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Abstract Background Lung cancer is one of the most frequent cancers and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide with poor prognosis. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 4 (ADAMTS4) is crucial in the regulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), impacting its formation, homeostasis and remodeling, and has been linked to cancer progression. However, the specific involvement of ADAMTS4 in the development of lung cancer remains unclear. Methods ADAMTS4 expression was identified in human lung cancer samples by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and the correlation of ADAMTS4 with clinical outcome was determined. The functional impact of ADAMTS4 on malignant phenotypes of lung cancer cells was explored both in vitro and in vivo. The mechanisms underlying ADAMTS4-mediated lung cancer progression were explored by ubiquitination-related assays. Results Our study revealed a significant upregulation of ADAMTS4 at the protein level in lung cancer tissues compared to para-carcinoma normal tissues. High ADAMTS4 expression inversely correlated with the prognosis of lung cancer patients. Knockdown of ADAMTS4 inhibited the proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells, as well as the tubule formation of HUVECs, while ADAMTS4 overexpression exerted opposite effects. Mechanistically, we found that ADAMTS4 stabilized c-Myc by inhibiting its ubiquitination, thereby promoting the in vitro and in vivo growth of lung cancer cells and inducing HUVECs tubule formation in lung cancer. In addition, our results suggested that ADAMTS4 overexpression activated MAPK signaling pathway. Conclusions We highlighted the promoting role of ADAMTS4 in lung cancer progression and proposed ADAMTS4 as a promising therapeutic target for lung cancer patients.

Abstract Symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) in legume-rhizobia serves as a sustainable source of nitrogen (N) in agriculture. However, the addition of inorganic N fertilizers significantly inhibits SNF, and the underlying mechanisms remain not-well understood. Here, we report that inorganic N disrupts iron (Fe) homeostasis in soybean nodules, leading to a decrease in SNF efficiency. This disruption is attributed to the inhibition of the Fe transporter genes Natural Resistance-Associated Macrophage Protein 2a and 2b (GmNRAMP2a&2b) by inorganic N. GmNRAMP2a&2b are predominantly localized at the tonoplast of uninfected nodule tissues, affecting Fe transfer to infected cells and consequently, modulating SNF efficiency. In addition, we identified a pair of N-signal regulators, nitrogen-regulated GARP-type transcription factors 1a and 1b (GmNIGT1a&1b), that negatively regulate the expression of GmNRAMP2a&2b, which establishes a link between N signaling and Fe homeostasis in nodules. Our findings reveal a plausible mechanism by which soybean adjusts SNF efficiency through Fe allocation in response to fluctuating inorganic N conditions, offering valuable insights for optimizing N and Fe management in legume-based agricultural systems.

Abstract Growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHS-R1a), also known as the ghrelin receptor, is an important nutrient sensor and metabolic regulator in both humans and rodents. Increased GHS-R1a expression is observed in the hippocampus of both Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients and AD model mice. However, the causal relationship between GHS-R1a elevation in the hippocampus and AD memory deficits remains uncertain. Here, we find that increasing GHS-R1a expression in dCA1 pyramidal neurons impairs hippocampus-dependent memory formation, which is abolished by local administration of the endogenous antagonist LEAP2. GHS-R1a elevation in dCA1 pyramidal neurons suppresses excitability and blocks memory allocation in these neurons. Chemogenetic activation of those high GHS-R1a neurons during training rescues GHS-R1a overexpression-induced memory impairment. Moreover, we demonstrate that increasing GHS-R1a expression in dCA1 pyramidal neurons hampers these neurons’ ability to encode spatial memory and reduces engram size in the dCA1 region. Finally, we show that GHS-R1a deletion mitigates spatial memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice with increased GHS-R1a expression in the hippocampus. Our findings reveal a negative, causal relationship between hippocampal GHS-R1a expression and memory encoding, and suggest that blocking the abnormal increase in GHS-R1a activity/expression may be a promising approach to improve memory and treat cognitive decline in AD.

Highlights Single-atom Fe–N4 sites embedded into graphene were successfully synthesized to exert the dielectric properties of graphene. The absorption mechanisms of metal-nitrogen doping reduced graphene oxide mainly include enhanced dipole polarization, interface polarization, conduction loss and defect-induced polarization. Excellent reflection loss of − 74.05 dB (2.0 mm) and broad effective absorption bandwidth of 7.05 GHz (1.89 mm, with filler loading only 1 wt%) were obtained.

Abstract There is limited research on the clinicopathological characteristics of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA) currently. The aim of this study is to summerize the clinicopathological factors and prognosis of cHCC-CCA, which could help us understand this disease. 72 cases of cHCC-CCA from West China Hospital of Sichuan University were collected. Tissue components were reviewed by pathologists. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the status of mismatch repair (MMR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in cHCC-CCA, as well as the quantity and distribution of CD3+ T cells and CD8+ T cells. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to detect fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) gene alteration. COX univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate risk factors, and survival curves were plotted. 49 cases were classified as classic type cHCC-CCA and 23 cases as intermediate cell carcinoma. The cut-off value for diagnosing classic type was determined to be ≥ 30% for the cholangiocarcinoma component based on prognostic calculations. All tumors were MMR proficient. The rate of strong HER2 protein expression (3+) was 8.3%, and the frequency of FGFR2 gene alteration was 26.4%. CD3+ T cells and CD8+ T cells were mainly distributed at the tumor margin, and were protective factors for patients with cHCC-CCA. The overall survival of the 72 patients was 18.9 months, with a median survival of 12 months. Tumor size, TNM stage, and serum AFP level were prognostic factors for cHCC-CCA. The proportion of cholangiocarcinoma component reaching the threshold of 30%, may provide a reference for future pathology diagnosis. FGFR2 gene alteration was 26.4%, providing a clue for anti-FGFR2 therapy. However, more data is needed for further verification.

Abstract Social memory impairment is a key symptom of many brain disorders, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Neuroligins (NLGs) are a family of cell adhesion molecules essential for synapse development and function and their dysfunctions are linked to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism and schizophrenia. Although NLGs are extensively studied in neurons, their role in glial cells is poorly understood. Here we show that astrocytic deletion of NLG3 in the ventral hippocampus of adult male mice impairs social memory, attenuates astrocytic Ca2+ signals, enhances the expression of EAAT2 and prevents long-term potentiation, and these impairments are rescued by increasing astrocyte activity, reducing EAAT2 function or enhancing adenosine/A2a receptor signaling. This study has revealed an important role of NLG3 in astrocyte function, glutamate homeostasis and social memory and identified the glutamate transporter and adenosine signaling pathway as potential therapeutic strategies to treat brain disorders.

Abstract Boron-doped biochar (B-BC) was synthesized by pyrolysis using solid waste of sorghum straw as raw material. The specific surface area of B-BC increased significantly by 2.38 times compared to that of pure BC. This enhancement allowed B-BC (0.3 g L−1) to achieve complete adsorption of 10 mg L−1 tartrazine (TTZ) within 40 min. Moreover, acidic conditions were more favorable for TTZ adsorption, achieving complete removal of TTZ in only 15 min at a pH of 3.0. Interestingly, the adsorption rate of TTZ by B-BC in the presence of 0.05 M Cl− was approximately 2.12 times higher than that in the absence of Cl−. When other background electrolytes were present, excluding PO4 3−, complete adsorption of TTZ could also be achieved within 60 min. Thermodynamic analysis and DFT calculations described the parameters of B-BC for TTZ adsorption, including $$\Delta {\text{G}}^{\Theta }$$ Δ G Θ (

Abstract Background: Both lipid metabolism and obesity are crucial factors in osteoporosis, influencing the relevance of the cardiometabolic index (CMI), a new body fat index incorporating obesity and lipid metrics. Our study aims to explore the relationship between CMI and lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) and the mediating role of body fat percentage. Methods: Utilizing the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2011 to 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis. We employed multiple linear regression models, subgroup analyses, generalized additive models (GAM), smooth curve fitting, and mediation analysis to evaluate the linear and nonlinear relationships between CMI and lumbar spine BMD. Results: The study involved 5,124 participants with an average lumbar spine BMD of 1.03 ± 0.15 g/cm2. We identified a negative correlation between CMI and lumbar spine BMD (β = -0.015; 95% CI: -0.023, -0.008). Nonlinear associations were evident, with inflection points at CMI values of 1.12 and 2.86. Subgroup analyses showed consistent negative correlations across all categories without significant differences (p for interaction > 0.05). Moreover, body fat percentage negatively correlated with BMD (β = -0.005; 95% CI: -0.006, -0.004) and mediated 9.41% of the relationship between CMI and BMD. Conclusion: Increased CMI levels are associated with lower lumbar spine BMD, with body fat percentage significantly mediating this relationship. This underscores the importance of managing body composition in the context of bone health, highlighting CMI’s potential utility in osteoporosis risk assessment.

Abstract Controversy still exists regarding how much the inflow arterial percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) contributed to maintaining fistula function for hemodialysis. We aimed to analyze patency and risk factors after inflow arterial PTA. Hemodialysis patients with inflow arterial primary stenosis who were admitted to our institution from January 2017 to December 2022 were examined. One group had arterial-venous fistula with inflow artery stenosis alone (AVF + iAS) and another group had AVF with inflow artery stenosis and any vein stenosis (AVF + iAS + VS). The characteristics of patients, stenotic lesions, and PTA procedures were recorded. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to compare primary patency, assisted primary patency, and secondary patency in the two groups. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with patency. We examined 213 patients, 53 in the AVF + iAS group (51 radial arterial stenosis and 2 ulnar arterial stenosis) and 160 in the AVF + iAS + VS group (159 radial arterial stenosis and 1 ulnar arterial stenosis). Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated the AVF + iAS group had better primary patency and assisted primary patency (both P

Lung cancer, highly prevalent and the leading cause of cancer-related death globally, persists as a significant challenge due to the lack of definitive tumor markers for early diagnosis and personalized therapeutic interventions. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs), functioning as natural carriers for intercellular communication, have received increasing attention due to their ability to traverse biological barriers and deliver diverse biological cargoes, including cytosolic proteins, cell surface proteins, microRNA, lncRNA, circRNA, DNA, and lipids. EVs are increasingly recognized as a valuable resource for non-invasive liquid biopsy, as well as drug delivery platforms, and anticancer vaccines for precision medicine in lung cancer. Herein, given the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of tumor-associated EVs for lung cancer, we discuss this topic from a translational standpoint. We delve into the specific roles that EVs play in lung cancer carcinogenesis and offer a particular perspective on how advanced engineering technologies can overcome the current challenges and expedite and/or enhance the translation of EVs from laboratory research to clinical settings.

In this study, a crack-free pyrolysis process of partially cured precursor powder compacts was developed to prepare dense silicon boron carbonitride (SiBCN) monoliths at much lower temperatures (1300 °C), thereby circumventing the challenges of sintering densification (> 1800 °C). Unlike the elastic fracture in over-cured precursors or the viscoelastic deformation in under-cured precursors, the partially cured precursor, exhibiting elastic‒plastic deformation behavior, facilitates limited nanoscale pore formation in a dense structure, achieving a balance between crack-free pyrolysis and densification. Compared to SiBCN derived from the over-cured precursor (σ = ~159 MPa, KIC = 1.9 MPa·m1/2, Vickers hardness (HV) = 7.8 GPa, and E = 122 GPa), the resulting SiBCN monolith exhibited significantly improved mechanical properties (σ = ~304 MPa, KIC = 3.7 MPa·m1/2, HV = 10.6 GPa, and E = 161 GPa) and oxidation resistance. In addition, this study investigated the high-temperature performance of SiBCN monoliths, including crystallization and oxidation, and determined the oxidation kinetics induced by pore structure healing and the different oxidation mechanisms of Si–C–N and B–C–N clusters in the amorphous structure. Due to its unique composition and structure, the SiBCN ceramic oxide layer exhibits exceptional self-healing effects on repairing the nanoporous system in the initial stage and shows outstanding high-temperature stability during prolonged oxidation, mitigating adverse effects from bubble formation and crystallization. Due to the nanoporous structure, the oxidation rate is initially controlled by gas diffusion following a linear law before transitioning to oxide layer diffusion characterized by a parabolic law. Finally, due to different valence bond configurations, Si–C–N transforms into an amorphous SiCNO structure after phase separation, unlike the nucleation and growth of residual B–N–C.

Abstract Background Academic pressure and frustration stimulation are significant stressors in college students, and response to the prolonged stimuli would cause adverse mental and physical outcomes. However, more is needed to know about the stress response and its predictors among undergraduate nursing students retaking failed course under the background of the abolition of the Final Supplementary Examination in China. This study aimed to investigate the stress response and its predictive factors of nursing student repeaters who are retaking at least one failed course. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted, utilizing convenience sampling to recruit 120 nursing student repeaters from four 4-year undergraduate medical universities in China between September 2020 and May 2021. Data collection instruments included a general information questionnaire, a stress response questionnaire, the Connor-Davidson resilience scale, a self-control scale, and a academic self-efficacy questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple linear regression. Results The average scores of the total stress response, emotional response, physical response, and behavioral response were 58.07 ± 26.72, 86.97 ± 17.12, 57.69 ± 9.75, 67.16 ± 9.22, respectively. Stress response was predicted by psychological resilience, self-control ability, academic self-efficacy and the number of retaking courses. Conclusions The stress response among nursing student repeaters is relatively active. Higher psychological resilience, self-control ability, and academic self-efficacy predict lower levels of stress response. In order to help nursing students with failing and repeating course release their psychological stress and maintain well-being, nursing educators could adopt self-control promotion strategies and emphasize the cultivation of psychological resilience and academic self-efficacy as parts of health promotion programs for this particular student group.

Abstract Background Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing (LBBaP) is a cardiac pacing technique designed to mimic the natural conduction system of the heart. Traditional right ventricular apical pacing has been associated with increased risks of heart failure and atrial fibrillation. This study investigates the stability and safety of LBBaP using the Selectra 3D sheath (Biotronik) with an inclined angle for implanting the Solia S lead (Biotronik, SE & Co, KG). Methods A single-center retrospective study was conducted on 25 patients who underwent LBBaP implantation using the Selectra 3D sheath at our hospital. The procedure involved inserting the Solia S lead into the interventricular septum at an inclined angle. Surgical and postoperative data were collected, including the success rate, depth and angle of electrode insertion, complications, and follow-up data. Results The success rate of LBBaP implantation was 92%. The length of electrode insertion into the interventricular septum ranged from 12 to 23.0 mm, with an average of 18.1 ± 3.08 mm. The angle formed between the electrode and the septum ranged from 0° to 57.3°, with an average of 35.14°±14.31°. During the 3-month follow-up period, pacing parameters remained stable, and no complications were reported. Conclusions LBBaP implantation using the Selectra 3D sheath with an inclined angle for the Solia S implantation demonstrates stability and safety. The procedure boasts a high success rate and offers an effective option for LBBaP implantation.

Abstract Sorghum ratooning, a time and labor-saving cultivation practice, is increasingly being adopted by farmers in Southwest China as an alternative. Efficient N fertilizer management is critical for economical production of sorghum and the long-term protection of the environment. To investigate the impact of N management on grain yield and nitrogen use efficiencies (NUEs) of ratoon sorghum system, a three-year field experiment was conducted for Jinyunuo3 (a hybrid cultivar) and Guojiaohong1 (an inbred cultivar) using 12 combinations of N rates and splitting ratios. The results showed that increasing N rate and splitting application times led to improvements in various growth parameters such as dry matter weight, crop growth rate (CGR), leaf area index (LAI), and photosynthetic potential (PP). The main, ratoon, and annual yields increased with N rate increase, but there was no significant difference between 225 and 150 kg N ha−1 in the ratoon and annual yields. Splitting the application of N fertilizer enhanced grain yield compared to a single dose application method, especially three-split applications yielded higher than two-split applications. Compared with N rates of 225 and 150 kg ha−1, N rate of 75 kg ha−1 increased apparent recovery rate of applied nitrogen (REN), agronomic efficiency of applied nitrogen (AEN), and partial factor productivity from applied nitrogen (PFPN) in both main season and whole year. But through splitting application methods at high N rates could achieve similar or even higher levels of NUEs compared to all applied as basal fertilizer at low N rates. Therefore, it could be recommended that applying 150 kg N ha−1 with a basal-jointing-heading fertilizer ratio of 2:4:4 represented an efficient N management practice to synchronously obtain high grain yield and NUEs in ratoon sorghum system in Southwest China.

Abstract RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool for sequence-specific gene knockdown in therapeutic and research applications. However, spatiotemporal control of RNAi is required to decrease nonspecific targeting, potential toxicity, and allow targeting of essential genes. Herein we describe a class of de-novo-designed RNA switches that enable sequence-specific regulation of RNAi in mammalian cells. Using cis-repressing RNA elements, we engineer RNA devices that only initiate microRNA biogenesis when binding with cognate trigger RNAs. We demonstrate that this conditional RNAi system, termed Orthogonal RNA Interference induced by Trigger RNA (ORIENTR), provides up to 14-fold increases in artificial miRNA biogenesis upon activation in orthogonal libraries. We show that integration of ORIENTR triggers with dCas13d enhances dynamic range to up to 31-fold. We further demonstrate that ORIENTR can be applied to detect endogenous RNA signals and to conditionally knockdown endogenous genes, thus enabling regulatory possibilities including cell-type-specific RNAi and rewiring of transcriptional networks via RNA profile.

ABSTRACTBackground Vaccination remains the cornerstone of defense against COVID-19 globally. This study aims to assess the safety and immunogenicity profile of innovative vaccines LYB001.Research design and methods This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled trial, in 100 healthy Chinese adults (21 to 72 years old). Three doses of 30 or 60 µg of SARS-CoV-2 RBD-based VLP vaccine (LYB001), or the SARS-CoV-2 RBD-based protein subunit vaccine (ZF2001, control group) were administered with a 28-day interval. Differences in the incidence of adverse events (AEs) and indicators of humoral and cellular immunity among the different groups were measured.Results No severe adverse events were confirmed to be vaccine-related, and there was no significant difference in the rate of adverse events between the LYB001 and control group or the age subgroups (p > 0.05). The LYB001 groups had significantly higher or comparable levels of seroconversion rates, neutralization antibody, S protein-binding antibody, and cellular immunity after whole vaccination than the control group.Conclusions Our findings support that LYB001 developed on the VLP platform is safe and well tolerated with favorable immunogenicity for fundamental vaccination in healthy adults. Therefore, further larger-scale clinical studies are warranted.Trial Registration This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05552573).

In arid regions, the optimal utilization of river channels to collect rainwater resources can effectively alleviate the problem of water scarcity. This paper employs visual MODFLOW software to simulate the infiltration volume of rainwater under different schemes, with the objective of identifying the optimal infiltration volume. The results indicate that the infiltration volume of rainwater is 0.6, 79.7, 36.5, 62, and 10,000 m3 under different design schemes. COMSOL software is employed to simulate the infiltration situation of rainwater under different schemes, and the scheme with the most favourable infiltration effect is identified. The simulation results indicate that scenarios 2, 4, and 5 demonstrate superior early-stage infiltration performance. Ultimately, the optimal infiltration scheme is selected by integrating the infiltration volume, infiltration effect, construction, economic, and ecological factors to achieve the objective of enhancing rainwater harvesting and utilization. This study offers effective and reasonable measures for addressing the challenge of water resources management in arid regions. It provides suitable reference schemes for river channel rainwater storage projects and offers innovative approaches to rainwater resource utilization, thereby contributing to the alleviation of water scarcity in arid areas.

Abstract Interleukin-17A therapeutic inhibitors are among the most effective treatment methods for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (PP). Reflectance confocal microscopy is a non-invasive imaging technique already documented to be beneficial in evaluating the follow-up of PP under treatment with topical actives and phototherapy. This study aimed to assess the epidermal and dermal changes associated with psoriasis and its treatment with RCM during systemic secukinumab treatment in patients with moderate-to-severe PP. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate RCM as a non-invasive tool for monitoring secukinumab treatment in patients with PP. For patients receiving secukinumab treatment, lesional skin was selected for RCM imaging, which were recorded at all scheduled times. The RCM evaluation criteria were established based on the histopathological diagnostic criteria for psoriasis. The clinical severity of psoriasis was assessed utilizing the psoriasis area severity index. A total of 23 patients with PP were included in the study. Each patient received 300 mg of subcutaneous secukinumab as induction therapy at baseline and weeks 1–4, followed by maintenance therapy every four weeks. Microscopic confocal changes were observed during the treatment. The results identified early microscopic evidence of the anti-inflammatory activity of secukinumab, which was not detected during the clinical examination. RCM findings correlating with the PASI were used to observe the patient’s response to treatment and were identified as follows: acanthosis and parakeratosis, presence of epidermal and dermal inflammatory cells, presence of non-edge dermal papillae, and vascularization in the papillary dermis. This study is the first to demonstrate the use of RCM as an effective tool for non-invasive monitoring of secukinumab therapeutic response at a cellular level in a clinical or research setting. Early detection of RCM parameters associated with secukinumab activity may facilitate the identification of an early treatment response. RCM appears to be capable of providing practical and helpful information regarding follow-up in patients with PP undergoing secukinumab treatment. RCM may also provide novel perspectives on the subclinical evaluation of PP’s response to biological therapy.

Abstract Background Idiopathic acute transverse myelitis (IATM) is a focal inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord that results in motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunction. However, the comparative analysis of MRI-negative and MRI-positive in IATM patients were rarely reported. Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare MRI-negative with MRI-positive groups in IATM patients, analyze the predictors for a poor prognosis, thus explore the relationship between MRI-negative and prognosis. Methods We selected 132 patients with first-attack IATM at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from May 2018 to May 2022. Patients were divided into MRI-positive and MRI-negative group according to whether there were responsible spinal MRI lesions, and good prognosis and poor prognosis based on whether the EDSS score ≥ 4 at follow-up. The predictive factors of poor prognosis in IATM patients was analyzed by logistic regression models. Results Of the 132 patients, 107 first-attack patients who fulfilled the criteria for IATM were included in the study. We showed that 43 (40%) patients had a negative spinal cord MRI, while 27 (25%) patients were identified as having a poor prognosis (EDSS score at follow-up ≥ 4). Compared with MRI-negative patients, the MRI-positive group was more likely to have back/neck pain, spinal cord shock and poor prognosis, and the EDSS score at follow-up was higher. We also identified three risk factors for a poor outcome: absence of second-line therapies, high EDSS score at nadir and a positive MRI result. Conclusions Compared with MRI-negative group, MRI-positive patients were more likely to have back/neck pain, spinal cord shock and poor prognosis, with a higher EDSS score at follow-up. The absence of second-line therapies, high EDSS score at nadir, and a positive MRI were risk factors for poor outcomes in patients with first-attack IATM. MRI-negative patients may have better prognosis, an active second-line immunotherapy for IATM patients may improve clinical outcome.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostic system detection of pulmonary nodules on computed tomography (CT) scans, using a chest simulation phantom experiment with simulated lung nodules. Methods: A Toshiba (Canon) 64-slice spiral CT scanner was used. The phantom was scanned and images were reconstructed under varying scanning parameters (dose, reconstruction algorithm, and layer thickness) and non-scanning parameters (nodule size, density, and chest location). Subsequently, the AI diagnostic system performed pulmonary nodule detection on the images. Results: (1) No statistically significant difference was observed in the true positive rate of pulmonary nodules detected at different scanning doses. However, the low-dose mode produced a higher number of false positives. (2) Comparisons across the three iterative reconstruction algorithms revealed no statistically significant difference in the true positive rate of detected pulmonary nodules. However, the Strong group exhibited a higher true positive rate and a higher number of false positives. (3) The true positive rate of lung nodules detected in thin images was significantly higher than in thick images. (4) The true positive rate of pulmonary nodules located in the paramediastinum was significantly higher in the subpleural and lung parenchyma. (5) The true positive rate of nodules ≥8 mm was significantly higher than that of nodules ≤5 mm. (6) No statistically significant difference was observed in the true positive rate when detecting nodules with differing densities. Conclusion: Both CT scanning parameters (dose, reconstruction algorithm, and layer thickness) and non-scanning parameters (nodule size, density, and chest location) can influence the detection of pulmonary nodules by AI systems.

Abstract Background Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) has a poor prognosis and is understudied. Based on the clinical features of patients with ICC, we constructed machine learning models to understand their importance on survival and to accurately determine patient prognosis, aiming to develop reference values to guide physicians in developing more effective treatment plans. Methods This study used machine learning (ML) algorithms to build prediction models using ICC data on 1,751 patients from the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database and 58 hospital cases. The models’ performances were compared using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, C-index, and Brier scores. Results A total of eight variables were used to construct the ML models. Our analysis identified the random survival forest model as the best for prognostic prediction. In the training cohort, its C-index, Brier score, and Area Under the Curve values were 0.76, 0.124, and 0.882, respectively, and it also performed well in the test cohort. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed that the model could effectively determine patient prognosis. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study to develop ML prognostic models for ICC in the high-incidence age group. Of the ML models, the random survival forest model was best at prognosis prediction.

Abstract Background The question of whether segmentectomy and lobectomy have similar survival outcomes for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a matter of debate. Methods A cohort study and randomized controlled trial were included, comparing segmentectomy and lobectomy, by utilizing computerized access to the Pubmed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases up until July 2022. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to evaluate the randomized controlled trials, while the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the cohort studies. Sensitivity analyses were also carried out. Results The analysis incorporated 17 literature studies, including one randomized controlled trial and 16 cohort studies, and was divided into a segmentectomy group (n = 2081) and a lobectomy group (n = 2395) based on the type of surgery the patient underwent. Each study was followed up from 27 months to 130.8 months after surgery. Over survival (OS): HR = 1.14, 95%CI(0.97,1.32), P = 0.10; disease-free survival (DFS): HR = 1.13, 95%CI(0.91,1.41), P = 0.27; recurrence-free survival (RFS): HR = 0.95, 95%CI(0.81,1.12), P = 0.54. Conclusion The results of the study suggest that the survival outcomes of the segmentectomy group were not inferior to that of the lobectomy group. Segmentectomy should therefore be considered as a treatment option for early stage NSCLC.

Limited by the poor transient response performance of turbochargers, the dynamic performance of aviation piston engines tends to deteriorate. In a bid to enhance the turbocharger's acceleration capabilities, this study scrutinizes various factors impacting its performance. Based on the operational principles and transient response process of the turbocharger, three types of inertia—namely, aerodynamic inertia (ADI), thermal inertia (TI), and mechanical inertia (MI) — are identified and addressed for design. To begin, this paper pioneers the innovative definition of a method for evaluating the transient response performance of the turbocharger. This method incorporates the introduction of an ADI parameter, inspired by the definition of MI. Subsequently, a thin-walled volute design with a low Biot number and a lightweight turbine impeller is introduced to reduce the turbocharger's TI and MI. The simulation results of the flow field distribution within the volute and diffuser demonstrate the comprehensive design method's effectiveness in improving gas pressure and temperature distributions in these components. Notably, the pressure distribution fluctuation in the constant moment-of-momentum volute (CMV) is 62.8% lower than that in the constant velocity moment volute (CVMV). The low-TI thin-walled volute not only enhances the turbocharger's response speed but also reduces its weight by approximately 40%. The impact of three types of inertia on the engine's response speed is quantified as follows: ADI (94%) > MI (5%) > TI (1%). This conclusion has been verified through test results of both the turbocharger and the engine. This design method not only significantly improves the turbocharger's response performance but also offers valuable insights for the optimal design of other blade mechanical systems.

Abstract The potential brain mechanism underlying resilience to socially transferred allodynia remains unknown. Here, we utilize a well-established socially transferred allodynia paradigm to segregate male mice into pain-susceptible and pain-resilient subgroups. Brain screening results show that ventral tegmental area glutamatergic neurons are selectively activated in pain-resilient mice as compared to control and pain-susceptible mice. Chemogenetic manipulations demonstrate that activation and inhibition of ventral tegmental area glutamatergic neurons bi-directionally regulate resilience to socially transferred allodynia. Moreover, ventral tegmental area glutamatergic neurons that project specifically to the nucleus accumbens shell and lateral habenula regulate the development and maintenance of the pain-resilient phenotype, respectively. Together, we establish an approach to explore individual variations in pain response and identify ventral tegmental area glutamatergic neurons and related downstream circuits as critical targets for resilience to socially transferred allodynia and the development of conceptually innovative analgesics.

Abstract Biochar-based sulfidized nano-sized zero-valent iron (SNZVI/BC) can effectively immobilize cadmium (Cd) in contaminated paddy soils. However, the synergistic effects between biochar and SNZVI on Cd immobilization, as well as the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, a soil microcosm incubation experiment was performed to investigate the immobilization performance of SNZVI/BC towards Cd in the contaminated paddy soil. Results indicated that the addition of SNZVI/BC at a dosage of 3% significantly lessened the concentration of available Cd in the contaminated soil from 14.9 (without addition) to 9.9 mg kg−1 with an immobilization efficiency of 33.3%, indicating a synergistic effect. The sequential extraction results indicated that the proportion of the residual Cd in the contaminated soil increased from 8.1 to 10.3%, manifesting the transformation of the unstable Cd fractions to the steadier specie after application of SNZVI/BC. Also, the addition of SNZVI/BC increased soil pH, organic matter, and dissolved organic carbon, which significantly altered the bacterial community in the soil, enriching the relative abundances of functional microbes (e.g., Bacillus, Clostridium, and Desulfosporosinus). These functional microorganisms further facilitated the generation of ammonium, nitrate, and ferrous iron in the contaminated paddy soil, enhancing nutrients’ availability. The direct interaction between SNZVI/BC and Cd2+, the altered soil physicochemical properties, and the responded bacterial community played important roles in Cd immobilization in the contaminated soil. Overall, the biochar-based SNZVI is a promising candidate for the effective immobilization of Cd and the improvement of nutrients’ availability in the contaminated paddy soil. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Wounding initiates intricate responses crucial for tissue repair and regeneration. Yet, the gene regulatory networks governing wound healing remain poorly understood. Here, employing single-worm RNA sequencing (swRNA-seq) across 12 time-points, we delineated a three-stage wound repair process in C. elegans: response, repair, and remodeling. Integrating diverse datasets, we constructed a dynamic regulatory network comprising 241 transcription regulators and their inferred targets. We identified potentially seven autoregulatory TFs and five cross-autoregulatory loops involving pqm-1 and jun-1. We revealed that TFs might interact with chromatin factors and form TF-TF combinatory modules via intrinsically disordered regions to enhance response robustness. We experimentally validated six regulators functioning in transcriptional and translocation-dependent manners. Notably, nhr-76, daf-16, nhr-84, and oef-1 are potentially required for efficient repair, while elt-2 may act as an inhibitor. These findings elucidate transcriptional responses and hierarchical regulatory networks during C. elegans wound repair, shedding light on mechanisms underlying tissue repair and regeneration.

Phase decomposition can effectively enhance the mechanical properties of carbide ceramics and can overcome the difficulty of enhancing the mechanical properties of single-phase multicomponent carbide ceramics. In this work, a series of nonstoichiometric (TiZrVNb)Cx ceramics were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at different temperatures. The effects of the carbon content on the phase composition, microstructure evolution, and mechanical properties were investigated in detail. Phase decomposition occurred with decreasing carbon content. Two different solid solutions of (Ti,V)-rich and Zr-rich phases formed from the decomposition of equimolar single-phase solid solutions, namely, the Zr-poor phase and Zr-rich phase, respectively. The distribution of Nb element is relatively uniform. The semicoherent interfaces between the Zr-poor phase and the Zr-rich phase can harden and strengthen effectively under the synergistic effect of grain refinement. Ceramics with phase decomposition structures have apparent advantages compared to single-phase high-entropy carbides. This work provides an important train of thought for the microstructure tailoring and properties optimization of multi-component carbide ceramics.

To improve the oxidation resistance of short carbon fiber (Csf)-reinforced mechanically alloyed SiBCN (MA-SiBCN) (Csf/MA-SiBCN) composites, dense amorphous Csf/SiBCN composites containing both MA-SiBCN and polymer-derived ceramics SiBCN (PDCs-SiBCN) were prepared by repeated polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) of layered Csf/MA-SiBCN composites at 1100 °C, and the oxidation behavior and damage mechanism of the as-prepared Csf/SiBCN at 1300–1600 °C were compared and discussed with those of Csf/MA-SiBCN. The Csf/MA-SiBCN composites resist oxidation attack up to 1400 °C but fail at 1500 °C due to the collapse of the porous framework, while the PIP-densified Csf/SiBCN composites are resistant to static air up to 1600 °C. During oxidation, oxygen diffuses through preexisting pores and the pores left by oxidation of carbon fibers and pyrolytic carbon (PyC) to the interior of the matrix. Owing to the oxidative coupling effect of the MA-SiBCN and PDCs-SiBCN matrices, a relatively continuous and dense oxide layer is formed on the sample surface, and the interfacial region between the oxide layer and the matrix of the as-prepared composite contains an amorphous glassy structure mainly consisting of Si and O and an incompletely oxidized but partially crystallized matrix, which is primarily responsible for improving the oxidation resistance.

To address the relatively mediocre mechanical properties of single-phase multi-component carbide ceramics, a phase transition from a single phase to multiple phases was proposed to achieve superior mechanical properties. A series of (TiZrVxNb)C0.8 ceramics with different V contents were fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The influence of the V content on the phase composition, microstructural evolution, and mechanical properties was investigated in detail. The transition behavior from a single phase to multiple phases is discovered and discussed. The formation of the Zr-rich phase and Zr-poor phase can be attributed to the increase in lattice distortion and mixed enthalpy caused by the addition of V. A nanometer lamellar structure with a semi-coherent interface obtained via in situ decomposition is reported for the first time in multi-component carbide ceramics. The semi-coherent interfaces with high dislocation density and strain concentration effectively improve the mechanical properties, grain refinement, and multi-phase formation. The optimal comprehensive mechanical properties of the Vickers hardness (26.3 GPa), flexural strength (369 MPa), and fracture toughness (3.1 MPa·m1/2) were achieved for the sample with 20 mol% V.

Abstract Klebsiella pneumoniae has become one of the most intractable gram-negative pathogens infecting humans and animals due to its severe antibiotic resistance. Bacteriophages and protein products derived from them are receiving increasing amounts of attention as potential alternatives to antibiotics. In this study, we isolated and investigated the characteristics of a new lytic phage, P1011, which lyses K5 K. pneumoniae specifically among 26 serotypes. The K5-specific capsular polysaccharide-degrading depolymerase dep1011 was identified and expressed. By establishing murine infection models using bovine strain B16 (capable of supporting phage proliferation) and human strain KP181 (incapable of sustaining phage expansion), we explored the safety and efficacy of phage and dep1011 treatments against K5 K. pneumoniae. Phage P1011 resulted in a 60% survival rate of the mice challenged with K. pneumoniae supporting phage multiplication, concurrently lowering the bacterial burden in their blood, liver, and lungs. Unexpectedly, even when confronted with bacteria impervious to phage multiplication, phage therapy markedly decreased the number of viable organisms. The protective efficacy of the depolymerase was significantly better than that of the phage. The depolymerase achieved 100% survival in both treatment groups regardless of phage propagation compatibility. These findings indicated that P1011 and dep1011 might be used as potential antibacterial agents to control K5 K. pneumoniae infection.

Superhydrophobic coatings have aroused great research interest due to their potential applications in aviation, energy, etc. However, the coatings are inclined to lose hydrophobicity when exposed to chemical corrosion, which makes them difficult to play a crucial role in some demanding areas such as road engineering. Self-healing of coatings without external stimulations is challenging but essential for reliable superhydrophobic and anti-ice properties, such an interesting topic has been rarely reported. Here we design a self-healing superhydrophobic CNT@SiO2 coating for anti-ice application. The dodecyl trimethoxysilane modified CNT@SiO2 nanoparticles are mixed with epoxy resin and sprayed to form the robust coating, which exhibits excellent superhydrophobicity (155.1°), self-healing properties and ice resistance. After seven strong alkali corrosion cycles, the self-healing rate recover more than 96% after 48 h. The coating almost doubles the freezing time even at −20 °C. The novel and simple strategy for preparing self-healing and anti-icing multifunctional coating provides a new viewpoint in surface protection.

In contrast to ordinary portland cement (PC), the manufacturing process of high belite cement (HBC) boasts superior resource utilization, reduced energy consumption, and diminished greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, HBC exhibits notable strengths in terms of durability and mechanical properties. This study delves into the thermal characteristics of hydration, mechanical behaviour, and failure mechanisms of HBC materials, both with and without fiber admixtures, employing a multifaceted approach encompassing hydration heat experiments, uniaxial compression tests, Brazilian tensile tests, alongside advanced techniques such as acoustic emission (AE) and digital image correlation (DIC). The results indicate that HBC has lower hydration heat release, contributing to a reduction in hydration temperature rise, offering advantages in large-scale structural construction. In terms of strength development, HBC exhibits compressive and tensile strengths similar to PC, while the strength of basalt fiber-reinforced HBC is notably lower than both. In terms of failure modes, both HBC and PC undergo shear failure in uniaxial compression tests, whereas basalt fiber-reinforced HBC experiences splitting failure. In Brazilian tensile tests, HBC and PC exhibit single-direction cracking, while basalt fiber-reinforced HBC shows synchronous cracking at the top, middle, and bottom. Due to the crack-arresting effect of basalt fibers, basalt fiber-reinforced HBC displays a bimodal feature on the stress-strain curve and features a stress plateau on both the stress-strain and strain energy development curves.

ObjectivesThis study attempted to determine potential predictors among radiomics features for poor prognosis in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), develop models for prediction, and verify their predictive power.MethodsIn total, 252 patients with aSAH were included in this study and categorized into favorable and poor outcome groups based on the modified Rankin Scale score 3 months after event. Radiomics features of the ruptured intracranial aneurysm extracted from computed tomography angiography images were selected using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and 10-fold cross-validation. A radiomics score was created by selecting the optimal features. Other risk factors for a poor prognosis were screened using multivariate regression analysis. Three models (clinical, aneurysm, and clinical-aneurysm combined models) were developed. The performance of the models was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. A clinical-aneurysm combined nomogram was constructed to forecast the risk of poor prognosis in patients with aSAH.ResultsA total of three clinical variables and six radiomics features were shown to have a significant association with poor prognosis in patients with aSAH. In the training cohort, the clinical, aneurysm, and clinical-aneurysm combined models had areas under the ROC curves of 0.846, 0.762, and 0.893, respectively. In the testing cohort, these models had areas under the ROC curves of 0.848, 0.753, and 0.869, respectively.ConclusionThe radiomics characteristics of ruptured intracranial aneurysms are valuable to predict prognosis after aSAH. The clinical-aneurysm combined model exhibited the best among the three models. The clinical-aneurysm combined nomogram is a reliable and effective tool for predicting poor prognosis in patients with aSAH.

IntroductionCognitive impairment in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with brain structural damage. However, no prior studies have investigated the relationship between brain texture features and the cognitive function in ESRD patients. This study aimed to investigate changes in brain texture features in ESRD patients and their relationships with cognitive function using voxel-based 3D brain texture analysis (TA), and further predict individual cognitive-related brain damage in ESRD patients.MethodsForty-seven ESRD patients and 45 control subjects underwent whole-brain high-resolution 3D T1-weighted imaging scans and neuropsychological assessments. The voxel-based 3D brain TA was performed to examine inter-group differences in brain texture features. Additionally, within the ESRD group, the relationships of altered texture features with neuropsychological function and clinical indicators were analyzed. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive ability of brain texture features for cognitive-related brain damage in ESRD patients.ResultsCompared to the control group, the ESRD group exhibited altered texture features in several brain regions, including the insula, temporal lobe, striatum, cerebellum, and fusiform gyrus (p

BackgroundAlthough the problem of malnutrition among children in China has greatly improved in recent years, there is a gap compared to developed countries, and there are differences between provinces. Research on long-term comprehensive trends in child growth failure (CGF) in China is needed for further improvement. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine trends in stunting, wasting, and underweight among children younger than 5 years in China from 2000 to 2019, and predict CGF till 2030. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the local burden of disease (LBD) database. Using Joinpoint Regression Software, we examined trends in CGF among children younger than 5 years in China from 2000 to 2019, and predicted the trends of prevalence in 2030, using the Holt-Winters model with trends but without seasonal components. The assessment was performed with Stata 17 (StataCorp). Data were analyzed from October 17, 2023, to November 22, 2023. ResultsIn 2019, the prevalences of stunting, wasting, and underweight decreased to 12%, 3%, and 4%, respectively (decreases of 36.9%, 25.0%, and 42.9%, respectively, compared with the values in 2000). The prevalence of CGF decreased rapidly from 2000 to 2010, and the downward trend slowed down after 2010. Most provinces had stagnated processes of trends after 2017. The age group with the highest stunting prevalence was children aged 1 to 4 years, and the highest prevalence of wasting and underweight was noted in early neonatal infants. From 2000 to 2019, the prevalence of CGF declined in all age groups of children. The largest relative decrease in stunting and underweight was noted in children aged 1 to 4 years, and the largest decrease in wasting was noted in early neonatal infants. The prevalences of stunting, wasting, and underweight in China are estimated to decrease to 11.4%, 3.2%, and 4.1%, respectively, by 2030. China has nationally met the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Targets for 2030 for stunting but not for wasting. ConclusionsThis study provides data on the prevalence and trends of CGF among children younger than 5 years and reports declines in CGF. There remain areas with slow progress in China. Most units have achieved the goal for stunting prevalence but not wasting prevalence.

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has shown good short-term efficacy in the treatment of oral leukoplakia (OLK). However, the malignant transformation of OLK was seldom evaluated in most PDT studies. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of PDT on the risk of malignant transformation of OLK. Methods: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, COX regression, and sensitivity analysis were used to evaluate the effects of PDT on the risk of malignant transformation of OLK. Subgroup analyses were performed to explore the role of PDT in OLK patients with different clinical characteristics. Results: OLK patients with older age (HR=1.032, P = 0.018) and non-homogeneous lesion (HR=2.104, P = 0.044) had higher risk of malignant transformation. Patients who had finished a complete course of PDT (HR=0.305, P = 0.006) had a significant lower risk of malignant transformation, while those who hadn't finished a complete course of PDT (HR=0.692, P = 0.352) cannot be considered to have such a protective effect. In the subgroup analyses, complete PDT course showed a significant protective effect on malignant transformation of OLK in patients with female sex, no smoking or drinking habits, non-homogeneous lesions, lesions on oral mucosa outside the dangerous region, and any grade of epithelial dysplasia. Conclusions: A complete course of PDT could significantly reduce the risk of malignant transformation of OLK, especially in those patients with risk factors of malignant transformation.

BackgroundMost patients with multiple hepatocellular carcinoma (MHCC) are at advanced stage once diagnosed, so that clinical treatment and decision-making are quite tricky. The AJCC-TNM system cannot accurately determine prognosis, our study aimed to identify prognostic factors for MHCC and to develop a prognostic model to quantify the risk and survival probability of patients.MethodsEligible patients with HCC were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, and then prognostic models were built using Cox regression, machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) algorithms. The model’s performance was evaluated using C-index, receiver operating characteristic curve, Brier score and decision curve analysis, respectively, and the best model was interpreted using SHapley additive explanations (SHAP) interpretability technique.ResultsA total of eight variables were included in the follow-up study, our analysis identified that the gradient boosted machine (GBM) model was the best prognostic model for advanced MHCC. In particular, the GBM model in the training cohort had a C-index of 0.73, a Brier score of 0.124, with area under the curve (AUC) values above 0.78 at the first, third, and fifth year. Importantly, the model also performed well in test cohort. The Kaplan–Meier (K-M) survival analysis demonstrated that the newly developed risk stratification system could well differentiate the prognosis of patients.ConclusionOf the ML models, GBM model could predict the prognosis of advanced MHCC patients most accurately.

BackgroundDepression is a common mental illness with a high prevalence in overweight or obese individuals. Recent studies suggest that the Metabolic Score for Visceral Fat (METS-VF) is a novel metric for assessing visceral fat levels, potentially linking metabolic disturbances to depression. This study explores the association between METS-VF and depression severity in overweight or obese U.S. adults.MethodsData were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2018 dataset, including 9,415 overweight or obese participants. Depression severity was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). To assess the association between METS-VF and depression, the study methodology included multivariate logistic regression, subgroup analyses, generalized additive model (GAM), and smoothed curve fitting. This study also calculated BMI for the Non-Hispanic Asian population from 2011-2018 and incorporated this data as part of a sensitivity analysis.ResultsElevated levels of METS-VF in overweight or obese participants were significantly associated with increased PHQ-9 scores and an increased likelihood of depression. Notably, this association remained significant after adjustment for multiple covariates. Smoothed curve-fitting plots showed no nonlinear association between METS-VF and PHQ-9 scores. Subgroup analyses confirmed the robustness of these results across populations, particularly among people under the age of fifty. The sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the results in this study.ConclusionMETS-VF levels were positively associated with depression severity and the likelihood of depression in overweight or obese individuals, with the association being particularly pronounced in people under 50 years of age.

The ultrasound-assisted extraction technique was used for extracting polysaccharides of Tricholoma matsutake (PTM) in this work. The effects of different parameters, i.e., solid-to-liquid ratio, ultrasonic power, extraction time, and extraction temperature on the PTM yield were optimized using a rotatable, orthogonal central composite design. In the derived optimal conditions, the PTM yield was 16.97 ± 0.06%, which corresponded well with the regression model predicted value of 16.85%. The extracted PTM was purified, and the structural characteristics and antioxidant activities were investigated. The PTM was found to be composed mainly of fructose, mannose, glucose, and galactose with a molar molecular ratio of 1:2.25:9.35:5, and an average molecular weight of 90,100 Da. High antioxidant effects of PTM were seen in the tests of DPPH, hydroxyl, and ABTS radical scavenging, along with a moderate superoxide radical scavenging rate.

IntroductionResidential load forecasting is a challenging task due to the random fluctuations caused by complex correlations and individual differences. The existing short-term load forecasting models usually introduce external influencing factors such as climate and date. However, these additional information not only bring computational burden to the model, but also have uncertainty. To address these issues, we propose a novel multi-level feature fusion model based on graph attention temporal convolutional network (MLFGCN) for short-term residential load forecasting.MethodsThe proposed MLFGCN model fully considers the potential long-term dependencies in a single load series and the correlations between multiple load series, and does not require any additional information to be added. Temporal convolutional network (TCN) with gating mechanism is introduced to learn potential long-term dependencies in the original load series. In addition, we design two graph attentive convolutional modules to capture potential multi-level dependencies in load data. Finally, the outputs of each module are fused through an information fusion layer to obtain the highly accurate forecasting results.ResultsWe conduct validation experiments on two real-world datasets. The results show that the proposed MLFGCN model achieves 0.25, 7.58% and 0.50 for MAE, MAPE and RMSE, respectively. These values are significantly better than those of baseline models.DiscussionThe MLFGCN algorithm proposed in this paper can significantly improve the accuracy of short-term residential load forecasting. This is achieved through high-quality feature reconstruction, comprehensive information graph construction and spatiotemporal features capture.

This paper presents a detailed analysis of a case initially misdiagnosed as Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), which was later correctly identified as MYH9-related disease (MYH9-RD), a rare genetic disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia, large platelets, and Döhle-like inclusion bodies in neutrophils. Using advanced slide reading technology, our team identified hallmark features of MYH9-RD in the patient's blood samples, leading to genetic testing that confirmed a spontaneous mutation in the MYH9 gene. This report highlights the diagnostic journey, emphasizing the crucial role of recognizing specific hematologic signs to accurately diagnose MYH9-RD. By comparing our findings with existing literature, we highlight the genetic underpinnings and clinical manifestations of MYH9-RD, emphasizing the necessity for heightened awareness and diagnostic precision in clinical practice to prevent similar cases of misdiagnosis. This case demonstrates the importance of integrating genetic testing into routine diagnostic protocols for unexplained thrombocytopenia, paving the way for improved patient care and treatment outcomes.

ABSTRACT Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) poses a significant threat to hospitalized patients as effective therapeutic options are scarce. Based on the genomic characteristics of the CRAB strain AB2877 harboring chromosome-borne blaOXA-23, which was isolated from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of a patient in a respiratory intensive care unit (RICU), we systematically analyzed antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and the genetic context associated with ARGs carried by CRAB strains harboring chromosome-borne blaOXA-23 worldwide. Besides blaOXA-23, other ARGs were detected on the chromosome of the CRAB strain AB2877 belonging to ST208/1806 (Oxford MLST scheme). Several key genetic contexts associated with the ARGs were identified on the chromosome of the CRAB strain AB2877, including (1) the MDR region associated with blaOXA-23, tet(B)-tetR(B), aph(3'')-Ib, and aph(6)-Id (2); the resistance island AbGRI3 harboring armA and mph(E)-msr(E) (3); the Tn3-like composite transposon containing blaTEM-1D and aph(3')-Ia; and (4) the structure “ISAba1-blaADC-25.” The first two genetic contexts were most common in ST195/1816, followed by ST208/1806. The last two genetic contexts were found most frequently in ST208/1806, followed by ST195/1816.IMPORTANCEThe blaOXA-23 gene can be carried by plasmid or chromosome, facilitating horizontal genetic transfer and increasing carbapenem resistance in healthcare settings. In this study, we focused on the genomic characteristics of CRAB strains harboring the chromosome-borne blaOXA-23 gene, and the important genetic contexts associated with blaOXA-23 and other ARGs were identified, and their prevalent clones worldwide were determined. Notably, although the predominant clonal CRAB lineages worldwide containing the MDR region associated with blaOXA-23, tet(B)-tetR(B), aph(3'')-Ib, and aph (6)-Id was ST195/1816, followed by ST208/1806, the CRAB strain AB2877 in our study belonged to ST208/1806. Our findings contribute to the knowledge regarding the dissemination of CRAB strains and the control of nosocomial infection.

Summary: Folliculin interacting protein 1 (FNIP1) primarily participates in regulating cellular energy metabolism and is associated with Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) syndrome. Although FNIP1 has been demonstrated to function as both a tumor suppressor and promoter, its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. Our study demonstrated a significant downregulation of FNIP1 in CRC, correlating with shorter overall and disease-specific survival. FNIP1 may potentially serve as an independent prognostic factor in CRC. Moreover, FNIP1 inhibited CRC progression in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, FNIP1 bound to phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (p-STAT3) and downregulated its expression. FNIP1 deletion increased STAT3 phosphorylation and nuclear localization, thereby promoting CRC progression. The use of p-STAT3-specific chemical inhibitors successfully mitigated excessive tumorigenesis resulting from FNIP1 absence. Thus, our results suggest that FNIP1 hinders CRC progression by suppressing STAT3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. FNIP1 may be a candidate prognostic indicator and a therapeutic target for intervention in CRC.

The poppet valves two-stroke (PV2S) aircraft engine fueled with sustainable aviation fuel is a promising option for general aviation and unmanned aerial vehicle propulsion due to its high power-to-weight ratio, uniform torque output, and flexible valve timings. However, its high-altitude gas exchange performance remains unexplored, presenting new opportunities for optimization through artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This study uses validated 1D + 3D models to evaluate the high-altitude gas exchange performance of PV2S aircraft engines. The valve timings of the PV2S engine exhibit considerable flexibility, thus the Latin hypercube design of experiments (DoE) methodology is employed to fit a response surface model. A genetic algorithm (GA) is applied to iteratively optimize valve timings for varying altitudes. The optimization process reveals that increasing the intake duration while decreasing the exhaust duration and valve overlap angles can significantly enhance high-altitude gas exchange performance. The optimal valve overlap angle emerged as 93 °CA at sea level and 82 °CA at 4000 m altitude. The effects of operating parameters, including engine speed, load, and exhaust back pressure, on the gas exchange process at varying altitudes are further investigated. The higher engine speed increases trapping efficiency but decreases the delivery ratio and charging efficiency at various altitudes. This effect is especially pronounced at elevated altitudes. The increase in exhaust back pressure will significantly reduce the delivery ratio and increase the trapping efficiency. This study demonstrates that integrating DoE with AI algorithms can enhance the high-altitude performance of aircraft engines, serving as a valuable reference for further optimization efforts.

Aiming at the problem of waveform distortion of the secondary traveling wave obtained from the primary traveling wave signal transmitted by the voltage traveling wave sensor, an accurate detection method of voltage traveling wave based on ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and L1 norm least squares regularization is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the forward transfer function model of the specialized voltage traveling wave sensor is established, and the inversion model is derived to analyze the phase frequency and amplitude frequency characteristics of the secondary traveling wave after transmission. EEMD is used to decompose the secondary traveling wave into the intrinsic modal function (IMF) components of different frequency bands. The L1 norm least square regularization inversion algorithm was used to invert each IMF component. Finally, the IMF' components after inversion are synthesized to obtain the primary traveling wave. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is not affected by noise, mode aliasing effect and regularization parameter accuracy, and the obtained waveform has high similarity to the simulated waveform, which enables precise identification of fault traveling wave.

Abstract Two‐dimensional (2D) non‐layered materials, along with their unique surface properties, offer intriguing prospects for sensing applications. Introducing mechanical degrees of freedom is expected to enrich the sensing performances of 2D non‐layered devices, such as high frequency, high tunability, and large dynamic range, which could lead to new types of high performance nanosensors. Here, we demonstrate 2D non‐layered nanomechanical resonant sensors based on β‐In2S3, where the devices exhibit robust nanomechanical vibrations up to the very high frequency (VHF) band. We show that such device can operate as pressure sensor with broad range (from 10−3 Torr to atmospheric pressure), high linearity (with a nonlinearity factor as low as 0.0071), and fast response (with an intrinsic response time less than 1 μs). We further unveil the frequency scaling law in these β‐In2S3 nanomechanical sensors and successfully extract both the Young's modulus and pretension for the crystal. Our work paves the way towards future wafer‐scale design and integrated sensors based on 2D non‐layered materials.

Background: The treatment of oral leukoplakia (OLK) with aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) is widespread. Nonetheless, there is variation in efficacy. Therefore, this study constructed a model for predicting the short-term efficacy and recurrence of OLK after ALA-PDT. Methods: The short-term efficacy and recurrence of ALA-PDT were calculated by statistical analysis, and the relevant influencing factors were analyzed by Logistic regression and COX regression model. Finally, prediction models for total response (TR) rate, complete response (CR) rate and recurrence in OLK patients after ALA-PDT treatment were established. Features from pathology sections were extracted using deep learning autoencoder and combined with clinical variables to improve prediction performance of the model. Results: The logistic regression analysis showed that the non-homogeneous (OR: 4.911, P: 0.023) OLK and lesions with moderate to severe epithelial dysplasia (OR: 4.288, P: 0.042) had better short-term efficacy. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of CR, TR and recurrence predict models after the ALA-PDT treatment of OLK patients is 0.872, 0.718, and 0.564, respectively. Feature extraction revealed an association between inflammatory cell infiltration in the lamina propria and recurrence after PDT. Combining clinical variables and deep learning improved the performance of recurrence model by more than 30 %. Conclusions: ALA-PDT has excellent short-term efficacy in the management of OLK but the recurrence rate was high. Prediction model based on clinicopathological characteristics has excellent predictive effect for short-term efficacy but limited effect for recurrence. The use of deep learning and pathology images greatly improves predictive value of the models.

Aims: Cerebral ischemic preconditioning is a neuroprotective therapy against cerebral ischemia and ischemia-reperfusion injury. This study aims to demonstrate the alternation of gene expression in exosomes from brain tissue of mice after ischemic preconditioning and their potential functions. Methods: Ten mice were divided into the sham and the cerebral ischemic preconditioning groups. Their brain tissues were harvested, from which the exosomes were extracted. The characteristics and protective effects of exosomes were evaluated. Whole transcriptome sequencing was used to demonstrate the gene expression discrepancy between the exosomes from the two groups of mice brains. Volcano graphs and heatmaps were used to picture the difference in expression quantity of mRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA. Gene ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed to demonstrate the functions of differentially expressed RNAs. Results: Exosomes were successfully extracted, and those from the cerebral ischemic preconditioning group had better protective effects on cells that received oxygen-glucose deprivation and restoration injury. A total of 306 mRNAs and 374 lncRNAs were significantly upregulated, and 320 mRNAs and 405 lncRNAs were significantly downregulated in the preconditioning group. No circRNAs were differentially expressed between the two groups. GO and KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the functions of differentially expressed RNAs were related to both neural protective and injurious effects. Conclusion: The brain-derived exosomes may participate in the neuroprotective effect of cerebral ischemic preconditioning. Thorough research is necessary to investigate exosome functions derived from the ischemic preconditioned brain.