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Abstract The X-rays emitted during CT scans can increase solid cancer risks by damaging DNA, with the risk tied to patient-specific organ doses. This study aims to establish a new method to predict patient specific abdominal organ doses from CT examinations using minimized computational resources at a fast speed. The CT data of 247 abdominal patients were selected and exported to the auto-segmentation software named DeepViewer to generate abdominal regions of interest (ROIs). Radiomics feature were extracted based on the selected CT data and ROIs. Reference organ doses were obtained by GPU-based Monte Carlo simulations. The support vector regression (SVR) model was trained based on the radiomics features and reference organ doses to predict abdominal organ doses from CT examinations. The prediction performance of the SVR model was tested and verified by changing the abdominal patients of the train and test sets randomly. For the abdominal organs, the maximal difference between the reference and the predicted dose was less than 1 mGy. For the body and bowel, the organ doses were predicted with a percentage error of less than 5.2%, and the coefficient of determination (R2) reached up to 0.9. For the left kidney, right kidney, liver, and spinal cord, the mean absolute percentage error ranged from 5.1 to 8.9%, and the R2 values were more than 0.74. The SVR model could be trained to achieve accurate prediction of personalized abdominal organ doses in less than one second using a single CPU core.

Abstract Deep learning has made significant advancements in speech enhancement, which plays a crucial role in improving the quality of speech signals in noisy conditions. In this paper, we propose a new approach called M-DGAN, which introduces a time (T)-domain encoder-decoder structure with rich channel representations into the time-frequency (TF)-domain generator framework, resulting in a new generator structure with mixed magnitude and phase representations in the T and TF-domains. The proposed mixed T-domain and TF-domain generator, incorporating the cascaded reworked conformer (CRC) structure, exhibits improved modeling capability and adaptability. Test results on the Voice Bank + DEMAND public dataset show that our method achieves the highest score with $$PSEQ=3.52$$ P S E Q = 3.52 and performs well on all the remaining metrics when compared to the current state-of-the-art methods. In addition, tests on the NISQA_TEST_LIVETALK real dataset of the NISQA Corpus show the breadth and robustness of our model on speech enhancement tasks.

Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr alloy is an important lightweight material in the aerospace field. Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) provides a new route to fabricate large Mg alloy components. Here, a Mg-8Gd-4Y–1Zn-0.5Zr (wt.%) alloy was fabricated using WAAM based on the cold metal transfer (CMT) process. Subsequently, a short-time solid solution + aging treatment was designed to tailor the microstructure. In the as-fabricated condition, the microstructure mainly consisted of fine α-Mg, network (Mg,Zn)3(Gd,Y) eutectic phase, and lamellar γ′ basal precipitate. After 500 °C-1 h short-time solid solution, the eutectic phase rapidly dissolved, the long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) phase formed, and the fine grain was maintained. Due to the good deformation capacity of the fine grains and the kinking deformation capacity of the LPSO phase, the ductility was significantly improved from 5.2 ± 0.4% to 15.5 ± 1.1%. After further 200 °C-64 h artificial aging, dense β′ prismatic precipitates formed. Thanks to the synergistic strengthening of the fine grains and β′ prismatic precipitates, a yield strength of 242 ± 4 MPa was achieved. However, the kinking deformation of the LPSO phase was inhibited, resulting in a drastic decrease of ductility to 6.1 ± 0.5%. Overall, the combination of strength and ductility of the CMT-based WAAM-processed Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr alloy under an optimized heat treatment regime can be superior to those of the cast Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr alloys with similar contents of Gd and Y elements. This work can guide further performance optimization for WAAM-processed Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr alloys.

【Objective】The study was carried out to explore the effects of acute hypoxia on the survival of juvenile Eleutheronema tetradactylum and their spleen and heart tissue structure, with a view to providing technical support and theoretical references for the breeding and production of this species.【Method】Filling water with nitrogen to quickly overflow oxygen and reduce the content of dissolved oxygen in the water. Different levels of dissolved oxygen treatment were set in the experiment: normal oxygen group (6.33 ± 0.15 mg/L), moderate hypoxia group (3.99 ± 0.18 mg/L), and severe hypoxia group (2.05 ± 0.15 mg/L). Each treatment group was set up with 3 parallel devices. During the experiment, the flowing water was turned off, and the dissolved oxygen level in the water was monitored in real time by using a dissolved oxygen measuring instrument. The corresponding dissolved oxygen level was maintained by adjusting the size of the inflation valve. Using paraffin embedding, sectioning and hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining methods were used to observe the changes in tissue structure of the heart and spleen of juvenile E. tetradactylum.【Result】In terms of mortality rate, there was no mortality observed in the E. tetradactylum in the normal oxygen group; the mortality rates of juvenile fish under the stress in the moderate and severe hypoxia groups were 10.0%-13.3% at 23 hours, 30.0%-40.0% at 26 hours, and 43.3%-53.3% at 29 hours. In terms of spleen tissue structure, compared with the normal oxygen group, the moderate hypoxia group showed an increase in white pulp and the number of lymphocyte in juvenile fish, sparse distribution of peripheral red pulp, and a decrease in the number of melanin macrophages; the red pulp area of juvenile fish in the severe hypoxia group expanded, with a decrease in the white pulp area and the number of lymphocytes, and melanin macrophages rarely appearing. In terms of heart tissue structure, the compact layer of heart tissue in juvenile fish in the moderate hypoxia group became thinner, the myocardial fibers in the sponge layer became thinner, and the spacing became wider, and partial myocardial fiber rupture phenomenon occurred; the degree of thinning of the compact layer and thinning of the myocardial fibers in the sponge layer of juvenile fish in the severely hypoxic group increased, and the degree of expansion of the interstitial space increased compared to the hypoxic group, with partial myocardial cell rupture, nucleus protrusion, myocardial fiber rupture, and disordered arrangement.【Conclusion】The study has shown that acute hypoxia stress can affect the survival rate of juvenile E. tetradactylum. The lower the dissolved oxygen level, the higher the mortality rate, and the degree of tissue structure damage increases with the level of hypoxia.

Abstract Facial features are important sources of information about perceived trustworthiness. Masks and protective clothing diminish the visibility of facial cues by either partially concealing the mouth and nose or covering the entire face. During the pandemic, the use of personal protective equipment affected and redefined who trusts whom in society. This study used the classical investment game of interpersonal trust with Chinese participants to explore the impact of occlusion on interpersonal trust. Faces with moderate initial trustworthiness were occluded by a mask or protective clothing in Experiment 1 and were digitally occluded by a square in Experiment 2, and faces with three levels of initial trustworthiness were occluded by a mask in Experiment 3. Results showed that both undergraduates (Experiment 1a) and non-student adults (Experiment 1b) perceived the faces with protective clothing as more trustworthy than faces wearing standard masks and faces not wearing masks. Faces with the top halves showing were perceived as trustworthy as full faces, while faces with the bottom halves showing were perceived as less trustworthy. The effect of masks is weak and complex. Masks reduced participants’ trust in faces with high initial trustworthiness, had no effect on faces with low and moderate initial trustworthiness, and only slightly increased the trust of undergraduates in faces with moderate initial trustworthiness. Our findings indicate that the lack of information caused by occlusion and the social significance associated with occlusion collectively affect people’s trust behavior in Chinese society. We believe the findings of this study will be useful in elucidating the effects of personal protective equipment usage on perceptions of trustworthiness.

The eutectoid Ti–Cu alloy has the advantages of high strength and hardness. However, the pearlite eutectoid structures with coupled α + Ti2Cu lamellae result in low plasticity. In this study, a Zr alloying method is proposed to suppress the formation of lamellar pearlite and promote a bainite-like morphology. Increasing the Zr content can transform the α lamellae into rod-like laths and the Ti2Cu lamellae into dispersed particles, thereby reducing their embrittlement effect. The α laths are further refined to about 0.27 and 0.37 μm with 30% and 50% Zr addition, resulting in strong grain boundary strengthening effects. As a result, the mechanical properties are enhanced after Zr alloying. The best combination of compressive yield strength, maximum strength, and plasticity is achieved with 30% Zr addition, which is about 1040 MPa, 2505 MPa, and 33%, respectively. The results in this study can offer valuable insights into microstructure optimization and performance enhancement in active eutectoid Ti–Cu systems.

The limited mechanical properties of Al–Si alloys hinder their application in demanding and extreme conditions. The cracking tendency of high-strength aluminum alloys and high-cost of rare-earth elements pose challenges for the large-scale application of aluminum alloys in additive manufacturing. The novel and practical high-speed scanning remelting proposed in this study enables Al–Si alloys to exhibit significant proportion of fine microstructures and nano-precipitates, surpassing the mechanical properties of aluminum alloys fabricated by normal methods with exceptional strength (496.1 ± 5.8 MPa) and plasticity (21.4 ± 0.9%). This in-situ microstructure control method opens new pathways for the application in demanding engineering contexts.

The inferior creep ductility of Inconel 718 (IN718) fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM), which is unable to meet aerospace material specification (≥4%), limits its engineering application. Despite persistent optimization efforts in the SLM process and post-heat treatment, this issue remains unresolved. This study involved SLM fabrication of the modified IN718 with trace amounts of LaB6 and/or P, followed by homogenization and double aging heat treatment. The addition of trace LaB6 notably influenced the recrystallized grain structure and carbide precipitation at grain boundaries, while trace P addition had minimal impact. All samples exhibited similar γ′ and γ″ strengthening precipitates. Creep tests conducted at 650°C/690 MPa revealed that the individual modification of LaB6 showed limited improvement in creep performance and P showed no improvement, but the combined addition of LaB6 and P led to a substantial enhancement in creep performance, especially reaching as high as 8.6% creep strain. This remarkable improvement in creep ductility is unlikely to arise from the altered grain structure and grain boundary precipitates induced by LaB6 but predominantly arises from the synergistic effect of P and B in enhancing resistance to crack propagation during the third stage of creep.

【Objective】The effects of different mass concentrations of MS-222 and eugenol stresses on gill and liver tissue damage in juvenile Eleutheronema tetradactylum were studied.【Method】Seven different mass concentrations of MS-222 (20, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 60 mg/L) and seven different mass concentrations of eugenol (5, 10, 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50 mg/L) were set to analyze the static anaesthesia effects of different treatments on juvenile E. tetradactylum with an average length of 4.5 (±0.5) cm and an average body weight of 1.5 (±0.5) g.【Result】When the concentration of MS-222 was not less than 35 mg/ L, the juvenile fish began to show stress reactions after 467 s of anesthesia. When the concentration was 50 mg/L, some juvenile fish could be induced into the anesthesia period. When the concentration was 60 mg/L, all juvenile fish could be induced into the anesthesia period after 293 s. When the concentration of eugenol was not less than 25 mg/L, the juvenile fish began to exhibit stress reactions after 291 s of anaesthesia; when the concentration was 30 mg/L, some juvenile fish could be induced into the anaesthesia period; when the concentrations were 40 and 50 mg/L, all juvenile fish could be induced into the anaesthesia period at 194 s and 102 s, respectively. With the increase of MS-222 and eugenol concentrations, the time for juvenile fish to enter the same anaesthesia period was significantly shortened (P < 0.05). At high concentrations, the time for juvenile fish to enter the anaesthesia period was too fast, which exceeded the tolerance value and may have a certain toxic effect on the fish body, leading to fish death. By observing the pathological sections of juvenile fish tissues, it was found that, with the increase of MS-222 and eugenol concentrations, the liver cells of juvenile fish showed vacuoles, disordered arrangement, nuclear dissolution visible in the nucleus and unclear liver plate structure. The gill lamellae were curved with enlarged ends, and they may burst or fall off in severe cases.【Conclusion】A moderate dosage of anaesthetic can reduce the stress response of fish to the external environment and reduce oxygen consumption. Different concentrations of MS-222 and eugenol (except for 5 mg/L) have a sedative effect on E. tetradactylum within 3 minutes. When the concentrations of the two anaesthetics are too high, the anaesthesia time is too long, and the juvenile fish are in a state of stress for a long time, the fish will die.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to explore the relevant risk factors associated with biliary complications (BCs) in patients with end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) following ex vivo liver resection and autotransplantation (ELRA) and to establish and visualize a nomogram model. Methods This study retrospectively analysed patients with end-stage HAE who received ELRA treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between August 1, 2010 and May 10, 2023. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model was applied to optimize the feature variables for predicting the incidence of BCs following ELRA. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to develop a prognostic model by incorporating the selected feature variables from the LASSO regression model. The predictive ability, discrimination, consistency with the actual risk, and clinical utility of the candidate prediction model were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration plots, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Internal validation was performed by the bootstrapping method. Results The candidate prediction nomogram included predictors such as age, hepatic bile duct dilation, portal hypertension, and regular resection based on hepatic segments. The model demonstrated good discrimination ability and a satisfactory calibration curve, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.818 (95% CI 0.7417–0.8958). According to DCA, this prediction model can predict the risk of BCs occurrence within a probability threshold range of 9% to 85% to achieve clinical net benefit. Conclusions A prognostic nomogram with good discriminative ability and high accuracy was developed and validated to predict BCs after ELRA in patients with end-stage HAE.

Abstract Immune evasion contributes to cancer growth and progression. Cancer cells have the ability to activate different immune checkpoint pathways that harbor immunosuppressive functions. The programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligands (PD-Ls) are considered to be the major immune checkpoint molecules. The interaction of PD-1 and PD-L1 negatively regulates adaptive immune response mainly by inhibiting the activity of effector T cells while enhancing the function of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs), largely contributing to the maintenance of immune homeostasis that prevents dysregulated immunity and harmful immune responses. However, cancer cells exploit the PD-1/PD-L1 axis to cause immune escape in cancer development and progression. Blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 by neutralizing antibodies restores T cells activity and enhances anti-tumor immunity, achieving remarkable success in cancer therapy. Therefore, the regulatory mechanisms of PD-1/PD-L1 in cancers have attracted an increasing attention. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the roles of the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling in human autoimmune diseases and cancers. We summarize all aspects of regulatory mechanisms underlying the expression and activity of PD-1 and PD-L1 in cancers, including genetic, epigenetic, post-transcriptional and post-translational regulatory mechanisms. In addition, we further summarize the progress in clinical research on the antitumor effects of targeting PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies alone and in combination with other therapeutic approaches, providing new strategies for finding new tumor markers and developing combined therapeutic approaches.

Abstract As traditional energy reserves continue to decline, the importance of new energy sources increases. However, the current traditional power system often fails to consider new energy sources, particularly in power supply systems that integrate multiple new energy sources. The cost, efficiency, and environmental factors seriously affect the energy system’s efficiency. Therefore, this proposal presents a multi-objective optimization discrete assignment pathfinder algorithm. The algorithm can handle multi-objective optimization problems and adapt to various constraints, providing a more precise optimization scheme for new energy systems. The experimental results indicated that the proposed research method exhibits better performance compared to other algorithms of the same type. Compared with the multi-objective multivariate universe optimization algorithm and the multi-objective sparrow search algorithm, the research method was ahead in terms of fitness value by 9.54% and 14.67%, respectively. Meanwhile, in the grid simulation, the research method achieved an average efficiency of 96.16%, which is better than the comparative algorithms by 6.57–14.02%. The study not only improves the optimization efficiency of new energy consumption, but also provides a powerful decision support tool for the planning and operation of wind farms. It is of great significance for the improvement of power system efficiency and decarbonization, and helps to promote the large-scale integration and sustainable development of new energy.

Background: Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors have become integral elements within the current landscape of breast cancer treatment modalities; however, they are associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD), which is rare but potentially fatal. Notably, only a few studies have compared the difference in ILD incidence between PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the discrepancies regarding ILD risk between the two immune checkpoint inhibitors. We also reported three cases of ILD after PD-1 inhibitor treatment. Methods: We comprehensively searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library to identify clinical trials that investigated PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor treatment for patients with breast cancer. Pooled overall estimates of incidence and risk ratio (RR) were calculated with a 95% confidence interval (CI), and a mirror group analysis was performed using eligible studies. Results: This meta-analysis included 29 studies with 4639 patients who received PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor treatment. A higher ILD incidence was observed among 2508 patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors than among 2131 patients treated with PD-L1 inhibitors (0.05 vs. 0.02). The mirror group analysis further revealed a higher ILD event risk in patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors than in those treated with PD-L1 inhibitors (RR = 2.34, 95% CI, 1.13–4.82, P = 0.02). Conclusion: Our findings suggest a greater risk of ILD with PD-1 inhibitors than with PD-L1 inhibitors. These findings are instrumental for clinicians in treatment deliberations, and the adoption of more structured diagnostic approaches and management protocols is necessary to mitigate the risk of ILD.

Abstract Background The elderly, especially those with physical disabilities, often encounter barriers that prevent them from accessing outdoor activities. Their perceptions of the convenience of accessing outdoor activities may be influenced by various factors including their health, the social context, and/or planned behavior. This study aimed to develop predictive models that identify the principal determinants of perceived convenience among this demographic, and it also examined the disparities observed between genders. Methods This was a cross-sectional survey of 1216 community-dwelling older people with physical disabilities in rural China. Grounded on the rehabilitation concepts and the theory of planned behavior, structural equation models integrated health and social behavior factors were constructed to predict perceived convenience of accessing outdoor activities. The standardized coefficients explained the contributions of various factors to the variance. Results The final structural models demonstrated good fit for both female and male participants. Perceptions of the convenience of accessing outdoor activities among both women and men were directly impacted by their physical functioning and their intention to participate, and indirectly by medical expenditure, subjective norms, pain, and role limitation in emotional interactions. Positive mental health was more influential for women, while men were more influenced by subjective norms. Conclusions Structural equation models have effectively predicted the self-reported convenience of accessing outdoor activities, underscoring the importance of functional and behavioral rehabilitation. Furthermore, gender-sensitive rehabilitation programs are advised to promote engagement in outdoor activities among elderly individuals with physical disabilities.

With the development of aerospace, Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr alloy as a high-performance light alloy has attracted much attention. In this paper, the Mg-8.8Gd-3.9Y-0.85Zn-0.45Zr (wt%, GWZ941) alloy single-pass multilayer components fabricated by cold metal transfer wire and arc additive manufacturing (CMT-WAAM) in CMT mode, CMT-P mode and CMT-Advance mode. Studying the effects of the three CMT characteristics on voltage and current waveforms and metal transfer behaviors of the deposition processes for the GWZ941 alloy. The macro morphology, defect distribution, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the three as-deposited samples were compared. The GWZ941 alloy deposit fabricated by CMT-WAAM exhibits a uniform equiaxed grain structure whose average grain size of the three samples was 11.9 μm, 13.9 μm, and 7.9 μm, with the porosity less than 0.01%. The UTS and EL of the three GWZ941 alloy samples were 257 ± 4 MPa and 7.5 ± 1%, 230 ± 8 MPa and 3.5 ± 1%, 253 ± 2 MPa and 7.0 ± 0.3%, respectively. In the presence of oxide particles in the GWZ941 alloy formed by CMT-WAAM, the oxide content is less than 0.08%, which is the main influencing factor for the reduced strength and plasticity of the GWZ941 alloy.

Mg-Gd-Y-Zr is an important lightweight material in the aerospace field. However, the engineering applications of large-scale Mg-Gd-Y-Zr alloy components are significantly limited by macrosegregation and microstructure coarsening during the casting process. In recent years, wire-arc directed energy deposition (DED), which has high design and manufacturing freedom, provides a new route to manufacture large-scale metal parts. In this work, a dilute Mg-3.2Gd-0.6Y-0.5Zr (wt.%) alloy, which had a degree of alloying comparable to AZ31 commercial alloys, was fabricated using a wire-arc DED process based on tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, the microstructure evolution, tensile properties, and impact toughness were investigated. Due to the multiple grain refinement effects, the DED sample displayed a fine-grain structure (12.3 ± 7.4 μm), which was comparable to that of the wrought counterpart. Combined with the ductilizing effects of the fine grain and the Gd/Y solutes, the DED sample achieved a high ductility, which was better than most reported additive-manufactured Mg alloys as well as wrought Mg alloys. The good plastic deformation capacity also endowed the DED sample with good crack propagation resistance under dynamic impact load. We hope this work can help guide the further development of high-performance Mg alloys that are specially designed for the wire-arc DED additive manufacturing process.

Inconel 625 superalloy coatings were prepared on 12CrMoV steel plates by CMT process and MIG process respectively. The microstructures, the mechanical properties and oxidation resistance of the coatings were tested and analyzed. The results show that the heat input of CMT process is obviously lower than that of MIG process, and the forming quality of the coating is better, with smooth surface, no splash, no internal porosity and no other defects. The average weld penetration depth of CMT process coating is 0.51 mm and the dilution ratio is 6.8 %, which are much lower than that of the MIG process. Both coatings are mainly composed of coarse columnar crystals, however, the dendrites in the CMT process coating are finer and have better alignment consistency. The microstructure of two process coatings shows significant differences, and a large amount of Laves phase presents in the coating of the MIG process. The presence of Laves phase was not found in the coating of CMT process, but was replaced by element segregation region. In terms of mechanical properties, the CMT process coating has a higher hardness of about 221 HV and it is higher than the MIG process coating which is about 204 HV. Oxidation resistance testing of the coatings shows that the outer Cr2O3 film plays key role to the oxidation resistance. More compact and stable outer oxide film is formed in the oxidation process of the coating prepared by CMT process, which resulted in a better oxidation resistance.

The spatial and temporal variation of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) has been a topic of interest for researchers in recent years. However, the study of SGD is limited within the scope of Zhanjiang Bay. The Zhanjiang Bay is located in western Guangdong Province, known for its high temperatures and typhoon vulnerability. The present study examined the fluctuation patterns of seawater 222Rn in Zhanjiang Bay during the period from June 2021 to March 2022. This investigation employs the 222Rn tracing technique to establish a mass balance model to compute the SGD rate, and assess the significance of SGD in translocating nutrients into the bay. We conducted a four-month sampling, observing the differences between the rainy and dry seasons. Precipitation exerts a significant influence on the seasonal variations of SGD. The SGD rates of Zhanjiang Bay ranged from 7.14 to 10.75 cm·d-1 in the dry season and from 13.38 to 14.61 cm·d-1 in the rainy season. SGD-derived nutrients also exhibited seasonal fluctuations, the annual input of nutrients it supplies may be comparable to the quantity delivered by rivers, which significantly impacted the trophic status of the bay.

In order to address the issue of metering inaccuracies in charging stations that directly affect the development of electric vehicles, a prediction method for the relative error of charging stations based on the ConvFormer model is proposed. The model combines Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) with Transformer models in parallel, significantly improving the prediction accuracy. First, charging station data is preprocessed using forward interpolation and normalization methods, and the dataset is transformed into a dataset of input relative errors. Then, a neural network with an improved unidirectional convolutional and attention combination for time-series forecasting is constructed, and common regression performance evaluation metrics, MAE (Mean Absolute Error) and MSE (Mean Squared Error), are selected for evaluation. Finally, based on seven days of charging station data, the relative error of charging stations for the next 24 h is predicted, and compared to traditional Transformer and LSTM (Long Short-Term Memory) time-series models. The results show that the improved model yields the lowest values for both MAE and MSE, with a 47.30 % reduction in MAE compared to the Transformer model and a 38.06 % reduction compared to LSTM, and a 66.94 % reduction in MSE compared to the Transformer model and approximately 62.32 % reduction compared to LSTM.

BackgroundPancreatic hamartoma, a rare benign non-neoplastic condition, presents challenges in differentiating from other pancreatic diseases due to its atypical imaging and unreliable biopsy results. In this study, we present a case of pancreatic hamartoma and conduct a comprehensive review of relevant literature to outline its characteristic features, aiming to underscore its clinical relevance and implications.Case presentationA 63-year-old man presented with a pancreatic mass, discovered during evaluation of abdominal pain and distension. Laboratory tests were largely unremarkable. Ultrasound revealed a hypoechoic mass in the head of the pancreas. Subsequent computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an inhomogeneous mass with a clear boundary in the uncinate process of the pancreas. Furthermore, a distinct delayed enhancement pattern was noted on imaging. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of pancreatic hamartoma.ConclusionsPreoperative diagnosis of pancreatic hamartoma remains challenging. Imaging modalities can play a crucial role in facilitating accurate diagnosis and potentially avoiding unnecessary surgical intervention in patients with this condition.

Introduction: Osteochondral repair poses a significant challenge due to its unique pathological mechanisms and complex repair processes, particularly in bacterial tissue conditions resulting from open injuries, infections, and surgical contamination. This study introduces a biomimetic honeycomb-like scaffold (Zn-AlgMA@Mg) designed for osteochondral repair. The scaffold consists of a dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD)-coated porous magnesium scaffold (DCPD Mg) embedded within a dual crosslinked sodium alginate hydrogel (Zn-AlgMA). This combination aims to synergistically exert antibacterial and osteochondral integrated repair properties.Methods: The Zn-AlgMA@Mg scaffold was fabricated by coating porous magnesium scaffolds with DCPD and embedding them within a dual crosslinked sodium alginate hydrogel. The structural and mechanical properties of the DCPD Mg scaffold were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mechanical testing. The microstructural features and hydrophilicity of Zn-AlgMA were assessed. In vitro studies were conducted to evaluate the controlled release of magnesium and zinc ions, as well as the scaffold’s osteogenic, chondrogenic, and antibacterial properties. Proteomic analysis was performed to elucidate the mechanism of osteochondral integrated repair. In vivo efficacy was evaluated using a rabbit full-thickness osteochondral defect model, with micro-CT evaluation, quantitative analysis, and histological staining (hematoxylin-eosin, Safranin-O, and Masson’s trichrome).Results: The DCPD Mg scaffold exhibited a uniform porous structure and superior mechanical properties. The Zn-AlgMA hydrogel displayed consistent microstructural features and enhanced hydrophilicity. The Zn-AlgMA@Mg scaffold provided controlled release of magnesium and zinc ions, promoting cell proliferation and vitality. In vitro studies demonstrated significant osteogenic and chondrogenic properties, as well as antibacterial efficacy. Proteomic analysis revealed the underlying mechanism of osteochondral integrated repair facilitated by the scaffold. Micro-CT evaluation and histological analysis confirmed successful osteochondral integration in the rabbit model.Discussion: The biomimetic honeycomb-like scaffold (Zn-AlgMA@Mg) demonstrated promising results for osteochondral repair, effectively addressing the challenges posed by bacterial tissue conditions. The scaffold’s ability to release magnesium and zinc ions in a controlled manner contributed to its significant osteogenic, chondrogenic, and antibacterial properties. Proteomic analysis provided insights into the scaffold’s mechanism of action, supporting its potential for integrated osteochondral regeneration. The successful in vivo results highlight the scaffold’s efficacy, making it a promising biomaterial for future applications in osteochondral repair.

Underground rail transit has become one of the most popular transportation modes because of its advantages such as fast running speed, large passenger flow and punctuality. This mode of transportation can alleviate urban traffic congestion to a certain extent, so underground rail transit has been vigorously developed, and the number of rail lines has increased exponentially. However, with the continuous development of underground rail transit, the energy consumption of train operation is also increasing, resulting in a waste of energy. To solve this problem, this paper proposes to improve the energy-saving technology of train operation by using train autopilot control strategy. Firstly, a train operation optimization model considering train position and speed limit is established by using automatic train driving strategy, and the nonlinear problem of the optimization model is solved by genetic algorithm. The micro-field theory is introduced into the control strategy of automatic train driving, and the energy-saving model of underground rail transit is established. The energy consumption is optimized from three aspects: train energy-saving technology, line planning and overall operation planning of rail transit. The simulation results show that the average impact rate and energy consumption of trains under the proposed energy-saving model are significantly reduced compared with the other two groups of trains, and the average impact rate and energy consumption are significantly reduced compared with the other two groups of trains. The running time and energy consumption of the energy-saving model are lower than those of the experimental group. To sum up, the energy-saving model of underground rail transit proposed in this paper not only reduces the operating energy consumption, but also improves the passenger comfort, which can provide low-cost energy-saving technology for underground transportation field, and has positive significance for urban low-carbon development.

This paper introduces a novel method for accurately estimating the 2D coordinates of hand keypoints from single static images, utilizing a sequential convolutional neural network optimized with Maximum Likelihood Estimation Loss. Unlike traditional heatmap-based techniques, our approach eliminates the need to generate label heatmaps and sidesteps the direct optimization of model parameters based on noisy labels. Instead, it concentrates on modeling the distribution of the discrepancies between predicted results and ground truth, rather than the potential presence of noisy labels, thus enabling the direct prediction of hand keypoint coordinates. Furthermore, we propose a sequential training and inference framework that consists of a deep convolutional backbone network and a multi-stage sequential network. Each stage of this network features similar structures, facilitating the progressive and precise prediction of hand keypoint coordinates. Our extensive experimental results demonstrate that our approach is both highly accurate and robust, outperforming mainstream methods under the experimental conditions detailed in this paper.

Abstract Background Gut microbiota alterations have been implicated in sepsis and related infectious diseases, but the causal relationship and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Methods We evaluated the association between gut microbiota composition and sepsis using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis based on published genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to validate the robustness of the results. Reverse MR analysis and integration of GWAS and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data were performed to identify potential genes and therapeutic targets. Results Our analysis identified 11 causal bacterial taxa associated with sepsis, with increased abundance of six taxa showing positive causal relationships. Ten taxa had causal effects on the 28-day survival outcome of septic patients, with increased abundance of six taxa showing positive associations. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these associations. Reverse MR analysis did not provide evidence of reverse causality. Integration of GWAS and eQTL data revealed 76 genes passing the summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) test. Differential expression of these genes was observed between sepsis patients and healthy individuals. These genes represent potential therapeutic targets for sepsis. Molecular docking analysis predicted potential drug-target interactions, further supporting their therapeutic potential. Conclusion Our study provides insights for the development of personalized treatment strategies for sepsis and offers preliminary candidate targets and drugs for future drug development.

Objective: To explore the efficacy and potential mechanisms of the ethanol extract of Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medic in contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). Methods: CIN rat models and human renal proximal tubular cells (HK-2) with iopromide-induced injury were employed to mimic CIN conditions. The effect of Abelmoschus manihot extract on the rat models and HK-2 cells was evaluated. In rat models, kidney function, histology, oxidative stress and apoptosis were determined. In HK-2 cells, cell viability, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, and endoplasmic reticulum stress were assessed. Results: Abelmoschus manihot extract significantly improved structural and functional impairments in the kidneys of CIN rats. Additionally, the extract effectively mitigated the decline in cellular viability and reduced iopromide-induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Mechanistic investigations revealed that Abelmoschus manihot extract prominently attenuated acute endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis by downregulating GRP78 and CHOP protein levels. Conclusions: Abelmoschus manihot extract can be used as a promising therapeutic and preventive agent in the treatment of CIN.

Abstract Emissions from fossil fuel exploitation are a leading contributor to global anthropogenic methane emissions, but are highly uncertain. The lack of reliable estimates hinders monitoring of the progress on pledges towards methane reductions. Here we analyze methane emissions from exploitation of coal, oil and gas for major producing nations across a suite of bottom-up inventories and global inversions. Larger disagreement in emissions exists for the oil/gas sector across the inventories compared to coal, arising mostly from disparate data sources for emission factors. Moreover, emissions reported to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change are lower than other bottom-up and inversion estimates, with many countries lacking reporting in the past decades. Finally, comparison with previous global inversions, revealed a strong influence of the prior inventory on the inferred sub-sectoral emissions magnitude. This study highlights the need to improve consensus on the methodological inputs among the bottom-up inventories in order to obtain more consistent inverse modelling results at the sub-sectoral level.

FengYun-3E (FY3E) is the world's first dust-dawn orbiting meteorological satellite for civil use, which has filled the vacancy of global early-morning-orbit satellite observation by working together with FengYun-3C and FengYun-3D satellites. The Medium Resolution Spectral Imager-Low Light (MERSI-LL) sensor carried by FY3E can detect surface temperature variation. The radiometric calibration conditions of MERSI-LL thermal infrared bands were evaluated using the collected field measurements and atmospheric transfer simulations during 5–23 December, 2022, at Lake Erhai. A thermal infrared radiometer equipped on an unmanned surface vehicle was used to continuously collect surface-emitted radiance and water temperature. Atmospheric conditions, surface emissivity, and aerosol optical depth measured near-field experiment site were adopted by atmospheric radiative transfer code to calculate the influence of atmosphere on long-wave radiation during the propagation from land surface to satellite aperture. The good in-orbit operational status could be detected according to our calibration experiments, and the calibration analysis suggested that the differences between the simulated brightness temperature and satellite-based brightness temperature are 0.71 K with an RMSE of 0.79 K and 0.11 K with an RMSE of 0.47 K for channels 6 and 7, respectively, which achieved better or similar calibration accuracy by comparing with TIR channels of other FengYun satellites.

The preparation of biodegradable pure Zn porous scaffolds using additive manufacturing technology has great potential for application. However, the mechanical properties of pure Zn are not sufficient for the clinical application of stents. An object of this paper was to investigate the effect of laser power on microstructural evolution and tensile properties of pure Zn fabricated via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). The results demonstrated that the temperature gradient and heat storage were the main factors determining the microstructure. The formation of columnar grains was due to the high temperature gradient in the early printing stage, and the equiaxed grains in the middle and top region were attributed to the heat storage induced recrystallization and columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET), respectively. In addition, as the laser power increased from 40 W to 60 W, the recrystallization degree increased, and the Kernel average misorientation value and Taylor factor decreased gradually, resulting in a significant increase in the ductility. The mechanical properties were maximized at the laser power of 60 W and the scanning rate of 150 mm/s (yield strength, tensile strength and elongation of samples can reach 82.02 MPa, 116.20 MPa and 37.16 %, respectively). This work provides theoretical support for optimizing the mechanical properties of LPBF Zn-based materials by microstructural regulation.

Most metallic structural materials possess an intrinsic inverse relationship between strength and ductility. Heterostructured materials are expected to address this issue. Through composition regulation, TC4/TC4+2.5Ni layered heterostructures with exceptional strength and ductility were fabricated by direct laser deposition (DLD), exhibiting a significant increase in strength compared to that of TC4 while retaining excellent ductility. The mechanism of strength–ductility synergy was investigated under different alternating interlayer design conditions. The addition of nickel refined the microstructure of TC4, promoting the transformation of coarse columnar grains into nearly equiaxed grains. The DLD-fabricated TC4/TC4+2.5Ni layered heterostructure comprised alternating regions of columnar and near-equiaxed grains. By appropriately adjusting the thickness of alternating components (three to four DLD-deposited layers), a significant compositional and microstructural heterogeneity was achieved, resulting in a synergistic effect on strength and ductility in TC4-TC42.5Ni layered heterostructures. Moreover, strength–ductility synergy was achieved under the combined effect of hetero-deformation-induced stress, crack deflection near the component interface, and inhibition of strain localization by alternating soft and hard regions. This study provides a theoretical foundation and key evidence for designing DLD-deposited heterostructured titanium alloys with improved strength–ductility synergy, offering novel insights and contributions to improving the performance of titanium alloys.

Invasion and metastasis are the leading causes of death in individuals with malignant tumors, including gastric cancer. In this study, we aim to explore the effect and related mechanisms of methionine restriction (MR) on gastric carcinoma metastasis. In the MR cell model, gastric carcinoma cells are cultured in the MR medium, and in the animal model, BALB/c nude rodents are administered with a methionine-free diet after receiving injections of MKN45 cells into the caudal vein. Transwell assay is used to detect cell invasion and migration. Chromatin immunoprecipitation is performed to investigate the levels of H3K9me2, H3K27Ac, and H3K27me3 in the E-cadherin promoter. The results show that MR inhibits gastric carcinoma cell migration, invasion, and lung metastasis. MR increases E-cadherin while reducing the H3K27me3 level in the E-cadherin promoter. E-cadherin expression in gastric carcinoma cells is adversely regulated by HDAC2. Overexpressing HDAC2 reduces the H3K27Ac level in the E-cadherin promoter, while interfering with HDAC2 increases the H3K27Ac level. HDAC2 interference under MR conditions further upregulates E-cadherin expression and inhibits gastric carcinoma cell migration, invasion, and lung metastasis. MR combined with HDAC2 interference promotes E-cadherin expression by mediating the methylation and acetylation of E-cadherin, thus inhibiting the invasion, migration, and lung metastasis of gastric carcinoma cells. Our study provides a new theoretical basis for the inhibitory effect of MR on gastric cancer.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx), significant contributors to air pollution and climate change, form aerosols and ozone in the atmosphere. Accurate, timely, and transparent information on NOx emissions is essential for decision-making to mitigate both haze and ozone pollution. However, a comprehensive understanding of the trends and drivers behind anthropogenic NOx emissions from China—the world's largest emitter—has been lacking since 2020 due to delays in emissions reporting. Here we show a consistent decline in China's NOx emissions from 2020 to 2022, despite increased fossil fuel consumption, utilizing satellite observations as constraints for NOx emission estimates through atmospheric inversion. This reduction is corroborated by data from two independent spaceborne instruments: the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) and the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). Notably, a reduction in transport emissions, largely due to the COVID-19 lockdowns, slightly decreased China's NOx emissions in 2020. In subsequent years, 2021 and 2022, reductions in NOx emissions were driven by the industry and transport sectors, influenced by stringent air pollution controls. The satellite-based inversion system developed in this study represents a significant advancement in the real-time monitoring of regional air pollution emissions from space.

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable hematological malignancy. Despite tremendous advances in the treatment, about 10% of patients still have very poor outcomes with median overall survival less than 24 months. Our study aimed to underscore the critical mechanisms pertaining to the rapid disease progression and provide novel therapeutic selection for these ultra-high-risk patients. We utilized single-cell transcriptomic sequencing to dissect the characteristic bone marrow niche of patients with survival of less than two years (EM24). Notably, an enrichment of LILRB4high pre-matured plasma-cell cluster was observed in the patients in EM24 compared to patients with durable remission. This cluster exhibited aggressive proliferation and drug-resistance phenotype. High-level LILRB4 promoted MM clonogenicity and progression. Clinically, high expression of LILRB4 was correlated with poor prognosis in both newly diagnosed MM patients and relapsed/refractory MM patients. The ATAC-seq analysis identified that high chromosomal accessibility caused the elevation of LILRB4 on MM cells. CRISPR-Cas9 deletion of LILRB4 alleviated the growth of MM cells, inhibited the immunosuppressive function of MDSCs, and further rescued T cell dysfunction in MM microenvironment. The more infiltration of myeloid-derived suppressive cells (MDSCs) was observed in EM24 patients as well. Therefore, we innovatively generated a TCR-based chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell, LILRB4-STAR-T. Cytotoxicity experiment demonstrated that LILRB4-STAR-T cells efficaciously eliminated tumor cells and impeded MDSCs function. In conclusion, our study elucidates that LILRB4 is an ideal biomarker and promising immunotherapy target for high-risk MM. LILRB4-STAR-T cell immunotherapy is promising against tumor cells and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in MM.

Introduction Breast cancer (BC) is a common cancer characterized by a high molecular heterogeneity. Therefore, understanding its biological properties and developing effective treatments for patients with different molecular features is imperative. Calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) has been implicated in several regulatory functions in various types of human cancers. However, its underlying pathological mechanism in BC progression remains elusive. Methods We utilized The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases to explore the function of CaSR in the metastasis of BC. Gene ontology analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis of biological processes and cell signaling pathways revealed that CaSR could be activated or inhibited. Importantly, quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to verify the gene expression of the CaSR. Wound healing and transwell assays were conducted to assess the effect of CaSR on the migration of BC cells. Results We demonstrated that CaSR expression in metastatic BC was higher than that in non-metastatic BC. It is the first time that database information has been used to reveal the biological process and molecular mechanism of CaSR in BC. Moreover, the CaSR expression in normal breast epithelial cells was notably less compared to that in BC cells. The activation of CaSR by Cinacalcet (a CaSR agonist) significantly enhanced the migration of BC cells, whereas NPS-2143 (a CaSR antagonist) treatment dramatically inhibited these effects. Conclusion and future perspective Bioinformatics techniques and experiments demonstrated the involvement of CaSR in BC metastasis. Our findings shed new light on the receptor therapy and molecular pathogenesis of BC, and emphasize the crucial function of CaSR, facilitating the metastasis of BC.

ObjectiveEpilepsy is a common neurological disorder characterized by recurrent epilepsy episodes. As a non-pharmacological treatment, the ketogenic diet has been widely applied in treating epilepsy. However, the exact therapeutic mechanism of the ketogenic diet for epilepsy remains unclear. This study investigates the molecular mechanisms of the ketogenic diet in regulating fatty acid metabolism and activating the ADCY3-initiated cAMP signaling pathway to enhance neuronal inhibition and thereby treat epilepsy.Methods and resultsMeta-analysis reveals that the ketogenic diet is superior to the conventional diet in treating epilepsy. Animal experiments demonstrate that the ketogenic diet is more effective than the conventional diet in treating epilepsy, with the best results achieved using the classic ketogenic diet. Transcriptome sequencing analysis identifies six essential genes, among which ADCY3 shows increased expression in the ketogenic diet. In vivo experiments confirm that the activation of the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway by ADCY3 enhances neuronal inhibition and improves epilepsy control.ConclusionClinical observations indicate that the ketogenic diet improves patient epilepsy episodes by regulating the ADCY3-initiated cAMP signaling pathway.

Abstract It is important to directly characterize the modulus of objects through wearable systems, which can further develop electronic skin and human‐computer interaction. In this work, a modulus sensing system based on a pressure sensor and vibration module is developed. This resistive pressure sensor exhibits good linearity and sensitivity. Combined with the vibration module to adjust the applied stress and strain, the modulus value of the objects can be directly calculated. The modulus sensing system demonstrates excellent modulus monitoring capabilities in the range of 60‒3000 kPa modulus and high linearity. In addition, it is used to detect modulus values for different parts of the human body and integrate a concept eye mask to prevent and monitor migraine. The system shows the potential to be further applied to wearable devices for human health monitoring and disease prevention.

Abstract The supercritical CO2 (sCO2) power cycle could improve efficiencies for a wide range of thermal power plants. The sCO2 turbine generator plays an important role in the sCO2 power cycle by directly converting thermal energy into mechanical work and electric power. The operation of the generator encounters challenges, including high temperature, high pressure, high rotational speed, and other engineering problems, such as leakage. Experimental studies of sCO2 turbines are insufficient because of the significant difficulties in turbine manufacturing and system construction. Unlike most experimental investigations that primarily focus on 100 kW‐ or MW‐scale power generation systems, we consider, for the first time, a small‐scale power generator using sCO2. A partial admission axial turbine was designed and manufactured with a rated rotational speed of 40,000 rpm, and a CO2 transcritical power cycle test loop was constructed to validate the performance of our manufactured generator. A resistant gas was proposed in the constructed turbine expander to solve the leakage issue. Both dynamic and steady performances were investigated. The results indicated that a peak electric power of 11.55 kW was achieved at 29,369 rpm. The maximum total efficiency of the turbo‐generator was 58.98%, which was affected by both the turbine rotational speed and pressure ratio, according to the proposed performance map.

Abstract The emergence of drug‐resistant bacteria poses a significant threat to people's lives and health as bacterial infections continue to persist. Currently, antibiotic therapy remains the primary approach for tackling bacterial infections. However, the escalating rates of drug resistance coupled with the lag in the development of novel drugs have led to diminishing effectiveness of conventional treatments. Therefore, the development of nonantibiotic‐dependent therapeutic strategies has become imperative to impede the rise of bacterial resistance. The emergence of chemodynamic therapy (CDT) has opened up a new possibility due to the CDT can convert H2O2 into •OH via Fenton/Fenton‐like reaction for drug‐resistant bacterial treatment. However, the efficacy of CDT is limited by a variety of practical factors. To overcome this limitation, the sterilization efficiency of CDT can be enhanced by introducing the therapeutics with inherent antimicrobial capability. In addition, researchers have explored CDT‐based combined therapies to augment its antimicrobial effects and mitigate its potential toxic side effects toward normal tissues. This review examines the research progress of CDT in the antimicrobial field, explores various strategies to enhance CDT efficacy and presents the synergistic effects of CDT in combination with other modalities. And last, the current challenges faced by CDT and the future research directions are discussed.

Objectives To explore the impact of the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index on the severity of coronary stenosis and the risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Design A multicentre retrospective cohort study.Setting Patients with STEMI undergoing PCI from three centres in China from 2015 to 2019.Participants A total of 1491 individuals presenting with STEMI were enrolled.Primary outcome measure The degree of coronary stenosis was quantified by the Gensini score (GS). The association between the TyG index and the severity of coronary stenosis was explored by using a logistic regression analysis. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to investigate the associations between the variables and in-hospital mortality.Results We found a significant correlation between the TyG index and the degree of coronary stenosis in the present study. The TyG index was an independent risk factor for the severity of coronary stenosis (OR 2.003, p

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), also known as hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS), is a benign histiocytosis with hyperreactive proliferation of the mononuclear phagocyte system caused by immune function abnormalities, which often occurs under the background of genetic mutations, inflammation, infection or tumors. Because the research on malignancy-associated HLH (M-HLH) is focused on hematological malignancies, reports on HLH secondary to solid tumors are rare. In this case, we report a 14-year-old girl who developed HLH during treatment for intracranial multifocal germinoma, and the disease was controlled after hormone combined with etoposide(VP-16) and other related treatments. To our knowledge, there have been no documented cases of HLH caused by intracranial multifocal germinoma.

As the physical and mental development of the young is not only influenced by the parent-child relationship (PR) and the student's academic performance, but also moderated by trait coping styles (TCS), the changes between these three during the online learning period in an epidemic need to be reconsidered. This study aims to explore the factors affecting online learning satisfaction (OLS) among students and their interaction with parent-child relationship and trait coping style. A web-based questionnaire was employed, encompassing general information, the Trait Coping Style Questionnaire (TCSQ), and queries related to OLS. A total of 1,287 valid questionnaires were collected, with 593 from junior high school students, 197 from high school students, and 497 from university students. Our findings indicate that parent-child relationship (PR), positive coping style (PCS), and learning status (LS) showed a positive correlation with OLS (r=0.110, P

Abstract Multistep photoswitches are able to engage in different photoisomerization pathways and are challenging to control. Here we demonstrate a multistep sequence of E/Z isomerization and photocyclization/cycloreversion of photoswitches via manipulating the strength and mechanism of noncovalent chalcogen bonding interactions. The incorporation of chalcogens and the formyl group on open ethene bridged dithienylethenes offers a versatile skeleton for single photochromic molecules. While bidirectional E/Z photoswitching is dominated by neutral tellurium arising from enhanced resonance-assisted chalcogen bonding, the creation of cationic telluronium enables the realization of photocyclization/cycloreversion. The reversible nucleophilic substitution reactions further allow interconversion between neutral tellurium and cationic telluronium and selection of photoisomerization mechanisms on purpose. By leveraging unique photoswitching patterns and dynamic covalent reactivity, light and pH stimuli-responsive multistate rewritable materials were constructed, triggered by an activating reagent for additional control. The results should provide ample opportunities to molecular recognition, intelligent switches, information encryption, and smart materials.

Abstract Background Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), a severe manifestation of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), is associated with a 1-year limb amputation rate of approximately 15–20% and substantial mortality. A key feature of CLTI is the compromised regenerative ability of skeletal muscle; however, the mechanisms responsible for this impairment are not yet fully understood. In this study, we aim to delineate pathological changes at both the cellular and transcriptomic levels, as well as in cell–cell signaling pathways, associated with compromised muscle regeneration in limb ischemia in both human tissue samples and murine models of CLTI. Methods We performed single-cell transcriptome analysis of ischemic and non-ischemic muscle from the same CLTI patients and from a murine model of CLTI. In both datasets, we analyzed gene expression changes in macrophage and muscle satellite cell (MuSC) populations as well as differential cell–cell signaling interactions and differentiation trajectories. Results Single-cell transcriptomic profiling and immunofluorescence analysis of CLTI patient skeletal muscle demonstrated that ischemic-damaged tissue displays a pro-inflammatory macrophage signature. Comparable results were observed in a murine CLTI model. Moreover, integrated analyses of both human and murine datasets revealed premature differentiation of MuSCs to be a key feature of failed muscle regeneration in the ischemic limb. Furthermore, in silico inferences of intercellular communication and in vitro assays highlight the importance of macrophage-MuSC signaling in ischemia induced muscle injuries. Conclusions Collectively, our research provides the first single-cell transcriptome atlases of skeletal muscle from CLTI patients and a murine CLTI model, emphasizing the crucial role of macrophages and inflammation in regulating muscle regeneration in CLTI through interactions with MuSCs.

Abstract Background Infiltration of CD8 + T cells in the tumor microenvironment is correlated with better prognosis in various malignancies. Our study aimed to investigate vital genes correlated with CD8 + T cell infiltration in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) and develop a new prognostic model. Methods Using the STAD dataset, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed, and co-expression networks were constructed. Combined with the CIBERSORT algorithm, the most relevant module of WGCNA with CD8 + T cell infiltration was selected for subsequent analysis. The vital genes were screened out by univariate regression analysis to establish the risk score model. The expression of the viral genes was verified by lasso regression analysis and in vitro experiments. Results Four CD8 + T cell infiltration-related genes (CIDEC, EPS8L3, MUC13, and PLEKHS1) were correlated with the prognosis of STAD. Based on these genes, a risk score model was established. We found that the risk score could well predict the prognosis of STAD, and the risk score was positively correlated with CD8 + T cell infiltration. The validation results of the gene expression were consistent with TCGA. Furthermore, the risk score was significantly higher in tumor tissues. The high-risk group had poorer overall survival (OS) in each subgroup. Conclusions Our study constructed a new risk score model for STAD prognosis, which may provide a new perspective to explore the tumor immune microenvironment mechanism in STAD.

Abstract Background Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDs) are a group of heterogeneous inherited diseases predominantly characterized by limb-girdle muscle weakness and dystrophic changes on histological analysis. The frequency of LGMD subtypes varies among regions in China and ethnic populations worldwide. Here, we analyzed the prevalence of LGMD subtypes, their corresponding clinical manifestations, and molecular data in a cohort of LGMD patients in Southeast China. Methods A total of 81 consecutive patients with clinically suspected LGMDs from 62 unrelated families across Southeast China were recruited for targeted next-generation sequencing and whole-exome sequencing from July 2017 to February 2020. Results Among 50 patients (41 families) with LGMDs, the most common subtypes were LGMD-R2/LGMD2B (36.6%) and LGMD-R1/LGMD2A (29.3%). Dystroglycanopathies (including LGMD-R9/LGMD2I, LGMD-R11/LGMD2K, LGMD-R14/LGMD2N and LGMD-R20/LGMD2U) were the most common childhood-onset subtypes and were found in 12.2% of the families. A total of 14.6% of the families had the LGMD-R7/LGMD2G subtype, and the mutation c.26_33dupAGGTGTCG in TCAP was the most frequent (83.3%). The only patient with the rare subtype LGMD-R18/LGMD2S had TRAPPC11 mutations; had a later onset than those previously reported, and presented with proximal‒distal muscle weakness, walking aid dependency, fatty liver disease and diabetes at 33 years of age. A total of 22.0% of the patients had cardiac abnormalities, and one patient with LMNA-related muscular dystrophy/LGMD1B experienced sudden cardiac death at 37 years of age. A total of 15.4% of the patients had restrictive respiratory insufficiency. Muscle imaging in patients with LGMD-R1/LGMD2A and LGMD-R2/LGMD2B showed subtle differences, including more severe fatty infiltration of the posterior thigh muscles in those with LGMD-R1/LGMD2A and edema in the lower leg muscles in those with LGMD-R2/LGMD2B. Conclusion We determined the prevalence of different LGMD subtypes in Southeast China, described the detailed clinical manifestations and distinct muscle MRI patterns of these LGMD subtypes and reported the frequent mutations and the cardiorespiratory involvement frequency in our cohort, all of which might facilitate the differential diagnosis of LGMDs, allowing more timely treatment and guiding future clinical trials.

Abstract Background Caregivers of elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions have heavy caregiver burden and poor sleep quality, which has an important impact on both caregivers and patients. This study aimed to examine among rural caregivers of elderly patients who have multiple chronic conditions in China, whether self-efficacy and well-being mediate the link between caregiver burden and sleep quality. Methods The study recruited 325 caregivers of elderly patients having multiple chronic conditions in rural China. Several measures including the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and Index of Well-Being (IWB) were utilized to collect data. Structural equation modeling was employed to study the relationships among caregiver burden, sleep quality, self-efficacy, as well as well-being. Results Significant correlations were found between the measured variables (each p

The CoCrFeNiMn high-entropy alloy and TiB2p/CoCrFeNiMn high-entropy composite (HEC) were manufactured by Selective laser melting. For the CoCrFeNiMn, a coarse epitaxial columnar microstructure with strong crystallographic textures was generated. While in the TiB2p/CoCrFeNiMn, TiB2 particles are distributed in the significantly refined dendrites and nearly equiaxial grains, and phase transformation occurs to form σ phase. TiB2 and σ phase construct a strong interface relationship with the matrix. TiB2p/CoCrFeNiMn HEC has extremely high microhardness (329 ± 2 HV) and excellent wear resistance (coefficients of friction 0.31 ± 0.02). The wear mechanism of the HEC was studied refer to the microstructure, composition and hardness.IMPACT STATEMENTTiB2-reinforced CoCrFeNiMn-based high-entropy composite is successfully fabricated by Selective laser melting, which exhibits exceptional hardness and the best wear resistance.

Abstract Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who exhibit elevated blood eosinophil levels often experience worsened lung function and more severe emphysema. This implies the potential involvement of eosinophils in the development of emphysema. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the development of eosinophil-mediated emphysema remain unclear. In this study, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing to identify eosinophil subgroups in mouse models of asthma and emphysema, followed by functional analyses of these subgroups. Assessment of accumulated eosinophils unveiled distinct transcriptomes in the lungs of mice with elastase-induced emphysema and ovalbumin-induced asthma. Depletion of eosinophils through the use of anti-interleukin-5 antibodies ameliorated elastase-induced emphysema. A particularly noteworthy discovery is that eosinophil-derived cathepsin L contributed to the degradation of the extracellular matrix, thereby leading to emphysema in pulmonary tissue. Inhibition of cathepsin L resulted in a reduction of elastase-induced emphysema in a mouse model. Importantly, eosinophil levels correlated positively with serum cathepsin L levels, which were higher in emphysema patients than those without emphysema. Expression of cathepsin L in eosinophils demonstrated a direct association with lung emphysema in COPD patients. Collectively, these findings underscore the significant role of eosinophil-derived cathepsin L in extracellular matrix degradation and remodeling, and its relevance to emphysema in COPD patients. Consequently, targeting eosinophil-derived cathepsin L could potentially offer a therapeutic avenue for emphysema patients. Further investigations are warranted to explore therapeutic strategies targeting cathepsin L in emphysema patients.

Abstract Background The development of new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a clinical complication that requires a better understanding of the causative risk factors. This study aimed to explore the risk factors and the expression and function of miR-1 and miR-133a in new atrial fibrillation after AMI. Methods We collected clinical data from 172 patients with AMI treated with emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between October 2021 and October 2022. Independent predictors of NOAF were determined using binary logistic univariate and multivariate regression analyses. The predictive value of NOAF was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for related risk factors. In total, 172 venous blood samples were collected preoperatively and on the first day postoperatively; the expression levels of miR-1 and miR-133a were determined using the polymerase chain reaction. The clinical significance of miR-1 and miR-133a expression levels was determined by Spearman correlation analysis. Results The Glasgow prognostic score, left atrial diameter, and infarct area were significant independent risk factors for NOAF after AMI. We observed that the expression levels of miR-1 and miR-133a were significantly higher in the NOAF group than in the non-NOAF group. On postoperative day 1, strong associations were found between miR-133a expression levels and the neutrophil ratio and between miR-1 expression levels and an increased left atrial diameter. Conclusions Our findings indicate that the mechanism of NOAF after AMI may include an inflammatory response associated with an increased miR-1-related mechanism. Conversely, miR-133a could play a protective role in this clinical condition.

TiB2 nano-particle reinforced CoCrFeMnNi composite has been additively manufactured by using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technique. In comparison with the matrix CoCrFeMnNi sample, the average grain size of the TiB2 doped CoCrFeMnNi (CoCrFeMnNi + TiB2) sample reduces from 26.27 μm to 7.51 μm, appearing a morphological transformation from columnar grains to fine equiaxed grains and fine dendritic grains. Correspondingly, the compressive yield strength (σy) sharply increases from 484.41 ± 57.81 MPa of CoCrFeMnNi HEA to 952.62 ± 38.15 MPa of CoCrFeMnNi + TiB2, and the tensile yield strength increases from 480.27 ± 1.25 MPa to 834.21 ± 15.93 MPa, revealing a substantial enhancement of mechanical properties. The structural analysis unveils that the CoCrFeMnNi + TiB2 sample formed a tetragonal σ phase beside the FCC matrix and TiB2 phases compared with the single FCC phase of CoCrFeMnNi HEA. Especially, atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy discloses that the TiB2 nanoparticles epitaxially grow onto the FCC matrix phase with [01–10]TiB2//[011]FCC orientation relationship. Theoretical calculations indicate that the enhancement mechanism of the CoCrFeMnNi + TiB2 sample should originate from a synergistic strengthening effect which is induced by grain refinement, TiB2 particles, σ phases and dislocations. Our work should provide a new view to utilize the rapid solidification process of LPBF and ceramic nano-particle reinforcement for the enhanced mechanical properties of HEAs with great potential.