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Abstract Background To assess the long-term outcomes of patients with glaucoma secondary to iridocorneal endothelial syndrome (GS-ICE) who underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation surgery. Methods In this non-comparative retrospective case series study, twelve patients with uncontrolled GS-ICE and cataract underwent Ahmed aqueous shunt combined with phacoemulsification and IOL implantation surgery at Beijing Tongren Eye Center between June 2014 and June 2022. Main medical records included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), number of antiglaucoma medications (AGM), corneal status and further surgical interventions. Surgical success was defined as a postoperative IOP ≥ 6mmHg and ≤ 21mmHg without (complete success) or with/without (qualified success) topical AGM and vision of at least light perception during the follow-up period. Results Twelve eyes of twelve patients were reviewed. Preoperative IOP was decreased from a mean of 38.5 ± 6.7 mmHg on 3.3 ± 0.9 AGM to a mean of 16.3 ± 4.3 mmHg (P

Abstract Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) significantly contributes to the progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, manually quantifying EAT volume is labor-intensive and susceptible to human error. Although there have been some deep learning-based methods for automatic quantification of EAT, they are mostly uninterpretable and fail to harness the complete anatomical characteristics. In this study, we proposed an enhanced deep learning method designed for EAT quantification on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) scan, which integrated both data-driven method and specific morphological information. A total of 108 patients who underwent routine CCTA examinations were included in this study. They were randomly assigned to training set (n = 60), validation set (n = 8), and test set (n = 40). We quantified and calculated the EAT volume based on the CT attenuation values within the predicted pericardium. The automatic method demonstrated strong agreement with expert manual quantification, yielding a median Dice score coefficients (DSC) of 0.916 (Interquartile Range (IQR): 0.846–0.948) for 2D slices. Meanwhile, the median DSC for the 3D volume was 0.896 (IQR: 0.874–0.908) between these two measures, with an excellent correlation of 0.980 (p

Abstract Introduction Arterial calcification, an independent predictor of cardiovascular events, increases morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), but its mechanisms remain unclear. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play an important role in intercellular communication. The study investigates the role and potential mechanisms of EVs derived from endothelial cells (ECs) in regulating vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification under high glucose (HG) condition, with a goal of developing effective prevention and treatment strategies for diabetic arterial calcification. Results The results showed that EVs derived from HG induced ECs (ECHG-EVs) exhibited a bilayer structure morphology with a mean diameter of 74.08 ± 31.78 nm, expressing EVs markers including CD9, CD63 and TSG101, but not express calnexin. ECHG-EVs was internalized by VSMCs and induced VSMC calcification by increasing Runx2 expression and mineralized nodule formation. The circ_0008362 was enriched in ECHG-EVs, and it can be transmitted to VSMCs to promote VSMC calcification both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, miR-1251-5p might be one of the targets of circ_0008362 and they were co-localization in the cytoplasm of VSMCs. Runx2 was identified as the downstream target of miR-1251-5p, and circ_0008362 acted as a sponge, enhancing Runx2 expression and then promoted VSMC calcification. Besides, circ_0008362 could directly interact with Runx2 to aggravate VSMC calcification. Notably, DiR-labelled ECHG-EVs was detected in the vessels of mice. Meanwhile, the level of circ_0008362 and Runx2 were increased significantly, while the expression of miR-1251-5p was decreased significantly in calcified artery tissues of mice. However, inhibiting the release of EVs by GW4869 attenuated arterial calcification in diabetic mice. Finally, the level of circulation of plasma EVs circ_0008362 was significantly higher in patients with DM compared with normal controls. Elevated levels of plasma EVs circ_0008362 were associated with more severe coronary and aorta artery calcification in patients with DM. Conclusions Our findings suggested that circ_0008362 was enriched in EVs derived from ECs and promoted VSMC calcification under HG conditions, both by sponging miR-1251-5p to upregulate Runx2 expression and through direct interaction with Runx2. Furthermore, elevated levels of plasma EVs circ_0008362 were associated with more severe coronary and aorta artery calcification in patients with DM. These results may serve as a potential prevention and therapeutic target for diabetic arterial calcification. Graphical abstract

Abstract Background Gallstones are a common digestive disorder that threatens human health. Iron deficiency may be related to the formation of gallstones, but there is limited current epidemiological research. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between iron status and gallstones. Methods The datasets from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017–2020 were used in a cross-sectional investigation. Gallstones were determined by using the 2007–2010 NHANES questionnaire. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the association between serum iron, serum ferritin and iron intake with the risk for gallstones. Subgroup analysis based on gender, age, race, and diabetes were performed. Fitted smoothing curves were used to describe the linear relationship. Results The research involved 7847 participants aged 20 and above, among whom 845 were identified as having gallstones. Participants with higher serum iron levels tended to have a lower gallstones prevalence. A negative relationship between serum iron and gallstones prevalence was observed (OR = 0.979, 95% CI:0.965–0.992). The group with the highest serum iron tertile had a 23.7% lower risk of gallstones compared to the lowest tertile (OR = 0.763, 95% CI:0.628‒0.929). Gallstone prevalence was inversely correlated with iron intake in model 1. The negative association between serum iron and gallstones remained stable in stratifications, including gender, age, race, and diabetes. Conclusions Elevated serum iron was associated with a decreased prevalence of gallstones. However, to confirm the impact of long-term iron metabolism on gallstone formation, additional prospective research is necessary.

Abstract Background Balance and mobility deficits are major concerns in stroke rehabilitation. Virtual reality (VR) training and Swiss-ball training are commonly used approaches to improve balance and mobility. However, no study has compared the efficacy of VR training, Swiss-ball training, and their combination in improving balance and mobility function or investigated cortical activation and connectivity in individuals with stroke. Methods A prospective, single-blinded, parallel-armed, multi-center randomized controlled trial with factorial design will be conducted. Seventy-six participants aged 30–80 years with stroke will be recruited. Participants will be allocated to one of the four groups: (A) the VR training + Swiss-ball training + conventional physical therapy group; (B) the Swiss-ball training + conventional physical therapy group; (C) the VR training + conventional physical therapy group; or (D) the conventional physical therapy group. All participants will receive 50 min of training per day, 5 times per week, for a total of 4 weeks. The primary outcomes will be balance and mobility measures. Secondary outcomes will include the 10-min walk test, dynamic gait index, and cortical activation. Outcomes will be measured on three occasions: at baseline, after the training, and at the 4-week follow-up. Discussion This trial will provide evidence to determine whether there are differences in clinical outcomes and cortical activation following two different types of exercise programs and their combination, and to elucidate the recovery mechanisms of balance and mobility function in individuals with stroke. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry reference: www.chictr.org.cn (No. ChiCTR2400082135). Registered on May 24, 2024.

Abstract Background Visceral adipose tissue in individuals with obesity is an independent cardiovascular risk indicator. However, it remains unclear whether adipose tissue influences common cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, through its secreted exosomes. Methods The exosomes secreted by adipose tissue from diet-induced obesity mice were isolated to examine their impact on the progression of atherosclerosis and the associated mechanism. Endothelial apoptosis and the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) within the atherosclerotic plaque were evaluated. Statistical significance was analyzed using GraphPad Prism 9.0 with appropriate statistical tests. Results We demonstrate that adipose tissue-derived exosomes (AT-EX) exacerbate atherosclerosis progression by promoting endothelial apoptosis, proliferation, and migration of VSMCs within the plaque in vivo. MicroRNA-132/212 (miR-132/212) was detected within AT-EX cargo. Mechanistically, miR-132/212-enriched AT-EX exacerbates palmitate acid-induced endothelial apoptosis via targeting G protein subunit alpha 12 and enhances platelet-derived growth factor type BB-induced VSMC proliferation and migration by targeting phosphatase and tensin homolog in vitro. Importantly, melatonin decreases exosomal miR-132/212 levels, thereby mitigating the pro-atherosclerotic impact of AT-EX. Conclusion These data uncover the pathological mechanism by which adipose tissue-derived exosomes regulate the progression of atherosclerosis and identify miR-132/212 as potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis. Graphical Abstract

Vascular calcification and vascular ageing are “silent” diseases but are highly prevalent in patients with end stage renal failure and type 2 diabetes, as well as in the ageing population. Melatonin (MT) has been shown to induce cardiovascular protection effects. However, the role of MT on vascular calcification and ageing has not been well-identified. In this study, the aortic transcriptional landscape revealed clues for MT related cell-to-cell communication between endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vascular calcification and vascular ageing. Furthermore, we elucidated that it was exosomes that participate in the information transportation from ECs to VSMCs. The exosomes secreted from melatonin-treated ECs (MT-ECs-Exos) inhibited calcification and senescence of VSMCs. Mechanistically, miR-302d-5p was highly enriched in MT-ECs-Exos, while depletion of miR-302d-5p blocked the ability of MT-ECs-Exos to suppress VSMC calcification and senescence. Notably, Wnt3 was a bona fide target of miR-302d-5p and modulated VSMC calcification and senescence. Furthermore, we found that maturation of endothelial derived exosomal miR-302d-5p was promoted by WTAP in an N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-dependent manner. Interestingly, MT alleviated vascular calcification and ageing in 5/6-nephrectomy (5/6 NTP) mice, a chronic kidney disease (CKD) induced vascular calcification and vascular ageing mouse model. MT-ECs-Exos was absorbed by VSMCs in vivo and effectively prevented vascular calcification and ageing in 5/6 NTP mice. ECs-derived miR-302d-5p mediated MT induced anti-calcification and anti-ageing effects in 5/6 NTP mice. Our study suggests that MT-ECs-Exos alleviate vascular calcification and ageing through the miR-302d-5p/Wnt3 signaling pathway, dependent on m6A methylation.

In this work, a novel graphite-based electrochemical filter was developed for the efficient and environmentally friendly treatment of uranium tailings leachate. The filter utilizes graphite particles as filler and carbon felt as a conductor, powered by a DC power supply and driven by a peristaltic pump. In a non-circulating continuous operation filter experiment, uranium tailings leachate was tested for uranium removal efficiency under different operating parameters such as voltage and residence time, using both synthetic wastewater and actual uranium mine wastewater. This study is based on the fundamental principles of metal electrochemical reduction. The efficacy of this device for the continuous flow treatment of uranium tailings leachate was systematically investigated. The mechanism of uranium tailings leachate treatment by the electrochemical filter was elucidated through electrochemical analysis and product characterization. The results highlight that voltage and hydraulic retention time are critical factors influencing the efficiency of electrochemical filter treatment. Specifically, 4.0 V and 10 hours were identified as the optimized voltage and suitable hydraulic residence time, respectively, for the treatment of uranium tailings leachate using the electrochemical filter, resulting in a uranium removal rate exceeding 97%. In actual uranium tailings leachate applications, the maximum extraction rate can reach 5275 μmol/(m3∙h), confirming the feasibility of electrochemical filter in removing uranium from actual uranium tailings leachate and its good selectivity in complex water quality applications, the device can be quickly applied to uranium tailings leachate collection facilities and achieve in-situ uranium extraction. The voltage increase can significantly enhance the uranium extraction performance and can be portablely deployed in uranium mine water. In-situ uranium processing and recovery is achieved in processing and collection facilities. Characterization techniques such as field emission scanning electron microscope-energy spectrum analyzer(FESEM-EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer(XPS) were employed to analyze the reaction products on the graphite particles, revealing that uranium was evenly distributed on the surface of graphite particles and exhibits a stable crystal structure, the main mechanism responsible for uranium removal was adsorption-reduction, with uranium recovery products deposited on the electrode surface in the form of a mixture of U(Ⅳ) and U(Ⅵ). A cost estimation shows that the operational cost of extracting uranium from uranium tailings leachate using this device falls within the range of 176.6 ￥/kgU to 587.5 ￥/kgU. This cost is significantly lower than that of conventional land-based uranium resource development, making it economically viable. This research provides both theoretical and technical support for the efficient and environmentally friendly treatment of uranium tailings leachate.

Abstract Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) are both metabolic disorders that negatively impact the cardiovascular system. This study comprehensively analyzed the additive effect of MAFLD on left ventricular function and global strain in T2DM patients by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Methods Data of 261 T2DM patients, including 109 with and 152 without MAFLD, as well as 73 matched normal controls from our medical center between June 2015 and March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. CMR-derived parameters, including LV function and global strain parameters, were compared among different groups. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to investigate the impact of various factors on LV function and global strain. Results Our investigation revealed a progressive deterioration in LV functional parameters across three groups: control subjects, T2DM patients without MAFLD, and T2DM patients with MAFLD. Statistically significant increases in left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were observed, along with decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular global function index (LVGFI). Among these three groups, significant reductions were also noted in the absolute values of LV global radial, circumferential, and longitudinal peak strains (GRPS, GCPS, and GLPS), as well as in peak systolic (PSSR) and peak diastolic strain rates (PDSR). MAFLD was identified as an independent predictor of LVEF, LVMI, LVGFI, GRPS, GCPS, and GLPS in multivariate linear analysis. Besides, the incidence of late gadolinium enhancement was higher in MAFLD patients than in non-MAFLD patients (50/109 [45.9%] vs. 42/152 [27.6%], p = 0.003). Furthermore, escalating MAFLD severity was associated with a numerical deterioration in both LV function parameters and global strain values. Conclusions This study thoroughly compared CMR parameters in T2DM patients with and without MAFLD, uncovering MAFLD’s adverse impact on LV function and deformation in T2DM patients. These findings highlight the critical need for early detection and comprehensive management of cardiac function in T2DM patients with MAFLD.

Abstract Ultraviolet absorption ability of modifiers is essential to protect asphalt from ageing. However, the detailed correlation between them remains unclear. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles were used as modifiers, and their ultraviolet absorption ability was manipulated by magnesium and aluminum doping. The influence of ultraviolet absorption ability of the nanoparticles on asphalt ultraviolet ageing was investigated experimentally, and their correlation was revealed in detail by curve fitting. The results show that aluminum doping enhances the ultraviolet absorption ability of nanoparticles, leading to superior anti-aging performance in aluminum-doped zinc oxide modified asphalt compared to pure zinc oxide. Conversely, magnesium doping shows a contrary modification. Evaluating the ultraviolet absorption ability of nanoparticle modifiers by bandgap and absorption intensity, we found that softening point increments, viscosity ageing index, and sulfoxide index exhibit a decreasing trend mainly in the bandgap range of 3.269 to 3.334 eV, whereas carbonyl index shows a decreasing trend mainly in the lower bandgap range of 3.183 to 3.269 eV. This phenomenon is primarily due to the different reactivity of carbon and sulfur with oxygen in asphalt. Curve fitting analysis revealed an exponential correlation between the ageing index of asphalt and the ultraviolet absorption ability of nanoparticles. To achieve superior anti-ultraviolet ageing performance, the nanoparticles should possess an absorption intensity above 0.961 a.u. and a bandgap below 3.299 eV. Moreover, stronger ultraviolet absorption ability of nanoparticles is needed to prevent the formation of carbonyl compounds. The underlying correlation established in the present work has significant implications for selecting suitable modifiers to prevent ultraviolet ageing of asphalt.

Abstract Gastric cancer (GC) is highly heterogeneous and prone to metastasis, which are obstacles to the effectiveness of treatment. The basement membrane (BM) acts as a barrier to tumor cell invasion and metastasis. It is critical to investigate the relationship between BM status, metastasis, and patient prognosis. In several large cohorts, we investigated BM gene expression-based molecular classification and risk-prognosis models for GC, examined tumor microenvironment (TME) differences among different molecular subtypes, and developed risk models in predicting prognosis, immunotherapy effectiveness, and chemotherapy resistance. Three GC subtypes (BMclusterA/B/C) based on BM gene expression status were discovered. Each of the three GC subtypes has unique immune infiltration and activated oncogenic signals. Moreover, a 6-gene score (BMscore) predictive model was developed. The low BMscore group had a high tumor mutation burden, high immunogenicity, and low RHOJ expression levels, implying that individuals with GC in this category may be more susceptible to immunotherapy and treatment. The EMT subtype showed a considerably higher BMscore than the other subtypes in the Asian Organization for Research on Cancer (ACRG) molecular classification. Endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts may be engaged in regulating BM reorganization in GC progression, according to single-cell transcriptome analyses. In conclusion, we defined a novel molecular classification of GC based on BM genes, developed a prognostic risk model, and elucidated the cell subpopulations involved in BM remodeling at the single-cell level. This study has deepened the understanding of the relationship between GC metastasis and BM alterations, achieved prognostic stratification, and guided therapy.

Abstract The skin epidermis is continually influenced by a myriad of internal and external elements. At its basal layer reside epidermal stem cells, which fuels epidermal renovation and hair regeneration with powerful self-renewal ability, as well as keeping diverse signals that direct their activity under surveillance with quick response. The importance of epidermal stem cells in wound healing and immune-related skin conditions has been increasingly recognized, and their potential for clinical applications is attracting attention. In this review, we delve into recent advancements and the various physiological and psychological factors that govern distinct epidermal stem cell populations, including psychological stress, mechanical forces, chronic aging, and circadian rhythm, as well as providing an overview of current methodological approaches. Furthermore, we discuss the pathogenic role of epidermal stem cells in immune-related skin disorders and their potential clinical applications.

Abstract Background The Latarjet procedure (LP) is performed as a primary stabilization procedure (primary LP) and a salvage procedure when an earlier shoulder stabilization procedure has failed (salvage LP). However, whether primary LP or salvage LP provides better outcomes for anterior shoulder instability remains unknown. Methods Two independent reviewers performed the literature search based on the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, web of science and Cochrane Library was performed from their inception date to December 4, 2023. Inclusion criteria mainly included the comparison of postoperative outcomes between primary and salvage LP, English language, and full text availability. Two reviewers independently examined the literature, collected data, and evaluated the methodological robustness of the included studies. The Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies was used to evaluate the quality of nonrandomized studies. Recurrent instability, complications, reoperations, return to sports, patient-reported outcomes, and range of motion were assessed. Statistical evaluations were conducted using Manager V.5.4.1 (The Cochrane Collaboration, Software Update, Oxford, UK). Results Twelve studies were included in the systematic review, with 940 shoulders undergoing primary LP and 631 shoulders undergoing salvage LP. Statistically significant differences in favor of primary LP were found in 2 of the 11 and 2 of 4 included studies in terms of recurrent instability and returning to the same sports (RTS) at preinjury level, respectively. In terms of the visual analog scale, subjective shoulder value and the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index, 2 of the 4, 1 of the 3 and 1 of the 3 included studies reported statistically significant differences in favor of primary LP. Differences were not noticed regarding complications, reoperations, the time to RTS, the Rowe score, the Athletic Shoulder Outcome Scoring System, and forward flexion. Conclusion Current evidence suggests that compared with primary LP, salvage LP may provide inferior postoperative outcomes in terms of recurrent instability and the rate of RTS at preinjury level. Primary and salvage LP may yield comparable efficacy in terms of complications, reoperations, the rate of RTS, the time to RTS, pain, shoulder function, and range of motion. Prospero id CRD42023492027.

Abstract Background Extensive research has been conducted to investigate the short-term and long-term outcomes of arthroscopic Bankart repair, yielding varying results across different populations. However, there remains a dearth of studies specifically focused on evaluating outcomes in recreational athletes. Methods A retrospective case series study was conducted on recreational athletes who underwent isolated arthroscopic Bankart repair between 2013 and 2021. The primary outcome assessed was recurrent instability, defined as dislocation or subluxation. Secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction, rates of returning to the same sports (RTS) and RTS at preinjury level, and patient-reported outcomes. Evaluation of the Rowe score, Constant score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, and VAS pain score were performed. Prognostic factors for recurrent instability, including demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of the labrum were analyzed. Results A total of 191 patients met the selection criteria, with 150 (78.5%) available for the final follow-up. Recurrent instability occurred in 10.7% of patients, with a mean follow-up duration of 4.1 years. Younger age at surgery and more critical glenoid bone loss were significantly associated with recurrent instability (p = .038 and p = .011, respectively). The satisfaction rate regarding surgery was 90.0%. Rates of return to the same sports (RTS) and RTS at preinjury level were 82.0% and 49.3%, respectively. Clinical outcomes measured at the final follow-up were as follows: Rowe score − 92.8; Constant score − 98.0; ASES score − 98.3; VAS pain score − 0.2. Patients with recurrent instability had significantly inferior outcomes in terms of satisfaction rate, RTS at preinjury level rate, Rowe score, and Constant score (p = .000, p = .039, p = .000, and p = .015, respectively). A total of thirty-seven patients underwent MRI examination six months after surgery in our institution. The T2-weighted anterior labrum morphology was found to be poorer in patients with recurrent instability. No significant difference was observed between patients with or without recurrent instability in terms of anterior Slope, anterior labral glenoid height index (LGHI), inferior Slope, inferior LGHI, and T2-weighted inferior labrum morphology. Conclusion Arthroscopic Bankart repair can yield satisfactory medium-term outcomes for recreational athletes. Younger age at surgery, more critical glenoid bone loss, and poorer T2-weighted anterior labrum morphology assessed six months postoperatively were significantly associated with recurrent instability.

Abstract Recently, environmental temperature has been shown to regulate bone homeostasis. However, the mechanisms by which cold exposure affects bone mass remain unclear. In our present study, we observed that exposure to cold temperature (CT) decreased bone mass and quality in mice. Furthermore, a transplant of exosomes derived from the plasma of mice exposed to cold temperature (CT-EXO) can also impair the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and decrease bone mass by inhibiting autophagic activity. Rapamycin, a potent inducer of autophagy, can reverse cold exposure or CT-EXO-induced bone loss. Microarray sequencing revealed that cold exposure increases the miR-25-3p level in CT-EXO. Mechanistic studies showed that miR-25-3p can inhibit the osteogenic differentiation and autophagic activity of BMSCs. It is shown that inhibition of exosomes release or downregulation of miR-25-3p level can suppress CT-induced bone loss. This study identifies that CT-EXO mediates CT-induced osteoporotic effects through miR-25-3p by inhibiting autophagy via targeting SATB2, presenting a novel mechanism underlying the effect of cold temperature on bone mass.

This is an article in the field of mineral processing engineering. For a skarn copper ore, the disseminated particle size is fine, the valuable elements in the ore are Cu, S, Fe and the associated element Ag. Compared with the effects of copper preferential flotation and copper-sulfur mixed flotation-copper-sulfur separation on the comprehensive recovery, the copper-sulfur mixed flotation-copper-sulfur separation process can achieve better recovery of copper, sulfur and silver, and magnetite has a certain recovery value. Copper concentrate with copper grade of 24.39% and copper recovery of 91.68% and sulfur concentrate with sulfur grade of 33.10% and sulfur recovery of 61.19% were obtained by copper sulfur mixed flotation. Ag was enriched in the copper concentrate, with a grade of 185 g/t and Ag recovery of 83.21%. The recovery of iron concentrate can be increased after the regrinding magnetic separation of flotation tailings. With two-stage weak magnetic separation, iron concentrate with iron grade of 56.48% and iron recovery of 33.84% can be obtained. The results can provide a reference for the similar copper sulfide.

Abstract The sandstone is in a state of dry–wet cycle under the repeated action of rainfall, and its mechanical properties are deteriorated to varying degrees, which causes cracks in the sandstone. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the mechanical properties and fracture propagation of sandstone under the action of dry–wet cycles. Currently, there are limited studies using numerical simulation methods to study the fracture extension of rocks under various dry and wet cycling conditions.Therefore, in this paper, the effects of different amounts of dry and wet cycling on the mechanical properties and fracture behavior of sandstone are investigated through uniaxial compression tests and numerical simulations of fracture extension. The findings indicate that the deformation stage of sandstone remains unchanged by the dry–wet cycle. The uniaxial compressive potency and coefficient of restitution gradually diminish as the quantity of cycles rises, while the Poisson's ratio exhibits the opposite trend, and the impact on the mechanical performance of sandstone wanes with cycle increments, and the correlation coefficient surpasses 0.93, signifying a substantial influence of the dry–wet cycle on sandstone's mechanical performances. The discrepancy between the numerical simulation and experimental results is minimal, with a maximum error of only 3.1%, demonstrating the congruence of the simulation and experimental outcomes.The mesoscopic examination of the simulations indicates that the quantity of fractures in the sandstone specimens rises with the escalation of dry–wet cycles, and the steps of analysis linked to crack inception and fracture propagation are accelerated, and the analysis steps from fracture initiation to penetration are also reduced.

ObjectiveStroke risk factors often exert long-term effects, and Mendelian randomization (MR) offers significant advantages over traditional observational studies in evaluating the causal impact of these factors on stroke. This study aims to consolidate and evaluate the relationships between potential causal factors and stroke risk, drawing upon existing MR research.MethodsA comprehensive search for MR studies related to stroke was conducted up to August 2023 using databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus. This meta-analysis examines the relationships between potential causative factors and stroke risk. Both random-effects and fixed-effects models were utilized to compile the dominance ratios of various causative elements linked to stroke. The reliability of the included studies was assessed according to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology incorporating Mendelian Randomization (STROBE-MR) guidelines.ResultsThe analysis identified several risk factors for stroke, including obesity, hypertension, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and smoking. Protective factors included high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and educational attainment. Subgroup analysis revealed that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) are risk factors for ischemic stroke (IS).ConclusionThis study confirms that variables such as obesity, hypertension, elevated LDL-C levels, CKD, and smoking are significantly linked to the development of stroke. Our findings provide new insights into genetic susceptibility and potential biological pathways involved in stroke development.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier CRD42024503049.

IntroductionHeterostyly is a genetically controlled style polymorphism, that plays an important role in promoting outcrossing and improving reproductive fitness. Although distyly is often studied in plants of the Rubiaceae family, little attention has been paid to the reproductive strategies of distylous species in fragmented habitats. Here, We report for the first time the growth of Ophiorrhiza alatiflora, a type distylous species, in karst areas and evaluate its reciprocity between long styled morph and short one. We analyze the two distyly morph differences in the ancillary polymorphic of flowers and explore their reproductive strategy in fragmented habitats.MethodsIn this study, we measured the floral characteristics of different morphs and performed differential secondary metabolite analysis on different morphs and tissue organs; Different pollination treatments were carried out to observe the fruit set, pollen germination, and pollen tube elongation of O. alatiflora.Results and discussionOur research indicates that O. alatiflora is a typical distylous plant for the distyly has high reciprocity. Both morphs exhibit the highest fruit set of intermorph outcrossing; The pollen germination and pollen tube elongation experiments have also demonstrated that the affinity of pollen from intermorph outcrossing is highest, regardless of whether it is the long or short morph as the maternal parent; Meanwhile, O. alatiflora is an incompletely self-incompatible plant that exhibits a certain degree of self-pollination and intramorph outcrossing, which may be one of the important means to ensure sustainable reproduction in severely disturbed habitats. In the ancillary polymorphic of flowers, L-morphs flowers produce more pollen, and S-morph flowers produce more ovules to improve their male-female fitness and compensate for the asymmetry of pollen flow; Compared with S-morphs, L-morphs contain significantly higher levels of several kinds of terpenoids. S-morphs produce more flavonoids than L-morphs. The differences in secondary metabolites between L-morphs and S-morphs are mainly reflected in the different nutritional organs (including stems and leaves). Overall, our work has revealed the unique reproductive strategy of O. alatiflora in fragmented habitats based on the characteristics of distyly, verifying the hypothesis that the distyly of O. alatiflora promotes outcrossing and avoids male-female interference, improving male-female fitness and this is the first time in the Ophiorrhiza genus.

Protein aggregation, a defining characteristic of numerous human diseases, poses a significant challenge to cellular health. Autophagy, an essential cellular recycling process, specifically targets and degrades these harmful protein aggregates through a specialized mechanism known as aggrephagy. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the exquisite selectivity of aggrephagy in identifying and eliminating only aggregated proteins while sparing healthy cellular components have remained enigmatic. Here, in this mini review, we highlights the essential role of CCT2, a subunit of the chaperonin TRiC complex, in regulating aggrephagy. CCT2, traditionally viewed as a molecular chaperone, has emerged as a novel autophagy receptor that specifically targets solid protein aggregates for degradation. This ubiquitination-independent mode of recognition by CCT2 expands our understanding of protein degradation pathways. The functional switch of CCT2 from a chaperone to an autophagy receptor underscores its dynamic nature and ability to adapt to cellular stress. The selectivity of CCT2-mediated aggrephagy for solid aggregates has implications for neurodegenerative diseases. Further research is warranted to explore the therapeutic potential of enhancing CCT2-mediated aggrephagy in such diseases.

Abstract Catalytic activation of Caryl‐O bonds is considered as a powerful strategy for the production of aromatics from lignin. However, due to the high reduction potentials of diaryl ether 4‐O‐5 linkage models, their single electron reduction remains a daunting challenge. This study presents the blue light‐induced bifunctional N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐catalyzed one‐electron reduction of diaryl ether 4‐O‐5 linkage models for the synthesis of trivalent phosphines. The H‐bond between the newly devised bifunctional NHC and diaryl ethers is responsible for the success of the single electron transfer. Furthermore, this approach demonstrates selective one‐electron reduction of unsymmetric diaryl ethers, oligomeric phenylene oxide, and lignin model.

Ex vivo tissue culture of the human corpus cavernosum (CC) can be used to explore the tissue structural changes and complex signaling networks. At present, artificial CC-like tissues based on acellular or three-dimensional (3D)-printed scaffolds are used to solve the scarcity of primary penis tissue samples. However, inconvenience and high costs limit the wide application of such methods. Here, we describe a simple, fast, and economical method of constructing artificial CC-like tissue. Human CC fibroblasts (FBs), endothelial cells (ECs), and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were expanded in vitro and mixed with Matrigel in specific proportions. A large number of bubbles were formed in the mixture by vortexing combined with pipette blowing, creating a porous, spongy, and spatial structure. The CC FBs produced a variety of signaling factors, showed multidirectional differentiation potential, and grew in a 3D grid in Matrigel, which is necessary for CC-like tissue to maintain a porous structure as a cell scaffold. Within the CC-like tissue, ECs covered the surface of the lumen, and SMCs were located inside the trabeculae, similar to the structure of the primary CC. Various cell components remained stable for 3 days in vitro, but the EC content decreased on the 7th day. Wingless/integrated (WNT) signaling activation led to lumen atrophy and increased tissue fibrosis in CC-like tissue, inducing the same changes in characteristics as in the primary CC. This study describes a preparation method for human artificial CC-like tissue that may provide an improved experimental platform for exploring the function and structure of the CC and conducting drug screening for erectile dysfunction therapy.

Abstract Nickel is the most widely used inexpensive active metal center of the heterogeneous catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation to methane. However, Ni-based catalysts suffer from severe deactivation in CO2 methanation reaction due to the irreversible sintering and coke deposition caused by the inevitable localized hotspots generated during the vigorously exothermic reaction. Herein, we demonstrate the inverse CeAlOx/Ni composite constructed on the Ni-foam structure support realizes remarkable CO2 methanation catalytic activity and stability in a wide operation temperature range from 240 to 600 °C. Significantly, CeAlOx/Ni/Ni-foam catalyst maintains its initial activity after seven drastic heating-cooling cycles from RT to 240 to 600 °C. Meanwhile, the structure catalyst also shows water resistance and long-term stability under reaction condition. The promising thermal stability and water-resistance of CeAlOx/Ni/Ni-foam originate from the excellent heat and mass transport efficiency which eliminates local hotspots and the formation of Ni-foam stabilized CeAlOx/Ni inverse composites which effectively anchored the active species and prevents carbon deposition from CH4 decomposition.

Abstract Background The current literature shows that dyslipidemia can lead to a higher incidence of rotator cuff tears (RCTs) and an increased retear rate after repair. We aimed to evaluate the influence of preoperative dyslipidemia on postoperative pain, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), active range of motion (ROM), and structural integrity. Methods A cohort of 111 patients who underwent arthroscopic RCT repair between January 2021 and July 2022, and whose complete preoperative serum lipid data were available within one week prior to surgery was retrospectively reviewed. Dyslipidemia was defined as the presence of an increase or decrease in at least one blood lipid profile (triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, or non-high-density lipoprotein). There were 43 patients in the dyslipidemia group and 68 in the ortholiposis group. Patient evaluations, including pain score, PROs, and ROMs, were conducted preoperatively; at 3 and 6 months postoperatively; and at the last follow-up. Structural integrity was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 6 months after surgery if possible, and Sugaya type 4 or 5 was considered a retear. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce bias. Results The RCT size, surgical technique, preoperative pain status, PROs, and active ROM were comparable between patients with dyslipidemia and those with ortholiposis. Three months after surgery, patients in the dyslipidemia group had worse average PROs (Constant score: P = 0.001; ASES score: P = 0.012; UCLA score: P = 0.015), forward flexion (P = 0.012), and internal rotation (P = 0.001) than patients in the ortholiposis group did. The difference between the two groups persisted after PSM but disappeared at the sixth month after surgery. No significant differences in pain score, PROs, or active ROMs were detected between the dyslipidemia and ortholiposis groups after a mean follow-up of 24 months. Of the 72 patients who underwent MRI, 4 retears (5.6%) were found, and all were in the ortholiposis group. There was no difference in the rate of retears between the two groups (P = 0.291) or with (P = 0.495) PSM. Conclusions In conclusion, we found that perioperative dyslipidemia may impact initial recovery within the first 3 months following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair but may have no effect on pain, PROs, or active ROMs at a mean 2-year follow-up or rotator cuff integrity at 6 months postoperatively. Trail registration Retrospectively registered.

IntroductionOsimertinib, a third-generation EGFR-TKI, is known for its high efficacy against brain metastases (BM) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) due to its ability to penetrate the blood–brain barrier. This study aims to evaluate the use of brain MRI radiomics in predicting the intracranial efficacy to osimertinib in NSCLC patients with BM.Materials and methodsThis study analyzed 115 brain metastases from NSCLC patients with the EGFR-T790M mutation treated with second-line osimertinib. The primary endpoint was intracranial response, and the secondary endpoint was intracranial progression-free survival (iPFS). We performed tumor delineation, image preprocessing, and radiomics feature extraction. Using a 5-fold cross-validation strategy, we built radiomic models with eight feature selectors and eight machine learning classifiers. The models’ performance was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis.ResultsThe dataset of 115 brain metastases was divided into training and validation sets in a 7:3 ratio. The radiomic model utilizing the mRMR feature selector and stepwise logistic regression classifier showed the highest predictive accuracy, with AUCs of 0.879 for the training cohort and 0.786 for the validation cohort. This model outperformed a clinical-MRI morphological model, which included age, ring enhancement, and peritumoral edema (AUC: 0.794 for the training cohort and 0.697 for the validation cohort). The radiomic model also showed strong performance in calibration and decision curve analyses. Using a radiomic-score threshold of 199, patients were classified into two groups with significantly different median iPFS (3.0 months vs. 15.4 months, p

To reduce the distortion effects of traveling wavefronts for fault location in distribution networks, a novel fault traveling wave detection method employing Robust Local Mean Decomposition (RLMD), Teager Energy Operator (TEO) and Incremental Difference Ratio (IDR) is proposed. According to the dispersion characteristic of traveling waves with multi-branch lines, the sampled faulty traveling wave signal is filtered using the RLMD method, then the TEO is used to determine the first half-wave time interval of the fault traveling wave. Finally, the IDR is proposed to detect the initial moment of the faulty traveling wave. And according to the fault traveling wave transmission path of multi-branch lines, the complex multi-branch line fault location problem is transformed into a three-terminal fault location problem. The fault traveling wave location method is proposed based on the three-terminal fault matrix, which achieves the fault location through the gradual reduction of the fault area range. Simulation and experiment results indicate that the method proposed in this paper can effectively calculate the arrival time of faulty traveling waves, and is more suitable for fault detection in multi-branch distribution lines compared to existing methods. The new proposed faulty location method can achieve reliable location to reduce location errors.

Arsenic pollution control technology in water was important to ensure environmental health and quality safety of agricultural products. Therefore, the adsorption performance of three adsorbents for chitosan, sepiolite, and Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) were investigated in arsenate contaminated water. The results revealed that the adsorption capacity of ZIF-8 was higher than that of chitosan and sepiolite. The analysis of adsorption isotherm models showed that the behavior of ZIF-8 was more consistent with the Langmuir model. Furthermore, the adsorption mechanisms of three adsorbents for arsenate were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The analysis of FTIR showed that ZIF-8 maintained the stability of the interaction with arsenate by forming As-O chemical bonds. However, the effect of chitosan and sepiolite with arsenate was mainly physical adsorption. The analysis of XPS showed that the absorption of ZIF-8 with arsenate involved metal sites and nitrogen through the characteristic peak and the change of the binding energy. Furthermore, the impact of microplastics as a widespread coexistence pollutant in the water on adsorbent performance was investigated. The results indicated that the adsorption capacity of ZIF-8 was almost not affected by microplastics. The maximum adsorption amount of arsenate was changed from 73.45 mg/g to 81.89 mg/g. However, the maximum adsorption amount of chitosan and sepiolite decreased by 31.4 % and 11.6 %, respectively. The analysis of FTIR and XPS revealed that ZIF-8 enhances arsenate adsorption by forming N-O-As bonds in the presence of microplastics. This study provides scientific evidence for the management of arsenate pollution in water bodies, especially in complex water bodies containing microplastics.

IntroductionStudents' self-regulation skills and self-efficacy are linked to performance and are considered essential for lifelong learning. Understanding these skills and their development is crucial for educational success and long-term personal growth.MethodsIn this study, 60 students attending a university-level collaborative design course were recruited as participants. They were initially classified into three groups [high, mixed, and low self-efficacy (SE)] based on the initial test results. Students' written reflections were then analyzed using epistemic network analysis (ENA), aiming to explore the characteristics and developmental trajectories of self-regulated learning (SRL).ResultsComparing with the other two groups, the high self-efficacy (HSE) group demonstrated: (1) more behavioral characteristics of SRL in the performance and self-reflection stages, (2) an earlier development of interest 91 in the task and recognition of its value during collaborative design activities, 92 followed by the utilization of more cognitive and metacognitive strategies; and (3) an “anticipation-behavior-reflection” loop in the self-regulation process.DiscussionThese findings highlight the importance of fostering high self-efficacy among students to enhance their self-regulated learning capabilities and overall academic performance. Strategies for improving learners' SRL and future research directions were provided accordingly.

Introduction Stiff neck is a condition mainly characterised by persistent pain and limited neck movement, which can substantially impact patients’ daily lives during acute episodes. Accordingly, rapid pain relief and restoration of normal activities are the main needs of patients during doctor visits. This study aims to assess the immediate efficacy of acupuncture combined with active exercises in rapidly relieving pain and improving movement disorders within 10 min in patients with acute stiff neck (ASN).Methods and analysis This randomised controlled clinical trial is being conducted at a single centre in China. 120 participants diagnosed with ASN will randomly be assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three groups: the acupuncture combined with active exercise group (group A), sham acupuncture combined with active exercise group (group B) and active exercise only group (group C). Each participant will undergo a single 10 min session. The primary outcome is the effective rate at 10 min of treatment. Secondary outcomes include the effective rate at other time points (0–1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 min), Visual Analogue Scale score and cervical range of motion. The intention-to-treat analysis will include all randomised participants.Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine (2022-009). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants before randomisation. The findings of this study will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentation at conferences.Trial registration number ChiCTR2200066997.

Abstract Background Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection causes severe inflammatory response, respiratory disease and sow reproductive failure. Quercetin is among the widely occurring polypheno found abundantly in nature. Quercetin has anti‐inflammatory, anti‐oxidative and anti‐viral properties. Objectives This study aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of quercetin on PRRSV‐induced inflammation in MARC‐145 cells. Methods Observing the cytopathic effect and measurements of inflammatory markers in MARC‐145 cells collectively demonstrate that quercetin elicits a curative effect on PRRSV‐induced inflammation. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry was further used for a non‐targeted metabolic analysis of the role of quercetin in the metabolic regulation of PRRSV inflammation in MARC‐145 cells. Results It was shown that quercetin attenuated PRRSV‐induced cytopathy in MARC‐145 cells. Quercetin treatment inhibited PRRSV replication in MARC‐145 cells in a dose‐dependent manner. We also found that quercetin inhibited PRRSV‐induced mRNA expression and secretion levels of tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin 1β and interleukin 6. Metabolomics analysis revealed that quercetin ameliorated PRRSV‐induced inflammation. Pathway analysis results revealed that PRRSV‐induced pathways including arachidonic acid metabolism, linoleic acid, glycerophospholipid and alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism were suppressed by quercetin. Moreover, we confirmed that quercetin inhibited the activation of NF‐κB/p65 pathway, probably by attenuating PLA2, ALOX and COX mRNA expression. Conclusions These results provide a crucial insight into the molecular mechanism of quercetin in alleviating PRRSV‐induced inflammation.

Abstract Many functional materials have been designed at the multiscale level. To properly simulate their physical properties, large and sophisticated computer models that can replicate microstructural features with nanometer-scale accuracy are required. This is the case for permanent magnets, which exhibit a long-standing problem of a significant offset between the simulated and experimental coercivities. To overcome this problem and resolve the Brown paradox, we propose an approach to construct large-scale finite element models based on the tomographic data from scanning electron microscopy. Our approach reconstructs a polycrystalline microstructure with actual shape, size, and packing of the grains as well as the individual regions of thin intergranular phase separated by triple junctions. Such a micromagnetic model can reproduce the experimental coercivity of ultrafine-grained Nd-Fe-B magnets along with its mechanism according to the angular dependence of coercivity. Furthermore, a remarkable role of thin triple junctions as nucleation centers for magnetization reversal is revealed. The developed digital twins of Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets can assist their optimization toward the ultimate coercivity, while the proposed tomography-based approach can be applied to a wide range of polycrystalline materials.

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 Background The weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI) is a novel obesity index, and gallstones are associated with obesity. This study aimed to investigate the possible relationship between WWI and gallstones. Methods The datasets from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017–2020 were used in a cross-sectional investigation. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the linear connection between WWI and gallstones incidence. Fitted smoothing curves and threshold effect analysis were used to describe the nonlinear relationship. Results The study comprised 8004 participants over the age of 20, including 833 reported with gallstones. Participants in the higher WWI tertile tended to have a higher gallstones prevalence. In the final adjusted model, a positive association between WWI and gallstones prevalence was observed (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.20‒1.49). Participants in the highest WWI tertile had a significantly 71% higher risk of gallstones than those in the lowest WWI tertile (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.35‒2.17). A nonlinear correlation was found between the WWI and gallstones prevalence, with an inflection point of 12.7. Conclusions Our study found that higher WWI levels connected with increased prevalence of gallstones. However, more prospective studies are needed to validate our findings.

Objective Combined fractures of the lateral condyle of the humerus and the ipsilateral ulnar olecranon are rarely seen in children. Therefore, the mechanism and suitable treatments remain debatable. This study describes the possible mechanism of combined humeral lateral condyle and ipsilateral ulnar olecranon fractures and presents the treatment results. Methods Children diagnosed with combined fractures of the humeral lateral condyle and ipsilateralulnar olecranon from July 2010 to July 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Humeral lateral condyle fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with bioabsorbable pins. Ulnar olecranon fractures were treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning with K‐wires for Mayo type IA fractures and with tension‐band wiring or a locking plate for Mayo type IIA fractures. The postoperative function and appearance of the elbow were evaluated using the Flynn criteria and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) at follow‐up. Results The cohort comprised 19 patients aged from 4 to 11 years. Bony compression and avulsion by attached muscles and ligaments may be the leading factors causing the combined injuries, as the children fell with an outstretched and supinated elbow. The average follow‐up time was 33 months. High MEPS of >90 indicated that good to excellent results were obtained without complications. Conclusions This study proposed a reasonable hypothesis for the mechanism of combined humeral lateral condyle and ipsilateral ulnar olecranon fractures in children. Satisfactory outcomes were achieved with bioabsorbable pins for lateral condyle fractures and closed reduction and percutaneous pinning with K‐wires, tension‐band wiring, or locking plate for olecranon fractures.

Objective Distal femoral physeal fractures (DFPF) are rare but severe injuries in children, and there is no consensus on treatments for Salter–Harris (S–H) IV and V type of DFPF yet. This study aimed to introduce a minimally invasive technique using percutaneous leverage reduction combined with Kirschner wires fixation in treating pediatric DFPF with S–H IV and V type of injury and evaluate the clinical results. Methods From July 2008 to June 2018, the authors' institute (Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College) retrospectively reviewed all patients diagnosed with pediatric DFPF. They were divided into two groups according to received treatment: children in the minimally invasive technique group were treated with a minimally invasive percutaneous leverage reduction technique, and the traditional technique group included the other children who received the conventional open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF). The surgical and clinical results of the two groups were collected and analyzed. The independent sample t‐test analysis and the chi‐square test were applied to compare continuous and categorical variables. Results A total of 14 pediatric patients were recruited, including five females and nine males with DFEF. All eight patients in the minimally invasive technique group and four of the six patients in the ORIF group were treated successfully. One patient in the minimally invasive technique group opted for conservative treatment due to his good functional recovery, while the other two patients in the ORIF group needed further surgery because of the limb length discrepancy. There was a difference in surgery duration (p

Abstract Flexion-type pediatric humeral supracondylar fractures are rare, and the reduction technique remains contradictory. A minimally invasive technique using percutaneous leverage reduction combined with an external fixator was described to achieve satisfactory reduction and avoid the open reduction in this study. The operation and clinical results of patients treated with this technique were retrospectively compared with traditional closed reduction. From January 2013 to January 2018, children diagnosed with displaced flexion-type humeral supracondylar fractures were included in this study. Patients were treated with closed reduction (Group A) or minimally invasive reduction technique (Group B). The external fixator fixation was then applied. The demographic information, as well as the clinical and functional results of the operation, were retrospectively reviewed and evaluated. There were twenty-two patients, ten in Group A and twelve in Group B. The mean duration of the operation in Group A was more prolonged than Group B (59 min versus 46 min, p

Inflammation-driven endothelial dysfunction is the major initiating factor in atherosclerosis, while the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we report that the non-canonical stimulator of interferon genes (STING)–PKR-like ER kinase (PERK) pathway was significantly activated in both human and mice atherosclerotic arteries. Typically, STING activation leads to the activation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/p65, thereby facilitating IFN signals and inflammation. In contrast, our study reveals the activated non-canonical STING–PERK pathway increases scaffold protein bromodomain protein 4 (BRD4) expression, which encourages the formation of super-enhancers on the proximal promoter regions of the proinflammatory cytokines, thereby enabling the transactivation of these cytokines by integrating activated IRF3 and NF-κB via a condensation process. Endothelium-specific STING and BRD4 deficiency significantly decreased the plaque area and inflammation. Mechanistically, this pathway is triggered by leaked mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) via mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), formed by voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) oligomer interaction with oxidized mtDNA upon cholesterol oxidation stimulation. Especially, compared to macrophages, endothelial STING activation plays a more pronounced role in atherosclerosis. We propose a non-canonical STING–PERK pathway-dependent epigenetic paradigm in atherosclerosis that integrates IRF3, NF-κB and BRD4 in inflammatory responses, which provides emerging therapeutic modalities for vascular endothelial dysfunction.

Accurate fault detection and classification help to analyze fault causes and quickly restore faulty phases. Deep learning can automatically extract fault features and identify fault types from the original three-phase voltage and current signals. However, this still imposes challenges such as recognition accuracy and computational complexity. More importantly, high level fault features cannot be extracted in the one-dimensional time series. This paper presents a robust fault classification method based on SA-MobileNetV3 for transmission systems. Considering that the SE (Squeeze-and-Excitation) attention module cannot aggregate the spatial dimension information on the channel, SA (shuffle attention) module is introduced into MobileNetV3, which can effectively fuse the importance of pixels in different channels and in different locations at the same channel. Also, transforming the time series three-phase voltage and current signals into two-dimensional images based on CWT (continuous wavelet transform) makes the proposed method be similar to image recognition, which can mine high level fault features and classify the faults visually. To verify the effectiveness of the method, a 735kV transmission line model is built for data generation through Simulink. Various kinds of fault conditions and factors are considered to verify the adaptability and generalizability. Simulation results show that the method can quickly and accurately identify 11 types of faults, and the accuracy rate is as high as 99.90%. A comparison between the proposed method and other existing techniques shows the superiority of the proposed SA- MobileNetV3, and better anti-noise performance makes it more suitable for real fault signals taken on-site.

Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology has rapidly emerged in the display and lighting sectors due to its high contrast ratio, wide viewing angle, and sleek design. Beyond these attributes, OLEDs have also demonstrated crucial applications in medicine, fashion, sports, and more, leveraging their emissive properties and flexible design. As the cornerstone of full-color displays, blue OLEDs, whose performance directly impacts color rendition and saturation, have garnered significant attention from both scientific researchers and industrial practitioners. Despite the numerous advantages of OLED technology, blue OLEDs still confront formidable challenges in terms of luminous efficiency, durability, and material stability. This review examines the evolution of blue OLED materials over recent years, specifically focusing on three generations: fluorescent, phosphorescent, and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). Through molecular design, device structure optimization, and the application of innovative technologies, remarkable advancements have been achieved in enhancing the luminous efficiency, lifetime, and color purity of blue OLEDs. However, to advance commercialization, future efforts must not only ensure high efficiency and long lifetime but also improve material stability, environmental sustainability, and reduce development costs. Emerging materials such as thermally activated exciton materials and the application of hyperfluorescent (HF) OLED technology represent vital driving forces for the continuous advancement of blue OLED technology. It is anticipated that significant milestones will continue to be achieved in the development of highly efficient blue OLEDs in the future.

ABSTRACTAnti-interferon-γ autoantibody (AIGA) syndrome may be the basis of disseminated Talaromyces marneffei infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative adults. However, the pathogenesis of Th1 cell immunity in T. marneffei infection with AIGA syndrome is unknown. A multicenter study of HIV-negative individuals with T. marneffei infection was conducted between September 2018 and September 2020 in Guangdong and Guangxi, China. Patients were divided into AIGA-positive (AP) and AIGA-negative (AN) groups according to the AIGA titer and neutralizing activity. The relationship between AIGA syndrome and Th1 immune deficiency was investigated by using AP patient serum and purification of AIGA. Fifty-five HIV-negative adults with disseminated T. marneffei infection who were otherwise healthy were included. The prevalence of AIGA positivity was 83.6%. Based on their AIGA status, 46 and 9 patients were assigned to the AP and AN groups, respectively. The levels of Th1 cells, IFN-γ, and T-bet were higher in T. marneffei-infected patients than in healthy controls. However, the levels of CD4+ T-cell STAT-1 phosphorylation (pSTAT1) and Th1 cells were lower in the AP group than in the AN group. Both the serum of patients with AIGA syndrome and the AIGA purified from the serum of patients with AIGA syndrome could reduce CD4+ T-cell pSTAT1, Th1 cell differentiation and T-bet mRNA, and protein expression. The Th1 cell immune response plays a pivotal role in defense against T. marneffei infection in HIV-negative patients. Inhibition of the Th1 cell immune response may be an important pathological effect of AIGA syndrome.IMPORTANCEThe pathogenesis of Th1 cell immunity in Talaromyces marneffei infection with anti-interferon-γ autoantibody (AIGA) syndrome is unknown. This is an interesting study addressing an important knowledge gap regarding the pathogenesis of T. marneffei in non-HIV positive patients; in particular patients with AIGA. The finding of the Th1 cell immune response plays a pivotal role in defense against T. marneffei infection in HIV-negative patients, and inhibition of the Th1 cell immune response may be an important pathological effect of AIGA syndrome, which presented in this research could help bridge the current knowledge gap.