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Abstract Objective Distraction osteogenesis is a primary treatment for severe mandibular hypoplasia. Achieving the ideal mandible movement direction through precise distraction vector control is still a challenge in this surgery. Therefore, the aim of this study was to apply Optical See-Through (OST) Augmented Reality (AR) technology for intraoperative navigation during mandibular distractor installation and analyze the feasibility to evaluate the effectiveness of AR in a phantom experiment. Methods Phantom was made of 3D-printed mandibular models based on preoperative CT scans and dental arch scans of real patients. Ten sets of 3D-printed mandible models were included in this study, with each set consisting of two identical mandible models assigned to the AR group and free-hand group. 10 sets of mandibular distraction osteogenesis surgical plans were designed using software, and the same set of plans was shared between the AR and free-hand groups. Surgeons performed bilateral mandibular distraction osteogenesis tasks under the guidance of AR navigation, or the reference of the preoperative surgical plan displayed on the computer screen. The differences in angular errors of distraction vectors and the distance errors of distractor positions under the guidance of the two methods were analyzed and compared. Results 40 distractors were implanted in both groups, with 20 cases in each. In intra-group comparisons between the left and right sides, the AR group exhibited a three-dimensional spatial angle error of 1.88 (0.59, 2.48) on the left and 2.71 (1.33, 3.55) on the right, with P = 0.085, indicating no significant bias in guiding surgery on both sides of the mandible. In comparisons between the AR group and the traditional free-hand (FH) group, the average angle error was 1.94 (1.30, 2.93) in the AR group and 5.06 (3.61, 9.22) in the free-hand group, with P

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder that can affect the balance of bone metabolism and bone microenvironment, leading to impaired fracture healing. There are several underlying mechanisms which contributing to the impaired diabetic bone microenvironment such as hyperglycemia, the production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), inflammation, and oxidative stress, etc. Recent studies have achieved great progress in developing novel smart biomaterials in improving the diabetic bone microenvironment to promote diabetic fracture healing. In this paper, we reviewed the mechanisms on DM-induced impaired fracture healing. Meanwhile, we also summarized the smart biomaterials used to improve the local microenvironment of diabetic fractures healing, which provides a novel perspective for the future treatment of fractures in diabetic patients.

Pigeon coccidiosis caused by Eimeria spp. is an important veterinary disease with a significant economic impact on the pigeon industry. Preventive measures for Eimeria columbarum in pigeons have been hampered by the lack of extensive genetic, morphological, and biological data on the oocysts. In this study, we examined the prevalence and identity of Eimeria spp. in domestic pigeons from seven cities in Guangdong Province, China. Data show that coccidiosis was prevalent in domestic pigeons in Guangdong Province, with an overall Eimeria spp. detection rate of 73.4%. Five Eimeria species were identified, including E. columbarum (73.4%), Eimeria kapotei (25.6%), Eimeria labbeana (19.6%), Eimeria duculai (19.6%), and Eimeria tropicalis (6.7%). We obtained single oocyst-derived lines of the dominant E. columbarum from fecal specimens. E. columbarum oocysts measured 20.06 ± 0.69 μm × 18.63 ± 1.03 μm, and sporocysts measured 10.29 ± 0.82 μm × 85.38 ± 0.46 μm. In infection experiment using obtained E. columbarum isolates, 60-day-old coccidia-free pigeons exhibited a prepatent period of 105 h and patent period of 9–10 days followed by severe diarrhea, depression, anorexia, and emaciation. Endogenous development of the parasite was observed mainly in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and rectum. Two generations of meronts developed on days 3 and 4 after infection, respectively, while gamont and gamete developed on day 5 after infection. The morphological, genetic, and biological data are expected to be useful in elucidating the biological characterization of pigeon coccidiosis to develop measures against the treatment and containment of this disease.

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of iron homeostasis and the ferroptosis pathway for yolk sac atrophy during late embryogenesis. To study the mechanism of yolk sac atrophy, 100 eggs were used. Further, 500 eggs were randomly divided into five treatments and in ovo feeding with different iron sources, such as FeSO4, ferrous glycinate (Fe‐Gly), or deferoxamine (DFO), to study the effects of free iron content on hatching quality and embryonic development. The results showed that total iron content of yolk decreased, but yolk sac increased from embryonic(E)13 to E19 (p

Abstract Understanding large-scale cooperation among related individuals has been one of the largest challenges. Since humans are in multiple social networks, the theoretical framework of multilayer networks is perfectly suited for studying this fascinating aspect of our biology. To that effect, we here study the cooperation in evolutionary game on interdependent networks. Importantly, a part of players are set to adopt Discrepant Accumulations Strategy. Players employing this mechanism not only use their payoffs in the multilayer network as the basis for the updating process as in previous experiments, but also take into account the similarities and differences in strategies across different layers. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that considering the similarities and differences in strategies across layers when calculating fitness can significantly enhance the cooperation level in the system. By examining the behavior of different pairing modes within cooperators and defectors, the equilibrium state can be attributed to the evolution of correlated pairing modes between interdependent networks. Our results provide a theoretical analysis of the group cooperation induced by the Discrepant Accumulations Strategy. And we also discuss potential implications of these findings for future human experiments concerning the cooperation on multilayer networks.

Abstract Background Liver lipid dysregulation is one of the major factors in the decline of production performance in late-stage laying hens. Silymarin (SIL), a natural flavonolignan extracted from milk thistle, is known for its hepatoprotective and lipid-lowering properties in humans. This study evaluates whether SIL can provide similar benefits to late-stage laying hens. A total of 480 68-week-old Lohmann Pink laying hens were randomly assigned into 5 groups, each group consisting of 6 replicates with 16 hens each. The birds received a basal diet either without silymarin (control) or supplemented with silymarin at concentrations of 250, 500, 750, or 1,000 mg/kg (SIL250, SIL500, SIL750, SIL1000) over a 12-week period. Results The CON group exhibited a significant decline in laying rates from weeks 9 to 12 compared to the initial 4 weeks (P = 0.042), while SIL supplementation maintained consistent laying rates throughout the study (P > 0.05). Notably, the SIL500 and SIL750 groups showed higher average egg weight than the CON group during weeks 5 to 8 (P = 0.049). The SIL750 group had a significantly higher average daily feed intake across the study period (P

Abstract Segmental bone defects, arising from factors such as trauma, tumor resection, and congenital malformations, present significant clinical challenges that often necessitate complex reconstruction strategies. Hydrogels loaded with multiple osteogenesis-promoting components have emerged as promising tools for bone defect repair. While the osteogenic potential of the Piezo1 agonist Yoda1 has been demonstrated previously, its hydrophobic nature poses challenges for effective loading onto hydrogel matrices.In this study, we address this challenge by employing Yoda1-pretreated bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs) exosomes (Exo-Yoda1) alongside exosomes derived from BMSCs (Exo-MSC). Comparatively, Exo-Yoda1-treated BMSCs exhibited enhanced osteogenic capabilities compared to both control groups and Exo-MSC-treated counterparts. Notably, Exo-Yoda1-treated cells demonstrated similar functionality to Yoda1 itself. Transcriptome analysis revealed activation of osteogenesis-associated signaling pathways, indicating the potential transduction of Yoda1-mediated signals such as ErK, a finding validated in this study. Furthermore, we successfully integrated Exo-Yoda1 into gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)/methacrylated sodium alginate (SAMA)/β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) hydrogels. These Exo-Yoda1-loaded hydrogels demonstrated augmented osteogenesis in subcutaneous ectopic osteogenesis nude mice models and in rat skull bone defect model. In conclusion, our study introduces Exo-Yoda1-loaded GELMA/SAMA/β-TCP hydrogels as a promising approach to promoting osteogenesis. This innovative strategy holds significant promise for future widespread clinical applications in the realm of bone defect reconstruction. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Discovering new treatments for melanoma will benefit human health. The mechanism by which deoxyhypusine synthase (DHPS) promotes melanoma development remains elucidated. Multi‐omics studies have revealed that DHPS regulates m6A modification and maintains mRNA stability in melanoma cells. Mechanistically, DHPS activates the hypusination of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) to assist METTL3 localizing on its mRNA for m6A modification, then promoting METTL3 expression. Structure‐based design, synthesis, and activity screening yielded the hit compound GL‐1 as a DHPS inhibitor. Notably, GL‐1 directly inhibits DHPS binding to eIF5A, whereas GC‐7 cannot. Based on the clarification of the mode of action of GL‐1 on DHPS, it is found that GL‐1 can promote the accumulation of intracellular Cu2+ to induce apoptosis, and antibody microarray analysis shows that GL‐1 inhibits the expression of several cytokines. GL‐1 shows promising antitumor activity with good bioavailability in a xenograft tumor model. These findings clarify the molecular mechanisms by which DHPS regulates melanoma proliferation and demonstrate the potential of GL‐1 for clinical melanoma therapy.

The 3D reconstruction and virtual display of wooden furniture cultural relics were investigated using laser scanning and CT scanning techniques. The suitability of different 3D reconstruction techniques and virtual display approaches were considered. The experiments demonstrated that digital models obtained from both laser scanning and CT scanning can be integrated seamlessly into virtual environments created with 3DMAX for exhibition purposes. Additionally, post-processing software, such as PR or AE, can be utilized to synthesize virtual display video. The resulting images exhibit self-adaptation capabilities, with clear and undistorted 3D model and texture image. Moreover, other types of scanned models are suitable for 3D micro-scale model printing, although CT-based models tend to achieve higher printing accuracy compared to those generated by laser scanning technology. However, the precision of 3D printing model is contingent upon factors such as the precision of digital model, the type of printer, and the printing material.

Abstract The signal sequence played a crucial role in the efficacy of mRNA vaccines against virus pandemic by influencing antigen translation. However, limited research had been conducted to compare and analyze the specific mechanisms involved. In this study, a novel approach was introduced by substituting the signal sequence of the mRNA antigen to enhance its immune response. Computational simulations demonstrated that various signal peptides differed in their binding capacities with the signal recognition particle (SRP) 54 M subunit, which positively correlated with antigen translation efficiency. Our data revealed that the signal sequences of tPA and IL-6-modified receptor binding domain (RBD) mRNA vaccines sequentially led to higher antigen expression and elicited more robust humoral and cellular immune protection against the SARS-CoV-2 compared to the original signal sequence. By highlighting the importance of the signal sequence, this research provided a foundational and safe approach for ongoing modifications in signal sequence-antigen design, aiming to optimize the efficacy of mRNA vaccines.

Efficient translation mediated by the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) is essential for the robust efficacy of mRNA vaccines. However, the N1-methyl-pseudouridine (m1Ψ) modification of mRNA can impact the translation efficiency of the 5′ UTR. We discovered that the optimal 5′ UTR for m1Ψ-modified mRNA (m1Ψ–5′ UTR) differs significantly from its unmodified counterpart, highlighting the need for a specialized tool for designing m1Ψ–5′ UTRs rather than directly utilizing high-expression endogenous gene 5′ UTRs. In response, we developed a novel machine learning-based tool, Smart5UTR, which employs a deep generative model to identify superior m1Ψ–5′ UTRs in silico. The tailored loss function and network architecture enable Smart5UTR to overcome limitations inherent in existing models. As a result, Smart5UTR can successfully design superior 5′ UTRs, greatly benefiting mRNA vaccine development. Notably, Smart5UTR-designed superior 5′ UTRs significantly enhanced antibody titers induced by COVID-19 mRNA vaccines against the Delta and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2, surpassing the performance of vaccines using high-expression endogenous gene 5′ UTRs.

Accompanied by the accelerated growth rate of chickens, the quality of chicken meat has deteriorated in recent years. Wooden breast (WB) is a severe myopathy affecting meat quality, and its pathophysiology depends on gene expression and intercellular interactions of various cell types, which are not yet fully understood. We have performed a comprehensive transcriptomic and metabolomic atlas of chicken WB muscle. Our data showed a significant increase in the number of immune cells, WB muscle displayed a unique cluster of macrophages (cluster 11), distinct from the M1 and M2 macrophages. Regarding the myocytes, the most significant differences were the decrease in cell number and the intensification of fatty deposits. Satellite cells were involved in muscle repair and regeneration producing more collagen. Interestingly, the interaction network in the WB group was weaker compared to that in normal breast muscle. Additionally, we found six key differential metabolites across 22 pathways. When WB occurs, myocytes and endothelial cells undergo apoptosis, macrophages are activated and exert immune functions, satellite cells participate in muscle rebuilding and repair, and the content of metabolites undergoes significant changes. This cell transcriptome profile provides an essential reference for future studies on the development and remodeling of WB.

Background The effect of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) on changes of computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) values was controversial. Thus, we aimed to identify the impact of TAVR on changes of CT-FFR values, plaque characteristics, and the associated clinical impact.Methods This single-center observational study included 39 consecutive patients with severe aortic valve disease undergone TAVR between August 2019 and April 2023, whom were performed with preoperative and postoperative coronary CT angiography (CCTA). The computation of CT-FFR and plaque characteristics was performed by an independent central core laboratory.Results Each patient underwent CCTA and CT-FFR assessment without encountering any complications. Notably, both at discharge and six months post-TAVR, there was a significant improvement observed in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, left ventricular fractional shortening, and ejection fraction compared to pre-operative levels. The CT-FFR for left anterior descending artery (LAD), left anterior descending artery (LCX), and right coronary artery (RCA) had no obvious change at discharge compared to pre-operation (0.92 ± 0.05 vs. 0.93 ± 0.05, p = 0.109; 0.96 ± 0.03 vs. 0.95 ± 0.03, p = 0.523; 0.97 ± 0.04 vs. 0.97 ± 0.03, p = 0.533; respectively). Furthermore, TAVR did not exert a significant impact on plaque burden during the perioperative period.Conclusions Our report suggested that TAVR did not significantly affect coronary CT-FFR measurements and plaque characteristics in the perioperative period, and furthermore, the patients’ cardiac function showed gradual improvement in the short-term following discharge.

Coupled drugs, especially antibody-coupled drugs (ADCs), are a hot topic in oncology. As the development of ADCs has progressed, different coupling modes have emerged, inspired by their structural design have emerged. Technological advances have led to interweaving and collision of old and new concepts of coupled drugs, and have even challenged the concepts and techniques of coupled drugs at this stage. For example, antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates are a new class of chimeric biomolecules synthesized by coupling oligonucleotides with monoclonal antibodies through linkers, offering precise targeting and improved pharmacokinetic properties. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of action of coupled drugs and their current development status in antitumor therapy to provide better strategies for antitumor therapy.

Abstract Introduction Social network strategies, in which social networks are utilized to influence individuals or communities, are increasingly being used to deliver human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) interventions to key populations. We summarized and critically assessed existing research on the effectiveness of social network strategies in promoting HIV self‐testing (HIVST). Methods Using search terms related to social network interventions and HIVST, we searched five databases for trials published between 1st January 2010 and 30th June 2023. Outcomes included uptake of HIV testing, HIV prevalence and linkage to antiretroviral therapy (ART) or HIV care. We used network meta‐analysis to assess the uptake of HIV testing through social network strategies compared with control methods. A pairwise meta‐analysis of studies with a comparison arm that reported outcomes was performed to assess relative risks (RR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Among the 4496 manuscripts identified, 39 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, including one quasi‐experimental study, 22 randomized controlled trials and 16 observational studies. Networks HIVST testing was organized by peers (distributed to known peers, 15 studies), partners (distributed to their sexual partners, 16 studies) and peer educators (distributed to unknown peers, 8 studies). Among social networks, simulating the possibilities of ranking position, peer distribution had the highest uptake of HIV testing (84% probability), followed by partner distribution (80% probability) and peer educator distribution (74% probability). Pairwise meta‐analysis showed that peer distribution (RR 2.29, 95% CI 1.54−3.39, 5 studies) and partner distribution (RR 1.76, 95% CI 1.50−2.07, 10 studies) also increased the probability of detecting HIV reactivity during testing within the key population when compared to the control. Discussion All of the three social network distribution strategies enhanced the uptake of HIV testing compared to standard facility‐based testing. Linkage to ART or HIV care remained comparable to facility‐based testing across the three HIVST distribution strategies. Conclusions Network‐based HIVST distribution is considered effective in augmenting HIV testing rates and reaching marginalized populations compared to facility‐based testing. These strategies can be integrated with the existing HIV care services, to fill the testing gap among key populations globally. PROSPERO Number CRD42022361782

Tibetan sheep play a vital role in the livelihoods of herders and are an important part of the ecosystem of the Tibetan Plateau. In order to study the characteristics of the gut microorganisms of Tibetan sheep at high altitude, this study employed macrogenomic techniques to analyse the diversity and differences in the gut flora of Tibetan sheep in different regions of high altitude and high cold. The results demonstrated that at the phylum level, the dominant phylum in the ileo-cecum segment of Tibetan sheep in Qilian, Henan and Gonghe counties was identical, namely Euryarchaeota, Firmicutes and Ascomycota. At the level of the archaebacterial genus, the dominant bacteria of the ileocecal segment of Tibetan sheep in Qilian County, Henan County and Gonghe County were Methanobrevibacter. At the level of bacterial genus, the dominant bacteria of Tibetan sheep ileocecal in Qilian County and Henan County were Bacteroides, while in Gonghe County, the dominant bacteria were Bifidobacterium. At the level of fungal genus, there were notable differences in the abundance of Tibetan sheep ileocecal genus across different regions. However, the abundance of cecum genus exhibited a more consistent trend across regions. From the perspective of functional prediction, the metabolic pathways enriched in the intestinal segments of Tibetan sheep in different regions were found to be identical, with the relative abundance of each functional gene also being essentially uniform. This result will provide a foundation for further research on the mechanism of action of gut microbes in ruminants at high altitude and alpine regions.

In this study, three eugenol fragment-containing haptens were synthesized, and a monoclonal antibody (mAb) selective for five commonly-found eugenol compounds (EUGs, i.e., eugenol, isoeugenol, methyl eugenol, methyl isoeugenol, and acetyl isoeugenol) was obtained. Based on this mAb, a broad-spectrum indirect competitive ELISA for high-throughput detection of five EUGs was developed. The detection limits for eugenol, isoeugenol, methyl eugenol, methyl isoeugenol and acetyl isoeugenol in both tilapia and shrimp samples were 25.3/ 50.6 μg/kg, 0.075/0.15 μg/kg, 0.48/0.96 μg/kg, 0.16/0.32 μg/kg, and 18.16/36.32 μg/kg, respectively. The recoveries for five EUGs ranged from 80.4 to 114.0 % with a coefficient of variation less than 11.5 %. Moreover, homology modelling and molecular docking were conducted to elucidate the interactions mechanism of mAb-EUGs. The work provides a promising tool for high-throughput screening of EUGs in aquatic products, which can serve as a benchmark for designing haptens and developing immunoassays for other small molecules.

The actual DOM in Chaohu Lake was used to feed cyanobacterial to explore the changes of microbial communities, fluorescence spectral characteristics and molecular composition of DOM during the degradation of cyanobacteria. It is found that cyanobacterial grow periodically depending on the concentration of nutrients with the decreasing concentration of nutrient salts. Both Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria have strong correlation with algae growth. Bacteroidetes has a positive correlation with algae growth, relationship on the contrary, Actinobacteria has a negative relationship. The humus-like components in the four groups are similar, but the protein-like component (C3) shows periodic changes with the life process of cyanobacteria. The average molecular weight of each sample detected by Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometer increases slightly and the DOM increase aromaticity in the end. In this study, the molecule of Carboxyl-Rich Alicyclic Molecules (CRAM) is difficult to be done by photodegradation and biodegradation in the early periods, but some molecules of CRAM are selectively degraded by microorganisms in the final period. The growth of cyanobacterial lead to increasing the concentration of protein-like and carbohydrate-like molecule of DOM in the water. In the final stage, the molecule group of CHO disappear significantly and the molecule group of heteroatomic group increase. HIGHLIGHTS Dynamic changes of DOM and microbial communities during the proliferation and decline of live cyanobacteria through incubation.; DOM characteristics are analyzed by ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry and EEMs-PARAFAC.; Incubating a single dominant algal species can simplify the complex ecological processes in nature, providing a more intuitive representation of the impact of dominant algae on DOM.;

Objective Proximal humeral fracture combined with contralateral midshaft clavicle fracture is an extremely rare injury in children. Few studies focus on the injury mechanism and treatment scheme. The aim of this study is to propose the possible mechanism of this injury and present the treatment results. Methods This retrospective study included children diagnosed with proximal humeral fractures combined with contralateral midshaft clavicle fractures from August 2016 to March 2019 in the corresponding author's institution. The patients received elastic stable intramedullary nails and external fixation as treatment. The radiological and clinical outcomes of treatments were evaluated using the imaging and the Constant–Murley score (CMS) in follow up. Results Twelve patients (eight males and four females) with an average age of 7.83 years old (age 5–12) were included in this research. All the patients had suffered a side impact in a road traffic accident or outdoor environment. Hypothesis about the mechanism was the proximal humerus was directly impacted at first and caused the surgical neck fracture, then the contralateral shoulder hits the solid object and the contralateral midshaft clavicle was fractured. During the average 45.2 months (range 36–57) follow‐up, all the patient's fractures achieved clinical and radiological union before 14 weeks without complications. Every patient had a satisfactory score (range from 92 to 100) on the CMS criteria for both shoulders. Conclusion The hypothesis about the mechanism of this combined injury in this study sounds reasonable. It highlights the need for safety‐related education about using a safety seat or wearing a seat belt to parents and caregivers, so as to avoid such injury even if the treatment with external fixation (EF) and proximal humeral and elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) showed good results.

Abstract Domain wall structures form spontaneously due to epitaxial misfit during thin film growth. Imaging the dynamics of domains and domain walls at ultrafast timescales can provide fundamental clues to features that impact electrical transport in electronic devices. Recently, deep learning based methods showed promising phase retrieval (PR) performance, allowing intensity-only measurements to be transformed into snapshot real space images. While the Fourier imaging model involves complex-valued quantities, most existing deep learning based methods solve the PR problem with real-valued based models, where the connection between amplitude and phase is ignored. To this end, we involve complex numbers operation in the neural network to preserve the amplitude and phase connection. Therefore, we employ the complex-valued neural network for solving the PR problem and evaluate it on Bragg coherent diffraction data streams collected from an epitaxial La2-xSrxCuO4 (LSCO) thin film using an X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL). Our proposed complex-valued neural network based approach outperforms the traditional real-valued neural network methods in both supervised and unsupervised learning manner. Phase domains are also observed from the LSCO thin film at an ultrafast timescale using the complex-valued neural network.

Intelligent loading systems are extensively employed in coal enterprises. Nevertheless, pre-loading customer vehicle scheduling predominantly depends on manual expertise. This frequently results in extended vehicle waiting periods, elevated carbon emissions, and reduced customer satisfaction, particularly in multi-customer scenarios. Therefore, this study introduces a multi-customer vehicle scheduling optimization approach for an intelligent coal loading system. Customer priorities are first identified to enhance satisfaction. Considering various customers and enterprise factors, the multi-customer vehicle scheduling model is established to minimize the total cost. The optimal vehicle scheduling scheme is obtained by using the enhanced sparrow search algorithm. The validity of the proposed approach is demonstrated through a case study of a coal mining enterprise. The results show that the total cost of the optimized plan was 79% lower than the traditional plan, which means a significant reduction in vehicle waiting time, and an improvement in customer satisfaction.

BackgroundMen who have sex with men (MSM) face significant risks of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infection. Nevertheless, only limited studies have looked into the site-specific infection and clearance of CT/NG. In order to prevent transmission, it is essential to understand the underlying factors that drive infection and spontaneous clearance.MethodsA 12-week cohort study examined the association between CT/NG infection, self-clearance, and sexual behaviors among MSM. The Willingness Service recruited participants who completed weekly questionnaires and provided urine, throat, and rectal swab samples.ResultsThe study involved 151 men, in which 51 (33.8%) were diagnosed with CT/NG infection during the study period. HIV (OR = 11.31), kissing (OR = 1.59), receptive oral sex (OR = 36.64), and insertive anal sex (OR = 19.73) constituted significant risk factors. 100% condom use (OR = 5.78) and antibiotic (OR = 7.53) were more likely to cause spontaneous clearance.DiscussionMSM may engage in riskier sexual behaviors due to insufficient knowledge and awareness of STI prevention, leading to increased susceptibility to NG/CT. It is crucial to concentrate on enhancing health education for MSM.ConclusionThis study found that the rectum was the most prevalent site of CT/NG and sexual behavior can influence the infection. Additionally, the appropriate use of antibiotics and consistent condom use may contribute to clear spontaneously.

In high-intensity farming, swiftly and accurately adjusting the proportion of artificially reared pollinators according to the flowering phenology of crops is vital. This adjustment is essential for sustaining crop yields without disrupting the ecological niche of native pollinators. Although advancements in remote sensing provide practical means to gather data on crop coverage and extent, identifying insect-pollinated crops during their initial flowering to guide the deployment of managed pollinators is an underexamined research area. Here, we tested the capability of utilizing Sentinel-2 satellite images combined with a deep learning model to map crop fields during the initial flowering stage of insect-pollinated crops in Zhaosu County, Xinjiang, China. Specifically, we examined rapeseed fields by employing 12 neural network designs to identify images of the initial flowering stage. Different network combinations of three convolutional neural network (CNN) models (U-Net, PSPNet, and DeepLab V3) and four different backbone networks (ResNet-18, ResNet-34, ResNet-50, and ResNet-101) were explored to determine the most effective model for detecting rapeseed fields at the initial flowering stage. A comparison was conducted with Sentinel-2 images obtained at the peak stage of rapeseed flowering. Our results suggest that the use of a deep learning model in combination with Sentinel-2 image data can successfully identify rapeseed fields at the initial flowering stage, thereby offering preliminary insights for the strategic introduction of managed pollinators. The PSPNet model emerged as the superior choice for the identification of rapeseed fields, exhibiting high accuracy in both detection and boundary recognition, with F1 scores of 88.17 % and an intersection over union (IoU) of 53.11 % during initial flowering and F1 scores of 93.33 % with an IoU of 53.49 % during peak flowering. The planting area of rapeseed fields detected by the model in Zhaosu County was 122.16 km2, distributed within an area of 1068 km2. These findings can provide foundational data for informed decisions regarding artificial pollinator supplementation, helping to sustain the health and stability of agricultural ecosystems.

Human adenovirus (HAdV) infection is a major cause of respiratory disease, yet no antiviral drugs have been approved for its treatment. Herein, we evaluated the antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects of cyclin-dependent protein kinase (CDK) inhibitor indirubin-3′-monoxime (IM) against HAdV infection in cells and a transgenic mouse model. After evaluating its cytotoxicity, cytopathic effect reduction, antiviral replication kinetics, and viral yield reduction assays were performed to assess the anti-HAdV activity of IM. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), and western blotting were used to assess the effects of IM on HAdV DNA replication, transcription, and protein expression, respectively. IM significantly inhibited HAdV DNA replication as well as E1A and Hexon transcription, in addition to significantly suppressing the phosphorylation of the RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain (CTD). IM mitigated body weight loss, reduced viral burden, and lung injury, decreasing cytokine and chemokine secretion to a greater extent than cidofovir. Altogether, IM inhibits HAdV replication by downregulating CTD phosphorylation to suppress viral infection and corresponding innate immune reactions as a promising therapeutic agent.

Quantifying the evapotranspiration (ET) water consumption characteristics of typical vegetation [Robinia pseudoacacia (single vegetation), mixed plantations of Robinia pseudoacacia and Platycladus orientalis (double-mixed vegetation), and natural grassland (multiple-mixed vegetation)] in the Chinese Loess Plateau has both theoretical and practical significance. However, the proportionality and inverse hypotheses of ET, namely, the FAO-56 method and generalized complementary relationship (GCR), have limitations when used individually to estimate ET, evaporation (E), and transpiration (T). This study explores the feasibility of scaling water stress coefficient (Ks) using calibration-free or parameterized GCR for different vegetation types and quantities. The single crop coefficient (Kc) curves and basal crop coefficient adjustment (Kcb-a/Kcb-p) curves of typical vegetation were defined and validated to partition ET without soil moisture usage. The results revealed that both curves exhibited polynomial functional response relationships to the week ordinal (WO) of the growing season within a complete hydrological cycle (with 0.60 < R2 < 0.78 at the 0.01 significance level). By expressing the soil evaporation coefficient (Ke) as a function of Ks, Kc, and Kcb, the calibration-free combined method (combining the GCR and the FAO-56 method – GCR/FAO-56) demonstrated superior simulation performance for E, T, and ET across different vegetation types with an average Nash–Sutcliff Efficiency of 0.71 during the validation period compared to that of the parameterized method, with the highest sensitivity in E simulation. The simulated E, T, and ET values closely matched the actual values and maintained the order of Robinia pseudoacacia > mixed plantation > natural grassland during the growing season. The average biases for E, T, and ET during the validation period were 18.5, 7.0, and 25.5 mm, respectively, in Robinia pseudoacacia; 10.8, 11.1, and 19.7 mm in mixed plantation; and 2.7, 7.0, and 19.6 mm in natural grassland. The overall T/ET ratios for both plantations exceeded 51.07%, with mixed plantation being higher, surpassing 70% in dry years and exhibiting minimal variation in T (44.4 mm) across hydrological years. However, T/ET ratios in natural grassland were < 0.5, indicating that E was the primary form of water consumption. Average relative biases of the simulated and actual T/ET values were only 1.76%, 2.53%, and 1.87% for Robinia pseudoacacia, mixed plantation, and natural grassland, respectively. Furthermore, the accuracy of the calibration-free combined method increased with the number of vegetation species during the validation period. This study extended and discussed the feasibility in typical vegetation of combining the positive and negative correlation principles of evapotranspiration and further provided a possibility for how to partition ET with a fewer dataset [Rn, u, Tavg, RH or Td, P, LAI] without soil moisture, and also provided scientific suggestions for future vegetation restoration as well as water resources management.

BackgroundSexual health influencers (SHIs) are individuals actively sharing sexual health information with their peers, and they play an important role in promoting HIV care services, including the secondary distribution of HIV self-testing (SD-HIVST). Previous studies used a 6-item empirical leadership scale to identify SHIs. However, this approach may be biased as it does not consider individuals’ social networks. ObjectiveThis study used a quasi-experimental study design to evaluate how well a newly developed machine learning (ML) model identifies SHIs in promoting SD-HIVST compared to SHIs identified by a scale whose validity had been tested before. MethodsWe recruited participants from BlueD, the largest social networking app for gay men in China. Based on their responses to the baseline survey, the ML model and scale were used to identify SHIs, respectively. This study consisted of 2 rounds, differing in the upper limit of the number of HIVST kits and peer-referral links that SHIs could order and distribute (first round ≤5 and second round ≤10). Consented SHIs could order multiple HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits and generate personalized peer-referral links through a web-based platform managed by a partnered gay-friendly community-based organization. SHIs were encouraged to share additional kits and peer-referral links with their social contacts (defined as “alters”). SHIs would receive US $3 incentives when their corresponding alters uploaded valid photographic testing results to the same platform. Our primary outcomes included (1) the number of alters who conducted HIVST in each group and (2) the number of newly tested alters who conducted HIVST in each. We used negative binomial regression to examine group differences during the first round (February-June 2021), the second round (June-November 2021), and the combined first and second rounds, respectively. ResultsIn January 2021, a total of 1828 men who have sex with men (MSM) completed the survey. Overall, 393 SHIs (scale=195 and ML model=198) agreed to participate in SD-HIVST. Among them, 229 SHIs (scale=116 and ML model=113) ordered HIVST on the web. Compared with the scale group, SHIs in the ML model group motivated more alters to conduct HIVST (mean difference [MD] 0.88, 95% CI 0.02-2.22; adjusted incidence risk ratio [aIRR] 1.77, 95% CI 1.07-2.95) when we combined the first and second rounds. Although the mean number of newly tested alters was slightly higher in the ML model group than in the scale group, the group difference was insignificant (MD 0.35, 95% CI –0.17 to –0.99; aIRR 1.49, 95% CI 0.74-3.02). ConclusionsAmong Chinese MSM, SHIs identified by the ML model can motivate more individuals to conduct HIVST than those identified by the scale. Future research can focus on how to adapt the ML model to encourage newly tested individuals to conduct HIVST. Trial RegistrationChinese Clinical Trials Registry ChiCTR2000039632; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojEN.html?proj=63068 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-10.1186/s12889-021-11817-2

Antimicrobial resistance is considered to be one of the biggest public health problems, and airborne transmission is an important but under-appreciated pathway for the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment. Previous research has shown pharmaceutical factories to be a major source of ARGs and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) in the surrounding receiving water and soil environments. Pharmaceutical factories are hotspots of antibiotic resistance, but the atmospheric transmission and its environmental risk remain more concerns. Here, we conducted a metagenomic investigation into the airborne microbiome and resistome in three pharmaceutical factories in China. Soil (average: 38.45%) and wastewater (average: 28.53%) were major contributors of airborne resistome. ARGs (vanR/vanS, blaOXA, and CfxA) conferring resistance to critically important clinically used antibiotics were identified in the air samples. The wastewater treatment area had significantly higher relative abundances of ARGs (average: 0.64 copies/16S rRNA). Approximately 28.2% of the detected airborne ARGs were found to be associated with plasmids, and this increased to about 50% in the wastewater treatment area. We have compiled a list of high-risk airborne ARGs found in pharmaceutical factories. Moreover, A total of 1,043 viral operational taxonomic units were identified and linked to 47 family-group taxa. Different CRISPR-Cas immune systems have been identified in bacterial hosts in response to phage infection. Similarly, higher phage abundance (average: 2451.70 PPM) was found in the air of the wastewater treatment area. Our data provide insights into the antibiotic resistance gene profiles and microbiome (bacterial and non-bacterial) in pharmaceutical factories and reveal the potential role of horizontal transfer in the spread of airborne ARGs, with implications for human and animal health.

Abstract Background The pathogenetic mechanism of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases is associated with insulin resistance (IR), which serves as a metabolic risk factor. As a novel indication for IR, triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index may predict cardiovascular disease outcomes. Methods In current study, a cohort of 157 individuals with newly developed de novo lesions who received DCB angioplasty between January 2017 and May 2021 were included. The midterm follow-up clinical results consisted of the presence of vessel-oriented composite endpoint (VOCE). The baseline TyG index was divided into three groups by tertiles. This study compared various clinical characteristics and parameters among different groups during DCB angioplasty. A multivariate Cox regression model was built to investigate the potential predictors. Results Higher TyG index indicated an increased risk of VOCE according to the adjusted model (HR = 4.0, 95%Cl: 1.0-15.4, P = 0.047). A non-linear correlation was uncovered between the index and VOCE from the smooth curve. Based on Kaplan-Meier curve, individuals in the highest TyG index group were more likely to develop VOCE (P

There are currently approximately 4000 mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 S protein gene and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to spread rapidly worldwide. Universal vaccines with high efficacy and safety urgently need to be developed to prevent SARS-CoV-2 variants pandemic. Here, we described a novel self-assembling universal mRNA vaccine containing a heterologous receptor-binding domain (HRBD)-based dodecamer (HRBDdodecamer) against SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (B.1.1.28.1), Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B.1.1.529). HRBD containing four heterologous RBD (Delta, Beta, Gamma, and Wild-type) can form a stable dodecameric conformation under T4 trimerization tag (Flodon, FD). The HRBDdodecamer -encoding mRNA was then encapsulated into the newly-constructed LNPs consisting of a novel ionizable lipid (4N4T). The obtained universal mRNA vaccine (4N4T-HRBDdodecamer) presented higher efficiency in mRNA transfection and expression than the approved ALC-0315 LNPs, initiating potent immune protection against the immune escape of SARS-CoV-2 caused by evolutionary mutation. These findings demonstrated the first evidence that structure-based antigen design and mRNA delivery carrier optimization may facilitate the development of effective universal mRNA vaccines to tackle SARS-CoV-2 variants pandemic.

Abstract Present study quantitatively analyzed adrenal venous flow using four-dimensional computed tomography (4D CT). We reviewed 4D CT images of 55 patients [mean age, 52 years ± 11 (standard deviation); 23 females] who underwent adrenal venous sampling between August 2017 and February 2021. Time–density curves were referred for the adrenal venous enhancement. The clinical factors affecting hemodynamics were assessed using uni- and multivariate linear regression analyses. The right and left adrenal veins (RAV and LAV, respectively) were visualized in all cases. Mean peak enhancement values in RAV and LAV were 247 ± 67 and 292 ± 70 Hounsfield units (P

AIM: To observe the clinical features of acute macular neuroretinopathy(AMN)induced by Omicron.METHODS: A retrospective study. A total of 9 patients(18 eyes)diagnosed with AMN from December 2022 to January 2023 in the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were included. Patients underwent spectral-domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT), fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA), fundus photography, autofluorescence(AF), infrared reflectance(IR), optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)and multicolor, etc. Furthermore, they were followed up for 1～3mo and observed the prognosis.RESULTS: The initial symptom of the Omicron-induced AMN was the sudden onset of central/paracentral scotoma in the eyes with or without impaired vision and metamorphopsia, and the scotoma could persist for at least 3mo. The image features of AMN are as follows. First, the SD-OCT examination showed the rupture of outer retinal layers, scattered hyperreflective lesions, and atrophy of outer retinal layers. In severe cases, hyperreflective lesions were seen in the inner nuclear layer(INL)or with microcystic cavities under the retinal pigment epithelium(RPE). Second, the OCTA examination demonstrated the decreased blood flow density of the deep capillary plexus(DCP)of the macula. Third, the IR examination showed the weak reflection of lesion areas. Fourth, the fundus photography demonstrated the localized brown wedge-shaped lesion.CONCLUSIONS: The Omicron-induced AMN is mostly found in young females, and the characteristic manifestation of fundus is damage to the outer retinal layers. The extent of fundus lesions is related to the systemic inflammatory response and ocular microcirculatory changes after infection. The multimodal fundus image examination and a history of Omicron infection are helpful to diagnose the Omicron-induced AMN.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare form of adult-onset α-synucleinopathy. Meige syndrome, identified as bilateral blepharospasm and oromandibular dystonia, is a type of focal dystonic movement disorder. This case report aims to highlight the clinical features of multiple system atrophy associated with Meige syndrome in a patient. Additionally, we aim to provide the treatment experience in a patient with Meige syndrome as this is an extremely rare clinical case.

Stress drop measures the stress release level over a fault during an earthquake rupture. As one of the important parameters for characterizing source mechanisms and predicting strong ground motions, the stress drop is controlled by the tectonic environment, focal mechanism, and type of earthquake sequence. The stress drop measurements from the seismic data also depend on the observation frequency band. Therefore, the values obtained from various seismic phases, such as body and surface waves, may be different. Previous studies have often used indirect methods to remove the attenuation effects along the propagation path to obtain the source spectra and then estimate the stress drops. Using a broadband high-resolution Lg-wave attenuation model, the attenuation effect can be directly corrected to obtain the Lg-wave source excitation spectra. By fitting the observed spectra to the theoretical source model, we can calculate the seismic moments and corner frequencies from which the stress drops can be calculated. Taking a typical tectonic earthquake and a potentially induced earthquake, that is, the 2017 MS7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake sequence and the 2019 MS 6.0 Changning earthquake sequence, in the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau as examples, we explored the potential physical differences between tectonic and induced earthquakes. The stress drop in the 2017 Jiuzhaigou mainshock was approximately 27 MPa. The stress drops, and the magnitude of its aftershocks rapidly decay. However, for the 2019 Changning earthquake sequence, the temporal variation of stress drops declined slowly, with two aftershocks having stress drops comparable to the main shock. For an area with long-term water injection, it takes a long time to recover to its equilibrium status once a large earthquake disturbs the regional stress field. Given that no apparent difference in the absolute level of stress drops can be observed between the two types of earthquake sequences, the stress drops alone cannot be used to distinguish between induced and tectonic earthquakes in this area. The increasingly accumulated underground water may have created pathways linking multiple fault systems in the changing salt mining. Thus, the possibility of future induced earthquakes cannot be ruled out.

The unique ram air aerodynamic shape and control rope pulling course of the parafoil system make it difficult to realize its precise control. At present, the commonly used control methods of the parafoil system include proportional–integral–derivative (PID) control, model predictive control, and adaptive control. The control precision of PID control and model predictive control is low, while the adaptive control has the problems of complexity and high cost. This study proposes a new method to improve the control precision of the parafoil system by establishing a parafoil motion simulation training system that trains the neural network controllers based on actor–critic reinforcement learning (RL). Simulation results verify the feasibility of the proposed parafoil motion-control-simulation training system. Furthermore, the test results of the real flight experiment based on the motion controller trained by the proximal policy optimization (PPO) algorithm are presented, which are close to the simulation results.