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Abstract Background Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) remains a significant global health concern, with a subset of cases progressing to Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia (SCAP). This study aims to develop and validate a CT-based radiomics model for the early detection of SCAP to enable timely intervention and improve patient outcomes. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 115 CAP and SCAP patients at Southern Medical University Shunde Hospital from January to December 2021. Using the Pyradiomics package, 107 radiomic features were extracted from CT scans, refined via intra-class and inter-class correlation coefficients, and narrowed down using the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression model. The predictive performance of the radiomics-based model was assessed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, employing machine learning classifiers such as k-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Logistic Regression (LR), and Random Forest (RF), trained and validated on datasets split 7:3, with a training set (n = 80) and a validation set (n = 35). Results The radiomics model exhibited robust predictive performance, with the RF classifier achieving superior precision and accuracy compared to LR, SVM, and KNN classifiers. Specifically, the RF classifier demonstrated a precision of 0.977 (training set) and 0.833 (validation set), as well as an accuracy of 0.925 (training set) and 0.857 (validation set), suggesting its superior performance in both metrics. Decision Curve Analysis (DCA) was utilized to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the RF classifier, demonstrating a favorable net benefit within the threshold ranges of 0.1 to 0.8 for the training set and 0.2 to 0.7 for the validation set. Conclusions The radiomics model developed in this study shows promise for early SCAP detection and can improve clinical decision-making.

Abstract Background Tendons are important dense fibrous structures connecting muscle to bone, and tendon stem cells (TDSCs) affect their repair and regeneration. The role of TDSC-derived exosomes (TDSC-Exos) is still being unexplored; therefore, this study aimed to investigate the protective effect of TDSC-Exos on tenocytes. Methods The TDSCs and tenocytes were all derived from Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. The expression of positive and negative markers of TDSCs were detected by flow cytometry, and the multi-differentiation ability was also detected to identify TDSCs. Exos were derived from TDSCs using ultracentrifugation; furthermore, Exos enriched with microRNA(miR)-377-3p were generated from TDSCs stably overexpressing miR-377-3p after transfection, identified with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), western blot and PKH26 staining assay. Moreover, the cell functions of tenocytes were evaluated by MTT, EdU, transwell, and flow cytometry. Dual luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays were used to verify the binding sites of miR-337-3p and caspase3 (CASP3) predicted by Targetscan. Results Exos (miR-337-3p) were taken up by tenocytes, and promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion and suppressed the apoptosis of tenocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Bioinformatics analysis showed that CASP3 was a target of miR-377-3p, which was further verified by luciferase and RNA pull-down assays. Moreover, over-expressed CASP3 reversed the effects of Exos (miR-337-3p) on cell functions of tenocytes. Conclusions Our findings suggest that Exos derived from miR-337-3p over-expressing TDSCs could potentially protect against tenocyte apoptosis by regulating CASP3. This novel therapeutic approach holds promise for the treatment of tendon injury, offering a glimmer of hope for improved patient outcomes.

Abstract Background Tall wheatgrass is a perennial salt‐tolerant bunchgrass, which is a promising candidate for establishing a “Coastal Grass Belt” in China, particularly in the coastal saline–alkaline soils surrounding the Bohai Sea. Methods Seven harvesting treatments were performed to explore the optimal harvesting time and frequency for tall wheatgrass in coastal area. The dry matter yield (DMY) and forage nutritional values were investigated for each cut. The correlation between harvesting time and frequency thereof among the investigated traits was also determined. Results The results showed that the two‐cut on June 18 and October 29 produced the highest DMY. Another two‐cut on May 26 and October 29 produced a relatively high crude protein (CP) yield. The DMY, contents of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and crude cellulose (CC) as well as CP yield were positively correlated to plant height, while the CP content and the relative feed value (RFV) were negatively correlated to plant height. The accumulating growing degree days, accumulated precipitation, and sunshine duration were positively correlated with plant height, DMY, contents of NDF, ADF, and CC as well as CP yield, but negatively correlated with CP content and RFV for the first cut. Conclusions The two‐cut treatment at the end of May and October may be suitable for tall wheatgrass in the “Coastal Grass Belt” targeted area.

Sweet potatoes are rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids, showing incomparable nutritional and health value. In this investigation, we comprehensively analyzed the secondary metabolite profiles in the flesh of different-colored sweet potato flesh. We determined the metabolomic profiles of white sweet potato flesh (BS), orange sweet potato flesh (CS), and purple sweet potato flesh (ZS) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The CS vs. BS, ZS vs. BS, and ZS vs. CS comparisons identified a total of 4447 secondary metabolites, including 1540, 1949, and 1931 differentially accumulated metabolites. Among them, there were significant differences in flavonoids and phenolic acids. There were 20 flavonoids and 13 phenolic acids that were common differential metabolites among the three comparison groups. The accumulation of paeoniflorin-like and delphinidin-like compounds may be responsible for the purple coloration of sweet potato flesh. These findings provide new rationale and insights for the development of functional foods for sweet potatoes. List of compounds: Kaempferol (PubChem CID: 5280863); Peonidin 3-(6”-p-coumarylglucoside) (PubChem CID: 44256849); Swerchirin (PubChem CID: 5281660); Trilobatin (PubChem CID: 6451798); 3-Geranyl-4-hydroxybenzoate (PubChem CID: 54730540); Eupatorin (PubChem CID: 97214); Icaritin (PubChem CID: 5318980); Isorhamnetin (PubChem CID: 5281654); Glucoliquiritin apioside (PubChem CID: 74819335); Brazilin (PubChem CID: 73384).

Accurate detection of tea leaf diseases and insects is crucial for their scientific and effective prevention and control, essential for ensuring the quality and yield of tea. Traditional methods for identifying tea leaf diseases and insects primarily rely on professional technicians, which are difficult to apply in various scenarios. This study proposes a recognition method for tea leaf diseases and insects based on improved MobileNetV3. Initially, a dataset containing images of 17 different types of tea leaf diseases and insects was curated, with data augmentation techniques utilized to broaden recognition scenarios. Subsequently, the network structure of MobileNetV3 was enhanced by integrating the CA (coordinate attention) module to improve the perception of location information. Moreover, a fine-tuning transfer learning strategy was employed to optimize model training and accelerate convergence. Experimental results on the constructed dataset reveal that the initial recognition accuracy of MobileNetV3 is 94.45%, with an F1-score of 94.12%. Without transfer learning, the recognition accuracy of MobileNetV3-CA reaches 94.58%, while with transfer learning, it reaches 95.88%. Through comparative experiments, this study compares the improved algorithm with the original MobileNetV3 model and other classical image classification models (ResNet18, AlexNet, VGG16, SqueezeNet, and ShuffleNetV2). The findings show that MobileNetV3-CA based on transfer learning achieves higher accuracy in identifying tea leaf diseases and insects. Finally, a tea diseases and insects identification application was developed based on this model. The model showed strong robustness and could provide a reliable reference for intelligent diagnosis of tea diseases and insects.

Abstract Bacground The aim of this study was to assess the learning curve of a novel seven-axis robot-assisted total hip arthroplasty (RaTHA) system. Methods A total of 59 patients who underwent unilateral total hip arthroplasty at our institution from June 2022 to September 2022 were prospectively included in the study. In this randomized controlled clinical trial, robot-assisted THA (RaTHA) and Conventional THA (CoTHA) were performed using cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis to evaluate the learning curve of the RaTHA system. The demographic data, preopera1tive clinical data, duration of operation, postoperative Harris Hip Score (HHS), postoperative Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) score, and duration of operation between the learning stage and the proficiency stage of the RaTHA group were compared between the two groups. Results The average duration of operation of the RaTHA group was increased by 34.73 min compared with the CoTHA group (104.26 ± 19.33 vs. 69.53 ± 18.38 min, p

Abstract Background The selenomethionine cycle (SeMTC) is a crucial pathway for the metabolism of selenium. The basic bioinformatics and functions of four enzymes involved in the cycle including S-adenosyl-methionine synthase (MAT), SAM-dependent methyltransferase (MTase), S-adenosyl-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) and methionine synthase (MTR), have been extensively reported in many eukaryotes. The identification and functional analyses of SeMTC genes/proteins in Cardamine hupingshanensis and their response to selenium stress have not yet been reported. Results In this study, 45 genes involved in SeMTC were identified in the C. hupingshanensis genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that seven genes from ChMAT were clustered into four branches, twenty-seven genes from ChCOMT were clustered into two branches, four genes from ChSAHH were clustered into two branches, and seven genes from ChMTR were clustered into three branches. These genes were resided on 16 chromosomes. Gene structure and homologous protein modeling analysis illustrated that proteins in the same family are relatively conserved and have similar functions. Molecular docking showed that the affinity of SeMTC enzymes for selenium metabolites was higher than that for sulfur metabolites. The key active site residues identified for ChMAT were Ala269 and Lys273, while Leu221/231 and Gly207/249 were determined as the crucial residues for ChCOMT. For ChSAHH, the essential active site residues were found to be Asn87, Asp139 and Thr206/207/208/325. Ile204, Ser111/329/377, Asp70/206/254, and His329/332/380 were identified as the critical active site residues for ChMTR. In addition, the results of the expression levels of four enzymes under selenium stress revealed that ChMAT3-1 genes were upregulated approximately 18-fold, ChCOMT9-1 was upregulated approximately 38.7-fold, ChSAHH1-2 was upregulated approximately 11.6-fold, and ChMTR3-2 genes were upregulated approximately 28-fold. These verified that SeMTC enzymes were involved in response to selenium stress to varying degrees. Conclusions The results of this research are instrumental for further functional investigation of SeMTC in C. hupingshanensis. This also lays a solid foundation for deeper investigations into the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying selenium metabolism in plants.

IntroductionWild rodents can serve as reservoirs or carriers of E. bieneusi, thereby enabling parasite transmission to domestic animals and humans. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of E. bieneusi in wild rodents from the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region and Liaoning Province of China. Moreover, to evaluate the potential for zoonotic transmission at the genotype level, a genetic analysis of the isolates was performed.MethodsA total of 486 wild rodents were captured from two provinces in China. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to amplify the vertebrate cytochrome b (cytb) gene in the fecal DNA of the rodents to detect their species. The genotype of E. bieneusi was determined via PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA. The examination of genetic characteristics and zoonotic potential requires the application of similarity and phylogenetic analysis.ResultsThe infection rates of E. bieneusi in the four identified rodent species were 5.2% for Apodemus agrarius (n = 89), 4.5% for Cricetulus barabensis (n = 96), 11.3% for Mus musculus (n = 106), and 38.5% for Rattus norvegicus (n = 195). Infection was detected at an average rate of 17.4% among 486 rodents. Of the 11 identified genotypes, nine were known: SHR1 (detected in 32 samples), D (30 samples), EbpA (9 samples), PigEbITS7 (8 samples), HNR-IV (6 samples), Type IV (5 samples), HNR-VII (2 samples), HNH7 (1 sample), and HNPL-V (1 sample). Two novel genotypes were also discovered, NMR-I and NMR-II, each comprising one sample. The genotypes were classified into group 1 and group 13 via phylogenetic analysis.DiscussionBased on the initial report, E. bieneusi is highly prevalent and genetically diverse in wild rodents residing in the respective province and region. This indicates that these animals are crucial for the dissemination of E. bieneusi. Zoonotic E. bieneusi-carrying animals present a significant hazard to local inhabitants. Therefore, it is necessary to increase awareness regarding the dangers presented by these rodents and reduce their population to prevent environmental contamination.

Objective: To explore the treatment effect and potential mechanism on gut microbiota, nutrition, and metabolism of Fufang Duzheng Tablet (DZGP) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Collagen-induced arthritis rats’ models were established and divided into three groups: model control group (FK), DZGP group (FZ, 0.45 g/kg/d), and methotrexate group (FM, 1.35 mg/kg), which were treated by gavage for 28 days. The physiopathologic changes of joints and body weight in each group were recorded; the morphology of synovial and ankle tissues was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the level of serum TNF-α and IL-1β was tested by ELISA. UPLC/MS-MS and network pharmacological analysis were used to identify the serum components, and 16S rDNA sequencing analysis was applied to the intestinal contents of rats. Results: DZGP treatment significantly alleviated arthritis symptoms, pathological manifestations, toe thickness, and TNF-α and IL-1β levels in RA rats. We identified 105 metabolites and 18 components in the serum of DZGP-group rats. The main therapeutic targets of DZGP for anti-RA were TP53, epidermal growth factor receptor, and AKT1. Molecular docking showed that there was good binding efficiency between core components and main targets. 16S rDNA sequencing showed that DZGP treatment regulated the structure of the gut microbiota. Conclusion: DZGP showed a good anti-inflammatory effect on RA and played an important role in improving the structure of the gut microbiota in RA rats.

Abstract Cardiovascular complications in patients undergoing thoracic surgery, which physicians have a limited ability to predict, are often unavoidable and resulting in adverse outcome. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), the gold standard of cardiopulmonary function evaluation, has also been proved to be a preoperative risk assessment tool. Meanwhile, elevated red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has surged as a biochemical marker in the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. However, it is yet unclear the value of CPET combined with RDW in predicting cardiovascular complications after thoracic surgery. 50 patients with cardiovascular complications after thoracic surgery were collected as the case group, and 100 thoracic surgery patients were recruited as the control group, with the same gender, age ± 2 years old, and no postoperative complications. After admission, all patients underwent CPET and RDW inspection before surgery, and the results were recorded. The CPET parameter oxygen pulse (VO2/HR) and RDW of the case group were lower than those of the control group (P

Abstract Background Gastric cancer is a clinically common tumor, showing an upward trend of both incidence and mortality. GRB7 has been identified as a vital regulator in tumor progression. This study aims to uncover the biological function of GRB7 in gastric cancer process. Methods immunohistochemical (IHC) staining using a tissue microarray (TMA), quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were performed to detect the expression of genes. Furthermore, gastric cancer cell lines AGS and MGC-803 were transfected with short hairpin RNAs against GRB7. The biological function of GRB7 in gastric cancer cells were examined by CCK-8, flow cytometry, wound healing and Transwell assays. Then, in vivo tumor formation assay was conducted to explore the effects of GRB7 on tumor growth. Finally, expression levels of proteins related to cell functions were determined by Western blotting. Coimmunoprecipitation (CoIP) assay was performed to assess the protein-protein interaction. Results GRB7 was up-regulated in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines, and its expression was inversely proportional to survival of gastric cancer patients. Moreover, GRB7 knockdown inhibited proliferative, migratory abilities, as well as promoted cell apoptosis in gastric cancer cells. Further study suggested that GRB7 silencing could suppress gastric cancer tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, our study uncovered an important interaction between GRB7 and MyD88. Silencing MyD88 was observed to alleviate the malignant phenotypes promoted by GRB7 in gastric cancer cells. Conclusions Together, this study provided evidence that GRB7 may be an effective molecular targets for the treatment of gastric cancer.

The blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) is disrupted within minutes of spinal cord injury, leading to increased permeability and secondary spinal cord injury, resulting in more severe neurological damage. The preservation of blood-spinal cord barrier following spinal cord injury plays a crucial role in determining the prognosis. Teriparatide, widely used in clinical treatment for osteoporosis and promoting fracture healing, has been found in our previous study to have the effect of inhibiting the expression of MMP9 and alleviating blood-brain barrier disruption after ischemic stroke, thereby improving neurological damage symptoms. However, there are limited research on whether it has the potential to improve the prognosis of spinal cord injury. This article summarizes the main pathological mechanisms of blood-spinal cord barrier disruption after spinal cord injury and its relationship with Teriparatide, and explores the therapeutic potential of Teriparatide in improving the prognosis of spinal cord injury by reducing blood-spinal cord barrier disruption.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is currently a highly disabling disease, which poses serious harm to patients and their families. Due to the fact that primary SCI is caused by direct external force, current research on SCI mainly focuses on the treatment and prevention of secondary SCI. Oxidative stress is one of the important pathogenic mechanisms of SCI, and intervention of oxidative stress may be a potential treatment option for SCI. Teriparatide is a drug that regulates bone metabolism, and recent studies have found that it has the ability to counteract oxidative stress and is closely related to SCI. This article summarizes the main pathological mechanisms of oxidative stress in SCI, as well as the relationship between them with teriparatide, and explores the therapeutic potential of teriparatide in SCI.

BackgroundThe c-met proto-oncogene (MET) serves as a significant primary oncogenic driver in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and has the potential to fuse with other genes, such as KIF5B, although it occurs infrequently. Only a limited number of reported cases have examined the clinical efficacy of crizotinib in patients with KIF5B-MET gene fusion, with no known data regarding acquired resistance to crizotinib and its potential mechanisms. In this report, we present the clinical progression of a female patient diagnosed with NSCLC and harboring a KIF5B-MET gene fusion.Case descriptionThe patient initially exhibited partial response to first-line crizotinib treatment, albeit for a short duration and with limited efficacy. Subsequent disease progression revealed the emergence of a secondary MET mutation, specifically MET Y1230H, leading to acquired resistance to crizotinib.ConclusionThe reporting of this case is imperative for informing clinical practice, given the uncommon occurrence of NSCLC with MET fusion, displaying responsiveness to MET tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy, as well as the emergence of the secondary Y1230H alteration as a potential resistance mechanism.

Abstract Background The morbidity and mortality of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remain high among infectious diseases. It was reported that angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) could be a diagnostic biomarker and a therapeutic target for pneumonia. This study aimed to develop a more objective, specific, accurate, and individualized scoring system to predict the severity of CAP. Methods Totally, 31 non-severe community-acquired pneumonia (nsCAP) patients and 14 severe community-acquired pneumonia (sCAP) patients were enrolled in this study. The CURB-65 and pneumonia severity index (PSI) scores were calculated from the clinical data. Serum ANGPTL4 level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After screening factors by univariate analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, multivariate logistic regression analysis of ANGPTL4 expression level and other risk factors was performed, and a nomogram was developed to predict the severity of CAP. This nomogram was further internally validated by bootstrap resampling with 1000 replications through the area under the ROC curve (AUC), the calibration curve, and the decision curve analysis (DCA). Finally, the prediction performance of the new nomogram model, CURB-65 score, and PSI score was compared by AUC, net reclassification index (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). Results A nomogram for predicting the severity of CAP was developed using three factors (C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and ANGPTL4). According to the internal validation, the nomogram showed a great discrimination capability with an AUC of 0.910. The Hosmer–Lemeshow test and the approximately fitting calibration curve suggested a satisfactory accuracy of prediction. The results of DCA exhibited a great net benefit. The AUC values of CURB-65 score, PSI score, and the new prediction model were 0.857, 0.912, and 0.940, respectively. NRI comparing the new model with CURB-65 score was found to be statistically significant (NRI = 0.834, P

Abstract Aims Robot-assisted total hip arthroplasty (rTHA) boasts superior accuracy in implant placement, but there is a lack of effective assessment in perioperative management in the context of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of rTHA versus conventional total hip arthroplasty (cTHA) in ERAS-managed patients. Methods In this prospective trial, a total of 60 eligible patients aged between 18 and 80 years were randomly divided into two groups to undergo either rTHA or cTHA. The primary outcomes included blood loss parameters. Secondary outcomes were the duration of the operation, surgical time, WOMAC pain score, WOMAC stiffness score, WOMAC physical function score, Harris score, and postoperative complications. Results The study cohort analyzed 59 eligible participants, 30 of whom underwent rTHA and 29 of whom underwent cTHA. Analysis could not be conducted for one patient due to severe anemia. Notably, the cTHA group had a significantly shorter surgical time than the rTHA group (69.49 ± 18.97 vs. 104.20 ± 19.63 min, P

Due to the inherent working mode of rotating detonation engine (RDE), the detonation flow field has the characteristics of pressure oscillation and axial kinetic energy loss, which makes it difficult to design nozzle and improve propulsion performance. Therefore, in order to improve the characteristics of detonation flow field, the three-dimensional numerical simulation of annular chamber and hollow chamber is carried out with premixed hydrogen/air as fuel in this paper, and then tries to combine the two chambers to weaken the oscillation characteristics of detonation flow field through the interaction of detonation flow field, which is a new method to regulate the detonation flow field. The results show that there are four states of velocity vectors at the outlet of annular chamber and hollow chamber, which makes RDE be affected by rolling moment and results in the loss of axial kinetic energy. In the external flow field of combined chamber, the phenomenon of cyclic reflection of expansion wave and compression wave on the free boundary is observed, which results in Mach disk structure. Moreover, the pressure monitoring points are set at the external flow field. The pressure signal shows that the high-frequency pressure oscillation at the external flow field of the combined chamber has been greatly weakened. Compared to the annular chamber, the relative standard deviation (RSD) has been reduced from 14.6% to 5.6%. The results thus demonstrate that this method is feasible to adjust the pressure oscillation characteristics of the detonation flow field, and is of great significance to promote the potential of RDE and nozzle design.

Abstract Aims This article aimed to explore the efficacy of robotic arm-assisted total hip arthroplasty (THA) in improving preoperative planning and intraoperative decision-making. Methods In this single-center, prospective, randomized clinical controlled trial, 60 patients were randomly divided into two groups: conventional THA (cTHA) and robotic arm-assisted THA (rTHA). The rTHA underwent procedures using a robot-assisted surgical system, which generated three-dimensional models to determine the most appropriate prosthesis size and position. The standard process of replacement was executed in cTHA planned preoperatively via X-ray by experienced surgeons. Differences between predicted and actual prosthetic size, prosthetic position, and leg length were evaluated. Results Sixty patients were included in the study, but one patient was not allocated due to anemia. No significant preoperative baseline data difference was found between the two groups. The actual versus predicted implantation size of both groups revealed that 27/30 (90.0%) in the rTHA group and 25/29 (86.2%) in the cTHA group experienced complete coincidence. The coincidence rate for the femoral stem was higher in the rTHA group (83.3%) than that in the cTHA group (62.7%). Between the actual and predicted rTHA, the difference in anteversion/inclination degree (

Abstract Due to its ability to adapt to a variety of electromagnetic (EM) environments, the sensing‐enabled metasurface has garnered significant attention. However, large‐scale EM‐field sensing to obtain more information is still very challenging. Here, an adaptive information metasurface is proposed to enable intelligent sensing and wave manipulating simultaneously or more specifically, to realize intelligent target localization and beam tracking adaptively. The metasurface is composed of an array of meta‐atoms, and each is loaded with two PIN diodes and a sensing‐channel structure, for polarization‐insensitive and programmable beamforming and sensing. By controlling the state of the PIN diode, the proposed meta‐atom has 1‐bit phase response in the designed frequency band, while the sensing loss keeps higher than ‐10 dB for both “ON” and “OFF” states. Hence there is nearly no interaction between the beamforming and sensing modes. Experiments are conducted to show multiple functions of the metasurface, including intelligent target sensing and self‐adaptive beamforming, and the measured results are in good agreement with the numerical simulations and theoretical calculations.

Background. Local infiltration analgesia (LIA) provides postoperative analgesia for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of a cocktail of ropivacaine, morphine, and Diprospan for TKA. Methods. A total of 100 patients from September 2018 to February 2019 were randomized into 2 groups. Group A (control group, 50 patients) received LIA of ropivacaine alone (80 ml, 0.25% ropivacaine). Group B (LIA group, 50 patients) received an LIA cocktail of ropivacaine, morphine, and Diprospan (80 ml, 0.25% ropivacaine, 0.125 mg/ml morphine, and 62.5 μg/ml compound betamethasone). The primary outcomes were the levels of inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), pain visual analog scale (VAS) scores, opioid consumption, range of motion (ROM), functional tests, and sleeping quality. The secondary outcomes were adverse events, satisfaction rates, HSS scores, and SF-12 scores. The longest follow-up was 2 years. Results. The two groups showed no differences in terms of characteristics (P > 0.05). Group B had lower resting VAS pain scores (1.54 ± 0.60, 95% CI = 1.37 to 1.70 vs. 2.00 ± 0.63, 95% CI = 2.05 to 2.34) and active VAS pain scores (2.64 ± 0.62, 95% CI = 2.46 to 2.81 vs. 3.16 ± 0.75, 95% CI = 2.95 to 3.36) within 48 h postoperatively than Group A (P

The transverse leakage of leaky surface acoustic waves (LSAWs) occurs on 42°YX-lithium tantalate substrates (42LT), which increases the insertion loss, narrows the bandwidth and flattens the roll-off of band 40/41 SAW filters and duplexers. In this work, LSAW characteristics with different metal materials and thicknesses are calculated by the finite element method (FEM), which determines the IDT material and thickness used for band 40/41 SAW filter design. To deeply understand transverse leakage and suppress it, the effects of different gap and dummy lengths on transverse leakage are simulated and discussed. Then, a new technique of using a wider dummy without any additional lithographic or depositing processes is proposed to suppress the leakage. Its effectiveness is validated by both simulations and experiments. Then, the technique is extended to applications of band 40 and 41 SAW filters. The experimental results show that with the wider dummy structure, the band 40 and 41 SAW filters achieve a more than 0.2 dB improvement in the insertion loss, a wider bandwidth and a steeper roll-off characteristic. This technique may also be extended to the other band SAW filter applications.

The authors present an intelligent metasurface system that uses a target detection algorithm combined with a depth camera, to automatically detect the position of moving targets and achieve real-time wireless communications. The system can operate for multiple targets in limited ambient light, outdoor and other realistic environments.

Abstract In this study, formaldehyde-urea prepolymer (FUP) were synthesized, which were used to modify the raw lacquer (RL) and this composition named LF, while the basic properties of the RL were tested. Thermal gravimetric (TG) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to analyze the degradative characteristics and the surface morphology of RL before and after modification. The result indicated that FUP can significantly improve the performance of RL. The drying time of the LF is significantly shortened, the gloss, the pencil hardness, and the impact performance are significantly enhanced at the same time. TG analysis and thermal decomposition kinetics analysis illustrated that the thermal stability and the activation energy of LF2 were stronger than that of RL. In addition, SEM analysis illustrated that the surface smoothness of RL were also improved.

Abstract Background Abductor mechanism deficiency is a clear indication for using constrained acetabular liners (CALs), and large acetabular bone defects are considered a relative contraindication to CALs. We report the results of using CALs in special cases in which abductor or greater trochanter deficiency was accompanied by large acetabular bone defects at second-stage re-implantation for chronic infected total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods Between January 2010 and January 2018, 19 patients who used CALs at second-stage re-implantation and had abductor or greater trochanter deficiency and large acetabular bone defects were included in this study. We followed up with the clinical and radiological results of these patients. Complications and infection-related information were also recorded. Results Eight patients, 4 patients, and 7 patients had Paprosky type IIB, type IIC, and type IIIA acetabular bone defects at second-stage re-implantation, respectively. The indication for using CALs was abductor deficiency in 14 patients and greater trochanter deficiency in the other 5 patients. The mean follow-up was 74.4 months (range 50–96). The mean Harris Hip Score (HHS) was 76.3 points (range 62–86) at the last follow-up. Three patients presented acetabular radiolucent lines with no progress: zone 3, zone 3 and zone 2 and 3, respectively. One patient suffered transient sciatic nerve palsy. There was no dislocation, failure of the CALs, reoperation, or recurrence of infection. Conclusion Our results suggested that for screened patients, CALs are a viable option in second-stage re-implantation for chronic infected THA with abductor or greater trochanter deficiency and large bone defects.

IntroductionProlonged exposure of train drivers to thermal discomfort can lead to occupational safety and health (OSH) risks, causing physical and mental injuries. Traditional method of treating human skin as a wall surface fail to observe accurate skin temperature changes or obtain human thermal comfort that adapts to the thermal environment.MethodsThis study employs the Stolwijk human thermal regulation model to investigate and optimize the thermal comfort of train drivers. To minimize the time-consuming design optimization, a pointer optimization algorithm based on radial basis function (RBF) approximation was utilized to optimize the train cab ventilation system design and enhance drivers’ thermal comfort. The train driver thermal comfort model was developed using Star-CCM+ and 60 operating conditions were sampled using an Optimal Latin Hypercube Design (Opt LHD).Results and DiscussionWe analyzed the effects of air supply temperature, air supply volume, air supply angle, solar radiation intensity and solar altitude angle on the local thermal sensation vote (LTSV) and overall thermal sensation vote (OTSV) of the train driver. Finally, the study obtained the optimal air supply parameters for the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) in the train cabin under extreme summer conditions, effectively improving the thermal comfort of the driver.

SAW devices with a multi-layered piezoelectric substrate have excellent performance due to advantages such as a high quality factor, Q, low loss insertion, large bandwidth, etc. Prior to manufacturing, a comprehensive analysis and proper design are essential to evaluating the device’s key performance indicators, including the Bode Q value, bandwidth, and transverse mode suppression. This study explored the performance of SAW resonators employing a 42°Y-X LiTaO3 (LT) thin-plate-based multi-layered piezoelectric substrate. The thicknesses for each layer of the 42°Y-X LT/SiO2/poly-Si/Si substrate were optimized according to the index of phase velocity, Bode Q value, and bandwidth. The effect of the device structure parameters on the dispersion curve and slowness curve was studied, and a flat slowness curve was found to be favorable for transverse mode suppression. In addition, the design of the dummy configuration was also optimized for the suppression of spurious waves. Based on the optimized design, a one-port resonator on the 42°Y-X LT/SiO2/poly-Si/Si substrate was fabricated. The simulation results and measurements are presented and compared, which provides guidelines for the design of new types of SAW devices configured with complex structures.

Objective This study aimed to observe the analgesic effect of the cocktail formulation with diprospan during total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods From September 2018 to April 2019, 120 patients undergoing primary unilateral THA were included in this prospective, randomized, observer‐blinded study. Patients were randomized into three groups, according to the different local infiltration analgesia (LIA) strategies: LIA with ropivacaine (the ropivacaine group, n = 40), LIA with a new cocktail containing ropivacaine, diprospan, and morphine (the cocktail group, n = 40), and the control group (n = 40). The primary outcomes included postoperative pain scores. The resting visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were measured at 2, 6, and 12 h after the surgery (a.m. and p.m.) on postoperative day (POD) 1, POD2, and the day of discharge. Movement VAS scores were assessed at 6 h, 12 h after the operation (a.m. and p.m.) on POD1, POD2, and the day of discharge. The secondary outcomes included opioid consumption, postoperative hospital stay, range of motion of the hip at discharge, patient satisfaction, and the results of the follow‐up. Results After the screening, 120 patients were randomized into three groups (40 patients in each group). All of the patients completed the trial. The resting VAS scores in the ropivacaine group and cocktail group at 2 h were lower than those in the control group (P

Dove tree (Davidia involucrata), a tertiary vestige species, is well-adapted to cool conditions. Dormancy in D. involucrata seed lasts for an extremely long period of time, typically between 3 and 4 years, and this characteristic makes the species an excellent model for studying the mechanisms of seed dormancy. The molecular mechanisms governing germination control in D. involucrata are still unknown. Seed stratification have been reported to enhance germination in recalcitrant seeds. We performed a widely targeted metabolome profiling to identify metabolites and associated pathways in D. involucrata seeds from six different moist sand stratification durations (0–30 months) using the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-Q Exactive Orbitrap-Mass spectrometry. There was an increasing germination rate with prolonged stratification durations (12–30 months). Furthermore, we detected 10,008 metabolites in the stratified seeds. We also detected 48 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) between all stratification periods in the seeds, with 10 highly conserved metabolites. Most of the differentially accumulated metabolites between unstratified and stratified seeds were enriched in purine metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and arginine biosynthesis pathways. Key phytohormones, abscisic acid, indole-3 acetic acid, and sinapic acid were differentially accumulated in the seeds and are predicted to regulate dormancy in D. involucrata. We have provided extensive metabolic information useful for future works on dove tree germination study.

Insect carboxylesterases (CXEs) can be expressed in multiple tissues and play crucial roles in detoxifying xenobiotic insecticides and degrading olfactory cues. Therefore, they have been considered as an important target for development of eco-friendly insect pest management strategies. Despite extensive investigation in most insect species, limited information on CXEs in sibling moth species is currently available. The Ectropis obliqua Prout and Ectropis grisescens Warren are two closely related tea geometrid species, which share the same host of tea plant but differ in geographical distribution, sex pheromone composition, and symbiotic bacteria abundance, providing an excellent mode species for studies of functional diversity of orthologous CXEs. In this study, we focused on EoblCXE14 due to its previously reported non-chemosensory organs-biased expression. First, the EoblCXE14 orthologous gene EgriCXE14 was cloned and sequence characteristics analysis showed that they share a conserved motif and phylogenetic relationship. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was then used to compare the expression profiles between two Ectropis spp. The results showed that EoblCXE14 was predominately expressed in E. obliqua larvae, whereas EgriCXE14 was abundant in E. grisescens at multiple developmental stages. Interestingly, both orthologous CXEs were highly expressed in larval midgut, but the expression level of EoblCXE14 in E. obliqua midgut was significantly higher than that of EgriCXE14 in E. grisescens midgut. In addition, the potential effect of symbiotic bacteria Wolbachia on the CXE14 was examined. This study is the first to provide comparative expression profiles of orthologous CXE genes in two sibling geometrid moth species and the results will help further elucidate CXEs functions and identify a potential target for tea geometrid pest control.

Abstract Background Local infiltration analgesia (LIA) and adductor canal block (ACB) provide postoperative analgesia for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). ACB blocks the saphenous nerve and has smaller impacts on quadriceps muscle weakness. ACB theoretically does not have enough analgesic effects on posterior sensory nerves. LIA may increase its analgesic effects on the posterolateral knee. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether ACB combined with a LIA cocktail of ropivacaine, morphine, and betamethasone has superior analgesic effect than LIA for TKA. Methods A total of 86 patients were assessed for eligibility from February 2019 to May 2019. 26 of those were excluded, and 60 patients were divided into 2 groups by computer-generated random number. Group A (LIA group) received LIA cocktail of ropivacaine, morphine and betamethasone. Group B (LIA+ ACB group) received ultrasound-guided ACB and LIA cocktail of ropivacaine, morphine and betamethasone. Postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) resting or active pain scores, opioid consumption, range of motion (ROM), functional tests, complications and satisfaction rates were measured. The longest follow-up was 2 years. Results Two groups have no differences in terms of characteristics, preoperative pain or function (P > 0.05). ACB combined with LIA had significantly lower resting and active VAS pain scores, better ROM, better sleeping quality and higher satisfaction rates than LIA alone within 72 h postoperatively (P

An effective fluorescent probe (mSiO2-N-CDs) was prepared by embedding N-CDs into mesoporous silica via a simple one-pot hydrothermal reaction and applied to the detection of dopamine (DA). Mesoporous silica not only provided a skeleton to prevent the aggregation of N-CDs but also a medium for the centrifugal collection of N-CDs, avoiding the need for dialysis and freeze-drying. The formation process, phase composition, morphology, and luminescence properties of the composite were studied in detail. The synthesized mSiO2-N-CDs possessed spherical morphology, a smooth surface, and a diameter of approximately 150 nm. The fluorescence results indicated that mSiO2-N-CDs emitted intense blue color fluorescence at 465 nm under the optimal excitation of 370 nm. Because the mesoporous silica effectively inhibited the self-quenching caused by the aggregation of N-CDs, the quantum yield of solid mSiO2-N-CDs powder reached 32.5%. Furthermore, the emission intensity of the solid mSiO2-N-CDs remained constant for 28 days. The good sensitivity and selectivity of mSiO2-N-CDs for DA enabled the establishment of a rapid, simple, and sensitive DA detection method. The linear range was 0–50 µM and the limit of detection was calculated to be 107 nM. This method was used for the determination of DA in urine, with recovery rates ranging between 98% and 100.8%. In addition, the sensing mechanism was characterized by fluorescence lifetime decay and UV–VIS spectral analysis.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease caused by the infectious agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The primary method of diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 is nucleic acid detection, but this method requires specialized equipment and is time consuming. Therefore, a sensitive, simple, rapid, and low-cost diagnostic test is needed. Graphene field-effect transistor (GFET) biosensors have become the most promising diagnostic technology for detecting SARS-CoV-2 due to their advantages of high sensitivity, fast-detection speed, label-free operation, and low detection limit. This review mainly focus on three types of GFET biosensors to detect SARS-CoV-2. GFET biosensors can quickly identify SARS-CoV-2 within ultra-low detection limits. Finally, we will outline the pros and cons of the diagnostic approaches as well as future directions.

In current wireless communication and electronic systems, digital signals and electromagnetic (EM) radiation are processed by different modules. Here, we propose a mechanism to fuse the modulation of digital signals and the manipulation of EM radiation on a single programmable metasurface (PM). The PM consists of massive subwavelength-scale digital coding elements. A set of digital states of all elements forms simultaneous digital information roles for modulation and the wave-control sequence code of the PM. By designing digital coding sequences in the spatial and temporal domains, the digital information and far-field patterns of the PM can be programmed simultaneously and instantly in desired ways. For the experimental demonstration of the mechanism, we present a programmable wireless communication system. The same system can realize transmissions of digital information in single-channel modes with beam-steerable capability and multichannel modes with multiple independent information. The measured results show the excellent performance of the programmable system. This work provides excellent prospects for applications in fifth- or sixth-generation wireless communications and modern intelligent platforms for unmanned aircrafts and vehicles.

Gualou-Xiebai-Banxia decoction (GXB) is a famous classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula for the treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD, namely chest stuffiness and pain syndrome in Chinese medicine). Compared with Gualou-Xiebai-Baijiu decoction, which only consists of Trichosanthis Pericarpium (TP), Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus (AMB) and wine, GXB comprises one additional herbal medicine, Pinellinae Rhizoma Praeparatum (PRP). However, due to a lack of kinetic profile studies on GXB, its in vivo components with high exposure remain unknown, making it difficult to interpret bioactive components likely linked to its efficacy, but also fails to provide substance-related evidence for reflecting the compatibility in GXB. The goal of this study was to systematically characterize the kinetic features of GXB in rat plasma and intestine content for revealing its in vivo high-exposure components on the basis of their metabolic fates, and to compare the kinetic differences between GXB and GXB-dePRP (GXB deducted PRP) for describing the chemical contribution of PRP to the compatibility in GXB. Firstly, the metabolic profile of GXB was systematically investigated by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS. Subsequently, quantitative methods for representative xenobiotics in rat plasma and intestine content were respectively validated and developed by UPLC-TQ-MS. Then, the established approaches were successfully applied to characterize the kinetic features of GXB through estimating pharmacokinetic parameters. These results showed that only a few kinds of xenobiotics at low exposure levels were observed in plasma, while various xenobiotics possessed high exposure in intestine content. Among them, steroidal saponins and triterpenoid saponins displayed relatively high exposure in plasma and intestine content, which are likely associated with the therapeutic effects of GXB. Moreover, there were no significant differences between metabolic profiles of GXB and GXB-dePRP, whereas the pharmacokinetic parameters, including area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) and Cmax (p

The development of fast and dynamic topological photonic platforms is an ongoing challenge. Here, the authors demonstrate a reprogrammable plasmonic topological insulator in which ultrafast electric switches allow for nanosecond-level switching time between different configurations.

Based on field outcrop data, the effects of cyclic change of astronomical orbit and volcanic activity on organic carbon accumulation during the Late Ordovician – Early Silurian in the Upper Yangtze area were studied using cyclostratigraphic and geochemical methods. δ13C and chemical index of alteration (CIA) were used to filter the astronomical orbit parameters recorded in sediments. It is found that the climate change driven by orbital cycle controls the fluctuations of sea level at different scales, obliquity forcing climate changes drive thermohaline circulation (THC) of the ocean, and THC-induced bottom currents transport nutrient-laden water from high latitude regions to the surface water of low-latitude area. Hence, THC is the main dynamic mechanism of organic-carbon supply. The marine productivity indexes of Ba/Al and Ni/Al indicate that volcanic activities had limited effect on marine productivity but had great influences on organic carbon preservation efficiency in late Hirnantian (E4). Paleo-ocean redox environmental indicators Th/U, V/Cr and V/(V+Ni) show that there is a significant correlation between volcanism and oxygen content in Paleo-ocean, so it is inferred that volcanisms controlled the organic carbon preservation efficiency by regulating oxygen content in Paleo-ocean, and the difference in volcanism intensity in different areas is an important factor for the differential preservation efficiency of organic carbon. The organic carbon input driven by orbital cycle and the preservation efficiency affected by volcanisms worked together to control the enrichment of organic carbon in the Middle–Upper Yangtze region.

Programmable manipulations on both reflections and transmissions usually require multi-layer metasurfaces, numerous active components, and control circuits, leading to a larger profile, complicated bias circuit design, and higher cost. To address this problem, we present a highly integrated multifunctional metasurface for programmable reflections and transmissions using a single-layer metasurface and a single active component in each element. We design a multi-channel switchable structure, dominated by a single-pole triple-throw switcher, to alternatively achieve the 1-bit reflection-phase programmable modulations, total reflection, absorption, and transmission. Benefitting from the highly integrated packaging of the switcher chip and meta-structures, our scheme significantly reduces the design difficulty and improves the composite performance. The experimental results validate the capability of the proposed metasurface in realizing the multiple functions in a programmable way using the simple structure and control circuit. We believe that our design could further enrich the design methods of metasurfaces and provide new functions for information devices and systems.

Abstract Nanocomposite modification has attracted much attention in improving properties of bio-based polymer coating material for coated fertilizer. Herein two comparable polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS), with eight poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and octaphenyl groups attached to the cage, respectively, were successfully incorporated into thin castor oil-based polyurethane coatings via in-situ polymerization on the urea surface. The nanostructure coatings are environmentally friendly, easy to prepare, and property-tunable. The results show that the vertex group of POSS had a pronounced influence on dispersion level and interaction between polyurethane and POSS that well-tuned the release pattern and period of coated urea, even at the coating rate as low as of 2 wt%. The liquid POSS with long and flexible PEG groups had better compatibility and dispersibility in polyurethane matrix than the solid POSS with rigid octaphenyl groups, as evidenced by SEM/EDS. The unique properties were resulted from the different extents of physical crosslinkings. This modification of bio-based polyurethane coating with POSS provided an alternative method of regulating and controlling the properties of coated fertilizer.

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of local infiltration anaesthesia (LIA) during primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) via a posterolateral approach under general anaesthesia and to compare the efficacy of LIA in all layers with LIA in the deep and superficial fascia. Patients and methods One hundred twenty patients were randomised into three groups: LIA in the deep and superficial fascia (group A), LIA in all layers (group B) and the control (group C). The primary outcomes were the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores at rest and on movement within 72 h (h) postoperatively. The secondary outcomes included opioid consumption, patient satisfaction, range of motion (ROM), straight leg raise completion rate, length of hospital stay, opioid-related side effects and wound complications. We followed the patients until 6 months after discharge. Results At 2 and 6 h, groups A and B had lower resting VAS scores than group C (p < 0.01); at 12 h, group B had a lower resting VAS score than group C (p < 0.05). At 6 and 12 h, the movement VAS scores in groups A and B were lower than those in group C (p < 0.01). Groups A and B had similar VAS scores during the observation period. Groups A and B had higher levels of patient satisfaction than group C (p = 0.03 and p = 0.018, respectively). Opioid consumption was similar in the three groups. There were no significant differences in the other secondary outcomes amongst the three groups. No difference was found in hip rehabilitation or chronic pain during the follow-up period. Conclusion Single-shot LIA with ropivacaine alone reduces the pain score during the first 12 postoperative hours and improves patients’ satisfaction with THA. LIA in the deep and superficial fascia and LIA in all layers have similar analgesic effects. LIA in the deep and superficial fascia may be an alternative method to LIA in all layers.

This paper considers exponential stability for a class of timescale-type differential-difference equation with bounded time-varying delay. Based on time scale theory, internally positive representation technique, as well as the existing exponential results of positive differential-difference equation on time scale, criteria of exponential stability of the system under consideration are obtained and they are robust to time delay and time scale to some extent. The theoretical results are applied to study stability for a class of linear singular system, and they are validated via two numerical examples.

Prescription dispensing accuracy is of paramount importance for all hospitals. However, human errors are inevitable due to multiple reasons, such as fatigue, stress, heavy workload, lack of effective verification measures, mismanagement. Such human errors pose serious safety and health concerns on the part of patients and may as well lead to a series of medical disputes. Based on induced deep learning, this paper proposes a real-time Blister Package Identification System (BPIS) to assist pharmacists’ drug verification and dispensing. Under the guidance of the induction strategy, image preprocessing is introduced to form a standardized image containing the front and back side of the blister package, which is subsequently sent to CNN-based object identification network for feature extraction and identification. This preprocessing method allows the identification system to promote the deep learning system to focus on feature learning to obtain more information about the appearance of the package ruling out confounding factors such as background noise, size, shape or positioning. In addition, this article collects and establishes an image dataset of adult lozenges. Under this dataset, this paper verifies the enhancement of Induced Deep Learning (IDL) on YOLO v2, ResNet, and SENet. By optimizing the deep learning identification network with the help of the embedded technology and a two-side extraction mechanism, a real-time BPIS is built. Long-term tests in hospitals prove the effectiveness of the proposed system.

Commonly, phased array antennas are used to provide spatial resolution for direction of arrival (DOA) estimations. However, the phase‐array‐based DOA estimations usually require complicated system architecture and signal processing. Digital programmable metasurfaces (DPMs) can realize flexible spatial modulations of electromagnetic (EM) waves without using massive transceivers, and hence can be used for DOA estimations with much simplified architectures. Here, a mechanism of DPM‐based DOA estimations at Ka band is proposed. A reflective DPM is designed to produce a series of dual beams in random, so as to establish a sensing matrix and sample the incident wave. Orthogonal matched pursuit algorithm is used to estimate DOA from the sparsely sampled datasets. The performances of the DPM‐based DOA estimations are demonstrated by simulations and experiments for the cases of single source and double sources. This work promotes the development of DPMs and is expected to find important applications in radar and wireless communication systems, as well as the joint radar and communication systems.

Abstract Background Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD)-mediated liver disease is a toxic “gain-of-function” inflammation in the liver associated with intracellular retention of mutant alpha-1 antitrypsin. The clinical presentation of the disease includes fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver failure. However, the pathogenic mechanism of AATD-mediated liver disease is not well understood. Here, we investigated the role of plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) in progression of AATD-mediated liver disease. Methods EVs were isolated from plasma of AATD individuals with liver disease and healthy controls. Their cytokines and miRNA content were examined by multiplex assay and small RNA sequencing. The bioactivity of EVs was assessed by qPCR, western blot analysis and immunofluorescent experiments using human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) treated with EVs isolated from control or AATD plasma samples. Results We have found that AATD individuals have a distinct population of EVs with pathological cytokine and miRNA contents. When HSCs were cultured with AATD plasma derived-EVs, the expression of genes related to the development of fibrosis were significantly amplified compared to those treated with healthy control plasma EVs. Conclusion AATD individuals have a distinct population of EVs with abnormal cytokine and miRNA contents and the capacity to activate HSCs and mediate fibrosis. Better understanding of the components which cause liver inflammation and fibrogenesis, leading to further liver injury, has the potential to lead to the development of new treatments or preventive strategies to prevent AATD-mediated liver disease. Video abstract

Abstract Background Karst areas in southwestern China exhibit ecological degradation in the form of rocky desertification. Local governments launched large-scale afforestation and other ecological restoration programs to curb this trend. Soil thickness is a key limiting factor for vegetation restoration in Karst areas, but the relationship between ecological restoration and soil thickness remains unclear. Further, afforestation consumes large amounts of water, which impacts water supply in karst areas. In this study, we used GIS and statistical analyses to determine rocky desertification sensitivity and its driving factors in karst areas of Chongqing municipality over the past decade. Results Soil thickness is one of the key factors that restrict ecological restoration of rocky desertification. From 2000 to 2010, rocky desertification sensitivity in karst areas was on the rise along with an increase in afforestation. Areas of high sensitivity were mainly distributed in Pengshui County, Wulong District, and Youyang County; Shizhu County had the lowest overall incidence of desertification. Spatial distribution of rocky desertification was significantly affected by rainfall and soil thickness. Regression analysis showed that the main factors controlling changes in rocky desertification in natural forest over time were precipitation which explained 23.73% of total variance, and soil thickness which explained 23.42% of total variance. Soil thickness and soil water content had a higher correlation coefficient (at 0.516) in natural forests than in planted forests. Conclusion This study showed that increases in soil thickness in a karst area had a significant positive impact on the fragile ecological environment. This indicates that ecosystem restoration in karst areas will benefit from addressing soil thickness.

In this paper, a dual-band reflective meta-hologram is designed providing two distinct information channels whose field intensity distributions can be independently manipulated at the same time. The proposed pure-phase meta-hologram is composed of several frequency-dispersive coding meta-atoms possessing each of 2-bit digital statuses of “00”, “01”, “10”, and “11” at either the lower (X-band) or the higher (Ku-band) frequency band. Relying on the weighted Gerchberg-Saxton phase retrieval algorithm, different illustrative examples have been provided to theoretically inspect the dual-band performance of our coding meta-hologram. Numerical simulations validate the proposed frequency multiplexing meta-holography with the ability to project two different high-quality images with low cross-talk on two X-band and Ku-band near-field channels located at distinct pre-determined distances from the metasurface plane. As proof of concept, two meta-hologram samples are fabricated, and the experimental results corroborate well the numerical simulations and theoretical predictions. The designed meta-hologram features all fascinating advantages of the coding metasurfaces while its performance overcomes that of previous studies due to providing two information channels rather than the conventional single-channel holography. The frequency multiplexing acquired by the proposed bi-spectral coding meta-hologram may provide great opportunities in a variety of applications, such as data storage and information processing.

The human skeleton joints captured by RGB-D camera are widely used in action recognition for its robust and comprehensive 3D information. Presently, most action recognition methods based on skeleton joints treat all skeletal joints with the same importance spatially and temporally. However, the contributions of skeletal joints vary significantly. Hence, a GL-LSTM+Diff model is proposed to improve the recognition of human actions. A global spatial attention (GSA) model is proposed to express the different weights for different skeletal joints to provide precise spatial information for human action recognition. The accumulative learning curve (ALC) model is introduced to highlight which frames contribute most to the final decision making by giving varying temporal weights to each intermediate accumulated learning results. By integrating the proposed GSA (for spatial information) and ALC (for temporal processing) models into the LSTM framework and taking the human skeletal joints as inputs, a global spatio-temporal action recognition framework (GL-LSTM) is constructed to recognize human actions. Diff is introduced as the preprocessing method to enhance the dynamic of the features, thus to get distinguishable features in deep learning. Rigorous experiments on the largest dataset NTU RGB+D and the common small dataset SBU show that the algorithm proposed in this paper outperforms other state-of-the-art methods.

Aggressive vertebral hemangioma (AVH) is a type of non-neoplastic and congenital developmental abnormality of spinal cord blood vessels. We report the innovative application of three-dimensional (3D) printing-assisted anterior and posterior combined surgery for treating a giant AVH. This could be a novel treatment in the future. A 44-year-old man suffered from persistent neck pain and limited limb mobility for approximately 2 weeks. An imaging examination showed the destruction of C2–4 vertebral bodies, and a giant lesion invaded the spinal cord. He underwent 3D printing-assisted anterior and posterior combined surgery. Postoperatively, his symptoms of persistent neck pain and limited limb mobility were alleviated. An imaging examination showed that internal fixation and the prosthesis were fixed in place, and the spinal canal was unobstructed. Treating a giant AVH by 3D printing-assisted anterior and posterior combined surgery is feasible and effective.