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Abstract Luminescent materials that simultaneously embody bright singlet and triplet excitons hold great potential in optoelectronics, signage, and information encryption. However, achieving high-performance white-light emission is severely hampered by their inherent unbalanced contribution of fluorescence and phosphorescence. Herein, we address this challenge by pressure treatment engineering via the hydrogen bonding cooperativity effect to realize the mixture of n–π*/π–π* transitions, where the triplet state emission was boosted from 7% to 40% in isophthalic acid (IPA). A superior white-light emission based on hybrid fluorescence and phosphorescence was harvested in pressure-treated IPA, and the photoluminescence quantum yield was increased to 75% from the initial 19% (blue-light emission). In-situ high-pressure IR spectra, X-ray diffraction, and neutron diffraction reveal continuous strengthening of the hydrogen bonds with the increase of pressure. Furthermore, this enhanced hydrogen bond is retained down to the ambient conditions after pressure treatment, awarding the targeted IPA efficient intersystem crossing for balanced singlet/triplet excitons population and resulting in efficient white-light emission. This work not only proposes a route for brightening triplet states in organic small molecules, but also regulates the ratio of singlet and triplet excitons to construct high-performance white-light emission.

Abstract Background Mechanical unloading-induced bone loss threatens prolonged spaceflight and human health. Recent studies have confirmed that osteoporosis is associated with a significant reduction in bone microvessels, but the relationship between them and the underlying mechanism under mechanical unloading are still unclear. Methods We established a 2D clinostat and hindlimb-unloaded (HLU) mouse model to simulate unloading in vitro and in vivo. Micro-CT scanning was performed to assess changes in the bone microstructure and mass of the tibia. The levels of CD31, Endomucin (EMCN) and histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) in tibial microvessels were detected by immunofluorescence (IF) staining. In addition, we established a coculture system of microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) and osteoblasts, and qRT‒PCR or western blotting was used to detect RNA and protein expression; cell proliferation was detected by CCK‒8 and EdU assays. ChIP was used to detect whether HDAC6 binds to the miRNA promoter region. Results Bone mass and bone microvessels were simultaneously significantly reduced in HLU mice. Furthermore, MVECs effectively promoted the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts under coculture conditions in vitro. Mechanistically, we found that the HDAC6 content was significantly reduced in the bone microvessels of HLU mice and that HDAC6 inhibited the expression of miR-375-3p by reducing histone acetylation in the miR-375 promoter region in MVECs. miR-375-3p was upregulated under unloading and it could inhibit MVEC proliferation by directly targeting low-density lipoprotein-related receptor 5 (LRP5) expression. In addition, silencing HDAC6 promoted the miR-375-3p/LRP5 pathway to suppress MVEC proliferation under mechanical unloading, and regulation of HDAC6/miR-375-3p axis in MVECs could affect osteoblast proliferation under coculture conditions. Conclusion Our study revealed that disuse-induced bone loss may be closely related to a reduction in the number of bone microvessels and that the modulation of MVEC function could improve bone loss induced by unloading. Mechanistically, the HDAC6/miR-375-3p/LRP5 pathway in MVECs might be a promising strategy for the clinical treatment of unloading-induced bone loss.

Traditional Chinese villages, as rural settlements shaped over extensive historical evolution in agrarian societies, have lacked a systematic method for quantitatively analysing and understanding the historical spatial forms. This study takes a morphological research perspective, using Lohong Village, Su’er Village, and Shangyue Village in Guangdong Province as case studies of typical Cantonese traditional villages. It focuses on three key spatial texture elements: roads, plots, and architecture, employing parametric modelling techniques to investigate their combination patterns and quantitative characteristics. The findings indicate that: (1) Parametric analysis techniques can comprehensively, quantitatively, and accurately reveal the patterns of village spatial texture; (2) Comparing optimized parametric simulation results with original villages shows high similarity in spatial texture, demonstrating the method’s high fidelity and practical value; (3) The study explores a research approach suitable for the computer era – “data collection – parametric feature extraction and optimization – simulation and data calibration” – to study the spatial texture of traditional villages. Furthermore, it establishes a parametric-based platform for rural planning and construction management, providing a digital design pathway and management basis to preserve and inherit the historical village aesthetics.

Abstract To date, only one polymer can self-grow to an extended length beyond its original size at room temperature without external stimuli or energy input. This breakthrough paves the way for significant advancements in untethered autonomous soft robotics, eliminating the need for the energy input or external stimuli required by all existing soft robotics systems. However, only freshly prepared samples in an initial state can self-grow, while non-fresh ones cannot. The necessity of synthesizing from monomers for each use imposes significant limitations on practical applications. Here, we propose a strategy to rejuvenate non-fresh samples to their initial state for on-demand self-growth through the synergistic effects of solvents and dynamic covalent bonds during swelling. The solvent used for swelling physically transforms the non-fresh LCEs from the liquid crystal phase to the isotropic phase. Simultaneously, the introduction of the transesterification catalyst through swelling facilitates topological rearrangements through exchange reactions of dynamic covalent bonds. The rejuvenation process can also erase growth history, be repeated several times, and be regulated by selective swelling. This strategy provides a post-modulation method for the rejuvenation and reuse of self-growing LCEs, promising to offer high-performance materials for cutting-edge soft growing robotics.

Abstract Single-cell sequencing is frequently affected by “omission” due to limitations in sequencing throughput, yet bulk RNA-seq may contain these ostensibly “omitted” cells. Here, we introduce the single cell trajectory blending from Bulk RNA-seq (BulkTrajBlend) algorithm, a component of the OmicVerse suite that leverages a Beta-Variational AutoEncoder for data deconvolution and graph neural networks for the discovery of overlapping communities. This approach effectively interpolates and restores the continuity of “omitted” cells within single-cell RNA sequencing datasets. Furthermore, OmicVerse provides an extensive toolkit for both bulk and single cell RNA-seq analysis, offering seamless access to diverse methodologies, streamlining computational processes, fostering exquisite data visualization, and facilitating the extraction of significant biological insights to advance scientific research.

Abstract Currently, conventional dimethoxymethane synthesis methods are environmentally unfriendly. Here, we report a photo-redox catalysis system to generate dimethoxymethane using a silver and tungsten co-modified blue titanium dioxide catalyst (Ag.W-BTO) by coupling CO2 reduction and CH3OH oxidation under mild conditions. The Ag.W-BTO structure and its electron and hole transfer are comprehensively investigated by combining advanced characterizations and theoretical studies. Strikingly, Ag.W-BTO achieve a record photocatalytic activity of 5702.49 µmol g−1 with 92.08% dimethoxymethane selectivity in 9 h of ultraviolet-visible irradiation without sacrificial agents. Systematic isotope labeling experiments, in-situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transform analysis, and theoretical calculations reveal that the Ag and W species respectively catalyze CO2 conversion to *CH2O and CH3OH oxidation to *CH3O. Subsequently, an asymmetric carbon-oxygen coupling process between these two crucial intermediates produces dimethoxymethane. This work presents a CO2 photocatalytic reduction system for multi-carbon production to meet the objectives of sustainable economic development and carbon neutrality.

Abstract Dysfunction of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is involved in the pathogenesis of various malignancies including colorectal cancer (CRC). Ubiquitin domain containing 1 (UBTD1), a ubiquitin-like protein, regulates UPS-mediated protein degradation and tumor progression in some cancer types. However, the biological function and mechanism of UBTD1 are far from being well elucidated, and its role in CRC has not been explored yet. In our study, we analyzed CRC patients’ clinical information and UBTD1 expression data, and found that the expression of UBTD1 in cancer tissue was significantly higher than that in adjacent normal tissue. Higher UBTD1 expression was significantly associated with poorer survival and more lymph node metastasis. Overexpression of UBTD1 could facilitate, while knockdown could inhibit CRC cell proliferation and migration, respectively. RNA-seq and proteomics indicated that c-Myc is an important downstream target of UBTD1. Metabolomics showed the products of the glycolysis pathway were significantly increased in UBTD1 overexpression cells. In vitro, we verified UBTD1 upregulating c-Myc protein and promoting CRC cell proliferation and migration via regulating c-Myc. UBTD1 promoted CRC cells’ glycolysis, evidenced by the increased lactate production and glucose uptake following UBTD1 overexpression. Mechanistically, UBTD1 prolonged the half-life of the c-Myc protein by binding to E3 ligase β-transducin repeat-containing protein (β-TrCP), thereby upregulated the expression of glycolysis rate-limiting enzyme hexokinase II (HK2), and enhanced glycolysis and promoted CRC progression. In conclusion, our study revealed that UBTD1 promotes CRC progression by upregulating glycolysis via the β-TrCP/c-Myc/HK2 pathway, suggesting its potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in CRC.

Abstract Background Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are emerging technologies that can be used for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. Compared to traditional face-to-face training, VR/AR-based training has the potential to reach a wider audience, but there is debate regarding its effectiveness in improving CPR quality. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of VR/AR training compared with face-to-face training. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases from the inception of these databases up until December 1, 2023, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing VR- and AR-based CPR training to traditional face-to-face training. Cochrane's tool for assessing bias in RCTs was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. We pooled the data using a random-effects model with Review Manager 5.4, and assessed publication bias with Stata 11.0. Results Nine RCTs (involving 855 participants) were included, of which three were of low risk of bias. Meta-analyses showed no significant differences between VR/AR-based CPR training and face-to-face CPR training in terms of chest compression depth (mean difference [MD], -0.66 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI], -6.34 to 5.02 mm; P = 0.82), chest compression rate (MD, 3.60 compressions per minute; 95% CI, -1.21 to 8.41 compressions per minute; P = 0.14), overall CPR performance score (standardized mean difference, -0.05; 95% CI, -0.93 to 0.83; P = 0.91), as well as the proportion of participants meeting CPR depth criteria (risk ratio [RR], 0.79; 95% CI, 0.53 to 1.18; P = 0.26) and rate criteria (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.35; P = 0.93). The Egger regression test showed no evidence of publication bias. Conclusions Our study showed evidence that VR/AR-based training was as effective as traditional face-to-face CPR training. Nevertheless, there was substantial heterogeneity among the included studies, which reduced confidence in the findings. Future studies need to establish standardized VR/AR-based CPR training protocols, evaluate the cost-effectiveness of this approach, and assess its impact on actual CPR performance in real-life scenarios and patient outcomes. Trial registration CRD42023482286.

Abstract Background The safety and efficacy of vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is still unclear. This study investigates COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, vaccine safety and efficacy, and COVID-19 symptoms in LAM patients. Results In total, 181 LAM patients and 143 healthy individuals responded to the questionnaire. The vaccination rate of LAM patients was 77.34%, and 15.7% of vaccinated LAM patients experienced adverse events. Vaccination decreased the risk of LAM patients developing anorexia [OR: 0.17, 95% CI: (0.07, 0.43)], myalgia [OR: 0.34, 95% CI: (0.13, 0.84)], and ageusia [OR: 0.34, 95% CI: (0.14, 0.84)]. In LAM patients, a use of mTOR inhibitors reduced the risk of developing symptoms during COVID-19, including fatigue [OR: 0.18, 95% CI: (0.03, 0.95)], anorexia [OR: 0.30, 95% CI: (0.09, 0.96)], and ageusia [OR: 0.20, 95% CI: (0.06, 0.67)]. Conclusions Vaccination rates in the LAM population were lower than those in the general population, as 22.7% (41/181) of LAM patients had hesitations regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the safety of COVID-19 vaccination in the LAM cohort was comparable to the healthy population, and COVID-19 vaccination decreased the incidence of COVID-19 symptoms in LAM patients. In addition, mTOR inhibitors seem not to determine a greater risk of complications in patients with LAM during COVID-19.

Abstract Glyphosate, widely used to manage weeds in cassava crops, simultaneously inhibits cassava growth, necessitating the development of herbicide-tolerant cassava varieties. In this study, screened 262 cassava varieties, identifying the glyphosate-resistant (GR) variety ZM8701 and the glyphosate-sensitive (GS) variety SC9. Transcriptomic analysis via Illumina sequencing revealed differentially expressed genes associated with resistance, including Cytochrome P450, GST, GT, ABC transporters, and others such as MIOX1, LHCA1, PPH, HSP26, HSP83A, and UGT73C5. Notably, the EMB3004 gene, involved in the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids, was significantly upregulated in resistant varieties, suggesting a key role in countering glyphosate’s inhibition of the shikimic acid pathway. These genes are pivotal in enhancing cell wall biosynthesis, optimizing photosynthesis, and improving detoxification processes. This research elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying cassava’s resistance to glyphosate, thereby laying the groundwork for breeding programs aimed at developing herbicide-resistant varieties. Graphical Abstract

To solve the short working distance and small measurement range of an all-fibre interferometer, we proposed a Mach–Zehnder Fabry–Perot hybrid fibre-optic interferometry system based on sinusoidal phase modulation. In this paper, a low-finesse fibre interferometer with a larger linear operating range for displacement measurement is realised using a self-collimating probe and incorporating a Kalman filter-based phase demodulation algorithm. Through experimental comparisons, it is demonstrated that the interferometer proposed in this paper can effectively reduce the phase delay, compensate for the depth of modulation drift, and correct the error due to parasitic interference introduced by the optical path structure through the algorithm. A linear large measurement working range of 20 cm is realised.

Abstract Due to the lack of direct assessment metrics, existing studies on the intensity of agricultural policies often utilize indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of agriculture or the quantity of agricultural policies as measures. Optimizing methods for analyzing the intensity of agricultural policies will significantly impact parameter selection in agricultural policy research and the evaluation of policy effectiveness. In this study, we constructed a Chinese Agricultural Policy Corpus using agricultural policies released by various governmental agencies at the national level in China from 1982 to April 2023. We quantified the values of agricultural domain terms in the corpus and evaluated the intensity of each agricultural policy document. The validation results of this study indicate a strong correlation between the intensity of agricultural policies and agricultural GDP. The trend in agricultural GDP changes lags behind policy intensity by 2.5 years (at a 95% confidence level), thus validating the rationality of our constructed corpus, agricultural policy scoring dataset, and methodology.

Abstract Background Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)signaling-mediated smoking-associated pulmonary vascular remodeling (PVR) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of group 3 pulmonary hypertension (PH). And G protein pathway suppressor 2 (GPS2) could suppress G-protein signaling such as Ras and MAPK, but its role in cigarette smoking -induced PVR (CS-PVR) is unclear. Methods An in vivo model of smoke-exposed rats was constructed to assess the role of GPS2 in smoking-induced PH and PVR. In vitro, the effects of GPS2 overexpression and silencing on the function of human pulmonary arterial smooth cells (HPASMCs) and the underlying mechanisms were explored. Results GPS2 expression was downregulated in rat pulmonary arteries (PAs) and HPASMCs after CS exposure. More importantly, CS-exposed rats with GPS2 overexpression had lower right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI), and wall thickness (WT%) than those without. And enhanced proliferation and migration of HPASMCs induced by cigarette smoking extract (CSE) can be evidently inhibited by overexpressed GPS2. Besides, GPS2siRNA significantly enhanced the proliferation, and migration of HPASMCs as well as activated Ras and Raf/ERK signaling, while these effects were inhibited by zoledronic acid (ZOL). In addition, GPS2 promoter methylation level in rat PAs and HPASMCs was increased after CS exposure, and 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine (5-aza) inhibited CSE-induced GPS2 hypermethylation and downregulation in vitro. Conclusions GPS2 overexpression could improve the CS-PVR, suggesting that GPS2 might serve as a novel therapeutic target for PH-COPD in the future. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Various edible chrysanthemum flowers possess different anti‐glycation effects due to various compositions; however, the interaction mechanism is unclear. Our study aimed to compare the anti‐glycation effects of different edible chrysanthemum flowers and investigate the effect of phenolic compounds among them. The bovine serum albumin (BSA)‐glucose model was used for evaluating anti‐glycation effects of various chrysanthemums flowers, and C. HBJ, C. TJ, and C. JSHJ showed better anti‐glycation effects compare to aminoguanidine. Seventeen phenolic compounds were detected, and characteristic compounds were identified via omics analysis. The interactions between BSA and different phenolic acids were analyzed by molecular docking, and the anti‐glycation model was used for further verification. In this way, apigetrin, chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, quercetin‐3β‐d‐glucoside, and afzelin were identified. They were proved to affect the secondary structure of proteins due to excellent hydrophobic interactions. Our results identified the chrysanthemum species with the most promising anti‐glycation effect as well as their representative phenolic compounds. The binding of phenolic compounds and BSA due to hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds might contribute to their anti‐glycation activities. Overall, our research is helpful for designing edible flower products with anti‐glycation functions and providing a better understanding of the structure–function relationship.

Aim: Endothelial dysfunction has been associated with both cerebrovascular pathology and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the connection between circulating endothelial cells and the risk of AD remains uncertain. The objective was to leverage data from the Framingham Heart Study to investigate various circulating endothelial subtypes and their potential correlations with the risk of AD. Methods: The study conducted data analyses using Cox proportional hazard regression and linear regression methods. Additionally, genome-wide association study (GWAS) was carried out to further explore the data. Results: Among the eleven distinct circulating endothelial subtypes, only circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) expressing CD34+CD133+ were found to be negatively and dose-dependently associated with reduced AD risk. This association persisted even after adjusting for age, sex, years of education, apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 status, and various vascular diseases. Particularly noteworthy was the significant association observed in individuals with hypertension and cerebral microbleeds. Consistently, positive associations were identified between CD34+CD133+ EPCs and specific brain regions, such as higher proportions of circulating CD34+CD133+ cells correlating with increased volumes of white matter and the hippocampus. Additionally, a GWAS study unveiled that CD34+CD133+ cells influenced AD risk specifically in individuals with homozygous genotypes for variants in two stem cell-related genes: kirre like nephrin family adhesion molecule 3 (KIRREL3, rs580382 CC and rs4144611 TT) and exocyst complex component 6B (EXOC6B, rs61619102 CC). Conclusions: The findings suggest that circulating CD34+CD133+ EPCs possess a protective effect and may offer a new therapeutic avenue for AD, especially in individuals with vascular pathology and those carrying specific genotypes of KIRREL3 and EXOC6B genes.

IntroductionCough is a common symptom of respiratory diseases, and prolonged monitoring of cough can help assist doctors in making judgments about patients’ conditions, among which cough frequency is an indicator that characterizes the state of the patient’s lungs. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to design an automatic cough counting system to monitor the number of coughs per minute for a long period of time.MethodsIn this paper, a complete cough counting process is proposed, including denoising, segment extraction, eigenvalue calculation, recognition, and counting process; and a wearable automatic cough counting device containing acquisition and reception software. The design and construction of the algorithm is based on realistically captured cough-containing audio from 50 patients, combined with short-time features, and Meier cepstrum coefficients as features characterizing the cough.ResultsThe accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and F1 score of the method were 93.24%, 97.58%, 86.97%, and 94.47%, respectively, with a Kappa value of 0.9209, an average counting error of 0.46 counts for a 60-s speech segment, and an average runtime of 2.80 ± 2.27 s.DiscussionThis method improves the double threshold method in terms of the threshold and eigenvalues of the cough segments’ sensitivity and has better performance in terms of accuracy, real-time performance, and computing speed, which can be applied to real-time cough counting and monitoring in small portable devices with limited computing power. The developed wearable portable automatic cough counting device and the accompanying host computer software application can realize the long-term monitoring of patients’ coughing condition.

Cytokin storms play a key role in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI) caused by sepsis, in which pulmonary macrophage PANoptosis is involved. At present, the main treatment methods for sepsis-induced ALI are antibiotics and fluid resuscitation, but the efficacy of these methods is unsatisfactory enough; therefore, the development of new therapeutic methods is urgently needed. In this study, we developed a novel bionic nanoparticle (R@ZQC NPs) using ZIF-8 nanoparticles as a carrier, internally supported with ginsenoside Rb1, and externally coated with quaternated chitosan and a macrophage membrane layer by layer. The biomimetic nanoparticles controlled the release of Rb1, had good biocompatibility, strong antibacterial activity, and targeted the inhibition of pulmonary macrophage PANoptosis. In vitro and in vivo, R@ZQC NPs effectively inhibited the activity of Escherichia coli and reduced mitochondrial damage by activating the AMPK pathway, thus alleviating the inflammatory response and ameliorating sepsis-induced ALI. In summary, this study revealed the great potential of R@ZQC NPs for antimicrobial activity, targeted inhibition of macrophage PANoptosis and reduction of the inflammatory response and represents the first attempt of R@ZQC NPs in the treatment of sepsis-induced ALI. This study provides new therapeutic ideas and strategies for the clinical treatment of sepsis-induced ALI.

In this article, we explore the potential of artmaking as a reflexive practice, grounded in the work of feminist new materialist philosophers Karen Barad and Donna Haraway. Barad and Haraway’s philosophies emphasize our entanglement with more-than-human materialities and forces and consider our ethical responsibility to the world. We explore our own artful practices such as collaging, drawing, mapping, and creative writing as reflexive practices that help us consider who we are in relation to our research. These examples provide a grounded description for novice and veteran researchers alike who might be interested in using artful reflexive practices in their own work.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) incurs a huge individual, societal, and economic burden. Specific and selective targeting of hypoglossal motor neurons could be an effective means to treat OSA. Bioluminescent-optogenetics (BL-OG) is a novel genetic regulatory approach in which luminopsins, fusion proteins of light-generating luciferase and light-sensing ion channels, increase neuronal excitability when exposed to a suitable substrate. Here we develop and validate the feasibility of BL-OG for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Upon confirming that diet-induced obese mice represent an excellent SDB model, we employed a method of targeting the hypoglossal nucleus (12 N) by peripherally injecting retrogradely transported rAAV2/Retro. With AAV transduction, the eLMO3 protein is expressed in hypoglossal motor neurons (HMN); administration of CTZ results in production of bioluminescence that in turn activates the tethered channelrhodopsin, leading to an increase in the firing of HMN and a 2.7 ± 0.8-fold increase in phasic activity of the genioglossus muscle, a 7.6 ± 1.8-fold increase in tonic activity, and improvements in hypoventilation and apnea index without impacting sleep structure. This is therefore the first study to leverage the rAAV2/Retro vector to execute the BL-OG approach in SDB, which amplified genioglossus muscle discharge activity and increased airflow in mice after activation. This study marks the pioneering utilization of BL-OG in SDB research.

ObjectivesThe study aimed to explore how terminally ill individuals in the United States approach medical aid in dying (MAID), including personal, interpersonal and structural factors that influence their decision-making processes.MethodsThis embodied phenomenological study incorporated semi-structured (N = 9) interviews with seven terminally ill adults who received a prescription for MAID. Interviews occurred over Zoom between October 2021-January 2023 and was guided by Ashworth’s framework for exploring phenomenological lifeworlds. Participants were invited to share perceptions of their lifeworlds in pursuit of MAID including values; embodied health, ability, and emotions; space and place in society; reflections on time/timing; and political and cultural discourse. Data analysis integrated Wertz’s phenomenological psychological analysis methods.ResultsThe phenomenon of choosing MAID is an intricate juggling of lifeworlds between participants’ embodied relationships, values, time and agency which lead to co-existing experiences of uncertainty and hard-won relief.ConclusionOur findings contribute cutting-edge knowledge of the decisional tensions and triumphs terminally ill individuals encounter as they approach MAID and highlight practical implications for health and mental health providers in preparing psychoeducational support for those seeking MAID.

AimsInflammatory diets can trigger chronic inflammation and affect gut microbiota. However, the relationship between dietary preferences and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between different dietary preferences and sensorineural deafness.MethodsThe Dietary Inflammation Index (DII) and SNHL were defined by data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), and exploring their relationship. Using Mendelian randomization (MR) to analyze the relationship between 34 dietary preferences, 211 gut microbiota, and SNHL.ResultsSmooth curve fitting indicated that the risk of SNHL increased with increasing DII score when the DII score was greater than 5.15. MR results suggest that a diet including both oily and non-oily fish can substantially reduce the risk of SNHL. Additionally, six specific gut microbiota were found to have significant causal relationship with SNHL.ConclusionAn inflammatory diet may increase the risk of developing SNHL. The observed relationship between fish consumption, gut microbiota, and SNHL suggests the existence of a gut-inner ear axis.

PM2.5 pollution has been associated with the incidence of lung cancer, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), initially identified in germline cells, have emerged as a novel class of small non-coding RNAs (26 – 32 nucleotides) with diverse functions in various diseases, including cancer. However, the role and mechanism of piRNAs in the development of PM2.5-induced lung cancer remain to be clarified. In the presented study, we used a PM2.5-induced malignant transformation cell model to analyze the change of piRNA profiles. Among the disturbed piRNAs, piR-27222 was identified as an oncogene that inhibited cell death in a m6A-dependent manner. Mechanistically, we found that piR-27222 could deubiquitinate and stabilize eIF4B by directly binding to eIF4B and reducing its interaction with PARK2. The enhanced expression of eIF4B, in turn, promoted the expression of WTAP, leading to increased m6A modification in the Casp8 transcript. Consequently, the stability of Casp8 transcripts was reduced, rendering lung cancer cells resistant to PANoptosis. Collectively, our findings reveal that PM2.5 exposure up-regulated piR-27222 expression, which could affect EIF4B/WTAP/m6A axis, thereby inhibiting PANoptosis of cells and promoting lung cancer. Our study provides new insights into understanding the epigenetic mechanisms underlining PM2.5-induced lung cancer.

ObjectiveThis study investigates the association between convalescent plasma therapy and the negative conversion rate in patients with persistent COVID-19 test positivity.MethodA retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with severe or mild to moderate COVID-19 whose viral nucleic acid tests remained positive for over 30 days. Patients were categorized into two groups: those who administered convalescent plasma therapy and those who were not. Data collected included information on therapy strategies used (convalescent plasma, corticosteroids, interferons, etc.), patients’ demographic characteristics, comorbidities, therapeutic medications, and nucleic acid testing results. Patients in the convalescent plasma therapy group were matched 1:2 ratio with those in the non-convalescent plasma therapy group. Cumulative negative conversion rates on the fifth, tenth, and fifteenth days post-therapy initiation were analyzed as dependent variables. Independent variables included therapy strategies, demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and therapeutic medication usage. Univariate analysis was conducted, and factors with a p-value (P) less than 0.2 were included in a paired Cox proportional hazards model.ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference in the cumulative negative conversion rate between the convalescent plasma therapy group and the non-convalescent plasma therapy group on the fifth, tenth, and fifteenth days. Specifically, on day the fifth, the negative conversion rate was 41.46% in the convalescent plasma therapy group compared to 34.15% in the non-convalescent plasma therapy group (HR: 1.72, 95% CI: 0.82–3.61, P = 0.15). On the tenth day, it was 63.41% in the convalescent plasma therapy group and 63.41% in the non-convalescent plasma therapy group (HR: 1.25, 95% CI: 0.69∼2.26, P = 0.46). On the fifteenth day, the negative conversion rate was 85.37% in the convalescent plasma therapy group and 75.61% in the non-convalescent plasma therapy group (HR: 1.19, 95% CI: 0.71–1.97, P = 0.51).ConclusionOur finding does not support the hypothesis that convalescent plasma therapy could accelerate the time to negative conversion in patients who consistently test positive for COVID-19.

Background & aimsHBV infection initiates autoimmune responses, leading to autoantibody generation. This research explores the role of autoantibodies in HBV-related Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF), offering novel perspectives for clinical management.MethodWe applied immunoprecipitation and iTRAQ techniques to screen for autoantibodies in serum from HBV-related cirrhosis patients and conducted detection with conformation- stabilizing ELISA in a cohort of 238 HBV-infected individuals and 49 health controls. Our results were validated in a retrospective cohort comprising 106 ACLF patients and further assessed through immunohistochemical analysis in liver tissues from an additional 10 ACLF cases.ResultsUtilizing iTRAQ, we identified Argonaute1-3 autoantibodies (AGO-Abs) in this research. AGO2-Abs notably increased in cirrhosis, decompensation, and further in ACLF, unlike AGO1-Abs and AGO3-Abs. This reflects disease severity correlation. Logistic regression and COX models confirmed AGO2-Abs as independent prognostic indicators for decompensated liver cirrhosis (DLC) and ACLF. In the ROC analysis, AGO2-Abs showed significant diagnostic value for predicting 28- and 90-day mortality (AUROC = 0.853 and 0.854, respectively). Furthermore, combining AGO2-Abs with the Child-Pugh, MELD, and AARC scores significantly improved their predictive accuracy (P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed poorer survival for AGO2-Abs levels above 99.14μg/ml. These findings were supported by a retrospective validation cohort. Additionally, immunohistochemistry revealed band-like AGO2 expression in periportal liver areas, with AGO2-Abs levels correlating with total bilirubin, indicating a potential role in exacerbating liver damage through periportal functions.ConclusionsAGO2-Abs is a robust biomarker for predicting the mortality of patients with HBV-related ACLF.

BackgroundIn the early postoperative stage after heart transplantation, there is a lack of predictive tools to guide postoperative management. Whether the vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) can aid this prediction is not well illustrated.MethodsIn total, 325 adult patients who underwent heart transplantation at our center between January 2015 and December 2018 were included. The maximum VIS (VISmax) within 24 h postoperatively was calculated. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. A logistic regression model was established to determine independent risk factors and to develop a nomogram for a composite severe adverse outcome combining early mortality and morbidity.ResultsVISmax was significantly associated with extensive early outcomes such as early death, renal injury, cardiac reoperation and mechanical circulatory support in a grade-dependent manner, and also predicted 90-day and 1-year survival (p < 0.05). A VIS-based nomogram for the severe adverse outcome was developed that included VISmax, preoperative advanced heart failure treatment, hemoglobin and serum creatinine. The nomogram was well calibrated (Hosmer-Lemeshow p = 0.424) with moderate to strong discrimination (C-index = 0.745) and good clinical utility.ConclusionVISmax is a valuable prognostic index in heart transplantation. In the early post-transplant stage, this VIS-based nomogram can easily aid intensive care clinicians in inferring recipient status and guiding postoperative management.

PurposeSARS-CoV-2 can invade the thyroid gland. This study was to delineate the risk of thyroid dysfunction amidst the prevalence of the Omicron variant, and to investigate the correlation between thyroid function and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. The study also aimed to ascertain whether thyroid dysfunction persisted during COVID-19 recovery phase.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study. COVID-19 patients from the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, China during the epidemic of Omicron variants were included, and their thyroid function were analyzed in groups.ResultsA history of thyroid disease was not associated with COVID-19 outcomes. COVID-19 can lead to a bimodal distribution of thyroid dysfunction. The severity of COVID-19 was inversely proportional to the levels of thyroid- stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4), leading to a higher prevalence of thyroid dysfunction. Severe COVID-19 was a risk factor for euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS) (OR=22.5, 95% CI, 12.1 - 45.6). Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio mediated the association between severe COVID-19 and ESS (mediation effect ratio = 41.3%, p < 0.001). ESS and decreased indicators of thyroid function were associated with COVID-19 mortality, while high levels of FT3 and FT4 exhibited a protective effect against death. This effect was more significant in women (p < 0.05). During the recovery period, hyperthyroidism was quite uncommon, while a small percentage of individuals (7.7%) continued to exhibit hypothyroidism.ConclusionCOVID-19 severity was linked to thyroid dysfunction. Severe COVID-19 increased the risk of ESS, which was associated with COVID-19 mortality. Post-recovery, hyperthyroidism was rare, but some individuals continued to have hypothyroidism.

Introduction There is insufficient evidence in statin on the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) infection, we observe and analyze the clinical outcomes and antibiotic resistance of SA bloodstream infections in patients who received statins. Material and methods A retrospective study was carried out in SA bloodstream infection of hospitalized patients from January 2018 to August 2023. The 30-day attributable mortality, 30-day all-cause mortality and clinical data of patients who received statins and non-statins were compared. Results A total of 74 patients with SA bloodstream infection were included, 32 (43.2%) patients received treatment with statins and 42 (56.8%) with non-statins. The incidence of methicillin-resistant SA (MRSA) was significantly lower in the statins group (15.6% vs. 38.1%, p = 0.034), however, no significant differences were observed in the mortality rate (p = 0.410). Conclusions This study revealed the superiority of statins in reducing incidence of MRSA among SA bloodstream infection patients, but statins do not improve the 30-day mortality rate.

Abstract Exoskeletons generally require accurate dynamic models to design the model-based controller conveniently under the human-robot interaction condition. However, due to unknown model parameters such as the mass, moment of inertia and mechanical size, the dynamic model of exoskeletons is difficult to construct. Hence, an enhanced whale optimization algorithm (EWOA) is proposed to identify the exoskeleton model parameters. Meanwhile, the periodic excitation trajectories are designed by finite Fourier series to input the desired position demand of exoskeletons with mechanical physical constraints. Then a backstepping controller based on the identified model is adopted to improve the human-robot wearable comfortable performance under cooperative motion. Finally, the proposed Model parameters identification and control are verified by a two-DOF exoskeletons platform. The knee joint motion achieves a steady-state response after 0.5 s. Meanwhile, the position error of hip joint response is less than 0.03 rad after 0.9 s. In addition, the steady-state human-robot interaction torque of the two joints is constrained within 15 $${\text{N}\cdot\text{m}}$$ N · m . This research proposes a whale optimization algorithm to optimize the excitation trajectory and identify model parameters. Furthermore, an enhanced mutation strategy is adopted to avoid whale evolution's unsatisfactory local optimal value.

Abstract Background Impaired collateral formation is a major factor contributing to poor prognosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, the current pharmacological treatments for improving collateral formation remain unsatisfactory. The induction of endothelial autophagy and the elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) represent potential therapeutic targets for enhancing endothelial angiogenesis and facilitating collateral formation. This study investigates the potential of molybdenum disulfide nanodots (MoS2 NDs) for enhancing collateral formation and improving prognosis. Results Our study shows that MoS2 NDs significantly enhance collateral formation in ischemic tissues of diabetic mice, improving effective blood resupply. Additionally, MoS2 NDs boost the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of endothelial cells under high glucose/hypoxia conditions in vitro. Mechanistically, the beneficial effects of MoS2 NDs on collateral formation not only depend on their known scavenging properties of ROS (H2O2, •O2 -, and •OH) but also primarily involve a molecular pathway, cAMP/PKA-NR4A2, which promotes autophagy and contributes to mitigating damage in diabetic endothelial cells. Conclusions Overall, this study investigated the specific mechanism by which MoS2 NDs mediated autophagy activation and highlighted the synergy between autophagy activation and antioxidation, thus suggesting that an economic and biocompatible nano-agent with dual therapeutic functions is highly preferable for promoting collateral formation in a diabetic context, thus, highlighting their therapeutic potential. Graphical Abstract

Citrobacter braakii (C. braakii) is an anaerobic, gram‐negative bacterium that has been isolated from the environment, food, and humans. Infection by C. braakii has been associated with acute mucosal inflammation in the intestine, respiratory tract, and urinary tract. However, the pathogenesis of C. braakii in the gastric mucosa has not yet been clarified. In this study, the bacterium was detected in 35.5% (61/172) of patients with chronic gastritis (CG) and was closely associated with the severity of mucosal inflammation. Citrobacter braakii P1 isolated from a patient with CG exhibited urease activity and acid resistance. It contained multiple secretion systems, including a complete type I secretion system (T1SS), T5aSS and T6SS. We then predicted the potential pilus‐related adhesins. Citrobacter braakii P1 diffusely adhered to AGS cells and significantly increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release; the adhesion rate and LDH release were much lower in HEp‐2 cells. Strain P1 also induced markedly increased mRNA and protein expression of IL‐8 and TNF‐α in AGS cells, and the fold increase was much higher than that in HEp‐2 cells. Our results demonstrate proinflammatory and cytotoxic role of C. braakii in gastric epithelial cells, indicating the bacterium is potentially involved in inducing gastric mucosa inflammation.

Abstract Due to the anonymous and contract transfer nature of blockchain cryptocurrencies, they are susceptible to fraudulent incidents such as phishing. This poses a threat to the property security of users and hinders the healthy development of the entire blockchain community. While numerous studies have been conducted on identifying cryptocurrency phishing users, there is a lack of research that integrates class imbalance and transaction time characteristics. This paper introduces a novel graph neural network-based account identification model called CT-GCN+, which utilizes blockchain cryptocurrency phishing data. It incorporates an imbalanced data processing module for graphs to consider cryptocurrency transaction time. The model initially extracts time characteristics from the transaction graph using LSTM and Attention mechanisms. These time characteristics are then fused with underlying features, which are subsequently inputted into a combined SMOTE and GCN model for phishing user classification. Experimental results demonstrate that the CT-GCN+ model achieves a phishing user identification accuracy of 97.22% and a phishing user identification area under the curve of 96.67%. This paper presents a valuable approach to phishing detection research within the blockchain and cryptocurrency ecosystems.

Abstract Accurately estimating the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) with high spatiotemporal resolution is crucial for assessing its meteorological-environmental-health impacts. Although machine learning models have high predictive ability in environmental research, there are relatively few explanations for model outputs. Utilizing the top-of-atmosphere radiation data of China’s new generation geostationary satellites (FY-4A and FY-4B) and interpretable machine learning models, the 24-hour near-surface CO concentrations in China was conducted (resolution: 1 hour, 0.04°). The model improved by 6.6% when using the all-sky dataset (cloud-contained model, R2 = 0.759) compared to the clear-sky dataset (cloud-removed model). The interpretability analysis of the CO estimation model used two methods, namely ante-hoc (model feature importance) and post-hoc (SHapley Additive exPlanations). The importance of daytime meteorological factors increased by 51% compared to nighttime. Combining partial dependency plots, the impact of key meteorological factors on CO was elucidated to gain a deeper understanding of the spatiotemporal variations of CO.

Abstract Loess-paleosol sequences have been used in Asia to study climate and environmental changes during the Quaternary. The scarcity of age control datasets and proxy indices analysis data for Asian loess has limited our understanding of loess depositional processes and the reconstruction of paleoclimatic changes from loess-paleosol records. In this study, we present a dataset that includes 1785 quartz optically stimulated luminescence ages and 1038 K-feldspar post-infrared infrared stimulated luminescence ages from 128 loess-paleosol sequences located in different regions of Asia. We generate 38 high-resolution age-depth models of loess records based on the provided datasets. We provide data on 12,365 grain size records, 14,964 magnetic susceptibility records, 2204 CaCO3 content records, and 3326 color reflection records. This dataset contains the most detailed and accurate chronologies and proxy index data for loess records in Asia yet published. It provides fundamental data for understanding the spatial-temporal variations in loess depositional processes and climatic changes across the continent during the mid-late Quaternary.

To investigate the effect of different MR sequences on the accuracy of Cycle-consistent Generative Adversarial Network (CycleGAN) based synthetic CT (sCT) generation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this work, three sequences of MR, included T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), and T1 contrast-enhanced weighted imaging (T1WIC), and planning CT (PCT) images of 151 patients with NPC were collected. The number of training, verification, and test sets were 108, 16, and 27, respectively. Three unsupervised CycleGAN-based models were trained using different sequences (single channels) as inputs, and the synergistic fusion model were used multiple channels. To assess the precision of these models, we evaluated key metrics such as mean error (ME), mean absolute error (MAE), structural similarity index (SSIM), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), and dose distribution, comparing the PCT with the sCT generated by each model. Overall, The SCTT2 image generated by T2WI model achieved superior results than those of T1WIC and T1WI for a single-sequence model. Compared to the SCTT2, the quality of the SCTFusion image generated by the fusion model was further improved, with significant differences in the MAE, SSIM, and PNSR metrics (P $112.97\pm 9.69$ vs. $90.99\pm 9.64$ , P $0.86\pm 0.02$ vs. $0.89\pm 0.02$ , P $21.66\pm 0.64$ vs. $23.28\pm 0.87$ , P $\pm ~1.05$ % and 0.73%±0.73% for the fusion model. In conclusion, our findings reveal that the CycleGAN model, particularly when employing fusion MR sequences as input, offers the highest accuracy in synthetic CT generation. Notably, T2WI images stand out as a viable option for sCT prediction in clinical settings where acquisition sequences or times are limited.

Correct detection of floating objects in complex water environments is a challenge because of the problems of obscuration and dense floating objects. In view of the above issues, this article proposed a network called EC-YOLOX by introducing the coordinate attention (CA) and efficient channel attention (ECA) mechanism and improving the loss function to further the multifeature extraction and detection accuracy of floating objects. In this article, ablation experiments and comparison experiments were conducted on the river floating objects dataset. The ablation experiments showed that the ECA and CA mechanism played a great role in EC-YOLOX, which can reduce the missed detection rate by 5.86% and increase the mean average precision (mAP) by 5.53% compared with YOLOX. The EC-YOLOX was also applicable to different types of floating objects; the mAP of the ball, plastic garbage, plastic bag, leaf, milk box, grass, and branches were, respectively, improved by 4%, 4%, 4%, 6%, 4%, 18%, and 5%. The mAP of the comparison experiments was improved by 15.13%, 9.30%, and 8.03% compared to faster R-CNN, YOLOv5, and YOLOv3, respectively. This method facilitates the precise extraction of floating objects from images, which holds paramount importance for monitoring and safeguarding water environments. It offers significant contributions to water environment monitoring and protection.

Abstract Purpose We aimed to analyze the clinical features of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) during the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant pandemic and to reveal the risk factors for CAPA and death. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 168 CAPA patients from December 8, 2022 to January 31, 2023. 168 COVID-19 patients without secondary fungal infection during this period were matched 1:1 using propensity score matching as controls. Results The incidence of CAPA was 3.8% (168/4421). Compared with patients without fungal infection, CAPA patients had a higher mortality (43.5% vs. 10.1%, P

Abstract Human naïve pluripotent stem cells (hnPSCs) can generate integrated models of blastocysts termed blastoids upon switch to inductive medium. However, the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Here we report that self-renewing hnPSCs spontaneously and efficiently give rise to blastoids upon three dimensional (3D) suspension culture. The spontaneous blastoids mimic early stage human blastocysts in terms of structure, size, and transcriptome characteristics and are capable of progressing to post-implantation stages. This property is conferred by the glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) signalling inhibitor IM-12 present in 5iLAF self-renewing medium. IM-12 upregulates oxidative phosphorylation-associated genes that underly the capacity of hnPSCs to generate blastoids spontaneously. Starting from day one of self-organization, hnPSCs at the boundary of all 3D aggregates dedifferentiate into E5 embryo-like intermediates. Intermediates co-express SOX2/OCT4 and GATA6 and by day 3 specify trophoblast fate, which coincides with cavity and blastoid formation. In summary, spontaneous blastoid formation results from 3D culture triggering dedifferentiation of hnPSCs into earlier embryo-like intermediates which are then competent to segregate blastocyst fates.

To investigate the synergistic effect of IAA and melatonin (MT) on three plants to alleviate the effects of salt damage on plants, we aim to determine the optimal concentrations of exogenous hormone treatments that improve salinity resistance for each species. In this experiment, three desert plants, Sarcozygium xanthoxylon, Nitraria tangutorum, and Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, which are common in Wuhai City, were used as plant materials. Two time periods (12 h,24 h) of exogenous hormone IAA (100 μmol/L) and exogenous melatonin concentration (0, 100, 200, 300 μmol/L) were used to treat the three desert plants in saline soil under different conditions of exogenous IAA and exogenous melatonin. The results indicate that under different concentrations of exogenous IAA and melatonin, the germination rate and vigor of the three desert plant species in saline-alkaline soil improved. However, as the concentration of melatonin increased, the germination rate and vigor of these desert plants were inhibited. Whereas, plant height, root length, leaf length, fresh weight, dry weight, and root vigor of the three desert plants were alleviated under different conditions of exogenous IAA and exogenous melatonin. under the action of two exogenous hormones, the low concentration of melatonin decreased their malondialdehyde content and increased their proline content. As melatonin levels increased, the activity of antioxidant enzymes also rose initially, followed by a subsequent decline. This study highlights the synergistic effects of two exogenous hormones on the critical role of cell osmomodulators and antioxidant enzyme activity in combating salinity damage in three desert plants.

Fruits contain numerous polyphenols in the form of conjugates, which exhibit low antioxidant activity. Probiotic fermentation is a strategy to improve the antioxidant activity of these conjugated polyphenols by modifying their structure. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of functional groups and derivatizations on the antioxidative activities of polyphenols and the antioxidation enhancement by probiotic biotransformation haven't been comprehensively explored. This review aimed to explore the structure–antioxidant activity relationships of four functional groups and three derivatizations in flavonoids and phenolic acids. Further, the review elucidated the antioxidant mechanisms underlying the biotransformation of flavonoids and phenolic acids as glycoside, methylated, and ester conjugates by probiotic biotransformation. Deglycosylation, demethylation, and hydrolysis catalyzed by enzymes produced by Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus facilitated the conversion of conjugated polyphenols into flavonoids and phenolic acids with hydrolyzed forms and highly active functional groups, thereby increasing hydrogen supply and electron transfer capacity to enhance the antioxidant activity.

Development of low temperature catalytic pyrolysis technology for heated tobacco sheets is expected to increase the aroma of heated tobacco products and improve their overall smoking quality. In this study, the low temperature pyrolysis performances of heated tobacco sheets catalyzed by various anionic sodium salts were investigated using TG-DTG, Py-GC-MS technology and smoke routine chemical composition analysis. The results showed that the total weight loss between 100°C and 300°C increased by 7.8%–13.15% after adding various anionic sodium salts, among which, sodium acetate and sodium tartrate showed a relatively higher weight loss. The relative content of free hydroxyacetone, furfuryl alcohol, butyrolactone and megastigmatrienone in the pyrolysis gas increased, while the relative content of free nicotine decreased. With the change of anionic species, the catalytic decomposition ability of cellulose, lignin, and other substances may change, resulting in the distribution alteration of compounds in the pyrolysis gas. After adding sodium acetate and sodium citrate, the release of total particulate matter (TPM), glycerol, and nicotine in flue gas increased. Overall, the addition of sodium acetate and sodium citrate showed a higher low temperature pyrolysis performance of heated tobacco sheets. The research results in this paper provide data support for changing the low temperature catalytic pyrolysis performance of heated tobacco sheets by adjusting the type of anions in sodium salts.

Study region: Two typical mountainous Haihe River Basins: The Xiaojue Basin and the Yehe River Basin Study focuses: The mountainous Haihe River Basin has suffered from a water crisis duo to large-scale restoration. Quantifying the hydrological impacts of vegetation restoration is necessary for local water management. In this study, we used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrological model, in combination with two vegetation restoration scenarios, to analyze the effects of vegetation restoration on runoff and its runoff components (surface runoff, baseflow, and total runoff) New hydrological insights for the region: Our results indicated a general decrease in surface runoff and an increase in baseflow as a result of vegetation restoration. At the seasonal timescale, total runoff and surface runoff decreases mainly concentrated in the flood season, and slightly increased in the non-flood season, and baseflow showed the opposite trend during the flood-season in the Xiaojue and Yehe River Basin. The magnitude of change in runoff components in the Yehe River Basin was higher than that in the Xiaojue Basin, and the Yehe River Basin has a larger water yield capability. This study advances our knowledge on the way in which vegetation affects runoff and offers recommendations for water resources management

Abstract The senescence of aortic valve interstitial cells (VICs) plays a critical role in the progression of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). However, the precise mechanisms underlying the senescence of VICs remain unclear, demanding the identification of a novel target to mitigate this process. Previous studies have highlighted the anti‐aging potential of morusin. Thus, this study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of morusin in CAVD. Cellular experiments reveal that morusin effectively suppresses cellular senescence and cause a shift toward osteogenic differentiation of VICs in vitro. Mechanistically, morusin activate the Nrf2‐mediated antiaging signaling pathway by downregulating CCND1 expression and aiding Keap1 degradation through Trim 25. This activation lead to the upregulated expression of antioxidant genes, thus reducing reactive oxygen species production and thereby preventing VIC osteogenic differentiation. In vivo experiments in ApoE−/− mice on a high‐fat Western diet demonstrate the positive effect of morusin in mitigating aortic valve calcification. These findings emphasize the antiaging properties of morusin and its potential as a therapeutic agent for CAVD.

Purpose: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is currently the most important treatment method for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study aimed to enhance prediction accuracy by incorporating dose information into a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) using a multichannel input method. Methods: A target conformal plan (TCP) was created based on the maximum planning target volume (PTV). Input data included TCP dose distribution, images, target structures, and organ-at-risk (OAR) information. The role of target conformal plan dose (TCPD) was assessed by comparing the TCPD–CNN (with dose information) and NonTCPD–CNN models (without dose information) using statistical analyses with the ranked Wilcoxon test ( P

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic criteria and phenotypes in polycystic ovary syndrome are heterogeneous. Currently, it is unclear how to assess a patient's prognosis based on the onset time of menstruation disturbance. Evidence on this topic is scarce and has mainly focused on menstrual patterns. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the association between the onset time of menstrual disturbance and clinical features and in vitro fertilization pregnancy outcomes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: Our study was a secondary analysis of data collected as part of a randomized controlled trial conducted to compare live birth rates between fresh embryo transfer and frozen embryo transfer in 1508 individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome. Here, 1500 participants were classified into 2 groups according to the onset time of menstrual disturbance: immediately after menarche (early group) and after at least 1 year of regular menstruation (late group). We compared the prepregnancy clinical features, variables of ovarian stimulation, pregnancy outcomes after the initial cycle of embryo transfer, and perinatal and neonatal complications in the 2 groups. RESULTS: Compared with the late group, the early group had more antral follicles (32.00 [range, 27.25–39.50] vs 28.00 [range, 24.00–36.00]; P

BACKGROUND: Frozen embryo transfer resulted in a higher birthweight and an increased risk of macrosomia than fresh embryo transfer. However, the mechanism was still unclear. When the impact of frozen embryo transfer on fetal growth began was unknown. Crown-rump length at 11–13 weeks had been regarded as a good indicator of fetal growth in the first trimester and had been used for gestational age calculation in women with uncertain last menstrual periods. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between frozen embryo transfer and early fetal growth, particularly the crown-rump length, then fresh embryo transfer. The secondary objective was to investigate the potential correlation between crown-rump length and birthweight. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at the Reproductive Medical Center of Shandong University. A total of 4949 patients who obtained singleton pregnancy after frozen embryo transfer and 1793 patients who got singleton pregnancy after fresh embryo transfer between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2022 were included. The primary outcome was the crown-rump length measured via ultrasound at 11–13 weeks gestation. The secondary outcomes were perinatal outcomes, including birthweight and the risk of large for gestational age, small for gestational age, macrosomia, low birthweight, and premature delivery. Multivariable linear regression models were used to adjust for potential confounders of crown-rump length. RESULTS: A total of 6742 live singleton births after frozen embryo transfer or fresh embryo transfer were included in this study. In the univariable analysis, the frozen embryo transfer group had a larger crown-rump length (5.75±0.53 cm vs 5.57±0.48 cm, P

BackgroundThe relationship between Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) is controversial. These include central lymph node metastasis (CLNM), which affects the prognosis of PTMC patients. This study aimed to establish a predictive model combining ultrasonography and clinicopathological features to accurately evaluate latent CLNM in PTMC patients with HT at the clinical lymph node-negative (cN0) stage.MethodsIn this study, 1102 PTMC patients who received thyroidectomy and central cervical lymph node dissection (CLND) from the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from January 2021 to December 2022 and the 960th Hospital of PLA from January 2021 to December 2022 were jointly collected. The clinical differences between PTMCs with HT and those without HT were compared. A total of 373 PTMCs with HT in cN0 were randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort. By analyzing and screening the risk factors of CLNM, a nomogram model was established and verified. The predictive performance was measured by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and clinical decision curve analysis (DCA).ResultsThe ratio of central lymph node metastasis (CLNMR) in PTMCs with HT was 0.0% (0.0%, 15.0%) and 7.7% (0.0%, 40.0%) in the non-HT group (P

IntroductionMultiple targets are considered as the causes of ambient fine particulate matter [aerodynamic diameters of < 2.5 μm (PM2.5)] induced lung function injury. Qiju granules are derived from the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula known as Qi-Ju-Di-Huang-Wan (Lycium, Chrysanthemum, and Rehmannia Formula, QJDHW), which has been traditionally used to treat symptoms such as cough with phlegm, dry mouth and throat, and liver heat. This treatment approach involves attenuating inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis response. This study investigated the effects of Qiju granules on protecting lung function against PM2.5 exposure in a clinical trial.MethodsA randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled trial was performed among 47 healthy college students in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in China. The participants were randomly assigned to the Qiju granules group or the control group based on gender. Clinical follow-ups were conducted once every 2 weeks during a total of 4 weeks of intervention. Real-time monitoring of PM2.5 concentrations in the individually exposed participants was carried out. Data on individual characteristics, heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and lung function at baseline and during the follow-ups were collected. The effects of PM2.5 exposure on lung function were assessed within each group using linear mixed-effect models.ResultsIn total, 40 eligible participants completed the scheduled follow-ups. The average PM2.5 level was found to be 64.72 μg/m3 during the study period. A significant negative correlation of lung function with PM2.5 exposure concentrations was observed, and a 1-week lag effect was observed. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), forced expiratory flow at 75% of forced vital capacity (FVC) (FEF75), forced expiratory flow at 50% of FVC (FEF50), and forced expiratory flow at 25% of FVC (FEF25) were significantly decreased due to PM2.5 exposure in the control group. Small airway function was impaired more seriously than large airway function when PM2.5 exposure concentrations were increased. In the Qiju granules group, the associations between lung function and PM2.5 exposure were much weaker, and no statistical significance was observed.ConclusionThe results of the study showed that PM2.5 exposure was associated with reduced lung function. Qiju granules could potentially be effective in protecting lung functions from the adverse effects of PM2.5 exposure.Clinical Trial Registrationidentifier: ChiCTR1900021235.

BackgroundThe learning curve for percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discectomy (PETD) is steep, especially for the puncturing and localization procedures. The implementation of 3D printing technology may solve this problem.MethodsA novel individualized 3D-printing template (3D-PT) was designed and utilized in PETD. A prospective randomized controlled trial was performed. A total of 28 patients with lumbar disc herniation treated with PETD were analyzed. Of these, 14 patients were treated with the assistance of 3D printing technology (3D-PT group) in conjunction with fluoroscopy, while the remaining 14 patients were treated exclusively under the guidance of C-arm fluoroscopy (control group).ResultsThe number of puncture attempts in the 3D-PT group was significantly less than in the control group (1.36 ± 0.63 vs. 6.07 ± 3.08, p = 0.000). The 3D-PT group exhibited a significant reduction in both intraoperative puncture fluoroscopies (2.71 ± 1.27 vs. 12.14 ± 6.15, p = 0.000) and the overall number of fluoroscopies (2.71 ± 1.27 vs. 17.43 ± 6.27, p = 0.000). In the 3D-PT group, there was a significant reduction in both the puncture time (5.77 ± 1.82 vs. 13.99 ± 4.36, p = 0.000) and the total operation time (60.39 ± 9.78 vs. 76.25 ± 17.78, p = 0.007). Complications were not observed in either group.ConclusionThe application of the novel individualized 3D-PT for PETD is effective and safe. The technique has substantial potential and is worth widely promoting.