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Abstract Background Poly (A) binding protein interacting protein 1 (PAIP1) has been shown to causally contribute to the development and progression of cancer. However, the mechanisms of the PAIP1 regulation in tumor cells remain poorly understood. Results Here, we used a recently developed UV cross-linking and RNA immunoprecipitation method (iRIP-seq) to map the direct and indirect interaction sites between PAIP1 and RNA on a transcriptome-wide level in HeLa cells. We found that PAIP1 not only binds to 3’UTRs, but also to pre-mRNAs/mRNAs with a strong bias towards the coding region and intron. PAIP1 binding sites are enriched in splicing enhancer consensus GA-rich motifs. RNA-seq analysis revealed that PAIP1 selectively modulates the alternative splicing of genes in some cancer hallmarks including cell migration, the mTOR signaling pathway and the HIF-1 signaling pathway. PAIP1-regulated alternative splicing events were strongly associated with PAIP1 binding, demonstrating that the binding may promote selection of the nearby splice sites. Deletion of a PAIP1 binding site containing seven repeats of GA motif reduced the PAIP1-mediated suppression of the exon 6 inclusion in a VEGFA mRNA isoform. Proteomic analysis of the PAIP1-interacted proteins revealed the enrichment of the spliceosome components and splicing factors. Conclusions These findings suggest that PAIP1 is both a polyadenylation and alternative splicing regulator, that may play a large role in RNA processing via its role in alternative splicing regulation.

Background: Cancer is the most common cause of death and is still a serious public health problem. Alkaloids, a class of bioactive compounds widely diffused in plants, especially Chinese herbs, are used as functional ingredients, precursors, and lead compounds in food and clinical applications. Among them, aporphine alkaloids (AAs), as an important class of isoquinoline alkaloids, exert a strong anticancer effect on multiple cancer types. Aim of review: This review aims to comprehensively summarize the phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics, and bioavailability of seven subtypes of AAs and their derivatives from various plants and highlight their anticancer bioactivities and mechanisms of action.Key Scientific Concepts of Review.The chemical structures and botanical diversity of AAs are elucidated, and promising results are highlighted regarding the potent anticancer activities of AAs and their derivatives, contributing to their pharmacological benefits. This work provides a better understanding of AAs and combinational anticancer therapies involving them, thereby improving the development of functional food containing plant-derived AA and the clinical application of AAs.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an essential procedure for the treatment of portal hypertension but can result in hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a serious complication that worsens patient outcomes. Investigating predictors of HE after TIPS is essential to improve prognosis. This review analyzes risk factors and compares predictive models, weighing traditional scores such as Child-Pugh, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD), and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) against emerging artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. While traditional scores provide initial insights into HE risk, they have limitations in dealing with clinical complexity. Advances in machine learning (ML), particularly when integrated with imaging and clinical data, offer refined assessments. These innovations suggest the potential for AI to significantly improve the prediction of post-TIPS HE. The study provides clinicians with a comprehensive overview of current prediction methods, while advocating for the integration of AI to increase the accuracy of post-TIPS HE assessments. By harnessing the power of AI, clinicians can better manage the risks associated with TIPS and tailor interventions to individual patient needs. Future research should therefore prioritize the development of advanced AI frameworks that can assimilate diverse data streams to support clinical decision-making. The goal is not only to more accurately predict HE, but also to improve overall patient care and quality of life.

A nuclear explosion in the rock mass medium can produce strong shock waves, seismic shocks, and other destructive effects, which can cause extreme damage to the underground protection infrastructures. With the increase in nuclear explosion power, underground protection engineering enabled by explosion-proof impact theory and technology ushered in a new challenge. This paper proposes to simulate nuclear explosion tests with on-site chemical explosion tests in the form of multi-hole explosions. First, the mechanism of using multi-hole simultaneous blasting to simulate a nuclear explosion to generate approximate plane waves was analyzed. The plane pressure curve at the vault of the underground protective tunnel under the action of the multi-hole simultaneous blasting was then obtained using the impact test in the rock mass at the site. According to the peak pressure at the vault plane, it was divided into three regions: the stress superposition region, the superposition region after surface reflection, and the approximate plane stress wave zone. A numerical simulation approach was developed using PFC and FLAC to study the peak particle velocity in the surrounding rock of the underground protective cave under the action of multi-hole blasting. The time-history curves of pressure and peak pressure partition obtained by the on-site multi-hole simultaneous blasting test and numerical simulation were compared and analyzed, to verify the correctness and rationality of the formation of an approximate plane wave in the simulated nuclear explosion. This comparison and analysis also provided a theoretical foundation and some research ideas for the ensuing study on the impact of a nuclear explosion.

Abstract Whilst. pharmacological therapies remain the cornerstone of pain management in chronic pain, factors including the current opioid epidemic have led to non-pharmacological techniques becoming a more attractive proposition. We explored the prevalence of medical device use and their treatment efficacy in non-cancer pain management. A systematic methodology was developed, peer reviewed and published in PROSPERO (CRD42021235384). Key words of medical device, pain management devices, chronic pain, lower back pain, back pain, leg pain and chronic pelvic pain using Science direct, PubMed, Web of Science, PROSPERO, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PorQuest and ClinicalTrials.gov. All clinical trials, epidemiology and mixed methods studies that reported the use of medical devices for non-cancer chronic pain management published between the 1st of January 1990 and the 30th of April 2022 were included. 13 studies were included in systematic review, of these 6 were used in the meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis for pain reduction showed that transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation combined with instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization treatment and pulsed electromagnetic therapy produced significant treatment on chronic lower back pain patients. Pooled evidence revealed the use of medical device related interventions resulted in 0.7 degree of pain reduction under a 0–10 scale. Significant improvement in disability scores, with a 7.44 degree reduction in disability level compared to a placebo using a 50 score range was also seen. Our analysis has shown that the optimal use of medical devices in a sustainable manner requires further research, needing larger cohort studies, greater gender parity, in a more diverse range of geographical locations.

Abstract During the process of close-distance seam group mining, the coal pillar in the upper coal seam is a stress-concentrated area, which leads to a loss of stability of the roadway during mining of the lower coal seam. This lack of stability introduces great safety hazards to coal mines. To solve the problem of stress concentration of coal pillars, the method of gob-side entry retaining by roof cutting is proposed to remove the coal pillar. In this study, FLAC3D was used to analyze the depth and angle of pre-split blasting. LS-DYNA was used to analyze the spacing of the blasthole. Using the methods of theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, we determined that the optimal depth of the pre-split blasting was 6 m, the optimal angle for pre-split blasting was 15°, and the optimal spacing of the blasthole was 500 mm. A field test was carried out in the 1010201 ventilation roadway of the Yuwang Coal Mine, China. The on-site peeping results showed that when the spacing of the blasthole is 500 mm, connecting cracks can form under the action of blasting stress. After the working surface is mined, the roof strata could collapse and fill the gob over time when the depth and angle of the pre-split blasting are 6 m and 15°, respectively.

Abstract It is estimated 1.5 billion of the global population suffer from chronic pain with prevalence increasing with demographics including age. It is suggested long-term exposure to chronic could cause further health challenges reducing people’s quality of life. Therefore, it is imperative to use effective treatment options. We explored the current pharmaceutical treatments available for chronic pain management to better understand drug efficacy and pain reduction. A systematic methodology was developed and published in PROSPERO (CRD42021235384). Keywords of opioids, acute pain, pain management, chronic pain, opiods, NSAIDs, and analgesics were used across PubMed, Science direct, ProQuest, Web of science, Ovid Psych INFO, PROSPERO, EBSCOhost, MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov and EMBASE. All randomised controlled clinical trials (RCTs), epidemiology and mixed-methods studies published in English between the 1st of January 1990 and 30th of April 2022 were included. A total of 119 studies were included. The data was synthesised using a tri-partied statistical methodology of a meta-analysis (24), pairwise meta-analysis (24) and network meta-analysis (34). Mean, median, standard deviation and confidence intervals for various pain assessments were used as the main outcomes for pre-treatment pain scores at baseline, post-treatment pain scores and pain score changes of each group. Our meta-analysis revealed the significant reduction in chronic pain scores of patients taking NSAID versus non-steroidal opioid drugs was comparative to patients given placebo under a random effects model. Pooled evidence also indicated significant drug efficiency with Botulinum Toxin Type-A (BTX-A) and Ketamine. Chronic pain is a public health problem that requires far more effective pharmaceutical interventions with minimal better side-effect profiles which will aid to develop better clinical guidelines. The importance of understanding ubiquity of pain by clinicians, policy makers, researchers and academic scholars is vital to prevent social determinant which aggravates issue.

The optical remote sensors carried by the Jilin-1 KF02 series satellites have an imaging resolution better than 0.5 m and a width of 150 km. There are radiometric problems, such as stripe noise, vignetting, and inter-slice chromatic aberration, in their raw images. In this paper, a relative radiometric correction method based on temperature normalization is proposed for the response characteristics of sensors and the structural characteristics of optical splicing of Jilin-1 KF02 series satellites cameras. Firstly, a model of temperature effect on sensor output is established to correct the variation of sensor response output digital number (DN) caused by temperature variation during imaging process, and the image is normalized to a uniform temperature reference. Then, the horizontal stripe noise of the image is eliminated by using the sensor scan line and dark pixel information, and the vertical stripe noise of the image is eliminated by using the method of on-orbit histogram statistics. Finally, the method of superposition compensation is used to correct the vignetting area at the edge of the image due to the lack of energy information received by the sensor so as to ensure the consistency of the image in color and image quality. The proposed method is verified by Jilin-1 KF02A on-orbit images. Experimental results show that the image response is uniform, the color is consistent, the average Streak Metrics (SM) is better than 0.1%, Root-Mean-Square Deviation of the Mean Line (RA) and Generalized Noise (GN) are better than 2%, Relative Average Spectral Error (RASE) and Relative Average Spectral Error (ERGAS) are greatly improved, which are better than 5% and 13, respectively, and the relative radiation quality is obviously improved after relative radiation correction.

With increasingly serious environmental pollution problems, the development of efficient photocatalytic materials has become a hotspot in current research. This study focused on phosphorus-doped carbon nitride/titanium dioxide (PCT) Z-type heterojunctions, aiming to deeply investigate their photocatalytic degradation and photosensitive antimicrobial properties. A PCT Z-type heterojunction was successfully fabricated using melamine phosphate, cyanuric acid, and titanium dioxide. The structure, morphology, and optical properties of PCT Z-type heterojunctions were explored by FTIR, XRD, XPS, BET, SEM, UV-Vis DRS, TEM, EIS, and PL. A comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the structure, morphology, and optical properties of PCT Z-type heterojunctions was carried out. The photocatalytic degradation experiments revealed that PC3T Z-type heterojunctions exhibited an excellent degradation capability for methylene blue (MB) under visible light. The effect of PC3T on the adsorption–photocatalytic degradation of MB is more than 1.5 times that of a single titanium dioxide and P-doped carbon nitride. In the photosensitive antimicrobial performance study, PC3T reduced the survival rate of E. coli to 7%, after 120 min. Through free radical trapping experiments, it was shown that the hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radicals exerted an influence on the photocatalytic process. This study offers new ideas and approaches to address environmental pollution problems and holds significant theoretical and applied value.

Nowadays, effective prognostic models for esophageal cancer (ESCA) are still lacking. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are commonly utilized as indicators for diagnosing cancer and forecasting patient outcomes. Cuproptosis is regulated by multiple genes and is crucial to the progression of ESCA. However, it is not yet clear what role the cuproptosis-associated lncRNAs (CuALs) play in ESCA. To tackle this problem, a prognostic signature incorporating three CuALs was created. This signature was constructed by the use of the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate Cox regression. Subsequently, the signature effectively stratified ESCA samples into a high-risk group and a low-risk group. Those in the low-risk group demonstrated extended overall survival (OS), as well as increased infiltration of T cells, macrophages, and NK cells, suggesting a potentially enhanced response to immunotherapy. The ROC curve analysis demonstrated that this prognostic signature outperformed conventional clinical factors in predicting patient prognosis (AUC = 0.708). K-M survival analysis and correlation analysis identified UGDH-AS1 (a CuAL) as a protective factor positively associated with patient prognosis. The results of RT-qPCR and wound healing assays indicated that UGDH-AS1 is overexpressed in ESCA and could inhibit cancer cell migration. In general, the prognostic signature of CuALs demonstrated a robust capability in forecasting the immune environment and patient prognosis, highlighting its potential as a tool for enhancing personalized treatment strategies in ESCA.

Abstract Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) is a highly recognized two‐dimensional semiconductor material known for its exceptional chemical and physical stability, environmental friendliness, and pollution‐free advantages. These remarkable properties have sparked extensive research in the field of energy storage. This review paper presents the latest advances in the utilization of g‐C3N4 in various energy storage technologies, including lithium‐ion batteries, lithium‐sulfur batteries, sodium‐ion batteries, potassium‐ion batteries, and supercapacitors. One of the key strengths of g‐C3N4 lies in its simple preparation process along with the ease of optimizing its material structure. It possesses abundant amino and Lewis basic groups, as well as a high density of nitrogen, enabling efficient charge transfer and electrolyte solution penetration. Moreover, the graphite‐like layered structure and the presence of large π bonds in g‐C3N4 contribute to its versatility in preparing multifunctional materials with different dimensions, element and group doping, and conjugated systems. These characteristics open up possibilities for expanding its application in energy storage devices. This article comprehensively reviews the research progress on g‐C3N4 in energy storage and highlights its potential for future applications in this field. By exploring the advantages and unique features of g‐C3N4, this paper provides valuable insights into harnessing the full potential of this material for energy storage applications.

BackgroundsExtracellular matrix (ECM) is an important component of tumor microenvironment, and its abnormal expression promotes tumor formation, progression and metastasis.MethodsWeighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify ECM-related hub genes based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) data. COAD clinical samples were used to verify the expression of potential biomarkers in tumor tissues, and siRNA was used to explore the role of potential biomarkers in cell proliferation and epithelial−mesenchymal transition (EMT).ResultsThree potential biomarkers (LEP, NGF and PCOLCE2) related to prognosis of COAD patients were identified and used to construct ERGPI. Immunohistochemical analysis of clinical samples showed that the three potential biomarkers were highly expressed in tumor tissues of COAD patients. Knockdown of LEP, NGF or PCOLCE2 inhibited COAD cell proliferation and EMT. Dictamnine inhibited tumor cell growth by binding to these three potential biomarkers based on molecular docking and transplanted tumor model.ConclusionThe three biomarkers can provide new ideas for the diagnosis and targeted therapy of COAD patients.

Photocatalysis is one of the most effective ways to solve environmental problems by solving pollutants. This article designed and prepared a conjugated system of 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine-g-C3N4 (TAP-CN) to modify ZnO NWs. We systematically studied the photocatalytic performance of ZnO NWs modified with different ratios of TAP-CN. The results showed that 9 wt% TAP-CN-30/ZnO NWs had the best degradation effect on Rhodamine B dye. The degradation rate was 99.36% in 80 min. The excellent degradation performance was attributed to the TAP-CN conjugated system promoting photo-generated charge transfer. This work provided guidance for designing efficient composite catalysts for application in other renewable energy fields.

Organic pollutants were one of the main sources of environmental pollutants. The degradation of organic pollutants through photocatalytic technology was one of the effective solutions. By preparing zinc oxide(ZnO) nanowires modified with sodium-doped conjugated 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidin-g-C3N4 (NaTCN) heterojunction (ZnO/NaTCN), the photocatalytic performance of NaTCN modified with different ratios of ZnO was systematically studied. The photocatalytic performance was studied through the degradation performance of methyl blue (MB) dye. The results showed that 22.5 wt% ZnO/NaTCN had the best degradation effect on MB dye. The degradation rate of MB reached 98.54% in 70 min. After three cycles, it shows good cycling stability (degradation rate is 96.99%) for dye degradation. It was found that there are two types of active species: ·OH and h+, of which h+ is the main active species produced by photocatalytic degradation of dyes. The excellent degradation performance was attributed to the fact that ZnO facilitated the extraction and transport of photogenerated carriers. The doping of sodium facilitated charge transfer. The NaTCN conjugated system promoted the extraction and transfer of photogenerated carriers. It provided guidance for designing efficient composite catalysts for use in other renewable energy fields.

With the continuous increase in tunnel construction, the significant deformation of the surrounding tunnel rock is often difficult to predict and control. In addition, the lithology, structure, and various asymmetric large deformation of surrounding rock mass during operation and maintenance severely affect the ultimate bearing and stability of the tunnel. To explore the deformation mechanisms and failure modes of surrounding rock under large asymmetric stress and complex geological conditions, a physical model of a tunnel through granite was constructed based on the similarity theory. The model had 30° dip lithology under asymmetric stress and was emplaced a new quasi-negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR) bolt. By analyzing the variation law of displacement and axial force of the bolt under an asymmetric load, the asymmetric deformation and failure mechanism of the granite tunnel and the support effect of the quasi-NPR bolt were determined. The energy absorbed by the surrounding rock was analyzed, and the influence mechanism and control countermeasures of asymmetric stress on the granite tunnel were explored. This work provides a reference for the design of asymmetric support of tunnels with similar engineering backgrounds.

Plant polyphenols play an essential role in human health. The bioactivity of polyphenols depends not only on their content but also on their bioavailability in food. The processing techniques, especially non-thermal processing, improve the retention and bioavailability of polyphenolic substances. However, there are limited studies summarizing the relationship between non-thermal processing, the bioavailability of polyphenols, and potential mechanisms. This review aims to summarize the effects of non-thermal processing techniques on the content and bioavailability of polyphenols in fruits and vegetables. Importantly, the disruption of cell walls and membranes, the inhibition of enzyme activities, free radical reactions, plant stress responses, and interactions of polyphenols with the food matrix caused by non-thermal processing are described. This study aims to enhance understanding of the significance of non-thermal processing technology in preserving the nutritional properties of dietary polyphenols in plant-based foods. It also offers theoretical support for the contribution of non-thermal processing technology in improving food nutrition.

Abstract Aim To explore the Chinese nurses’ current practices and challenges to trauma‐informed care (TIC) for accidentally injured patients, which can provide the way forward of improvement in the future. Design A qualitative study. Methods Sixteen Chinese nurses who had experience working with accidentally injured patients were invited into the semi‐structured interviews. Following each interview, the dialogue was transcribed verbatim. Subsequently, we analysed the data in accordance with the principles of thematic analysis. Results Four common themes emerged from the analysis: (a) Awareness of patients’ psychological trauma; (b) Recognition of psychological trauma; (c) Response to psychological trauma; (d) Perceived barriers to implementing TIC. This research indicated an urgent need for interventions in the future, such as TIC education and training, time constraints, heavy workload, emotional exhaustion and mood self‐regulation, giving policy incentives, strengthening leadership support and internal cooperation. Identifying those factors of TIC practice among accidentally injured patients helps promote TIC development in hospitals.

BackgroundAntiretroviral Therapy (ART) in children remains challenging due to resource-constrained settings. We conducted a 13-year, prospective, multicenter cohort study on the effectiveness and safety of LPV/r-based regimens in ART-naive and ART-experienced children.MethodsFrom January 2008 to May 2021, children living with HIV-1 were recruited with LPV/r-based regimens from 8 clinical research sites in 6 provinces in China. Effectiveness outcomes were virologic failure (defined as at least two consecutive measurements of VL > 200 copies/mL after 6 months of ART) and immune response (defined as CD4% recovered to more than 25% after 12 months of treatment). The safety outcomes were treatment-related grade 2–4 adverse events and abnormal laboratory test results.ResultsA total of 345 ART-naïve children and 113 ART-experienced children were included in this cohort study. The median follow-up time was 7.3 (IQR 5.5–10.5) years. The incidence density of virologic failure was 4.1 (95% CI 3.3–4.9) per 100 person-years in ART-naïve children and 5.0 (95% CI 3.5–6.5) per 100 person-years in ART-experienced children. Kaplan Meyer (KM) curve analysis showed children with ART experience were at a higher risk of virologic failure (p 5 days of LPV intake (aHR = 1.889, 1.004–3.554); The risk factor of virologic failure in ART-experienced children was missed dose times >5 days (aHR = 2.689, 1.299–5.604) and mother as caregivers for ART administration (aHR = 0.475, 0.238–0.948). However, during long-term treatment, viral suppression rates between ART-naïve and ART-experienced children remained similar. No significant differences were observed in the immune response, treatment-related grade 2–4 events, and abnormal laboratory test results between ART-naïve children and ART-experienced children.ConclusionOur research underscores that with consistent, long-term treatment of LPV/r-based regimens, ART-experienced children can achieve therapeutic outcomes comparable to ART-naïve children. It provides crucial insights on LPV/r-based regimens in pediatric HIV treatment, especially in resource-limited settings where high-cost Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors (INSTs) are inaccessible. This evidence-based understanding provides an essential addition to the global therapeutic strategies for pediatric HIV treatment.

The excavation of deep caverns can result in significant nonlinear large deformations caused by dynamic impact effects, such as high-stress rock bursts, impact ground pressure, or external explosions. To address this issue, a research team led by Academician He Manchao has developed a new 2G-NPR (Second Generation Negative Poisson’s Ratio) bolt material with the characteristics of uniform large deformation, obvious disappearance of necking, and disappearance of yield platform. On this basis, a large deformation control technique for the rigid-flexible structural systems of rock supported by the 2G-NPR bolt has been developed. To provide a basis for the application of 2G-NPR bolt support in national defense and civil air defense engineering, this study investigated the overall dynamic response law and mechanical behavior of the 2G-NPR bolt support engineering rock mass under the strong impact of explosions. The attenuation model of explosion shock wave in granite was studied in the explosion test site and the charging parameters required for explosion were determined. The support parameters of the PR bolt support composite structure and the 2G-NPR bolt support composite structure cavern were obtained. The dynamic response and interaction law of the peak pressure of the arch crown, the acceleration of the arch crown, the axial force of the anchor rod and the surrounding rock in the two different supporting systems were studied and compared. Impact and explosion resistance characteristics and failure modes of the different supporting caverns were revealed. The results indicate that the 2G-NPR bolt can resist stronger plane impact load with a higher energy absorption share and more significant energy absorption characteristics in underground explosion-proof support, and can play a supporting and protection effect that traditional bolt support cannot match. Moreover, the cavern excavation stress compensation theory for the change of surrounding rock stress state caused by underground cavern excavation was proposed and the theoretical solutions of stress components and displacement components at the anchorage end of bolt were studied, which provides a theoretical reference for subsequent cavern support research.

[Objective] The impacts of a metal mine on the surrounding grassland were studied, and the ecological environment was evaluated using remote sensing technology as a significant aid to ecological restoration and environmental protection of mining areas. [Methods] The study was conducted at a desert-steppe gold mine located in an ecologically fragile area. Spatial and temporal dynamics of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in the mine area were analyzed based on long time series remote sensing data to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the ecological quality of the study area using the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI). [Results] The impacted area of desert-steppe gold mining was determined as the area with a radius of 5 km outward from the mine boundary. There was a fluctuating increase in NDVI values in the mine and impact areas that varied with the duration of mining in the steppe from 2009 to 2021. The annual average value of NVDI within the mine area during the underground mining operation period was 51.9% higher than during the open pit mining operation period. In addition, the impact of open pit mining on vegetation in the study area was higher compared with underground mining. The RSEI values in the mining area and the impacted area initially increased, then decreased, and then stabilized, resulting in an overall non-significant increase. The spatial distribution of RSEI indicated that the areas with poor ecological environmental quality in the mine and impact areas were mainly the waste dump and surrounding area. [Conclusion] Gold mining influenced the surrounding desert grassland within a radius of 5 km from the mine. The ecological environment of the mine and the impacted area gradually improved through management efforts during mining. Ecological restoration and environmental management of the waste dump and the surrounding area should be strengthened during the process of mine ecological construction.

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) poses a diagnostic challenge, particularly impacting vulnerable populations such as infants and those with untreated HIV. Given the diagnostic intricacies of TBM, there’s a pressing need for rapid and reliable diagnostic tools. This review scrutinizes the efficacy of up-and-coming technologies like machine learning in transforming TBM diagnostics and management. Advanced diagnostic technologies like targeted gene sequencing, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), miRNA assays, and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) offer promising avenues for early TBM detection. The capabilities of these technologies are further augmented when paired with mass spectrometry, metabolomics, and proteomics, enriching the pool of disease-specific biomarkers. Machine learning algorithms, adept at sifting through voluminous datasets like medical imaging, genomic profiles, and patient histories, are increasingly revealing nuanced disease pathways, thereby elevating diagnostic accuracy and guiding treatment strategies. While these burgeoning technologies offer hope for more precise TBM diagnosis, hurdles remain in terms of their clinical implementation. Future endeavors should zero in on the validation of these tools through prospective studies, critically evaluating their limitations, and outlining protocols for seamless incorporation into established healthcare frameworks. Through this review, we aim to present an exhaustive snapshot of emerging diagnostic modalities in TBM, the current standing of machine learning in meningitis diagnostics, and the challenges and future prospects of converging these domains.

We present a straightforward metamaterial structure based on a graphene monolayer, which comprises a single graphene block and two graphene strips. This innovative design enables plasma-induced transparency (PIT) phenomenal generation by harnessing the interplay between bright and dark modes. To elucidate this phenomenon, we conduct comprehensive theoretical calculations that corroborate the findings of simulate results from finite difference time domain (FDTD). Furthermore, we explore the PIT phenomenon across various Fermi energy levels while also investigating the associated slow light effect in relation to the structural parameter, Fermi energy level, and carrier mobility. By increasing the carrier mobility from 0.4 to 3.4 m2/(V⋅s), the group index can be elevated from 80 to 430. Consequently, this graphene-based metamaterial holds promise for inspiring novel approaches to the design of modulators, optical switches, and devices for manipulating slow light.

With the gradual decrease and exhaustion of shallow mineral resources, underground mining has progressed to greater depths. Here, the geological environment is significantly more complex and nonlinear, and large deformations of rock masses have great potential to occur. Many geotechnical engineering disasters have occurred even while using Poisson’s ratio (PR) anchor cable supports. To efficiently deal with these issues, a new support material called negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR) anchor cable is proposed; this material can withstand large deformations and provide high constant resistance. In this study, the support characteristics of macro-NPR anchor cable under blasting impact were mainly studied. The support effects of PR anchor cable and macro-NPR anchor cable were compared and analyzed with the help of field experiments and numerical simulations. The results indicate that field experiments and discontinuous deformation analysis accurately reflect the failure state of the selected roadway, as well as the tension and deformation of the anchor cables. The roadway supported by PR anchor cables cannot resist rock bursts under ordinary circumstances. However, the NPR anchor cable-supported roadway resisted a rock burst caused by the impact equivalent to a mine earthquake magnitude above 3; it meets the requirements of roadway stability.

Protein arginine methylation can contribute to tumor progression. Here the authors show that protein arginine methyltransferase, CARM1, methylates transcription factor NFIB to promote the growth of small cell lung cancers.

Under the condition of unbalanced grid voltage, the non-off grid operation of photovoltaic system will lead to the fluctuation of system output power and obvious harmonic distortion of grid connected current. Because stable output power and better grid connected current quality cannot be realized at the same time, a coordinated control strategy of power fluctuation suppression and current balance is proposed. The harmonic component in the output current is adjusted by using the adjustment coefficient, and the proposed strategy is realized based on reduced order resonance control. The voltage/current positive and negative sequence separation link and phase-locked loop are not needed in this method so that the control structure is simpler, and instantaneous power is used to calculate the reference command value of grid connected current. The coordinated control of power/current is realized by MATLAB simulation, which verifies the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed strategy.

Abstract Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic, progressive lung vascular disease accompanied by elevated pulmonary vascular pressure and resistance, and it is characterized by increased pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation. Apolipoprotein A5 (ApoA5) improves monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH and right heart failure; however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Here we speculate that ApoA5 has a protective effect in pulmonary vessels and aim to evaluate the mechanism. Methods ApoA5 is overexpressed in an MCT-induced PAH animal model and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferating PASMCs. Lung vasculature remodeling was measured by immunostaining, and PASMC proliferation was determined by cell counting kit‐8 and 5‐ethynyl‐2'‐deoxyuridine5‐ethynyl‐2'‐deoxyuridine incorporation assays. Coimmunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry was used to investigate the probable mechanism. Next, its role and mechanism were further verified by knockdown studies. Results ApoA5 level was decreased in MCT-induced PAH lung as well as PASMCs. Overexpression of ApoA5 could help to inhibit the remodeling of pulmonary artery smooth muscle. ApoA5 could inhibit PDGF-BB-induced PASMC proliferation and endoplasmic reticulum stress by increasing the expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78). After knocking down GRP78, the protecting effects of ApoA5 have been blocked. Conclusion ApoA5 ameliorates MCT-induced PAH by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress in a GRP78 dependent mechanism.

In this paper, we consider the three-dimensional non-autonomous micropolar equations with damping term in periodic domain $ \mathbb{T}^{3} $. By assuming external forces satisfy certain condtions, the existence of pullback $ \mathcal{D} $-attractors for the three-dimensional non-autonomous micropolar equations with damping term is proved in $ V_{1}\times V_{2} $ and $ H^{2}\times H^{2} $ with $ 3 < \beta < 5 $.

Abstract Studies regarding the reuse of a gob‐side roadway formed by the N00 longwall mining method are scarce. To investigate the mine pressure behavior characteristics during roadway reuse, the anchor cable force, roof‐to‐floor deformation, and working resistance of the hydraulic support obtained from the verification working face were analyzed. Test results show that the influence range of the mining‐induced pressure was 0‐90 m in front of the working face. The ratios of the first and periodic weighting steps between the entry‐retaining and non‐roof‐cutting sides were 20.25 and 1.94, respectively. However, the ratios of the ground pressure strengths at the two sides were 1.07 and 1.31, respectively. The results indicate that the monitored roadway can be classified into three deformation zones based on the severity of the mine pressure behavior: large, intermediate, and creep. The main roof between the adjacent working faces exhibited a failure type comprising the “O‐X” and “O‐Y” states, which resulted in an unconventional mine pressure behavior. This study provides insights into the N00 longwall mining method as well as important guidance for tackling similar geological conditions when using this mining method.

The impact of urbanization on tourism is a widespread macroeconomic concern. However, few studies have explored the impact of destination urbanization on such individual tourist behavior as destination attachment. By developing an urbanization perception scale and analyzing tourists’ destination attachment, this study provides empirical evidence for the micro-impact of urbanization. A sample of 825 repeat visitors of Chengdu, China, was included in the partial least squares-based structural modeling. The results of several tests show that the environmental changes caused by green urbanization positively impact tourists’ destination attachment. This study also examines the explanatory role of tourist experience satisfaction and behavior control in this relationship. The findings suggest that tourists’ experience of urban change is critical for the sticky marketing of tourist destinations.

ObjectThis study attempted to explore the effects of vaccination on disease severity and the factors for viral clearance and hospitalization in omicron-infected patients.MethodsThe clinical manifestations of 3,265 Omicron-infected patients (BA.2 lineage variant; the Omicron group) were compared with those of 226 Delta-infected patients (the Delta group). A Multi-class logistic regression model was employed to analyze the impacts of vaccination doses and intervals on disease severity; a logistic regression model to evaluate the risk factors for hospitalization; R 4.1.2 data analysis to investigate the factors for time for nucleic acid negativization (NAN).ResultsCompared with the Delta group, the Omicron group reported a fast transmission, mild symptoms, and lower severity incidence, and a significant inverse correlation of vaccination dose with clinical severity (OR: 0.803, 95%CI: 0.742-0.868, p

Increasing evidence has indicated that long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) play multiple functions in the development of cancer and function as indicators of diagnosis and prognosis. This aim of this study was to investigate the roles LncRNA C9orF139 had in the progression of esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESCC). We found C9orf139 was highly expressed in ESCC and knock down the expression of C9orf139 significantly suppressed cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis, and inhibited migration and invasion. C9orf139 was able to negatively regulate miR-661 expression. At the same time, HDAC11 expression was negatively regulated by miR-661. The C9orf139/miR-661/HDAC11 axis was further involved in regulating the expression of the NF-κB signaling pathway. The association between the C9orf139 knockdown and the reduced tumor growth and size was observed during in vivo study. C9orf139 is highly expressed in ESCC, and is thus qualified to be used as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker for ESCC. Its promotion of ESCC progression is achieved by mediating the miR-661/HDAC11 axis.

BackgroundAcute type A aortic dissections (ATAAD) pose a challenge to surgeons due to high mortality, and decision making regarding the appropriate procedure is controversial. This study compared the outcomes of hemiarch and total arch replacement for ATAAD.MethodsThe PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched for comparative studies on hemiarch versus total arch replacement that were published before May 1, 2022.ResultsWe included 23 observational studies with a total of 4,576 patients. Combined data analysis showed that early mortality (RR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.70–0.97; P = 0.02), incidence of postoperative permanent neurological dysfunction (RR = 0.72; 95%CI:0.54∼0.94; P = 0.02), and incidence of renal failure and dialysis (RR = 0.82; 95%CI:0.71∼0.96; P = 0.01) were all lower for hemiarch than for total arch replacement. However, hemiarch replacement had a higher rate of late mortality (RR = 1.37; 95%CI:1.10∼1.71; P = 0.005). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of re-operation for bleeding, aortic re-operation, or postoperative pneumonia.ConclusionIn this study, hemiarch replacement had better early outcomes but a higher late mortality rate than total arch replacement. Decisions regarding the extent of arch repair should be made according to location and extent of ATAAD and the experience of surgeons to ensure the most favorable prognosis.Systematic review registration:[INPLASY.COM], identifier [INPLASY202250088].

The development of a stable and highly active photocatalyst has garnered significant attention in the field of wastewater treatment. In this study, a novel technique involving a facile stirring method was devised to fabricate an array of g-C3N4/ZnO nanowire (ZnO NW) composites. Through the introduction of g-C3N4 to augment the generation of electron-hole pairs upon exposure to light, the catalytic efficacy of these composites was found to surpass that of the pristine ZnO NWs when subjected to simulated sunlight. The photocatalytic performance of a 20 mg·L−1 methylene blue solution was found to be highest when the doping rate was 25 wt%, resulting in a degradation rate of 99.1% after 60 min. The remarkable enhancement in catalytic efficiency can be ascribed to the emergence of a captivating hetero-junction at the interface of g-C3N4 and ZnO NWs, characterized by a harmoniously aligned band structure. This alluring arrangement effectively curtailed charge carrier recombination, amplified light absorption, and augmented the distinct surface area, culminating in a notable boost to the photocatalytic prowess. These findings suggest that the strategic engineering of g-C3N4/ZnO NW heterostructures holds tremendous promise as a pioneering avenue for enhancing the efficacy of wastewater treatment methodologies.

Hydrogels are materials consisting of a network of hydrophilic polymers. Due to their good biocompatibility and hydrophilicity, they are widely used in biomedicine, food safety, environmental protection, agriculture, and other fields. This paper summarizes the typical complex materials of photocatalysts, photosensitizers, and hydrogels, as week as their antibacterial activities and the basic mechanisms of photothermal and photodynamic effects. In addition, the application of hydrogel-based photoresponsive materials in microbial inactivation is discussed, including the challenges faced in their application. The advantages of photosensitive antibacterial complex hydrogels are highlighted, and their application and research progress in various fields are introduced in detail.

Graphite carbon nitride (g-C3N4), a two-dimensional polymer semiconductor material, has good semiconductor properties, suitable electronic energy band structure, excellent physical and chemical stability. It is widely used in the field of energy and materials science such as photoelectric conversion. In this paper, the progress of g-C3N4 in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) and perovskite solar cells (PSC) was reviewed. As a new semiconductor material, g-C3N4 has the advantages of simple preparation, abundant amino and Lewis basic groups. Therefore, on the basis of excellent structure of g-C3N4, its electronic and optical properties are utilized to further expand its application in the field of photoelectric conversion.

Abstract To develop an accurate method for evaluating the relative contributions of basal glucose (BG) and postprandial glucose (PPG) to glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in subjects with hyperglycaemia using a Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS®). The subjects were divided into the normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes (NDDM), and drug-treated type 2 diabetes (T2DM) groups. We evaluated the relative contributions of BG and PPG to HbA1c in patients with hyperglycaemia according to three different baseline values. Subjects (n = 490) were grouped as follows: 92 NGT, 36 IGT, 131 NDDM, and 231 T2DM. The relative contributions of PPG to HbA1c were calculated using baseline values of 6.1 mmol/L, 5.6 mmol/L, and the 24-h glucose curve of the NGT group. The relative contribution of PPG to HbA1c decreased progressively from the IGT group to the T2DM group. Compared with the 24-h glucose curve as the baseline, the relative contribution of PPG was overestimated in 9.04% and 1.76% of the subjects when 6.1 mmol/L and 5.6 mmol/L were used as baselines, respectively (P

BackgroundCurrently, only a few studies have examined the link between dental health, cognitive impairment, and physical activity. The current study examined the relationship between denture use and physical activity in elderly patients with different cognitive abilities.MethodsThe study data was sourced from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) database, which included information on denture use and amount of daily physical activity undertaken by older persons. Physical activity was categorized into three levels using the International Physical Activity General Questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Scale (IPAQ) rubric. The relationship between denture use and physical activity in middle-aged and older persons with varying degrees of cognitive functioning was studied using logistic regression models.ResultsA total of 5,892 older people with varying cognitive abilities were included. Denture use was linked to physical activity in the cognitively healthy 60 + age group (p = 0.004). Denture use was positively related with moderate physical activity in the population (odds ratio, OR: 1.336, 95% confidence interval: 1.173–1.520, p < 0.001), according to a multivariate logistic regression analysis, a finding that was supported by the calibration curve. Furthermore, the moderate physical activity group was more likely to wear dentures than the mild physical activity group among age-adjusted cognitively unimpaired middle-aged and older persons (OR: 1.213, 95% CI: 1.053–1.397, p < 0.01). In a fully adjusted logistic regression model, moderate physical activity population had increased ORs of 1.163 (95% CI: 1.008–1.341, p < 0.05) of dentures and vigorous physical activity population had not increased ORs of 1.016 (95% CI: 0.853–1.210, p > 0.05), compared with mild physical activity population.ConclusionThis findings revealed that wearing dentures affects physical activity differently in older persons with different cognitive conditions. In cognitively unimpaired older adults, wearing dentures was associated with an active and appropriate physical activity status.

BackgroundCorticosteroids can effectively inhibit systemic inflammation induced by cardiopulmonary bypass. Recently clinical trials and meta-analyses and current guidelines for cardiac surgery do not support corticosteroids prophylaxis during cardiac surgery because of an increase in myocardial infarction and no benefit for patients. The aim of this study is to determine whether specific corticosteroids dose ranges might provide clinical benefits without increasing myocardial infarction.MethodsThe PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Clinical Trials, and Cochrane databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before August 1, 2021.Results88 RCTs with 18,416 patients (17,067 adults and 1,349 children) were identified. Relative to placebo and high-dose corticosteroids, low-dose corticosteroids (≤20 mg/kg hydrocortisone) during adult cardiac surgery did not increase the risks of myocardial infarction (odds ratio [OR]: 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.43–2.17; p = 0.93). However, low-dose corticosteroids were associated with lower risks of atrial fibrillation (OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.44–0.76; p

Abstract The histone methyltransferase EZH2 silences gene expression via H3 lysine 27 trimethylation and has been recognized as an important antitumour therapeutic target. However, the clinical application of existing EZH2 inhibitors is not satisfactory for the treatment of solid tumours. To discover novel strategies against head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), we performed genomics, metabolomics and RNA omics studies in HNSCC cells treated with EZH2 inhibitors. It was found that EZH2 inhibitors strongly induced the expression of genes in cholesterol synthesis. Through extensive drug screening we found that inhibition of squalene epoxidase (a key enzyme of endogenous cholesterol synthesis) synergistically increased the squalene content and enhanced the sensitivity of HNSCC cells to EZH2 inhibitors. Our findings provide an experimental and theoretical basis for the development of new combinations of EZH2 inhibitors to treat HNSCC.

Circulating proteins play functional roles in various biological processes and disease pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to highlight circulating proteins associated with aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD) and spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). We examined the associations of circulating molecule levels with SCAD by integrating data from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of CanSCAD and 7 pQTL studies. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was applied to examine the associations between circulating molecule levels and AAD by using data from UK Biobank GWAS and pQTL studies. The SCAD-associated SNPs in 1q21.2 were strongly associated with circulating levels of extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) and 25 other proteins (encoded by CTSS, CAT, CNDP1, KNG1, SLAMF7, TIE1, CXCL1, MBL2, ESD, CXCL16, CCL14, KCNE5, CST7, PSME1, GPC3, MAP2K4, SPOCK3, LRPPRC, CLEC4M, NOG, C1QTNF9, CX3CL1, SCP2D1, SERPINF2, and FN1). These proteins were enriched in biological processes such as regulation of peptidase activity and regulation of cellular protein metabolic processes. Proteins (FGF6, FGF9, HGF, BCL2L1, and VEGFA) involved in the Ras signaling pathway were identified to be related to AAD. In addition, SCAD- and AAD-associated SNPs were associated with cytokine and lipid levels. MR analysis showed that circulating ECM1, SPOCK3 and IL1b levels were associated with AAD. Circulating levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and small very-low-density lipoprotein particles were strongly associated with AAD. The present study found associations between circulating proteins and lipids and SCAD and AAD. Circulating ECM1 and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol may play a role in the pathology of SCAD and AAD.

Hypertension is a key risk factor for spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and aortic dilation. Circulating proteins play key roles in a range of biological processes and represent a major source of druggable targets. The aim of this study was to identify circulating proteins that were associated with blood pressure (BP), SCAD and aortic dilation. We identified shared genetic variants of BP and SCAD in genome-wide association studies, searched for circulating protein affected by these variants and examined the association of circulating protein levels with BP, aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD) and aortic diameters by integrating data from circulating protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) studies and genome wide association study (GWAS) in individuals from the UK Biobank using two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis methods. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in JAG1, ERI1, ULK4, THSD4, CMIP, COL4A2, FBN1, FAM76B, FGGY, NUS1, and HNF4G, which were related to extracellular matrix components, were associated with both BP and SCAD. We found 49 significant pQTL signals among these SNPs. The regulated proteins were encoded by MMP10, IL6R, FIGF, MMP1, CTSB, IGHG1, DSG2, TTC17, RETN, POMC, SCARF2, RELT, and GALNT16, which were enriched in biological processes such as collagen metabolic process and multicellular organism metabolic process. Causal associations between BP and AAD and aortic diameters were detected. Significant associations between circulating levels of cathepsin B, a well-known prorenin processing enzyme, and BP and aortic diameters were identified by using several Mendelian randomization analysis methods and were validated by independent data.ConclusionThe present study identified the association between circulating cathepsin B and BP and aortic diameters. The findings indicated that BP-associated genetic variants may influence aortic dilation risk by circulating proteins that regulate BP.

A physical model for the footwall slope of Nanfen open-pit mine, China was established using a self-developed deep geological engineering disaster model test system. A thermosensitive similar material, paraffin, was selected to simulate a weak structural plane in the slope to reproduce the landslide process. From an experimental perspective, the variation trend of shear strength parameters of weak structural plane and the mechanical support characteristics of NPR (negative Poisson’s ratio) anchor cable under the condition of a large landslide deformation and failure were examined. The results of this model test showed that slope failure has four distinct stages: (1) soil compaction stage, (2) crack generation stage, (3) crack propagation stage, and (4) sliding plane transfixion stage. According to the test results, the rock mechanics parameters of weak surface in the footwall slope of Nanfen open-pit mine were calculated. The cohesion is approximately 1.35 × 105 Pa, and the internal friction angle is approximately 6.33°. During slope failure, the NPR anchor cable experiences a large deformation but no damage occurs, indicating that the NPR anchor cable can be continuously monitored and reinforced during the deformation and failure of landslide. The stress characteristics of NPR anchor cables during the test are consistent with the monitoring results of Newtonian force at the landslide site, proving that NPR anchor cables are effective and reasonable in landslide monitoring and early warning.

Abstract The non-autonomous order-2γ parabolic partial differential equation for an epitaxial thin film growth model with dimension d = 3 $d=3$ is investigated by the method of uniform estimates. The existence of a pullback attractor for the 3D model is proved for γ > 3 $\gamma >3$ .

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to identify additional factors that contributed to coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodsWe conducted integrative analysis on publicly available data from genome-wide association studies and quantitative trait locus studies by employing Mendelian randomization methods to examine the associations of gene expression in liver cells and circulating protein levels with LDL-C and CAD.ResultsWe found that the mRNA expression levels of CELSR2, PSRC1, SORT1, SYPL2, RHD, RHCE, ANGPTL3, ATXN7L2, DNAH11, FADS3, ST3GAL4, NYNRIN, CETP, EFCAB13, and SPTLC3 were significantly associated with LDL-C. The expression levels of SORT1, PSRC1, and CELSR2 in liver cells were significantly associated with CAD. Higher expression levels of SORT1, PSRC1, and CELSR2 in the liver were significantly associated with lower circulating LDL-C levels and CAD risk. PSRC1 variants were strongly associated with SORT1, PSRC1, and CELSR2 gene expression in liver cells. Higher circulating granulin and apolipoprotein B levels, which were strongly affected by PSRC1 variants, were significantly associated with higher LDL-C levels and CAD risk, with odds ratios of 1.15 (1.10–1.19) and 1.45 (1.21–1.74), respectively.ConclusionThis study showed that regulatory SNPs in PSRC1 may affect CAD risk by altering CELSR2, PSRC1, and SORT1 gene expression in liver cells and circulating granulins and apolipoprotein B proteins.

Environmental pollution, especially water pollution, is becoming increasingly serious. Organic dyes are one type of the harmful pollutants that pollute groundwater and destroy ecosystems. In this work, a series of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)/ZnO photocatalysts were facilely synthesized through a grinding method using ZnO nanoparticles and g-C3N4 as the starting materials. According to the results, the photocatalytic performance of 10 wt.% CN-200/Z-500 (CN-200, which g-C3N4 was 200 kGy, referred to the irradiation metering. Z-500, which ZnO was 500 °C, referred to the calcination temperature) with the CN-200 exposed to electron beam radiation was better than those of either Z-500 or CN-200 alone. This material displayed a 98.9% degradation rate of MB (20 mg/L) in 120 min. The improvement of the photocatalytic performance of the 10 wt.% CN-200/Z-500 composite material was caused by the improvement of the separation efficiency of photoinduced electron–hole pairs, which was, in turn, due to the formation of heterojunctions between CN-200 and Z-500 interfaces. Thus, this study proposes the application of electron-beam irradiation technology for the modification of photocatalytic materials and the improvement of photocatalytic performance.

Abstract Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant cancer affecting oral cavity. Recent studies have demonstrated that Ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) was upregulated in several types of cancers. USP7 expression was associated with various proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. However, USP7 expression level and its functional role in OSCC is unclear. In the current study, we showed that USP7 expression in OSCC tissues was generally upregulated compared to normal adjacent tissues by using IHC. Furthermore, statistical analysis uncovered that USP7 expression was positively correlated with Ki-67, MMP2, VEGF in OSCC tissues. Importantly, high USP7 expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis and histological differentiation in OSCC patients. So, our hypothesis is that USP7 plays a tumor-promoting role in OSCC. Knocking down of USP7 in tumor cells not only suppressed HSC3 cells proliferation, migration and invasion, but also promoted cell apoptosis. Moreover, USP7 siRNA blocked the activation of Akt/ERK signaling pathway. In conclusion, data presented here suggests that USP7 promotes the progression of OSCC. USP7 may be used as a new therapeutic target for OSCC diagnosis and treatment.

Hearing loss is a serious illness affecting people’s normal life enormously. The acoustic properties of a tympanic membrane play an important role in hearing, and highly depend on its geometry, composition, microstructure and connection to the surrounding annulus. While the conical geometry of the tympanic membrane is critical to the sound propagation in the auditory system, it presents significant challenges to the study of the 3D microstructure of the tympanic membrane using traditional 2D imaging techniques. To date, most of our knowledge about the 3D microstructure and composition of tympanic membranes is built from 2D microscopic studies, which precludes an accurate understanding of the 3D microstructure, acoustic behaviors and biology of the tissue. Although the tympanic membrane has been reported to contain elastic fibers, the morphological characteristic of the elastic fibers and the spatial arrangement of the elastic fibers with the predominant collagen fibers have not been shown in images. We have developed a 3D imaging technique for the three-dimensional examination of the microstructure of the full thickness of the tympanic membranes in mice without requiring tissue dehydration and stain. We have also used this imaging technique to study the 3D arrangement of the collagen and elastic fibrillar network with the capillaries and cells in the pars tensa-annulus unit at a status close to the native. The most striking findings in the study are the discovery of the 3D form of the elastic and collagen network, and the close spatial relationships between the elastic fibers and the elongated fibroblasts in the tympanic membranes. The 3D imaging technique has enabled to show the 3D waveform contour of the collagen and elastic scaffold in the conical tympanic membrane. Given the close relationship among the acoustic properties, composition, 3D microstructure and geometry of tympanic membranes, the findings may advance the understanding of the structure—acoustic functionality of the tympanic membrane. The knowledge will also be very helpful in the development of advanced cellular therapeutic technologies and 3D printing techniques to restore damaged tympanic membranes to a status close to the native.

Materials with excellent biocompatibility and targeting can be widely used in the biomedical field. Hydrogels are an excellent biomedical material, which are similar to living tissue and cannot affect the metabolic process of living organisms. Moreover, the three-dimensional network structure of hydrogel is conducive to the storage and slow release of drugs. Compared to the traditional hydrogel preparation technologies, ionizing radiation technology has high efficiency, is green, and has environmental protection. This technology can easily adjust mechanical properties, swelling, and so on. This review provides a classification of hydrogels and different preparation methods and highlights the advantages of ionizing radiation technology in smart hydrogels used for biomedical applications.

RNA modification plays important roles in many biological processes such as gene expression control. Genetic variants that affect RNA modification may have functional roles in aortic dissection. The aim of this study was to identify RNA modifications related to spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). We examined the association of RNA modification-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (RNAm-SNPs) with SCAD in summary data from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of European descent (270 SCAD cases and 5,263 controls). Furthermore, we performed expression quantitative loci (eQTL) and protein quantitative loci (pQTL) analyses for the RNAm-SNPs using publicly available data. Functional enrichment and protein–protein interaction analyses were performed for the identified proteins. We found 11,464 unique RNAm-SNPs in the SCAD GWAS dataset, and 519 were nominally associated with SCAD. Nine RNAm-SNPs were associated with SCAD at p < 0.001, and among them, seven were N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation-related SNPs, one (rs113664950 in HLA-DQB1) was m7G-associated SNP, and one [rs580060 in the 3′-UTR of Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein S21 (MRPS21)] was A-to-I modification SNP. The genome-wide significant SNP rs3818978 (SCAD association p = 5.74 × 10–10) in the 5′-UTR of MRPS21 was related to m6A modification. These nine SNPs all showed eQTL effects, and six of them were associated with circulating protein or metabolite levels. The related protein-coding genes were enriched in specific Gene Ontology (GO) terms such as extracellular space, extracellular region, defense response, lymphocyte migration, receptor binding and cytokine receptor binding, and so on. The present study found the associations between RNAm-SNPs and SCAD. The findings suggested that RNA modification may play functional roles in SCAD.

Over time, difficulties have been encountered in detecting potential fingerprints. In this study, an Ag/CMCS/PVA(ACP) hydrogel film was developed for fingerprint development by electron beam radiation method. The chemical bond, thermostability, chemical components, microstructure, and micromorphology of the CMCS/PVA composite hydrogel film were characterized by FT-IR, TG, XRD, and SEM, respectively. Swelling behaviors and mechanical performance of the CMCS/PVA composite hydrogel were also investigated at different irradiation doses, pH, media, and NaCl contents to obtain the optimum preparation conditions. Through experimental exploration, we found that the fingerprints appeared more obvious when the irradiated prepared ACP hydrogel film was sprayed with 0.6 mg/mL of Ag+ and the excitation wavelength was about 254 nm with UV lamp irradiation for 20 min. The cytotoxicity the CMCS/PVA composite hydrogel on mouse skin fibroblasts L929 cells was also studied, confirming its biological security. Sweat latent fingerprint manifestation has important scientific significance with respect to the development of new processes and functional materials in the field of fingerprint manifestation, enriching and complementing the application of composite hydrogels.