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Abstract Background Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a rapidly progressing infectious disease with a high fatality rate caused by a novel bunyavirus (SFTSV). The role of lipids in viral infections is well-documented; however, the specific alterations in lipid metabolism during SFTSV infection remain elusive. This study aims to elucidate the lipid metabolic dysregulations in the early stages of SFTS patients. Methods This study prospectively collected peripheral blood sera from 11 critical SFTS patients, 37 mild SFTS patients, and 23 healthy controls during the early stages of infection for lipidomics analysis. A systematic bioinformatics analysis was conducted from three aspects integrating lipid differential expressions, lipid differential correlations, and lipid-clinical indices correlations to reveal the serum lipid metabolic dysregulation in SFTSV-infected individuals. Results Our findings reveal significant lipid metabolic dysregulation in SFTS patients. Specifically, compared to healthy controls, SFTS patients exhibited three distinct modes of lipid differential expression: increased levels of lipids including phosphatidylserine (PS), hexosylceramide (HexCer), and triglycerides (TG); decreased levels of lipids including lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), acylcarnitine (AcCa), and cholesterol esters (ChE); and lipids showing “dual changes” including phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Finally, based on lipid metabolic pathways and literature analysis, we systematically elucidated the potential mechanisms underlying lipid metabolic dysregulation in the early stage of SFTSV infection. Conclusions Our study presents the first global serum lipidome profile and reveals the lipid metabolic dysregulation patterns in the early stage of SFTSV infection. These findings provide a new basis for the diagnosis, treatment, and further investigation of the disease.

ABSTRACT: Probiotics are increasingly used as starter cultures to produce fermented dairy products; however, few studies have investigated the role of probiotics in milk fermentation metabolism. The current study aimed to investigate whether adding Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Probio-M8 (Probio-M8) as a starter culture strain could improve milk fermentation by comparing the physicochemical characteristics and metabolomes of fermented milks produced by a commercial starter culture with and without Probio-M8. Our results showed that adding Probio-M8 shortened the milk fermentation time and improved the fermented milk texture and stability. Metabolomics analyses revealed that adding Probio-M8 affected mostly organic acid, AA, and fatty acid metabolism in milk fermentation. Targeted quantitative analyses revealed significant increases in various metabolites related to the sensory quality, nutritive value, and health benefits of the probiotic fermented milk, including 5 organic acids (acetic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, succinic acid, and tartaric acid), 5 EAA (valine, arginine, leucine, isoleucine, and lysine), glutamic acid, and 2 essential fatty acids (α-linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid). Thus, applying probiotics in milk fermentation is desirable. This study has generated useful information for developing novel functional dairy products.

Honeycomb structures have been widely used in aerospace and automotive applications due to their high efficiency, high strength and high specific stiffness. However, most of the reported publications have focused on the surface shape variations of honeycomb structures, and there is a lack of studies on the variations of honeycomb structures with respect to the internal cell walls (Z-direction). To address these issues, this study proposes to combine the torsional design of honeycomb and Bouligand structures to fabricate twisted honeycomb structures (THS) with cell wall (z-direction) variations using powder bed fusion technology. The THS (30°) exhibits excellent specific energy absorption (SEA) performance, and the SEA of THS (0°), THS (60°), and THS (90°) are reduced by 8.5%, 19.7%, and 37.3%, respectively, compared with that of THS (30°) structure, and the THS (30°) has better repeatability. The effects of structural parameters on the energy absorption performance were analyzed. At THS (30°), changing the number of unit cells, wall length and wall thickness has a large effect on the compression performance. The results show that the specific energy absorption performance of THS reaches a maximum value of 74.6 kJ/kg for the number unit cells n = 3, wall length l = 5 mm and wall thickness t = 1 mm.

Abstract This study investigates the geometric modelling of architectural heritage digital twins constructed based on multi-source point cloud data and its effectiveness in structural reinforcement assessment. Particular emphasis has been placed on the use of static stiffness rules to identify areas of structural weakness in the geometric models of digital twins and the need for their reinforcement, in order to prevent potential structural problems and to ensure the long-term preservation of the built heritage. Taking Yingxian wooden pagoda as a study case, based on the collection of multi-source point cloud data, the digital twin geometric model is constructed through fine modelling, decoupling of digital models, and geometric transformation. This enhances the true reflection of the column-architrave structure morphology, providing a more accurate model for structural stress analysis. Based on verifying the accuracy of the digital twin geometric model, the instability conditions are identified through static stiffness rules and the deformation values at multiple points are analyzed, enabling precise identification of weak areas in the column-architrave structure. Two types of reinforcement measures are designed and simulated for the structural weak areas identified through the geometric modelling, and the optimal reinforcement scheme is obtained after detailed analysis, according to which specific adjustments and optimization strategies are proposed to enhance the overall stability and durability of the structure. The results showed that the maximum deformation value of 4.65 mm existed in column M2W23, which required reinforcement. Aluminum reinforcement reduced the deformation to 3.5 mm (24.7% reduction), while CFRP fabric reinforcement was more effective, reducing the deformation to 2.8 mm (39.7% reduction), showing high stability. The research results demonstrate the potential application of digital twin technology in architectural heritage preservation and restoration, providing methodological and empirical guidance for heritage preservation research.

In order to solve the problem that current theory models cannot accurately describe thick-hard roof (THR) elastic energy and assess the mine tremor disasters, a theoretical method, a Timoshenko beam theory on Winkler foundation was adopted to establish the THR’s periodic breaking model. The superposition principle was used for this complex model to derive the calculation formulas of the elastic energy and impact load on hydraulic supports. Then, the influence of roof thickness h, cantilever length L1, and load q on THR’s elastic energy and impact load was analyzed. And, the effect of mine tremor disasters was assessed. Finally, it is revealed that: (1) The THR’s elastic energy U exhibits power-law variations, with the fitted relationships U=0.0096L13.5866, U=5943.9h−1.935, and U=21.049q2. (2) The impact load on hydraulic supports FZJ increases linearly with an increase in the cantilever length, thickness, and applied load. The fitted relationships are FZJ=1067.3L1+6361.1, FZJ=125.89h+15100, and FZJ=10420q+3912.6. (3) Ground hydraulic fracturing and liquid explosive deep-hole blasting techniques effectively reduce the THR’s cantilever length at periodic breakages, thus eliminating mine tremor disasters.

Abstract Hyperuricemia is associated with an increased risk of gout, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Most mammals maintain normal serum uric acid (SUA) via urate oxidase (Uox), an enzyme that metabolizes poorly-soluble UA to highly-soluble allantoin. In contrast, Uox became a pseudogene in humans and apes over the long course of evolution. Here we demonstrate an atavistic strategy for treating hyperuricemia based on endogenous expression of Uox in hepatocytes mediated by mRNA (mUox) loaded with an ionizable lipid nanoparticle termed iLAND. mUox@iLAND allows effective transfection and protein expression in vitro. A single dose of mUox@iLAND lowers SUA levels for several weeks in two female murine models, including a novel long-lasting model, which is also confirmed by metabolomics analysis. Together with the excellent safety profiles observed in vivo, the proposed mRNA agent demonstrates substantial potential for hyperuricemia therapy and the prevention of associated conditions.

Abstract Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a significant global health dilemma, emerging from complex causes. Although our prior research has indicated that a deficiency in Reticulon-3 (RTN3) accelerates renal disease progression, a thorough examination of RTN3 on kidney function and pathology remains underexplored. To address this critical need, we generated Rtn3-null mice to study the consequences of RTN3 protein deficiency on CKD. Single-cell transcriptomic analyses were performed on 47,885 cells from the renal cortex of both healthy and Rtn3-null mice, enabling us to compare spatial architectures and expression profiles across 14 distinct cell types. Our analysis revealed that RTN3 deficiency leads to significant alterations in the spatial organization and gene expression profiles of renal cells, reflecting CKD pathology. Specifically, RTN3 deficiency was associated with Lars2 overexpression, which in turn caused mitochondrial dysfunction and increased reactive oxygen species levels. This shift induced a transition in renal epithelial cells from a functional state to a fibrogenic state, thus promoting renal fibrosis. Additionally, RTN3 deficiency was found to drive the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition process and disrupt cell-cell communication, further exacerbating renal fibrosis. Immunohistochemistry and Western-Blot techniques were used to validate these observations, reinforcing the critical role of RTN3 in CKD pathogenesis. The deficiency of RTN3 protein in CKD leads to profound changes in cellular architecture and molecular profiles. Our work seeks to elevate the understanding of RTN3’s role in CKD’s narrative and position it as a promising therapeutic contender.

The coupling relationship between shelf-edge deltas and deep-water fan sand bodies is a hot and cutting-edge field of international sedimentology and deep-water oil and gas exploration. Based on the newly acquired high-resolution 3D seismic, logging and core data of Pearl River Mouth Basin (PRMB), this paper dissected the shelf-edge delta to deep-water fan (SEDDF) depositional system in the Oligocene Zhuhai Formation of Paleogene in south subsag of Baiyun Sag, and revealed the complex coupling relationship from the continental shelf edge to deep-water fan sedimentation and its genetic mechanisms. The results show that during the deposition of the fourth to first members of the Zhuhai Formation, the scale of the SEDDF depositional system in the study area showed a pattern of first increasing and then decreasing, with deep-water fan developed in the third to first members and the largest plane distribution scale developed in the late stage of the second member. Based on the development of SEDDF depositional system along the source direction, three types of coupling relationships are divided, namely, deltas that are linked downdip to fans, deltas that lack downdip fans and fans that lack updip coeval deltas, with different depositional characteristics and genetic mechanisms. (1) Deltas that are linked downdip to fans: with the development of shelf-edge deltas in the shelf area and deep-water fans in the downdip slope area, and the strong source supply and relative sea level decline are the two key factors which control the development of this type of source-to-sink (S2S). The development of channels on the continental shelf edge is conducive to the formation of this type of S2S system even with weak source supply and high sea level. (2) Deltas that lack downdip fans: with the development of shelf edge deltas in shelf area, while deep water fans are not developed in the downdip slope area. The lack of “sources” and “channels”, and fluid transformation are the three main reasons for the formation of this type of S2S system. (3) Fans that lack updip coeval deltas: with the development of deep-water fans in continental slope area and the absence of updip coeval shelf edge deltas, which is jointly controlled by the coupling of fluid transformation at the shelf edge and the “channels” in the continental slope area.

In order to study the functions and mechanisms of the postbiotics derived from composite probiotics, this study focused on the postbiotics produced by the co fermentation of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei ProSci-101 and Bifidobacterium adolescentis B8589. Metabolomics techniques were used to analyze the beneficial metabolites of the postbiotics. The results showed that the antibacterial and antioxidant abilities of the postbiotics derived from composite probiotics were significantly (P

A dual-main-phase magnet with excellent thermal stability was prepared by co-mixing two types of magnetic powders, which was the conventional N55-grade powder without Dy elements, while the Co and Dy contents reached 50 wt% and 6 wt% respectively in another Co-rich powder. Studies showed that the magnetic properties along with the thermal stabilities of the magnets exhibited significant differences with the changes in the mixing ratio of the two powders. Especially, when mixing the two powders in equal proportions, a great remanence temperature coefficient of −0.0725 %/°C at 20–100 °C was obtained with a rather high Curie temperature of 581 °C, possessing its magnetic properties with Br = 12.58 kGs, Hcj = 15.9 kOe, and (BH)max = 36.88 MGOe. Note that as the proportion of Co-rich powder increased to 2/3, although the Curie temperature of the prepared magnets further increased to 622 °C, both the remanence temperature coefficient and the magnetic properties deteriorated significantly. The phase composition and microstructure analyses revealed that when the proportion of added Co-rich component exceeded 1/2, the RE(Fe,Co)2B phase transformed into the RE(Fe,Co)4B phase, and a significant amount of RE(Fe,Co)1.8B0.2 phase precipitated at the grain boundaries, leading to a deterioration in magnetic performance. In addition, dynamic domain evolution analyses under variable temperature conditions demonstrated the positive effect of the appropriate introduction of Co/Dy on the anti-demagnetization in high temperatures. This work provides insights and an experimental foundation for the development of high-performance magnets with high thermal stability, used in high-temperature environments.

The advantages of field-assisted laser additive manufacturing in optimizing microstructure and performance are increasingly recognized. Recently, we investigated the effects of acoustic field (AF) assisted laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) on the mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel (SS) and 316L SS/WC composite materials. Due to the effects of acoustic streaming and cavitation, acoustic field-assisted LPBF achieved optimized mechanical properties. Building on our previous research on AF-assisted LPBF, we introduced magnetic field (MF) and compound field (MF+AF) to study their effects on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 316L SS, 1 wt% and 3 wt% WC/316L SS. Application of the MF induces induced currents in the melt pool due to the Thomson-Seebek effect. The interaction between the MF and induced currents generates thermoelectric magnetic force (TEMF) and thermoelectric magnetic convection (TEMC), which inhibit the growth of columnar grains and enhance mass and heat transfer in the melt pool. Compound field-assisted LPBF reduced the dislocation density of 316L SS, refined grain size, alleviated the concentration distribution of grain orientation, and the ultimate tensile strength of the samples reached 777 MPa and the elongation at break reached 57.5%. Interestingly, for WC/316L SS, both MF and compound field resulted in a decrease in tensile performance, with ultimate tensile strengths as low as 677 MPa and elongations at break as low as 25.1%. This is because the MF affects the uniform distribution of WC particles, causing significant agglomeration and severe unmelted defects in the composite material, leading to a decrease in tensile performance.

In this work, CoCrFeNiSix coatings were fabricated by magnetron sputtering at the negative bias voltage ranging from 0 to 100 V. The effect of negative bias voltage on the composition, microstructure and corrosion performance was studied. The results show that all CoCrFeNiSix coatings consisted of amorphous and nanocrystalline FCC phases. However, the ratio of both amorphous/nanocrystalline phases and Si/(Co + Cr + Fe + Ni) atoms decreased with increasing negative bias voltage. Applying negative bias voltage also led to the improved surface quality. Accordingly, the corrosion rate of CoCrFeNiSix coatings in 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 solution exhibited a decreasing trend. Meanwhile, the CoCrFeNiSix coating deposited at 100 V had the lowest passive current density, highest coating resistance and lowest carrier density. This was because that Si competed with Cr to suppress the formation of Cr2O3 in the compact inner layer, and thus the decreasing Si content caused by increasing negative bias voltage led to the improved protection effect of the passive film.

Sulfur mustard (2,2′-dichloroethylsulfide; SM) is a bifunctional alkylating agent that can easily penetrate skin and cause persistent pain and damage. Effective biological dressings are required to treat wounds caused or poisoned by SM. Though the use of SM is regulated under the Chemical Weapons Convention, it is still a threat during wars and terrorist attacks. Herein, we present a photothermal-enhanced detoxification microneedles array (MNA) encapsulated with ZnIn2S4@UiO-66-NH2 (ZnInS/UIO) catalysts for the treatment of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES, SM analog)-poisoned wounds under simulated sunlight (SSL) irradiation. Due to the excellent photothermal detoxification capability possessed by ZnInS/UIO, the conversion rate of CEES can be significantly increased under SSL exposure. When encased in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) MNA and piercing into the skin, ZnInS/UIO catalysts can be released quickly from MNA for detoxification. After applying the resultant ZnInS/UIO-MNA to the CEES-poisoned wound bed, acceleration of the wound healing process and a reduced inflammatory response can be confirmed. In conclusion, ZnInS/UIO-MNA has encouraging potential as a first-aid dressing for CEES-poisoned wound healing in battlefields and injuries related to acts of terrorism.

Combined robotic arms and mobile platforms, mobile construction robots(MCRs) are providing an energizing choice for the digitalization of the building industry. To enhance the comprehension of the research trajectory towards MCR applications and technologies in building construction, we focus on the following aspect: Current representative applications of MCRs in built environments and critical technologies involved. This comprehensive review identified 184 publications in the last 15 years to unravel MCRs in construction applications, scrutinized the crucial technologies involved, and deliberated on challenges and opportunities. Results indicate that MCRs are a growing application field, although the majority are still confined to laboratory settings. To further expand the application of MCR in construction scenarios, this paper proposes corresponding research roadmaps to address the challenges identified. The findings of this review provide an in-depth insight into digital construction and robotics, benefiting researchers and constructors in advancing robotic commercialization.

In this study, we conducted a thorough investigation into the mechanisms by which miR-29 influences lipid metabolism. Thirty-two cows were selected and categorized into distinct groups based on their liver triglyceride (TG) content: healthy, mild fatty liver, and moderate fatty liver groups. Dairy cows with moderate fatty liver showed higher levels of hepatic lipid accumulation, MDA content and serum AST, ALT and ALP contents and lower hepatic catalase CAT and SOD activities. Subsequently, hepatocytes isolated from healthy calves were exposed to sodium oleate (SO) in the presence or absence of pre-incubation with miR-29 inhibitor or inhibitor NC. Pre-transfection with miR-29 inhibitor resulted in reduced hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MDA levels, as well as decreased levels of AST, ALT, and ALP in the supernatant. In the miR-29 inhibitor + SO group, there was an increase in the expression of SREBP-1, FAS, SCD1, and Sirt1. Meanwhile, the expression of PPARα, CPT1, CPT2, PGC-1α, NRF-1, UCP2, and miR-29 were observed to be decreased. In comparison to the miR-29 inhibitor + SO group, some of the measured indicators showed partial reversal in the miR-29 inhibitor + siSirt1 + SO group. Collectively, these findings provide evidence that miR-29 may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of fatty liver in dairy cows.

Basement buried hill reservoirs represent significant emerging prospects among the newly discovered growth poles in the deepwater areas of the northern South China Sea. Addressing the unclear key factors contributing to their formation, this study dissects successful global exploration cases of basement buried hill reservoirs and analyzes the common characteristics of basement reservoir accumulation under different basin types, structural backgrounds, basement lithologies, and oil and gas geological conditions. A three-element coupling relationship, termed “source-reservoir-cap”, is proposed as the dominant mechanism controlling basement buried hill reservoir formation. The genesis of these reservoirs requires adequate oil and gas supply, appropriately sized accumulation bodies, and effective sealing layers. The optimal configuration of the “source-reservoir-cap” relationship directly influences the efficient charging and preservation of oil and gas within basement buried hill reservoirs. Four configurations are identified, including circumstances such as the source-underlying low-positioned basement buried hill with a “source-reservoir cover docking migration type”, the source-border middle-positioned basement buried hill with a “source-reservoir lateral window docking migration type”, and the source-outside high-positioned basement buried hill with both “source-reservoir short-distance transport and migration type” and “source-reservoir long-distance transport and migration type”. The first to three models present favorable accumulation conditions. Based on the “source-reservoir-cap” three-element coupled model, this study identifies the Yunkai basement buried hill in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, the central depression in the Qiongdongnan Basin, and the northern and southern basement buried hills belts as crucial exploration targets in the deepwater areas of the northern South China Sea.

In the treatment of central nervous system disease, the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a major obstruction to drug delivery that must be overcome. In this study, we propose a brain-targeted delivery strategy based on selective opening of the BBB. This strategy allows some simple bare nanoparticles to enter the brain when mixed with special opening material; however, the BBB still maintains the ability to completely block molecules from passing through. Based on the screening of BBB opening and matrix delivery materials, we determined that phospholipase A2-catalyzed 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoserine liposomes can efficiently carry drugs into the brain immediately. At an effective dose, this delivery system is safe, especially with its effect on the BBB being reversible. This mix & act delivery system has a simple structure and rapid preparation, making it a strong potential candidate for drug delivery across the BBB.

Taking 1102 gangue filling face of Tingnan Coal Mine as the research object, theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, laboratory test and field measurement were used to study the process of gangue compression and the law of strata subsidence. The results show that：after 2 MPa compaction, the bulk gangue is compressed by 27.05 % to become gangue filling body, the mechanical compression process of gangue filling body in fillable space and the compression rate (the ratio of compression amount in each stage to fillable space height) are: skeleton adjustment（7.42%）, slow compression (accounting for 5.39%); the equivalent mining height of mechanical compression is the product of the fillable space height and the second-stage fillable compression rate of gangue filling body. The equivalent mining height of gangue filling body in 1102 working face in skeleton adjustment and slow compression is 0.94 m and 1.10 m respectively; the surface subsidence curves of the main section of 1102 working face in strike and inclination are all in the shape of “bowl”. During the process from skeleton adjustment to slow compression, the surface deformation curve changed little, and the final maximum subsidence was 39 mm and 41 mm, respectively.

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has a promising future in the treatment of ocular diseases due to its high efficiency, specificity, and low toxicity in inhibiting the expression of target genes and proteins. However, due to the unique anatomical structure of the eye and various barriers, delivering nucleic acids to the retina remains a significant challenge. In this study, we rationally design PACD, an A-B-C type non-viral vector copolymer composed of a hydrophilic PEG block (A), a siRNA binding block (B) and a pH-responsive block (C). PACDs can self-assemble into nanosized polymeric micelles that compact siRNAs into polyplexes through simple mixing. By evaluating its pH-responsive activity, gene silencing efficiency in retinal cells, intraocular distribution, and anti-angiogenesis therapy in a mouse model of hypoxia-induced angiogenesis, we demonstrate the efficiency and safety of PACD in delivering siRNA in the retina. We are surprised to discover that, the PACD/siRNA polyplexes exhibit remarkable intracellular endosomal escape efficiency, excellent gene silencing, and inhibit retinal angiogenesis. Our study provides design guidance for developing efficient nonviral ocular nucleic acid delivery systems.

Abstract Aims Valvular heart disease (VHD) is one of the leading causes of heart failure. Clinically significant VHD can induce different patterns of cardiac remodelling, and risk stratification is challenging in patients with various degrees of cardiac dysfunction. The study aimed to investigate the prognostic implications of Meta‐Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure (MAGGIC) score in patients with VHD. Methods and results This study used data from the China Valvular Heart Disease (China‐VHD) registry, which was a multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study for patients with significant (at least moderate) VHD. In total, 10 446 patients with moderate or greater VHD from the China‐VHD study were included in the present analysis. The primary outcome of interest was all‐cause mortality within 2 years. Among 10 446 patients with VHD, the mean age was 61.98 ± 13.47 years, and 5819 (55.7%) were male. During 2 years of follow‐up, 895 (8.6%) patients died. The MAGGIC score was monotonically and independently associated with mortality in both total cohort [adjusted hazard ratio: 1.095, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.084–1.107, P

Chronic diarrhea has a considerable impact on quality of life. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover intervention trial was conducted with 69 participants (36 in Group A, 33 in Group B), aiming to investigate the potential of postbiotics in alleviating diarrhea-associated symptoms. Participants received postbiotic Probio-Eco® and placebo for 21 days each in alternating order, with a 14-day washout period between interventions. The results showed that postbiotic intake resulted in significant improvements in Bristol stool scale score, defecation frequency, urgency, and anxiety. Moreover, the postbiotic intervention increased beneficial intestinal bacteria, including Dysosmobacter welbionis and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, while reducing potential pathogens like Megamonas funiformis. The levels of gut Microviridae notably increased. Non-targeted metabolomics analysis revealed postbiotic-driven enrichment of beneficial metabolites, including α-linolenic acid and p-methoxycinnamic acid, and reduction of diarrhea-associated metabolites, including theophylline, piperine, capsaicin, and phenylalanine. Targeted metabolomics confirmed a significant increase in fecal butyric acid after postbiotic intervention. The levels of aromatic amino acids, phenylalanine and tryptophan, and their related metabolites, 5-hydroxytryptophan and kynurenine, decreased after the postbiotic intervention, suggesting diarrhea alleviation was through modulating the tryptophan-5-hydroxytryptamine and tryptophan-kynurenine pathways. Additionally, chenodeoxycholic acid, a diarrhea-linked primary bile acid, decreased substantially. In conclusion, postbiotics have shown promise in relieving chronic diarrhea.

AbstractBackground Pertussis (Whooping Cough) is a respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis usually occurs in childhood; severe infections are most common in infants. It can be fatal with severe complications such as pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, and encephalitis.Objectives We sought to synthesize the existing literature on severe pertussis in infants and inform further study.Methods A scoping review was performed based on the methodological framework developed by Arksey & O’Malley. Search in Pubmed and Embase databases, with no restrictions on the language and date of publication.Results Of the 1299 articles retrieved, 64 were finally included. The selected articles were published between 1979 and 2022, with 90.6% (58/64) of the studies in the last two decades. The studies covered epidemiology, pathology, clinical characteristics, risk factors, treatments, and burden of disease.Conclusion The literature reviewed suggests that studies on severe pertussis in infants covered a variety of clinical concerns. However, these studies were observational, and experimental studies are needed to provide high-quality evidence.

Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is a significant pathological change in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) that can be induced by endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). Lymphangiogenesis, mediated by the vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C)/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) pathway, plays a crucial role in the development of RIF in DKD. Although numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of empagliflozin in treating renal injury, its effects on lymphangiogenesis in DKD-related RIF and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, significant lymphangiogenesis was assessed in the renal interstitium of patients with DKD. We subsequently explored the relationship between DKD-related RIF and lymphangiogenesis in mouse models, high-glucose (HG)-stimulated renal HK-2 cell lines, and human lymphatic endothelial cells (hLECs). Additionally, we evaluated the effects of empagliflozin on these processes. The results revealed that HG induces lymphangiogenesis, which exacerbates RIF by promoting inflammatory responses. Furthermore, hLECs directly contributed to the progression of DKD-related RIF through EndMT. Further analysis revealed that tubular epithelial cells (TECs) act as effector cells for VEGF-C, with the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of TECs occurring concurrently with the EndMT of lymphatic vessels. Empagliflozin inhibited RIF in DKD by suppressing the VEGF-C/VEGFR3 pathway and reducing lymphangiogenesis. In conclusion, this study elucidates the interplay between lymphangiogenesis, EndMT, and RIF in DKD and provides new insights into the mechanism by which empagliflozin treats DKD.

This study aims to investigate the influence of different fiber types, lengths, and contents on their performance in freeze-thaw environments. Indoor freeze-thaw tests were conducted to evaluate the flexural strength, compressive strength, and mass loss of fiber-reinforced geopolymer materials. Additionally, SEM and XRD analyses were performed to examine the internal structure of the geopolymer composites. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of different fibers significantly improved various properties, particularly the flexural strength of the specimens. With an increasing number of freeze-thaw cycles, surface cracks became more prominent in the geopolymer specimens, leading to a gradual decrease in frost resistance. However, the addition of an appropriate amount of fiber effectively enhanced frost resistance. Following freeze-thaw exposure, an increase in fiber content initially resulted in a decrease and subsequently an increase in relative flexural strength, compressive strength, and mass loss. Notably, studies revealed that polypropylene fibers with a length of 9 mm and a content of 0.9 % exhibited minimal mass and strength loss. SEM analysis indicated uniform distribution of fibers within the geopolymer matrix, contributing to improved flexural strength and enhanced frost resistance in fiber-reinforced structures. XRD results indicate that red mud-slag based geopolymers produce high-strength hydrated calcium (aluminosilicate) silicate and hematite phases, which enhances the mechanical properties and durability of the specimens. In conclusion, this study highlights that incorporating suitable fibers can enhance the durability and performance of red mud-slag based geopolymers under freeze-thaw conditions. The findings provide valuable insights for optimizing fiber type, length, and content to achieve superior mechanical properties and frost resistance in geopolymer composites.

BackgroundSevere fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease triggered by a novel bunyavirus (SFTSV). Characterized by fever, thrombocytopenia, leukocytopenia, and multiple organ dysfunction manifestations, its primary mode of transmission is through tick bites. Despite the critical role of lipid metabolism in viral infections, the role of lipids in SFTS remains unclear.MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed 602 patients with SFTS treated at the Shandong Public Health Clinical Center from January 2021 to December 2023. Based on the endpoint events, patients were classified into survival (S) and death (D) groups. The S group was further classified into non-critical (non-C) and critical (C) groups based on symptoms. All patients were followed up for at least 28 days after admission. Propensity score matching, multivariable logistic regression, survival analysis, time trend analysis, and mediation analysis were conducted to assess the association between LDL-C levels and prognosis in SFTS.ResultsThe serum LDL-C levels on admission were significantly lower in the D and C groups than in the S and non-C groups. The logistic regression models indicated a potential association between LDL-C levels and a poor prognosis in SFTS. The restricted cubic spline showed a unidirectional trend between LDL-C levels and mortality, with a cutoff value of 1.59 mmol/L. The survival analysis revealed higher and earlier mortality in the low-LDL-C group than in the high-LDL-C group. The trends over 28 days post-admission showed that the serum LDL-C levels gradually increased in SFTS, with a favorable prognosis. Finally, the mediation analysis indicated that low LDL-C levels are associated with mortality through poor hepatic, cardiac, and coagulation functions.ConclusionLow LDL-C levels are potentially associated with a poor prognosis in SFTS.

Abstract The fast booming of wearable electronics provides great opportunities for intelligent gas detection with improved healthcare of mining workers, and a variety of gas sensors have been simultaneously developed. However, these sensing systems are always limited to single gas detection and are highly susceptible to the inference of ubiquitous moisture, resulting in less accuracy in the analysis of gas compositions in real mining conditions. To address these challenges, we propose a synergistic strategy based on sensor integration and machine learning algorithms to realize precise NH3 and NO2 gas detections under real mining conditions. A wearable sensing array based on the graphene and polyaniline composite is developed to largely enhance the sensitivity and selectivity under mixed gas conditions. Further introduction of backpropagation neural network (BP‐NN) and partial least squares (PLS) algorithms could improve the accuracy of gas identification and concentration prediction and settle the inference of moisture, realizing over 99% theoretical prediction level on NH3 and NO2 concentrations within a wide relative humidity range, showing great promise in real mining detection. As proof of concept, a wireless wearable bracelet, integrated with sensing arrays and machine‐learning algorithms, is developed for wireless real‐time warning of hazardous gases in mines under different humidity conditions.

Background: Rheumatic valvular disease (RVD) represents a significant health concern in developing countries, yet a scarcity of detailed data exists. This study conducts a comprehensive examination of RVD patients in China, exploring aspects of the disease's spectrum, characteristics, investigation, management, and outcomes. Methods: The China Valvular Heart Disease (China-VHD) study, a nationwide, multicenter, prospective observational study, enrolled 13,917 adults with moderate-to-severe valvular heart disease from April to June 2018. Among these, 2402 patients with native RVD (19.7% of native VHD patients) were analyzed. Results: Among the RVD patients, the median age was 57 years (interquartile range 50–65), with 82.5% falling within the 40–70 age range; females were notably predominant (63.9%). Rheumatic etiology prevailed, particularly in southern regions (48.8%). Multivalvular involvement was observed in 47.4% of RVD cases, and atrial fibrillation emerged as the most common comorbidity (43.2%). Severe RVD affected 64.2% of patients. Valvular interventions were undertaken by 66.9% of RVD patients, predominantly involving surgical valve replacement (90.8%). Adverse events, encompassing all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization, occurred in 7.3% of patients during the 2-year follow-up. Multivariable analysis identified factors such as age, geographical region, low body mass index, renal insufficiency, left atrial diameter, and left ventricular ejection fraction

BackgroundVisceral disseminated varicella involves the internal organs, and complications such as encephalitis, hepatitis, and coagulation disorders threaten a patient's life. In this study, our aim is to analyze the risk factors for visceral disseminated varicella to enable the early identification of patients at a high risk of visceral disseminated varicella.MethodsWe reviewed the medical records of children hospitalized with varicella. The data covered demographics, clinical manifestations, auxiliary examinations, treatments, and outcomes. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors.ResultsA multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that abdominal pain [odds ratio (OR) 20.451, 95% CI 1.637–255.548], increased levels of C-reactive protein (OR 12.794, 95% CI 1.820–89.937), increased levels of alanine aminotransferase (OR 7.453, 95% CI 1.624–34.206), and the time between onset and antiviral therapy of more than 7 days (OR 12.451, 95% CI 1.569–98.810) were independent risk factors for visceral disseminated varicella.ConclusionsPatients with varicella who have the abovementioned risk factors need to be monitored for the risk of developing visceral disseminated varicella, for which timely antiviral therapy is necessary.

Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the gender differences in the correlation between physical activity (PA) and cognitive subdomains in elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Design Cross-sectional study.Setting The research was carried out in communities located in Fuzhou, Fujian Province and Beijing Municipality.Participants Community-dwelling elders with T2D and MCI aged 60 years or older were eligible for this study.Primary outcome measures and analyses The weekly PA score was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The cognitive subdomains were evaluated through a battery of cognitive assessments, including the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Trail Making Test Part B, Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and the Stroop Color-Word Test (SCWT). Multiple linear regression models were employed to examine the association between PA and cognitive subdomains in both male and female individuals.Results In older men, higher total IPAQ score was positively correlated with higher RAVLT (P=0.011) and SCWT (P=0.049). There was a significant interaction between the total PA score and gender in relation to RAVLT (P=0.008) and SCWT (P=0.027). Moreover, there was a positive correlation between moderate-vigorous PA level and RAVLT in older men (P=0.007). Additionally, a positive correlation was found between moderate-vigorous PA level and DSST in older women (P=0.038).Conclusion In older individuals with T2D and MCI, the association between PA and cognitive subdomains differs between men and women. This discrepancy may impact the customisation of exercise recommendations.

Deep learning-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) target recognition methods mainly emphasize the amplitude characteristics resulting from backscatter at the target's principal scattering points. Shadows, as critical by-products of SAR imaging, encapsulate vital details regarding the target's structural configuration. In order to effectively utilize the target information and shadow information in SAR images, we propose a novel target-shadow mask assistance learning (TSMAL) network for SAR target recognition. It systematically leverages domain knowledge in SAR images through three key points: data preprocessing, network structure, and multitask loss function. Specifically, the data preprocessing, with the help of the segmentation algorithm, extracts the target mask and shadow mask as domain knowledge in the SAR image to be utilized. Then, the target-shadow mask assistance (TSMA) layer is designed to learn complementary representations within each convolutional layer by exploiting target-shadow information. The TSMA enhances the scatter features related to the target regions as well as the shape features contained in the shadow regions, and suppresses backgrounds. Meanwhile, the multilayer coordinate attention (MCA) is used for multiscale feature fusion. Finally, a multitask learning loss is designed depending on the recognition and feature optimization tasks to guide the network learning. By synergistically employing a TSMAL alongside multitask learning strategies, the network proficiently acquires both target and shadow features. The experiments conducted on the moving and stationary target acquisition and recognition (MSTAR) dataset show that the proposed method can effectively enhance the feature extraction ability in the target and shadow regions, and improve the performance of SAR target recognition.

The reasoning of social relationships between characters from visual information can assist people in determining characters’ roles and understanding the interaction patterns of characters in different social contexts. Currently, research has transitioned from static images to the field of video, yet the full utilization of the rich information contained in videos remains an urgent problem to be solved. On the one hand, most existing research does not consider the multimodal features of visual, linguistic text, audio, and other modalities contained in videos. On the other hand, the temporal features in videos can provide a global horizon for reasoning character relationships. Therefore, we propose an ESRR reasoning framework based on multimodal graph convolutional networks to identify character relationships in videos. In the spatial domain, we use the energization operation to extract multimodal features and model them as graphs. In the temporal domain, we use the LSTM stack and energy transfer between graphs to extract temporal features of videos from both local and global perspectives. In conclusion, ESRR can extract comprehensive video features to analyze the spatial-temporal dependencies of characters and relationship labels, as well as the reasoning of social relationships. Extensive experiments conducted on datasets have demonstrated that ESRR exhibits superior performance in video character relationship recognition, outperforming other mainstream models at this stage.

Owing to their great potential to enhance the structural, mechanical, and electrical properties of materials, numerous researchers have dedicated their efforts to manufacturing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-reinforced composites via additive manufacturing (AM) to leverage AM's ability to fabricate intricate structural components. However, there is currently limited research on MWCNTs in photosensitive resin (PR) systems processed via a type of vat photopolymerization AM technique - digital light processing (DLP). Additionally, the distribution pattern of MWCNTs in PR systems is still unknown. To address these research gaps, this investigation focuses on fabricating MWCNTs-reinforced PR (MWCNTs-PR) via DLP and studying the effects of MWCNTs content on microstructure characterizations and mechanical properties of MWCNTs-PR. These results show that PR with 0.05 wt% MWCNTs addition exhibits a 25 % increase in elastic modulus and a 2 % increase in bending strength compared to pure PR. To achieve a more uniform distribution of MWCNTs in the PR, a combination of an ultrasonic bath and mechanical stirring was adopted. To further investigate the mechanism behind MWCNTs-enhanced bending resistance, a multi-material layered 3D printing structure was developed. The experimental findings reveal that the 10001 structure yields the highest bending modulus, surpassing the control group by 14.9 %. To validate the bending resistance mechanism attributed to MWCNTs-PR, finite element analysis was conducted.

Abstract Background Peripheral blood carries a reservoir of mRNAs that regulate cardiac structure and function potential. Although it is well recognized that the typical symptoms of Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease (MMVD) stage B2 are long-standing hemodynamic disorder and cardiac structure remodeling caused by mitral regurgitation, the transcriptomic alterations in blood from such dogs are not understood. Results In the present study, comparative high-throughput transcriptomic profiling of blood was performed from normal control (NC) and naturally-occurring MMVD stage B2 (MMVD) dogs. Using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analyses (WGCNA), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes (KEGG), we identified that the turquoise module was the most highly correlated with echocardiographic features and found 64 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were significantly enriched in platelet activation related pathways. Therefore, from the turquoise module, we selected five DEGs (MDM2, ROCK1, RIPK1, SNAP23, and ARHGAP35) that, according to real-time qPCR, exhibited significant enrichment in platelet activation related pathways for validation. The results showed that the blood transcriptional abundance of MDM2, ROCK1, RIPK1, and SNAP23 differed significantly (P

Abstract Background Prostate cancer (PCa) is currently acknowledged as the second most widespread cancer among men worldwide. Yet, the lack of dependable diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets has presented considerable hurdles to the progression of prostate cancer treatment. Circular RNAs are implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, positioning them as promising biomarkers for diverse medical conditions. This study aims to uncover a specific circRNA that could serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for detecting and treating PCa. Methods The change of circTENM3 expression levels in PCa was detected by qPCR. CCK8 assays, EdU assays, Scratch assay and Transwell migration assay conducted to detect the role of circTENM3 in PCa cells in vitro. RIP assay, RNA-pull down and luciferase reporter assay were performed to explore the mechanism of circTENM3. Gain-of-function analysis was performed to reveal the function of circTENM3 in PCa in vivo. Results The results revealed that the expression level of circTENM3 was significantly down-regulated in PCa. CircTENM3 overexpression alleviated the progression of PCa in vitro. Mechanistically, circTENM3 enhanced RUNX3 levels via miR-558 sponge. Gain-of-function analysis determined that circTENM3 overexpression could inhibit PCa progression in vitro. Conclusions Our research offers profound insights into the protective role played by circTENM3 in PCa. CircTENM3 operates as a sponge for miR-558, thereby triggering the elevation of RUNX3 expression, which subsequently curbs the progression of PCa.

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is an efficient method for converting biomass into biochar. Hydrochar contains catalytic components such as alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEMs); however, the mechanisms by which highly active metals such as potassium (K) and sodium (Na) catalyze the conversion of small carbon–water compounds into hydrochar in hydrothermal environments remain unclear. In this study, glucose was used as a small molecule model, and Na+ and K+ were used as catalysts to investigate the catalytic reaction mechanism during the hydrothermal process using density functional theory (DFT). In the presence of different ions at various binding sites, glucose isomerizes into fructose, which subsequently undergoes three consecutive dehydration reactions to form 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). The results indicate that the catalytic effectiveness of Na+ and K+ in the isomerization of glucose to fructose is optimal when interacting with specific oxygen sites on glucose. For Na+, the interaction with the O1 and O2 oxygens provides the lowest reaction barrier of 37.16 kcal/mol. For K+, the most effective interactions are with the O3 and O4 oxygens and the O5 and O6 oxygens, resulting in reduced reaction barriers of 54.35 and 31.50 kcal/mol, respectively. Dehydration of fructose to HMF catalyzed by Na+ ions, the catalytic effectiveness at different positions is ranked as O5O6 > O1O5, whereas for K+, the ranking is O1O5 > O5O6. This study explores the catalytic effects of Na+ and K+ at different binding sites on the hydrothermal reactions of glucose at the atomic level, offering theoretical support for designing catalysts for the HTC of sludge.

This study focuses on the sintering phenomenon that easily occurs during the direct combustion of molded fuel made from fungus bran (FB). To investigate the key factors influencing sintering, experiments are designed and conducted using a muffle furnace and a high-temperature drop furnace. The experimental results show that the combustion temperature is the primary factor triggering the sintering phenomenon. To effectively mitigate this issue, this study proposes two improvement strategies: water washing pretreatment and the use of additives. The analysis shows that water washing pretreatment effectively removes K and Mg elements, with the removal rates increasing as the washing temperature and time increase. Specifically, the removal rate of K ranges from 37.68% to 55.91%, and that of Mg ranges from 33.16% to 58.52%. Water washing pretreatment also reduces the degree of sintering; at 1400 °C, the TSF (tendency to slag formation) of the fuel increases by 25–40% after pretreatment, with a greater increases observed at higher washing temperatures and longer durations. Kaolin, used as an additive, significantly raises the ash melting point of FB and alleviates sintering, while P2O5 exacerbates it. Increasing the proportion of kaolin does not significantly enhance the TSF of high-temperature ash, but raising the P2O5 content from 5% to 10% lowers the TSF by 10–20% at the corresponding temperature.

The Kongquehe Sag, located in the western Lop Nur, has abundant pore subsurface brine. In order to study the source and origin, we tested and analyzed the hydrochemical composition and stable isotopes of the subsurface brine. The findings reveal that the brine exhibits a moderate to low degree of mineralization, with values ranging from 50.50 g/L to 91.14 g/L. The stable isotope compositions of unconfined and confined waters are different, with the mean values of δD being −8.00‰ and −51.75‰ and the mean values of δ18O being 10.08‰ and −6.01‰. These values are indicative of an intense evaporative environment prevalent in the Kongquehe Sag area. Furthermore, the 87Sr/86Sr ratios vary between 0.710642 and 0.710837, and δ34S values range from 9.2 to 10.7. These data suggest the long-term evolution of sulfur substances, predominantly through dissolution and sedimentation processes, with minimal influence from redox reactions. The data garnered from this research not only offer a novel perspective of the insights gained into the hydrochemical characteristics and the stable isotope signatures of the brines in the Kongquehe Sag area but also enriches the theoretical framework concerning the source and origin of subsurface brines, potentially informing future exploration strategies.

Marine sports tourism has emerged as a significant niche within the broader tourism industry, offering unique opportunities for economic development, social well-being, and environmental sustainability. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of marine sports tourism research, examining publications up to July 2024 from the core collection databases of the Web of Science. The analysis assesses the productivity, research themes, and emerging trends within this field. The results indicate significant growth in research output over the past three decades. Saayman M., Giglio V. J., and Van der Merwe P. are identified as the most productive authors, while Australia, the United States, China, and the United Kingdom demonstrate high levels of research productivity and impact. Ocean & Coastal Management is recognized as the most impactful journal. Keyword co-occurrence and clustering analysis revealed four major research clusters: Environmental Impacts and Community Interaction, Conservation and Ecological Impacts, Behavioral Studies and Perceptions, and Management and Scuba Diving. Topic trend analysis highlights a shift in research focus from the environmental impacts of marine sports tourism to a more integrated approach that considers environmental, economic, and social dimensions. Based on the current research landscape and developmental trajectory, the study proposes future research directions, including addressing identified research gaps, enhancing the resilience of marine sports tourism activities, and developing holistic approaches to sustainable tourism from an interdisciplinary perspective.

In an arid climate with minimal rainfall, plant growth is constrained by water scarcity and soil salinity. Ecological Water Conveyance (EWC) can mitigate degradation risks faced by riparian plant communities in these regions. However, its effects on long-term dynamics of root zone soil water content, salt levels, and root water uptake remain unclear. This study examined how groundwater affects salt and water dynamics, in addition to root water uptake, under different scenarios involving Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb. The research was conducted in the lower reaches of the Tarim River in northwestern China. The Hydrus-1D model was used, following the EWC strategy. The results show that the distribution of T. ramosissima roots was significantly influenced by soil water and salt distributions, with 56.8% of roots concentrated in the 60–100 cm soil layer. Under water stress conditions, root water uptake reached 91.0% of the potential maximum when considering water stress alone, and 41.0% when accounting for both water and salt stresses. Root water uptake was highly sensitive to changes in Depth-to-Water Table (DWT), notably decreasing with lower or higher DWT at 40% of the reference level. EWC effectively enhances root water uptake by using water to leach salts from the root zone soil, with optimal results observed at 500–600 mm. This study advocates for sustainable EWC practices to support vegetation and combat desertification in the lower reaches of arid inland rivers.

IntroductionNitrososphaeria, formerly known as Thaumarchaeota, constitute a diverse and widespread group of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) inhabiting ubiquitously in marine and terrestrial environments, playing a pivotal role in global nitrogen cycling. Despite their importance in Earth’s ecosystems, the cellular organization of AOA remains largely unexplored, leading to a significant unanswered question of how the machinery of these organisms underpins metabolic functions.MethodsIn this study, we combined spherical-chromatic-aberration-corrected cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to unveil the cellular organization and elemental composition of Nitrosopumilus maritimus SCM1, a representative member of marine Nitrososphaeria.Results and DiscussionOur tomograms show the native ultrastructural morphology of SCM1 and one to several dense storage granules in the cytoplasm. STEM-EDS analysis identifies two types of storage granules: one type is possibly composed of polyphosphate and the other polyhydroxyalkanoate. With precise measurements using cryo-ET, we observed low quantity and density of ribosomes in SCM1 cells, which are in alignment with the documented slow growth of AOA in laboratory cultures. Collectively, these findings provide visual evidence supporting the resilience of AOA in the vast oligotrophic marine environment.

Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis (L. lactis subsp. lactis) is a commonly used starter cultures in fermented dairy products, contributing distinct flavor and texture characteristics with high application value. However, the strains from different isolates have different contributions to milk fermentation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the influence of L. lactis subsp. lactis isolated from various sources on the volatile metabolites present in fermented milk. In this study, L. lactis subsp. lactis from different isolation sources (yogurt, koumiss and goat yogurt) was utilized as a starter culture for fermentation. The volatile metabolites of fermented milk were subsequently analyzed by headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrography (HS-SPME-GC-MS). The results indicated significant differences in the structure and abundance of volatile metabolites in fermented milk produced with different isolates (R2Y = 0.96, Q2 = 0.88). Notably, the strains isolated from goat yogurt appeared to enhance the accumulation of ketones (goat yogurt vs yogurt milk: 50 %; goat yogur vs koumiss: 27.3 %)and aldehydes (goat yogurt vs yogurt milk: 21.4 %; goat yogurt vs koumiss: 54.5 %) in fermented milk than strains isolated from koumiss and yogurt milk. It significantly promoted the production of 8 flavor substances (1 substance with OAV ≥ 1 and 6 substances with OAV > 0.1) and enhanced the biosynthesis of valine, leucine, and isoleucine. This study provides valuable insights for the application of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis isolated from different sources in fermented dairy production and screening of potential starter cultures.

Summary: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of diabetes in valvular heart disease (VHD), as well as the relationship of diabetes with severity of valvular lesions and clinical outcome. A total of 11,862 patients with significant (≥moderate) VHD from the China Valvular Heart Disease study were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was the composite of all-cause death, hospitalization for heart failure, and myocardial infarction during two-year follow-up. The prevalence of diabetes was 14.5% (1,721/11,862) in VHD. After adjusting for patients’ demographics, diabetes was associated with a significantly lower risk of severe valvular lesion in aortic regurgitation and mitral regurgitation (MR). In multivariable analysis, diabetes was identified as an independent predictor of two-year outcome in patients with MR (hazard ratio: 1.345, 95% confidence interval: 1.069–1.692, p = 0.011). More efforts should be made to enhance our understanding and improve outcomes of concomitant VHD and diabetes.

Due to its excellent corrosion and oxidation resistance, good formability, and affordability, 316L stainless steel (SS) is widely used in industries such as biomedical, marine, chemical, and water treatment. However, to further enhance its mechanical properties, scholars have turned to reinforcing 316L SS with ceramic additives. Among ceramic additives, tungsten carbide (WC) is favored due to its good wettability ability to bond closely with iron-based materials. Despite these benefits, defects of cracks, pores, and balling commonly exist in WC-reinforced metal matrix composites due to the agglomeration of WC particles. In response to these problems, author propose a novel method that combines acoustic field (AF) with powder bed fusion (PBF) to process WC-reinforced 316L SS materials. This approach takes advantages of AF's ability to homogenize materials, smooth out thermal gradient, reduce cracks, and refine grains in liquid materials, while also utilizing PBF's capabilities to fabricate complex-shaped customized parts with high density and good quality. Experimental results have shown that adding an AF to the PBF can reduce dislocation density, mitigate stress, alleviate cracks, refine grain size, and alter grain shape, ultimately enhancing the tensile properties of WC-reinforced 316L SS composites. By adopting this method, a balance of strength and ductility can be achieved, with ultimate tensile strength and percentage elongation falling into a narrow but high range of 750–930 MPa and 44–55%, respectively.

Abstract Given the inconsistent results on the prognostic significance of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), the purpose of the present study was to investigate the association of EAT thickness and myocardial work by non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop in people with suspected metabolic syndrome (MS). A total of 194 participants imaged with echocardiography were evaluated. In accordance with the median EAT thickness, MS patients fell into thin EAT group and thick EAT group. Conventional echocardiographic parameters, global longitudinal strain (GLS) and the global myocardial work parameters obtained by pressure-strain loop analysis, comprising the global work index (GWI), global work efficiency (GWE), global constructive work (GCW) and global wasted work (GWW) were compared between the two groups. In comparison with the thin EAT group, thick EAT group achieved significantly higher values in interventricular septal thickness, end-diastolic left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left ventricular mass index and GWW (p

Abstract Background Increasing evidence from high-income countries suggests the risk of cognitive impairment has been declining recently. However, related studies in China have rarely been done, and the results are inconsistent. We analyze the trends in cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults in China between 2011 and 2018. Methods We used data from four waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), including 48918 individuals aged 45 years and older. Cognitive function was assessed using the CHARLS cognitive measures containing episodic memory, orientation, attention, and visuospatial abilities. The hierarchical age-period-cohort (APC) model was used to quantify the separate age, period, and cohort effects on trends in cognitive function. Results The study sample’s ages ranged from 45 to 105 years (Mean = 59.2, SD = 9.4). Cognitive function declined with age net of period and cohort effects, an apparent acceleration in the rate of cognitive decline after age 65 was found adjusting for individual characteristics. Although period effects on trends in cognitive function remained stable during the study period, hierarchical APC models demonstrated significant cohort variations. Independent of age and period effects, there was a fluctuating trend across cohorts before 1960 and an overall decline across successive cohorts. Conclusions Our study indicates that the age effect remains the most crucial factor regarding cognitive decline. Moreover, results demonstrate that cohorts living in social upheaval leading to educational deprivation and/or nutritional deficiency in early life may face a higher risk for cognitive deterioration later in life. Such findings indicate that dementia prevention from a life course perspective and cohort-specific strategies are critical to alleviating the future public-health burdens related to cognitive aging. Ongoing attention should be paid to the role of cross-cohort differences in education on cohort trends in cognition in countries like China that are aging rapidly and have a late start in educational expansion compared to other countries. Other factors, such as environmental stimulation, need to be noticed in younger cohorts.

In this paper, there are two aims: one is Schauder and Sobolev estimates for the one-dimensional heat equation; the other is the stabilization of differential equations by stochastic feedback control based on discrete-time state observations. The nonhomogeneous Poisson stochastic process is used to show how knowing Schauder and Sobolev estimates for the one-dimensional heat equation allows one to derive their multidimensional analogs. The properties of a jump process is used. The stabilization of differential equations by stochastic feedback control is based on discrete-time state observations. Firstly, the stability results of the auxiliary system is established. Secondly, by comparing it with the auxiliary system and using the continuity method, the stabilization of the original system is obtained. Both parts focus on the impact of probability theory.

Abstract Background Valvular heart disease (VHD) can cause damage to extra-cardiac organs, and lead to multi-organ dysfunction. However, little is known about the cardio-renal-hepatic co-dysfunction, as well as its prognostic implications in patients with VHD. The study sought to develop a multi-biomarker index to assess heart, kidney, and liver function in an integrative fashion, and investigate the prognostic role of cardio-renal-hepatic function in VHD. Methods Using a large, contemporary, prospective cohort of 6004 patients with VHD, the study developed a multi-biomarker score for predicting all-cause mortality based on biomarkers reflecting heart, kidney, and liver function (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP], creatinine, and albumin). The score was externally validated in another contemporary, prospective cohort of 3156 patients with VHD. Results During a median follow up of 731 (704–748) days, 594 (9.9%) deaths occurred. Increasing levels of NT-proBNP, creatinine, and albumin were independently and monotonically associated with mortality, and a weighted multi-biomarker index, named the cardio-renal-hepatic (CRH) score, was developed based on Cox regression coefficients of these biomarkers. The CRH score was a strong and independent predictor of mortality, with 1-point increase carrying over two times of mortality risk (overall adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 2.095 [1.891–2.320], P

Multistation cooperative radar target recognition aims to enhance recognition performance by utilizing the complementarity between multistation information. Conventional multistation cooperative target recognition methods do not explicitly consider the issue of interstation data differences and typically adopt relatively simple fusion strategies, which makes it difficult to obtain accurate and robust recognition performance. In this study, we propose an angle-guided transformer fusion network for multistation radar High-Resolution Range Profile (HRRP) target recognition. The extraction of the local and global features of the single-station HRRP is conducted via feature extraction, which employs a transformer as its main structure. Furthermore, three new auxiliary modules are created to facilitate fusion learning: the angle-guided module, the prefeature interaction module, and the deep attention feature fusion module. First, the angle guidance module enhances the robustness and consistency of features via modeling data differences between multiple stations and reinforces individual features associated with the observation perspective. Second, the fusion approach is optimized, and the multilevel hierarchical fusion of multistation features is achieved by combining the prefeature interaction module and the deep attention feature fusion module. Finally, the experiments are conducted on the basis of the simulated multistation scenarios with measured data, and the outcomes demonstrate that our approach can effectively enhance the performance of target recognition in multistation coordination.

According to the geological conditions of Mabao Coal Mine in Shanxi Province, the width range of the coal pillar of the heading roadway is 6.48~8.97 m calculated by the limit equilibrium theory and the internal and external stress field theory. By using FLAC3D, the vertical stress and plastic zone distribution of coal pillar and the deformation of surrounding rock of roadway were simulated when the width of coal pillar is 5~9 m. The results show that with the increase of coal pillar width, the peak stress and plastic zone range of coal pillar decrease continuously. After the width of coal pillar reaches 7 m, the peak stress reduction trend and plastic zone change are not obvious, and the surrounding rock deformation gradually tends to be stable, in consideration of safe mining and efficient utilization of resources, the width of coal pillar is finally determined to be 7 m. By simulating the stress changes at different positions of the coal pillar in the process of mining, it is determined that the influence range of mining and excavation is 30 to -30 m at the same time. Combined with the deformation of surrounding rock at different positions of the 15202 transportation gateway, a reasonable subsection support scheme is given.