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Xue-hua Xu,1,* Jie-rong Cai,2,* Hui-feng Fan,1,* Ting-ting Shi,1 Di-yuan Yang,1 Li Huang,3 Dong-wei Zhang,1 Gen Lu1 1Department of Respiratory, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Panyu District Central Hospital, Guangdong, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 3Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Gen Lu, Department of Respiratory, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 20 38076135, Fax +86 20 38076626, Email lugen5663330@sina.comPurpose: Plastic bronchitis (PB), a rare complication of respiratory infection characterized by the formation of casts in the tracheobronchial tree, can lead to airway obstruction and severe condition. Adenovirus is one of the common pathogens of PB caused by infection. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features and risk factors for PB in children with severe adenovirus pneumonia.Methods: A retrospective study of children with severe adenovirus pneumonia with bronchoscopy results at Guangzhou Women and Children’s Hospital between January 2018 and January 2020 was performed. Based on bronchoscopy, we divided children with severe adenovirus pneumonia into two groups: PB and non-PB. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for PB in patients with severe adenovirus pneumonia after univariate analysis.Results: Our study examined 156 patients with severe adenovirus pneumonia with bronchoscopy results in hospital. Among them, 18 developed PB and 138 did not. On multivariate analysis, the independent risk factors of PB in children with severe adenovirus pneumonia were history of allergies (OR 10.147, 95% CI 1.727– 59.612; P=0.010), diminished breath sounds (OR 12.856, 95% CI 3.259– 50.713; P=0.001), and increased proportion of neutrophils (> 70%; OR 8.074, 95% CI 1.991– 32.735; P=0.003).Conclusion: Children with severe adenovirus pneumonia with a history of allergies, diminished breath sounds, and increased the proportion of neutrophils > 70% may show higher risk of PB.Keywords: plastic bronchitis, severe adenovirus pneumonia, risk factors, children

Li Tao Zhang,1 Sung Won Lee,2 Kwangsung Park,3 Woo Sik Chung,4 Sae Woong Kim,5 Jae Seog Hyun,6 Doo Geon Moon,7 Sang-Kuk Yang,8 Ji Kan Ryu,9 Dae Yul Yang,10 Ki Hak Moon,11 Kweon Sik Min,12 Jong Kwan Park1 1Department of Urology, Chonbuk National University, Medical School and Biomedical Research Institute and Clinical Trial Center for Medical Devices of Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju; 2Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul; 3Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju; 4Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Ewha Woman’s University, Seoul; 5Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Catholic University, Seoul; 6Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Kyungsang National University, Jinju; 7Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul; 8Department of Urology, Chungju Hospital, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Chungju; 9Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon; 10Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul; 11Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Youngnam University, Daegu; 12Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan, Republic of Korea Background: The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of alfuzosin 10 mg monotherapy or combined antihypertensive medication on blood pressure (BP) in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH/LUTS) with or without antihypertensive medication.Methods: This was a 3-month, multicenter, randomized, open-label study in 335 patients aged ≥45 years with a clinical diagnosis of BPH/LUTS by medical history and clinical examination, a total International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥8 points, a maximum flow rate >5 mL/sec and ≤15 mL/sec, and a voided volume ≥120 mL. Eligible subjects were randomized to receive alfuzosin 10 mg as monotherapy (group 1) or alfuzosin 10 mg + antihypertensive combination therapy (group 2). Based on baseline BP and hypertensive history with or without antihypertensive medications at first medical examination, group 1 was divided into two subgroups of normotensive and untreated hypertensive patients, and group 2 into two subgroups of controlled hypertensive and uncontrolled hypertensive patients. The primary study outcomes were change in IPSS, BP, and heart rate from baseline. Secondary outcomes were change in IPSS-quality of life score, maximum flow rate, average flow rate, voided volume, and post-voided volume.Results: The overall BP change was not significantly different between groups 1 and 2 (systolic BP, P=0.825; diastolic BP, P>0.999). In patients with uncontrolled or untreated hypertension, alfuzosin 10 mg alone or combined with antihypertensive therapy significantly decreased systolic and diastolic BP. The mean difference in total IPSS and IPSS-quality of life scores from baseline between groups 1 and 2 was 0.45 (95% CI: −1.26, 2.16) and 0.12 (95% CI: −0.21, 0.45), respectively (both P>0.05). Maximum flow rate, average flow rate, voided volume, and post-voided volume at endpoint were numerically, but not significantly, changed from baseline (all P>0.05).Conclusion: This study shows that alfuzosin 10 mg is effective and well tolerated in patients with BPH/LUTS with or without antihypertensive medications. However, in patients with uncontrolled or untreated hypertension, alfuzosin 10 mg alone or in combination with antihypertensive medication appears to decrease systolic and diastolic BP, and these patients should be warned about a decrease in BP on initiation of therapy. Keywords: alfuzosin, lower urinary tract symptoms, benign prostatic hyperplasia, antihypertensive medication, blood pressureA Letter to the Editor has been received and published for this article.

The reddish-orange color of Antarctic krill oil fades during storage, and the mechanism remains unclear. Model systems containing different combinations of astaxanthin (ASTA), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and tocopherol were subjected to accelerated storage. Among all groups containing ASTA, only the ones with added PE showed significant fading. Meanwhile, the specific UV-visible absorption (A 470 and A 495 ) showed a similar trend. Peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances increased during storage, while ASTA and PE contents decreased. Correlation analysis suggested that oxidized PE promoted fading by accelerating the transformation of ASTA. PE content exceeded the critical micelle concentration (1μg/g) indicating the formation of reverse micelles. Molecular docking analysis indicated that PE also interacted with ASTA in an anchor-like manner. Therefore, it is speculated that amphiphilic ASTA is more readily distributed at the oil-water interface of reverse micelles and captured by oxidized PE, which facilitates oxidation transfer, leading to ASTA oxidation and color fading., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Precise control over the organic composition is crucial for tailoring the distinctive structures and properties of hybrid metal halides. However, this approach is seldom utilized to develop materials that exhibit stimuli-responsive circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). Herein, we present the synthesis and characterization of enantiomeric hybrid zinc bromides: biprotonated ((R/S)-C 12 H 16 N 2 )ZnBr 4 ((R/S-LH2)ZnBr 4 ) and monoprotonated ((R/S)-C 12 H 15 N 2 ) 2 ZnBr 4 ((R/S-LH1) 2 ZnBr 4 ), derived from the chiral organic amine (R/S)-2,3,4,9-Tetrahydro-1H-carbazol-3-amine ((R/S)-C 12 H 14 N 2 ). These compounds showcase luminescent properties; the zero-dimensional biprotonated form emits green light at 505 nm, while the monoprotonated form, with a pseudo-layered structure, displays red luminescence at 599 and 649 nm. Remarkably, the reversible local protonation-deprotonation behavior of the organic cations allows for exposure to polar solvents and heating to induce reversible structural and luminescent transformations between the two forms. Theoretical calculations reveal that the lower energy barrier associated with the deprotonation process within the pyrrole ring is responsible for the local protonation-deprotonation behavior observed. These enantiomorphic hybrid zinc bromides also exhibit switchable circular dichroism (CD) and CPL properties. Furthermore, their chloride counterparts were successfully obtained by adjusting the halogen ions. Importantly, the unique stimuli-responsive CPL characteristics position these hybrid zinc halides as promising candidates for applications in information storage, anti-counterfeiting, and information encryption., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The gut microbiota is implicated in the pathogenesis of hyperuricemia (HUA) and gout. However, it remains unclear whether probiotics residing in the host gut, such as Lactobacillus , can prevent HUA development. Herein, we isolated Lactobacillus plantarum SQ001 from the cecum of HUA geese and conducted in vitro assays on uric acid (UA) and nucleoside co-culture. Metabolomics and genome-wide analyses, revealed that this strain may promote nucleoside uptake and hydrolysis through its nucleoside hydrolase gene. The functional role of iunH gene was confirmed via heterologous expression and gene knockout studies. Oral administration of L. plantarum SQ001 resulted in increased abundance of Lactobacillus species and reduced serum UA levels. Furthermore, it downregulated hepatic xanthine oxidase, a key enzyme involved in UA synthesis, as well as renal reabsorption protein GLUT9, while enhancing the expression of renal excretion protein ABCG2. Our findings suggest that L. plantarum has potential to ameliorate gut microbial dysbiosis with HUA, thereby offering insights into its potential application as a probiotic therapy for individuals with HUA or gout., Competing Interests: YF, XL, JL, QM, XW, YZ, YZ, HL, DX, WM, JC, LW, QD, LB, MK, KM, ZL, HY, QC, YZ, LY, QT, WW No competing interests declared, XJ, JC Affiliated with Biotech Co. Ltd; the author has no financial interests to declare, PZ Affiliated with Chimelong Group Co; the author has no financial interests to declare, (© 2024, Fu et al.)

Most coexisting insect species exhibit stunted growth compared to individual species on plants. This phenomenon reflects an interspecific antagonism drawing extensive attention, while the underlying mechanisms remain largely uncharacterized. Mirids (Apolygus lucorum) and cotton bollworms (Helicoverpa armigera) are two common cotton pests. We identified a secretory protein, ASP1, from the oral secretion of mirids, found in the nucleus of mirid-infested cotton leaves. ASP1 specifically targets the transcriptional co-repressor TOPLESS (TPL) and inhibits NINJA-mediated recruitment of TPL, promoting plant defense response and gossypol accumulation in cotton glands. ASP1-enhanced defense inhibits the growth of cotton bollworms on cotton plants, while having limited impact on mirids. The mesophyll-feeding characteristic allows mirids to avoid most cotton glands, invalidating cotton defense. Our investigation reveals the molecular mechanism by which mirids employ cotton defense to selectively inhibit the feeding of cotton bollworms., (Copyright © 2024 The Author. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objectives: The 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) was developed to expand protection for pneumococcal disease. It contains all 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) components plus conjugates for 7 additional serotypes. Our primary objective with this study was to evaluate PCV20 tolerability and safety., Methods: In this phase 3, multi-country, double-blind study, healthy infants born at ≥34 weeks' gestation were randomly assigned 2:1 to receive PCV20 or PCV13 at 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months of age. Safety assessments included local reactions and systemic events within 7 days after each vaccination, adverse events (AEs) from dose 1 to 1 month after dose 3 and from dose 4 to 1 month after dose 4, and serious AEs and newly diagnosed chronic medical conditions from dose 1 through 6 months after the last dose., Results: Participants received PCV20 (N = 1000) or PCV13 (N = 504); 91.7% received all 4 doses. The frequencies of local reactions and systemic events were generally similar in PCV20 and PCV13 groups, with most reported as mild or moderate. The most common local reaction was injection site pain (PCV20, 24.7% to 40.5%; PCV13, 26.8% to 42.0%); irritability was the most common systemic event (PCV20, 54.8% to 68.2%; PCV13, 54.7% to 68.5%). AE frequencies were similar in both groups. No serious AEs were related to study vaccines. Few newly diagnosed chronic medical conditions were reported (2.8% in both groups). PCV20 was safe across multiple countries, in late preterm infants, and when administered with other vaccines., Conclusions: A 4-dose series of PCV20 had a tolerability and safety profile similar to that of PCV13.

Immunotherapy targeting immune checkpoints (ICPs), such as programmed death-ligand-1 (PD-L1), is used as a treatment option for advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, overall response rate to anti-PD-L1 treatment is limited due to antigen heterogeneity and the immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment. Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G), an ICP as well as a neoexpressed tumor-associated antigen, is previously demonstrated to be a beneficial target in combination with anti-PD-L1. In this study, a nanobody-based trispecific T cell engager (Nb-TriTE) is developed, capable of simultaneously binding to T cells, macrophages, and cancer cells while redirecting T cells toward tumor cells expressing PD-L1- and/or HLA-G. Nb-TriTE shows broad spectrum anti-tumor effects in vitro by augmenting cytotoxicity mediated by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In a humanized immunodeficient murine NSCLC model, Nb-TriTE exhibits superior anti-cancer potency compared to monoclonal antibodies and bispecific T cell engagers. Nb-TriTE, at the dose with pharmacoactivity, does not induce additional enhancement of circulating cytokines secretion from PMBCs. Nb-TriTE effectively prolongs the survival of mice without obvious adverse events. In conclusion, this study introduces an innovative therapeutic approach to address the challenges of immunotherapy and the tumor microenvironment in NSCLC through utilizing the dual ICP-targeting Nb-TriTE., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Background: Several organizations have proposed guidelines or clinical decision tools for the management of patients with disorders of gut-brain interactions (DGBI) affecting the lower digestive tract including irritable bowel syndrome and chronic idiopathic constipation. Such algorithms are based on sequential therapeutic trials and modifying the treatment strategy based on efficacy and adverse events., Purpose: The aims of this review are to evaluate the evidence for efficacy of second- and third-line pharmacotherapies and to assess the evidence for the alternative option to manage subgroups of patients with symptoms suggestive of lower DGBI based on diagnostic tests or documented dysfunctions. The preeminent tests to identify such subgroups that present with symptoms that overlap with lower DGBI are detailed: digital rectal examination as well as anorectal manometry and balloon expulsion for evacuation disorders, detailed measurements of colonic transit, and diagnosis of bile acid diarrhea or carbohydrate malabsorption based on biochemical measurements. The review also addresses the cost implications of screening to exclude alternative diagnoses and the costs of therapy associated with the therapeutic options following an algorithmic approach to treatment from the perspective of society, insurer, or patient. Finally, the costs of the diagnostic tests to identify actionable biomarkers and the evidence of efficacy of individualized therapy based on formal diagnosis or documentation of abnormal functions are detailed in the review., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Monozygotic (MZ) twins cannot be distinguished using conventional forensic STR typing because they present identical STR genotypings. However, MZ twins do not always live in the same environment and often have different dietary and other lifestyle habits. Metabolic profiles are deyermined by individual characteristics and are also influenced by the environment in which they live. Therefore, they are potential markers capable of identifying MZ twins. Moreover, the production of proteins varies from organism to organism and is influenced by both the physiological state of the body and the external environment. Hence, we used metabolomics and proteomics to identify metabolites and proteins in peripheral blood to discriminate MZ twins. We identified 1749 known metabolites and 622 proteins in proteomic analysis. The metabolic profiles of four pairs of MZ twins revealed minor differences in intra-MZ twins and major differences in inter-MZ twins. Each pair of MZ twins exhibited distinct characteristics, and four metabolites-methyl picolinate, acesulfame, paraxanthine, and phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid-were observed in all four MZ twin pairs. These four differential exogenous metabolites conincidently show that the different external environments and life styles can be well distinguished by metabolites, considering that twins do not all have the same eating habits and living environments. Moreover, MZ twins showed different protein profiles in serum but not in whole blood. Thus, our results indicate that differential metabolites provide potential biomarkers for the personal identification of MZ twins in forensic medicine., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Three mononuclear Dy III compounds [DyL 1 (Ph 3 SiO) 2 ][BPh 4 ]·MeCN·2H 2 O ( 1 ), [DyL 2 (Ph 3 SiO) 2 ][BPh 4 ]·C 2 H 5 OH·H 2 O ( 2 ), and [DyL 3 (Ph 3 SiO)(OAc)][BPh 4 ]·CH 3 OH·3H 2 O ( 3 ) and their corresponding Y III diluted analogues [Dy 0.0967 Y 0.9033 L 1 (Ph 3 SiO) 2 ][BPh 4 ]·MeCN·2H 2 O ( 1@Y ), [Dy 0.2668 Y 0.7332 L 2 (Ph 3 SiO) 2 ][BPh 4 ]·C 2 H 5 OH·H 2 O ( 2@Y ), and [Dy 0.1260 Y 0.8740 L 3 (Ph 3 SiO)(OAc)][BPh 4 ]·CH 3 OH·3H 2 O ( 3@Y ) were synthesized with hexaazamacrocyclic Schiff base ligands as an equatorial ligand. The substituents in the equatorial hexaazamacrocyclic Schiff base ligand show a significant effect on the replacement of the axial ligands. Compounds 1 , 2 , and 3 are typical zero dc field single-molecule magnets with effective energy barriers ( U eff ) of 1092(6), 946.1(7), and 150.1(9) K, respectively. Although the effective energy barriers of 1 and 2 are close, the magnetic hysteresis remains open up to 20 K for 1 , twice as large as that of 2 (10 K), which is different from the previously reported compounds, probably due to nonplanarity N6 in the equator. Ab initio calculations indicate that the ground states of compounds 1 and 2 exhibit high anisotropy and pure second and third excited states, while compound 3 . This work indicates that the substituents in equatorial hexaazamacrocyclic Schiff base ligands have a significant effect on the construction and magnetic properties of Dy 3 . This work indicates that the substituents in equatorial hexaazamacrocyclic Schiff base ligands have a significant effect on the construction and magnetic properties of Dy III SIMs with D 6h symmetry.

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical characteristics of MPX and offer meaningful insights into the clinicopathology of MPX. We recruited eight men who had sex with men diagnosed with MPX based on positive results from MPX Virus (MPXV)-specific polymerase chain reaction. Skin biopsies were obtained from four selected lesions, including typical and atypical lesions. Histopathological examinations of atypical solitary ulceration revealed infiltrating inflammatory cells predominantly composed of plasma cells and lymphocytes, forming a "sleeve" around the superficial vessels of the dermis. These features might be misinterpreted as indicative of cutaneous syphilis infection. Meanwhile, typical pustular lesions displayed central necrotic epidermis accompanied by perivascular inflammatory infiltrate dominated by neutrophils, as well as ballooning and reticular degeneration of keratinocytes. Additionally, multinucleated keratinocytes and eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions known as Guarnieri's bodies were also observed. Importantly, this study represented the pioneering report on immunohistochemical detection of MPXV A29 and A35 proteins in skin lesions, distinguishing it from previous studies that focused on detecting vaccinia virus protein. The anti-MPXV A29 antibody exhibited robust cytoplasmic staining specifically within affected keratinocytes in both adjacent epidermis and hair follicles, thereby it could contribute to the diagnosis of MPX, especially for cases with atypical skin lesions.

Objective: To characterize the discrepancy between patients' and providers' assessments of erection rigidity and its association with patient characteristics and penile ultrasound parameters., Methods: Patients presenting for penile doppler ultrasound between July 2022 and October 2023 were reviewed retrospectively. After intracavernosal injection, patients and providers independently rated erection rigidity from 1 to 10 prior to ultrasound. We defined discrepancy as a difference of 2 out of 10 or greater between the two assessments. Chi-squared and Mann Whitney U tests were used for hypothesis testing., Results: 65/297 (22%) of patients demonstrated a discrepancy in perceived erection quality. 58/65 (89%) of these patients rated their erections lower than their providers. There was a higher incidence of ED as the primary diagnosis in the discrepant group as compared to the concordant group (p=0.01). The discrepant group also showed a higher resistive index on penile ultrasound (p=0.04), with no difference in peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, or other clinical variables between the two groups., Conclusion: Discrepancy in perceived erection rigidity was mainly driven by lower patient perception, although these patients had noninferior penile hemodynamics to their peers. These findings underscore the influence of subjective perception of virility on sexual function. It is critical for clinicians to identify patients with poor perception of erectile function out of proportion to physiologic abnormalities. Thoughtful counseling about treatment goals and expectations, emphasizing functional outcomes, and adjunctive treatments such as sex therapy or psychotherapy are critical to therapeutic success in this population., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest, (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Hypoxia, which is a common characteristic of most solid tumors, not only contributes to the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME) but also reduces the efficacy of many oxygen-depleting therapies, including photodynamic therapy (PDT). In this study, we developed acidity-responsive biodegradable iridium-coordinated (IPC) nanodrugs consisting of iridium ions, the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6), and polyvinylpyrrolidone to potentiate the effects of PDT and immunotherapy by modulating the TME. IPC nanodrugs that accumulate at high levels in tumors catalyze excess hydrogen peroxide to produce oxygen while depleting glutathione levels within cancer cells; thus, the released Ce6 is more efficient at producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to laser irradiation. In addition, IPC nanodrugs alleviate tumor hypoxia, induce more immunogenic cell death by amplifying PDT responses, and synergistically inhibit tumor growth by initiating robust antitumor immunity and reversing the immunosuppressive nature of the TME. As a result, IPC nanodrugs exert pronounced combined therapeutic effects in vitro and in vivo, without obvious toxic effects due to acidity-responsive degradation. These iridium-coordinated nanodrugs have the potential to modulate the TME, amplify the effects of PDT, and substantially inhibit tumors, and they are expected to provide novel ideas for combination therapy of hypoxic cancer., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A series of unsymmetrical 2,4-disubstituted pyranocoumarins and 3-bromo-2-(4-bromoalkoxy)-derived pyranocoumarins were synthesized via the palladium-catalyzed C-H arylation of 4-phenyl-4 H ,5 H -pyrano[3,2- c ]chromen-5-ones with aryl iodide and the three-component reaction of 4-phenyl-4 H ,5 H -pyrano[3,2- c ]chromen-5-one with bromine and cyclic ether, respectively.

Background: Severe skeletal class II malocclusion is the indication for combined orthodontic and orthognathic treatment., Case Summary: A woman with a chief complaint of a protruding chin and an inability to close her lips requested orthodontic camouflage. The treatment plan consisted of extracting the right upper third molar, right lower third molar, left lower second molar, and left upper third molar and moving the maxillary dentition distally using a convenient method involving microimplant nail anchors, push springs, long arm traction hooks, and elastic traction chains. After 52 months of treatment, her overbite and overjet were normal, and her facial profile was favorable., Conclusion: This method can be used for distal movement of the maxillary dentition and to correct severe skeletal class II malocclusion in adults., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

This article provides a comprehensive review of the toxic effects of environmental pollution on the male reproductive system, with a particular emphasis on ferroptosis, a form of programmed cell death. Research has shown that environmental pollutants, such as heavy metals, pesticide residues, and plastic additives, can disrupt oxidative stress, increasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in germ cells. This disruption damages cellular lipids, proteins, and DNA, culminating in cell dysfunction or death. Ferroptosis, a cell death pathway closely linked to oxidative stress, is characterized by the accumulation of intracellular iron ions and elevated levels of lipid ROS. This review also explores the role of ferroptosis in male reproductive disorders, including its contributions to reduced sperm count, decreased motility, and abnormal morphology. Environmental pollutants, particularly heavy metals, can induce ferroptosis by interfering with intracellular antioxidant systems, notably the NRF2, GSH, and GPX4 pathways, accumulating toxic lipid peroxides. Furthermore, the article examines the potential interplay between ferroptosis and other forms of cell death, such as apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, and necrosis, in the context of male reproductive health. The review underscores the critical need for further research into the link between environmental pollutants and male fertility, particularly focusing on ferroptosis. It advocates for targeted research efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of ferroptosis and protect reproductive health, emphasizing that a deeper understanding of these mechanisms could lead to innovative preventive strategies against environmental threats to fertility., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest ☒ The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. ☐ The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:, (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Prussian blue analogs (PBAs) are promising insertion-type cathode materials for different types of aqueous batteries, capable of accommodating metal or non-metal ions. However, their practical application is hindered by their susceptibility to dissolution, which leads to a shortened lifespan. Herein, we have revealed that the dissolution of PBAs primarily originates from the locally elevated pH of electrolytes, which is caused by the proton co-insertion during discharge. To address this issue, the water-locking strategy has been implemented, which interrupts the generation and Grotthuss diffusion of protons by breaking the well-connected hydrogen bonding network in aqueous electrolytes. As a result, the hybrid electrolyte enables the iron hexacyanoferrate to endure over 1000 cycles at a 1 C rate and supports a high-voltage pH-decoupled cell with an average voltage of 1.95 V. These findings provide insights for mitigating the dissolution of electrode materials, thereby enhancing the viability and performance of aqueous batteries., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

To investigate the effect and safety of recanalization of stenosed or occluded venous sinuses for dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) and possible mechanism of DAVF formation, patients with DAVF accompanied by venous sinus stenosis or occlusion treated with balloon angioplasty and/or stenting were retrospectively enrolled. The clinical data, treatment outcomes and complications were analyzed. In 7 patients enrolled, the DAVF was Cognard IIa grade in 3 (42.9% or 3/7) and IIa + b in 4 (57.1% or 4/7) patients, including complex DAVFs in 2 (28.6% or 2/7). The angioplasty procedure was successful in all (100%) patients, including complete cure in 3 (42.9% or 3/7) patients with the initial Cognard grade IIa, transformation from Cognard grade IIa + b to I in 2 (28.6% or 2/7) patients, and unchanged Cognard grade IIa + b in 2 (28.6% or 2/7) patients. The symptoms were all improved. At 3-month angiographic follow-up, 5 (71.4% or 5/7) cases were cured, whereas 2 cases still had grade I fistulas but no clinical symptoms. Staged embolization in 2 patients resulted in significant symptom improvement. At the last follow-up of a median 4 years, no clinical symptoms were present in 5 (71.4% or 5/7) patients, intermittent headache in 1 (14.3% or 1/7), and death from trauma in 1 (14.3% or 1/7). In conclusion, endovascular recanalization of occluded or stenosed venous sinuses using balloon angioplasty and stenting is able to induce occlusion of DAVFs and is a safe and efficient treatment approach for DAVFs which are possibly caused by significant pressure increase., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

In the pursuit of next-generation ultrahigh-energy-density Li-O 2 batteries, it is imperative to develop an electrolyte with stability against the strong oxidation environments. N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) is a recognized solvent known for its robust resistance to the highly reactive reduced oxygen species, yet its application in Li-O 2 batteries has been constrained due to its poor compatibility with the Li metal anode. In this study, a rationally selected hydrofluoroether diluent, methyl nonafluorobutyl ether (M3), has been introduced into the DMA-based electrolyte to construct a localized high concentration electrolyte. The stable -CH 3 and C-F bonds within the M3 structure could not only augment the fundamental properties of the electrolyte but also fortify its resilience against attacks from O 2 - and 1 O 2 . Additionally, the strong electron-withdrawing groups (-F) presented in the M3 diluent could facilitate coordination with the electron-donating groups (-CH 3 ) in the DMA solvent. This intermolecular interaction promotes more alignments of Li + -anions with a small amount of M3 addition, leading to the construction of an anion-derived inorganic-rich SEI that enhances the stability of the Li anode. As a result, the Li-O 2 batteries with the DMA/M3 electrolyte exhibit superior cycling performance at both 30 °C (359 th ) and -10 °C (120 th )., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The objective of this study is to examine the efficacy of the flipped classroom blended teaching method in the context of massive open online courses (MOOCs) for implementing standardized training and teaching of residents in oncology radiotherapy. A total of 48 junior residents who received standardized training at the Oncology Radiology Department of Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital between September 2021 and August 2023 were randomly divided into two groups-i.e., the research group (24 cases) and the control group (24 cases)-using the random number table method. The control group received conventional didactic training, whereas the research group participated in a blended learning approach based on the MOOC model. The assessment results, along with the evaluations of teaching effectiveness, self-learning ability, and teaching satisfaction questionnaires, were observed and compared for the two groups of students. Compared with the control group, the research group presented significantly higher scores on theoretical foundations, skill operation, and case analysis (P < 0.05). The research group also showed greater outcomes than the control group in terms of improved theoretical knowledge, problem-solving skills, self-learning ability, teamwork, and communication (P < 0.05). The students in the research group presented significantly higher scores on measures of self-motivation beliefs, task analysis, self-monitoring and adjustment, and self-evaluation than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The research group also demonstrated significantly higher levels of satisfaction than the control group in terms of improvements in learning interest and initiative, clinical thinking ability, problem-solving ability, team cooperation ability, and the level of radiotherapy target delineation (P < 0.05). The implementation of MOOC-based flipped classroom blended teaching was shown to have positive effects on the standardized training and teaching of residents in the field of oncology radiotherapy. This approach can undoubtedly enhance students' academic performance, problem-solving abilities, and self-learning aptitudes while effectively stimulating their learning interests and initiative. Therefore, MOOC-based flipped classroom blended teaching is a valuable candidate for clinical application and promotion., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to American Association for Cancer Education.)

Background: Recent studies suggest a critical role for vitamin D in respiratory diseases, including asthma and allergic rhinitis. However, the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and chronic rhinitis, particularly in middle- and older-aged populations, remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the association between vitamin D deficiency and chronic rhinitis in middle- and older-aged adults while controlling for lifestyle and physical status factors., Methods: Data from 12,654 participants aged 40 years and older were analyzed from the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2012). The prevalence of chronic rhinitis and its association with serum vitamin D levels were assessed using multiple logistic regression models, adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, and physical characteristics., Results: The prevalence of chronic rhinitis was 21.1%. Participants with chronic rhinitis had a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (69.9% vs. 65.2%) and lower mean vitamin D levels (17.73 ng/mL vs. 18.19 ng/mL) compared to those without chronic rhinitis. After adjusting for confounding factors, vitamin D deficiency remained significantly associated with an increased likelihood of chronic rhinitis (OR = 1.21, 95% CI, 1.082-1.348, p = 0.001)., Conclusions: This study identifies a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and chronic rhinitis in middle- and older-aged adults, suggesting that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels may be important in managing chronic rhinitis.

Density functional theory was utilized to investigate the mechanism of Ru(II)-catalyzed aromatic C-H activation and addition of aromatic aldehydes. The proposed catalytic cycle consists of C-H bond activation, aldehyde carbonyl insertion for C-C coupling, lactonization for the formation of the final product, product separation, and catalyst recovery. Our calculations suggest that Ru(OAc) 2 (PCy 3 ) (referred to as CAT ) is the most favorable active catalyst, facilitating the C-H bond activation to form a five-membered ring cycloruthenium intermediate ( INT2 ). Subsequently, the aromatic aldehyde reactant 2a enters the Ru coordination sphere, accelerating the C-C coupling and lactonization for the formation of the final product. The involvement of acetate assists in the final product separation, while INT1 re-enters the Ru coordination sphere to initiate a new catalytic cycle. Utilizing the energetic span model, the apparent activation free energy barrier was computed to be 34.3 kcal mol -1 at 443 K. Furthermore, exploration of the reaction mechanism in the absence of phosphine ligands identified Ru(OAc) 2 ( p -cymene) as the most favorable active catalyst. The derived apparent activation free energy barrier offers a comprehensive explanation for the experimentally observed yields. Additionally, we have examined the disparities between the octahedral and trigonal bipyramidal structures of the catalysts concerning their effects on the reaction mechanisms and apparent activation free energy barriers.

Animals spend a considerable proportion of their life span at rest. However, resting status has often been overlooked when investigating how species respond to environmental conditions. This may induce a large bias in understanding the local adaptation of species across environmental gradients and their vulnerability to potential environmental change. Here, we conducted an empirical study on montane agamid lizards, combined with mechanistic modeling, to compare elevational variations in body temperature and metabolisms (cumulative digestion and maintenance cost) between resting and active status. Our study on three populations of an agamid lizard along an elevational gradient revealed a trend of decreasing body temperature toward higher elevations, the main contributor of which was resting status of the lizards. Using population-specific reaction norms, we predicted greater elevational variation in hourly and cumulative digestion for resting lizards than for active lizards. Climate-change impacts, estimated as the change in cumulative digestion, also show greater elevational variation when resting status is factored into the analysis. Further, our global analysis of 98 agamid species revealed that in about half of their combined distributional range, the contribution of resting status in determining the elevational variation in cumulative digestion and maintenance cost of lizards was greater than the contribution made by a lizard's active status. Our study highlights the importance of considering resting status when investigating how species respond to environmental conditions, especially for those distributed over tropical and subtropical mountain areas., (© 2024 The Ecological Society of America.)

Background: Gastroparesis is a motility disorder of the stomach characterized by cardinal symptoms and delayed gastric emptying of solid food in the absence of mechanical obstruction. There is significant unmet need in its management, and essentially there are no medications approved for its treatment over four decades., Purpose: The objectives of this review are to develop an understanding of the goals of treatment, the evidence-based criteria for treatment success based on the current scientific understanding of gastroparesis as well as patient response outcomes, and to propose evidence-based principles for the successful development of treatments for gastroparesis. Specifically, we discuss the pathophysiologic targets in gastroparesis, eligibility criteria for clinical trial participation based on validated gastric emptying studies, and the patient response outcome measures that have been validated to appraise effects of treatment on clinically relevant outcomes. These considerations lead to recommendations regarding eligibility, design, and duration of proof-of-efficacy studies, and to endorsing the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index Daily Diary as a validated patient response outcome and to justification of the shortening of proof-of-efficacy, placebo-controlled clinical trials to 4 weeks treatment duration after a baseline period. We believe that such approaches will increase the likelihood of successful assessment of efficacy of novel approaches to treating patients with gastroparesis., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Several risk factors for peptic ulcer disease (PUD) have been identified; however, the recurrence rate of PUD remains high even with standard ulcer treatments. High cholesterol levels have been proposed as a risk factor for PUD, but clinical evidence remains limited. Therefore, this database study investigated whether hyperlipidemia increases PUD risk and whether antihyperlipidemic drugs reduce this risk., Methods: A long-term cohort design was adopted, and Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database was used to enroll patients diagnosed with hyperlipidemia between 2000 and 2016. Patients without hyperlipidemia were randomly matched based on variables such as age and gender to establish a comparison cohort at a 1:1 ratio. Another cohort study was conducted to determine whether antihyperlipidemic drugs or red yeast rice prescriptions can reduce the incidence of PUD in patients with hyperlipidemia., Results: The overall incidence of PUD was 1.48 times higher in the hyperlipidemia cohort (203,235 patients) than in the nonhyperlipidemia cohort (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.46-1.50; p < 0.001). Among the patients with hyperlipidemia, those who used antihyperlipidemic drugs with or without red yeast rice prescriptions exhibited a lower risk of developing PUD relative to those who did not use them; the adjusted hazard ratios were 0.33 (95% CI, 0.21-0.52) and 0.81 (95% CI, 0.78-0.84), respectively. When the cumulative exposure to antihyperlipidemic drugs and red yeast rice prescriptions increased, the risk of developing PUD showed a decreasing trend, which was statistically significant for antihyperlipidemic drugs but not for red yeast rice., Conclusion: Hyperlipidemia is associated with a higher risk of PUD, which can be reduced through the administration of antihyperlipidemic drugs with or without red yeast rice prescriptions., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest related to the subject matter or materials discussed in this article., (Copyright © 2024, the Chinese Medical Association.)

Photocatalysis holds a pivotal position in modern organic synthesis, capable of inducing novel reactivities under mild and environmentally friendly reaction conditions. However, the merger of photocatalysis and transition-metal-catalyzed asymmetric C-H activation as an efficient and sustainable method for the construction of chiral molecules remains elusive and challenging. Herein, we develop a cobalt-catalyzed enantioselective C-H activation reaction enabled by visible-light photoredox catalysis, providing a synergistic catalytic strategy for the asymmetric dearomatization of indoles with high levels of enantioselectivity (96 % to >99 % ee). Mechanistic studies indicate that the excited photocatalyst was quenched by divalent cobalt species in the presence of Salox ligand, leading to the formation of catalytically active chiral Co(III) complex. Moreover, stoichiometric reactions of cobaltacycle intermediate with indole suggest that the irradiation of visible light also play a critical role in the dearomatization step., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Objectives: Vocal fold leukoplakia (VFL) is a precancerous lesion of laryngeal cancer, and its endoscopic diagnosis poses challenges. We aim to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) model using white light imaging (WLI) and narrow-band imaging (NBI) to distinguish benign from malignant VFL., Methods: A total of 7057 images from 426 patients were used for model development and internal validation. Additionally, 1617 images from two other hospitals were used for model external validation. Modeling learning based on WLI and NBI modalities was conducted using deep learning combined with a multi-instance learning approach (MIL). Furthermore, 50 prospectively collected videos were used to evaluate real-time model performance. A human-machine comparison involving 100 patients and 12 laryngologists assessed the real-world effectiveness of the model., Results: The model achieved the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values of 0.868 and 0.884 in the internal and external validation sets, respectively. AUC in the video validation set was 0.825 (95% CI: 0.704-0.946). In the human-machine comparison, AI significantly improved AUC and accuracy for all laryngologists (p < 0.05). With the assistance of AI, the diagnostic abilities and consistency of all laryngologists improved., Conclusions: Our multicenter study developed an effective AI model using MIL and fusion of WLI and NBI images for VFL diagnosis, particularly aiding junior laryngologists. However, further optimization and validation are necessary to fully assess its potential impact in clinical settings., Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:4321-4328, 2024., (© 2024 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)

Stainless steel sheets were coated with carbon ink to obtain disposable carbon electrodes, which were used as supports for moleculary imprinted polymer (MIP) electrochemical sensors by electropolymerizing o-phenylenediamine and o-aminophenol along with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) as the template. After optimization, the MIP biosensors could be used for sensitive and selective detection of IAA with the limit of quantification of 0.1 µM. Our experimental results showed that stable and reproducible electrochemical responses could be achieved for the disposable MIP biosensors. This approach was successfully used for detection of IAA in different tissues of pea sprouts. This study reveals the potential of MIP electrochemical sensors in practical applications and shrinks the trench between the research and the real world., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Austria, part of Springer Nature.)

The residual water and amphiphilic compounds such as phospholipids in bulk oil can form reverse micelles, which affect oxidative stability. In this study, the Antarctic krill oil (AKO) samples with different water contents were subjected to accelerated storage. During storage, AKO exhibited oxidative changes, manifested as increased POV, TBARS values, and volatile compound levels but decreased PUFA percentages. Meanwhile, AKO underwent hydrolysis, evidenced by decreased PC, PE, and TG contents but increased FFA contents. Moreover, the degree of lipid oxidation and hydrolysis is dose-dependent with water added. Cryogenic scanning electron microscopy imaging and micelle size distribution measurement proved the presence of reverse micelle, and their size and interfacial area improved with increased water contents. Correlation analysis suggested that lipid oxidation and hydrolysis positively correlated with the size and interfacial area of reverse micelle. Therefore, it is speculated that the oil-water interface may be the site of lipid oxidation and hydrolysis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Cholesterol granulomas are typically identified by their histological features, including cholesterol crystals, giant cells, fibrosis, and inflammation. They occur predominantly in the middle ear, petrous apex, and orbital region, with rare occurrences in the labyrinth. Diagnosis of these lesions is challenging due to their imaging similarities with endolymphatic sac tumors, particularly in preoperative differentiation. In the present case, a 60-year-old woman diagnosed with an endolymphatic sac tumor through preoperative magnetic resonance imaging underwent a transmastoid surgical procedure, and subsequent postoperative histopathological analysis confirmed a cholesterol granuloma. We report this rare case of granuloma confined within the labyrinth, highlighting the importance of radiological and histopathological diagnoses in determining the appropriate therapeutic approach., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Purpose: Rapid diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is critical to achieve positive outcomes and prognosis. This study aimed to construct a model to automatically identify the infarct core based on non-contrast-enhanced CT images, especially for small infarcts., Methods: The baseline CT scans of AIS patients, who had DWI scans obtained within less than 2 h apart, were included in this retrospective study. A modified Target-based deep learning model of YOLOv5 was developed to detect infarctions on CT. Randomly selected CT images were used for testing and evaluated by neuroradiologists and the model, using the DWI as a reference standard. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and weighted kappa were calculated to assess the agreement. The paired chi-square test was used to compare the diagnostic efficacy of physician groups and automated models in subregions. p  < 0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: Five hundred and eighty four AIS patients were enrolled in total, finally 275 cases were eligible. Modified YOLOv5 perform better with increased precision (0.82), recall (0.81) and mean average precision (0.79) than original YOLOv5. Model showed higher consistency to the DWI-ASPECTS scores (ICC = 0.669, κ  = 0.447) than neuroradiologists (ICC = 0.452, κ = 0.247). The sensitivity (75.86% vs. 63.79%), specificity (98.87% vs. 95.02%), and accuracy (96.20% vs. 91.40%) were better than neuroradiologists. Automatic model had better diagnostic efficacy than physician diagnosis in the M6 region ( p  = 0.039)., Conclusion: The deep learning model was able to detect small infarct core on CT images more accurately. It provided the infarct portion and extent, which is valuable in assessing the severity of disease and guiding treatment procedures., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Qu, Tang, Gao, Li, Zhao, Ban, Chen, Lu and Wang.)

"Brain fog," a persistent cognitive impairment syndrome, stands out as a significant neurological aftermath of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Yet, the underlying mechanisms by which COVID-19 induces cognitive deficits remain elusive. In our study, we observed an upregulation in the expression of genes linked to the inflammatory response and oxidative stress, whereas genes associated with cognitive function were downregulated in the brains of patients infected with COVID-19. Through single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) analysis, we found that COVID-19 infection triggers the immune responses in microglia and astrocytes and exacerbates oxidative stress in oligodendrocytes, oligodendrocyte progenitors (OPCs), and neurons. Further investigations revealed that COVID-19 infection elevates LUC7L2 expression, which inhibits mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and suppresses the expression of mitochondrial complex genes such as MT-ND1, MT-ND2, MT-ND3, MT-ND4L, MT-CYB, MT-CO3, and MT-ATP6. A holistic approach to protect mitochondrial complex function, rather than targeting a single molecular, should be an effective therapeutic strategy to prevent and treat the long-term consequences of "long COVID.", (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: According to the Shen Nong Herbal Classic, Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is documented to possess life-prolonging effects and is extensively utilized in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of various ailments such as qi deficiency, temper deficiency, insomnia, and forgetfulness. Ginseng is commonly employed for replenishing qi and nourishing blood, fortifying the body and augmenting immunity; it has demonstrated efficacy in alleviating fatigue, enhancing memory, and retarding aging. Furthermore, it exhibits a notable ameliorative impact on age-related conditions including cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. One of its active constituents - ginsenoside Rg2 (G-Rg2) - exhibits potential therapeutic efficacy in addressing these ailments., Aim of the Review: The aim of this review is to explore the traditional efficacy of ginseng in anti-aging diseases and the modern pharmacological mechanism of its potential active substance G-Rg2, in order to provide strong theoretical support for further elucidating the mechanism of its anti-aging effect., Methods: This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the traditional efficacy of ginseng and the potential mechanisms underlying the anti-age-related disease properties of G-Rg2, based on an extensive literature review up to March 12, 2024, from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases. Potential anti-aging mechanisms of G-Rg2 were predicted using network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis techniques., Results: In traditional Chinese medicine theory, ginseng has been shown to improve aging-related diseases with a variety of effects, including tonifying qi, strengthening the spleen and stomach, nourishing yin, regulating yin and yang, as well as calming the mind. Its potential active ingredient G-Rg2 has demonstrated significant therapeutic potential in age-related diseases, especially central nervous system and cardiovascular diseases. G-Rg2 exhibited a variety of pharmacological activities, including anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Meanwhile, the network pharmacological analyses and molecular docking results were consistent with the existing literature review, further validating the potential efficacy of G-Rg2 as an anti-aging agent., Conclusion: The review firstly explores the ameliorative effects of ginseng on a wide range of age-related diseases based on TCM theories. Secondly, the article focuses on the remarkable significance and value demonstrated by G-Rg2 in age-related cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Consequently, G-Rg2 has broad prospects for development in intervening in aging and treating age-related health problems., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Apoptotic proteins play a crucial role in the apoptosis process, ensuring a balance between cell proliferation and death. Thus, further elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of apoptosis will enhance our understanding of their functions. However, the development of computational methods to accurately identify positive and negative regulation of apoptosis remains a significant challenge. This work proposes a machine learning model based on multi-feature fusion to effectively identify the roles of positive and negative regulation of apoptosis. Initially, we constructed a reliable benchmark dataset containing 200 positive regulation of apoptosis and 241 negative regulation of apoptosis proteins. Subsequently, we developed a classifier that combines the support vector machine (SVM) with pseudo composition of k-spaced amino acid pairs (PseCKSAAP), composition transition distribution (CTD), dipeptide deviation from expected mean (DDE), and PSSM-composition to identify these proteins. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to select optimized features that could yield the maximum prediction performance. Evaluating the proposed model on independent data revealed and achieved an accuracy of 0.781 with an AUROC of 0.837, demonstrating our model's potent capabilities., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests or financial conflicts to disclose., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The regulation of small- and medium-sized floods （RSMF） has become the main mode of regulation in the flood season of the Three Gorges Reservoir （TGR）. To study the response of phytoplankton in the tributary bays of the TGR to the RSMF, a typical eutrophic tributary of the TGR, Xiangxi River, was investigated for the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of phytoplankton and nutrients in the main and tributary streams from 2020 to 2021. The response characteristics of phytoplankton in the tributary bays to the RSMF were analyzed. The results indicated that during the RSMF, the chlorophyll a （Chl-a） in the water body of the Xiangxi River decreased with the increase in the water level in front of the dam, whereas during the reservoir impounding at the end of flood season, the concentration of Chl-a increased again. During the RSMF, the Chlorophyta and Diatoma were the main communities of planktonic algae in the Xiangxi River. The phytoplankton community changed with the RSMF. When the water level fluctuation increased, diatoms were the main species, whereas when the water level fluctuation was small, blue and green algae were the main species. The concentration of Chl-a was more sensitive to changes in TN concentration. When the flow velocity was &gt;0.25 m·s -1 or the suspended sediment content was &gt;10 mg·L -1 , the concentration of Chl-a in the water was inhibited. After 2010, the typical outbreak time of algal blooms in the Xiangxi River Reservoir Bay shifted to the flood season, with only two non-flood season algal blooms. Further attention needs to be paid to the response of algal blooms in the reservoir to small- and medium-sized flood control during the flood season.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a multimodal management technique combining surgical muscle wrapping, clipping, and flow-diverter stent (FDS) placement in patients with ruptured blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs) in the internal carotid artery (ICA)., Methods: In a retrospective case series review from 2020 to 2023, 3 patients with ruptured ICA BBAs underwent multimodal management, an approach combining muscle wrapping, surgical clipping, and FDS embolization. The aneurysm sac was initially packed and wrapped with multiple tailored temporalis muscle grafts and then secured using fenestration clips, with good preservation of the ICA branches. The FDS was placed 2-3 weeks after the clipping., Results: All 3 patients had right ICA BBAs (mean age, 52 years). The modified Hunt and Hess grades ranged from 2 to 3, and the Fisher grades ranged from 3 to 4. The mean angiography follow-up time was 27.7 months (15, 31, and 37 months). There were no instances of symptomatic vasospasm or visible ischemic stroke during follow-up computed tomography. No patient required cerebrospinal fluid shunt implantation, and all achieved favorable neurological outcomes (modified Rankin scale 0-1). Follow-up digital subtraction angiography revealed no evidence of aneurysm recurrence or significant ICA stenosis., Conclusions: We discuss a promising multimodal management approach for ruptured ICA BBAs combining muscle wrapping, surgical clipping, and FDS embolization. This technique was safe and effective in preventing re-rupture, achieving positive short-term clinical outcomes. Further research and more extensive studies are required to validate the long-term efficacy of this approach., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The clinical utility of Bacteroides fragilis in treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains unclear. Therefore, this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects and safety of B. fragilis BF839 in the treatment of pediatric ASD., Methods: We examined 60 children aged 2-10 years diagnosed with ASD, and participants received either BF839 powder (10 g/bar with ≥10 6  CFU/bar of viable bacteria, two bars/day) or placebo for 16 weeks. The primary outcomes was Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) score. The secondary outcomes were Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), Normal Development of Social Skills from Infants to Junior High School Children (S-M), Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) scores, and fecal microbiome composition. Assessments were performed on day 0 and at weeks 8 and 16., Results: Compared with the placebo group, the BF839 group showed significant improvement in the ABC body and object use scores at week 16, which was more pronounced in children with ASD aged <4 years. Among children with a baseline CARS score ≥30, the BF839 group showed significant improvements at week 16 in the ABC total score, ABC body and object use score, CARS score, and GSRS score compared to the placebo group. Only two patients (6.67%) in the BF839 group experienced mild diarrhea. Compared with baseline and placebo group levels, the BF839 group showed a significant post-intervention increase in abundance of bifidobacteria and change in the metabolic function of neuroactive compounds encoded by intestinal microorganisms., Conclusion: BF839 significantly and safely improved abnormal behavior and gastrointestinal symptoms in children with ASD., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Lin, Zeng, Lu, Li, Liu, Li, Chen and Deng.)