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With the rapid advancement of information technologies, automated writing evaluation technologies have developed so fast that they can be applied to writing assessments. However, scanty studies have pooled the effects of automated writing evaluation on writing performance. Through a PRISMA protocol-based meta-analysis, this study concludes that automated writing evaluation technologies can significantly reduce anxiety such as writing anxiety and computer anxiety compared with those without the assistance of automated writing evaluation. Automated writing evaluation can also significantly improve writing motivation and second language (L2) writing skills. Educators and designers should highlight how to combine automated writing evaluation with human rating methods and maximize the improvements in L2 writing skills. In the future, artificial intelligence may be integrated into automated writing evaluation to develop advanced automated writing evaluation to address higher-level issues in writing practice.

Teacher feedback is the key to online collaborative discussion. To investigate the effects of different forms of teacher feedback intervention on learners' cognitive and emotional interactions in online collaborative discussion, this study collected collaborative discussion text data of online collaborative learners. Based on the framework of Community of Inquiry theory, naive Bayes algorithm for automatic coding of collaborative discussion text data was adopted. A bivariate (with or without emotion/guidance) experiment was designed based on teacher feedback. The participants of this study were college students (N = 109, average age = 20) of normal major participating in Teaching System Design. They were randomly divided into four experimental groups. In each experimental group, 4-5 people work in a group for collaborative learning. This study adopts quasi experimental research method, and the experiment period is 10 class hours. Reliability analysis, automatic text coding and ANOVA of cognitive-affective variables were used to conduct process mining for the collaborative discussion of four groups of learners by using heuristic mining algorithms. It found that different forms of teacher feedback have different effects on learners' cognitive emotion. Teachers' emotional feedback promotes learners' emotional interaction and cognitive interaction, whiccoch is easier to promote learners' cognitive interaction. Different forms of teacher feedback promote four types of cognitive emotion interaction process. This suggests that the multi-branch type of voice prompt feedback group has the best effect on learners' cognitive and emotional impact.

The objective of this study is to examine and compare the impact of serious games and gamification on learning achievement and motivation. The results of the meta-analysis indicate that gamification has a more positive influence on learning achievement and motivation compared to serious games. The analysis reveals that gamification demonstrates a stronger impact on extrinsic motivation than on intrinsic motivation. Serious games have a more positive effect on intrinsic motivation in comparison to extrinsic motivation. The overall outcome suggests that gamification has relatively stronger effects than serious games. While the impact on extrinsic motivation is more significant with both approaches, serious games excel in fostering intrinsic motivation. However, further research is recommended to investigate the specific mechanisms that drive these effects and to identify optimal strategies for implementing serious games and gamification in diverse educational settings.

Maker education can enhance learners' creativity. Design thinking can facilitate the innovative resolution of complex problems. The design thinking literature and most maker teaching modes are limited in their promotion of learning and ability development in various dimensions. Learners have stereotypes about some professions; interventions can help change these stereotypes. This research used quantitative and qualitative analyses to determine the impacts of the design thinking-maker education intervention on primary school students to prove its effectiveness in improving the learners' academic level and in developing their creative tendencies, and whether the design thinking-maker education intervention can help change the learners' stereotypes of engineers. Herein, 136 Year 4 students took a course called Movement of Objects. Traditional instruction and a design thinking-maker education intervention were applied to the control and experimental groups (n = 68 each), respectively. All students underwent an academic pretest and posttest. Stereotypes of engineers were examined through the Draw-an-Engineer Test (DAET). Creative tendencies were investigated through a pretest and posttest questionnaire. Interviews were conducted to obtain course feedback and information on the participants' perceptions of engineers. The significant between-group difference in preexisting knowledge disappeared on the posttest, and the experimental group exhibited a more significant improvement in their academic level (p < 0.01) than did the control group (p < 0.05). Regarding creative tendencies, significant pretest-posttest differences in adventure, curiosity, imagination, and the total score were observed in the experimental group. On the posttest of the DAET, the control group depicted significantly less facial hair but significantly more helmets and symbols of research and knowledge, whereas the experimental group depicted significantly less facial hair but significantly more helmets, symbols, and relevant captions. The design thinking-maker education intervention improved the learners' academic performance, developed their creative tendencies, and changed their stereotypes of engineers.

With the development of information technologies, many learners opt to stay home receiving various forms of online education such as massive open online courses (MOOC). However, many learners and instructors complain that MOOC-based learning effectiveness has been dampened by many factors. Through a meta-analysis using Stata/MP 14.0, this study reveals that MOOC-based learning outcomes can be significantly influenced by eight factors, i.e. behavior intention, learning engagement, students' motivation, perceptions, satisfaction, performance, self-regulation, and social networks across the world. Future research could reveal more influencing factors pivoting on the forum improvements, as well as the effect of social presence on MOOC-based learning outcomes.

Abstract There are several gaps in the field of digital inequity in education because it is still in its initial stage. To fill the research gaps, this study has revealed a complex landscape of problems and solutions. The analysis highlights the urgent need to address digital inequity that prevents equal access to educational resources and opportunities. While the challenges are numerous, the solutions are also diverse. Addressing cultural norms and stereotypes that perpetuate gender-based inequity is crucial, along with investing in gender-sensitive technology and infrastructure. Promoting digital literacy among all learners is also essential to empower them in the digital age. By taking a comprehensive approach that combines policy changes, technological advancements, and educational strategies, we can hope to bridge the digital inequity and create a more equitable and inclusive education system. Future research could highlight cross-cultural and cross-contextual studies, longitudinal studies, and integration of multiple methodologies.

Abstract In recent years, museums have become valuable venues for students to develop career awareness outside of school. However, optimizing the educational potential of museums and improving learners’ outcomes presents a significant challenge in museum learning design. This study integrates three main game elements—goals, stories, and role-playing—into museum visits to design a Gamified Learning Activity (GLA). To verify the effectiveness of the GLA, we conducted a quasi-experiment with 66 elementary school students at the Handicraft Museum. Using a mixed-methods approach with convergent parallel design, we collected quantitative data from knowledge tests and qualitative data from DAST (Draw-a-Scientist-Test) and interviews for a comprehensive analysis. The results showed that learners who participated in the GLA paid more attention to the details of the handicrafts, appreciated the craftsmen more, and eliminated stereotypes about the age of craftsmen. This indicates that the GLA not only enhances learners’ acquisition of museum knowledge but also has a profound impact on their non-cognitive aspects, such as career awareness.

Abstract Kitaev interactions, arising from the interplay of frustration and bond anisotropy, can lead to strong quantum fluctuations and, in an ideal case, to a quantum-spin-liquid state. However, in many nonideal materials, spurious non-Kitaev interactions typically promote a zigzag antiferromagnetic order in the d-orbital transition-metal compounds. Here, by combining neutron scattering with muon-spin rotation and relaxation techniques, we provide mechanism insights into the exotic properties of Na2Co2TeO6, a candidate material of the Kitaev model. Below T N, the zero-field muon-spin relaxation rate becomes almost constant (~0.45 μs−1). We attribute this temperature-independent relaxation rate to the strong quantum fluctuations, as well as to the frustrated Kitaev interactions. As the magnetic field increases, neutron scattering data indicate a broader spin-wave excitation at the K-point. Therefore, quantum fluctuations seem not only robust but are even enhanced by the applied magnetic field. Our findings provide valuable hints for understanding the onset of the quantum-spin-liquid state in Kitaev materials.

Abstract Background Fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) is a systemic inflammatory response caused by the activation of the fetal immune system. The serological diagnostic criterion for fetal inflammatory response syndrome is a cord blood interleukin-6 concentration that exceeds 11 pg/mL, while pathologic evidence indicates the presence of funisitis or chorionic vasculitis. It can affect all systems of the fetus. Alterations in patients’ hematopoietic system are primarily reflected by changes in peripheral blood leukocyte and neutrophil counts. Case presentation We performed placental pathology to identify FIRS and showed two cases of neonatal leukemoid reaction caused by FIRS. These two babies’ alterations in hematopoietic system resolves spontaneously with the inflammation relief, without specific interventions. During the 16‑month and14- month follow‑up period, their motor and intellectual development was normal. Conclusions . Neonatal leukemoid reaction is a reactive disease characterized by abnormal blood parameters similar to those of leukemia, but not leukemia. It is an aberrant hematopoietic response that typically resolves spontaneously with cause relief without requiring specific interventions.

Objective To compare the efficacy of ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block and oral celecoxib for preoperative analgesia in elderly patients with hip fractures. Methods Sixty-eight elderly patients with hip fracture surgery treated at the 908th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force from January 2019 to June 2022 were selected and randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (femoral nerve block) and the control group (oral celecoxib), with 34 cases in each group. The experimental group received a 20 mL 0.3% ropivacaine for femoral nerve block under ultrasound guidance, while the control group was given celecoxib capsules (0.2 g, twice daily). Visual analog scores (VAS) were compared between the two groups at 10 minutes before intervention, 30 minutes after intervention, 2 hours after intervention, and 10 minutes before surgery. Complications such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and adverse drug reactions were also recorded. Results There was no significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups before intervention (P＞0.05). In the experimental group, VAS scores gradually decreased over time (P＜0.05). In the control group, VAS scores at each time point after intervention were lower than before intervention, with a higher score 10 minutes before surgery (3.85±1.11) compared to 2 hours after intervention (3.24±1.02). The experimental group had lower VAS scores at all time points after intervention compared to the control group (P＜0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group(17.6% vs41.2%, χ2=4.53，P＜0.05）. Conclusion Both ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block and oral celecoxib can alleviate preoperative pain in elderly patients with hip fractures, but ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block is safer and can sustain pain relief.

Abstract TP53 mutation (TP53-mut) correlates with inferior survival in many cancers, whereas its prognostic role in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is still in controversy. Therefore, more precise risk stratification needs to be further explored for TP53-mut DLBCL patients. A set of 2637 DLBCL cases from multiple cohorts, was enrolled in our analysis. Among the 2637 DLBCL patients, 14.0% patients (370/2637) had TP53-mut. Since missense mutations account for the vast majority of TP53-mut DLBCL patients, and most non-missense mutations affect the function of the P53 protein, leading to worse survival rates, we distinguished patients with missense mutations. A TP53 missense mutation risk model was constructed based on a 150-combination machine learning computational framework, demonstrating excellent performance in predicting prognosis. Further analysis revealed that patients with high-risk missense mutations are significantly associated with early progression and exhibit dysregulation of multiple immune and metabolic pathways at the transcriptional level. Additionally, the high-risk group showed an absolutely suppressed immune microenvironment. To stratify the entire cohort of TP53-mut DLBCL, we combined clinical characteristics and ultimately constructed the TP53 Prognostic Index (TP53PI) model. In summary, we identified the truly high-risk TP53-mut DLBCL patients and explained this difference at the mutation and transcriptional levels.

Abstract Background We aimed to explore the impact of adherence to Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) metrics on risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and the impact of inflammation on the association, in adults in the United States. Methods Data from 13,825 community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 20 years recruited in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2005–2008, 2015–2018 was analyzed. The LS7 score was calculated based on the AHA definition of LS7 metrics. The diagnosis of OSA was based on self-reported symptoms of sleep disturbance using a standard questionnaire. The Multivariable Apnea Prediction (MAP) Index score was also calculated to assess the risk of OSA. Log-binominal regression and negative binomial regression were performed to estimate the associations between LS7 and OSA and MAP index, with odds ratios (ORs) and prevalence ratios (PRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) calculated. Mediation analysis was performed to estimate the mediating effects of inflammatory indicators on the associations. Results A total of 4473 participants (32.4%) had OSA, and the mean MAP index was 0.39. In fully adjusted log-binominal regression models, with total score 8, respectively (P for trend 8, respectively (P for trend

Abstract Childhood overweight/obesity is a serious problem that has not been adequately addressed. As a key factor affecting weight gain, the association between dietary intake with childhood overweight and obesity is still unclear. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between sociodemographic, lifestyle factors and dietary intake with overweight or obesity. We used data from a large cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The U.S. children aged 6–15 years with both weight data and dietary data were included. For univariate analysis of sociodemographic data, t tests was performed for continuous variables and chi-square tests was performed for discrete variables. Dietary intakes were described by median and quartile, and differences in dietary intake between children with normal weight and children with overweight or obesity were compared by rank sum tests. A modern statistical shrinkage technique, LASSO regression was used to examine the association between dietary intake and childhood obesity. Our study confirms that Hispanic ethnicity, increasing age, passive exposure to smoking, higher protein intake, and higher caffeine intake were positively associated with child overweight or obesity. Additionally, non-Hispanic White race, higher physical activity levels, higher household income, and higher vitamin A intake were negatively associated with child overweight or obesity.

Abstract Follicular lymphoma (FL) exhibits considerable variability in biological features and clinical trajectories across patients. To dissect the diversity of FL, we utilized a Bernoulli mixture model to identify genetic subtypes in 713 pre-treatment tumor tissue samples. Our analysis revealed the existence of five subtypes with unique genetic profiles that correlated with clinicopathological characteristics. The clusters were enriched in specific mutations as follows: CS (CREBBP and STAT6), TT (TNFAIP3 and TP53), GM (GNA13 and MEF2B), Q (quiescent, for low mutation burden), and AR (mutations of mTOR pathway-related genes). The subtype Q was enriched for patients with stage I disease and associated with a lower proliferative history than the other subtypes. The AR subtype was unique in its enrichment for IgM-expressing FL cases and was associated with advanced-stage and more than 4 nodal sites. The existence of subtypes was validated in an independent cohort of 418 samples from the GALLIUM trial. Notably, patients assigned to the TT subtype consistently experienced inferior progression-free survival when treated with immunochemotherapy. Our findings offer insight into core pathways distinctly linked with each FL cluster and are expected to be informative in the era of targeted therapies.

Abstract Sandification can degrade the strength and quality of dolomite, and to a certain extent, compromise the stability of a tunnel's surrounding rock as an unfavorable geological boundary. Sandification degree classification of sandy dolomite is one of the non-trivial challenges faced by geotechnical engineering projects such as tunneling in complex geographical environments. The traditional methods quantitatively measuring the physical parameters or analyzing some visual features are either time-consuming or inaccurate in practical use. To address these issues, we, for the first time, introduce the convolutional neural network (CNN)-based image classification methods into dolomite sandification degree classification task. In this study, we have made a significant contribution by establishing a large-scale dataset comprising 5729 images, classified into four distinct sandification degrees of sandy dolomite. These images were collected from the vicinity of a tunnel located in the Yuxi section of the CYWD Project in China. We conducted comprehensive classification experiments using this dataset. The results of these experiments demonstrate the groundbreaking achievement of CNN-based models, which achieved an impressive accuracy rate of up to 91.4%. This accomplishment underscores the pioneering role of our work in creating this dataset and its potential for applications in complex geographical analyses.

Abstract In this paper, we study the reentrant Hawking–Page transition in the grand canonical ensemble of Gauss–Bonnet AdS spacetime. We find that the four-dimensional Gauss–Bonnet hyperbolic AdS black hole always has a reentrant Hawking–Page transition in the range of electric potential $$0\Phi _{tr}$$ Φ > Φ tr , the Hawking–Page transition disappears. In the spacetime of five and higher dimensional Gauss–Bonnet hyperbolic AdS black hole, the reentrant Hawking–Page transition is solely observed to occur when the electric potential $$\Phi $$ Φ lies between two specific thresholds ( $$\Phi _{c}\Phi _{tr}$$ Φ > Φ tr ). We give the coexistence line, the triple point and critical point of the Hawking–Page transition in the phase diagram of the Gauss–Bonnet hyperbolic AdS black hole. The observed reentrant Hawking–Page transitions and triple points in the context of Gauss–Bonnet hyperbolic AdS black holes may correspond to the phase transitions and triple points in QCD phase diagrams, following the spirit of the AdS/CFT correspondence. To be a complete research, the Hawking–Page transition of d-dimensional charged spherical Gauss–Bonnet-AdS black hole in the grand canonical ensemble is also study in the Appendix, for which there exists a standard Hawking–Page transition with the transition temperature depending on the Gauss–Bonnet constant $$\alpha $$ α .

ABSTRACT Aims/Introduction Diabetes has been related to an increased risk of oral cancer. Nevertheless, the impact of diabetes on the outcome of individuals with oral and oropharyngeal cancer is not clear. In this study, a meta‐analysis was carried out to assess the link between diabetes and the survival of individuals with oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Materials and Methods Relevant cohort studies for the meta‐analysis objective were obtained through searching electronic databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science and Embase. The data were combined using a random effects model that accounted for differences between studies. Results A total of 10 cohorts involving 21,871 patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer were included. Pooled results suggest that compared with those with normoglycemia, oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients with diabetes were associated with a poor overall survival (hazard ratio 1.69, 95% confidence interval 1.29–2.22, P 0.05). In addition, diabetes was also associated with a poor progression‐free survival of patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer (hazard ratio 1.61, 95% confidence interval 1.30–1.99, P

The completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite (CANON) process is significantly hindered by prolonged start-up periods and unstable nitrogen removal efficiency. In this study, a novel umbrella basalt fiber (BF) carrier with good biological affinity and adsorption performance was used to initiate the CANON process. The CANON process was initiated on day 64 in a sequencing batch reactor equipped with umbrella BF carriers. During this period, the influent NH4+-N concentration gradually increased from 100 to 200 mg·L−1, and the dissolved oxygen was controlled below 0.8 mg L−1. Consequently, an average ammonia nitrogen removal efficiency (ARE) and total nitrogen removal efficiency (TNRE) of ∼90 and 80% were achieved, respectively. After 130 days, ARE and TNRE remained stable at 92 and 81.1%, respectively. This indicates a reliable method for achieving rapid start-up and stable operation of the CANON process. Moreover, Candidatus Kuenenia and Candidatus Brocadia were identified as dominant anammox genera on the carrier. Nitrosomonas was the predominant genus among ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. Spatial differences were observed in the microbial population of umbrella BF carriers. This arrangement facilitated autotrophic nitrogen removal in a single reactor. This study indicates that the novel umbrella BF carrier is a highly suitable biocarrier for the CANON process. HIGHLIGHTS The umbrella basalt fiber (BF) carrier CANON reactor achieved rapid start-up and stable operation.; There were spatial distribution differences between AOB and anammox bacteria in the umbrella BF carrier.; Umbrella BF carriers enhance the abundance and diversity of microbial communities.;

Abstract Background RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) is widely used for gene expression profiling and quantification. Quantitative RNA sequencing usually requires cell counting and spike-in, which is not always applicable to many samples. Here, we present a novel quantitative RNA sequencing method independent of spike-ins or cell counting, named siqRNA-seq, which can be used to quantitatively profile gene expression by utilizing gDNA as an internal control. Single-stranded library preparation used in siqRNA-seq profiles gDNA and cDNA with equal efficiency. Results To quantify mRNA expression levels, siqRNA-seq constructs libraries for total nucleic acid to establish a model for expression quantification. Compared to Relative Quantification RNA-seq, siqRNA-seq is technically reliable and reproducible for expression profiling but also can sequence reads from gDNA which can be used as an internal reference for accurate expression quantification. Applying siqRNA-seq to investigate the effects of actinomycin D on gene expression in HEK293T cells, we show the advantages of siqRNA-seq in accurately identifying differentially expressed genes between samples with distinct global mRNA levels. Furthermore, we analyzed factors influencing the downward trend of gene expression regulated by ActD using siqRNA-seq and found that mRNA with m6A modification exhibited a faster decay rate compared to mRNA without m6A modification. Additionally, applying this technique to the quantitative analysis of seven tumor cell lines revealed a high degree of diversity in total mRNA expression among tumor cell lines. Conclusions Collectively, siqRNA-seq is a spike-in independent quantitative RNA sequencing method, which creatively uses gDNA as an internal reference to absolutely quantify gene expression. We consider that siqRNA-seq provides a convenient and versatile method to quantitatively profile the mRNA landscape in various samples.

T-shaped mortise and tenon members are the main structure of traditional Chinese furniture. In this paper, the double-dovetail joint used for face-to-face joint of rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg) is transformed into a new type of double-dovetail joint and rounded double-dovetail joint for T-shaped members of point joint structure. The ultimate pull-out test and bending strength test were carried out on the two structures and three structures of oval mortise, round rod mortise and right angle mortise. The results show that the ultimate pull-out force of the round double-dovetail joint is 39% higher than that of the double-dovetail joint, and the bending resistance capacity is 8.9% higher, and the strength and stability are better than those of other split mortises and tenons, which proves that this structure can be used in actual production, and also proves that the mortise and tenon connected by the surface has the possibility of transforming into a point connection structure. The concave structure of the rounded double-dovetail joint makes the mortise and tenon fit well, the tenon squeezed tight, and a good bonding effect was achieved. This structure can also provide greater friction and resistance, delay rubber adhesive failure and improve the stability.

Abstract Background The limited regenerative capacity of damaged neurons in adult mammals severely restricts neural repair. Although stem cell transplantation is promising, its clinical application remains challenging. Direct reprogramming, which utilizes cell plasticity to regenerate neurons, is an emerging alternative approach. Methods We utilized primary postnatal cortical astrocytes for reprogramming induced neurons (iNs) through the viral-mediated overexpression of the transcription factors Ngn2 and Pax6 (NP). Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) was used to enrich successfully transfected cells, followed by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) using the 10 × Genomics platform for comprehensive transcriptomic analysis. Results The scRNA-seq revealed that NP overexpression led to the differentiation of astrocytes into iNs, with percentages of 36% and 39.3% on days 4 and 7 posttransduction, respectively. CytoTRACE predicted the developmental sequence, identifying astrocytes as the reprogramming starting point. Trajectory analysis depicted the dynamic changes in gene expression during the astrocyte-to-iN transition. Conclusions This study elucidates the molecular dynamics underlying astrocyte reprogramming into iNs, revealing key genes and pathways involved in this process. Our research contributes novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of NP-mediated reprogramming, suggesting avenues for optimizing the efficiency of the reprogramming process.

Abstract Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a serious threat to patients with nosocomial infections, and infection is strongly associated with biofilm formation. Gallic acid (GA) is a natural bioactive compound found in traditional Chinese medicines that exerts potent antimicrobial activity. However, the anti-MRSA biofilm efficacy of GA remained to be determined. This study investigated the antimicrobial activities of GA against MRSA and the mechanisms involved. The results revealed the significant antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of GA. The minimal inhibitory concentration of GA against MRSA was 32 μg/mL and a growth curve assay confirmed the significant inhibitory effect of GA on planktonic MRSA. Crystal violet and XTT assays showed that 8 µg/mL GA effectively inhibited the formation of new biofilms and disrupted existing biofilms by reducing both biofilm biomass and metabolic activities. Alkaline phosphatase and β-galactosidase leakage assays and live/dead staining provided evidence that GA disrupted the integrity of bacterial cell walls and membranes within the biofilm. Scanning electron microscopy observations showed that GA significantly inhibited bacterial adhesion and aggregation, affecting the overall structure of the biofilm. Bacterial adhesion, polysaccharide intercellular adhesion (PIA) production and real-time quantitative PCR assay confirmed that GA inhibited bacterial adhesion, PIA synthesis, and the expression of icaAD and sarA. These results suggested that GA inhibited biofilm formation by inhibiting the expression of sarA, then downregulating the expression of icaA and icaD, thereby reducing the synthesis of PIA to attenuate the adhesion capacity of MRSA. GA is therefore a promising candidate for development as a pharmaceutical agent for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections caused by MRSA.

Abstract Background Infectious keratitis, a significant contributor to blindness, with fungal keratitis accounting for nearly half of cases, poses a formidable diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to its delayed clinical presentation, prolonged culture times, and the limited availability of effective antifungal medications. Furthermore, infections caused by rare fungal strains warrant equal attention in the management of this condition. Case presentation A case of fungal keratitis was presented, where corneal scraping material culture yielded pink colonies. Lactophenol cotton blue staining revealed distinctive spore formation consistent with the Fusarium species. Further analysis using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) identified the causative agent as Fusarium proliferatum. However, definitive diagnosis of Pseudonectria foliicola infection was confirmed through ITS sequencing. The patient’s recovery was achieved with a combination therapy of voriconazole eye drops and itraconazole systemic treatment. Conclusion Pseudonectria foliicola is a plant pathogenic bacterium that has never been reported in human infections before. Therefore, ophthalmologists should consider Pseudonectria foliicola as a possible cause of fungal keratitis, as early identification and timely treatment can help improve vision in most eyes.

Abstract Objective To investigate any connections between urinary organophosphorus pesticide (OPP) metabolites and adiposity measures. Methods In this study, data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) projects from 2003 to 2008, 2011 to 2012, and 2015 to 2018 were analysed. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher. Abdominal obesity was defined as a waist circumference (WC) over 102 cm for men and 88 cm for women. Four urinary OPP metabolites (dimethyl phosphate [DMP], diethyl phosphate [DEP], dimethyl phosphorothioate [DMTP], and diethyl phosphorothioate [DETP]) and adiposity measures were examined using multiple linear regression and logistic regression analyses. The correlations between a variety of urinary OPP metabolites and the prevalence of obesity were investigated using weighted quantile sum regression and quantile g-computation regression. Results In this analysis, a total of 9,505 adults were taken into account. There were 49.81% of male participants, and the average age was 46.00 years old. The median BMI and WC of the subjects were 27.70 kg/m2 and 97.10 cm, respectively. Moreover, 35.60% of the participants were obese, and 54.42% had abdominal obesity. DMP, DMTP, and DETP were discovered to have a negative correlation with WC and BMI in the adjusted models. DMP (OR = 0.93 [95% CI: 0.89–0.98]), DEP (OR = 0.94 [95% CI: 0.90–0.99]), DMTP (OR = 0.91 [95% CI: 0.86–0.95]), and DETP (OR = 0.85 [95% CI: 0.80–0.90]) exhibited negative associations with obesity prevalence. Similar correlations between the prevalence of abdominal obesity and the urine OPP metabolites were discovered. Moreover, the mixture of urinary OPP metabolites showed negative associations with adiposity measures, with DMTP and DETP showing the most significant effects. Conclusion Together, higher levels of urinary OPP metabolites in the urine were linked to a decline in the prevalence of obesity.

Abstract Background Generalized anxiety (GA) is showing a high prevalence among adolescents nowadays; investigations on influencing factors and potential mechanisms are important to inform intervention development. The present two-wave study investigated the ways in which family functioning predicted GA six months later among adolescents, by considering the mediating role of self-identity and cognitive flexibility. Methods Adolescents were recruited from 27 randomly selected classes in two secondary schools in Chongqing and Fujian Province, China. Survey questionnaires assessing family functioning, self-identity, cognitive flexibility and GA were obtained from 1223 adolescents (M age = 13.14, SD = 1.35) at two time points of the 6-month interval. Results The association between family functioning (T1) and GA (T2) was significant (r= -0.152, p

Abstract Background Alternaria alternata is the primary pathogen of potato leaf spot disease, resulting in significant potato yield losses globally. Endophytic microorganism-based biological control, especially using microorganisms from host plants, has emerged as a promising and eco-friendly approach for managing plant diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to isolate, identify and characterize the endophytic fungi from healthy potato leaves which had great antifungal activity to the potato leaf spot pathogen of A. alternata in vitro and in vivo. Results An endophytic fungal strain SD1-4 was isolated from healthy potato leaves and was identified as Talaromyces muroii through morphological and sequencing analysis. The strain SD1-4 exhibited potent antifungal activity against the potato leaf spot pathogen A. alternata Lill, with a hyphal inhibition rate of 69.19%. Microscopic and scanning electron microscope observations revealed that the strain SD1-4 grew parallel to, coiled around, shrunk and deformed the mycelia of A. alternata Lill. Additionally, the enzyme activities of chitinase and β-1, 3-glucanase significantly increased in the hyphae of A. alternata Lill when co-cultured with the strain SD1-4, indicating severe impairment of the cell wall function of A. alternata Lill. Furthermore, the mycelial growth and conidial germination of A. alternata Lill were significantly suppressed by the aseptic filtrate of the strain SD1-4, with inhibition rates of 79.00% and 80.67%, respectively. Decrease of leaf spot disease index from 78.36 to 37.03 was also observed in potato plants treated with the strain SD1-4, along with the significantly increased plant growth characters including plant height, root length, fresh weight, dry weight, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate of potato seedlings. Conclusion The endophyte fungus of T. muroii SD1-4 isolated from healthy potato leaves in the present study showed high biocontrol potential against potato leaf spot disease caused by A. alternata via direct parasitism or antifungal metabolites, and had positive roles in promoting potato plant growth.

Abstract We previously identified that serum EFNA1 and MMP13 were potential biomarker for early detection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In this study, our aim is to explore the diagnostic value of serum EFNA1 and MMP13 for gastric cancer. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the expression levels of serum EFNA1 and MMP13 in 210 GCs and 223 normal controls. The diagnostic value of EFNA1 and MMP13 was evaluated in an independent cohorts of GC patients and normal controls (n = 238 and 195, respectively). Receiver operating characteristics were used to calculate diagnostic accuracy. In training and validation cohorts, serum EFNA1 and MMP13 levels in the GC groups were significantly higher than those in the normal controls (P

Objetive: Culturing liquid hyphae with Hericium erinaceus pure strain. The medium was optimized to increase the content of Hericium erinaceus mycelium phenolic extracts. The composition of Hericium erinaceus mycelium phenolic extracts was analyzed, and the effects of phenolic extracts from Hericium erinaceus mycelium on lactic acid bacteria were also studied. Methods: Orthogonal design was used to study the effect on the total phenol content in liquid mycelium, and HPD-826 macroporous adsorption resin was used to purify it, and then HPLC-MS was used to determine its composition. Finally, adding the purified product to the lactic acid bacteria culture mediumm, and detected the effect on the number of viable lactic acid bacteria and its acid-production ability. Results: When the carbon source potato was 14%, nitrogen source peptone was 2% and inorganic salt MgSO4 was 0.3%, the total phenol content of Hericium erinaceus mycelium reached 0.783 mg/g. Sixteen monomeric phenols were identified from the phenolic extract of Hericium erinaceus mycelium, accounting for 88.27%. The main monomeric phenols were gallic acid-O-glucoside, p-coumaric acid-O-gallic acid glucoside, ferulic acid, catechin benzyl sulfide, gallic acid and caffeic acid. Adding phenol extraction solution from Hericium erinaceus mycelium to MRS medium of Lactobacilluscasei, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Streptococcus intestinalis could increase the number of viable bacteria of three kinds of lactic acid bacteria. Conclusion: Phenolic extract from Hericium erinaceus mycelium can promote the growth of lactic acid bacteria and provide new resource raw materials for functional food.

Abstract. Background:. Although the treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) has undergone advancements during the past several years, the response rate and long-term effects with respect to patients with PTCL remain unsatisfactory—particularly for relapsed or refractory (R/R) patients. This phase II trial was designed to explore the efficacy and safety of an all-oral regimen of chidamide plus prednisone, cyclophosphamide, and thalidomide (CPCT) for R/R PTCL patients who could not tolerate the standard chemotherapy for a variety of reasons. Methods:. We conducted a multicenter phase II clinical trial in which we combined chidamide (30 mg twice weekly) with prednisone (20 mg daily after breakfast), cyclophosphamide (50 mg daily after lunch), and thalidomide (100 mg daily at bedtime) (the CPCT regimen) for a total of fewer than 12 cycles as an induction-combined treatment period, and then applied chidamide as single-drug maintenance. Forty-five patients were ultimately enrolled from August 2016 to April 2021 with respect to Chinese patients at nine centers. Our primary objective was to assess the overall response rate (ORR) after the treatment with CPCT. Results:. Of the 45 enrolled patients, the optimal ORR and complete response (CR)/CR unconfirmed (CRu) were 71.1% (32/45) and 28.9% (13/45), respectively, and after a median follow-up period of 56 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 8.5 months and 17.2 months, respectively. The five-year PFS and OS rates were 21.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.9–34.5%) and 43.8% (95% CI, 28.3–59.3%), respectively. The most common adverse event was neutropenia (20/45, 44.4%), but we observed no treatment-related death. Conclusion:. The all-oral CPCT regimen was an effective and safe regimen for R/R PTCL patients who could not tolerate standard chemotherapy for various reasons. Trial Registration:. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02879526.

Abstract Background Fish reproduction, development and growth are directly affected by temperature, investigating the regulatory mechanisms behind high temperature stress is helpful to construct a finer molecular network. In this study, we systematically analyzed the transcriptome and miRNA information of American shad (Alosa sapidissima) liver tissues at different cultivation temperatures of 24 ℃ (Low), 27 ℃ (Mid) and 30 ℃ (High) based on a high-throughput sequencing platform. Results The results showed that there were 1594 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 660 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) in the LowLi vs. MidLi comparison group, 473 DEGs and 84 DEMs in the MidLi vs. HighLi group, 914 DEGs and 442 DEMs in the LowLi vs. HighLi group. These included some important genes and miRNAs such as calr, hsp90b1, hsp70, ssa-miR-125a-3p, ssa-miR-92b-5p, dre-miR-15a-3p and novel-m1018-5p. The DEGs were mainly enriched in the protein folding, processing and export pathways of the endoplasmic reticulum; the target genes of the DEMs were mainly enriched in the focal adhesion pathway. Furthermore, the association analysis revealed that the key genes were mainly enriched in the metabolic pathway. Interestingly, we found a significant increase in the number of genes and miRNAs involved in the regulation of heat stress during the temperature change from 24 °C to 27 °C. In addition, we examined the tissue expression characteristics of some key genes and miRNAs by qPCR, and found that calr, hsp90b1 and dre-miR-125b-2-3p were significantly highly expressed in the liver at 27 ℃, while novel-m0481-5p, ssa-miR-125a-3p, ssa-miR-92b-5p, dre-miR-15a-3p and novel-m1018-5p had the highest expression in the heart at 30℃. Finally, the quantitative expression trends of 10 randomly selected DEGs and 10 DEMs were consistent with the sequencing data, indicating the reliability of the results. Conclusions In summary, this study provides some fundamental data for subsequent in-depth research into the molecular regulatory mechanisms of A. sapidissima response to heat stress, and for the selective breeding of high temperature tolerant varieties.

Abstract The intelligent appearance quality classification method for Auricularia auricula is of great significance to promote this industry. This paper proposes an appearance quality classification method for Auricularia auricula based on the improved Faster Region-based Convolutional Neural Networks (improved Faster RCNN) framework. The original Faster RCNN is improved by establishing a multiscale feature fusion detection model to improve the accuracy and real-time performance of the model. The multiscale feature fusion detection model makes full use of shallow feature information to complete target detection. It fuses shallow features with rich detailed information with deep features rich in strong semantic information. Since the fusion algorithm directly uses the existing information of the feature extraction network, there is no additional calculation. The fused features contain more original detailed feature information. Therefore, the improved Faster RCNN can improve the final detection rate without sacrificing speed. By comparing with the original Faster RCNN model, the mean average precision (mAP) of the improved Faster RCNN is increased by 2.13%. The average precision (AP) of the first-level Auricularia auricula is almost unchanged at a high level. The AP of the second-level Auricularia auricula is increased by nearly 5%. And the third-level Auricularia auricula AP is increased by 1%. The improved Faster RCNN improves the frames per second from 6.81 of the original Faster RCNN to 13.5. Meanwhile, the influence of complex environment and image resolution on the Auricularia auricula detection is explored.

Abstract Ultrafine secondary marine aerosol (

Abstract Adipose tissue development begins in the fetal period, and continues to expand after birth. Dysregulation of adipose tissue during weaning may predispose individuals to lifelong metabolic disorders. However, the developmental remodeling of adipose tissue during weaning remains largely unexplored. Here we comprehensively compare the changes in mouse subcutaneous white adipose tissue from 7 days after birth to 7 days after weaning using single-cell RNA sequencing along with other molecular and histologic assays. We characterize the developmental trajectory of preadipocytes and indicate the commitment of preadipocytes with beige potential during weaning. Meanwhile, we find immune cells unique to weaning period, whose expression of extracellular matrix proteins implies potential regulation on preadipocyte. Finally, the strongest cell-cell interaction during weaning determined by the TGFβ ligand-receptor pairs is between preadipocytes and endotheliocytes. Our results provide a detailed and unbiased cellular landscape and offer insights into the potential regulation of adipose tissue remodeling during weaning.

Abstract Growing evidence indicates that extreme heat and rain may occur in succession within short time periods and cause greater impacts than individual events separated in time and space. Therefore, many studies have examined the impacts of compound hazard events on the social-ecological system at various scales. The definition of compound events is fundamental for such research. However, there are no existing studies that support the determination of time interval between individual events of a compound rainstorm and heatwave (CRH) event, which consists of two or more potentially qualifying component heatwave and rainstorm events. To address the deficiency in defining what individual events can constitute a CRH event, this study proposed a novel method to determine the maximum time interval for CRH events through the change in CRH event frequency with increasing time interval between individual events, using southern China as a case study. The results show that the threshold identified by the proposed method is reasonable. For more than 90% of the meteorological stations, the frequency of CRH events has reached a maximum when the time interval is less than or equal to the threshold. This study can aid in time interval selection, which is an important step for subsequent study of CRH events.

Abstract Background Liver disease and dementia are both highly prevalent and share common pathological mechanisms. We aimed to investigate the associations between metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and the risk of all-cause and cause-specific dementia. Methods We conducted a prospective study with 403,506 participants from the UK Biobank. Outcomes included all-cause dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and vascular dementia. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used for analyses. Results 155,068 (38.4%) participants had MAFLD, and 111,938 (27.7%) had MASLD at baseline. During a median follow-up of 13.7 years, 5,732 participants developed dementia (2,355 Alzheimer’s disease and 1,274 vascular dementia). MAFLD was associated with an increased risk of vascular dementia (HR 1.32 [95% CI 1.18–1.48]) but a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease (0.92 [0.84–1.0]). Differing risks emerged among MAFLD subtypes, with the diabetes subtype increasing risk of all-cause dementia (1.8 [1.65–1.96]), vascular dementia (2.95 [2.53–3.45]) and Alzheimer’s disease (1.46 [1.26–1.69]), the lean metabolic disorder subtype only increasing vascular dementia risk (2.01 [1.25–3.22]), whereas the overweight/obesity subtype decreasing risk of Alzheimer’s disease (0.83 [0.75–0.91]) and all-cause dementia (0.9 [0.84–0.95]). MASLD was associated with an increased risk of vascular dementia (1.24 [1.1–1.39]) but not Alzheimer’s disease (1.0 [0.91–1.09]). The effect of MAFLD on vascular dementia was consistent regardless of MASLD presence, whereas associations with Alzheimer’s disease were only present in those without MASLD (0.78 [0.67–0.91]). Conclusions MAFLD and MASLD are associated with an increased risk of vascular dementia, with subtype-specific variations observed in dementia risks. Further research is needed to refine MAFLD and SLD subtyping and explore the underlying mechanisms contributing to dementia risk.

Abstract Purpose Symptom assessment based on patient-reported outcome (PRO) can correlate with disease severity, making it a potential tool for threshold alerts of postoperative complications. This study aimed to determine whether shortness of breath (SOB) scores on the day of discharge could predict the development of post-discharge complications in patients who underwent lung cancer surgery. Methods Patients were from a study of a dynamic perioperative rehabilitation cohort of lung cancer patients focusing on patient-reported outcomes. Patients were assessed using the Perioperative Symptom Assessment Scale for Lung surgery (PSA-Lung). Logistic regression model was used to examine the potential association between SOB on the day of discharge and complications within 3 months after discharge. The post-discharge complications were taken as the anchor variable to determine the optimal cutpoint for SOB on the day of discharge. Results Complications within 3 months post-discharge occurred in 71 (10.84%) of 655 patients. Logistic regression analysis revealed that being female (OR 1.764, 95% CI 1.006–3.092, P

The cuticular wax, acting as the ultimate defense barrier, is essential for the normal morphogenesis of plant organs. Despite this importance, the connection between wax composition and leaf development has not been thoroughly explored. In this study, we characterized a new maize mutant, ragged leaf4 (rgd4), which exhibits crinkled and ragged leaves starting from the sixth leaf stage. The phenotype of rgd4 is conferred by ZmCER1, which encoding an aldehyde decarbonylase involved in wax biosynthesis. ZmCER1 function deficient mutant displayed reduced cuticular wax density and disordered bulliform cells (BCs), while ZmCER1 overexpressing plants exhibited the opposite effects, indicating that ZmCER1 regulates cuticular wax biosynthesis and BCs development. Additionally, as the density of cuticular wax increased, the water loss rate of detached leaf decreases, suggesting that ZmCER1 is positively correlated with plant drought tolerance.

Abstract Background Tumor hypoxia is associated with prostate cancer (PCa) treatment resistance and poor prognosis. Pimonidazole (PIMO) is an investigational hypoxia probe used in clinical trials. A better understanding of the clinical significance and molecular alterations underpinning PIMO-labeled tumor hypoxia is needed for future clinical application. Here, we investigated the clinical significance and molecular alterations underpinning PIMO-labeled tumor hypoxia in patients with localized PCa, in order to apply PIMO as a prognostic tool and to identify potential biomarkers for future clinical translation. Methods A total of 39 patients with localized PCa were recruited and administered oral PIMO before undergoing radical prostatectomy (RadP). Immunohistochemical staining for PIMO was performed on 37 prostatectomy specimens with staining patterns evaluated and clinical association analyzed. Whole genome bisulfite sequencing was performed using laser-capture of microdissected specimen sections comparing PIMO positive and negative tumor areas. A hypoxia related methylation molecular signature was generated by integrating the differentially methylated regions with previously established RNA-seq datasets. Results Three PIMO staining patterns were distinguished: diffuse, focal, and comedo-like. The comedo-like staining pattern was more commonly associated with adverse pathology. PIMO-defined hypoxia intensity was positively correlated with advanced pathologic stage, tumor invasion, and cribriform and intraductal carcinoma morphology. The generated DNA methylation signature was found to be a robust hypoxia biomarker, which could risk-stratify PCa patients across multiple clinical datasets, as well as be applicable in other cancer types. Conclusions Oral PIMO unveiled clinicopathologic features of disease aggressiveness in localized PCa. The generated DNA methylation signature is a novel and robust hypoxia biomarker that has the potential for future clinical translation.

Abstract Purpose Symptom assessment is central to appropriate adenomyosis management. Using a WeChat mini-program-based portal, we aimed to establish a valid symptom assessment scale of adenomyosis (AM-SAS) to precisely and timely identify needs of symptom management and ultimately, to alert disease recurrence. Methods A combination of intensive interviews of patients with adenomyosis and natural language processing on WeChat clinician-patient group communication was used to generate a pool of symptom items-related to adenomyosis. An expert panel shortened the list to form the provisional AM-SAS. The AM-SAS was built in a Wechat mini-programmer and sent to patients to exam the psychotically validity and clinical applicability through classic test theory and item response theory. Results Total 338 patients with adenomyosis (29 for interview, 179 for development, and 130 for external validation) and 86 gynecologists were included. The over 90% compliance to the WeChat-based symptom evaluate. The AM-SAS demonstrated the uni-dimensionality through Rasch analysis, good internal consistency (all Cronbach’s alphas above 0.8), and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.65 to 0.84). Differences symptom severity score between patients in the anemic and normal hemoglobin groups (3.04 ± 3.17 vs. 5.68 ± 3.41, P

Abstract Tropical cyclones (TCs) and their associated intense rainfall are among the most significant natural disasters. Exploring the characteristics of tropical cyclone precipitation (TCP) has always been a challenging issue in TC research. This study utilized the TC track data from the International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship and precipitation data from the multi-source weighted-ensemble precipitation covering the years 1980–2019, to examine shifts in precipitation rates and peak precipitation levels before and after TC landfall. The results highlight several key findings: (1) Precipitation during the TC landfall process is relatively stable beforehand but tends to decrease slightly after landfall. Generally, the maximum precipitation occurs during the landfall. (2) From 1980 to 2019, the rate of precipitation changes before landfall has significantly increased. Conversely, after the year 2000, the rate of precipitation changes after landfall has significantly decreased. (3) Over the past 40 years, while peak precipitation levels of landfalling TCs have remained relatively constant, the total precipitation has shown an increasing trend, particularly in regions like the main island of Hainan, southern Zhejiang, and Shanghai, which are characterized by high peak precipitation. The results help clarify the TC processes and provide reference points for parameter selection in regional TCP modeling.

Abstract Water eutrophication has emerged as a pressing concern for massive algal blooms, and these harmful blooms can potentially generate harmful toxins, which can detrimentally impact the aquatic environment and human health. Consequently, it is imperative to identify a safe and efficient approach to combat algal blooms to safeguard the ecological safety of water. This study aimed to investigate the procedure for extracting total flavonoids from Z. bungeanum residue and assess its antioxidant properties. The most favorable parameters for extracting total flavonoids from Z. bungeanum residue were a liquid–solid ratio (LSR) of 20 mL/g, a solvent concentration of 60%, an extraction period of 55 min, and an ultrasonic temperature of 80 °C. Meanwhile, the photosynthetic inhibitory mechanism of Z. bungeanum residue extracts against M. aeruginosa was assessed with a particular focus on the concentration-dependent toxicity effect. Z. bungeanum residue extracts damaged the oxygen-evolving complex structure, influenced energy capture and distribution, and inhibited the electron transport of PSII in M. aeruginosa. Furthermore, the enhanced capacity for ROS detoxification enables treated cells to sustain their photosynthetic activity. The findings of this study hold considerable relevance for the ecological management community and offer potential avenues for the practical utilization of resources in controlling algal blooms.

Abstract Precipitation from tropical cyclones (TCs) can cause massive damage from inland floods and is becoming more intense under a warming climate. However, knowledge gaps still exist in changes of spatial patterns in heavy TC precipitation. Here we define a metric, DIST30, as the mean radial distance from centers of clustered heavy rainfall cells (> 30 mm/3 h) to TC center, representing the footprint of heavy TC precipitation. There is significant global increase in DIST30 at a rate of 0.34 km/year. Increases of DIST30 cover 59.87% of total TC impact areas, with growth especially strong in the Western North Pacific, Northern Atlantic, and Southern Pacific. The XGBoost machine learning model showed that monthly DIST30 variability is majorly controlled by TC maximum wind speed, location, sea surface temperature, vertical wind shear, and total water column vapor. TC poleward migration in the Northern Hemisphere contributes substantially to the DIST30 upward trend globally.