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Using surfactants to improve the particle size of Arctium lappa L. polysaccharides, and the optimal process conditions were obtained by single factor and response surface method. The structure of Arctium lappa L. polysaccharides before and after improvement was characterized by UV, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), particle size, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the optimal process conditions for improving the particle size of Arctium lappa L. polysaccharides were as follows: The surfactant was Tween-80, the concentration was 0.5%, the vortex time was 16 s, and the pH was 5.67, under these conditions, the particle size of Arctium lappa L. polysaccharides was 6.19±0.14 nm. FT-IR analysis showed that the modification with surfactants did not change the structure of Arctium lappa L. polysaccharides. The UV spectrum showed a slight fluctuation at 280 nm, which might be attributed to the UV absorption of surfactants in this wave band. The particle size analysis showed that the grain size of improved Arctium lappa L. polysaccharides decreased significantly compared with unimprovement. The scanning electron microscopy results showed that the improved Arctium lappa L. polysaccharides exhibited a more ordered spherical structure and more uniform sizes. This study can provide a theoretical basis for the preparation of a polysaccharide system with controlled particle size.

Coal is a mixture of organic macerals and minerals. The presence of minerals can lead to differences in the macromolecular structure of coal, resulting in significant heterogeneity in its mechanical properties, which in turn affects the overall coalbed methane production, fracturing and transformation effects, and the large-scale application of mature technologies within the block. Taking typical anthracite and kaolinite minerals from the Qinshui Basin as the research object, the influence of kaolinite and its content on the mechanical properties of anthracite is quantitatively studied through molecular dynamics methods. The molecular structure and pore characteristics of anthracite under different mineral contents are analyzed, and its microscopic mechanism is revealed from the perspective of energy and ordering. The results indicate that: ① There are both van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding forces during the binding process between coal organic matter and kaolinite, and the intensity of hydrogen bonding is higher than that of van der Waals forces. The probability, interaction strength, and orderliness of kaolinite molecules appearing around coal organic matter increase with the increase of mineral content. ② The porosity of anthracite decreases linearly with the increase of kaolinite content, with φ=−0.229 3a+9.629 5, while the bulk modulus, elastic modulus, and shear modulus of anthracite all increase linearly with the increase of kaolinite content. The Poisson’s ratio decreases exponentially with the increase of kaolinite content. ③ The degree of mechanical heterogeneity of anthracite increases overall with the increase of kaolinite content. The variability of bulk modulus, elastic modulus, and shear modulus under different kaolinite contents can be divided into five parts: very low, low, medium, high, and very high. The coefficient of variation of Poisson's ratio is all less than 0.1, indicating very low variability. ④ As the content of kaolinite increases, the interaction energy between coal organic matter and kaolinite shows a linear increase (Einteraction=4.558 5a+443.929). Compared with pure organic matter, when the content of kaolinite reaches 20%, the bond energy and van der Waals energy of anthracite increase by 63.86% and 48.06%, respectively. ⑤ The internal reason why kaolinite enhances the mechanical properties of coal is that it occupies a certain pore space after entering the coal organic matter and interacts with the aromatic carbon skeleton and different functional groups of the coal organic matter. The higher the content of kaolinite, the greater the degree of filling the pores of the coal macromolecular structure and the energy of the coal macromolecular structure, resulting in a decrease in the porosity of the coal macromolecular structure, an increase in orderliness, and an increase in mechanical strength and resistance to deformation.

Abstract BackgroundAmblyopia is a common cause of visual impairment in children. Compliance with traditional treatments for amblyopia is challenging due to negative psychosocial impacts. Recent shifts in amblyopia treatment have moved from suppressing the dominant eye to enhancing binocular visual function. Binocular digital therapy has become a promising approach. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of binocular gamified digital therapy on visual acuity and stereoacuity (SA) in children with unilateral amblyopia. MethodsThis pilot prospective study enrolled 11 children aged 4-6 years with unilateral amblyopia. Following at least 8 weeks of refractive correction, participants underwent binocular gamified digital therapy for 60 minutes per day, 5 days a week. The therapy used a roguelike shooting game delivered under binocular conditions through two independent channels with a real-time artificial intelligence visual engine. Assessments of distance visual acuity (DVA), near visual acuity (NVA), and SA were conducted at baseline and again at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. ResultsAt 12 weeks, the following significant improvements were noted: amblyopic eye DVA improved by 1.0 line (PdPdPdPdPd ConclusionsBinocular gamified digital therapy is effective and safe for improving visual outcomes in children aged 4-6 years with unilateral amblyopia.

Abstract Background The combination of anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors and tyrosine kinase inhibitors is an effective treatment strategy in endometrial cancer. We aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of camrelizumab plus apatinib as an alternative therapeutic option in patients with previously treated endometrial cancer. Methods This single-arm Simon’s two-stage phase II trial was conducted at the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. Patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer who had failed at least one prior systemic therapy were screened for potential participation. Eligible patients were treated with intravenous camrelizumab (200 mg d1 q2w) and oral apatinib (250 mg qd) every 4 weeks. The primary end point was the objective response rate (ORR) per RECIST v1.1 in the intention-to-treat principle. Results Between January 20, 2020, and October 14, 2022, 36 patients (29 with microsatellite stability/mismatch repair proficient [MSS/pMMR] tumors; two with microsatellite instability-high/mismatch repair deficient [MSI-H/dMMR] tumors) were enrolled and treated. The confirmed ORR was 44.4% (95% CI: 27.9, 61.9) and the disease control rate was 91.7% (95% CI: 77.5, 98.2). The median duration of response was 9.3 (95% CI: 4.3, not reached) months, the median progression-free survival was 6.2 (95% CI: 5.3, 11.1) months, and the median overall survival was 21.0 (95% CI: 13.4, not reached) months during a median follow-up of 14.2 (interquartile range: 10.3, 27.6) months. Treatment-related adverse events of grade 3 or 4 occurred in 20 (55.6%) patients, with the most common being increased γ-glutamyl transferase (27.8%), alanine aminotransferase (16.7%) and aspartate aminotransferase (13.9%), and hypertension (11.1%). No treatment-related death occurred. Conclusions Camrelizumab plus apatinib showed promising antitumor activity with manageable toxicity in patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer who had failed at least one prior systemic therapy. The findings of this study support further investigation of camrelizumab plus apatinib as an alternative therapeutic option, especially for patients with MSS/pMMR tumors. Trial registration This trial was retrospectively registered with ChiCTR.org.cn, number ChiCTR2000031932.

Abstract Sodium is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health, especially in relation to heart failure. The impact of baseline serum sodium concentrations on the outcomes of newly diagnosed coronary heart disease (CHD) without heart failure remains unclear. This prospective cohort study included 681 patients who were newly diagnosed with CHD. Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis were used to assess the relationship between serum sodium concentrations and major adverse cardiovascular events. The improvement in traditional prediction models by the addition of serum sodium concentrations was assessed using changes in the C-statistic, net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). During a median follow-up of 51.04 months (IQR: 40.88–53.80 months), 131 events were recorded. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models showed that the L2 group (136–138.9 mmol/L) had the highest MACE risk. Compared to L2, the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the L1 (130–135.9 mmol/L), L3 (139–140.9 mmol/L), L4 (141–142.9 mmol/L), and L5 (143–147.0 mmol/L) groups were 0.31 (0.14–0.70, P = 0.005), 0.48 (030–0.78, P = 0.003), 0.56 (0.34–0.92, P = 0.022), and 0.37 (0.22–0.64, P

Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease that can lead to respiratory failure. Many types of cells are involved in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. This study utilized quantitative proteomics to investigate the mechanism of TGF-β-induced fibrosis-like changes in mouse epithelial cells. Our findings revealed that TGF-β significantly impacted biological processes related to the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrion, and ribonucleoprotein complex. Pull-down assay coupled with proteomics identified 114 proteins that may directly interact with TGF-β, and their functions were related to mitochondria, translation, ubiquitin ligase conjugation, mRNA processing, and actin binding. Among them, 17 molecules were also found in different expression proteins (DEPs) of quantitative proteomic, such as H1F0, MED21, SDF2L1, DAD1, and TMX1. Additionally, TGF-β decreased the folded structure and the number of ribosomes in the endoplasmic reticulum and increased the expression of key proteins in the unfolded protein response, including HRD1, PERK, and ERN1. Overall, our study suggested that TGF-β induced fibrotic changes in mouse lung epithelial cells by ER stress and initiated the unfolded protein response through the PRKCSH/IRE1 and PERK/GADD34/CHOP signaling pathways.

The pore throat size, structure distribution, and lithology of porous media in gas reservoirs are varied, and the gas-water two-phase seepage law is complex, making it difficult to describe the seepage model. Newton's law of motion is a basic law of motion in classical mechanics, and its application in gas-water two-phase seepage modeling is an innovative practice of classical mechanics in seepage mechanics systems. Based on Newton's three laws of motion, a gas-water two-phase seepage model was established from the force analysis of fluid, and the relationship between velocity and pressure difference, pipe radius, water film thickness, viscosity, etc. was derived under the condition that the model reached a stable state, i.e., force balance. The relationship is referred to as the steady-state model. Subsequently. the equivalent permeability representation model was derived based on the steady-state model to calculate the permeability of rock samples with different channel distribution characteristics. The results were consistent with the measured values, and there is a good correspondence between channel distribution characteristics and permeability. The relative permeability calculation method was established based on the steady-state model and capillary pressure curve. The obtained relative permeability curve aligned with the two-phase seepage law and coincides with the relative permeability curve obtained by Poiseuille's law. Finally, a new productivity equation was derived based on the steady-state model, and the Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) curve calculated by the gas well example was consistent with the traditional equation. The research results were based on the force analysis of fluid in porous media and fundamentally explored the law of fluid flow. The derived seepage model can be used to calculate reservoir permeability, the gas-water relative permeability curve, and gas well productivity analysis and to effectively guide gas reservoir development. The study was a successful application of the basic theory of mechanics in gas-water two-phase seepage in gas reservoirs.

The disparity between human and machine perception of spatial information presents a challenge for machines to accurately sense their surroundings and improve target detection performance. Cross-modal data fusion emerges as a potential solution to enhance the perceptual capabilities of systems. This article introduces a novel spatial perception method that integrates dual-modality feature fusion and coupled attention mechanisms to validate the improvement in detection performance through cross-modal information fusion. The proposed approach incorporates cross-modal feature extraction through a multi-scale feature extraction structure employing a dual-flow architecture. Additionally, a transformer is integrated for feature fusion, while the information perception of the detection system is optimized through the utilization of a linear combination of loss functions. Experimental results demonstrate the superiority of our algorithm over single-modality target detection using visible images, exhibiting an average accuracy improvement of 30.4%. Furthermore, our algorithm outperforms single-modality infrared image detection by 3.0% and comparative multimodal target detection algorithms by 3.5%. These results validate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm in fusing dual-band features, significantly enhancing target detection accuracy. The adaptability and robustness of our approach are showcased through these results.

Herein, burdock polysaccharide (BP) and modified burdock polysaccharide (MBP) were prepared, followed by the fabrication of chlorogenic acid (CA)-BP, CA-MBP, isochlorogenic acid A (ICA)-BP, and ICA-MBP nanoparticles. Afterward, the structural characteristics, physical stability, digestive characteristics, and antioxidant activity of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-damaged HepaRG cells were evaluated. The result indicated that the loading capacities of CA in BP-CA and MBP-CA were 0.14 and 0.53 μg/mg, respectively. Conversely, the loading capacities of ICA in BP-ICA and MBP-ICA were 0.36 and 0.60 μg/mg, respectively. Four complex nanoparticles exhibited excellent physical stability under different pH values, temperatures, and ionic concentrations, especially MBP-CA and MBP-ICA. Moreover, four complex nanoparticles could protect caffeoylquinic acid from being released in gastric fluid. All six samples exhibited high antioxidant activity in H2O2-induced HepaRG cells, especially BP and MBP-CA. These findings indicated that caffeoylquinic acid–polysaccharide complexes were successfully prepared and highlighted the potential of polysaccharides as natural carriers for hydrophobic bioactive molecules.

The present study aimed to modify the structure of ginger peel polysaccharides (GPPs) with Cr (III) and to evaluate the in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of the GPPs and GPP-Cr (III) complexes and their underlying mechanisms. The response surface methodology optimized the preparation process to a GPPs-Cr (III) mass ratio of 1:0.06, a temperature of 60 °C, and a pH of 6.8, with the greatest chelation rate of 91.1%. The modification of Cr (III) increased the molecular weight and altered the glucose proportion of the GPPs, through targeting the O–H of hydroxyl groups and affecting the C–O/O–C–O structures. The GPP-Cr (III) complexes had a similar crystallinity and conformation to the parent polysaccharides, but were more thermally stable than the GPPs (in the region of < 130 °C and > 332 °C). In CuSO4-induced inflammation in zebrafish, the GPP-Cr (III) complexes (dose: 50 and 100 μg/mL) showed significantly stronger anti-inflammatory activity than the GPPs did via down-regulating the expression of relevant transcription factors and cytokines in the MyD88/NF-κB/MAPK/iNOS signaling pathway. Therefore, GPP-Cr (III) complexes might be promising dietary formulations with anti-inflammatory effects, Cr (III) supplements, or functional food components, which substantially facilitated the high-value utilization of ginger peel by-products.

Abstract Theoretical predictions of the ideal strength of materials range from E/30 to E/10 (E is Young’s modulus). However, despite intense interest over the last decade, the value of the ideal strength achievable through experiments for metals remains a mystery. This study showcases the remarkable spall strength of Cu50Zr50 amorphous alloy that exceeds the E/10 limit at strain rates greater than 107 s−1 through laser-induced shock experiments. The material exhibits a spall strength of 11.5 GPa, approximately E/6 or 1/13 of its P-wave modulus, which sets a record for the elastic limit of metals. Electron microscopy and large-scale molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the primary failure mechanism at extreme strain rates is void nucleation and growth, rather than shear-banding. The rate dependence of material strength is explained by a void kinetic model controlled by surface energy. These findings help advance our understanding on the mechanical behavior of amorphous alloys under extreme strain rates.

Abstract The well-known strength-toughness trade-off has long been an obstacle in the pursuit of advanced structural alloys. Here, we develop a eutectic high entropy alloy that effectively overcomes this limitation. Our alloy is composed of face-centered cubic and body-centered cubic crystalline phases, and demonstrates attractive mechanical properties by harnessing microstructural hybridization and a strain-induced phase transition between phases. Unlike conventional eutectic alloys, the compositionally complexity of our alloy allows control of its microstructural and chemical heterogeneities across multiple length scales, ranging from atomic- and nano-scales to meso-scales. Optimizing these microstructural and chemical heterogeneities within our alloy enables high strength and ductility because of enhanced fracture resistance, outperforming alternative high and medium entropy alloys with similar compositions and microstructures.

To achieve the safe and stable structural condition of the roof along the goaf under the roof cutting by dense drilling method, the stress distribution and fracture process of the roof strata between normal and dense drilling conditions were studied. Based on rock fracture theory and elastic theory, the stress distribution of the surrounding rock between dense drilling and the fracture process were analyzed before and after mining, clarifying the cutting mechanism of dense drilling and the interaction mechanism of concentrated stress between adjacent drilling. The calculation formula for the tensile-shear stress of the surrounding rock between dense drilling in the arc-shaped triangular panel structure at the end of the working face was derived. Based on this, the influence of different parameters on the tensile-shear stress of the surrounding rock between drilling was analyzed, and a determination method for the key parameters of roof cutting by dense drilling holes along the goaf was proposed. Research has shown that the dense drilling mainly increases the concentration of the surrounding rock's tensile and shear stress by changing the stress conditions around the densely drilled holes before and after mining, causing the expansion and connection of fractures between drilling and forming key rock layers for cutting. Before mining, the drill holes are mainly affected by horizontal compression stress, and after mining, the stress gradually changes to the tensile and shear stress caused by the rotation and subsidence of the goaf roof, and the state of the surrounding rock between the holes transitions from the weakening stage to the formation of crack stage, and then to the fracture stage. The magnitude of the tensile and shear stress of the surrounding rock between the densely drilled holes mainly depends on the thickness of the key rock layer and the ratio of the hole diameter to the hole spacing, and is negatively correlated with the hole height and spacing, and positively correlated with the angle and diameter of the drill holes. Based on this, a method for determining the key parameters of intensive drilling and cutting is proposed, and a plan for intensive drilling and cutting in the goaf with hard roof conditions on the 3124 N working face of Longtan Mine is designed, with a hole length of 8.3 m, an angle of 15°, a hole diameter of 48 mm, and a spacing of 500 mm. The deformation of the goaf roof after cutting is controllable and the overall stability is good, which proves that the arrangement parameters of intensive drilling and cutting are reasonable, and the determination method for the key parameters of roof cutting by dense drilling holes is effective and feasible.

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is a foundational treatment for persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF), but the effectiveness of adding posterior wall isolation (PWI) and selective complex fractionated atrial electrogram (CFAE) ablation in the roof and anterior wall remains debated. The potential of these additional ablation techniques to improve long-term outcomes for PeAF patients is still uncertain. Methods: This retrospective study included 151 PeAF patients who underwent first-time catheter ablation at our center. The choice of ablation strategy was based on the operator’s clinical judgment, taking into account the patient’s specific condition and anatomical features. Patients were divided into two groups: the PVI group, which received PVI alone, and the modified PWI (MPWI) group, which received PVI along with additional PWI and selective CFAEs ablation in the roof and anterior wall. The primary endpoint was the absence of atrial arrhythmia lasting more than 30 s, without antiarrhythmic drugs, at 12 months. Results: At the 12-month follow-up, 77.3% of the patients in the MPWI group and 52.1% of the patients in the PVI group remained in sinus rhythm without an atrial arrhythmia recurrence (p = 0.001). The BIC-based Cox regression analysis identified the ablation strategy and atrial fibrillation (AF) duration as independent predictors of recurrence across the cohort. It was found that MPWI significantly reduced the risk of recurrence, while a longer AF duration increased it. In the MPWI group, AF duration, left ventricular internal diameter in systole (LVIDs), and moderate or greater tricuspid regurgitation were independent predictors of recurrence. In the PVI group, only the left atrial low voltage area (LVA) index was a significant predictor. Conclusion: The addition of PWI and selective CFAE ablation to PVI significantly improves 12-month arrhythmia-free survival compared to PVI alone, demonstrating the superiority of this combined approach in improving long-term outcomes for patients with persistent AF.

In view of the diversity of gas reservoir classification and the differences of characteristics of geology and development in different gas reservoirs, it is necessary to study the adaptability of gas reservoir classification. This paper analyzes and summarizes the current classification methods of gas reservoirs, studies the microscopic pore characteristics and seepage mechanism of different gas reservoirs. The commonalities and individualities of seepage laws in different gas reservoirs are determined, the key factors that determine the development dynamics and effects of gas reservoirs are proposed, and the gas reservoirs types are divided from the perspective of development. The results show that the development characteristics of gas reservoirs are determined by the seepage law, and the seepage law is determined by the microscopic pore characteristics. Therefore, from the perspective of development, the microscopic pore characteristics are the fundamental of gas reservoir classification. Gas reservoirs can be divided into four types: tight, low permeability, medium and high permeability, and fractured. This classification method can unify the types of gas reservoirs according to the seepage laws of different gas reservoirs, establish corresponding seepage models, evaluate productivity, and predict performance. It is of great significance for rational, efficient and scientific development of gas fields.

Abstract One-pot synthesis of heterocyclic aromatics with good optical properties from phenolic β-O-4 lignin segments is of high importance to meet high value added biorefinery demands. However, executing this process remains a huge challenge due to the incompatible reaction conditions of the depolymerization of lignin β-O-4 segments containing γ-OH functionalities and bioresource-based aggregation-induced emission luminogens (BioAIEgens) formation with the desired properties. In this work, benzannulation reactions starting from lignin β-O-4 moieties with 3-alkenylated indoles catalyzed by vanadium-based complexes have been successfully developed, affording a wide range of functionalized carbazoles with up to 92% yield. Experiments and density functional theory calculations suggest that the reaction pathway involves the selective cleavage of double C-O bonds/Diels-Alder cycloaddition/dehydrogenative aromatization. Photophysical investigations show that these carbazole products represent a class of BioAIEgens with twisted intramolecular charge transfer. Distinctions of emission behavior were revealed based on unique acceptor-donor-acceptor-type molecular conformations as well as molecular packings. This work features lignin β-O-4 motifs with γ-OH functionalities as renewable substrates, without the need to apply external oxidant/reductant systems. Here, we show a concise and sustainable route to functional carbazoles with AIE properties, building a bridge between lignin and BioAIE materials.

Salidroside (SAL), belonging to a kind of the main active ingredient of Rhodiola rosea, is extensively utilized for anti-hypoxia and prevention of altitude sickness in the plateau region of China. However, the research on the systemic changes induced by SAL at intracellular protein level is still limited, especially at protein phosphorylation level. These limitations hinder a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of SAL. This study aimed to investigate the potential molecular mechanism of SAL in ameliorating the acute myocardial hypoxia induced by cobalt chloride using integrated proteomics and phosphoproteomics. We successfully identified 165 differentially expressed proteins and 266 differentially expressed phosphosites in H9c2 cells following SAL treatment under hypoxic conditions. Bioinformatics analysis and biological experiment validation revealed that SAL significantly antagonized CoCl2-mediated cell cycle arrest by downregulating CCND1 expression and upregulating AURKA, AURKAB, CCND3 and PLK1 expression. Additionally, SAL can stabilize the cytoskeleton through upregulating the Kinesin Family (KIF) members expression. Our study systematically revealed that SAL had the ability to protect myocardial cells against CoCl2-induced hypoxia through multiple biological pathways, including enhancing the spindle stability, maintaining the cell cycle, relieving DNA damage, and antagonizing cell apoptosis. This study supplies a comprehension perspective on the alterations at protein and protein phosphorylation levels induced by SAL treatment, thereby expanded our knowledge of the anti-hypoxic mechanisms of SAL. Moreover, this study provides a valuable resource for further investigating the effects of SAL.

Abstract Bilayer graphene (BLG) is intriguing for its unique properties and potential applications in electronics, photonics, and mechanics. However, the chemical vapor deposition synthesis of large-area high-quality bilayer graphene on Cu is suffering from a low growth rate and limited bilayer coverage. Herein, we demonstrate the fast synthesis of meter-sized bilayer graphene film on commercial polycrystalline Cu foils by introducing trace CO2 during high-temperature growth. Continuous bilayer graphene with a high ratio of AB-stacking structure can be obtained within 20 min, which exhibits enhanced mechanical strength, uniform transmittance, and low sheet resistance in large area. Moreover, 96 and 100% AB-stacking structures were achieved in bilayer graphene grown on single-crystal Cu(111) foil and ultraflat single-crystal Cu(111)/sapphire substrates, respectively. The AB-stacking bilayer graphene exhibits tunable bandgap and performs well in photodetection. This work provides important insights into the growth mechanism and the mass production of large-area high-quality BLG on Cu.

This study explored the potential of polysaccharides from Actium lappa (ALPs) as natural wall materials for producing ALP-based nanoparticles to deliver poorly water-soluble oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA). Encapsulating OA+UA with ALPs (ALP:OA+UA, 50:1; OA:UA, 1:1) changed the crystalline nature to a more amorphous state through hydrogen bonding and involving O–H/C–O/O–C–O groups. ALP-OA/UA nanoparticles had a particle size and zeta potential (in water) of 199.1 nm/–7.15 mV, with a narrow unimodal size distribution, and excellent pH, salt solution, temperature and storage stability. Compared with ALPs, ALP-OA/UA nanoparticles showed enhanced anti-inflammatory activity (especially at a dose of 100 μg/mL) in a CuSO4-induced zebrafish inflammation model via down-regulating the NF-κB signalling pathway and gene expression of associated transcription factors and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8). Therefore, ALP-based nanoparticles are natural and anti-inflammatory carriers for hydrophobic bioactive molecules.

Abstract Aims Limited data are available on the outcomes of cryoballoon ablation (CBA)‐based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF). The present study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of CBA in such patients. Methods and results Consecutive patients with AF referred for CBA‐based PVI from two highly experienced electrophysiology centres were included in this retrospective study. Of 651 patients undergoing CBA, 471 cases were divided into four groups: No HF (n = 255), HFpEF (n = 101), HFmrEF (n = 78), and HF with reduced ejection fraction (n = 37). Similar early recurrence of atrial arrhythmia was found among groups (16.2% vs. 15.4% vs. 14.9% vs. 12.2%, P = 0.798), and no significant difference of long‐term sinus rhythm (SR) maintenance was identified among the HFmrEF, HFpEF, and No HF groups (71.8% vs. 75.2% vs. 79.6%, P = 0.334). CBA is safe for patients with HFmrEF and HFpEF with similar complications compared with the No HF group (3.8% vs. 4.0% vs. 3.1%, P = 0.814). The reassessment of cardiac function after CBA showed that patients with HF indicated beneficial outcomes. Left atrial diameter (LAD) and left ventricular ejection fraction were significantly improved in the HFmrEF group. There were 41.6% of patients in the HFpEF group who were completely relieved from HF. LAD and New York Heart Association (NYHA) were associated with recurrence in the HFpEF and HFmrEF groups, and the maintenance of SR was an independent predictor of NYHA improvement for all HF groups. Conclusions Patients with HFmrEF and HFpEF could benefit from CBA with high SR maintenance and significant HF improvement.

BackgroundMost of malignant external otitis (MEO) cases reported in the literature are attributed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Fungal infections in MEO are also likely but extremely rare. And conventional microbiology tests is difficult to diagnose.Case descriptionTwo patients were diagnosed with Fungal malignant external otitis (FMEO) due to Aspergillus by metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing (mNGS) and recovered after comprehensive treatment including operation and voriconazole. The antifungal treatment was delayed due to repeated cultures of secretions being negative and pathological examination showed granulation tissue proliferation with extensive neutrophil infiltration.ConclusionmNGS might be helpful for patients suspected with FMEO, especially when conventional microbiology tests were negative.

As an important indicator for measuring the effectiveness and level of oil and gas field development, recovery rate has always been a focus in the research of oil and gas fields. Reservoirs of tight sandstone gas formations have significant characteristics of low porosity, high permeability, and high water content, which leads to greater difficulty in their development and makes it challenging to evaluate the recovery rate. Newtonian mechanics, as an important component of the mechanical system, is an innovative application of classical mechanics in the field of seepage mechanics when applied to the two-phase flow of gas and water. Firstly, starting from the perspective of mechanics analysis, we derive a steady-state model for gas–water two-phase infiltration and obtain the productivity equation based on this model. Then, according to the steady-state model, we establish a method to calculate the effective control radius of gas reservoirs under different production conditions and reservoir physical properties. Finally, using Matlab 2018a programming based on the productivity equation, we calculate the gas recovery under different conditions during constant pressure drop production and constant production rate production. The results indicate that the effective control radius of the reservoir decreases with an increase in the economic ultimate daily gas production, increases with an increase in production pressure difference, slightly decreases with an increase in startup pressure gradient, and correspondingly increases with an increase in microtube radius and quantity. Regardless of whether it is production with a fixed pressure drop or production with a fixed production rate, the gas recovery decreases as the production pressure drop and bottomhole abandonment pressure increase, but it increases as the proportion of the single-well control radius increases. In production with a fixed pressure drop, the gas recovery remains consistent across different reservoir quality indices. However, in production with a fixed production rate, the gas recovery initially increases rapidly and then gradually slows down as the reservoir quality index increases, and there is an obvious critical permeability (0.1 mD). The research findings are based on the mechanical analysis of porous media, delving into the laws governing fluid flow during infiltration. The derived infiltration model can be used to calculate the effective control radius and evaluate recovery rates, providing practical guidance for reservoir development.

Conventional recovery enhancement techniques are aimed at reducing the abandonment pressure, but there is an upper limit for recovery enhancement due to the energy limitation of reservoirs. Gas injection for energy supplementation has become an effective way to enhance gas recovery by reducing hydrocarbon saturation in gas reservoirs. This review systematically investigates progress in gas injection for enhanced gas recovery in three aspects: experiments, numerical simulations and field examples. It summarizes and analyzes the current research results on gas injection for EGR and explores further prospects for future research. The research results show the following: (1) Based on the differences in the physical properties of CO2, N2 and natural gas, effective cushion gas can be formed in bottom reservoirs after gas injection to achieve the effects of pressurization, energy replenishment and gravity differentiation water resistance. However, further experimental evaluation is needed for the degree of increase in penetration ability. (2) It is more beneficial to inject N2 before CO2 or the mixture of N2 and CO2 in terms of EGR effect and cost. (3) According to numerical simulation studies, water drive and condensate gas reservoirs exhibit significant recovery effects, while CO2-EGR in depleted gas reservoirs is more advantageous for burial and storage; current numerical simulations only focus on mobility mass and saturation changes and lack a mixed-phase percolation model, which leads to insufficient analysis of injection strategies and a lack of distinction among different gas extraction effects. Therefore, a mixed-phase-driven percolation model that can characterize the fluid flow path is worth studying in depth. (4) The De Wijk and Budafa Szinfelleti projects have shown that gas injection into water drive and depleted reservoirs has a large advantage for EGR, as it can enhance recovery by more than 10%. More experiments, simulation studies and demonstration projects are needed to promote the development of gas injection technology for enhanced recovery in the future.

Water production from gas wells is a key factor affecting the effectiveness of gas-reservoir development, and it poses serious challenges in terms of increasing the degree of recovery during the waterless production stage and reducing the impact of water production on gas-reservoir development in the middle and later periods. Thus, gas reservoirs must be efficiently exploited on the basis of identifying gas-water layers accurately, defining gas-water relationships, and understanding gas-water production performance. Accordingly, this study analyzes the production characteristics in gas reservoirs with different gas-water relationships, and it summarizes the rules that determine water-gas ratios. The results reveal that the water-gas ratio increases rapidly in the early stage of water production, but after a period of time, it enters a relatively stable state in which it is almost a fixed value. According to the material balance equation, the theoretically calculated water-gas ratio is fully consistent with the production rules for an entire confined gas reservoir. This shows that the reality of gas-well-water production must be faced, and that the development of water-bearing gas reservoirs must accommodate gas and water co-production. The gas-water relationship, water body scale, and reservoir heterogeneity determine the time of water breakthrough and the water-gas ratio. Therefore, we should change the traditional “water fear” concept in gas-field development, aim for an overall improvement in recovery, face up to the fact that gas wells produce water, and coordinate the development of multi-wells for entire gas reservoirs, all of which will achieve the ultimate goal of improved gas recovery.

IntroductionIntercellular communication is essential for almost all physiological and pathological processes. Endothelial cell (EC)-derived exosomes, working as mediators for intercellular information exchange, are involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms of atherosclerosis. However, the effect of inflamed endothelial exosomes on the function of macrophages (Mϕ) is poorly defined. This study aims to unravel how exosomes derived from tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-stimulated ECs (exo-T) affect Mϕ in vitro.Methods and resultsExosomes derived from untreated ECs (exo) and exo-T were identified by using TEM, NTA, and western blot, and we observed that PKH67-labeled exo/exo-T were taken up by Mϕ. Exposure to exo-T for 24 h not only skewed Mϕ to the M1 subtype and exacerbated lipid deposition, but also promoted Mϕ apoptosis, while it did not significantly affect Mϕ migration, as detected by RT-qPCR, Dil-ox-LDL uptake assay, flow cytometry, wound healing assay, and transwell assay, respectively. In addition, exo/exo-T-related microRNA-Seq revealed 104 significantly differentially expressed microRNAs (DE-miRNAs). The target genes of DE-miRNAs were mainly enriched functionally in metabolic pathways, MAPK signaling pathway, etc., as determined using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. We further demonstrated by immunoblotting that exo-T intervention improves the phosphorylation of MAPK/NF-κB-related proteins.Discussion and conclusionCollectively, this study reveals that inflamed endothelial exosomes (TNF-α-stimulated EC-derived exosomes) work as a functional mediator to affect Mϕ function and may activate Mϕ through MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways.

In order to explore the monosaccharide composition, in vitro digestion characteristics of burdock polysaccharide and its anti-inflammatory effect in lipopolysaccharide-induced cell model, this study was analyzed by ultraviolet spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and ion chromatography, and explored the digestive properties of polysaccharides in gastrointestinal fluid, physical stability and anti-inflammatory activity. The results showed that the total sugar content of burdock polysaccharide was 83.07%, the molecular weight was 2902 Da, and the monosaccharide composition was fructose:glucose:arabinose:galactose=13.6:2.5:1.6:1. The degree of hydrolysis was 11.66% and 9.12%, respectively, after being digested in the stomach and intestine for 6 h. It had obvious anti-inflammatory effect in the cell model, and could significantly reduce the content of nitric oxide (NO) in the cell model. Compared with the model group, the content of NO decreased by 48.66% at the dose of 250 μg/mL. The results showed that burdock polysaccharide had certain anti-inflammatory activity, and the research results could provide a theoretical basis for the development of natural anti-inflammatory functional foods and drugs.

The calculation of the influx index is one of the most contentious issues in dynamic reserve evaluation of gas reservoirs’ development. For the influx index, it is key to obtain information on the pore compressibility coefficient under realistic gas reservoir pressure. So far, little is known about the assessment of the pore compressibility coefficient at a laboratory scale. Here, we combine observations of gas flowmeter, ISCO booster pump, intermediate container, and rock samples to quantify the pore compressibility coefficient from the KL2-13 well in the Kela-2 reservoir. Additionally, the iterative method (combined the static and dynamic methods) is proposed based on the experimentally obtained pore compressibility coefficient (Cf), dynamic reserve (G), water body multiple (β), and material balance equation to calculate the influx index. The combined iterative method adjusts the values of G and N by comparing the results of the static and dynamic methods, and iteratively corrects Cf using a binary search method until the results of the static and dynamic methods are consistent. The results of our study reveal that the influx index calculated by the dynamic and static methods was consistent, and the gas production per unit pressure drop matched the actual production. These results strongly suggest that there exists a correlation between formation pressure and the influx index, wherein the latter exhibits a gradual decrease as the former decreases. Conversely, the displacement index of both the rock and connate water do not demonstrate a significant dependence on pressure. Furthermore, the impact of pressure on the pore compressibility factor and reservoir water compressibility factor appears to be minimal. These findings hold substantial implications for understanding the behavior of gas reservoirs under varying pressure conditions.

In machine learning-based landslide susceptibility assessment, there are some differences in the evaluation results obtained by using different hyperparameters. This paper aims to use the Bayesian algorithm to optimize the hyperparameters of four common machine learning models (logistic regression, support vector machine, artificial neural network and random forest) and to explore the optimization effect of this algorithm. Taking the landslide susceptibility assessment of four counties (Anhua, Xinhua, Taojiang, and Taoyuan Counties) in central Hunan as an example, the feasibility and applicability of the algorithm are illustrated. Based on the landslide inventory, 1 017 landslide points in the study area were determined, and 15 landslide influencing factors were selected to construct the training set and test set. The Bayesian optimization algorithm is used to optimize the main hyperparameters of the four machine learning models, and four optimal models are established according to the optimized hyperparameters. The AUC value and other indicators are used to compare the predictive ability of different models. The results show that ① the prediction performance of the hyperparameters optimized models is better than that of the unoptimized models. ② Among the four optimization models, the coupling model of the random forest and Bayesian optimization algorithm has the best prediction performance.

Although improving the recovery of water-invaded gas reservoirs has been extensively studied in the natural gas industry, the nature of the efficiency of water-invaded gas recovery remains uncertain. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can be used to clearly identify changes in water saturation in the core during high-pressure water-invasion gas. Here, we provide four types of water-invasion gas experiments (spontaneous imbibition, atmospheric pressure, high-pressure approximate equilibrium, and depletion development water-invasion gas) to reveal the impact of the water-invasion gas efficiency on the recovery of water-invasion gas reservoirs. NMR suggested that imbibition mainly occurs in medium to large pores and that residual gas remains mainly in large pores. The amount of gas driven out from the large pores by imbibition was much greater than that driven out from the small pores. Our findings indicate that the initial gas saturation, contact surface, and permeability are the main factors controlling the residual gas saturation, suggesting that a reasonable initial water saturation should be established before the water-invasion gas experiments. Additionally, the water-invasion gas efficiency at high pressures can be more reliably obtained than that at normal pressures. After the high-pressure approximate equilibrium water invasion for gas displacement, a large amount of residual gas remains in the relatively larger pores of the core, with a residual gas saturation of 42%. In contrast to conventional experiments, the residual gas saturation and water displacement efficiency of the high-pressure approximate equilibrium water invasion for gas displacement did not exhibit a favorable linear relationship with the permeability. The residual gas saturation ranged from 34 to 43% (avg. 38%), while the water displacement efficiency ranged from 32 to 45% (avg. 40%) in the high-pressure approximate equilibrium water invasion for gas displacement. The residual gas saturation in the depletion development water-invasion gas experiment was 26–40% (average: 33%), with an efficiency ranging from 45 to 50% (average: 48%), indicating that the depletion development experiment is closer to the actual development process of gas reservoirs. Our findings provide novel insights into water-invasion gas efficiency, providing robust estimates of the recovery of water-invasion gas reservoirs.

BackgroundDiet and other lifestyle habits may have an increased effect on blood lipids in older people. This study aimed to examine the associations between diet (meat, fish, and egg), alcohol consumption and blood lipids.MethodsSurveillance data on chronic diseases and their risk factors were collected from Shanghai during 2017–2018. A Kish table was used for sampling 438 older adults, of whom 71 consumed alcohol. Logistic regression was used to test the relationships between diet, alcohol consumption and blood lipid levels in elderly individuals, and the marginal effects (MEs) were estimated.ResultsDyslipidaemia was more common among drinkers than among nondrinkers (P < 0.01). Alcohol consumption was associated with dyslipidaemia (OR = 2.667, P < 0.01 for TC; OR = 1.919, P < 0.05 for LDL; OR = 3.412, P < 0.01 for TG), and consumption of more than 50 g of meat per day showed similar associations (OR = 3.227, P < 0.01 for TC; OR = 3.263, P < 0.01, for LDL; OR = 2.329, P < 0.01 for TG). The MEs of alcohol drinking and excessive meat consumption on the rate of dyslipidaemia were 0.324 for TC (P < 0.01), 0.255 for LDL (P < 0.05), and 0.174 for TG (P < 0.01).DiscussionThe risk of hyperlipidaemia was increased among elderly individuals with excessive meat and alcohol consumption, which also had an interactive effect.

The porous media in tight reservoirs are mainly composed of micro- and nanopores, gas seepage through which is complex, making it difficult to study. Physical simulation using micron tubes is an intuitive and effective method to study the seepage mechanism of tight gas. The lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is the most effective method for the tight gas seepage simulation, and it has been widely used. Microscale gas seepage simulation experiments and LBM simulations of micron tubes with different inner diameters were performed. The results showed that in micron tubes, the gas flow increases nonlinearly with an increasing pressure gradient. Influenced by compression and rarefaction effects, the degree of the nonlinearity of pressure distribution in series micron tubes increases with inlet pressure. The existence of a connecting channel between parallel micron tubes breaks the linear distribution of pressure in the original micron tubes, and the gas forms a raised relative high-pressure area at the connection of the two micron tubes; the wider the channel, the greater the bulge. The average gas flow rate in the whole micron tube increases with the channel width, and the seepage capacity increases instead of decreases. The diameter change of one micron tube has no effect on the gas flow in the other micron tube. Although the two micron tubes are connected, they are still relatively independent individuals. These research results lay a foundation for the correct understanding of the characteristics and laws of tight gas seepage in the pores of reservoirs at the micro- and nanoscales, and they have important theoretical significance for the study of seepage mechanisms in tight gas reservoirs.

Flexible perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are at the forefront of research into perovskite photovoltaics. Both high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and simple manufacturing without perovskite modifications are significant for the adaptation of flexible PSCs. However, flexible modification-free PSCs suffer from a PCE of no higher than 21.1%. Herein, we report a highly efficient flexible modification-free PSC with an electrode-silica-substrate via magnetron sputtering. We explored the underlying mechanism of how indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes affected and increased the device efficiency, and found the key factors that determined the device efficiency. The thermoplastic substrates coated with electrode and silica not only had a low optical reflectance for high transparencies, but also showed a uniform and peak- and valley-free morphology and distribution-uniform surface potentials for a better perovskite with enhanced crystallinity and few defects. The flexible modification-free PSCs exhibited an excellent PCE of 22.43%. 22.43% is the highest PCE among these flexible modification-free PSCs reported so far. Furthermore, the flexible PSCs exhibited increases in operational stability, storage stability, air stability and mechanical flexibility. This work significantly guides the development of ITO products in high-performance flexible modification-free PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Owing to its large work function, MoOX has been widely used for hole-selective contact in both thin film and crystalline silicon solar cells. In this work, thermally evaporated MoOX films are employed on the rear sides of p-type crystalline silicon (p-Si) solar cells, where the optical and electronic properties of the MoOX films as well as the corresponding device performances are investigated as a function of post-annealing treatment. The MoOX film annealed at 100 °C shows the highest work function and proves the best hole selectivity based on the results of energy band simulation and contact resistivity measurements. The full rear p-Si/MoOX/Ag-contacted solar cells demonstrate the best performance with an efficiency of 19.19%, which is the result of the combined influence of MoOX’s hole selectivity and passivation ability.

In this article, an amorphous ternary AlBN dielectric passivation layer is proposed for GaN/AlGaN high-electron mobility transistors (HEMTs). The source–gate–drain access regions with both AlBN and AlN amorphous dielectric films deposited by pulsed laser deposition are investigated to understand their effects on the device performance. Compared with the AlN-passivated HEMTs, the electrical characteristics of AlBN-passivated HEMTs are significantly improved with the same passivation layer thickness. An increase in maximum drain saturation current of AlBN-passivated HEMTs is ∼19.74% at Vgs = 2 V, and the corresponding peak extrinsic transconductance is improved by 38.08% at Vgs = −2 V and Vds = 2 V. Such excellent properties are ascribed to large surface potential change, due to the effect of boron dopants on AlBN films.

In order to develop fractured–porous water-bearing gas reservoirs efficiently, it is necessary to understand the change laws of water invasion performance. Based on the π theorem, this paper adopted the dimensionless parameter that can reflect the change characteristics of water invasion performance to design the physical simulation experimental scheme of water invasion performance. The full-diameter cores taken from the reservoir of one certain fractured–porous water-bearing gas reservoir in the central Sichuan Basin were selected to carry out physical simulation experiment of water invasion performance. Then, by virtue of numerical inversion, the experimental results were converted into evaluation parameters of water invasion performance in water-bearing gas reservoirs. Afterwards, the change laws of water invasion performance in fractured–porous water bearing gas reservoirs were investigated, and the method for calculating key water invasion performance evaluation parameters and water volume was established. Finally, water invasion performance analysis and aquifer size evaluation were conducted with the Xu 2 Member gas reservoir, Upper Triassic in the Zhongba gas field of the Sichuan Basin as an example. And the following research results are obtained. First, in fractured–porous gas reservoirs with edge and bottom water, water invasion and gas production occur simultaneously. Before water production, there is a linear relationship between bottom hole pressure and reserve degree of reserve recovery. After water production, water invasion speeds up and the water–gas ratio (WGR) rises rapidly and finally approaches to a stable WGR of higher level. Second, the bottom hole pressure drop rate before water production and the stable WGR are mainly affected by the water volume, and the degree of reserve recovery per unit pressure drop and the stable WGR can be used to evaluate the water volume. Third, a method for mutual interpretation and evaluation of the aquifer size and the reserve degree of reserve recovery per unit pressure drop before water production and the stable WGR of fractured–porous gas reservoirs with edge and bottom water is established. In conclusion, the water invasion performance curve of the gas reservoir agrees with the core simulation experimental results. Based on the known water volume of a gas reservoir, the stable reserve degree of reserve recovery per unit pressure drop before water production and the stable WGR can be predicted; and on the basis of the stable WGR, the water volume of a gas reservoir can be predicted. The prediction results are in line with the production performance, providing a theoretical support for water invasion performance prediction and overall water control of fractured–porous water-bearing gas reservoirs.

Abstract The aim of this report was to investigate coronary artery occlusion related to De Winter‐like electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern. A patient admitted to Zhongshan Hospital who was diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome with De Winter‐like ECG pattern was reviewed in our case report. In this case, we found that a De Winter‐like ECG change in the inferior and lateral leads was associated with left circumflex coronary artery occlusion. After a timely reperfusion therapy, the symptom was obviously alleviated with a normalization of upsloping ST‐segment. Doctors should be aware that De Winter‐like ECG changes can also predict acute occlusion in any coronary artery, not only in the left anterior descending artery and right coronary artery but also in the left circumflex coronary artery.

For the sake of improving the reliability of the method for well pattern density optimization of tight sandstone gas reservoir and effectively demonstrate the relationship between well pattern density and recovery efficiency, the well interference probability curve of the target study area in the Sulige Gas Field was plotted by establishing the calculation method for well interference probability. Then, a new method suitable for well pattern density optimization and recovery efficiency evaluation of tight sandstone gas reservoirs was established. Finally, this new method was applied in three encryption test areas of the Sulige Gas Field. And the following research results were obtained. First, the well interference probability of tight sandstone gas reservoir is heavily dependent on the well pattern density. With the increase of the well pattern density, the well interference probability presents a gradual increasing trend. And the well interference probability doesn't reach or approach to 1 until the well pattern density reaches a higher value. Second, in the three encryption test areas of the Sulige Gas Field, the economically optimal well pattern density is in the range of 2.6–3.1 wells/km2, and its corresponding recovery efficiency is 36.6–39.8% and corresponding well interference probability is 28–33%, while the economic limit well pattern density is in the range of 5.2–6.6 wells/km2, and its corresponding recovery efficiency is 46.8–49.8% and corresponding well interference probability is 83–89%. Third, the well interference probability corresponding to the economically optimal well pattern density of tight sandstone gas reservoir in the Sulige Gas Field is about 30%, and that corresponding to the economic limit well pattern density is about 85%. In conclusion, by virtue of this new method, the economically optimal well pattern density and the economic limit well pattern density and their corresponding recovery efficiencies can be calculated, so as to realize the well pattern optimization and recovery efficiency evaluation of tight sandstone gas reservoirs. The research results can provide theoretical support for the economic and efficient development of the Sulige Gas Field, and useful reference for the benefit development of the same type of gas reservoirs. Keywords: Tight sandstone gas reservoir, Interference probability, Recovery efficiency, Economically optimal well pattern density, Economic limit well pattern density, Ordos Basin, Sulige Gas Field

BackgroundA lack of physical activity (PA) is a threat to public health. However, for the elderly, most PA abilities are limited. By focusing on the types and intensity of PA that the elderly can bear, this study aimed to reveal whether preferences regarding types of PA (including housework, transportation, and recreational activities) and their intensity were associated with health status. The main forms of PA include shopping, cooking, cleaning, walking, cycling, various fitness activities and other activities with a certain intensity.MethodsSurveillance data on chronic diseases and their risk factors were collected from one district of Shanghai in 2017-2018. A Kish table was used for sampling 500 older adults, including the diagnosed group (chronic diseases diagnosed by physicians, n = 119), the abnormal group (not diagnosed but abnormal indicators detected in this investigation, n = 287) and the healthy group (n = 94). Multiple regressions were used to test the relationship between the various types, durations and intensities of PA the elderly individuals participated in and their health status.ResultsAll three groups included a large proportion of older adults who participated in housework- and transport-related PA. The diagnosed group had the largest proportion (63.06% for housework-related PA; 87.39% for transport-related PA) and median minutes (17.14 min of housework-related PA per day; 30.00 min of transport-related PA per day). The diagnosed group had more metabolic equivalents (METs) of moderate-intensity PA than the two other groups (H = 33.01, P < 0.01), and more people met the WHO recommendation (χ2 = 34.71, P < 0.01). Diagnosis was associated with performing housework- and transport-related PA and moderate-intensity PA and with meeting the WHO's recommendation. Higher education levels were a positive factor for elderly individuals to participate in PA.ConclusionsTransportation and housework activities are good targets for increasing PA in older adults. Diagnosis is associated with older adults' more PA.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia worldwide and has a significant impact on human health and substantial costs. Currently, there is a lack of accurate biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of AF. Moreover, the long-term efficacy of the catheter ablation in the AF is unsatisfactory. Therefore, it is necessary to explore new biomarkers and treatment strategies for the mechanism-based AF. Exosomes are nano-sized biovesicles released by nearly all types of cells. Since the AF would be linked to the changes of the atrial cells and their microenvironment, and the AF would strictly influence the exosomal non-coding RNAs (exo-ncRNAs) expression, which makes them as attractive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for the AF. Simultaneously, the exo-ncRNAs have been found to play an important role in the mechanisms of the AF and have potential therapeutic prospects. Although the role of the exo-ncRNAs in the AF is being actively investigated, the evidence is still limited. Furthermore, there is a lack of consensus regarding the most appropriate approach for exosome isolation and characterization. In this article, we reviewed the new methodologies available for exosomes biogenesis, isolation, and characterization, and then discussed the mechanism of the AF and various levels and types of exosomes relevant to the AF, with the special emphasis on the exo-ncRNAs in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of the mechanism-based AF.

Background: Ablation of para-hisian accessory pathways (APs) remains challenging due to anatomic characteristics, and a few studies have focused on the causes for recurrence of radiofrequency ablation of para-hisian APs.Objective: This retrospective single center study aimed to explore the risk factors for recurrence of para-hisian APs.Methods: One hundred thirteen patients who had para-hisian AP with an acute success were enrolled in the study. In the 6-year follow-up, 15 cases had a recurrent para-hisian AP. Therefore, 98 patients were classified into the success group, while 15 patients were classified into the recurrence group. Demographic and ablation characteristics were analyzed.Results: Gender difference was similar in two groups. The median age was 36.2 years old and was younger in the recurrence group. Maximum ablation power was significantly higher in the success group (29 ± 7.5 vs. 22.9 ± 7.8, p < 0.01). Ablation time of final target sites was found to be markedly higher in the success group (123.4 ± 53.1 vs. 86.7 ± 58.3, p < 0.05). Ablation time

In this study, we have synthesized the molybdenum sulfide quantum dots (MoS2 QDs) and zinc sulfide quantum dots (ZnS QDs) and demonstrated a highly efficient green phosphorescent organic light-emitting diode (OLED) with hybrid poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly (styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)/QDs hole injection layer (HIL). The electroluminescent properties of PEDOT:PSS and hybrid HIL based devices were explored. An optimized OLED based on the PEDOT:PSS/MoS2 QDs HIL exhibited maximum current efficiency (CE) of 72.7 cd A−1, which shows a 28.2% enhancement as compared to counterpart with single PEDOT:PSS HIL. The higher device performance of OLED with hybrid HIL can be attributed to the enhanced hole injection capacity and balanced charge carrier transportation in the OLED devices. The above analysis illustrates an alternative way to fabricate the high efficiency OLEDs with sulfide quantum dots as a HIL.