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Abstract Background The IBS® Tissue Removal Device, as a new technology, currently lacks a systematic evaluation of its effectiveness in treating endometrial polyps. Furthermore, the exact cause of polyps recurrence is not yet clear. The purpose of this article is to compare the efficacy of the IBS® Tissue Removal Device with hysteroscopic cold knife resection for the treatment of endometrial polyps and analyze the recurrence factors of endometrial polyps. Methods 202 patients with endometrial polyps who were admitted to Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 were included in the retrospective studies. Based on the surgical technique, these patients were categorized into two groups: the IBS group (n = 100) and the cold knife group (n = 102). Following surgery, both groups underwent a year of follow-up. Data from the perioperative period (operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative rehydration, intraoperative complications, length of hospital stay), follow-up data (postoperative endometrial thickness, postoperative vaginal bleeding time, complication rate, menstrual recovery time, pregnancy rate, and recurrence rate) and general clinical data (age, BMI(Body mass index, BMI), number of pregnancies or miscarriages, number of hysteroscopic operations, preoperative white blood cells, fasting blood glucose, polyp diameter) were compared between the two groups. Results The recurrence rate of the IBS group was 6% (6/100), which was lower than that of the cold knife group (14.7% (15/102), and the difference was statistically significant (P 0.05). There was also no significant difference between IBS group and cold knife group in intraoperative rehydration, intraoperative complications and postoperative hospital stay, intermenstrual bleeding, recovery of menstruation and endometrial thickness and postoperative pregnancy between the IBS group and the cold knife group (P > 0.05). Conclusion The IBS® Tissue Removal Device can reduce the recurrence rate of endometrial polyps after surgery, improve the perioperative indexes, and reduce the postoperative vaginal bleeding time, which is better than that of hysteroscopic cold knife resection.

ObjectivesThis study analyzes the influencing factors of the aeroacoustic noise of cruise ship chimney exhaust pipelines, and predicts the noise level in the open area of a domestic cruise ship. MethodsA hybrid approach combining Large Eddy Simulation and Lighthill Analogy is used to conduct a numerical simulation of the pipeline’s aeroacoustic noise under the actual working conditions of a cruise ship. The impacts of the inlet flow rate, outlet pressure, cross-section shape and bending angle on the aerodynamic noise are studied. A real-size cruise ship chimney exhaust pipeline model is then established to analyze the main noise sources and predict the noise level in the open areaa. ResultsThe results show that the larger the inlet velocity and bending angle, the greater the aeroacoustic noise. Furthermore, the aeroacoustic noise of a pipeline with a zero pressure-outlet is greater than that with a non-zero pressure-outlet. It is also found that the aeroacoustic noise of a rectangular cross-sectional pipeline is marginally smaller than that of a circular one. In addition, the narrowband peak frequency decreases as the bending angle increases. Except for the chimney outlet, the noise level in the open area is low. ConclusionsThis study has significant reference value for controlling the aeroacoustic noise of cruise ship chimney exhaust pipelines and improving passenger comfort in open areas.

Abstract Background Spiroplasma eriocheiris has been proved to be a pathogen causing tremor disease of Eriocheir sinensis, it is also infectious to other aquatic crustaceans, resulting in a serious threat on the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry. S. eriocheiris is a helical-shaped microbe without a cell wall, and its motility is related to the cytoskeleton protein MreB which belongs to the actin superfamily and has five MreB homologs. Results In this study, we purified MreB3, MreB4 and MreB5, and successfully prepared monoclonal antibodies. After S. eriocheiris treated with actin stabilizator Phalloidin and inhibitors A22, we found that Phalloidin and A22 affect the S. eriocheiris morphology by altering MreB expression. We confirmed that the ability of S. eriocheiris to invade E. sinensis was increased after treatment with Phalloidin, including that the morphology of E. sinensis blood lymphocytes was deteriorated, blood lymphocytes viability was decreased, peroxidase activity and cell necrosis were increased. On the contrary, the pathogenicity of S. eriocheiris decreased after treatment with A22. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the MreB protein in S. eriocheiris plays a crucial role in its morphology and pathogenicity, providing new insights into potential strategies for the prevention and control of S. eriocheiris infections.

Abstract Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by vasculopathy, immune dysregulation, and systemic fibrosis. Research on SSc has been hindered largely by lack of relevant models to study the progressive nature of the disease and to recapitulate the cell plasticity that is observed in this disease context. Generation of models for fibrotic disease using pluripotent stem cells is important for recapitulating the heterogeneity of the fibrotic tissue and are a potential platform for screening anti-fibrotic drugs. We previously reported a novel in-vitro model for fibrosis using induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal cells (iSCAR). Here we report the generation of a “scar-like phenotype” when iPSC derived mesenchymal cells are cultured on hydrogel that mimicks a wound healing/scarring response (iSCAR). First, we performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) based transcriptome profiling of iSCAR culture at 48 h and 13 days to characterize early and latestage scarring phenotypes. The next generation RNA-seq of these iSCAR culture at different timepoints detected expression 92% of early “scar associated” genes and 85% late “scar associated” genes, respectively. Comparative transcriptomic analysis of a gene level SSc compendium matrix to the iSCAR wound associated model revealed genes common in both data sets. Early scar formation genes showed biological processes of hypoxia (27.5%), vascular development (13.7%) and glycolysis (27.5), while late scar formation showed genes associated with senescence (22.6%). Next we show the effects of two different antifibrotic compounds to validate the utility of the model as a screening tool to study early and late-stagelate-stage fibrosis. An autotaxin inhibitor was used to validate the iSCAR late stage fibrotic model (iSCAR-T) and an antifibrotic tool screening compound of unknown mechanism (EX00015097) was used to study and validate both early (iSCAR-P) and late-stage (iSCAR-T) fibrosis in the iSCAR model.

Abstract Background This study aims to investigate the short-term effects and safety of adjunct Suxiao Jiuxin Pills (SJPs) on conventional therapy in chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) patients who are intolerant to the adverse effects of long-acting nitrates. Methods This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 174 CCS participants from eight clinical study centers in China were included in the modified intention-to-treat analyses. Participants with CCS and intolerance to the adverse effects of long-acting nitrates were recruited and randomized to either the SJPs or the placebo group for a duration of 4 weeks. Results Compared to the placebo group, the SJPs group showed a significant improvement in the efficacy rate after 4 weeks (OR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.32 to 4.47, P = 0.004). Besides, individuals without a history of alcohol consumption showed a greater improvement in the SAQ summary score compared to those with a history of alcohol consumption. Conclusion Adjunctive SJPs enhance the effectiveness of short-term conventional anti-angina treatment for patients with CCS who experience intolerance to long-acting nitrates, without significant adverse effects during application. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trials Registry Platform, ChiCTR2100050066. Registered 16 August 2021, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=131470 .

Alzheimer’s disease is the most frequent form of dementia characterized by the deposition of amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles consisting of hyperphosphorylated tau. Targeting amyloid-beta plaques has been a primary direction for developing Alzheimer’s disease treatments in the last decades. However, existing drugs targeting amyloid-beta plaques have not fully yielded the expected results in the clinic, necessitating the exploration of alternative therapeutic strategies. Increasing evidence unravels that astrocyte morphology and function alter in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease patients, with dysregulated astrocytic purinergic receptors, particularly the P2Y1 receptor, all of which constitute the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. These receptors are not only crucial for maintaining normal astrocyte function but are also highly implicated in neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease. This review delves into recent insights into the association between P2Y1 receptor and Alzheimer’s disease to underscore the potential neuroprotective role of P2Y1 receptor in Alzheimer’s disease by mitigating neuroinflammation, thus offering promising avenues for developing drugs for Alzheimer’s disease and potentially contributing to the development of more effective treatments.

Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the effects of the combination of noise reduction earplugs with white noise and rational emotional therapy on the emotional states of inpatients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: The study selected 152 CRC patients who received inpatient treatment in our hospital from January 2020 to January 2022 as the research objects. According to different nursing intervention modes, these patients were divided into the observation group (OG, n = 73, conventional nursing + noise reduction earplugs with white noise + rational emotional therapy) and the control group (CG, n = 79, conventional nursing) to compare the emotional status, sleep quality, and other indicators between the two groups. Results: After 2 and 6 weeks of intervention, the severity of illness and global impression in the OG were notably lower than those in the CG. The OG had remarkably higher efficacy indexes than the CG (p < 0.05). The OG had overtly lower Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale (MADRS) scores and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) scores than the CG (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of noise reduction earplugs with white noise and rational emotional therapy can improve the emotion and sleep states of patients, with certain positive effects, which can be used as a potential nursing plan for CRC patients.

Abstract Silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs are garnering widespread attention due to their superior performance in high‐temperature, high‐frequency, and high‐voltage applications, emerging as the preferred power semiconductor devices in converters for photovoltaic power generation and new energy vehicles. However, SiC MOSFETs are prone to gate drive and drain‐source voltage oscillations during high‐speed switching events, resulting in diminished system efficiency, increased electromagnetic interference, reduced device safety, and even compromising the overall reliability of the converter. This paper introduces an oscillation suppression method based on a gate LCR parallel branch, aimed at optimizing the switching performance of SiC MOSFETs. A half‐bridge circuit model based on SiC MOSFET is established, and the mechanism of gate and drain‐source oscillation is meticulously analysed using the transfer function expression. Building upon this, the LCR parallel branch parameters are meticulously designed to introduce appropriate damping in the gate drive path, effectively mitigating oscillations. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed design not only significantly reduces the amplitude of oscillations but also shortens the switch‐transition time. This enhancement effectively increases the switching frequency and reduces switching losses.

In recent years, the issue of PM2.5-O3 compound pollution has become a significant global environmental concern. This study examines the spatial and temporal patterns of global PM2.5-O3 compound pollution and exposure risks, firstly at the global and urban scale, using spatial statistical regression, exposure risk assessment, and trend analyses based on the datasets of daily PM2.5 and surface O3 concentrations monitored in 120 cities around the world from 2019 to 2022. Additionally, on the basis of the common emission sources, spatial heterogeneity, interacting chemical mechanisms, and synergistic exposure risk levels between PM2.5 and O3 pollution, we proposed a synergistic PM2.5-O3 control framework for the joint control of PM2.5 and O3. The results indicated that: (1) Nearly 50% of cities worldwide were affected by PM2.5-O3 compound pollution, with China, South Korea, Japan, and India being the global hotspots for PM2.5-O3 compound pollution; (2) Cities with PM2.5-O3 compound pollution have exposure risk levels dominated by ST + ST (Stabilization) and ST + HR (High Risk). Exposure risk levels of compound pollution in developing countries are significantly higher than those in developed countries, with unequal exposure characteristics; (3) The selected cities showed significant positive spatial correlations between PM2.5 and O3 concentrations, which were consistent with the spatial distribution of the precursors NOx and VOCs; (4) During the study period, 52.5% of cities worldwide achieved synergistic reductions in annual average PM2.5 and O3 concentrations. The average PM2.5 concentration in these cities decreased by 13.97%, while the average O3 concentration decreased by 19.18%. This new solution offers the opportunity to construct intelligent and healthy cities in the upcoming low–carbon transition.

Introduction: In the current technological era, the implementation and use of information and communication technology are crucial for productivity and organizational management in the health sector. This study aimed to investigate factors influencing staff acceptance of the Hospital Management System (HMS) using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) in a private hospital in Selangor, Malaysia. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and administrative staff, to explore their experiences and perceptions of the HMS. Data collection was performed through interviews and observations and analyzed using thematic analysis with ATLAS.ti. Results: The study identified five key themes influencing HMS acceptance: performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and behavioral intention. Participants emphasized the importance of system reliability, speed, and user-friendly interfaces for efficient workflow. Peer support and a technology-promoting organizational culture positively influenced system use. Comprehensive training and continuous technical support were crucial for user confidence. Despite recognizing the system's benefits, participants highlighted challenges such as inadequate system integration and the need for simultaneous digital and traditional record-keeping. Conclusion: Addressing these issues and tailoring the HMS to meet specific departmental needs can enhance user satisfaction and system effectiveness. The study underscores the importance of understanding user needs and providing robust support systems to facilitate the successful implementation and adoption of HMS in healthcare settings.

Abstract While it is widely acknowledged that exercise has positive effects on cognitive function, the specific impacts of different types of exercises, particularly open and closed skill exercises, on cognitive impairment continue to be a debated topic. In this study, we used fNIRS and cognitive psychology tasks to investigate the effects of different types of exercises on cognitive function and brain activity in young adults. We conducted an observational study to assess the cognitive function of participants who had engaged in these exercises for a long period. Additionally, we examined the effects of open skill exercise (badminton) and closed skill exercise (calisthenics) on localized blood flow in the prefrontal lobe of the brain using an experimental research method. Specifically, during the Stroop task, the badminton group exhibited significantly higher △HbO2 in channel 18, corresponding to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, compared to the calisthenics group (F = 4.485, P

Abstract Chemotherapy is one of the conventional treatments for cancer in clinical practice. However, poor delivery efficiency, systemic toxicity, and the lack of pharmacokinetic monitoring during treatment are the critical limitations of current chemotherapy. Herein, we reported a brand-new antitumor drug delivery strategy that harnesses an optical fiber endoscopically therapeutic probe. The fiber probe carries photosensitizers in the fiber core and antitumor agents on the fiber surface mediated by a temperature-responsive hydrogel film, giving rise to an activable photothermal-chemotherapy that orchestrates the localized hyperthermia and thermal-stimuli drug release to the tumor lesion. Furthermore, the dynamical drug release and in-situ temperature can be real-time supervised through the built-in fiber sensors, including the reflective Mach–Zehnder interferometer and fiber Bragg grating, to visualize the therapy process and thus improve the safety of treatment. Compared with conventional methods, the fiber-optic drug delivery can adequately take advantage of the chemotherapeutics through collaboratively recruiting the photoheating-mediated enhanced permeability and the hydrogel particle-assisted high drug retention, shedding new light on a “central-to-peripheral” drug pervasion and retention mechanism to destroy tumors completely. The fiber-optic chemotherapy strategy incorporates precise drug delivery, accurate controllability of drug release, high drug permeability and retention in tumor, low off-target rate, and real-time drug release and temperature feedback, performing a straightforward and precise photothermal-chemotherapy pathway. More than that, the proposed strategy holds tremendous promise to provide a revolutionized on-demand drug delivery platform for the highly efficient evaluation and screening of antitumor pharmaceuticals.

Abstract Background Myocardial infarction (MI) is an acute condition in which the heart muscle dies due to the lack of blood supply. Previous research has suggested that autophagy and angiogenesis play vital roles in the prevention of heart failure after MI, and miR‐106a is considered to be an important regulatory factor in MI. But the specific mechanism remains unknown. In this study, using cultured venous endothelial cells and a rat model of MI, we aimed to identify the potential target genes of miR‐106a and discover the mechanisms of inhibiting autophagy and angiogenesis. Methods We first explored the biological functions of miR‐106a on autophagy and angiogenesis on endothelial cells. Then we identified ATG7, which was the downstream target gene of miR‐106a. The expression of miR‐106a and ATG7 was investigated in the rat model of MI. Results We found that miR‐106a inhibits the proliferation, cell cycle, autophagy and angiogenesis, but promoted the apoptosis of vein endothelial cells. Moreover, ATG7 was identified as the target of miR‐106a, and ATG7 rescued the inhibition of autophagy and angiogenesis by miR‐106a. The expression of miR‐106a in the rat model of MI was decreased but the expression of ATG7 was increased in the infarction areas. Conclusion Our results indicate that miR‐106a may inhibit autophagy and angiogenesis by targeting ATG7. This mechanism may be a potential therapeutic treatment for MI.

Abstract Background Artemisia argyi is a traditional herbal medicine belonging to the genus Artemisia that plays an important role in suppressing inflammation. However, the chemical constituents and underlying mechanisms of its therapeutic potential in neuroinflammation are still incompletely understood, and warrant further investigation. Methods Several column chromatography were employed to isolate and purify chemical constituents from Artemisia argyi, and modern spectroscopy techniques were used to elucidate their chemical structures. The screening of monomeric compounds with nitric oxide inhibition led to the identification of the most effective bioactive compound, which was subsequently confirmed for its anti-inflammatory capability through qRT‒PCR. Predictions of compound-target interactions were made using the PharmMapper webserver and the TargetNet database, and an integrative protein-protein interaction network was constructed by intersecting the predicted targets with neuroinflammation-related targets. Topological analysis was performed to identify core targets, and molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were utilized to validate the findings. The result of the molecular simulations was experimentally validated through drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) and Western blot experiments. Results Seventeen sesquiterpenoids, including fifteen known sesquiterpenoids and two newly discovered guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids (argyinolide S and argyinolide T) were isolated from Artemisia argyi. Bioactivity screening revealed that argyinolide S (AS) possessed the most potent anti-inflammatory activity. However, argyinolide T (AT) showed weak anti-inflammatory activity, so AS was the target compound for further study. AS may regulate neuroinflammation through its modulation of eleven core targets: protein kinase B 1 (AKT1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein Kinase (FYN), Janus Kinase (JAK) 1, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) Kinase 1,8 and 14, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1), nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (RELA), and retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRA). Molecular dynamics simulations and DARTS experiments confirmed the stable binding of AS to JAK1, and Western blot experiments demonstrated the ability of AS to inhibit the phosphorylation of downstream Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mediated by JAK1. Conclusions The sesquiterpenoid compounds isolated from Artemisia argyi, exhibit significant inhibitory effects on inflammation in C57BL/6 murine microglia cells (BV-2). Among these compounds, AS, a newly discovered guaiane-type sesquiterpenoid in Artemisia argyi, has been demonstrated to effectively inhibit the occurrence of neuroinflammation by targeting JAK1.

The combat effectiveness of special vehicles is related to the comprehensive national strength of the country. In addition to the performance of the vehicle itself, the combat capability of the crew is also crucial, and the work efficiency will affect the combat capability of the crew.This paper summarizes the effects of thermal and noise environments on crew efficiency and the evaluation methods of work efficiency using special vehicles as experimental platforms. A total of 12 environmental conditions were designed, the experimental temperature covers 25 °C, 29 °C, 33 °C, 37 °C, noise covers 50 dB, 70 dB, 85 dB. The effects of temperature and noise on the physiological, psychological and cognitive abilities of the occupants were quantitatively analyzed through human ergonomics simulation experiments. The results show that the noise has a significant effect on the occupant's work efficiency in a low-temperature environment, while the temperature becomes the dominant influence factor in a high-temperature environment. When operating temperatures reached 29 °C, occupant combat performance was optimal, whereas at 33 °C and above, the efficiency decreased significantly. This research provides a theoretical basis for optimizing the environment of special vehicle cabins, and offers a scientific temperature control scheme to improve the crew's efficiency.

ABSTRACTObjectives The objective was to utilize a smartwatch sphygmomanometer to predict new-onset hypertension within a short-term follow-up among individuals with high-normal blood pressure (HNBP).Methods This study consisted of 3180 participants in the training set and 1000 participants in the validation set. Participants underwent both ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) using a smartwatch sphygmomanometer. Multivariable Cox regressions were used to analyze cumulative events. A nomogram was constructed to predict new-onset hypertension. Discrimination and calibration were assessed using the C-index and calibration curve, respectively.Results Among the 3180 individuals with HNBP in the training set, 693 (21.8%) developed new-onset hypertension within a 6-month period. The nomogram for predicting new-onset hypertension had a C-index of 0.854 (95% CI, 0.843–0.867). The calibration curve demonstrated good agreement between the nomogram’s predicted probabilities and actual observations for short-term new-onset hypertension. In the validate dataset, during the 6-month follow-up, the nomogram had a good C-index of 0.917 (95% CI, 0.904–0.930) and a good calibration curve. As the score increased, the risk of new-onset hypertension significantly increased, with an HR of 8.415 (95% CI: 5.153–13.744, p = .000) for the middle-score vs. low-score groups and 86.824 (95% CI: 55.071–136.885, p = .000) for the high-score vs. low-score group.Conclusions This study provides evidence for the use of smartwatch sphygmomanometer to monitor blood pressure in individuals at high risk of developing new-onset hypertension in the near future.Trial registration ChiCTR2200057354

During chronic infection or tumorigenesis, persistent antigen stimulation contributes to the exhaustion of CD8+ T cells. Nevertheless, exhausted CD8+ T (TEX) cells still preserve certain effector function, and maintaining a reservoir of exhausted cells is of vital importance for virus elimination and tumor eradiation. Despite considerable work interrogating the rejuvenation of TEX cells, mechanisms underpinning the clonal deletion of TEX cells remain largely unexplored over the past decade. In this study, we employed mouse models of LCMV infection to demonstrate that excessive accumulation of lipid peroxidation rendered virus-specific TEX cells to ferroptosis, which may correlate with enhanced mitochondria-derived oxidative stress and compromised activity of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). In addition, either incomplete or complete ablation of GPX4 resulted in exacerbated ferroptosis and aggravated shrunken population of virus-specific TEX cells. On the other hand, inhibiting ferroptosis via administration of a ferroptosis inhibitor or overexpression of GPX4 greatly rectified the cell loss of virus-specific TEX cells. Collectively, we disclosed ferroptosis as a crucial player in the clonal deletion of virus-specific TEX cells and stressed the intervention of ferroptosis as a promising approach to optimize the longevity of virus-specific TEX cells.

BackgroundRecent research has highlighted pyroptosis as a key factor in cancer progression. This study aims to explore the association between pyroptosis-related signatures and overall survival (OS) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) and develop a pyroptosis-related long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) risk model to predict prognosis and response to immunotherapy in HNSC.MethodsWe extracted expression data for 18 pyroptosis-related genes and identified lncRNA probes specific to HNSC by using datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Consensus clustering was performed to categorize HNSC patients into distinct subtypes. A six-lncRNA risk score model was constructed through univariate and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analyses. We evaluated the predictive ability of the lncRNA model for patients’ survival and immunotherapy response. Gene expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Reverse Transcription Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR).ResultsOur analysis revealed two distinct pyroptosis-related subtypes in HNSC patients, Cluster A and Cluster B. Notably, patients in Cluster B exhibited significantly poorer overall survival compared to those in Cluster A. Through differential expression analysis, we identified six lncRNAs (AC002331.1, CTA-384D8.35, RP11-291B21.2, AC006262.5, RP1-27K12.2, and RP11-54H7.4) that were differentially expressed between these clusters. A 6-lncRNA risk score model was developed, which successfully stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups with distinct overall survival outcomes. Validation using RT-qPCR confirmed the differential expression of these six lncRNAs in HNSC tumor tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues, we found that the expression of CTA-384D8.35 was significantly increased in the tumor group (t=-6.203, P

ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with resistance training (RT) versus HIIT alone on body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness and glycolipid metabolism in young women with overweight/obesity.MethodsThis randomized controlled trial divided 40 subjects into an experimental group (HIIT+RT) and a control group (HIIT). Both groups underwent training three times per week for eight weeks. Body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness and glycolipid levels were assessed before and after the intervention.ResultsThe results revealed that compared to baseline, both the experimental and control groups showed significant improvements in body weight, body mass index (BMI), Body fat, waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), vital capacity (VC), oxygen pulse (VO2/HR), minute ventilation, resting heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p

BackgroundMelatonin (MLT) and its receptor deficiency have been shown to be associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a non-invasive alternative intervention for patients suffering from hyperglycemia. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of taVNS on blood glucose modulation via intestinal melatonin receptors (MRs) and MLT secretion in hyperglycemia.MethodsAdult male Zucker diabetes fatty (ZDF) rats and Zucker lean (ZL) littermates were used. Forty ZDF rats were randomized into ZDF, taVNS, Px + taVNS and Lu + Px + taVNS groups (Px: pinealectomy, Lu: Luzindole). ZL rats served as a control group for comparison with ZDF rats without involvement in the taVNS intervention. Thirty min-taVNS interventions (2/15 Hz, 2 mA, 30 min/days) were administered once daily under anesthesia for 3 consecutive weeks in taVNS, Px + taVNS and Lu + Px + taVNS groups. Body weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured weekly in all rats, and real-time blood glucose was tested in the ZL and ZDF groups before, during and after the taVNS intervention. Plasma MLT concentration and the expression of MRs in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were measured by the end of experiments.ResultsCompared with the ZL group, the level of FBG and body weight increased (all p 0.05). In contrast, ZDF rats in which the pineal gland was excised by taVNS intervention and injected with the MRs antagonist Luzindole did not show these changes.ConclusionThe glucose reduction effect of taVNS may be related to regulating MLT levels and expressing intestinal MRs.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative disease that severely impairs vision, often accompanied by oxidative stress damage, cellular apoptosis, and inflammatory responses in the retina. Green tea, which is rich in polyphenols, typically exhibits strong antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, an AMD rat model was induced through a combination of intense light exposure and intraperitoneal injection of sodium iodate. An integrated systems biology approach, combining metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis, was employed to investigate the pharmacological basis of green tea extract (GTE) intervention, elucidate key mechanisms of action, and screen for potential biomarkers. The results indicated that GTE significantly improved oxidative stress damage and inflammatory responses in the retina of AMD rats. Additionally, GTE inhibited retinal cell apoptosis by regulating the expression of caspase-3 protein. Integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses revealed that GTE activates Glycerophospholipid metabolism, Ether lipid metabolism, Retinol metabolism, Arachidonic acid metabolism, and Vascular smooth muscle contraction signaling pathways in the retina of AMD rats. This activation was achieved through the modulation of gene expressions such as Pla2g3, Mboat1, and Awat2, influencing the levels of retinol, prostaglandin F2α, and multiple phospholipid metabolites in the retina. qRT-PCR experiments confirmed that GTE can regulate the expression levels of several key genes involved in inflammatory responses, phospholipid metabolism, and retinol metabolism, thereby enhancing its therapeutic activity against AMD. In summary, these findings confirm the substantial therapeutic potential of green tea in the treatment of AMD, providing a foundation for clinical applications and drug development.

BackgroundCoronary obstruction (CO) is a rare but devasting complication during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).ObjectivesWe aim to demonstrate that the predicted distance between the coronary ostia and the closest structure derived with patient-specific computer simulation is associated with CO risk during TAVR.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed 14 aortic stenosis patients who underwent TAVR through finite element simulation. The frame deformation predicted with patient-specific computer simulation was qualitatively and quantitatively compared to the post-operative device deformation. The minimum distance between each coronary ostium and the closest structure was calculated and compared in patients who developed CO, at high risk of CO, and at no risk of CO.ResultsFour patients experienced CO during TAVR, 5 patients were at high risk of CO, and the remaining 5 patients had no risk of CO. A high coefficient of determination was obtained for all measurements extracted from the simulated device and the post-operative device (≥0.95). Simulations predicted shorter distance between the coronary ostium and the closest structure in patients who experienced CO, compared to patients at high risk of CO or who did not experience this complication (right coronary: 5.9 vs. 6.8 vs. 8.8 mm, left coronary: 3.0 vs. 3.3 vs. 6.5 mm respectively).ConclusionsThe distance between the coronary ostium and the closest structure was lower in patients who experienced CO during TAVR through patient-specific computational simulation. This technology enables coronary obstruction analysis before TAVR in the future.

Background and objectiveSocial determinants of health (SDOH) broadly influence health levels. Research on health and its influencing factors can help improve health status. There is limited research on the spatial stratified heterogeneity of health status and the interactions between the factors influencing it. This study aimed to analyze the spatial characteristics of health outcomes in Beijing and identify its influencing factors.MethodsBased on the Healthy Beijing Initiative (2020–2030), we constructed health outcomes and five dimensions of the SDOH evaluation system. Our study measured the health outcomes and SDOH based on the latest data from 16 districts in Beijing in 2020–2022. We explored the spatial characteristics of health outcomes through descriptive and spatial autocorrelation analyses. Moreover, the Geographical Detector (GeoDetector) technique has been used to reveal the effect of SDOH and its interactions on health outcomes.ResultsA significant spatial stratified heterogeneity of health outcomes was observed, with the health outcomes mainly exhibiting two clustering types (high–high and low–low) with positive autocorrelation. The results of the geodetector showed that social and economic factors (q = 0.85), healthy lifestyle (q = 0.68) and health service (q = 0.53) could mainly explain the heterogeneity of health outcomes. Social and economic factors, healthy lifestyle and healthy environment gradually became the main influential factor in health outcomes over time. Furthermore, the interaction of any two factors on health outcomes was found to be more pronounced than the impact of a single factor.ConclusionThere existed obvious spatial stratified heterogeneity of health outcomes in Beijing, which could be primarily explained by social and economic factors, and healthy lifestyle and health service.

Introduction: Major depressive disorder (MDD), characterized by severe neuropsychiatric symptoms and significant cognitive deficits, continues to present both etiological and therapeutic challenges. However, the specific underlying mechanisms and therapeutic targets remain unclear.Methods: We analyzed human postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) samples from MDD patients using datasets GSE53987 and GSE54568, identifying three key genes: AGA, FBXO38, and RGS5. To model depressive-like behavior, we employed chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) and subsequently measured the expression of AGA, FBXO38, and RGS5 in the dlPFC using qPCR and Western blot analysis following CSDS exposure.Results: CSDS significantly induced depressive-like behavior, and both the protein and transcriptional expression levels of AGA, FBXO38, and RGS5 in the dlPFC of mice were markedly reduced after stress, consistent with findings from datasets GSE53987 and GSE54568.Conclusion: Our research suggests that AGA, FBXO38, and RGS5 are potential biomarkers for MDD and could serve as valuable targets for MDD risk prediction.

Summary: Background: It is estimated that ∼60% of people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) are undetected or undiagnosed, with higher rates of underdiagnosis in low-to middle-income areas with limited medical resources. To promote health equity, we have developed a web-based tool that utilizes easy-to-collect clinical data to enhance AD detection rate in primary care settings. Methods: This study was leveraged on the data collected from participants of the Australian Imaging, Biomarker & Lifestyle (AIBL) study and the Religious Orders Study and Memory and Aging Project (ROSMAP). The study included three phases: (1) constructing and evaluating a model on retrospective cohort data (1407 AIBL participants), (2) performing simulated trials to assess model accuracy (30 AIBL participants) and missing data tolerability (30 AIBL participants), and (3) external evaluation using a non-Australian dataset (500 ROSMAP participants). The auto-score machine learning algorithm was employed to develop the Florey Dementia Risk Score (FDRS). All the simulated trials and evaluation were performed using a web-based FDRS tool. Findings: FDRS achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of approximately 0.82 [95% CI, 0.75–0.88], with a sensitivity of 0.74 [0.60–0.86] and a specificity of 0.73 [0.70–0.79]. The accuracy of the simulated pilot trial for 30 AIBL participants with complete record was 87% (26/30 correct), while it only slightly decreased (80.0–83.3%, depending on imputation methods) for another 30 AIBL participants with one or two missing data. FDRS achieved an AUC of 0.82 [0.77–0.86] of 500 ROSMAP participants. Interpretation: The FDRS tool offers a potential low-cost solution to AD screening in primary care. The present study warrants future trials of FDRS for optimization and to confirm its generalizability across a more diverse population, especially people in low-income countries. Funding: National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia (GNT2007912) and Alzheimer's Association, USA (23AARF-1020292).

A rapid, simple, effective, and green method for the determination of betaine and trigonelline from Lycium chinense Mill. (LCM) and the quantification of the trigonelline in coffee was proposed and validated by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric (MALDI-TOF MS) detection. Due to without chromatographic separation, the method greatly shortened the detection time. The detection of betaine and trigonelline concentration showed good linearity in the range of 1–100 μg/mL and 0.01–100 μg/mL, with correlation coefficients r2 = 0.9962 and 0.9946, respectively. The good reproducibility and reliability of the method were demonstrated by excellent intraday and interday precisions with RSD

Abstract Background Conflicting findings regarding the impact of High protein intake during the early phase in critically ill patients have been reported. Therefore, we aimed to assess the influence of higher early protein intake on the prognosis of critically ill patients. Methods This randomized controlled trial involved 173 critically ill patients who stayed in the Intensive Care Unit/Emergency ICU (ICU/EICU) for at least 7 days. The Low group (n = 87) and High group (n = 86) received protein supplementation of 0.8 g/kg.d and 1.5 g/kg.d, respectively, within 1–3 days of enteral nutrition (EN) initiation, with both groups transitioning to 1.5 g/kg.d on the 4th day. The serum prealbumin (PA), blood urea nitrogen/creatinine, and rectus femoris muscle thickness and cross-sectional area of all patients was measured on the 1th, 3rd, 5th, 7th day, and the day of ICU/EICU discharge. Results Patients in both Low and High groups showed no significant differences in age, APACHE II scores, or other demographic and baseline characteristics. There were also no significant differences in the primary outcome (28-day mortality rate) and secondary outcomes (incidence rate of refeeding syndrome and EN tolerance score) between the two groups. However, the Low group exhibited a significantly higher 28-day mortality rate (HR = 2.462, 95% CI: 1.021–5.936, P = 0.045) compared to High group, as determined by Cox proportional hazards models incorporating the time factor. The High group exhibited significantly shorter durations of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay compared to the Low group. Serum PA levels were higher, and rectus femoris muscle atrophy rates were lower in the High group. Furthermore, for septic patients, high protein intake significantly reduced the 28-day mortality rate despite a small sample size (n = 34). Conclusions Our study indicates that increasing early protein intake to 1.5 g/kg.d may be safe and help improve the nutritional status and prognosis of critically ill patients. Trial registration This study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000039997, https://www.chictr.org.cn/ ).

Abstract Acrossocheilus fasciatus is a stream-dwelling fish species of the Barbinae subfamily. It is valued for its colorfully striped appearance and delicious meat. This species is also characterized by apparent sexual dimorphism and toxic ovum. Biology and aquaculture researches of A. fasciatus are hindered by the lack of a high-quality reference genome. Here, we report chromosome-level genome assemblies of the male and female A. fasciatus. The HiFi-only genome assemblies for both female and male individuals were 899.13 Mb (N50 length of 32.58 Mb) and 885.68 Mb (N50 length of 33.06 Mb), respectively. Notably, a substantial proportion of the assembled sequences, accounting for 96.15% and 98.35% for female and male genomes, respectively, were successfully anchored onto 25 chromosomes utilizing Hi-C data. We annotated the female assembly as a reference genome and identified a total of 400.62 Mb (44.56%) repetitive sequences, 27,392 protein-coding genes, and 35,869 ncRNAs. The high-quality male and female reference genomes will provide genomic resources for developing sex-specific molecular markers, inform single-sex breeding, and elucidate genetic mechanisms of sexual dimorphism.

Abstract Background Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), a natural polymer material, gained significant popularity among researchers and industry. It has great potential in areas, such as textile manufacturing, fiber-based paper, and packaging products, food industry, biomedical materials, and advanced functional bionanocomposites. The main current fermentation methods for BNC involved static culture, as the agitated culture methods had lower raw material conversion rates and resulted in non-uniform product formation. Currently, studies have shown that the production of BNC can be enhanced by incorporating specific additives into the culture medium. These additives included organic acids or polysaccharides. γ-Polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA), known for its high polymerization, excellent biodegradability, and environmental friendliness, has found extensive application in various industries including daily chemicals, medicine, food, and agriculture. Results In this particular study, 0.15 g/L of γ-PGA was incorporated as a medium additive to cultivate BNC under agitated culture conditions of 120 rpm and 30 ℃. The BNC production increased remarkably by 209% in the medium with 0.15 g/L γ-PGA and initial pH of 5.0 compared to that in the standard medium, and BNC production increased by 7.3% in the medium with 0.06 g/L γ-PGA. The addition of γ-PGA as a medium additive resulted in significant improvements in BNC production. Similarly, at initial pH levels of 4.0 and 6.0, the BNC production also increased by 39.3% and 102.3%, respectively. To assess the characteristics of the BNC products, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were used. The average diameter of BNC fibers, which was prepared from the medium adding 0.15 g/L γ-PGA, was twice thicker than that of BNC fibers prepared from the control culture medium. That might be because that polyglutamic acid relieved the BNC synthesis from the shear stress from the agitation. Conclusions This experiment held great significance as it explored the use of a novel medium additive, γ-PGA, to improve the production and the glucose conversion rate in BNC fermentation. And the BNC fibers became thicker, with better thermal stability, higher crystallinity, and higher degree of polymerization (DPv). These findings lay a solid foundation for future large-scale fermentation production of BNC using bioreactors.

Abstract Background Isolated microspore culture is a useful biotechnological technique applied in modern plant breeding programs as it can produce doubled haploid (DH) plants and accelerate the development of new varieties. Furthermore, as a single-cell culture technique, the isolated microspore culture provides an excellent platform for studying microspore embryogenesis. However, the reports on isolated microspore culture are rather limited in rice due to the low callus induction rate, poor regeneration capability, and high genotypic dependency. The present study developed an effective isolated microspore culture protocol for high-frequency androgenesis in four japonica rice genotypes. Several factors affecting the isolated microspore culture were studied to evaluate their effects on callus induction and plantlet regeneration. Results Low-temperature pre-treatment at 4 ℃ for 10–15 days could effectively promote microspore embryogenesis in japonica rice. A simple and efficient method was proposed for identifying the microspore developmental stage. The anthers in yellow-green florets located on the second type of primary branch on the rice panicle were found to be the optimal stage for isolated microspore culture. The most effective induction media for callus induction were IM2 and IM3, depending on the genotype. The optimal concentration of 2, 4-D in the medium for callus induction was 1 mg/L. Callus induction was negatively affected by a high concentration of KT over 1.5 mg/L. The differentiation medium suitable for japonica rice microspore callus comprised 1/2 MS, 2 mg/L 6-BA, 0.5 mg/L NAA, 30 g/L sucrose, and 6 g/L agar. The regeneration frequency of the four genotypes ranged from 61–211 green plantlets per 100 mg calli, with Chongxiangjing showing the highest regeneration frequency. Conclusions This study presented an efficient protocol for improved callus induction and green plantlet regeneration in japonica rice via isolated microspore culture, which could provide valuable support for rice breeding and genetic research.

Abstract Purpose The objective of this paper is to offer a thorough examination of the clinical presentations, etiology, and treatment strategies associated with perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas). Methods This retrospective study examined the comprehensive archival data of PEComa cases diagnosed at Beijing Hospital from 2015 to 2023. The pathology slides of all patients were thoroughly reassessed by two experienced pathologists. A thorough retrospective analysis was undertaken, incorporating clinicopathological data including gender, age at diagnosis, initial clinical manifestations, signs, disease onset site, tumor markers, imaging findings, therapeutic modalities, pathological features, immunohistochemical profiles, treatment responses, and prognostic indicators. Patients were evaluated for disease severity according to established pathological classification criteria and were followed up until the designated analysis cut-off date. In instances where patients were unable to be monitored on-site, they were contacted via telephone for postoperative follow-up inquiries. Results This study included 11 patients with ages ranging from 17 to 66 years old, presenting with the disease in multiple anatomical sites, including the retroperitoneum (2/11), liver (4/11), kidney (4/11), lung (1/11), and broad ligament of the uterus (1/11). Most patients presented with non-specific clinical symptoms and were subsequently diagnosed with space-occupying lesions upon physical examination. The tumor demonstrated progressive growth and enlargement, which could result in compression of neighboring organs. Preoperative imaging alone is insufficient for a definitive diagnosis of PEComa, but MRI can provide an initial evaluation of the tumor’s potential malignancy. Molecular marker testing specific to PEComa, such as HMB-45 (90.0%), SMA (81.8%), Melan-A (90.9%), vimentin (90.9%), and Desmin (36.3%), was conducted on all patients. No adjuvant therapies were administered postoperatively. Upon analysis, no instances of relapse at the primary site or the development of new tumors at other sites were observed. Regular imaging reviews of three patients with malignant PEComa post-surgery showed no evidence of recurrence. Conclusions The clinical presentation, tumor biomarkers, and imaging characteristics of PEComa lack specificity, necessitating dependence on pathology and immunohistochemistry for precise diagnosis. The mainstay of treatment consists of surgical resection, with patients typically experiencing a favorable prognosis.

Abstract Chemo-immunotherapy combinations have been regarded as one of the most practical ways to improve immunotherapy response in cancer patients. In this study, we integrate the transcriptomics data from anti-PD-1-treated tumors and compound-treated cancer cell lines to systematically screen for chemo-immunotherapy synergisms in silico. Through analyzing anti-PD-1 induced expression changes in patient tumors, we develop a shift ability score to measure if a chemotherapy or a small molecule inhibitor treatment can shift anti-PD-1 resistance in tumor cells. By applying shift ability analysis to 41,321 compounds and 16,853 shRNA treated cancer cell lines transcriptomic data, we characterize the landscape of chemo-immunotherapy synergism and experimentally validated a mitochondrial RNA-dependent mechanism for drug-induced immune activation in tumor. Our study represents an effort to mechanistically characterize chemo-immunotherapy synergism and will facilitate future pre-clinical and clinical studies.

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) pollution has become a major environmental risk, and green plants can mitigate air pollution by regulating their enzymatic activity, osmoregulatory substances, photosynthetic pigments, and other biochemical characteristics. The present investigation aims to evaluate the mitigation potential of five common evergreen tree species (Photinia serrulata, Ligustrum lucidum, Eriobotrya japonica, Euonymus japonicus, Pittosporum tobira) against air pollution and to assess the effect of dust retention on plant physiological functions exposed to three different pollution levels (road, campus, and park). The results found that the amount of dust retained per unit leaf area of the plants was proportional to the mass concentration of atmospheric particulate matter in the environment, and that dust accumulation was higher on the road and campus than in the park. There were significant differences in dust retention among the five tree species, with the highest leaf dust accumulation observed for E. japonica (5.45 g·m−2), and the lowest for P. tobira (1.53 g·m−2). In addition, the increase in PM adsorption by different plants was uneven with increasing pollution levels, with significant decreases in chlorophyll content, photosynthetic and transpiration rate. From a physiological perspective, P. tobira exhibited greater potential to respond to PM pollution. Biochemical indicators suggested that PM pollution caused changes in plant protective enzyme activities, with a decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities, as well as promoting membrane lipid peroxidation, and appropriate stress also enables plants to counteract oxidative damage. In particular, PM exposure also induced stomatal constriction. Overall, PM retention was significantly associated with physiological and photosynthetic traits. In conclusion, our study contributes to the understanding of the effects of PM on plant physiology. Furthermore, it also provides insights into the selection of plants that are tolerant to PM pollution.

Abstract Backgroud Supernatants from various cytological samples, including body cavity effusion, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and needle aspiration, have been validated for detecting genetic alterations using cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the sensitivity of fusion variations detection remains challenging. The protection of cell‐free RNA (cfRNA) is critical for resolving the issue. Methods A protective solution (PS) was applied for preserving cfRNA in cytological supernatant (CS), and the quality of protected cfRNA was assessed by cycle threshold (CT) values from reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). Furthermore, we collected an additional set of malignant cytological and matched tumor samples from 84 NSCLC patients, cfDNA & cfRNA extraction and double detection for driver gene mutations was validated using the multi‐gene mutations detection by RT‐qPCR. Results Under the optimal protection system, 91.0% (101/111) of cfRNA were protected effectively. Among the 84 NSCLC patient samples, seven cytological samples failed the tests. In comparison with tumor samples, the overall sensitivity and specificity of detecting driver genes of supernatant cfDNA and cfRNA were 93.8% (74/77) and 100% (77/77), respectively. Notably, when focusing exclusively on patients with fusion gene changes, both sensitivity and specificity reached 100% (11/11) for EML4‐ALK, ROS1, RET fusions, and MET ex14 skipping. Conclusion These findings suggest that cfDNA & cfRNA extraction and double detection strategy recommended in this study improve the accuracy of driver genes mutations test, especially for RNA‐based assay.

Electric loads steadily increase each year due to economic and population expansion, placing electric systems close to their stability limits. Also, the electrical network is a sophisticated system with various control, protection devices, and power electronics. Any malfunction in these components can disrupt system reliability. Therefore, ensuring safe and dependable power system operation requires continuous and precise voltage stability monitoring to prevent instability and cascading outages. Despite the existence of numerous stability indexes, their limitations often make them ineffective under varying operating conditions. In response to these challenges, this article proposes a modern stability assessment index (MSAI) designed specifically to assess voltage stability in different operating scenarios. The MSAI aims to accurately assess voltage stability and stress levels in power lines, enabling operators to proactively manage system reliability. One key advantage of the MSAI is its ability to determine the maximum allowable load and loading margin, which is crucial for maintaining stable operation under changing load conditions. In order to validate the effectiveness of the proposed index, extensive evaluations are conducted using IEEE 30, 57, and 118 bus test systems. The study meticulously compares the performance of the MSAI with other prominent stability indicators, highlighting its superiority in providing predictive insights into areas prone to stress and potential contingencies. By empowering operators with preemptive correction capabilities, the MSAI reduces the risk of successive outages and enhances overall system flexibility. The voltage stability assessment and contingency ranking were evaluated using the proposed MSAI via a smooth method in the MATLAB environment.

Plant derived polysaccharides can enhance immune function in the human body, effectively prevent diseases, and reduce the probability of bacterial infections. Ginkgo crude polysaccharide (GCP) was obtained from Ginkgo biloba by ultrasonic-assisted hot water extraction. Our data showed that the best extraction conditions of GCP were as follows: extraction temperature 80 °C, ultrasonic time 35 min, extraction time 3 h, and solid‒liquid ratio 1:30. Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) data showed that this polysaccharide might be an acidic polysaccharide with a carboxylic acid ring structure. Further studies implied that GCP was mainly composed of glucose, galacturonic acid, rhamnose, galactose and arabinose, accounting for 39.45 %, 25.01 %, 15.40 %, 11.94 % and 4.25 %, respectively. 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/mL GCP reduced the release of inflammatory factors in RAW264.7 cells via inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B (NF-κB) signalling pathway. GCP was separated into five components with different molecular weights by an ultrafiltration membrane. Our data showed that GPa with a molecular weight ≥100 kDa was the main component of GCP. 1 mg/mL GPa, GPb, GPc and GPd had anti-inflammatory activities, and 1 mg/mL GPa had the best anti-inflammatory activities. Our results preliminarily reveal the elements and biological activity of GCP, which will provide a reference for the development of Ginkgo biloba.

Hydrogen plays a crucial role in improving sustainability and offering a clean and efficient energy carrier that significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. However, the primary method of industrial hydrogen production, steam methane reforming (SMR), relies on the combustion of hydrocarbons as the heating source for the reforming reactions, resulting in significant carbon emissions. To address this issue, an experimental setup of an electrically-heated steam methane reformer (e-SMR) has been constructed at UCLA, and a lumped first-principle dynamic process model was built based on parameters estimated from the experimental data in a previous study. Subsequently, the first-principle dynamic process model was implemented into the computational model predictive control (MPC) scheme, successfully driving the hydrogen production rate to the desired setpoint. While these works are important and pave the way for developing MPC for large-scale e-SMR processes, the first-principle process model may not accurately reflect the actual process behavior, particularly as the process behavior changes with time. Therefore, the development and establishment of an adaptive data-driven approach for implementing model predictive control in the e-SMR process is necessary. To address this need, the present work investigates the construction of recurrent neural network (RNN) models for an e-SMR process in-depth, utilizing data from an experimentally-validated first-principle model. Specifically, a long short-term memory (LSTM) layer was utilized in the RNN model to effectively capture the complex correlations present in long-term sequential data. Subsequently, this LSTM-based RNN process model was employed to design an MPC, and its performance was evaluated through comparison with proportional–integral (PI) control. To address potential disturbances and variability in a typical e-SMR process, three distinct approaches were developed: MPC with an integrator, MPC with real-time online retraining (transfer learning), and offset-free MPC. These approaches effectively eliminated the offset caused by disturbances. Overall, this study underscores the effectiveness of utilizing RNN models to capture process dynamics in an experimental e-SMR process. It also outlines strategies for employing RNN-based control and multiple approaches to address disturbances in general processes with partially infrequent and delayed measurement feedback. This approach is particularly valuable in scenarios where developing first-principle models for a new process may be challenging.

Background: The association between playing Ma-jong, chess and cards (PMCC) and shoulder pain among elderly adults in China remains unclear. The present study aimed to examine the association based on a nationally representative large-scale survey. Methods: The study used two waves of data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2015 and 2018. All subjects met the inclusion criteria were classified based on the results of the CHARLS wave questionnaire. Logistic regression models were conducted to analyze the cross-sectional and longitudinal association between PMCC and shoulder pain. Odds ratios (OR) were reported to indicate the strength of the association. Results: In total, 8125 participants aged over 60 years (48.3 % male; mean age 67.9 ± 6.4 years) were enrolled in a cross-sectional association study in 2015, and further 6861 elderly adults were followed up in 2018. The overall prevalence of shoulder pain in the cross-sectional population was 15.6 %. In the non-PMCC and PMCC groups, the incidence of shoulder pain was 16.6 % and 10.7 %, respectively (P

Abstract Patients with glycogen storage disease type Ib (GSD‐Ib) frequently have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). however, the underlying etiology remains unclear. Herein, this study finds that digestive symptoms are commonly observed in patients with GSD‐Ib, presenting as single or multiple scattered deep round ulcers, inflammatory pseudo‐polyps, obstructions, and strictures, which differ substantially from those in typical IBD. Distinct microbiota profiling and single‐cell clustering of colonic mucosae in patients with GSD are conducted. Heterogeneous oral pathogenic enteric outgrowth induced by GSD is a potent inducer of gut microbiota immaturity and colonic macrophage accumulation. Specifically, a unique population of macrophages with high CCL4L2 expression is identified in response to pathogenic bacteria in the intestine. Hyper‐activation of the CCL4L2‐VSIR axis leads to increased expression of AGR2 and ZG16 in epithelial cells, which mediates the unique progression of IBD in GSD‐Ib. Collectively, the microbiota‐driven pathomechanism of IBD is demonstrated in GSD‐Ib and revealed the active role of the CCL4L2‐VSIR axis in the interaction between the microbiota and colonic mucosal immunity. Thus, targeting gut dysbiosis and/or the CCL4L2‐VISR axis may represent a potential therapy for GSD‐associated IBD.

Modular dynamic graph theory metrics effectively capture the patterns of dynamic information interaction during human brain development. While existing research has employed modular algorithms to examine the overall impact of dynamic changes in community structure throughout development, there is a notable gap in understanding the cross-community dynamic changes within different functional networks during early childhood and their potential contributions to the efficiency of brain information transmission. This study seeks to address this gap by tracing the trajectories of cross-community structural changes within early childhood functional networks and modeling their contributions to information transmission efficiency. We analyzed 194 functional imaging scans from 83 children aged 2 to 8 years, who participated in passive viewing functional magnetic resonance imaging sessions. Utilizing sliding windows and modular algorithms, we evaluated three spatiotemporal metrics—temporal flexibility, spatiotemporal diversity, and within-community spatiotemporal diversity—and four centrality metrics: within-community degree centrality, eigenvector centrality, between-community degree centrality, and between-community eigenvector centrality. Mixed-effects linear models revealed significant age-related increases in the temporal flexibility of the default mode network (DMN), executive control network (ECN), and salience network (SN), indicating frequent adjustments in community structure within these networks during early childhood. Additionally, the spatiotemporal diversity of the SN also displayed significant age-related increases, highlighting its broad pattern of cross-community dynamic interactions. Conversely, within-community spatiotemporal diversity in the language network exhibited significant age-related decreases, reflecting the network's gradual functional specialization. Furthermore, our findings indicated significant age-related increases in between-community degree centrality across the DMN, ECN, SN, language network, and dorsal attention network, while between-community eigenvector centrality also increased significantly for the DMN, ECN, and SN. However, within-community eigenvector centrality remained stable across all functional networks during early childhood. These results suggest that while centrality of cross-community interactions in early childhood functional networks increases, centrality within communities remains stable. Finally, mediation analysis was conducted to explore the relationships between age, brain dynamic graph metrics, and both global and local efficiency based on community structure. The results indicated that the dynamic graph metrics of the SN primarily mediated the relationship between age and the decrease in global efficiency, while those of the DMN, language network, ECN, dorsal attention network, and SN primarily mediated the relationship between age and the increase in local efficiency. This pattern suggests a developmental trajectory in early childhood from global information integration to local information segregation, with the SN playing a pivotal role in this transformation. This study provides novel insights into the mechanisms by which early childhood brain functional development impacts information transmission efficiency through cross-community adjustments in functional networks.

ABSTRACT: Feed efficiency (FE) is a crucial economic indicator of meat duck production. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of residual feed intake (RFI), defined as the difference between the actual and expected feed intake based on animal's production and maintenance requirements, on the growth performance (GP), slaughter and internal organ characteristics of fast-growing meat ducks. In total, 1,300 healthy 14-day-old male fast-growing meat ducks were housed in individual cages until slaughter at the age of 35 d. The characteristics of the carcass and internal organs of 30 ducks with the highest RFI (HRFI) and the lowest RFI (LRFI) were respectively determined. RFI, the feed conversion ratio (FCR), and average day feed intake (ADFI) were significantly lower in the LRFI group than the HRFI group (P < 0.001), while there were no significant differences in marketing BW or BW gain (BWG) (P > 0.05). The thigh muscle and lean meat yields were higher, and the abdominal fat content was lower (P < 0.001) in the LRFI group, while there were no significant differences in other carcass traits between the groups (P > 0.05). The liver and gizzard yields were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the LRFI group, while there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in intestinal length between the groups. RFI was highly positively correlate with FCR and ADFI (P < 0.01), but negatively correlated the yields of thigh muscle, lean meat, liver, and gizzard, and positively correlated with abdominal fat content. These results indicate that selection for low RFI could improve the FE of fast-growing meat ducks without affecting the marketing BW and BWG, while increasing yields of thigh muscle and lean meat and reducing abdominal fat content. These findings offer useful insights into the biological processes that influence FE of fast-growing meat ducks.

IntroductionNatural plants are valuable resources for exploring new bioactive compounds. Artemisia vulgaris L. is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb that has been historically used for treating multiple diseases. Active compounds isolated and extracted from A. vulgaris L. typically possess immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Artemvulactone E (AE) is a new sesquiterpene lactone isolated and extracted from A. vulgaris L. with unclear biological activities.MethodsThe immunoregulatory effects of AE on macrophages were assessed by ELISA, RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence, and western blot assay. The effect of AE on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -relates signaling pathways was examined by western blot assay. In zebrafish models, the larvae were yolk-microinjected with LPS to establish inflammation model and the effect of AE was evaluated by determining the survival rate, heart rate, yolk sac edema size, neutrophils and macrophages infiltration of zebrafish. The interaction between AE and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was examined by molecular docking and dynamic stimulation.ResultsAE reduced the expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6), inflammatory mediators iNOS and COX-2, as well as decreases the production of intracellular NO and ROS in LPS-stimulated macrophages. In addition, AE exerted its anti-inflammatory effect synergistically by inhibiting MAPK/JAK/STAT3-NF-κB signaling pathways. Furthermore, AE enhanced the survival rate and attenuated inflammatory response in zebrafish embryos treated with LPS. Finally, the molecular dynamics results indicate that AE forms stable complexes with LPS receptor TLR4 through the Ser127 residue, thus completely impairing the subsequent activation of MAPK-NF-κB signaling.ConclusionAE exhibits notable anti-inflammatory activity and represents as a potential agent for treating inflammation-associated diseases.

Accurate and effective building energy consumption prediction is an important basis for carrying out energy-saving evaluation and the main basis for building energy-saving optimization design. However, due to the influence of environmental and human factors, energy consumption prediction is often inaccurate. Therefore, this paper presents a building energy consumption prediction model based on an attention mechanism, time convolutional neural (TCN) network fusion, and a bidirectional gated cycle unit (BIGRU). First, t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (T-SNE) was used to preprocess the data and extract the key features, and then a BIGRU was employed to acquire past and future data while capturing immediate connections. Then, to catch the long-term dependence, the dataset was partitioned into the TCN network, and the extended sequence was transformed into several short sequences. Consequently, the gradient explosion or vanishing problem is mitigated when the BIGRU handles lengthy sequences while reducing the spatial complexity. Second, the self-attention mechanism was introduced to enhance the model's capability to address data periodicity. The proposed model is superior to the other four models in accuracy, with an mean absolute error of 0.023, an mean-square error of 0.029, and an coefficient of determination of 0.979. Experimental results indicate that T-SNE can significantly improve the model performance, and the accuracy of predictions can be improved by the attention mechanism and the TCN network.

Abstract Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading causes of physical disabilities worldwide. The poor self-repair capacity of musculoskeletal tissues and the absence of effective therapies have driven the development of novel bioengineering-based therapeutic approaches. Adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC)-based therapies are being explored as new regenerative strategies for the repair and regeneration of bone, cartilage, and tendon owing to the accessibility, multipotency, and active paracrine activity of ADSCs. In this review, recent advances in ADSCs and their optimization strategies, including ADSC-derived exosomes (ADSC-Exos), biomaterials, and genetic modifications, are summarized. Furthermore, the preclinical and clinical applications of ADSCs and ADSC-Exos, either alone or in combination with growth factors or biomaterials or in genetically modified forms, for bone, cartilage, and tendon regeneration are reviewed. ADSC-based optimization strategies hold promise for the management of multiple types of musculoskeletal injuries. The timely summary and highlights provided here could offer guidance for further investigations to accelerate the development and clinical application of ADSC-based therapies in musculoskeletal regeneration. Graphical abstract

Abstract Functional metal doping endows fluorescent carbon dots with richer physical and chemical properties, greatly expanding their potential in the biomedical field. Nonetheless, fabricating carbon dots with integrated functionality for diagnostic and therapeutic modalities remains challenging. Herein, we develop a simple strategy to prepare Gd/Ru bimetallic doped fluorescent carbon dots (Gd/Ru-CDs) via a one-step microwave-assisted method with Ru(dcbpy)3Cl2, citric acid, polyethyleneimine, and GdCl3 as precursors. Multiple techniques were employed to characterize the morphology and properties of the obtained carbon dots. The Gd/Ru-CDs are high mono-dispersity, uniform spherical nanoparticles with an average diameter of 4.2 nm. Moreover, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) confirmed the composition and surface properties of the carbon dots. In particular, the successful doping of Gd/Ru enables the carbon dots not only show considerable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performance but also obtain better fluorescence (FL) properties, especially in the red emission area. More impressively, it has low cytotoxicity, excellent biocompatibility, and efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation ability, making it an effective imaging-guided tumor treatment reagent. In vivo experiments have revealed that Gd/Ru-CDs can achieve light-induced tumor suppression and non-invasive fluorescence/magnetic resonance bimodal imaging reagents to monitor the treatment process of mouse tumor models. Thus, this simple and efficient carbon dot manufacturing strategy by doping functional metals has expanded avenues for the development and application of multifunctional all-in-one theranostics.

Abstract Bathyarchaeia (formerly Bathyarchaeota) is a group of highly abundant archaeal communities that play important roles in global biogeochemical cycling. Bathyarchaeia is predominantly found in sediments and hot springs. However, their presence in arable soils is relatively limited. In this study, we aimed to investigate the spatial distributions and diversity of Bathyarchaeia in paddy soils across eastern China, which is a major rice production region. The relative abundance of Bathyarchaeia among total archaea ranged from 3 to 68% in paddy soils, and Bathy-6 was the dominant subgroup among the Bathyarchaeia (70–80% of all sequences). Bathyarchaeia showed higher migration ability and wider niche width based on the neutral and null model simulations. Bathy-6 was primarily assembled by deterministic processes. Soil pH and C/N ratio were identified as key factors influencing the Bathyarchaeia composition, whereas C/N ratio and mean annual temperature influenced the relative abundance of Bathyarchaeia. Network analysis showed that specific Bathyarchaeia taxa occupied keystone positions in the archaeal community and co-occurred with some methanogenic archaea, including Methanosarcina and Methanobacteria, and ammonia-oxidizing archaea belonging to Nitrososphaeria. This study provides important insights into the biogeography and niche differentiation of Bathyarchaeia particularly in paddy soil ecosystems.

Abstract Enhancers and the enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) have been strongly implicated in regulations of transcriptions. Based the multi-omics data (ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq and RNA-seq) from public databases, Pig-eRNAdb is a dataset that comprehensively integrates enhancers and eRNAs for pigs using the machine learning strategy, which incorporates 82,399 enhancers and 37,803 eRNAs from 607 samples across 15 tissues of pigs. This user-friendly dataset covers a comprehensive depth of enhancers and eRNAs annotation for pigs. The coordinates of enhancers and the expression patterns of eRNAs are downloadable. Besides, thousands of regulators on eRNAs, the target genes of eRNAs, the tissue-specific eRNAs, and the housekeeping eRNAs are also accessible as well as the sequence similarity of eRNAs with humans. Moreover, the tissue-specific eRNA-trait associations encompass 652 traits are also provided. It will crucially facilitate investigations on enhancers and eRNAs with Pig-eRNAdb as a reference dataset in pigs.

Abstract Background Burnout is a common issue among medical professionals, and one of the well-studied predisposing factors is the Big Five personality traits. However, no studies have explored the relationships between these traits and burnout from a trait-to-component perspective. To understand the specific connections between each Big Five trait and burnout components, as well as the bridging effects of each trait on burnout, we employed network analysis. Methods A cluster sampling method was used to select a total of 420 Chinese medical personnel. The 15-item Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory-15 (CBF-PI-15) assessed the Big Five personality traits, while the 15-item Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) assessed burnout components. Network analysis was used to estimate network structure of Big Five personality traits and burnout components and calculate the bridge expected influence. Results The study revealed distinct and clear relationships between the Big Five personality traits and burnout components. For instance, Neuroticism was positively related to Doubt significance and Worthwhile, while Conscientiousness was negatively related to Accomplish all tasks. Among the Big Five traits, Neuroticism displayed the highest positive bridge expected influence, while Conscientiousness displayed the highest negative bridge expected influence. Conclusions The network model provides a means to investigate the connections between the Big Five personality traits and burnout components among medical professionals. This study offers new avenues for thought and potential targets for burnout prevention and treatment in medical personnel, which can be further explored and tested in clinical settings.

Abstract Background The literature on therapeutic landscapes highlights that the university campus landscape has restorative effects on students. This deserves more scholarly attention since mental health has become an important issue among university students. However, existing empirical studies have revealed mixed evidence with little attention to the heterogeneity across the design and, therefore, the potential therapeutic effects across different landscapes. Method This research examined how 13 landscape sites on a university campus might be differentially related to student well-being. These sites were identified from a variety of sources (campus design documents, photos used in the university’s social media posts, and interviews with a small group of students) to represent a comprehensive list of places that students might visit. The data was collected in a large online survey of a Chinese university (n = 2,528). We asked about students’ use of individual landscape sites and the associated motivations for visits, and measured well-being using a perceived stress scale and overall evaluation of the happiness level. Bivariate analysis was used to explore the zero-order associations between landscape use and well-being. OLS (for stress) and logistic regressions (for happiness) were conducted to further evaluate the associations after controlling the student background variables and potential correlations of uses across different landscapes. Results Among 13 landscape sites, four sites had significant positive associations with either or both measures of well-being after controlling for the student characteristics and use of the other landscape sites. There was also an additive benefit of visiting more landscapes. Compared to those who did not frequently visit any of the sites, well-being had a significant stepwise increase among those who frequently visited one or two and more sites. One site that was significantly related to both measures of well-being only offered distant views of landscapes, but it was right next to the study areas. Conclusions This study demonstrates the heterogeneity of restorative effects across different landscapes on campus. The findings suggest that effective landscape design that aims to promote student well-being should be placed close to stressors (i.e., where they study), and between where they study and live to offer students opportunities to break from the common routines and to relax. The findings hold greater relevance for universities in China and institutions with similar student campus lifestyles, occupancies, and behavior patterns worldwide.