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Background: Cigarette smoking remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus, is one of the most common pathogens that colonizes the human respiratory tract, causing life-threatening infections. Several studies have reported that cigarette smoke (CS) exposure promotes pneumococcal infectivity; however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be illustrated. Methods: In this study, we prepared cigarette smoke extract (CSE) from tobacco containing nicotine (0.8 mg/cigarette) and tar (10 mg/cigarette) to investigate the effects of CSE on innate immune response using murine macrophage models. Results: The results from the cytokine array showed that the production of C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2), CCL4, CCL3, C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2 (CXCL2), and CXCL-10, in pneumococcus-infected cells was reduced upon 5 % CSE treatment. Our results further demonstrated that 5 % CSE exposure, followed by pneumococcal challenge, significantly decreased CCL2 and type I interferon (IFN) production in macrophages by inhibiting nuclear factor (NF)-κB and IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) signaling pathways. Moreover, CSE disrupts macrophage polarization and impedes innate immune signaling to suppress pneumococcal phagocytosis by macrophages. Conclusion: Our results provide evidence that CS manipulates the signaling molecules to subvert macrophage functions, thereby hindering the innate response against pneumococcal infection.

Background: Rapid and accurate identification of bacteria is required in order to develop effective treatment strategies. Traditional culture-based methods are time-consuming, while MALDI-TOF MS is expensive. The Raman spectroscopy, due to its relatively cost-effectiveness, offers a promising alternative for bacterial identification. However, its clinical utility still requires further validation. Methods: In this study, the artificial intelligent Raman detection and identification system (AIRDIS) was implemented to identify bacterial species, including Staphylococcus aureus (n = 1290), Enterococcus faecium (n = 1020), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 1366), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 1067), and Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 811). Raman spectra were collected, preprocessed, and analyzed by machine learning (ML). Results: After training on 24,420 Raman spectra from 1221 isolates and testing on 4333 isolates, the AIRDIS demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.99 for Gram classification, with accuracies of 97.64 % for Gram-positive bacteria and 98.86 % for Gram-negative bacteria. Spectral differences between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were linked to structural variations in their cell walls, such as peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharides. At the species level, S. aureus, E. faecium, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and A. baumannii were identified with high accuracy, ranging from 94.76 % to 96.88 %, with all species achieving an AUC of 0.99. Conclusions: Validation with a large number of clinical isolates demonstrated Raman spectroscopy combined with ML excels in identification of five bacterial species associated with multidrug resistance. This finding confirms the clinical utility of the system while laying a solid foundation for the future development of antimicrobial resistance prediction models.

Abstract Background Nemonoxacin is a new quinolone with an antibacterial efficacy against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Certain sequence types (STs) have been emerging in Taiwan, including fluoroquinolone-resistant ST8/USA300. It’s an urgent need to determine nemonoxacin susceptibility against ST8/USA300 and other emerging lineages, if any. Additionally, molecular characterization of nemonoxacin resistance among different lineages has yet to be defined. Methods Non-duplicated MRSA blood isolates from five hospitals during 2019–2020 were collected and genotyped by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and further correlated to their STs. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing for all antibiotics was performing by using Sensititre standard panel, except nemonoxacin by using agar dilution method. Selected isolates with nemonoxacin MICs ≥ 0.5 mg/mL were sequenced for quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDRs). Results Overall, 915 MRSA isolates belonged to four major lineages, ST8 (34.2%), ST59 (23.5%), ST239 (13.9%), and clonal complex 45 (13.7%). Two-thirds of tested isolates were non-susceptible to moxifloxacin, especially ST8/USA300 and ST239. Of them, proportions of nemonoxacin non-susceptibility by a tentative clinical breakpoint (tCBP) of 1 µg/mL among four major lineages appeared to be different (P = 0.06) and highest in ST239 (22.2%), followed by ST8/USA300 (13.5%). Among 89 isolates sequenced, 44.1% of ST8 and all ST239 isolates had ≥ 3 amino acid substitutions (AAS) in gyrA/parC (group A) or 2 AAS in gyrA/parC with additional AAS in gyrB/parE (group B). Compared to other AAS patterns, isolates in group A had the greatest non-susceptible proportions to nemonoxacin (86.9%; overall/pair-wised comparisons, P

Background: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019 sparked the global COVID-19 pandemic, leading to varied vaccine policies worldwide. The evolving patterns of respiratory pathogens, aside from SARS-CoV-2, during the pandemic have had a significant impact on the development of vaccine strategies. Methods: This study explores the landscape of respiratory pathogens, encompassing SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza viruses, through a retrospective analysis of data obtained from the BioFire Respiratory Panel 2.1 (RP 2.1) at China Medical University Hospital (Taichung, Taiwan) spanning from January 2020 to November 2023. Results: Among the 7950 respiratory samples studied, pediatric cases exhibited higher positivity (64.9%, 2488/3835) and mixed detection rates (43.8%, 1090/2488) than adults. Annual mixed detection rates increased (27.9–48%). Prevalence analysis revealed diverse patterns across age groups, with higher rates in pediatrics. Notably, human rhinovirus/enterovirus predominated (48.1%). Mixed detection illustrated viral co-detections, notably with parainfluenza viruses and adenovirus. Government policies and pandemic dynamics influenced infection patterns, with RSV resurgence after May 2022. Age-specific RSV detection demonstrated a shift, influencing vaccine considerations. Amid global vaccine initiatives, RSV's increasing trend in adults warrants attention. Conclusions: This comprehensive analysis emphasizes the importance of multiplex PCR testing in shaping targeted vaccination strategies during evolving respiratory pathogen landscapes.

Background/Purpose: There are limited studies performing paired liver biopsies in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAA). We aimed to investigate the predictors of liver fibrosis changes assessed by paired liver biopsies in these patients. Methods: From March 2017 to March 2020, 113 CHC patients were prospectively enrolled to receive DAA therapy at our hospital. Paired liver biopsies were performed at baseline and 12 weeks after the end of treatment. Results: Among the entire cohort, the rate of sustained virological response (SVR) was 100%. Four baseline variables independently predicted fibrosis regression, including age 35 U/L at baseline to ≤35 U/L at 4 weeks after baseline (OR = 284.534, p = 0.026). Conclusion: For DAA-treated CHC patients, those with baseline age

Abstract The clinical treatments of maxillofacial bone defects pose significant challenges due to complex microenvironments, including severe inflammation, high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and potential bacterial infection. Herein, we propose the de novo design of an efficient, versatile, and precise electron-donable heterojunction with synergetic Ru-Cu pair sites (Ru-Cu/EDHJ) for superior biocatalytic regeneration of inflammatory mandible defects and pH-controlled antibacterial therapies. Our studies demonstrate that the unique structure of Ru-Cu/EDHJ enhances the electron density of Ru atoms and optimizes the binding strength of oxygen species, thus improving enzyme-like catalytic performance. Strikingly, this biocompatible Ru-Cu/EDHJ can efficiently switch between ROS scavenging in neutral media and ROS generation in acidic media, thus simultaneously exhibiting superior repair functions and bioadaptive antibacterial properties in treating mandible defects in male mice. We believe synthesizing such biocatalytic heterojunctions with exceptional enzyme-like capabilities will offer a promising pathway for engineering ROS biocatalytic materials to treat trauma, tumors, or infection-caused maxillofacial bone defects.

Vivipary is common in several mangrove species and is generally considered an adaptation to the intertidal saline environment. However, the coexistence of many nonviviparous mangroves makes this view controversial. This study investigated the propagule development of two nonviviparous mangrove species, Sonneratia alba and S. caseolaris, with marked differences in salt tolerance and distribution. Changes in the density, water content, and concentrations of the five main osmoregulatory elements (Cl, Na, K, Ca, and Mg) were determined. As the propagules of S. alba and S. caseolaris mature, the element concentrations (mg/g) in the propagules gradually decrease, indicating a desalination process. Moreover, the Cl, Na, Ca, and Mg content in the propagules were lower than in the mature leaves and calyx. Similar to viviparous mangroves, the development of the propagules of nonviviparous mangroves is also a desalination process. Although both viviparous and nonviviparous mangrove species undergo a desalination process during propagule development, our findings suggest that viviparity may not be solely defined by desalination, but rather by the extended period of low-salinity protection during early development on the maternal tree, which represents a key adaptation for survival in high-salinity environments. In contrast, nonviviparous mangroves, which rely on seed germination and early development in saline seawater, face additional challenges in high-salinity habitats, highlighting their distinct adaptive strategies.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a widespread global health concern affecting males. Numerous investigations have shown the substantial implications of inflammation to PCa progression. To evaluate the predictive capacity of inflammatory-related genes (IRGs) in PCa, we conducted univariate Cox regression analysis and the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selector Operation (LASSO) regression to formulate a prognostic model based on IRG expression. The training dataset comprised The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort, with validation performed using the cBioPortal cohort. Subsequently, an overall survival (OS) prediction was performed using a nomogram within the TCGA-PCa cohort, and we explored the association between the risk model and various factors such as immune cell infiltration, immune-related pathway functionality, tumor microenvironment characteristics, cancer stem cell scores and drug sensitivity. A comprehensive selection of 17 IRGs was identified to establish this prognostic risk model, where individuals with elevated risk scores exhibited unfavorable prognosis. The genomic nomogram, constructed based on these central IRGs, demonstrated remarkable accuracy in predicting PCa prognosis. Evaluation of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and immune-related pathways suggested that high-risk groups may manifest an immune-active phenotype. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between the expression levels of IRGs and tumor cell sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs. In conclusion, these findings indicate that an IRG-based risk model associated with inflammation can effectively predict PCa prognosis, presenting a promising strategy for further investigation.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has contributed to the spread of antimicrobial resistance, including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales. Methods: This study utilized data from the Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART) surveillance program in Taiwan. Enterobacterales from patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs) were collected and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and β-lactamase gene detection using a multiplex PCR assay. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare susceptibility rates and resistance genes between time periods before (2018–2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021). Results: A total of 1231 Enterobacterales isolates were collected, predominantly Escherichia coli (55.6%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (29.2%). The proportion of nosocomial BSIs increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (55.5% vs. 61.7%, p

Abstract Cancer cells are often addicted to serine synthesis to support growth. How serine synthesis is regulated in cancer is not well understood. We recently demonstrated protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) is upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to methylate and activate phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), thereby promoting serine synthesis. However, the mechanisms underlying PRMT1 upregulation and regulation of PRMT1-PHGDH axis remain unclear. Here, we show the E3 ubiquitin ligase F-box-only protein 7 (FBXO7) inhibits serine synthesis in HCC by binding PRMT1, inducing lysine 37 ubiquitination, and promoting proteosomal degradation of PRMT1. FBXO7-mediated PRMT1 downregulation cripples PHGDH arginine methylation and activation, resulting in impaired serine synthesis, accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inhibition of HCC cell growth. Notably, FBXO7 is significantly downregulated in human HCC tissues, and inversely associated with PRMT1 protein and PHGDH methylation level. Overall, our study provides mechanistic insights into the regulation of cancer serine synthesis by FBXO7-PRMT1-PHGDH axis, and will facilitate the development of serine-targeting strategies for cancer therapy.

Afforestation of mangroves in abandoned ponds is considered an effective approach for global mangrove restoration. Although several studies have assessed recovery outcomes of reforested mangroves, the studies about the synergistic recovery of mangrove vegetation and ecosystem carbon stocks in abandoned ponds are still limited. The present study compared the vegetation structure and carbon stocks of pond-to-mangrove sites with different restored methods in Dongzhaigang Bay, Hainan Province, China. We found that the vegetation structure (tree density and Shannon diversity) had no significant differences between afforestation sites and natural mangroves. The total ecosystem carbon stocks of all the sample sites ranged from 64.07 to 224.91 (mean ± SD: 114.82 ± 49.30) Mg C ha−1, while there were no significant variations between restoration sites in 2014 (p > 0.05). In addition, 85.44 % of the total carbon stocks were stored in the soil among the study sites. The soil physicochemical properties such as soil pH, total organic carbon, total nitrogen had effects on tree height, diameter at breast height and carbon stocks composition. Meanwhile, in-situ soil redox potentials, Shannon diversity, tree height, density and diameter at breast height affected carbon stock. Moreover, the soil physicochemical properties, absolute elevation and vegetation structural variables could explain 76.83 % of the carbon stock variance. This study demonstrated that artificial planting had no superiority in vegetation restoration and carbon sequestration over natural regeneration. Under appropriate environmental conditions, natural regeneration is an economically effective way to restore mangroves from abandoned ponds to realize the co-benefits of biodiversity and carbon storage restoration.

We theoretically investigate Goos-Hänchen effect for electron in single-layered semiconductor microstructure (SLSM) modulated by Rashba spin–orbit coupling (SOC). Due to the SOC effect, GH displacement is obviously dependent on spins, which allows electron spins to be separated in space dimension and results in spin polarization of electrons in semiconductors. Spin polarization ratio is associated with incident energy, incident direction and in-plane wave vector, e.g., it reaches maximum at resonance, but no spin polarization effect appears at normal incidence. In particular, both magnitude and sign of spin polarization ratio are controlled by external electric field or semiconductor-layer thickness, therefore, a manipulable spatial electron-spin splitter is obtained for semiconductor spintronics device applications.

Abstract In recent decades, mangrove wetlands globally have suffered from human activities and climate change, leading to issues like area reduction, degraded ecological functions and declining biodiversity. Restoration efforts, primarily through mangrove afforestation (i.e. mangrove plantation in mudflats), have been widespread, yet they often overlook the significance of unvegetated mudflats. In addition, under the condition that the total area of suitable mudflats is limited, the problem of what is the threshold of mangrove forests and unvegetated mudflats to better protect mangrove biodiversity has not been solved. Therefore, this study conducted a field survey of molluscs in mangrove wetlands in Hainan Island in China and explored the relative importance of mangroves and unvegetated mudflats through taxonomic alpha diversity and functional diversity. The results showed that (1) mollusc abundance of unvegetated mudflats was notably higher than this of mangrove forests, and the species richness, functional richness and functional vulnerability were significantly lower than those of mangrove forests; (2) the abundance and functional vulnerability of molluscs were mainly affected by sediment properties (pH, interstitial water salinity, median diameter, total nitrogen, C/N ratio), while the species richness and functional richness of molluscs were primarily influenced by vegetation structure (plant density); and (3) retaining at least 20% of the unvegetated mudflat area could well protect the biodiversity of mangrove wetlands. To our knowledge, our study is the first to propose the proportion of mangrove forests and unvegetated mudflats on the basis of benthic biodiversity, providing theoretical support and decision‐making reference for mangrove protection and restoration.

Abstract The method of segmented hydraulic fracturing in the coal seam roof has proven to be an efficient technique for coalbed methane exploitation. However, the behavior of hydraulic fractures in multilayer formations with significant differences in mechanical properties is still unclear. This paper studied the variation in hydraulic fracture width at the coal-rock interface by employing experimental method with a true triaxial hydraulic fracturing experimental system and numerical simulation method. Results revealed that the hydraulic fracture more likely to expanded along the coal-rock interface instead of break through it with the small horizontal stress difference and low flow rate injection condition. And improving the injection flow rate lager than a critical value, the hydraulic fracture tends to break through the coal-rock interface. Hydraulic fractures in both mudstone and coal beds exhibited a trend of increasing and then decreasing of fracture width at the interface. Since the strength of the coal seam was lower compared to that of the mudstone, maintaining high pressure was no longer necessary when the hydraulic fracture crossed the interface and entered the coal seam, leading to a reduction in fracture width within the mudstone. During the later stages of fracturing, the entry of proppant into the coal seam became challenging, resulting in a phenomenon characterized by excessive fluid but insufficient sand. The time required for the fracture width to traverse the proppant was found to be inversely proportional to the difference in horizontal ground stress and the flow rate of the fracturing fluid. And it was directly proportional to the modulus of elasticity, permeability of the coal seam, and interface strength. The interface strength has the greatest influence on the width of hydraulic fractures. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the behavior of hydraulic fractures in multilayer formations with varying mechanical properties. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the factors affecting hydraulic fracture width within coal seams, which can ultimately enhance the efficiency of coalbed methane exploitation.

Considering both Zeeman effect and spin–orbit coupling, we calculate dwell time for electron in single ferromagnetic-stripe device (SFSD), which can be constructed by patterning a nanosized ferromagnetic stripe on the surface of GaAs/AlxGa1-xAs heterostructure. Due to an intrinsic symmetry in the SFSD, dwell time is independent of electron spins, if only Zeeman effect is involved. However, the intrinsic symmetry is broken by spin–orbit coupling, which gives rise to spin-dependent dwell time for electron in the SFSD. As a result, electron spins can be separated in time dimension, which induces an obvious electron-spin polarization effect in the SFSD. Spin polarization ratio can be efficaciously modified by interfacial confining electric-field or strain engineering, which attributes to the dependence of effective potential felt by electron in the SFSD on spin–orbit couplings. Thus, the SFSD can act as a controllable temporal electron-spin splitter, a class of electron-spin polarized sources in semiconductor spintronics.

Abstract The abandoned pond‐to‐mangrove restoration project provides greater advantages than tidal flats afforestation in restoring mangrove ecosystem services and will be the primary method for mangrove restoration in the future. The existing methods for abandoned pond‐to‐mangrove restoration include artificial restoration through ‘dike‐breaking, filling with imported soil and tree planting’ and natural restoration through ‘dike‐breaking and natural succession’. However, little is known about which restoration strategy (natural or artificial restoration) provides more benefits to the biodiversity of mangrove macrobethos. Given a prevailing view suggested that artificial restoration should be the preferred approach for accelerating recovery of biodiversity and vegetation structure in tropical regions, we hypothesised higher macrobenthic biodiversity and more complex community structure in artificial restoration than in natural restoration. To test this hypothesis, macrobenthic biodiversity and ecological processes were monitored in a typical abandoned pond‐to‐mangrove area of Dongzhaigang Bay, China, where artificial and natural restoration methods were used concurrently. Differences in macrobenthic biodiversity, community structure and ecological processes were compared using diversity indices, complex network analysis and null models. Similar species composition and ecological niche overlap and width among macrobenthos were observed at artificial and natural restoration sites. The biotic heterogeneity and interaction among macrobenthos were higher at the natural restoration sites than at the artificial restoration sites. Macrobenthos community assembly at natural and artificial restoration sites was both determined by deterministic processes, with environmental filtering dominating, which explained 52% and 54% of the variations in macrobenthic community structures respectively. Although our findings did not validate the research hypothesis, higher biotic heterogeneity and species interaction among macrobenthos could support natural restoration as the primary method for abandoned pond‐to‐mangrove projects, because it is a nature‐based solution for mangrove restoration.

Accurately quantifying functional traits across large scales is considered fundamental for the management and conservation of existing mangrove ecosystems. In recent years, hybrid models, which combine radiative transfer model simulations with machine learning regression algorithms (MLRA), have been effectively employed in satellite-based estimations of plant functional traits across diverse ecosystems. Nevertheless, the inevitable data redundancy stemming from heavy-parameterization radiative transfer models restricts the application of the hybrid model. Previous studies have indicated that active learning (AL) strategies can mitigate this redundancy through smart sampling selection criteria. While many studies have attempted to investigate mangrove functional traits using various models, there is limited understanding of the performance of hybrid models coupled with active learning strategies in retrieving the traits. In recent years, Sentinel-2 has become mainstream for retrieving detailed and reliable information across diverse ecosystems. The aim of this study is to utilize a retrieval scheme to extract four mangrove functional traits from Sentinel-2 imagery: leaf area index (LAI), leaf chlorophyll content (Cab), leaf dry matter content (Cm), and leaf equivalent water thickness (Cw). In order to achieve this goal, we systematically evaluated 36 different MLRA-AL models, which were combinations of six MLRAs and six AL strategies. Retrieval results showed that GPR (Gaussian processes regression)-ABD (angle-based diversity) and GPR-PAL (variance-based pool of regressors) yielded the highest accuracies for LAI (R2 = 0.68, NRMSE = 10.488 %) and Cw (R2 = 0.47, NRMSE = 13.868 %), respectively. GPR-EBD (Euclidean distance-based diversity) had the highest accuracies of Cm (R2 = 0.54, NRMSE = 11.695 %) and Cab (R2 = 0.71, NRMSE = 13.764 %). The retrieval models were subsequently applied to produce distribution pattern maps of four mangrove functional traits within a Ramsar site. This study represents the first attempt to utilize AL strategies to enhance the efficiency of traditional hybrid models and map multiple functional traits of mangrove forests. The retrieval scheme and mapping results could significantly contribute to the management of mangrove ecosystems and provide a fundamental data source for future research on the ecological services of mangroves.

[Objective] To address the challenges about renewable energy utilization and significant grid voltage fluctuations in urban rail transit power supply system, a power supply solution based on bidirectional converter technology for traction system is proposed. [Method] The main circuit topology and operational logic of bidirectional converters are introduced. The control characteristics of bidirectional converters under two operating modes of independent power supply and hybrid power supply are presented, and the external characteristic curves combining constant voltage and droop are designed. Using the example of Xuzhou Metro Line 2, tests are conducted for both independent power supply and hybrid power supply under traction and braking conditions for a single train AW0 (unloaded) on the depot test track. Same tests are also performed under normal operation conditions with 12 trains on the mainline. Performance indicators for train operation and bidirectional converters are evaluated. [Result & Conclusion] Bidirectional converters can automatically and smoothly switch between rectification and inversion modes based on the train on-line operation conditions, automatically adapting to the train traction/braking conditions. The use of bidirectional converters in power supply significantly ameliorates train grid voltage fluctuation, preventing working conditions below 1 500 V and enhancing train traction characteristics.

Abstract Ruthenium (Ru) has been recognized as a prospective candidate to substitute platinum catalysts in water‐splitting‐based hydrogen production. However, minimizing the Ru contents, optimizing the water dissociation energy of Ru sites, and enhancing the long‐term stability are extremely required, but still face a great challenge. Here, we report on creating tungsten oxide‐anchored Ru clusters (Ru–WOx) with electron‐rich and anti‐corrosive microenvironments for efficient and robust seawater splitting. Benefiting from the abundant oxygen vacancy structure in tungsten oxide support, the Ru–WOx exhibits strong Ru–O and Ru–W bonds at the interface. Our study elucidates that the strong Ru–O bonds in Ru–WOx may accelerate the water dissociation kinetics, and the Ru–W bonds will lead to the strong metal–support interaction and electrons transfer from W to Ru. The optimal Ru–WOx catalysts exhibit a low overpotential of 29 and 218 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline and seawater media, respectively. The outstanding long‐term stability discloses that the Ru–WOx catalysts own efficient corrosion resistance in seawater electrolysis. We believe that this work offers new insights into the essential roles of electron‐rich and anti‐corrosive microenvironments in Ru‐based catalysts and provide a new pathway to design efficient and robust cathodes for seawater splitting.

Abstract Background The sensitivity of HIV screening assays often leads to a high rate of false-positive results, requiring retests and confirmatory tests. This study aimed to analyze the capability of signal-to-cutoff (S/CO) ratios of HIV screening assay to predict HIV infection. Methods A retrospective study on the HIV screening-positive population was performed at Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, the correlation between HIV screening assay S/CO ratios and HIV infection was assessed, and plotted Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to establish the optimal cutoff value for predicting HIV infection. Results Out of 396,679 patients, 836 were confirmed to be HIV-infected, with an HIV prevalence of 0.21%. The median S/CO ratios in HIV infection were significantly higher than that in non-HIV infection (296.9 vs. 2.41, P

Objectives: The FilmArray gastrointestinal panel (FAGIP) is widely used to detect infectious diarrhoea due to its outstanding sensitivity compared to conventional methods, but there is geographic variation, such as in the distribution of pathogens, among populations. Methods: This was a retrospective study that analysed patients with acute diarrhoea who underwent FAGIP tests from all age groups during 2022. We compared positive rates of FAGIP between paediatric (n = 245) and adult patients (n = 242) of different origins. The targeted therapy rate and antimicrobial agent use rate were also analysed. Results: Among the 487 stool samples evaluated, the overall, community-origin (CO), and nosocomial (NC) positivity rates of paediatric patients were significantly higher than those of adults (73.9 % vs. 43.0 %, p = 0.000; 76.2 % vs. 51.7 %, p = 0.000; 50.0 % vs. 19.7 %, p = 0.000). Salmonella was the most frequently detected pathogen (35.9 %) in children, while the predominant pathogen in adult patients was toxin A/B-genic Clostridioides difficile (13.2 %). There was a significantly lower antimicrobial agent use rate after FAGIP results were available (79.1 % vs. 64.5 %, p = 0.000) and a higher rate of targeted therapy towards C. difficile infection in adults than in children (84.4 % vs. 69.0 %, p = 0.011). Conclusion: Paediatric diarrhoea patients showed higher positivity rates than adult patients. Application of FAGIP for acute diarrhoea might lower unnecessary antimicrobial use.

The increasing frequency of low-temperature events in spring, driven by climate change, poses a serious threat to wheat production in Northern China. Understanding how low-temperature stress affects wheat yield and its components under varying moisture conditions, and exploring the role of irrigation before exposure to low temperatures, is crucial for food security and mitigating agricultural losses. In this study, four wheat cultivars—semi-spring (YZ4110, LK198) and semi-winter (ZM366, FDC21)—were tested across two years under different conditions of soil moisture (irrigation before low-temperature exposure (IBLT) and non-irrigation (NI)) and low temperatures (−2 °C, −4 °C, −6 °C, −8 °C, and −10 °C). The IBLT treatment effectively reduced leaf wilt, stem breakage, and spikelet desiccation. Low-temperature stress adversely impacted the yield per plant—including both original and regenerated yields—and yield components across all wheat varieties. Furthermore, a negative correlation was found between regenerated and original yields. Semi-spring varieties showed greater yield reduction than semi-winter varieties, with a more pronounced impact under NI compared to IBLT. This suggests that the compensatory regenerative yield is more significant in semi-spring varieties and under NI conditions. As low-temperature stress intensified, the primary determinant of yield loss shifted from grain number per spike (GNPS) to spike number per plant (SNPP) beyond a specific temperature threshold. Under NI, this threshold was −6 °C, while it was −8 °C under IBLT. Low-temperature stress led to variability in fruiting rate across different spike positions, with semi-spring varieties and NI conditions showing the most substantial reductions. Sensitivity to low temperatures varied across spikelet positions: Apical spikelets were the most sensitive, followed by basal, while central spikelets showed the largest reduction in grain number as stress levels increased, significantly contributing to reduced overall grain yield. Irrigation, variety, and low temperature had variable impacts on physiological indices in wheat. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis revealed that irrigation significantly enhanced wheat’s response to cold tolerance indicators—such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), proline (Pro), and peroxidase (POD)—while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Irrigation also improved photosynthesis (Pn), chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), and leaf water content (LWC), thereby mitigating the adverse effects of low-temperature stress and supporting grain development in the central spike positions. In summary, IBLT effectively mitigates yield losses due to low-temperature freeze injuries, with distinct yield component contributions under varying stress conditions. Furthermore, this study clarifies the spatial distribution of grain responses across different spike positions under low temperatures, providing insights into the physiological mechanisms by which irrigation mitigates grain loss. These findings provide a theoretical and scientific basis for effective agricultural practices to counter spring freeze damage and predict wheat yield under low-temperature stress.

Due to the similarity of host–guest complexes and protein–ligand and protein–protein assemblies, computational tools for protein–drug complexes are commonly applied in host–guest binding. One of the methods with the highest popularity is the end-point free energy technique, which estimates the binding affinity with gas-phase and solvation contributions extracted from simplified end-point sampling. Our series papers on a set of carboxylated-pillararene host–guest complexes have proven with solid numerical evidence that standard end-point techniques are practically useless in host–guest binding, but alterations, such as slightly increasing interior dielectric constant in post-processing calculation and shifting to the multi-trajectory realization in conformational sampling, could better the situation and pull the end-point method back to the pool of usable tools. Also, the force-field selection plays a critical role, as it determines the sampled region in the conformational space. In the current work, we continue the efforts to explore potentially promising end-point modifications in host–guest binding and further extend the sampling time to an unprecedent length. Specifically, we comprehensively benchmarked the shift from the original MM description to QM Hamiltonians in post-processing the popular single-trajectory sampling. Two critical settings in the multi-scale QM/GBSA regime are the selections of the QM Hamiltonian and the implicit-solvent model, and a scan of combinations of popular semi-empirical QM Hamiltonians and GB models is performed. The multi-scale QM/GBSA treatment is further combined with the three-trajectory sampling protocol, introducing a further advanced modification. The sampling lengths in the host–guest complex, solvated guest and solvated host ensembles are extended to 500 ns, 500 ns and 12,000 ns. As a result, the sampling quality in end-point calculations is unprecedently high, enabling us to draw conclusive pictures of investigated forms of modified end-point free energy methods. Numerical results suggest that the shift to the QM Hamiltonian does not better the situation in the popular single-trajectory regime, but noticeable improvements are observed in the three-trajectory sampling regime, especially for the DFTB/GBSA parameter combination (either DFTB2 or its third-order extension), the quality metrics of which reach an unprecedently high level and surpass existing predictions (including costly alchemical transformations) on this dataset, hinting on the applicability of the advanced three-trajectory QM/GBSA end-point modification for host–guest complexes.

In this work, we performed a systematic investigation on the comparison of magnetic anisotropy between three III-Mn-V dilute ferromagnetic semiconductors (Ga,Mn)As, (In,Mn)As and (Ga,Mn)P prepared by ion implantation and pulsed laser melting. Compressive strain induces in-plane magnetic anisotropy in (Ga,Mn)As and (Ga,Mn)P, while out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy is present in (In,Mn)As due to tensile strain introduced by Mn substitution. Interestingly, all materials prepared herein does not present strong in-plane uniaxial anisotropy, between [110] and [11¯0] directions, which always exhibits in low temperature molecular beam epitaxy (LT-MBE) grown (Ga,Mn)As samples. The reason is ascribed to the fact that the ultra-fast recrystallization induced by pulsed laser melting weakens the formation of Mn-Mn dimers along the [11¯0] direction which presents in LT-MBE grown (Ga,Mn)As.

There is much controversy surrounding factors that affect the distribution of mangrove plants across the intertidal gradient. It was previously hypothesized that mangrove zonation was attributed to tidal sorting (TSH) of its propagules according to size (weight) or differential ability of propagules to establish in deep water. However, observational and experimental evidence have provided little support for the actual mechanism(s) of mangrove zonation. In general, species distribution pattern is the consequence of propagule dispersal. The specific gravity of water-borne mangrove propagules may affect their buoyancy, with inherent links to dispersal, thereby potentially influencing tree zonation. Propagule specific gravity can influence the distribution of mangroves in the context of global change, particularly in response to changes in seawater salinity. In this study, we measured the specific gravity and weight of 35 mangrove species propagules. There was no correlation between the weight of the propagule and its specific gravity. The specific gravity of propagules of true mangrove species was significantly greater than that of semi-mangrove. The results of the correlation between propagule specific gravity and the relative surface elevation of field distribution support the hypothesis that propagules are subject to tidal sorting and are not related to weight but to specific gravity. This newfound understanding of mangrove dispersal and distribution is critical in the context of mangrove protection and restoration, especially in projecting the effects of anthropogenic activities and global change on mangrove communities.

BackgroundIn natural mangrove communities, mangrove species are often distributed zonally. Leaf-eating crabs are one of the most abundant and iconic arboreal brachyurans in mangrove forests, but variation in the composition of crab diets in different mangrove tidal zones is unknown.MethodsTo determine the contributions of mangrove leaves and other organic carbon (C) sources to leaf-eating crab diets, dual stable C and nitrogen (N) isotope signatures (δ13C and 1δ5N) were used in a Bayesian stable isotope mixing model. We conducted experiments at various tidal levels in the Dongzhaigang Bay National Natural Reserve in China. We analyzed δ13C and δ15N of leaf-eating crabs, mangrove leaves, sediment organic matter (SOM), and animal tissues (prey).ResultsThe food composition of the dominant crab species, Parasesarma continentale, exhibited significant differences among the four tidal zones. From the margin to the high tide zone, the main food source shifted from predominantly mangrove leaves and SOM to primarily SOM and animal tissues. We observed a significant negative relationship between the C/N ratios of mangrove leaves and the proportion of leaves consumed by leaf-eating crabs. Additionally, as the tidal level increased, the C/N ratio of mangrove leaves also increased, whereas the proportion of leaves consumed by crabs decreased.ConclusionLeaf-eating crab diets vary significantly across tidal zones, highlighting the importance of considering tidal zone differentiation when studying consumer diets in mangrove ecosystems.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy is an adjuvant treatment for urothelial carcinomas of the upper urinary tract (UTUC). BCG therapy can result in various side effects. We present a case of a 67-year-old female with a history of UTUC who developed disseminated tuberculosis following BCG instillation into the upper urinary tract after conservative management. This complex clinical scenario required a multidisciplinary approach, including antibiotic therapy, immunoglobulin infusion, and tailored tuberculosis treatment. The case underscores the importance of vigilance, early detection, and tailored interventions in managing disseminated tuberculosis arising from BCG therapy and rare complications like hemophagocytic syndrome.

This work aims to estimate the Curie temperature and critical exponents in the critical regime of III-V ferromagnetic semiconductor (FS) (Ga,Mn)P film using various methods, including Arrott and Kouvel-Fisher plots, as well as electrical transport measurements. The (Ga,Mn)P film was prepared by implanting Mn ions into an intrinsic (001) GaP wafer, followed by pulsed laser melting (PLM). The magnetic properties of the (Ga,Mn)P layer were systematically investigated. The study investigated the accuracy of four different methods in determining the critical behaviors for the magnetic properties close to TC. The results suggest that the critical exponents are similar to those of the mean-field model, as indicated by the modified Arrot plots and temperature dependent effective critical exponents. However, the accuracy of the temperature-dependent resistance Rxx(T) method and Kouvel-Fisher (K-F) analysis is limited due to the Gaussian distribution of Mn ions in the film.