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Abstract Background Sarcopenia, the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength, is common among patients with chronic kidney disease, especially those on maintenance hemodialysis. This condition often arises from factors like reduced physical activity and metabolic changes associated with chronic kidney disease. This study aims to assess the prevalence and severity of sarcopenia in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), focusing on probable sarcopenia and its correlations with physical activity, body mass index, and inorganic phosphorus levels. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 220 patients on MHD who visited to West China Hospital of Sichuan University between February and April 2023. The demographic data, body measurements, and laboratory results were retrospectively collected. Sarcopenia was assessed using the 2019 criteria from the Asian Working Group and the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People, and physical activity was measured via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results Of the study participants, 141 (64.1%) were diagnosed with probable [110 (50.0%) or confirmed sarcopenia [31 (14.1%)], including 22 (10%) with severe sarcopenia. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire score, OR = 0.998, 95% CI: 0.998–0.999, P

Abstract Background The prevalence of possible sarcopenia is notably high among maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Possible sarcopenia, defined as a decrease in muscle strength and/or somatic function, is an early and reversible condition between non-sarcopenic and sarcopenia, and early recognition and intervention for possible sarcopenia is important for preventing adverse outcomes and improving the quality of life of these patients. This study aimed to establish a simple and effective model for screening and identifying MHD patients at high risk of possible sarcopenia by using 50 kHz-Whole Body Phase Angle (PhA), with a specific focus on gender differences. Methods This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2023 at the Wenjiang Hemodialysis Center in the Department of Nephrology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. A total of 244 MHD patients, including 130 males and 114 females, were enrolled. Data were collected prospectively, including demographic information and physical measurements. All participants provided informed consent before enrollment. Measurements were taken post-dialysis to ensure consistency. The whole-body phase angle was measured using the InBody S10 device, grip strength was measured using an electronic grip strength tester, and physical function was assessed by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). The Skeletal Muscle Index (SMI) was also calculated. Results A total of 244 patients receiving hemodialysis were enrolled in this study. Among these, 109 patients were categorized as non-sarcopenic, 111 as having possible sarcopenia, and 24 as sarcopenic. The prevalence of sarcopenia among MHD patients is 9.8%, while the prevalence of possible sarcopenia is 45.5%. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that for male patients, the AUC of PhA for predicting possible sarcopenia was 0.798, with a sensitivity of 80.36%, specificity of 69.70%, and a cutoff value of 6.20°. For female patients, the AUC of PhA was 0.701, with a sensitivity of 70.91% and specificity of 62.79%, and a cutoff value of 5.70°. Conclusions PhA may be a useful and simple predictor of the risk of possible sarcopenia in MHD patients, and more research is needed to further promote the use of PhA in possible sarcopenia.

Abstract Background Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) is a primary cause of morbidity and mortality in premature infants. Platelets have a unique role in lung repair and remodeling. This study aimed to determine the relationship between platelet count and NRDS severity. Methods The study included 234 newborns diagnosed with NRDS from January 2019 to August 2023. This study employed two methods of grouping: the first based on platelet count, dividing participants into thrombocytopenia (platelet count

Abstract Background Liver cancer (LC) screening, such as AFP test and abdominal ultrasound, is an effective way to prevent LC, one of the most common cancers worldwide. Despite the proven screening benefits, screening participation among high-risk populations for LC remains low. This suggests that targeted, systematic, and effective interventions should be provided to improve knowledge and awareness related to LC screening, enhance screening intentions, and thereby promote screening behaviors. Telephone is people’s main medium of daily communication and mHealth-based programs offer a potential and effective solution for promoting health behaviors. The purpose of this study is to develop and implement a mHealth (WeChat app) based intervention guided by Fogg’s Behavior Model (FBM) to augment the knowledge of LC prevention among people at risk of LC and enhance their motivation for screening, and to validate its effectiveness in improving LC screening. Methods We propose a two-arm, single-blind randomized controlled trial with 82 at-risk individuals of LC, delivering a 6-month mHealth-based intervention program with optional health counseling. Recruitment will be through tertiary hospitals and community organizations in 4 districts in Heng Yang. In total, 82 individuals at high risk for HCC will be randomized 1:1 to intervention or control (usual care) groups. The intervention group will receive intervention, whose contents are based on the FBM model, via multiple forms of media including PowerPoint presentation, multimedia video, health information booklet and screening message, which is delivered in the WeChat Applet. Control dyads will be provided with usual health education. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Discussion The findings of this study will provide evidence of the benefits of utilizing mHealth-based approaches in intervention development to enhance the effectiveness of screening adherence for high-risk people of LC. Further, the findings would provide reference to the potential incorporation of the targeted intervention in local community organizations. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2400080530) Date registered: 31/1/2024.

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

In this study, the nano-TiC/AZ61 composites with different heterogeneous bimodal grain (HBG) structures and uniform structure are obtained by regulating the extrusion speed. The effect of HBG structure on the mechanical properties of the composites is investigated. The increasing ductility and toughening mechanism of HBG magnesium matrix composites are carefully discussed. When the extrusion speed increases from 0.75 mm/s to 2.5 mm/s or 3.5 mm/s, the microstructure transforms from uniform to HBG structure. Compared with Uniform-0.75 mm/s composite, Heterogeneous-3.5 mm/s composite achieves a 116.7% increase in ductility in the plastic deformation stage and almost no reduction in ultimate tensile strength. This is mainly because the lower plastic deformation inhomogeneity and higher strain hardening due to hetero-deformation induced (HDI) hardening. Moreover, Heterogeneous-3.5 mm/s composite achieves a 108.3% increase in toughness compared with the Uniform-0.75 mm/s composite. It is mainly because coarse grain (CG) bands can capture and blunt cracks, thereby increasing the energy dissipation for crack propagation and improving toughness. In addition, the CG band of the Heterogeneous-3.5 mm/s composite with larger grain size and lower dislocation density is more conducive to obtaining higher strain hardening and superior blunting crack capability. Thus, the increased ductility and toughness of the Heterogeneous-3.5 mm/s composite is more significant than that Heterogeneous-2.5 mm/s composite.

Abstract Purpose We aimed to evaluate the efficiency of computed tomography (CT) radiomic features extracted from gross tumor volume (GTV) and peritumoral volumes (PTV) of 5, 10, and 15 mm to identify the tumor grades corresponding to the new histological grading system proposed in 2020 by the Pathology Committee of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC). Methods A total of 151 lung adenocarcinomas manifesting as pure ground-glass lung nodules (pGGNs) were included in this randomized multicenter retrospective study. Four radiomic models were constructed from GTV and GTV + 5/10/15-mm PTV, respectively, and compared. The diagnostic performance of the different models was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis Results The pGGNs were classified into grade 1 (117), 2 (34), and 3 (0), according to the IASLC grading system. In all four radiomic models, pGGNs of grade 2 had significantly higher radiomic scores than those of grade 1 (P

Abstract Cisplatin is the most commonly used platinum-based treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, its clinical application is limited owing to its nephrotoxicity and gastrointestinal reactions. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been reported to increase nephrotoxicity risk in previous studies. We aimed to evaluate whether PPIs increase cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in patients with NPC. In total, 295 patients were included in this prospective cohort study: 145 in the PPIs group and 150 in the non-PPIs group. All patients underwent cisplatin-based induction chemotherapy, followed by cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The PPIs group received 40 mg of intravenous esomeprazole sodium for 7 days in each chemotherapy cycle. Chi-squared test and logistic regression analyses with odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were applied to assess the association between PPIs and the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). AKI incidence in the PPIs group was significantly higher than that in the non-PPIs group (P = 0.005). After adjusting for various confounders including demographic features, clinical features, and renal function indices, PPIs use was significantly associated with a higher AKI risk (odds ratio: 2.775; 95% confidence interval 1.280–6.020; P = 0.010). The incidences of acute and chronic kidney diseases were similar between both groups (P > 0.05), whereas the incidence of nausea was lower in the PPIs group than in the non-PPIs group (P = 0.029). This study has shown that PPIs use may increase the risk of cisplatin-induced acute nephrotoxicity in patients with NPC.

Abstract Background The prevalence of pre-frailty is notably high among maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Pre-frailty, an early and reversible condition between non-frailty and frailty, can lead to adverse outcomes such as increased unplanned hospital admissions and a higher risk of other chronic diseases. Early identification and intervention of pre-frailty in MHD patients are crucial. This study aimed to establish a simple and effective model for screening and identifying MHD patients at high risk of pre-frailty by using 50 kHz-Whole Body Phase Angle (PhA) measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), hand grip strength (HGS), the Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST), and laboratory parameters, with a specific focus on gender differences. Methods This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2023 at the Wenjiang Hemodialysis Center in the Department of Nephrology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. A total of 244 MHD patients, including 130 males and 114 females, were enrolled, comprising 128 non-frail and 116 pre-frail individuals. Data were collected prospectively, including demographic information, physical measurements, and laboratory test results. All participants provided informed consent before enrollment. The FRAIL scale (FS) was used to assess pre-frailty in MHD patients. Grip strength was measured using an electronic grip strength tester, physical function was assessed using the Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test, and whole-body phase angle was measured using the InBody S10 device. Results A total of 244 MHD patients with a mean age of 53.75 ± 0.90 years were enrolled, including 130 males with a mean age of 54.12 ± 1.26 years and 114 females with a mean age of 53.32 ± 1.29 years. ROC curve analysis showed that in male patients, the AUC of PhA for predicting pre-frailty was 0.919, with a sensitivity of 94.5% and specificity of 91.3%, and a cutoff value of 6.05°; in female patients, the AUC of PhA was 0.870, with a sensitivity of 70.5% and specificity of 90.6%, and a cutoff value of 5.25°. The AUC of FTSST for screening pre-frailty in male patients was 0.827, with a sensitivity of 62.3% and specificity of 96.2%, and a cutoff value of 12.95 s; in female patients, the AUC of FTSST was 0.784, with a sensitivity of 67.3% and specificity of 84.0%, and a cutoff value of 12.95 s. Additionally, in male patients, the combination of PhA and FTSST resulted in an AUC of 0.930, with a sensitivity of 96.4% and specificity of 81.3%; in female patients, the AUC was 0.911, with a sensitivity of 78.7% and specificity of 92.5%. Conclusion PhA measured by BIA, in combination with the Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test, serves as an effective screening tool and predictor of pre-frailty in MHD patients. The combination of PhA and FTSST shows enhanced diagnostic value in female patients, while PhA alone is sufficient for predicting pre-frailty in male patients. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100051111), registered on 2021–09-13.

A method of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was established to determine the migration of dibutyl sebacate, dioctyl sebacate, diisooctyl sebacate, decanedioic acid bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)ester in water-based, acidic and alcoholic food simulants, and olive oil and chemical alternative solvents. The 95% ethanol and isooctane chemical substitution solutions were directly analyzed by GC-MS. The olive oil samples were extracted with acetonitrile followed by QuEChERS purification, and then analyzed by GC-MS. Other simulants (water, 4% acetic acid, 10% ethanol, 20% ethanol, and 50% ethanol) were extracted with n-hexane and then determined by GC-MS. The results showed that the method is well performed under optimized conditions, with the correlation coefficient (r2) greater than 0.995. The limits of detection and the limits of quantitation of the four sebacic acid ester compounds in water, 4% acetic acid, 10% ethanol, 20% ethanol, 50% ethanol, 95% ethanol, isooctane, and olive oil simulants are 0.1-0.2 mg/kg, 0.3-0.5 mg/kg, respectively. Migration experiments on plastic samples were conducted, and spiking experiments at three concentration levels of 0.30, 2.0, 4.0 mg/kg in water, 4% acetic acid, 10% ethanol, 20% ethanol, 50% ethanol, 95% ethanol, and isooctane food simulants, and three concentration levels of 0.50, 2.0, 4.0 mg/kg in olive oil food simulants were carried out. The spiking recoveries range from 92.5% to 108%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) are 2.4%-8.8%. The method solves the problem that decanedioic acid bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)ester cannot be extracted into n-hexane in 4% acetic acid by adjusting pH value using ammonium hydroxide, the optimal pH range was determined by comparing the responses of four targets at different pH values. QuEChERS was firstly used for migration experiments of sebacic acid esters in food contact materials to solve the turbidity and partial oil precipitation of olive oil simulants in the concentration process after extraction. By optimizing the QuEChERS filling material, the interference of organic acids, fatty acids, sugar and other impurities on the targets were reduced, producing greater separation effect of the targets. The separation efficiency of four chromatographic columns with different polarity was compared, and the DB-17HT column was selected to detect the four sebacic acid esters simultaneously. Plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalic acid terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, composite membranes, paper cups, recycled PET and recycled PVC were collected and migration experiments were carried out, the migration of sebacic acid esters in these plastics materials was investigated. This method is highly sensitive, precise, and accurate, fully meeting the requirement for determining the migration of the sebacic acid esters in food contact materials and their products.

Background: The perioperative period of tumor surgery commonly utilizes dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant analgesic for anesthesia. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of research investigating its influence on the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). This article primarily aims to examine the correlation between the intraoperative administration of dexmedetomidine and recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) of colorectal cancer patients, as well as its prognostic implications on survival. Methods: According to the exclusion criteria, 76 patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of CRC under general anesthesia were enrolled at Huizhou Central People's Hospital in 2014. Kaplan-Meier method was used for univariate survival analysis of clinical prognostic factors, RFS, and OS in patients with CRC Cox regression analysis was used for multivariate survival analysis. Results: A total of 76 patients with CRC were enrolled in this study. Among them, 36 patients were treated with dexmedetomidine (group D), and 40 patients were not treated with dexmedetomidine (group C) during the operation. Survival analysis showed that the RFS and OS of patients in group D were significantly higher than those in group C (P = 0.046 and P = 0.021, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that the intraoperative administration of dexmedetomidine independently predicted a protective effect on OS (P = 0.025). Conclusions: The intraoperative application of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant analgesic has a protective effect on the prognosis and survival of patients with CRC and can improve the overall survival rate. Additionally, it influences the recurrence status of patients to a certain extent. These results suggest that dexmedetomidine significantly benefits on the long-term prognosis of patients with CRC.

To safely utilize retired power lithium-ion batteries (PLIBs) for secondary, LiFePO₄/graphite batteries were taken as research object. The electrochemical-thermal behaviors were investigated under different operating conditions. The experimental results show that heat generated will greatly increase, and the uneven distribution of temperature within the battery will become more severe during high-temperature cycles. Compared with room temperature cycling, the decay rate of battery SOH increased by 419.88 % after 400 cycles at high-temperature environment. After 400 cycles at 25 °C and 55 °C, the maximum temperature difference for 3C increased from 2.05 °C to 2.91 °C and 2.14 °C–3.03 °C, respectively, corresponding to the increases of 41.95 % and 41.59 %. After 800 cycles of overcharging, the battery state of health (SOH) was only 67.52 %; compared with the normal cycles, the decay rate increased by 156.25 %. Finally, a method for assessing the battery's health status based on the frequency of the peak area in the probability density function (PDF) was proposed. These results proved the effectiveness of the proposed method for evaluating the health of retired PLIBs.

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a common form of light pollution worldwide, and the intensity, timing, duration, and wavelength of light exposure can affect biological rhythms, which can lead to metabolic, reproductive, and immune dysfunctions and consequently, host–pathogen interactions. Insect vector-borne diseases are a global problem that needs to be addressed, and ALAN plays an important role in disease transmission by affecting the habits and physiological functions of vector organisms. In this work, we describe the mechanisms by which ALAN affects host physiology and biochemistry, host–parasite interactions, and vector-borne viruses and propose preventive measures for related infectious diseases to minimize the effects of artificial light on vector-borne diseases.

Carbon-doped copper ferrite (C–CuFe2O4) was synthesized by a simple two-step hydrothermal method, which showed enhanced tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) removal efficiency as compared to the pure CuFe2O4 in Fenton-like reaction. A removal efficiency of 94% was achieved with 0.2 g L−1 catalyst and 20 mmol L−1 H2O2 within 90 min. We demonstrated that 5% C–CuFe2O4 catalyst in the presence of H2O2 was significantly efficient for TCH degradation under the near-neutral pH (5–9) without buffer. Multiple techniques, including SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, Raman, XPS Mössbauer and so on, were conducted to investigate the structures, morphologies and electronic properties of as-prepared samples. The introduction of carbon can effectively accelerate electron transfer by cooperating with Cu and Fe to activate H2O2 to generate ·OH and ·O2−. Particularly, theoretical calculations display that the p, p, d orbital hybridization of C, O, Cu and Fe can form C–O–Cu and C–O–Fe bonds, and the electrons on carbon can transfer to metal Cu and Fe along the C–O–Fe and C–O–Cu channels, thus forming electron-rich reactive centers around Fe and Cu. This work provides lightful reference for the modification of spinel ferrites in Fenton-like application.

Earthquake-induced landslides can cause severe surface damage and casualties, posing a serious threat to the overall ecological environment and social stability. Traditional landslide susceptibility prediction (LSP) techniques often suffer from low effectiveness and precision, necessitating the exploration of remote sensing technology. However, this research in this area is limited, and the development of high-performance prediction models remains a pressing scientific issue. This study focuses on the Ms7.0 earthquake in Jiuzhaigou on 8 August 2017. To investigate the optimal integration of remote sensing technology with traditional LSP techniques, the study applies collaborative factor analysis and contingency matrix methods to create four new coupling models (SVM-I, SVM-II, RF-I, RF-II), followed by a comprehensive performance evaluation of these models. The results indicate that the integration of SAR-derived surface deformation data significantly enhances the accuracy of Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (LSM). Comparing the model performance with the receiver operating characteristic curve and landslide density, the reliability and prediction performance of the RF-I model are outstanding, reflecting that the improved method based on the InSAR collaborative machine learning model with shape variables along the slope direction can optimize the accuracy of the LSM, and has better performance and robustness in earthquake landslide susceptibility evaluation.

Increasing evidence suggests that peritoneal fibrosis induced by peritoneal dialysis (PD) is linked to oxidative stress. However, there are currently no effective interventions for peritoneal fibrosis. In the present study, we explored whether adding caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) to peritoneal dialysis fluid (PDF) improved peritoneal fibrosis caused by PD and explored the molecular mechanism. We established a peritoneal fibrosis model in Sprague–Dawley rats through intraperitoneal injection of PDF and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Rats in the PD group showed increased peritoneal thickness, submesothelial collagen deposition, and the expression of TGFβ1 and α-SMA. Adding CAPE to PDF significantly inhibited PD-induced submesothelial thickening, reduced TGFβ1 and α-SMA expression, alleviated peritoneal fibrosis, and improved the peritoneal ultrafiltration function. In vitro, peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs) treated with PDF showed inhibition of the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway, mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, overproduction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased ATP synthesis, and induction of mesothelial-mesenchymal transition (MMT). CAPE activated the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway, thereby inhibiting mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, reducing mitochondrial ROS generation, and maintaining ATP synthesis. However, the beneficial effects of CAPE were counteracted by an AMPK inhibitor and siSIRT1. Our results suggest that CAPE maintains mitochondrial homeostasis by upregulating the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway, which alleviates oxidative stress and MMT, thereby mitigating the damage to the peritoneal structure and function caused by PD. These findings suggest that adding CAPE to PDF may prevent and treat peritoneal fibrosis.

Summary: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) raises major concerns for global public health as it is characterized by high prevalence, low awareness, high healthcare costs, and poor prognosis. Therefore, our study prospectively established and validated native T1 mapping-based radiomics models for the prediction of renal fibrosis and renal function in patients with CKD. Moreover, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were used to evaluate its performance. Thus, our results show that radiomics based on native T1 mapping images can better identify renal function and renal fibrosis in patients with CKD and outperform conventional T1 mapping parameters of ΔT1 and T1%, thus providing more information for CKD management and clinical decision-making.

Seasonal freeze–thaw action has been shown to influence the behaviors of heavy metals in soil by changing soil aggregate formation, stabilization, and breakdown. Using rare earth oxides tracing method, this study conducted in-situ seasonal freeze–thaw experiments to examine the links between aggregate turnover behaviors and cadmium (Cd) release kinetics in black soil. Higher stability and longer turnover time of soil aggregates after spring freeze–thaw process than those just experienced autumn freeze–thaw process were found. Changes of the Cd distribution in different aggregates during the freeze–thaw process were mainly driven by soil aggregate transformations. Autumn freeze–thaw events increased the exchangeable Cd amounts in bulk soil and ≥ 0.25 mm aggregates, while no difference was found for the soils subjected to spring freeze–thaw events. The freeze–thaw process decreased the amounts of Cd released from soil, and the lowest amounts were found in the spring snow-removed treatment. Redundancy analysis indicated that the exchangeable, reducible, and residual Cd fractions accounted for most of the variations in Cd release. This study is the first to apply rare earth oxides as an approach to uncover the role of soil aggregate turnover dynamics in explaining the environmental behaviors of heavy metals in seasonal freeze–thaw regions.

Gaze cues play a vital role in conveying critical information about objects and locations necessary for survival, such as food sources, predators, and the attentional states of conspecific and heterospecific individuals. During referential intentional communication, the continuous alternation of gaze between a communicative partner and a specific object or point of interest attracts the partner's attention towards the target. This behaviour is considered by many as essential for understanding intentions and is thought to involve mental planning. Here, we investigated the behavioural responses of seven bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that were given an impossible task in the presence of two experimenters (a ‘commanding experimenter’ and a ‘non-commanding experimenter’), whose attentional state towards the dolphins varied. We found that the dolphins spontaneously displayed gaze alternation, specifically triadic referential pointing, only when the human commanding experimenter was facing them. However, they ceased to alternate their gaze between the impossible object and the commanding experimenter when the experimenter had their back turned. Notably, the dolphins' behaviour differed from general pointing and gaze, as their triadic sequence occurred within a narrow time window. These findings suggest that the dolphins were sensitive to human attentional cues and utilized their own gaze cue (pointing) as a salient signal to attract the attention of the commanding experimenter towards a specific location.

In Software-Defined Networks (SDN), the ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) capacity in switches is limited, making them vulnerable to low-rate flow table overflow attacks. Most existing research in this field has not focused on the influence of flow entry eviction mechanisms on the effectiveness of such attacks. This paper proposes an adaptive low-rate flow table overflow attack (ALFO), which can adopt corresponding attack modes under different flow entry eviction mechanisms, significantly degrading network service quality. Due to the different features of ALFO under different attack modes, the existing attack detection methods are ineffective in this attack. Therefore, this paper proposes a detection and mitigation framework, which is called adaptive low-rate flow table overflow attack guard framework (ALFO-Guard). It extracts flow features from flow entry information in the switch and aggregates them into a current-time graph model. Then, combining graph neural networks, it performs graph anomaly detection and flow entry classification to identify attack flow entries. Finally, the attack can be eliminated by deleting the identified attack flow entries and blocking the attack flows. The effectiveness of ALFO and ALFO-Guard is validated through extensive experiments, and the experimental results demonstrate that ALFO-Guard can effectively defend against ALFO.

Cataracts, a leading cause of blindness worldwide, are closely linked to oxidative stress-induced damage to lens epithelial cells (LECs). Key factors contributing to cataract formation include aging, arterial hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Given the high global prevalence of cataracts, the burden of cataract-related visual impairment is substantial, highlighting the need for pharmacological strategies to supplement surgical interventions. Understanding the molecular pathways involved in oxidative stress during cataract development may offer valuable insights for designing novel therapeutic approaches. This review explores the role of oxidative stress in cataract formation, focusing on critical mechanisms, such as mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, loss of gap junctions, and various cell death pathways in LECs. Additionally, we discuss emerging therapeutic strategies and potential targeting options, including antioxidant-based treatments.

Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)/glucagon (GCG) dual receptor agonists with different receptor selectivity are under investigation and have shown significant improvement in both weight loss and glycemic control, but the optimal potency ratio between the two receptors to balance efficacy and safety remains unclear. Experimental approach: We designed and constructed several dual receptor agonists with different receptor potency ratios using Fc fusion protein technology. The long-term effects of the candidates on body weight and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) were evaluated in diet-induced obese (DIO) model mice, high-fat diet (HFD)-ob/ob mice and AMLN diet-induced MASLD mice. Repeat dose toxicity assays were performed to investigate the safety profile of the candidate (HEC-C070) in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Key results: The high GCG receptor (GCGR) selectivity of HEC-C046 makes it more prominent than other compounds for weight loss and most MASLD parameters but may lead to safety concerns. The weight change of HEC-C052 with the lowest GCG agonism was inferior to that of selective GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) semaglutide in DIO model mice. The GLP-1R selectivity of HEC-C070 with moderate GCG agonism has a significant effect on weight loss and liver function in obese mice, and its lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) was 30 nmol/kg in the repeat dose toxicity study. Conclusion: We compared the potential of the Fc fusion protein GLP-1/GCG dual receptor agonists with different receptor selectivity to provide the setting for future GLP-1/GCG dual receptor agonists to treat obesity and MASLD.

BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by a range of motor symptoms as well as documented sensory dysfunction. This sensory dysfunction can present itself either as a “pure” sensory disturbance or as a consequence of sensory-motor integration within the central nervous system. This study aims to investigate changes in the functional connectivity of the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and its clinical significance in Parkinson’s disease (PD), an area that has received limited attention in previous neuroimaging studies.MethodsThis study included thirty-three patients with PD and thirty-four healthy controls (HCs). Clinical evaluations were conducted to assess the clinical manifestations, severity, and functional capacity of all the patients. Resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) was employed to evaluate the functional connectivity of six paired S1 subregions in the participants. Seed-based correlation (SBC) analysis was utilized to construct the correlation matrix among the subregions and to generate connectivity maps between the subregions and the remaining brain voxels. Finally, the study employed partial least-squares (PLS) correlation analysis to investigate the association between modified functional connectivity and clinical characteristics in PD patients.ResultsIn the correlation matrix, patients with PD demonstrated a notable decrease in functional connectivity across various S1 subregions in comparison to HCs (p

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common renal tumor, with lung, bone, and liver being the primary sites of metastasis. Thyroid metastasis, on the other hand, is relatively uncommon. Metastatic tumors in the thyroid gland typically manifest as multiple or isolated nodules, which can be easily overlooked due to the lack of specific clinical and imaging features. However, the identification of thyroid metastasis suggests the presence of systemic metastasis and is indicative of a poor prognosis for patients. In this paper, we present two cases of thyroid metastasis following nephrectomy, with the objective of enhancing understanding among medical community regarding the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid metastasis originating from renal cell carcinoma. By raising awareness about this phenomenon, we emphasize the importance of early detection and diagnosis to improve patient prognoses. The implementation of standardized treatment protocols at the earliest possible stage is also emphasized. Through this research, we aim to contribute to the early identification and management of thyroid metastasis in patients with renal cell carcinoma, ultimately leading to improved outcomes.

Objectives: Lymphovascular invasion serves as a crucial prognostic indicator in invasive breast cancer, influencing treatment decisions. We aimed to develop a machine learning model utilizing optimal volumes of interest extracted from multisequence magnetic resonance images to predict lymphovascular invasion in patients with invasive breast cancer. Materials and methods: This study comprised 191 patients postoperatively diagnosed with invasive breast cancer through multi-sequence magnetic resonance imaging. Independent predictors were identified through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, culminating in the construction of a clinical model. Radiomic features were extracted from multi-sequence magnetic resonance imaging images across various volume of interest scales (−2 mm, entire, +2 mm, +4 mm, and +6 mm). Subsequently, various radiomic models were developed using machine learning model algorithms, including logistic regression, support vector machine, k-nearest neighbor, gradient boosting machine, classification and regression tree, and random forest. A hybrid model was then formulated, amalgamating optimal radiomic and clinical models. Results: The area under the curve of the clinical model was 0.757. Among the radiomic models, the most efficient diagnosis was achieved by the k-nearest neighbor-based radiomics-volume of interest (+2 mm), resulting in an area under the curve of 0.780. The hybrid model, integrating the k-nearest neighbor-based radiomics-volume of interest (+2 mm), and the clinical model surpassed the individual clinical and radiomics models, exhibiting a superior area under the curve of 0.864. Conclusion: Utilizing a hybrid approach integrating clinical data and multi-sequence magnetic resonance imaging-derived radiomics models based on the multiscale tumor region volume of interest (+2 mm) proved effective in determining lymphovascular invasion status in patients with invasive breast cancer. This innovative methodology may offer valuable insights for treatment planning and disease management.

In this article, we studied the asymptotic behavior of weak solutions to the three-dimensional tropical climate model with one single diffusion $ \mu\Lambda ^{2\alpha}u $. We established that when $ u_{0}\in L^{1}(\mathbb{R}^{3})\cap L^{2}(\mathbb{R}^{3}) $, $ (w_0, \theta_0)\in (L^{2}(\mathbb{R}^{3}))^2 $ and $ w\in L^\infty(0, \infty; W^{1-\alpha, \infty}(\mathbb{R}^3)) $ with $ \alpha\in(0, 1] $, the energy $ \Vert u(t)\Vert_{L^2(\mathbb{R}^3)} $ vanishes and $ \Vert w(t)\Vert_{L^2(\mathbb{R}^3)}+\Vert \theta(t)\Vert_{L^2(\mathbb{R}^3)} $ converges to a constant as time tends to infinity.

The study aimed to investigate the impact of different aging time and the compression prior to aging on the precipitation behavior and mechanical properties of the Mg–5Sn(wt.%) alloy. The findings revealed that compression prior to aging significantly reduced the time required to reach peak aging and resulted in a higher peak hardness, reaching up to 63 H V after 5 h of aging. The pre-compression introduced dislocation densities of up to 1.916 × 1015/m2, creating more nucleation sites for precipitated phases. As a result, pre-compression aging led to an order of magnitude more precipitated phases compared to direct aging. Interestingly, the study also discovered that hardness and strength did not exhibit a traditional positive correlation. The maximum strength was not achieved when hardness reached its peak. The increased numbers of precipitated phases were closely associated with an increase in strength but did not always enhance the corresponding hardness. The deviation of the hardness along with the increased precipitated phases was mainly imputed to the softening of the precipitated phases themselves. These findings highlight the complex relationship between hardness, strength, and the microstructures of the Mg–5Sn alloy during pre-compression and aging treatment.

Abstract Classic biphasic pulmonary blastoma (CBPB), a distinct type of lung cancer, is a dual‐phasic tumor characterized by the co‐existence of low‐grade fetal adenocarcinoma and primitive mesenchymal stroma. Accounting for less than 0.1% of surgically removed lung cancers, CBPB commonly presents in individuals during their fourth to fifth decades of life, with smoking as a significant risk factor. The optimal management strategy entails surgical resection, supplemented by chemotherapy to improve prognosis. The frontline chemotherapeutic agents typically include platinum agents and etoposide, with preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy potentially enabling operability for initially inoperable cases. In recent years, targeted therapies, such as antiangiogenic agents, have emerged as promising new treatment strategies for CBPB. For patients exhibiting brain metastases or deemed inoperable, radiation therapy proves to be a crucial therapeutic component. CBPB prognosis is adversely affected by factors such as early metastasis, tumor size exceeding 5 cm, and tumor recurrence. In this regard, serological markers have been identified as valuable prognostic indicators. To exemplify, we recount the case of a 44‐year‐old female patient with CBPB, wherein serum lactate dehydrogenase levels showed significant diagnostic value. This report further incorporates a comprehensive review of CBPB literature from the past 22 years.

Abstract Background Phosphonates are the main components in the global phosphorus redox cycle. Little is known about phosphonate metabolism in freshwater ecosystems, although rapid consumption of phosphonates has been observed frequently. Cyanobacteria are often the dominant primary producers in freshwaters; yet, only a few strains of cyanobacteria encode phosphonate-degrading (C-P lyase) gene clusters. The phycosphere is defined as the microenvironment in which extensive phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria interactions occur. It has been demonstrated that phytoplankton may recruit phycospheric bacteria based on their own needs. Therefore, the establishment of a phycospheric community rich in phosphonate-degrading-bacteria likely facilitates cyanobacterial proliferation, especially in waters with scarce phosphorus. We characterized the distribution of heterotrophic phosphonate-degrading bacteria in field Microcystis bloom samples and in laboratory cyanobacteria “phycospheres” by qPCR and metagenomic analyses. The role of phosphonate-degrading phycospheric bacteria in cyanobacterial proliferation was determined through coculturing of heterotrophic bacteria with an axenic Microcystis aeruginosa strain and by metatranscriptomic analysis using field Microcystis aggregate samples. Results Abundant bacteria that carry C-P lyase clusters were identified in plankton samples from freshwater Lakes Dianchi and Taihu during Microcystis bloom periods. Metagenomic analysis of 162 non-axenic laboratory strains of cyanobacteria (consortia cultures containing heterotrophic bacteria) showed that 20% (128/647) of high-quality bins from eighty of these consortia encode intact C-P lyase clusters, with an abundance ranging up to nearly 13%. Phycospheric bacterial phosphonate catabolism genes were expressed continually across bloom seasons, as demonstrated through metatranscriptomic analysis using sixteen field Microcystis aggregate samples. Coculturing experiments revealed that although Microcystis cultures did not catabolize methylphosphonate when axenic, they demonstrated sustained growth when cocultured with phosphonate-utilizing phycospheric bacteria in medium containing methylphosphonate as the sole source of phosphorus. Conclusions The recruitment of heterotrophic phosphonate-degrading phycospheric bacteria by cyanobacteria is a hedge against phosphorus scarcity by facilitating phosphonate availability. Cyanobacterial consortia are likely primary contributors to aquatic phosphonate mineralization, thereby facilitating sustained cyanobacterial growth, and even bloom maintenance, in phosphate-deficient waters. Video Abstract

Abstract Oxepinone rings represent one of structurally unusual motifs of natural products and the biosynthesis of oxepinones is not fully understood. 1,5-Seco-vibralactone (3) features an oxepinone motif and is a stable metabolite isolated from mycelial cultures of the mushroom Boreostereum vibrans. Cyclization of 3 forms vibralactone (1) whose β-lactone-fused bicyclic core originates from 4-hydroxybenzoate, yet it remains elusive how 4-hydroxybenzoate is converted to 3 especially for the oxepinone ring construction in the biosynthesis of 1. In this work, using activity-guided fractionation together with proteomic analyses, we identify an NADPH/FAD-dependent monooxygenase VibO as the key enzyme performing a crucial ring-expansive oxygenation on the phenol ring to generate the oxepin-2-one structure of 3. The crystal structure of VibO reveals that it forms a dimeric phenol hydroxylase-like architecture featured with a unique substrate-binding pocket adjacent to the bound FAD. Computational modeling and solution studies provide insight into the likely VibO active site geometry, and suggest possible involvement of a flavin-C4a-OO(H) intermediate.

Drug-eluting stents (DES) play a crucial role in treating coronary artery disease (CAD) by preventing restenosis. These stents are coated with drug carriers that release antiproliferative drugs within the vessel. Over the past two decades, DES have been employed in clinical practice using various materials, polymers, and drug types. Despite optimizations in their design and materials to enhance biocompatibility and antithrombotic properties, evaluating their long-term efficacy and safety necessitates improved clinical follow-up and monitoring. To delineate future research directions, this study employs a bibliometric analysis approach. We comprehensively surveyed two decades' worth of literature on DES for CAD using the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC). Out of 5,778 articles, we meticulously screened them based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subsequently, we conducted an in-depth analysis encompassing annual publication trends, authorship affiliations, journal affiliations, keywords, and more. Employing tools such as Excel 2021, CiteSpace 6.2R3, VOSviewer 1.6.19, and Pajek 5.17, we harnessed bibliometric methods to derive insights from this corpus. Analysis of annual publication data indicates a recent stabilisation or even a downward trend in research output in this area. The United States emerged as the leading contributor, with Columbia University and CRF at the forefront in both publication output and citation impact. The most cited document pertained to standardized definitions for clinical endpoints in coronary stent trials. Our author analysis identifies Patrick W. Serruys as the most prolific contributor, underscoring a dynamic exchange of knowledge within the field.Moreover, the dual chart overlay illustrates a close interrelation between journals in the “Medicine,” “Medical,” and “Clinical” domains and those in “Health,” “Nursing,” and “Medicine.” Frequently recurring keywords in this research landscape include DES coronary artery disease, percutaneous coronary intervention, implantation, and restenosis. This study presents a comprehensive panorama encompassing countries, research institutions, journals, keyword distributions, and contributions within the realm of DES therapy for CAD. By highlighting keywords exhibiting recent surges in frequency, we elucidate current research hotspots and frontiers, thereby furnishing novel insights to guide future researchers in this evolving field.

Background and objectiveStent-assisted coil (SAC) embolization is a commonly used endovascular treatment for unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) but can be associated with symptomatic delayed intracerebral hemorrhage (DICH). Our study aimed to investigate the hemodynamic risk factors contributing to DICH following SAC embolization and to establish a classification for DICH predicated on hemodynamic profiles.MethodsThis retrospective study included patients with UIAs located in the internal carotid artery (ICA) treated with SAC embolization at our institution from January 2021 to January 2022. We focused on eight patients who developed postoperative DICH and matched them with sixteen control patients without DICH. Using computational fluid dynamics, we evaluated the hemodynamic changes in distal arteries [terminal ICA, the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), and middle cerebral artery (MCA)] pre-and post-embolization. We distinguished DICH-related arteries from unrelated ones (ACA or MCA) and compared their hemodynamic alterations. An imbalance index, quantifying the differential in flow velocity changes between ACA and MCA post-embolization, was employed to gauge the flow distribution in distal arteries was used to assess distal arterial flow distribution.ResultsWe identified two types of DICH based on postoperative flow alterations. In type 1, there was a significant lower in the mean velocity increase rate of the DICH-related artery compared to the unrelated artery (−47.25 ± 3.88% vs. 42.85 ± 3.03%; p

Abstract Circularly polarized light (CPL) detection has wide applications in many fields, where the anisotropy factor (gIph) is an important indicator to characterize the CPL detection performance. So far, many materials with high gIph have been reported, however, the exploration of the regulation of gIph is still in its infancy. Herein, two novel alternating chiral‐achiral cations intercalation‐type chiral hybrid perovskites (CHPs), named (R/S‐1‐phenylpropylamine)(propylamine)PbBr4 (1‐R/S), exhibit above room‐temperature (RT) polar‐phase transition, which greatly regulates the gIph value. The gIph of 1‐R is 0.04 in high‐temperature phase chiral non‐polar (P212121) by applying 5 V bias, interestingly, with the temperature decrease, the gIph value in low‐temperature phase chiral polar (P21) gradually increases (0.22@360K, 0.40@340K, 0.47@320K), and finally reaches a maximum of 0.5 at RT. Such value is not only the highest among 2D CHPs to date, but presents a 12.5‐fold amplification compared with 0.04. Further, this rare phenomenon should be attributed to the built‐in electric field induced by the polar photovoltaic effect, which sheds light on further obtaining CHPs with large gIph.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate and validate the effectiveness of diverse radiomics models for preoperatively differentiating lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in clinically node-negative breast cancer (BC). Methods: This study included 198 patients diagnosed with clinically node-negative bc and pathologically confirmed LVI status from January 2018–July 2023. The training dataset consisted of 138 patients, while the validation dataset included 60. Radiomics features were extracted from multimodal magnetic resonance imaging obtained from T1WI, T2WI, DCE, DWI, and ADC sequences. Dimensionality reduction and feature selection techniques were applied to the extracted features. Subsequently, machine learning approaches, including logistic regression, support vector machine, classification and regression trees, k-nearest neighbors, and gradient boosting machine models (GBM), were constructed using the radiomics features. The best-performing radiomic model was selected based on its performance using the confusion matrix. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify variables for developing a clinical-radiological (Clin-Rad) model. Finally, a combined model incorporating both radiomics and clinical-radiological model features was created. Results: A total of 6195 radiomic features were extracted from multimodal magnetic resonance imaging. After applying dimensionality reduction and feature selection, seven valuable radiomics features were identified. Among the radiomics models, the GBM model demonstrated superior predictive efficiency and robustness, achieving area under the curve values (AUC) of 0.881 (0.823,0.940) and 0.820 (0.693,0.947) in the training and validation datasets, respectively. The Clin-Rad model was developed based on the peritumoral edema and DWI rim sign. In the training dataset, it achieved an AUC of 0.767 (0.681, 0.854), while in the validation dataset, it achieved an AUC of 0.734 (0.555–0.913). The combined model, which incorporated radiomics and the Clin-Rad model, showed the highest discriminatory capability. In the training dataset, it had an AUC value of 0.936 (0.892, 0.981), and in the validation dataset, it had an AUC value of 0.876 (0.757, 0.995). Additionally, decision curve analysis of the combined model revealed its optimal clinical efficacy. Conclusion: The combined model, integrating radiomics and clinical-radiological features, exhibited excellent performance in distinguishing LVI status. This non-invasive and efficient approach holds promise for aiding clinical decision-making in the context of clinically node-negative BC.

Cognitive load assessment plays a crucial role in monitoring safe production, resource allocation, and subjective initiative in human-computer interaction. Due to its high time resolution and convenient acquisition, Electroencephalography (EEG) is widely applied in brain monitoring and cognitive state assessment. In this study, a multi-scale Swin Transformer network (MST-Net) was proposed for cognitive load assessment, which extracts local features with different sensory fields using a multi-scale parallel convolution model and introduces the attention mechanism of the Swin Transformer to obtain the feature correlations among multi-scale local features. The performance of the proposed network was validated using the EEG signals collected during cognitive tasks and N-back tasks with three different load levels. Results show that the MST-Net network achieved the best classification accuracy on both local and public datasets, and was higher than the mainstream Swin Transformer and CNN. Furthermore, results of ablation experiments and feature visualization revealed that the proposed MST-Net could well characterize different cognitive loads, which not only provided novel and powerful tools for cognitive load assessment but also showed potential for broad application in brain-computer interface (BCI) systems.

LYB001 is an innovative recombinant SARS-CoV-2 vaccine that displays a repetitive array of the spike glycoprotein’s receptor-binding domain (RBD) on a virus-like particle (VLP) vector to boost the immune system, produced using Covalink plug-and-display protein binding technology. LYB001’s safety and immunogenicity were assessed in 119 participants receiving a booster with (1) 30 μg LYB001 (I-I-30 L) or CoronaVac (I-I-C), (2) 60 μg LYB001 (I-I-60 L) or CoronaVac in a ratio of 2:1 after two-dose primary series of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, and (3) 30 μg LYB001 (I-I-I-30 L) after three-dose inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. A well-tolerated reactogenicity profile was observed for LYB001 as a heterologous booster, with adverse reactions being predominantly mild in severity and transient. LYB001 elicited a substantial increase in terms of the neutralizing antibody response against prototype SARS-CoV-2 28 days after booster, with GMT (95%CI) of 1237.8 (747.2, 2050.6), 554.3 (374.6, 820.2), 181.9 (107.6, 307.6), and 1200.2 (831.5, 1732.3) in the I-I-30 L, I-I-60 L, I-I-C, and I-I-I-30 L groups, respectively. LYB001 also elicited a cross-neutralizing antibody response against the BA.4/5 strain, dominant during the study period, with GMT of 201.1 (102.7, 393.7), 63.0 (35.1, 113.1), 29.2 (16.9, 50.3), and 115.3 (63.9, 208.1) in the I-I-30 L, I-I-60 L, I-I-C, and I-I-I-30 L groups, respectively, at 28 days after booster. Additionally, RBD-specific IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4 secreting T cells dramatically increased at 14 days after a single LYB001 booster. Our data confirmed the favorable safety and immunogenicity profile of LYB001 and supported the continued clinical development of this promising candidate that utilizes the VLP platform to provide protection against COVID-19.

The method for the determination of migration of lactide in polylactic acid (PLA) food contact material by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was established. Olive oil simulants were extracted by acetonitrile, centrifuged and filtered, and then analyzed by GC-MS. Isooctane simulants were directly filtered and analyzed by GC-MS. The method could achieve the determination of lactide migration in PLA. The limit of detection was 0.01 mg/kg and the recoveries at spiked levels were 80.0%~120.0%. The relative standard deviations were 2.6%~6.6% (n=6). Seven PLA samples were analyzed by the method. The detection rate was 85.7% and the range of concentration were 0.033~1.1 mg/kg. The method had the advantages of high sensitivity, high recovery and accuracy. The detection limit can meet the requirements of regulations. The method was suitable for migration of lactide in PLA food contact materials. The results showed that the detection rate of migration of lactide in PLA samples was high and migration of lactide should be paid attention to. Compared with isooctane, the migration of olive oil in the sample was higher than that of isooctane under the substitution condition due to the higher migration temperature of olive oil.

The hydrochemical characteristics were analyzed by mathematical statistics, the hydrochemical types were analyzed by Piper three line diagram, and the sources and influencing factors of main ions in surface water were discussed by Gibbs diagram and ion correlation analysis. The results show that the TDS of surface water in the study area is 109–559 mg·L−1, and the average value is 318.67 mg·L−1; The pH value is 6.81–8.62, and the average value is 7.85. Most of them belong to weakly alkaline water. The surface water cation is mainly Ca2+ and Mg2+, the anion is mainly HCO3- and the hydrochemical type is HCO3–Ca. Through the correlation analysis of the main ions, it can be seen that TDS has a significant positive correlation with Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ and HCO3−, and these ions contribute to TDS. HCO3− has a significant correlation with Na+, K+ and Mg2+ and comes from carbonate rocks. According to the analysis of water–rock model, the hydrochemical genesis of surface water in the study area is mainly controlled by rock weathering, most ions are weathered and dissolved by carbonate rock and evaporated salt rock and a few cations are affected by water ion exchange. HIGHLIGHTS Our article is about hydrochemical characteristics and factors of travertine deposition in Huanglong, a world Natural Heritage site. China.; This is a first for the industry.; It has original and innovative meaning.;

In the past few years, significant advancements in microscopic imaging technology have led to the production of numerous high-resolution images capturing brain neurons at the micrometer scale. The reconstructed structure of neurons from neuronal images can serve as a valuable reference for research in brain diseases and neuroscience. Currently, there lacks an accurate and efficient method for neuron reconstruction. Manual reconstruction remains the primary approach, offering high accuracy but requiring significant time investment. While some automatic reconstruction methods are faster, they often sacrifice accuracy and cannot be directly relied upon. Therefore, the primary goal of this paper is to develop a neuron reconstruction tool that is both efficient and accurate. The tool aids users in reconstructing complete neurons by calculating the confidence of branches during the reconstruction process. The method models the neuron reconstruction as multiple Markov chains, and calculates the confidence of the connections between branches by simulating the reconstruction artifacts in the results. Users iteratively modify low-confidence branches to ensure precise and efficient neuron reconstruction. Experiments on both the publicly accessible BigNeuron dataset and a self-created Whole-Brain dataset demonstrate that the tool achieves high accuracy similar to manual reconstruction, while significantly reducing reconstruction time.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effects of neonatal hypoxic–ischemic brain damage (HIBD) on early-stage neuro-motor function, cerebral blood flow, and the neurovascular unit.MethodsTwenty-four Sprague–Dawley newborn rats aged 7 days were obtained and randomly assigned to either the sham or the model group using a random number table. The HIBD model was established using the Rice-Vannucci method. After the induction of HIBD, the body weight of the rats was measured and their neuro-motor function was assessed. Further, cerebral blood flow perfusion was evaluated using laser speckle flow imaging, and immunofluorescent staining techniques were employed for examining the activation of specific markers and their morphological changes in different cell populations, which included vascular endothelial cells, neurons, astrocytes, and microglia within the motor cortex.ResultsAfter HIBD, the model group exhibited impaired neuro-motor function and growth. Cerebral blood flow perfusion decreased in both the hemispheres on day 1 and in the ipsilateral brain on day 4. However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups on day 7. Moreover, the CD31 and NeuN showed a sharp decline on day 1, which was followed by a gradual increase in the expression levels. The activated microglia and astrocytes formed clusters in the injured cortex. Notably, the regions with positive staining for Arg-1, Iba-1, CD68, and GFAP consistently displayed higher values in the model group as compared to that in the sham group. The total number of branch endpoints and microglia branches was higher in the model group than in the sham group. Immunofluorescent co-localization analysis revealed no co-staining between Iba-1 and Arg-1; however, the Pearson’s R-value for the co-localization of Iba-1 and CD68 was higher in the model group, which indicated an increasing trend of co-staining in the model group.ConclusionEarly-stage neuro-motor function, cerebral blood flow, microvasculature, and neurons in neonatal rats exhibited a trend of gradual recovery over time. The activation and upregulation of neuroglial cells continued persistently after HIBD. Furthermore, the impact of HIBD on early-stage neuro-motor function in newborn rats did not synchronize with the activation of neuroglial cells. The recovery of neuro-motor function, microvasculature, and neurons occurred earlier than that of neuroglial cells.

Linezolid combined with rifampicin has shown excellent clinical outcomes against infection by multi-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. However, several studies have indicated that rifampicin reduces the plasma concentration of linezolid in patients with severe infection. Linezolid has been recommended for the treatment of patients with multidrug-resistant or extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis. However, studies on the interaction between linezolid and rifampicin in patients suffering from tuberculosis with infection are lacking. We evaluated the interaction between linezolid and rifampicin based on therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). A retrospective analysis was undertaken for patients with tuberculosis and infection who were treated with linezolid and undergoing TDM. Patients were divided into the linezolid group and linezolid + rifampicin group. Data on demographic characteristics, disease, duration of linezolid therapy, and the plasma concentration of linezolid were used for statistical analyses. Eighty-eight patients with tuberculosis and infection were assessed. Values for the peak (Cmax) and trough (Cmin) concentrations of linezolid in plasma were available for 42 and 46 cases, respectively. Patients in the linezolid group had a significantly higher Cmax [15.76 (8.07–26.06) vs. 13.18 (7.48–23.64) mg/L, p = 0.048] and Cmin [8.38 (3.06–16.53) vs. 4.27 (0.45–10.47), p = 0.005] than those in the linezolid + rifampicin group. The plasma concentration of linezolid increased obviously in two patients after rifampicin discontinuation. However, the total efficiency and prevalence of hematologic adverse reactions were not significantly different in the linezolid group and linezolid + rifampin group. The plasma concentration of linezolid decreased upon combination with rifampicin, suggesting that TDM may aid avoidance of subtherapeutic levels of linezolid upon co-treatment with rifampicin.

BackgroundCognitive impairment as a complication in post-stroke patients has high prevalence throughout the world. However, few studies have focused on the older adult stroke survivors and explored their prevalence and factors of post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). The study aims to evaluate the cognitive status of stroke patients in Hunan Province, China and to determine the potential risk factors associated with PSCI in order to identify the older adult population in advance and promote healthy aging.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out from August to December, 2021. A total of 520 stroke survivors from 6 tertiary hospitals were randomly selected. The information was collected using the general questionnaire, the Barthel Index Rating Scale and the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE). Analysis was based on descriptive statistics, chi-square test and the significant variables were included in multivariate logistic regression. The reporting of this cross-sectional study followed the STROBE checklist.ResultsA total of 195 older adults (40.37%) were screened for cognitive impairment based on the results of the MMSE score. Patients in the PSCI group had a higher proportion of individuals aged 70 or older (35.90% vs. 24.65%, p

Doxorubicin is one of the most classical chemotherapeutic drugs for the treatment of cancer. However, resistance to the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin in tumor cells remains a major obstacle. Aberrant expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been associated with tumorigenesis and development via regulation of chromatin remodeling, transcription, and post-transcriptional processing. Emerging studies have also revealed that dysregulation of lncRNAs mediates the development of drug resistance through multiple molecules and pathways. In this review, we focus on the role and mechanism of lncRNAs in the progress of doxorubicin resistance in various cancers, which mainly include cellular drug transport, cell cycle disorder, anti-apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cells, autophagy, tumor microenvironment, metabolic reprogramming and signaling pathways. This review is aimed to provide potential therapeutic targets for future cancer therapy, especially for the reversal of chemoresistance.

Highlights PLCD1 is methylated and downregulated in RCC and functions as a tumor suppressor gene Inactivation of PLCD1 contributes to RCC tumorigenesis. PLCD1 inhibits WNT/β-catenin and EGFR-FAK-ERK signaling in RCC.

Abstract Background Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients often suffer from sarcopenia, which is strongly associated with their long-term mortality. The diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia, especially possible sarcopenia for MHD patients are of great importance. This study aims to use machine learning and medical data to develop two simple sarcopenia identification assistant tools for MHD patients and focuses on sex specificity. Methods Data were retrospectively collected from patients undergoing MHD and included patients’ basic information, body measurement results and laboratory findings. The 2019 consensus update by Asian working group for sarcopenia was used to assess whether a MHD patient had sarcopenia. Finally, 140 male (58 with possible sarcopenia or sarcopenia) and 102 female (65 with possible sarcopenia or sarcopenia) patients’ data were collected. Participants were divided into sarcopenia and control groups for each sex to develop binary classifiers. After statistical analysis and feature selection, stratified shuffle split and Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique were conducted and voting classifiers were developed. Results After eliminating handgrip strength, 6-m walk, and skeletal muscle index, the best three features for sarcopenia identification of male patients are age, fasting blood glucose, and parathyroid hormone. Meanwhile, age, arm without vascular access, total bilirubin, and post-dialysis creatinine are the best four features for females. After abandoning models with overfitting or bad performance, voting classifiers achieved good sarcopenia classification performance for both sexes (For males: sensitivity: 77.50% ± 11.21%, specificity: 83.13% ± 9.70%, F1 score: 77.32% ± 5.36%, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC): 87.40% ± 4.41%. For females: sensitivity: 76.15% ± 13.95%, specificity: 71.25% ± 15.86%, F1 score: 78.04% ± 8.85%, AUC: 77.69% ± 7.92%). Conclusions Two simple sex-specific sarcopenia identification tools for MHD patients were developed. They performed well on the case finding of sarcopenia, especially possible sarcopenia.

Microstructural evolution and strengthening mechanisms of Mg-3Sn-1Ca based alloys with additions of different amounts of AlN nano-particles were investigated. It was found that with increasing the amount of AlN nano-particles the grain size decreases obviously. The existence of AlN nano-particles could refine the primary crystal phases CaMgSn, which provided more heterogeneous nucleation sites for the formation of magnesium. Moreover, such nano-particles could also restrict the grain growth during solidification. After adding AlN nano-particles, both the tensile properties at room temperature and high temperature 250 °C and the hardness are largely improved. The improvement of strength is attributed to grain refinement and second phase refinement.

Whether protein samples should be pretreated to remove nonspecific binding proteins in co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) is controversial. In this work, nonspecific binding of proteins to agarose beads was found to be greater than that to magnetic beads. The nonspecific binding was increased with the decrease of ion concentrations but reduced by Nonidet P40. Western blot indicated that p65 and β-actin were present as nonspecifically bound protein to the beads. p53 and β-actin were present in the CO-IP precipitates of nuclear proteins but pretreatment cleared the nonspecifically pulled down p53 and β-actin. These data suggest that magnetic beads are better for CO-IP, but preclearing is necessary to minimize false positive regardless of which bead is used, particularly for nuclear proteins.