textual connotations of the policies and the characteristics of the policy changes based on the LDA (Latent Dirichlet Allocation) model to determine how policy changes occur for the governance of the Yangtze River Basin. Using the punctuated equilibrium theory, it then conducts two case studies in which the implications of specific major events are analyzed in depth. Research has shown that the changes in governance policies for the Yangtze River Basin are characterized by gradual changes and intermittent mutation, roughly divided into three stages: the stage of reform and development, the stage of transition, and the stage of prioritizing ecological conservation and green development. Moreover, such changes jointly result from three factors: the major events, the focus of public opinions, and the care of the central government.

Abstract Background Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has significant productivity and economic impacts in swine herds. Accurately determining the PRRSV status at the herd level is crucial for producers and veterinarians to implement strategies to control and eliminate the virus from infected herds. This study collected oropharyngeal swabs (OSs), nasal swabs (NSs), oral fluid swabs (OFs), rectal swabs (RSs), and serum samples continuously from PRRSV challenged pigs under experimental conditions and growing pigs under field conditions. Additionally, OSs and serum samples were collected from individual sows from 50 large-scale breeding farms, and the collection of OSs does not require the sows to be restrained. Ct values of PRRSV were detected in all samples using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results In PRRSV challenged pigs, OSs showed a higher PRRSV-positive rate until the end of the observation period. The Ct values of OSs were significantly lower than those of NSs, OFs, and RSs at 2, 8, 12, 14 and 20 days post-challenge (DPC) (P

To explore the effect of corn and buckwheat complex on the regulation of lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemic rats, 60 rats were randomly divided into blank control group, hyperlipidemic model group, positive group, corn group, buckwheat group, and corn-buckwheat complex powder group. The intervention was carried out for 4 weeks. The rats and their organs were weighed. Lipid levels, liver injury levels and antioxidant levels were measured, and histologic examination of liver pathology was performed. The results showed that compared to model group, corn-buckwheat complex powder was able to lower the levels of TC (1.8 mmol/L), TG (1.38 mmol/L), LDL-C (0.62 mmol/L), and regress the levels of HDL-C (1.27 mmol/L) significantly (P

Excessive inflammation caused by bacterial infection is the primary cause of implant failure. Antibiotic treatment often fails to prevent peri-implant infection and may induce unexpected drug resistance. Herein, a non-antibiotic strategy based on the synergy of silver ion release and macrophage reprogramming is proposed for preventing infection and bacteria-induced inflammation suppression by the organic-inorganic hybridization of silver nanoparticle (AgNP) and quercetin (Que) into a polydopamine (PDA)-based coating on the 3D framework of porous titanium (SQPdFT). Once the planktonic bacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus) reach the surface of SQPdFT, released Que disrupts the bacterial membrane. Then, AgNP can penetrate the invading bacterium and kill them, which further inhibits the biofilm formation. Simultaneously, released Que can regulate macrophage polarization homeostasis via the peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors gamma (PPARγ)-mediated nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway, thereby terminating excessive inflammatory responses. These advantages facilitate the adhesion and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), concomitantly suppressing osteoclast maturation, and eventually conferring superior mechanical stability to SQPdFT within the medullary cavity. In summary, owing to its excellent antibacterial effect, immune remodeling function, and pro-osteointegration ability, SQPdFT is a promising protective coating for titanium-based implants used in orthopedic replacement surgery.

Abstract In their letter-to-the-editor entitled “Letter to the Editor: Incidence rate of occult lymph node metastasis in clinical T1 − 2N0M0 small cell lung cancer patients and radiomic prediction based on contrast-enhanced CT imaging: a multicenter study”, Prof. Chen et al. provided insightful comments and suggestions on our original study. We appreciate the authors’ feedback and have conducted a preliminary exploration of the predictive value of serum tumor markers (TMs) for occult lymph node metastasis (OLM) in clinical T1 − 2N0M0 (cT1 − 2N0M0) small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients. The results indicate that neuron-specific enolase (NSE), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) have potential predictive value for detecting OLM in cT1 − 2N0M0 SCLC patients. Additionally, further exploration and confirmation through prospective, large-scale studies with robust external validation are needed.

Abstract Background Hygienic behavior, a specialized form of immune response evolved in social insects, plays a crucial role in safeguarding colonies from disease spread. In honeybee colonies, such behavior typically entails the dual steps of uncapping and removal of unhealthy and deceased brood. Although in recent years, numerous studies have examined the development of hygienic behavior, the mechanisms underlying the division in the performance of uncapping and removal have yet to be sufficiently elucidated. In this regard, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been evidenced to be engaged in regulating the physiological activities of honeybees; however, whether lncRNAs are likewise involved in the uncapping and removal tasks has not been clarified. Results In this study, the strong hygienic Apis cerana worker bees were used and the processes of uncapping and removal behaviors in three colonies were assayed with freeze-killed brood in the field. We then sequenced the antennal RNAs of honeybees to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs and performed lncRNA-mRNA association analysis to establish the differences between uncapping and removal. We detected 1,323 differentially expressed lncRNAs in the antennae, and the findings of lncRNA-mRNA association analyses revealed that the target genes of differentially expressed lncRNAs between uncapping and removal worker bees were predominantly linked to response to stimulus, receptor activity, and synapse. Notably, among the lncRNAs enriched in cellular response to stimulus, XR_001766094.2 was exclusively expressed in the uncapping worker bees. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that XR_001766094.2 plays a key role in distinguishing uncapping from removal behaviors by responding to external stimulus, thereby suggesting that the division of hygienic behaviors is governed by differential thresholds of responsiveness to environmental cues. Conclusion We characterized differences in the uncapping and removal behaviors of worker bees from a perspective of lncRNAs. Uncapping bees may be equipped with a more rapid stimulatory response and more acute olfactory sensitivity, contributing to the rapid hygienic behavior in honeybee colonies. Our results thus establish a foundation for potential lncRNA-mediated gene expression regulation in hygienic behavior.

Abstract Background The plant microbiome is one of the key determinants of healthy plant growth. However, the complexity of microbial diversity in plant microenvironments in different regions, especially the relationship between subsurface and aboveground microorganisms, is not fully understood. The present study investigated the diversity of soil microorganisms in different regions and the diversity of microorganisms within different ecological niches, and compared soil microorganisms and endophytic microorganisms. Methods 16 S and ITS sequencing was used to sequence the soil and endophytes microbiome of honeysuckle. Alpha diversity analysis and principal component analysis (PCoA) were used to study the soil and endophyte microbial communities, and the function of endophyte bacteria and fungi was predicted based on the PICRUST2 process and FUNGuild. Results In total, there were 382 common bacterial genera and 139 common fungal genera in the soil of different producing areas of honeysuckle. There were 398 common bacterial genera and 157 common fungal genera in rhizosphere soil. More beneficial bacteria were enriched in rhizosphere soil. Endophytic bacteria were classified into 34 phyla and 770 genera. Endophytic fungi were classified into 11 phyla and 581 genera, among which there were significant differences in the dominant genera of roots, stems, leaves, and flowers, as well as in community diversity and richness. Endophytic fungal functions were mainly dominated by genes related to saprophytes, functional genes that could fight microorganisms were also found in KEGG secondary functional genes. Conclusion More beneficial bacteria were enriched in rhizosphere soil of honeysuckle, and the microbial network of the rhizosphere is more complex than that of the soil. Among the tissues of honeysuckle, the flowers have the richest diversity of endophytes. The endogenous dominant core bacteria in each part of honeysuckle plant have a high degree of overlap with the dominant bacteria in soil. Functional prediction suggested that some dominant core bacteria have antibacterial effects, providing a reference for further exploring the strains with antibacterial function of honeysuckle. Understanding the interaction between honeysuckle and microorganisms lays a foundation for the study of growth promotion, quality improvement, and disease and pests control of honeysuckle from the perspective of microorganisms.

Abstract Ag2Se shows significant potential for near-room-temperature thermoelectric applications, but its performance and device design are still evolving. In this work, we design a novel flexible Ag2Se thin-film-based thermoelectric device with optimized electrode materials and structure, achieving a high output power density of over 65 W m−2 and a normalized power density up to 3.68 μW cm−2 K−2 at a temperature difference of 42 K. By fine-tuning vapor selenization time, we strengthen the (013) orientation and carrier mobility of Ag2Se films, reducing excessive Ag interstitials and achieving a power factor of over 29 μW cm−1 K−2 at 393 K. A protective layer boosts flexibility of the thin film, retaining 90% performance after 1000 bends at 60°. Coupled with p-type Sb2Te3 thin films and rational simulations, the device shows rapid human motion response and precise servo motor control, highlighting the potential of high-performance Ag2Se thin films in advanced applications.

Abstract Dengue, an acute febrile disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, is caused by the dengue virus (DENV), presenting a formidable challenge to global public health. By examining clues from ancient Chinese books and conducting a comprehensive review, this study elucidates the characteristics of potential dengue epidemics in China prior to 1978. This evidence indicates that China may not have experience dengue epidemics before 1840. During 1840–1949, however, it experienced a noticeable dengue occurrence and prevalence in the 1870s, 1920s, and 1940s. Then from 1949 to 1978, only sporadic reports were accounted. The disparity in the frequency of dengue occurrences across three time periods suggests that the persistent characteristic of dengue epidemics in China primarily arises from imported cases resulting from international exchanges, subsequently leading to local outbreaks influenced by global epidemic trend. This research offers a novel perspective on retrospectively examining the historical trajectory of dengue epidemics and provides valuable insights into exploration of DENV epidemic patterns. Graphical Abstract

Recent studies have confirmed that melatonin and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification can influence bone cell differentiation and bone formation. Melatonin can also regulate a variety of biological processes through m6A modification. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNPA2B1) serves as a reader of m6A modification. In this study, we used the hindlimb unloading model as an animal model of bone loss induced by simulated microgravity and used 2D clinorotation to simulate a microgravity environment for cells on the ground. We found that hnRNPA2B1 was downregulated both in vitro and in vivo during simulated microgravity. Further investigations showed that hnRNPA2B1 could promote osteoblast differentiation and that overexpression of hnRNPA2B1 attenuated the suppression of osteoblast differentiation induced by simulated microgravity. We also discovered that melatonin could promote the expression of hnRNPA2B1 under simulated microgravity. Moreover, we found that promotion of osteoblast differentiation by melatonin was partially dependent on hnRNPA2B1. Therefore, this research revealed, for the first time, the role of the melatonin/hnRNPA2B1 axis in osteoblast differentiation under simulated microgravity. Targeting this axis may be a potential protective strategy against microgravity-induced bone loss and osteoporosis.

Abstract Background The relationship between free fatty acids (FFAs) and the risk of mortality remains unclear. There is a scarcity of prospective studies examining the associations between specific FFAs, rather than total concentrations, of their effect on long-term health outcomes. Objective To evaluate the correlation between different FFAs and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a large, diverse, nationally representative sample of adults in the US, and examine how different FFAs may mediate this association. Methods This cohort study included unsaturated fatty acids (USFA) and saturated fatty acids (SFA) groups in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2014 and provided blood samples for FFAs levels. Multiple model calibration was performed using Cox regression analysis for known risk factors to explore the associations between FFAs and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Results In the group of USFA, 3719 people were included, median follow-up, 6.7 years (5.8–7.8 years). In the SFA group, we included 3900 people with a median follow-up, 6.9 years (5.9-8 years). In the USFA group, myristoleic acid (14:1 n-5) (hazard ratio (HR) 1.02 [1.006–1.034]; P = 0.004), palmitoleic acid (16:1 n-7) (HR 1.001 [1.001–1.002]; P

Abstract Background Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have become urgent worldwide health problems, predisposing patients to unfavorable myocardial status and thyroid dysfunction. Low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) and time-restricted eating (TRE) have been confirmed to be effective methods for weight management and improving MetS, but their effects on the myocardium and thyroid are unclear. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis in a randomized clinical diet-induced weight-loss trial. Participants (N = 169) diagnosed with MetS were randomized to the LCD group, the 8 h TRE group, or the combination of the LCD and TRE group for 3 months. Myocardial enzymes and thyroid function were tested before and after the intervention. Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlation was assessed between functions of the myocardium and thyroid and cardiometabolic parameters at baseline. Results A total of 162 participants who began the trial were included in the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, and 57 participants who adhered to their assigned protocol were involved in the per-protocol (PP) analysis. Relative to baseline, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase MB, hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, and free triiodothyronine (FT3) declined, and free thyroxine (FT4) increased after all 3 interventions (both analyses). Creatine kinase (CK) decreased only in the TRE (− 18 [44] U/L, P

Abstract PHD2 is essential in modulating HIF-1α levels upon oxygen fluctuations. Hypoxia, a hallmark of uterus, and HIF-1α have recently emerged as opposing regulators of mesendoderm specification, suggesting a role for PHD2 therein. We found that PHD2 expression initially covered the epiblast and gradually receded from the primitive streak, which was identical to hypoxia and exclusive to HIF-1α. The investigations performed in mESCs, embryoids, and mouse embryos together demonstrated that PHD2 negatively regulated mesendoderm specification. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that PHD2 governed the transition from epiblast to mesendoderm. The downstream effect of PHD2 relied on the HIF-1α regulated Wnt/β-catenin pathway, while it was regulated upstream by miR-429. In summary, our research highlights PHD2’s essential role in mesendoderm specification and its interactions with hypoxia and HIF-1α.

Abstract Effective extraction of building from remote sensing images requires both global and local information. Despite convolutional neural networks (CNNs) excelling at capturing local details, their intrinsic focus on local operations poses challenge in effectively extracting global features, especially in the context of large‐scale buildings. In contrast, transformers excel at capturing global information, but compared to CNNs, they tend to overly rely on large‐scale datasets and pre‐trained parameters. To tackle the challenge, this paper presents the multi‐scale and dual‐branch feature fusion network (MDTrans). Specifically, the CNN and transformer branches are integrated in a dual‐branch parallel manner during both encoding and decoding stages, local information for small‐scale buildings is extracted by utilizing Dense Connection Blocks in the CNN branch, while crucial global information for large‐scale buildings is effectively captured through Swin Transformer Block in the transformer branch. Additionally, Dual Branch Information Fusion Block is designed to fuse local and global features from the two branches. Furthermore, Multi‐Convolutional Block is designed to further enhance the feature extraction capability of buildings with different sizes. Through extensive experiments on the WHU, Massachusetts, and Inria building datasets, MDTrans achieves intersection over union (IoU) scores of 91.36%, 64.69%, and 79.25%, respectively, outperforming other state‐of‐the‐art models.

Objective: To develop a deep learning model to predict lymph node (LN) status in clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma patients. Methods: This diagnostic study included 1,009 patients with pathologically confirmed clinical stage T1N0M0 lung adenocarcinoma from two independent datasets (699 from Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and 310 from PLA General Hospital) between January 2005 and December 2019. The Cancer Hospital dataset was randomly split into a training cohort (559 patients) and a validation cohort (140 patients) to train and tune a deep learning model based on a deep residual network (ResNet). The PLA Hospital dataset was used as a testing cohort to evaluate the generalization ability of the model. Thoracic radiologists manually segmented tumors and interpreted high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) features for the model. The predictive performance was assessed by area under the curves (AUCs), accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score. Subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate the potential bias of the study population. Results: A total of 1,009 patients were included in this study; 409 (40.5%) were male and 600 (59.5%) were female. The median age was 57.0 years (inter-quartile range, IQR: 50.0–64.0). The deep learning model achieved AUCs of 0.906 (95% CI: 0.873–0.938) and 0.893 (95% CI: 0.857–0.930) for predicting pN0 disease in the testing cohort and a non-pure ground glass nodule (non-pGGN) testing cohort, respectively. No significant difference was detected between the testing cohort and the non-pGGN testing cohort (P = 0.622). The precisions of this model for predicting pN0 disease were 0.979 (95% CI: 0.963–0.995) and 0.983 (95% CI: 0.967–0.998) in the testing cohort and the non-pGGN testing cohort, respectively. The deep learning model achieved AUCs of 0.848 (95% CI: 0.798–0.898) and 0.831 (95% CI: 0.776–0.887) for predicting pN2 disease in the testing cohort and the non-pGGN testing cohort, respectively. No significant difference was detected between the testing cohort and the non-pGGN testing cohort (P = 0.657). The recalls of this model for predicting pN2 disease were 0.903 (95% CI: 0.870–0.936) and 0.931 (95% CI: 0.901–0.961) in the testing cohort and the non-pGGN testing cohort, respectively. Conclusions: The superior performance of the deep learning model will help to target the extension of lymph node dissection and reduce the ineffective lymph node dissection in early-stage lung adenocarcinoma patients.

In present work, non-isothermal crystallization behavior for novel Cr50Fe6Co7Mo14C15B6Y2 metallic glass (MG) with super high content of Cr and excellent merits was investigated by differential scanning calorimeter and X-ray diffraction. Both of the Kissinger and Ozawa methods show that the present glass transition is much harder than other transitions for a much larger apparent activation energy (E). While, the growth process of present second crystallization event is the easiest process, since it possesses the smallest E. Meanwhile, the local activation energy established by Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose and Ozawa-Flynn-Wall methods both exhibit a trend of increasing to the maximum value at first and then gradual decrease until the finish of the crystallization, indicating that the difficulty increases until to the maximum at first and then gradually decreases during crystallization. Moreover, all the local Avrami exponent n(x) possesses a value of about 0 < n(x)

To reveal the response of flue-cured tobacco suitable planting regions in Yunnan Province to climate change， the distribution characteristics of flue-cured tobacco suitable planting regions in Yunnan Province under contemporary climate conditions were studied by using maximum entropy （MaxEnt） model， which was based on the measured distribution data of flue-cured tobacco in Yunnan Province and the relevant environmental variable data.Furthermore， the change of suitable planting areas for flue-cured tobacco in Yunnan under future climate change conditions was analyzed.The results showed： （1） According to order of contribution of environmental variables to Yunnan flue-cured tobacco cultivation， the dominant environmental variables affecting Yunnan order of contribution of environmental variables to Yunnan flue-cured tobacco cultivation cultivation were， in order， the average precipitation in May， the average temperature in the hottest season， the classification of soil texture， and the content of soil carbonate.The cumulative contribution rate of such four items reached 80.9%， and the overall impact of climate variables on planting flue-cured tobacco in Yunnan is higher than that of soil variables.（2） In the current conditions， the suitable planting regions of flue-cured tobacco in Yunnan Province are mainly in Qujing， Kunming， Chuxiong， Zhaotong， Dali， Baoshan， Linchang， eastern Yuxi， northcentral Honghe， northwest Wenshan， also scattered in southern Lijiang and central Pu’er.The total suitable area is 23.82×106 hm2， accounting for 60.44% of the land area of Yunnan province.（3） Under the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 emission scenarios， the area of suitable planting areas of flue-cured tobacco showed an increasing trend in different degrees， increasing to 28.28×106 hm2 and 26.09×106 hm2， respectively， accounting for 71.76% and 66.19% of the total area of the province.The displacement of the center of mass （geometric center） of the total suitable planting area along the easterly-northerly direction， and this displacement was mainly caused by the migration of the centroids in the highly suitable planting regions.

Based on the daily MCI （Meteorological Drought Composite Index） of 125 stations in Yunnan province from April to June 2020， and the monitoring standard of regional drought process， the spatial-temporal distribution characteristics are analyzed， and the circulation causes of meteorological drought are also investigated.The results demonstrate that： （1） Two meteorological drought processes occurred from April to June 2020， one is a severe drought in southwestern area of Yunnan from April 1 to 25， and another was from May 9 to June 30 which is a severe drought with a long duration in the whole province.（2） From April 1 to 25 in 2020， the distribution of Mid-high latitude 500 hPa height field are two troughs and one ridge， a trough of low pressure in the Ural Mountains and eastern East Asia， and a ridge of high pressure in the area from Lake Balkhash to Lake Baikal， forming a "negative-position-negative" wave train which is conducive the cold air to the southward and impact of Yunnan.The low latitudes are controlled by a zonal positive abnormal height field， and there is south wind anomaly of 700 hPa in Yunnan， so the cold air mainly affects eastern of Yunnan.The Arabian-Sea-Bay of Bengal-South China Sea of 500 hPa height field is positive anomaly， which is not conducive to the transport of southwest warm and humid air to Yunnan.70% of the water vapor transport tracks to Yunnan come from the westerlies， so the regional meteorological drought process occurs in western Yunnan with less precipitation and higher temperature.（3） From May 9 to June 30， the seasonal transition of South Asian High is later than normal， and the establishment of the regional monsoon circulation in the Bay of Bengal is late also.Before the establishment of monsoon， all of the water vapor transport tracks to Yunnan region come from the westerly belt， and the specific humidity is mainly negative anomaly.After the establishment of the monsoon， 97% of the water vapor transport tracks to Yunnan come from the Indian Ocean， and the specific humidity was mainly positive anomaly.However， the circulation distribution in the middle and high latitudes of 500 hPa is not conducive the cold air to the southward and impact Yunnan.Meanwhile， the distribution of low latitude 500 hPa is positive anomaly， and the subsidence movement is strengthening， the correspondence between water vapor transport and the convergence rising motion was not good， so a sever large-scale meteorological drought occurred in Yunnan province.

Diabetic wound healing presents a unique and complex challenge due to the impaired cellular and molecular functions associated with diabetes. Chronic wounds in diabetic patients are characterized by prolonged inflammation, reduced angiogenesis, and impaired collagen deposition, which significantly hinder the healing process. This comprehensive review focuses on the innovative applications of designer cytokines in precision therapy for diabetic wound healing, emphasizing the remarkable advancements made in overcoming the limitations of natural cytokines, such as their short half-life, potential cytotoxicity, and lack of specificity. We begin by detailing the intricate biological characteristics of diabetic wounds and the essential role that cytokines play in orchestrating the healing process. The review critically examines the constraints of natural cytokines and traces the evolution of synthetic alternatives, with a particular emphasis on peptide-based and nucleic acid-based artificial cytokines. Advanced strategies for designing these artificial cytokines are discussed, including molecular modifications, functional enhancements, and specificity improvements to better target pathological conditions in diabetic wounds. Furthermore, we explore the utilization of synthetic biology techniques to engineer effective cytokine-based therapies. The promising therapeutic potential of rationally designed cytokines is highlighted, showcasing their ability to modulate the wound microenvironment, enhance tissue regeneration, and reduce chronic inflammation. This review not only provides valuable perspectives on the future research directions but also offers insights into the potential clinical applications of these innovative therapies, aiming to significantly improve the outcomes for patients suffering from diabetic wounds.

Abstract Background Follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL1) has been identified as a secreted glycoprotein that plays an important role in obesity. However, its role in children with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has not been investigated. This study aimed at characterizing the relationship between serum FSTL1 concentration and MAFLD in children with obesity. Methods A total of 121 subjects were recruited from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, including 45 obese children with MAFLD, 31 obese children without MAFLD, and 45 healthy controls. Anthropometric parameters, biochemical data were measured and circulating FSTL1 levels were detected by ELISA. Results The levels of FSTL1 in obese children with MAFLD were higher than that in obese children without MAFLD: 1.31 (0.35–2.29) ng/mL vs. 0.55 (0.36–1.38) ng/mL. Correlation analysis illustrated that FSTL1 was associated with nonesterified free fatty acid and leptin (r = 0.278, P

Abstract Background A combination of prone positioning (PP) and venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is safe, feasible, and associated with potentially improved survival for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, whether ARDS patients, especially non-COVID-19 patients, placed in PP before VV-ECMO should continue PP after a VV-ECMO connection is unknown. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that early use of PP during VV-ECMO could increase the proportion of patients successfully weaned from ECMO support in severe ARDS patients who received PP before ECMO. Methods In this prospective observational study, patients with severe ARDS who were treated with VV-ECMO were divided into two groups: the prone group and the supine group, based on whether early PP was combined with VV-ECMO. The proportion of patients successfully weaned from VV-ECMO and 60-day mortality were analyzed before and after propensity score matching. Results A total of 165 patients were enrolled, 50 in the prone and 115 in the supine group. Thirty-two (64%) and 61 (53%) patients were successfully weaned from ECMO in the prone and the supine groups, respectively. The proportion of patients successfully weaned from VV-ECMO in the prone group tended to be higher, albeit not statistically significant. During PP, there was a significant increase in partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) without a change in ventilator or ECMO settings. Tidal impedance shifted significantly to the dorsal region, and lung ultrasound scores significantly decreased in the anterior and posterior regions. Forty-five propensity score-matched patients were included in each group. In this matched sample, the prone group had a higher proportion of patients successfully weaned from VV-ECMO (64.4% vs. 42.2%; P = 0.035) and lower 60-day mortality (37.8% vs. 60.0%; P = 0.035). Conclusions Patients with severe ARDS placed in PP before VV-ECMO should continue PP after VV-ECMO support. This approach could increase the probability of successful weaning from VV-ECMO. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.Gov: NCT04139733. Registered 23 October 2019.

Abstract Background This experimental study used peanut shell biochar and fermented cow manure as the main raw materials forming a substrate for tomato plants. Results Substrates were created from peanut shell biochar, fermented cow manure, slag, and vermiculite mixed in volume ratios of 6:0:1:2, 5:1:1:2, 4:2:1:2, and 3:3:1:2, respectively. Comparisons were made to a control substrate composed of peat, slag, and vermiculite in a volume ratio of 6:1:2, respectively. As the proportion of biochar in the substrate increased, the bulk density showed a downward trend while the total porosity, aeration porosity, and water holding capacity showed upward trends. As the proportion of cow manure increased, the total N, available K, Ca, and Mg in the substrate increased. Tomatoes demonstrated similar or better growth than the control at experimental substrate composition ratios of 6:0:1:2 and 5:1:1:2. This was reflected in seedling strength index, seedling growth, chlorophyll content, root growth, plant carbohydrates, purine metabolism, caffeine metabolism, galactose metabolism, and starch and sucrose metabolism. The results of this study indicate the experimental substrate composition ratios of 6:0:1:2 and 5:1:1:2 were the most beneficial in terms of supporting the growth of tomato plants. Conclusions The study confirms biochar in composite substrate promotes plant growth by improving the root environment and plant metabolism. This investigation provides new information to moderate the use of peat and support efforts to achieve carbon neutrality through the creative utilization of agricultural waste. Graphical abstract

Abstract The energy efficiency identification of machining process plays an indispensable part in achieving energy-efficient manufacturing and improving energy utilization as well as productivity and surface quality. However, there is a great difficulty to track energy efficiency in real-time based on one kind of traditional power signal. Because energy consumption is affected by many factors such as machine tool current performance, tool wear conditions and cutting parameters selection. This paper puts forward an energy efficiency recognition method as well as surface roughness prediction model based on the cutting force signals. The CEEMDAN (Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise) algorithm is employed to decompose the cutting force signal into multiple IMF (intrinsic mode function) components; and characterization of energy efficiency of machining process is recognized through proportion of components based on PCA—Fast ICA algorithm. Then, a surface roughness prediction model is proposed using support vector regression (SVR) based on specific cutting energy consumption (SCEC). The orthogonal test is designed considering spindle speed, feed rate, depth of cutting and width of cutting in 3 levels to obtain the influence degree of cutting parameters on cutting force, specific energy consumption, and the surface roughness. The energy efficiency of 27 group experiments is classified into high, medium and low levels according to energy efficiency value. Finally, using the data of orthogonal test, energy efficiency state was identified. The result show that time–frequency of cutting force signals for high, medium and low energy efficiency could be extracted, and the average absolute error of surface roughness predict is 0.058. That illustrated that the proposed method could meet the industry requirement for energy efficiency monitoring and surface roughness prediction to achieve sustainable manufacturing.

Abstract The prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal mucosal injury caused by a plateau hypoxic environment is a clinical conundrum due to the unclear mechanism of this syndrome; however, oxidative stress and microbiota dysbiosis may be involved. The Robinia pseudoacacia L. flower, homologous to a functional food, exhibits various pharmacological effects, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, and hemostatic activities. An increasing number of studies have revealed that plant exosome-like nanoparticles (PELNs) can improve the intestinal microbiota and exert antioxidant effects. In this study, the oral administration of Robinia pseudoacacia L. flower exosome-like nanoparticles (RFELNs) significantly ameliorated hypoxia-induced gastric and small intestinal mucosal injury in mice by downregulating hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and HIF-2α expression and inhibiting hypoxia-mediated ferroptosis. In addition, oral RFELNs partially improved hypoxia-induced microbial and metabolic disorders of the stomach and small intestine. Notably, RFELNs displayed specific targeting to the gastrointestinal tract. In vitro experiments using gastric and small intestinal epithelial cell lines showed that cell death caused by elevated HIF-1α and HIF-2α under 1% O2 mainly occurred via ferroptosis. RFELNs obviously inhibited HIF-1α and HIF-2α expression and downregulated the expression of NOX4 and ALOX5, which drive reactive oxygen species production and lipid peroxidation, respectively, suppressing ferroptosis under hypoxia. In conclusion, our findings underscore the potential of oral RFELNs as novel, naturally derived agents targeting the gastrointestinal tract, providing a promising therapeutic approach for hypoxia-induced gastric and small intestinal mucosal ferroptosis. Graphical Abstract

Abstract A comparative study of two force perception skill learning approaches for robot‐assisted spinal surgery, the impedance model method and the imitation learning (IL) method, is presented. The impedance model method develops separate models for the surgeon and patient, incorporating spring‐damper and bone‐grinding models. Expert surgeons' feature parameters are collected and mapped using support vector regression and image navigation techniques. The imitation learning approach utilises long short‐term memory networks (LSTM) and addresses accurate data labelling challenges with custom models. Experimental results demonstrate skill recognition rates of 63.61%–74.62% for the impedance model approach, relying on manual feature extraction. Conversely, the imitation learning approach achieves a force perception recognition rate of 91.06%, outperforming the impedance model on curved bone surfaces. The findings demonstrate the potential of imitation learning to enhance skill acquisition in robot‐assisted spinal surgery by eliminating the laborious process of manual feature extraction.