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Abstract Background Although numerous studies have shown that bariatric surgery results in sustained weight loss and modifications in gut microbiota composition and cognitive function, the exact underlying mechanisms are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of bariatric surgery on cognitive function through the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA). Methods Demographic data, serum samples, fecal samples, cognitive assessment scales, and resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans were obtained from 39 obese patients before and after (6 months) laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). PCA analysis, OPLS-DA analysis, and permutation tests were used to conduct fecal 16 S microbiota profiling, serum metabolomics, and neuroimaging analyses, and a bariatric surgery-specific rs-fMRI brain functional connectivity network was constructed. Spearman correlation analysis and Co-inertia analysis were employed to correlate significant alterations in cognitive assessment scales and resting-state functional connectivity difference networks with differential serum metabolites and 16 S microbiota data to identify key gut microbiota and serum metabolic factors. Results LSG significantly reduced the weight of obese patients, with reductions of up to 28%. Furthermore, cognitive assessment scale measurements revealed that LSG enhanced cognitive functions, including memory (HVLT, p = 0.000) and executive function (SCWT, p = 0.008). Also, LSG significantly altered gut microbiota composition (p = 0.001), with increased microbial abundance and diversity (p 1). Spearman correlation analysis among cognitive assessment scales, gut microbiota species, and serum metabolites revealed correlations with 68 gut microbiota species and 138 serum metabolites (p

Abstract Background Obesity is a growing health concern in China, closely linked to metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes. Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) is effective in promoting weight loss and improving metabolic outcomes. Emerging evidence highlights the role of gut microbiota in metabolic regulation, yet the specific alterations in gut microbiota and their association with metabolic changes post-surgery in Chinese patients remain unclear. Understanding these shifts could provide key insights into optimizing treatment strategies for metabolic improvement following bariatric surgery. Methods Stool samples and clinical data were collected from 30 obese patients before and 6 months after surgery. The composition of the gut microbiota was analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the association between gut microbiota and clinical indicators. Results The analysis of 30 patients showed a significant decrease in Body Mass Index (BMI) (36.75 ± 4.09 kg/m2 vs 26.37 ± 3.47 kg/m2, p

This document provides a comprehensive examination of the pivotal function of the N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) protein in synaptic function. The NSF protein directly participates in critical biological processes, including the cyclic movement of synaptic vesicles (SVs) between exocytosis and endocytosis, the release and transmission of neurotransmitters, and the development of synaptic plasticity through interactions with various proteins, such as SNARE proteins and neurotransmitter receptors. This review also described the multiple functions of NSF in intracellular membrane fusion events and its close associations with several neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and epilepsy. Subsequent studies should concentrate on determining high-resolution structures of NSF in different domains, identifying its specific alterations in various diseases, and screening small molecule regulators of NSF from multiple perspectives. These research endeavors aim to reveal new therapeutic targets associated with the biological functions of NSF and disease mechanisms.

BackgroundInflammation plays a crucial role in cerebrovascular disease (CVD) progression. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an important inflammatory marker, though its diagnostic role in CVD is still under investigation. This study evaluates the relationship between NLR and short-term all-cause mortality in patients with CVD admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study using data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-IV) (v2.2) database, including 4,327 adult ICU-admitted CVD patients. NLR values at admission were analyzed alongside various mortality variables. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models and Kaplan–Meier (K-M) survival curves assessed the relationship between NLR and short-term all-cause mortality. Predictive power, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of NLR for short-term mortality were investigated using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. Additionally, restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves and subgroup analyses were conducted.ResultsAmong the 4,327 patients, 3,600 survived (survival group) and 727 died (non-survival group) within 28 days of admission (mortality rate: 16.8%). A multivariate Cox regression analysis identified NLR as an independent predictor of 28-day all-cause mortality (hazard ratio: 1.013; 95% confidence interval: 1.0086–1.0188; p

Celastrol, the primary constituent of Tripterygium wilfordii, has demonstrated neuroprotective properties in rats with dementia by reducing inflammation. A high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection were utilized to establish a diabetic rat model, which was then employed to investigate the possible protective effect of celastrol against the development of diabetes-induced learning and memory deficits. Afterwards, the experimental animals received a dose of celastrol by gavage (4 mg/kg/d). An animal study showed that celastrol enhanced insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in diabetic rats. In the Morris water maze test, rats with diabetes performed poorly in terms of spatial learning and memory; treatment with celastrol improved these outcomes. Additionally, administration of celastrol downregulated the expression of inflammatory-related proteins (NF-κB, IKKα, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and greatly reduced the generation of Aβ in the diabetic hippocampus tissue. Moreover, the insulin signaling pathway-related proteins PI3K, AKT, and GSK-3β were significantly upregulated in diabetic rats after celastrol was administered. Also, celastrol prevented damage to the brain structures and increased the synthesis of synaptic proteins like PSD-95 and SYT1. In conclusion, celastrol exerts a neuroprotective effect by modulating the insulin signaling system and reducing inflammatory responses, which helps to ameliorate the cognitive impairment associated with diabetes.

Abstract Objective The association of the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) and extracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ECAS) is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of TyG index with the distribution and severity of ICAS and ECAS. Method Patients who underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for evaluating ICAS/ECAS in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2017 to October 2021 were retrospectively enrolled in our study. Clinical characteristics, DSA data, blood routine, lipid profile and fasting glucose were recorded. The association of TyG index and ICAS/ECAS status were investigated in four aspects: location and distribution of stenosis, stenosis severity and whether stenosis is symptomatic. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association. Restricted cubic splines were constructed to model the non-linear relationship between the TyG index and different arterial stenosis status. Results Among 1129 included patients, the median age was 62 (IQR 55–68) years, and 71.3% were male. The median TyG index was 8.81 (8.40, 9.21). Elevated TyG index was significantly associated with ICAS, combined ICAS/ECAS, anterior circulation stenosis, posterior circulation stenosis, combined anterior/posterior circulation stenosis, severe stenosis, both asymptomatic and symptomatic stenosis. This association was maintained after adjusting for age, sex, smoking, drinking, medical history of hypertension and stroke, platelet, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein. Multivariable-adjusted spline regression models showed that a progressively increasing risk of arterial stenosis was related to an elevated TyG index. Conclusion Elevated TyG index was associated with ICAS/ECAS. TyG index might be a useful indicator of ICAS and severe stenosis.

Abstract An understanding of the mechanisms regulating embryonic hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) development would facilitate their regeneration. The aorta-gonad-mesonephros region is the site for HSC production from hemogenic endothelial cells (HEC). While several distinct regulators are involved in this process, it is not yet known whether macroautophagy (autophagy) plays a role in hematopoiesis in the pre-liver stage. Here, we show that different states of autophagy exist in hematopoietic precursors and correlate with hematopoietic potential based on the LC3-RFP-EGFP mouse model. Deficiency of autophagy-related gene 5 (Atg5) specifically in endothelial cells disrupts endothelial to hematopoietic transition (EHT), by blocking the autophagic process. Using combined approaches, including single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), we have confirmed that Atg5 deletion interrupts developmental temporal order of EHT to further affect the pre-HSC I maturation, and that autophagy influences hemogenic potential of HEC and the formation of pre-HSC I likely via the nucleolin pathway. These findings demonstrate a role for autophagy in the formation/maturation of hematopoietic precursors.

In the evolving landscape of the digital era, edge computing emerges as an essential paradigm, especially critical for low-latency, real-time applications and Internet of Things (IoT) environments. Despite its advantages, edge computing faces severe limitations in storage capabilities and is fraught with reliability issues due to its resource-constrained nature and exposure to challenging conditions. To address these challenges, this work presents a tailored storage mechanism for edge computing, focusing on space efficiency and data reliability. Our method comprises three key steps: relation factorization, column clustering, and erasure encoding with compression. We successfully reduce the required storage space by deconstructing complex database tables and optimizing data organization within these sub-tables. We further add a layer of reliability through erasure encoding. Comprehensive experiments on TPC-H datasets substantiate our approach, demonstrating storage savings of up to 38.35% and time efficiency improvements by 3.96x in certain cases. Furthermore, our clustering technique shows a potential for additional storage reduction up to 40.41%.

Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) is a pathological condition characterized by progressive narrowing or complete blockage of intracranial blood vessels caused by plaque formation. This condition leads to reduced blood flow to the brain, resulting in cerebral ischemia and hypoxia. Ischemic stroke (IS) resulting from ICAS poses a significant global public health challenge, especially among East Asian populations. However, the underlying causes of the notable variations in prevalence among diverse populations, as well as the most effective strategies for preventing and treating the rupture and blockage of intracranial plaques, remain incompletely comprehended. Rupture of plaques, bleeding, and thrombosis serve as precipitating factors in the pathogenesis of luminal obstruction in intracranial arteries. Pericytes play a crucial role in the structure and function of blood vessels and face significant challenges in regulating the Vasa Vasorum (VV)and preventing intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH). This review aims to explore innovative therapeutic strategies that target the pathophysiological mechanisms of vulnerable plaques by modulating pericyte biological function. It also discusses the potential applications of pericytes in central nervous system (CNS) diseases and their prospects as a therapeutic intervention in the field of biological tissue engineering regeneration.

Summary: Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a multifactorial psychiatric illness affecting ∼1% of the global adult population. Lithium (Li), is the most effective mood stabilizer for BD but works only for a subset of patients and its mechanism of action remains largely elusive. Methods: In the present study, we used iPSC-derived neurons from patients with BD who are responsive (LR) or not (LNR) to lithium. Combined electrophysiology, calcium imaging, biochemistry, transcriptomics, and phosphoproteomics were employed to provide mechanistic insights into neuronal hyperactivity in BD, investigate Li's mode of action, and identify alternative treatment strategies. Findings: We show a selective rescue of the neuronal hyperactivity phenotype by Li in LR neurons, correlated with changes to Na+ conductance. Whole transcriptome sequencing in BD neurons revealed altered gene expression pathways related to glutamate transmission, alterations in cell signalling and ion transport/channel activity. We found altered Akt signalling as a potential therapeutic effect of Li in LR neurons from patients with BD, and that Akt activation mimics Li effect in LR neurons. Furthermore, the increased neural network activity observed in both LR & LNR neurons from patients with BD were reversed by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Interpretation: These results suggest potential for new treatment strategies in BD, such as Akt activators in LR cases, and the use of AMPK activators for LNR patients with BD. Funding: Supported by funding from ERA PerMed, Bell Brain Canada Mental Research Program and Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.

Defining the structure and evolution of multi-trend faults is critical for analyzing the accumulation of hydrocarbons in buried hills. Based on high-resolution seismic and drilling data, the structural characteristics and evolutionary mechanism of multi-trend faults were investigated in detail through the structural analysis theory and quantitative calculations of fault activity, allowing us to determine the implication that fault evolution exerts on hydrocarbon accumulation in the BZ19-6 buried hill. There are four kinds of strike faults developed on the buried hill: SN-, NNE-, NE–ENE-, and nearly EW-trending, which experienced the Mesozoic Indosinian, Yanshan, and Cenozoic Himalayan tectonic movements. During the Indosinian, the BZ19-6 was in a SN-oriented compressional setting, with active faults composed of SN-trending strike-slip faults (west branch of the Tanlu fault zone) and near EW-trending thrust faults (Zhang-peng fault zone). During the Yanshanian, the NNE-trending normal faults were formed under the WNW–ESE tensile stress field. Since the Himalayan period, the BZ19-6 buried hill has evolved into the rifting stage. In rifting stage Ⅰ, all of the multi-trend pre-existing faults were reactivated, and the EW-trending thrust faults became normal faults due to negative inversion. In rifting stage II, a large number of NE–ENE-trending normal faults were newly formed in the NW–SE-oriented extensional setting, which made the structure pattern more complicated. In rifting stage III, the buried hill entered the post-rift stage, with only part of the NNE- and NE–ENE-trending faults continuously active. Multi-trend faults are the result of the combination of various multi-phase stress fields and pre-existing structures, which have great influence on the formation of tectonic fractures and then control the distribution of high-quality reservoirs in buried hills. The fractures controlled by the NNE- and EW-trending faults have higher density and scale, and fractures controlled by NE–ENE trending faults have stronger connectivity and effectiveness. The superposition of multi-trend faults is the favorable distribution of high-quality reservoirs and the favorable accumulation area of hydrocarbon.

High‐dimensional multiplexing technology is of importance in the on‐chip photonic interconnections and challenging to design within ultracompact footprint. Herein, high‐dimensional demultiplexers are proposed and demonstrated to enable wavelength‐division and mode‐division simultaneously. The functional regions of digital metamaterials are obtained by inverse design individually and are cascaded to work as high‐dimensional demultiplexers. The gradient‐based inverse design is carried out with an efficient method combining finite‐element method, density method, and method of moving asymptotes. The performances are simulated by 3D finite difference time domain with silicon‐on‐insulator configuration. The proposed demultiplexer with four‐channel has ultracompact footprint of 4.1 × 3.65 μm2. Its average transmission efficiency is 38.7% and contrast ratios are higher than 13.0 dB. Besides, the proposed demultiplexer with six‐channel has a footprint of 4.55 × 5.55 μm2. Its average transmission efficiency is 24.3% and contrast ratios are higher than 11.8 dB.

Abstract Heavy metal ions pose a threat to both ecological balance and human health owing to the non-biodegradable and poisonous characteristics. A simple, convenient and rapid metal ion monitoring plays a significant role for eliminating metal ions pollution. In this work, we prepared 4-mercaptobenzoic acids (4-MBA)-functionalized silver-coated gold nanoparticles (Au@Ag NPs) as colorimetric probes to construct colorimetric Chromium III (Cr3+) ions detection platform. The results showed that 4-MBA-Au@Ag NPs could effectively coordinate with the low-concentration Cr3+ ions with the group of -COOH, generating the obviously colorimetric reaction. To detection system, the optimal concentration of 4-MBA and pH was 5 μM and 9, respectively. Signal response was found to be proportional to Cr3+ ions concentration in the range from 10 to 500 μM with a correlation coefficient of 0.993, with UV–Vis and colorimetric detection limits determined as 9 μM and 10 μM, respectively. In addition, the recovery of the system was estimated to be from 88.2 to 112.1%, which was satisfactory for practical analysis of samples. The platform would have great potential applications in many areas.

Abstract Background Previous studies showed the adverse impacts of air pollution on headache attacks in developed countries. However, evidence is limited to the impact of exposure to air pollutants on headache attacks. In this study, we aimed to explore the impact of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure on neurology clinic visits (NCVs) for headache onsets. Methods Records of NCVs for headaches, concentrations of ambient NO2, and meteorological variables were collected in Wuhan, China, from January 1st, 2017, to November 30th, 2019. A time-series study was conducted to investigate the short-term effects of NO2 exposure on daily NCVs for headaches. Stratified analyses were also computed according to season, age, and sex, and the exposure–response (E-R) curve was then plotted. Results A total of 11,436 records of NCVs for headaches were enrolled in our study during the period. A 10-μg/m3 increase of ambient NO2 corresponded to a 3.64% elevation of daily NCVs for headaches (95%CI: 1.02%, 6.32%, P = 0.006). Moreover, females aged less than 50 years of age were more susceptible compared to males (4.10% vs. 2.97%, P = 0.007). The short-term effects of NO2 exposure on daily NCVs for headaches were stronger in cool seasons than in warm seasons (6.31% vs. 0.79%, P = 0.0009). Conclusion Our findings highlight that short-term exposure to ambient NO2 positively correlated with NCVs for headaches in Wuhan, China, and the adverse effects varied by season, age, and sex.

Abstract Industrial production of single-chirality carbon nanotubes is critical for their applications in high-speed and low-power nanoelectronic devices, but both their growth and separation have been major challenges. Here, we report a method for industrial separation of single-chirality carbon nanotubes from a variety of raw materials with gel chromatography by increasing the concentration of carbon nanotube solution. The high-concentration individualized carbon nanotube solution is prepared by ultrasonic dispersion followed by centrifugation and ultrasonic redispersion. With this technique, the concentration of the as-prepared individualized carbon nanotubes is increased from about 0.19 mg/mL to approximately 1 mg/mL, and the separation yield of multiple single-chirality species is increased by approximately six times to the milligram scale in one separation run with gel chromatography. When the dispersion technique is applied to an inexpensive hybrid of graphene and carbon nanotubes with a wide diameter range of 0.8–2.0 nm, and the separation yield of single-chirality species is increased by more than an order of magnitude to the sub-milligram scale. Moreover, with present separation technique, the environmental impact and cost of producing single-chirality species are greatly reduced. We anticipate that this method promotes industrial production and practical applications of single-chirality carbon nanotubes in carbon-based integration circuits.

Mild organic substitution is advantageous for sustainable agricultural development. In order to determine the proper fertilization strategy, it is essential to investigate the impact of substituting chemical fertilizers with varying levels of organic manure on soil nutrients, microbial communities, and crop productivity. Four treatments were implemented: no fertilizer, sole chemical fertilizer, 20% organic manure substitution, and 40% organic manure substitution. Bacterial and fungal communities were characterized through high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene V3–V4 region and the V4 region, respectively. The 20% and 40% organic manure substitutions increased soil organic matter (SOM) content, total nitrogen (TN) content, and reduced soil pH compared to the control (CK). The 20% organic manure substitution showed the most significant improvements in soil alkaline phosphatase, urease, and invertase activities. Soil nutrient enhancement increased bacterial alpha diversity, with a milder impact on fungal alpha diversity compared to bacteria. Different fertilization treatments elevated the relative abundance of bacterial Bacteroidetes (8.11%, 21.25%, and 1.88%), Actinomycetes (12.65%, 26.36%, and 15.33%), and fungal Ascomycota (16.19%, 10.44%, and 12.69%), known for degrading recalcitrant organic matter. The sole chemical fertilizer treatment increased the pathogenic Cheatotryiales. Shared species, primarily from bacterial Actinomycetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and fungal Ascomycota phyla, were found at 20% and 40% organic manure substitution levels. Specifically, the 20% organic manure substitution level promoted the relative abundance of beneficial plant growth-promoting taxa, Oxalobacteraceae and Massilia, and suppressed pathogens, with an increase in the relative abundance of the Purpureocillium genus and Mortierellomycota. These findings suggest that a 20% OF substitution can maintain crop yield, enhance soil nutrients and enzyme activities by fostering beneficial soil bacteria, inhibiting soil-borne pathogens, and refining microbial community structure.

Background: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) in pregnancy was common and endovascular treatment (EVT) could be an effective and safe treatment for patients with severe and refractory CVST. However, the efficacy and safety of hybrid EVT (craniotomy + endovascular treatment) for CVST were unknown. We represented a rare case of hybrid EVT through the incision of the superior sagittal sinus in a pregnant woman with CVST who failed to EVT through the femoral vein pathway. Case presentation: A 26-year-old woman, in her second month of pregnancy, complained of a headache for 5 days and aggravation with coma combined with convulsions for 2 days. She was diagnosed with CVST in the local hospital by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and treated with anticoagulation. She had no history of illness and the biochemical tests were normal. Hybrid EVT (craniotomy + EVT) was attempted after failing to conduct EVT through the femoral vein pathway due to difficulty to reach the target cerebral venous sinus. Briefly, a small hole was made in the frontotemporal head to expose the superior sagittal sinus and a 6F sheath was inserted into 2cm of superior sagittal sinus incision and fixed on the scalp, after repeated aspiration by 5F intermediate catheter and balloon dilatation of stenosis in the right transverse sinus and right sigmoid sinus, the cerebral venous system got successful recanalization. No obvious complications were found and the patient recovered very well after the surgery. Conclusion: Anticoagulation was the standard treatment for CVST. EVT could rapidly restore venous flow and improve the prognosis for refractory and severe CVST. EVT by hybrid surgery through the superior sagittal sinus incision may be safe and effective for desperate patients with severe CVST.

BackgroundWhite matter lesion (WML) is an age-related disorder associated with stroke and cognitive impairment. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors and build a predictive model of WML in young- and middle-aged people.MethodsWe performed a second analysis of the data from the Dryad Digital Repository. We selected those people who are

This article focuses on examining the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and gold prices on the stock market. It primarily analyzes the relationship between COVID-19 cases and stock market prices, along with the impact on various commodity elements such as gold, oil, Chinese RMB, and US Dollar prices. These commodity elements are considered essential indicators of a country's financial health, and the study investigates how the increase in COVID-19 cases affects these financial elements. The research incorporates financial models, machine learning algorithms, and a financial Gaussian mixture model for data analysis and comparison. The findings shed light on the correlation between the virus, trading outcomes, and the importance of Karachi Stock Exchange-100 index data in preventing market crashes. The study also explores the implications of emergencies on the finance sector and provides insights for future financial predictions and the impact of social disasters on the economy.

Introduction: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease that usually occurs in children

Here, explainable deep learning and climate networks give insight into the dependencies between El Niño and river flow, with implications for machine learning-based earth system model coupling and climate-informed projections of water resources.

Three kerogen samples (JJZG-1, JJZG-2 and JJZG-3) isolated from the Permian Lucaogou shales of varying biodegradation levels (BLs ≈ 0, 3 and 7, respectively) were subjected to sequential stepwise pyrolysis combined with on-line detection of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Occluded fractions (bitumen II) released at low-temperature steps (≤410 °C) show consistent biodegradative signatures with that reported for solvent-extracted fractions (bitumen I) of the original shales, e.g., broad range of abundant n-alkanes, isoprenoids and regular hopanes for the non-biodegraded JJZG-1; trace n-alkanes and abundant hopanes for the moderately biodegraded JJZG-2; and no n-alkanes but still prominent hopanes including the microbially produced 25-nohopanes for the severely biodegraded JJZG-3. This consistency between bitumen II and bitumen I fractions indicates the biodegradability of the kerogen-occluded bitumen II with limited protection from host kerogen. A minor level of protection was suggested by the trace distribution of n-alkanes in the bitumen II of JJZG-2, whereas the bitumen I had no n-alkanes. The kerogen itself was more resistant to biodegradation as reflected by the persistence of high abundances of both n-alkanes and hopanes in the high temperature (≥460 °C) products of all three kerogen samples. However, the relative abundances of these product groups did show some evidence of biodegradation alteration, e.g., ratios of n-C15 alkene/C27 hop-17(21)-ene at 510 °C pyrolysis decreased by order of magnitude from the non-biodegraded (JJZG-1 = 27.4) to highly biodegraded (0.3 for JJZG-3) samples. The reduced biodegradation impact on the kerogen fraction (Cf. bitumen fractions) was also evident by the absence of 25-norhopanes in the high-temperature analysis of the JJZG-3 kerogen.

Abstract CAMSAP2 has been reported to act as an oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the expression CAMSAP2 and its potential roles in colorectal cancer remain unclear. In this study, qRT-PCR and immunoblotting analysis were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of CAMSAP2 in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines. Wound-healing, transwell migration and invasion assay were performed to determine whether CAMSAP2 promotes the capabilities of migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells. The results showed that CAMSAP2 was highly elevated in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines. Moreover, the high CAMSAP2 expression was positively correlated with tumor invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and the poor prognosis of colorectal cancer. Additionally, ectopic expression of CAMSAP2 in colorectal cancer cells promoted the migration and invasion in vitro and enhanced the lung metastasis in nude mice. Conversely, silencing CAMSAP2 resulted in an opposite phenomenon. By gain- and loss-of function experiments, we demonstrated that MMP-1 was a substantial downstream target of CAMSAP2, and it played a crucial role in regulating the migration and invasion induced by CAMSAP2 in colorectal cancer cells. Mechanistically, CAMSAP2 promoted the activation of JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway and subsequently upregulated the transcription activity of MMP-1. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that CAMSAP2 promoted colorectal cancer cell migration, invasion and metastasis through activation of JNK/c-Jun/MMP-1 signaling pathway, indicating CAMSAP2 is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer patients.

Background: The management of anticoagulation for mechanical heart valves (MHVs) during pregnancy posed a special challenge. Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) was the standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in anterior circulation with large vessel occlusion. However, the efficacy and safety of MT in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke in pregnancy were unknown. Case presentation: A 29-year-old woman with MHVs in her first pregnancy at 7 weeks’ gestation underwent MT because of a large occlusive thrombus in the end of the internal carotid artery despite therapeutic anticoagulation with low-molecular-weight heparin. This pregnant woman recovered well after MT with a modified rank score (mRS) of 0 at 90 days. Conclusion: At present, there was no standard protocol of anticoagulation therapy for pregnant women with MHVs. Acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion in pregnancy was rare, but could bring devastating consequences for both mother and infant. Our case report demonstrated that MT could be safe and effective in pregnancy.

Spectral control of light in the visible range is one of the fundamental topics in optical applications. Micro-electro-mechanically systems (MEMS) combine with metamaterial structures can further enrich the optical function. Here, a plasmonic metamaterial structures based on MEMS consist of the top metal film and bottom metal slab separated by a dielectric layer was proposed to achieve an electrically switchable metamaterial absorber (MMA). Each metamaterial unit cell is composed of an electrically driven suspended metal film and bottom metal substrate, which can perform independent MEMS functions. Full-wave numerical simulations demonstrated that the shifting of the absorption peaks of the spectrum can be achieved in the visible range. The absorption modulation ratio above 60% can be achieved at wavelengths near 570 nm and 640 nm, provided that the full distance (50 nm) between the top suspended metal film and bottom metal slab can be 100% modulated, which can be easily realized via current MEMS technology. This paves the way for MEMS integrated metamaterial absorber as a platform for reconfigurable optics and optical switching.

Agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis Lam.) is a resinous material from different geographical locations. The current evaluation of agarwood quality is usually based on its physical properties and chemical compounds, yet only a few studies have linked agarwood quality with its anxiolytic effect, as indicated by characteristic compounds. In this study, using solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SPME/GC-TOFMS) and multivariate analysis, we found 116 significantly different compounds in agarwood samples from four locations in Southeast Asia with regard to their quality. Brunei and Nha Trang agarwood had abundant sesquiterpenoids, exhibiting notable pharmacological efficacy in relieving anxiety. Malaysian and Irian agarwood had abundant alcohols and aldehydes, qualifying them as high-quality spices. Compound–target–disease network and pathway enrichment analysis were further employed to predict 79 gene targets and 20 pathways associated with the anxiolytic effects based on the 62 sesquiterpenoids. The correlated relationships among the sesquiterpenoids and targets suggest that agarwood treats anxiety via multiple compounds acting on multiple targets. Varying levels of sesquiterpenes across agarwood groups might lead to differences in the anxiolytic effects via signaling pathways, such as neurotransmitter- and hormone-regulated pathways. Our study originally evaluates agarwood quality and its anxiolytic effect by linking the characteristic compounds to potential gene targets and pathways.

Toona ciliata M. Roem. is a valuable and fast-growing timber species which is found in subtropical regions; however, drought severely affects its growth and physiology. Although the exogenous application of salicylic acid (SA) has been proven to enhance plant drought tolerance by regulating the osmotic system and photosynthesis rate, the physiological processes involved in the regulation of drought tolerance by SA in various plants differ. Therefore, drought mitigation techniques tailored for T. ciliata should be explored or developed for the sustainable development of the timber industry. We selected 2-year-old T. ciliata seedlings for a potting experiment, set the soil moisture at 45%, and subjected some of the T. ciliata seedlings to a moderate drought (MD) treatment; to others, 0.5 mmol/L exogenous SA (MD + SA) was applied as a mitigation test, and we also conducted a control using a normal water supply at 70% soil moisture (CK). Our aim was to investigate the mitigating effects of exogenous SA on the growth condition, osmotic system, and photosynthesis rate of T. ciliata under drought stress conditions. OPLS–VIP was used to analyze the main physiological factors that enable exogenous SA to alleviate drought-induced injury in T. ciliata. The results indicated that exogenous SA application increased the growth of the ground diameter, plant height, and leaf blades and enhanced the drought tolerance of the T. ciliata seedlings by maintaining the balance of their osmotic systems, improving their gas exchange parameters, and restoring the activity of their PSII reaction centers. The seven major physiological factors that enabled exogenous SA to mitigate drought-induced injury in the T. ciliata seedlings were the soluble proteins (Sp), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (Gs), stomatal opening window (Sow), activity of the photosystem II reaction center (ΦPSII), and electron transfer rate (ETR). Of these, Sp was the most dominant factor. There was a synergistic effect between the osmotic system and the photosynthetic regulation of drought injury in the T. ciliata seedlings. Overall, our study confirms that exogenous SA enhances the drought tolerance of T. ciliata by modulating the osmotic system and photosynthesis rate.

Abstract Essential tremor (ET) is one of the most common movement disorders, affecting nearly 5% of individuals over 65 years old. Despite this, few genetic risk loci for ET have been identified. Recent advances in pharmacogenomics have previously been useful to identify disease related molecular targets. Notably, gene expression has proven to be quite successful for the inference of drug response in cell models. We sought to leverage this approach in the context of ET where many patients are responsive to two drugs: propranolol and primidone. In this study, cerebellar DAOY and neural progenitor cells were treated for 5 days with clinical concentrations of propranolol and primidone, after which RNA-sequencing was used to identify convergent differentially expressed genes across treatments. Propranolol was found to affect the expression of genes previously associated with ET and other movement disorders such as TRAPPC11. Pathway enrichment analysis of these convergent drug-targeted genes identified multiple terms related to calcium signaling, endosomal sorting, axon guidance, and neuronal morphology. Furthermore, genes targeted by ET drugs were enriched within cell types having high expression of ET-related genes in both cortical and cerebellar tissues. Altogether, our results highlight potential cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with tremor reduction and identify relevant genetic biomarkers for drug-responsiveness in ET.

Myxobacteria are part of the phylum Myxococcota, encompassing four orders. Most of them display complex lifestyles and broad predation profiles. However, metabolic potential and predation mechanisms of different myxobacteria remains poorly understood. Herein, we used comparative genomics and transcriptomics to analyze metabolic potentials and differentially expressed gene (DEG) profiles of Myxococcus xanthus monoculture (Mx) compared to coculture with Escherichia coli (MxE) and Micrococcus luteus (MxM) prey. The results showed that myxobacteria had conspicuous metabolic deficiencies, various protein secretion systems (PSSs) and the common type II secretion system (T2SS). RNA-seq data demonstrated that M. xanthus overexpressed the potential predation DEGs, particularly those encoding T2SS, the tight adherence (Tad) pilus, different secondary metabolites (myxochelin A/B, myxoprincomide, myxovirescin A1, geosmin and myxalamide), glycosyl transferases and peptidase during predation. Furthermore, the myxalamide biosynthesis gene clusters, two hypothetical gene clusters and one arginine biosynthesis clusters were highly differential expressed in MxE versus MxM. Additionally, homologue proteins of the Tad (kil) system and five secondary metabolites were in different obligate or facultative predators. Finally, we provided a working model for exhibiting multiple predatory strategies when M. xanthus prey on M. luteus and E. coli. These results might spur application-oriented research on the development of novel antibacterial strategies.

PurposeThe present study aimed to identify clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer liver metastasis (BCLM) as well as to characterize the risk and prognostic factors for the liver metastasis (LM) of breast cancer patients with de novo and relapsed distant metastasis in a Chinese population.Materials and methodsPatients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who were hospitalized in the Breast Cancer Center at Chongqing University between January 2011 and December 2019 were included in the present study. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for the presence of BCLM. Cox proportional hazard regression models were performed to determine the prognostic factors for the survival of BCLM patients. The correlation between LM and overall survival was assessed by the Kaplan–Meier method.ResultsIn total, 1,228 eligible MBC patients, including 325 cases (26.5%) with de novo metastasis (cohort A) and 903 cases (73.5%) with relapsed metastasis (cohort B), were enrolled in the present study. In cohort A and cohort B, 81 (24.9%) and 226 (25.0%) patients had BCLM, respectively. Patients in these two cohorts had different clinicopathological features. Logistic regression analysis identified that the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status in cohort A as well as the HER2 status and invasive ductal carcinoma histology in cohort B were risk factors for BCLM. The median OS of patients with LM was inferior to that of non-LM patients (17.1 vs. 37.7 months, P = 0.0004 and 47.6 vs. 84.0 months, P < 0.0001, respectively). Cox analysis identified that the primary T stage, Ki67 level, and breast surgery history were independent prognostic factors for cohorts A and B, respectively.ConclusionsDe novo and relapsed MBC patients have different risk and prognostic factors for LM. Patients with BCLM have an unfavorable prognosis.

Abstract One‐step deposition approaches have been widely applied and developed in the fabrication of quasi‐2D perovskites. However, the regulation of quantum wells (QWs) and crystalline orientation is difficult and complicated when using this methodology. Sequential deposition is another widespread synthetic approach for preparing perovskite films and perovskite dimension engineering. In this article, δ‐CsPbI3 intermediate phase assisted sequential (IPAS) deposition is successfully carried out to fabricate MA‐free quasi‐2D ACI perovskites. The amount of the δ‐CsPbI3 intermediate phase in the PbI2 layer and the concentration of GAI molecule in the IPA solution both play important roles in the production of MA‐free quasi‐2D ACI perovskite films. The n value of the MA‐free quasi‐2D ACI perovskites can be adjusted, which affects the photovoltaic performance and device stability. Compared with one‐step deposition, the MA‐free quasi‐2D ACI perovskites prepared via IPAS deposition have opposite reverse‐graded QW distribution and improved vertical orientation, leading to a remarkable PEC of up to 18.86% and allowing the preparation of unpackaged devices with prominent working stability (80%, ~400 h). The underlying mechanism and crystallization pathway of IPAS deposition confirm that sequential deposition has unique superiority in regulating the QW distribution and crystalline orientation of quasi‐2D perovskites.

Lenses are an important part of modern optical systems. We propose metalenses with bifocal spots, which realizes the beam focusing with controllable intensity ratio and free deflection of the bifocal spots. The metalens consists of an array of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanopillars, which can provide two different propagation phases for x-linear polarization (XLP) and y-linear polarization (YLP) incidence, respectively. Therefore, by precisely choosing the size of the nanopillars, it is possible to produce two different focal spots for the two orthogonal input polarized light. And the intensity of the two focal points can be adjusted by changing the polarization angle of the incident light. Superimposing the initial phase distribution of the metalens and the phase distribution of the beam deflector metasurface enables multi-dimensional adjustment of the two focal points and realizes the free deflection characteristics of the metalens. The deflection angle of the focal spot is close to the theoretical deflection angle. In addition, multiple superposition can produce more deflection angles or deflect the focus to a two-dimensional plane. The method of controlling the targeting phase of the metalens by superimposing additional phases gives us the ability to fully manipulate the phase and wavefront of the metalens, providing a new idea for the continuous angle change of future optical lenses.

Smart windows with high visible transmission can control the absorption or transmission spectrum of solar irradiation based on seasonal variations and personal preferences, allowing buildings to save energy. However, it is a considerable challenge to design a metasurface with high solar modulation ability (ΔAsol), integral luminous transmittance (Tlum), transmission light's color rendering index (Ra) and simple structure for smart windows. In this work, we design and optimize the asymmetric-structured multilayer and micro-nano array by applying the method of scanning parameters and fully-connected network methods. The optimization results show that ΔAsol and Tlum negatively correlate when the transmitted light of these two structures has a high Ra. This conclusion of designing high-performance asymmetric-structured metasurfaces provides essential guidance for designing future smart windows.

The partial substitution of chemical fertilizers with organic manure is an important strategy for improving agricultural sustainability. However, its effect on heavy metal (HM) pollution and its potential risk to human health remain unclear. Therefore, a field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of partial organic fertilizer substitution (0, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) on health risks posed by HMs, including Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb, As, and Cr. The results showed that organic fertilizer substitution significantly increased Cu, Cd, Pb, and As accumulations in the soil. The Zn, Cu, Pb, and As contents were significantly higher in grains grown under organic fertilizer substitution (40%) conditions. The HM contents in the soil and grains were below the safety threshold limits in all treatments. Furthermore, the health risk caused by the exposure to As, Cu, and Zn accounted for 86% of the hazard index (HI) value. The HI value was significantly greater at a substitution ratio of 40% than in the no-nitrogen fertilizer treatment. Ingestion of the wheat grains grown at substitution ratios ≥ 30%) increased the carcinogenic risk of As and the total carcinogenic risk. In conclusion, organic fertilizer substitution at high ratios significantly increased the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with ingesting wheat grain. The optimal organic fertilizer substitution ratio (20%) maintained crop yields and improved soil fertility without increasing the non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic risks to human health. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the impacts of optimal organic fertilizer management in wheat growing systems.

Developing robust and cost-effective electrocatalysts to boost hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs) and oxygen evolution reactions (OERs) is crucially important to electrocatalytic water splitting. Herein, bifunctional electrocatalysts, by coupling Co nanoparticles and N-doped carbon nanotubes/graphitic nanosheets (Co@NCNTs/NG), were successfully synthesized via facile high-temperature pyrolysis and evaluated for water splitting. The morphology and particle size of products were influenced by the precursor type of the cobalt source (cobalt oxide or cobalt nitrate). The pyrolysis product prepared using cobalt oxide as a cobalt source (Co@NCNTs/NG-1) exhibited the smaller particle size and higher specific surface area than that of the pyrolysis products prepared using cobalt nitrate as a cobalt source (Co@NCNTs/NG-2). Notably, Co@NCNTs/NG-1 displayed much lower potential −0.222 V vs. RHE for HER and 1.547 V vs. RHE for OER at the benchmark current density of 10 mA cm−2 than that of Co@NCNTs/NG-2, which indicates the higher bifunctional catalytic activities of Co@NCNTs/NG-1. The water-splitting device using Co@NCNTs/NG-1 as both an anode and cathode demonstrated a potential of 1.92 V to attain 10 mA cm−2 with outstanding stability for 100 h. This work provides a facile pyrolysis strategy to explore highly efficient and stable bifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting.

Abstract In spite of the popularity of random forests (RF) as an efficient machine learning algorithm, methods for constructing the potential association for between patent foramen ovale (PFO) and cryptogenic stroke (CS) using this technique are still barely. For the vital regional study areas (atrial septum), RF was used to predict CS in patients with PFO using partial clinical data of patients and remotely sensed imaging examination data obtained from Tee imaging. We validated our method on a dataset of 151 consecutive patients with detected PFO at a large grade A hospital in China from November 2018 to December 2020, we obtained an area under the relative operating characteristic curve of 0.816, with 65% specificity at 73% sensitivity. The RF models accurately represented the relationship between the CS and remotely sensed predictor variables. Therein, maximum mobility, large right-to-left shunt during Valsalva maneuver, size of PFO in diastole and systole, and diastolic length of the tunnel present higher predictive value in CS. Our findings suggest that multi-Doppler sensor data by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-detected morphologic and functional characteristics of PFO may play important roles in the occurrence of CS. These results indicate that the established random forest model has the potential to predict CS in patients with PFO and great promise for application to clinical practice.

Due to the lack of scientific guidance on the usage of fertilizer, the overuse of chemical and organic fertilizer is commonly witnessed all over the world, which causes soil degradation and leads to environmental pollution. The effect of fertilizer strategies on soil properties, cucumber nutrients, and microbial community was investigated in this study with the aim to explore an optimized and enhanced fertilizer strategy. There were five fertilizer strategies conducted including CK (no fertilizer), M (cow dung manure only), NPK (chemical fertilizer only), NPKM (chemical fertilizer combined with manure), and DNPKM (30%-reducing chemical fertilizer combined with manure). It was found that different fertilizer strategies significantly affected the soil organic matter and nutrient levels and cucumber production and nutrient contents of the experimental field. Different fertilizer strategies showed dramatic effects on the alpha- and beta-diversity of soil microbial communities. Moreover, NPKM and DNPKM groups could significantly improve the bacterial abundance and fungal diversity. In addition, the structure of microbial communities was significantly changed in the presence of manure, chemical fertilizer, and their combination. Optimized combination of NPK with M improved the abundance of aerobic, biofilm formation-related, and Gram-negative bacteria and suppressed the anaerobic and Gram-positive bacteria. The presence of saprotrophs fungi was enhanced by all fertilizer strategies, especially the plethora of Gymnoascus. The combination of manure with chemical fertilizer could improve the availability of nutrients, and therefore reduce the adverse effects and potential risks induced by excessive fertilizer application. In conclusion, the new fertilization approach can not only meet the growth requirements of cucumber after reduced fertilization, but also protect soil health, which provides a new candidate for the eco-friendly technology to satisfy the topic of carbon neutrality.

Carotid artery stent implantation (CAS) plays an important role in preventing cerebral infarction associated with carotid stenosis. The postoperative complications of CAS include cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS), cerebral infarction, vascular injury, carotid sinus reaction, and stent restenosis. Hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) is a serious complication that arises after the performance of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or CAS and is characterized by high blood pressure, headache, epilepsy, and focal neurological deficit. Therefore, it is very important to evaluate and diagnose CHS. Cerebral infarction after CAS is often caused by distal embolism due to the shedding of microemboli. With the application of distal brain protection devices, the risk of distal embolism is significantly reduced. In this study, we report a rare case of hypoperfusion cerebral infarction after carotid artery stenting in a patient with severe carotid stenosis complicated with contralateral common carotid artery occlusion.

In this paper, we present a scheme for achieving broadband efficient beam splitting based on homogeneous ultra-thin metasurfaces, which is composed of an ultrathin dielectric spacer sandwiched between periodic arrays of identical rectangular metal resonators and an optically thick metal film. Based on this scheme, three beam splitters for incident wavelengths in the ultraviolet (UV), visible, and infrared (IR) are designed and investigated numerically. Although these beam splitters exhibit polarization-dependent optical responses, each one still has an operational band in which the conversion efficiency remains above 90 % for any polarization incidence. The operational band is respectively 250–299 nm, 478–574 nm, and 1411–1700 nm for these three metasurface-based beam splitters. Moreover, we propose a dual-band beam splitter and a four-channel beam splitter based on this metasurface with MIM configuration. The operational window of the dual-band beam splitter respectively locates in the visible and infrared regions.

Potassium metal is a promising alkali metal anode but formation of dendrites limits its application. Here, the authors report construction of a continuous and compact protective layer on potassium metal anode through a self-catalysis tribo-electrochemistry reaction in seconds.

Abstract Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease in the central nervous system (CNS). The NLRP3 inflammasome is considered an important regulator of immunity and inflammation, both of which play a critical role in MS. However, the underlying mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasome activation is not fully understood. Here we identified that the TRPV1 (transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1) channel in microglia, as a Ca2+ influx-regulating channel, played an important role in NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Deletion or pharmacological blockade of TRPV1 inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation in microglia in vitro. Further research revealed that TRPV1 channel regulated ATP-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation through mediating Ca2+ influx and phosphorylation of phosphatase PP2A in microglia. In addition, TRPV1 deletion could alleviate mice experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and reduce neuroinflammation by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. These data suggested that the TRPV1 channel in microglia can regulate NLRP3 inflammasome activation and consequently mediate neuroinflammation. Meanwhile, our study indicated that TRPV1–Ca2+–PP2A pathway may be a novel regulator of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, pointing to TRPV1 as a potential target for CNS inflammatory diseases.

This paper examined the impact of the isotope effect on the lattice structure of monocrystalline silicon, as well as the defects caused by proton irradiation. First, by using the molecular dynamics simulation, the number of point defects of monocrystalline silicon exposed to protons was calculated, and the number of stable defects in 30Si was 11%–14% lower than that in 28Si. Second, the structures of various isotopes at 300 K were simulated through ab initio molecular dynamics simulations based on the density functional theory. In addition, the thermal stability of the two structures was determined. The results indicated that pure 30Si had superior radiation resistance to pure 28Si, which suggested a new idea for the radiation resistance enhancement of silicon materials.

This paper describes the theoretical calculation and optimization design of the PN junction betavoltaic batteries with 4H–SiC-based energy converter and titanium tritide source. The self-absorption of radioactive isotope sources and the energy deposition distribution in the semiconductor converter are simulated using the Monte Carlo method. The relationship between doping concentrations and basic factors such as minority carrier diffusion lengths and the width of the depletion region are analyzed via the calculation formulas. Then the maximum output power density and energy conversion efficiency are calculated. The optimal thickness of the titanium tritide film is about 0.7 μm, the doping concentrations are 2.5 × 1016 cm−3, and the junction depth of PN junction is 0.1 μm. The surface recombination velocities of electron and hole are 1 × 106 cm/s, respectively. The maximum output power density and energy conversion efficiency are 0.22 μW/cm2 and 2.37%, respectively.

BackgroundNeutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been shown to be an important inflammatory maker. This study aims to investigate the association of NLR with intracranial and extracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.MethodsWe retrospectively recruited patients who underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for evaluating intracranial/extracranial stenosis in the Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2017 to October 2021. Clinical characteristics, DSA data, blood routine, and lipid profile were recorded. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of NLR and intercranial/extracranial atherosclerotic stenosis in three aspects: distribution of stenosis, whether the stenosis is symptomatic, and degree of stenosis.ResultsA total of 1,129 patients were included in our analysis, with a median age of 62 y (interquartile range 55–68), and a median admission NLR of 2.39 (interquartile range 1.84–3.42). A total of 986 patients presented intracranial and/or extracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. Increased NLR were associated with intracranial stenosis [odds ratio (OR), 1.54; 95% CI, 1.27–1.85; p < 0.001], extracranial stenosis (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.25–1.96; p < 0.001), and combined intracranial/extracranial stenosis (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.28–2.03; p < 0.001). After adjustment of potential factors, higher NLR were independently associated with symptomatic stenosis (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.05–1.27; p = 0.003) and degree of stenosis (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.17–1.49; p < 0.001). Compared with the first quartile NLR, the second, third, and fourth quartiles NLR were independent risk factors for symptomatic stenosis and stenosis degree (both p for trend

A branched DNA-based electrochemical biosensor was designed to sensitively detect specific nucleic acids. On this platform, novel a branched DNA with three sticky ends could be used as a biosensor to sensitively and specifically detect nucleic acids. Meanwhile, we also employed branched DNA-modified AuNPs as a signal amplifier to further improve the sensitivity. Branched DNA sensors, target DNA, and DNA-modified AuNPs formed a sandwich structure to produce an electronic signal for target DNA detection. The reaction primarily involved DNA hybridization without bulky thermal cyclers and enzymes. We proved that the hybridization reaction easily occurred under different conditions, such as the NaCl concentration, reaction time, pH, and temperature, except for a pH lower than 4. The limit of detection could go as low as 0.09 pM (S/N = 3) with excellent specificity and selectivity. There was a correlation curve relationship between the peak current and the logarithm of the target DNA concentration (0.10 pM to 10 nM). The correlation coefficient reached 0.987. The electrochemical platform enables a branched DNA nanostructure to determine nucleic acids for disease diagnosis.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) remains a topic of interest for both theory and practice due to its multifaceted avenues and potential for growth. We have chosen embedded CSR and peripheral CSR measures to evaluate how these activities affect the employee turnover intentions via a mediation mechanism of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). In doing so, this study addresses important stakeholder concerns and provides meaningful managerial contributions for the employers to encourage more employee participation (through lowering turnover intention) toward sustainable corporate performance. This study incorporates four hypotheses that are tested in a structural equation modeling framework by employing Warp-PLS software. Data were collected from 297 employees working in firms that are renowned for their CSR initiatives. We found support for our key hypotheses leading to strong theoretical contributions to the stakeholder theory. We have addressed the main issues of stakeholders’ response to the CSR tradeoffs and have tried to develop a deeper understanding of managers in initiating peripheral and embedded CSR activities for their firms.

Herein, a colorimetric copper (Ⅱ) ion (Cu2+) detection system based on the oxidization reaction of 3′3′5′5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and Ag(S2O3)23− (in aqueous solution) was designed. The detection system comprised TMB, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and thiosulfate (S2O32−). It was observed that AgNPs were unable to oxidize TMB to a blue color. While, Cu2+ ions could effectively catalyze the S2O32--leaching system, thereby converting AgNPs to Ag(S2O3)23−. Similar to Ag (I), Ag(S2O3)23− catalyzed the color reaction of TMB. The colorimetric copper (Ⅱ) ion (Cu2+) detection system was fabricated. Results showed that the optimal amounts of TMB and Na2S2O3 were 800 and 400 μM, respectively, and the reaction time and temperature were 40 min and 25 °C, respectively. The range of curvature tendency was 1–100 μM, with a limit of detection of 100 nM. The detection system exhibited a high selectiveness for copper ions in an aqueous solution. Furthermore, this system shows remarkable promise for monitoring the aqueous quality.

Lithium (Li) metal has been regarded as the "Holy Grail" of Li battery anodes thanks to its high theoretic specific capacity and low reduction potential, but uneven formation of Li dendrites and uncontrollable Li volume changes hinder the practical applications of Li metal anodes. A three-dimensional (3D) current collector is one of the promising strategies to address the above issues if it can be compatible with current industrialized process. Here, Au-decorated carbon nanotubes (Au@CNTs) are electrophoretically deposited on commercial Cu foil as a 3D lithiophilic skeleton to regulate Li deposition. The thickness of the as-prepared 3D skeleton can be accurately controlled by adjusting the deposition time. Benefitting from the reduced localized current density and improved Li affinity, the Au@CNTs-deposited Cu foil (Au@CNTs@Cu foil) achieves uniform Li nucleation and dendrite-free Li deposition. Compared with bare Cu foil and CNTs deposited Cu foil (CNTs@Cu foil), the Au@CNTs@Cu foil exhibits enhanced Coulombic efficiency and better cycling stability. In the full-cell configuration, the Au@CNTs@Cu foil with predeposited Li shows superior stability and rate performance. This work provides a facial strategy to directly construct a 3D skeleton on commercial Cu foils with lithiophilic building blocks for stable and practical Li metal anodes.

The bound state in the continuum (BIC) has paved a new way to achieve excellent localization of the resonant mode coexisting with a continuous spectrum in the metasurface. Here, we propose an all-dielectric metasurface consisting of periodic pairs of asymmetric crosses that supports multiple Fano resonances. Due to the sufficient degrees of freedom in the unit cell, we displaced the vertical bars horizontally to introduce in-plane perturbation, doubling the unit cell structure. Dimerization directly resulted in the folding of the Brillouin zone in k space and transformed the BIC modes into quasi-BIC resonances. Then, simultaneous in-plane symmetry breaking was introduced in both the x and y directions to excite two more resonances. The physical mechanisms of these BIC modes were investigated by multipole decomposition of the scattering cross section and electromagnetic near-field analysis, confirming that they are governed by toroidal dipole (TD) modes and magnetic dipole (MD) modes. We also investigated the flexible tunability and evaluated the sensing performance of our proposed metasurface. Our work is promising for different applications requiring stable and tunable resonances, such as optical switching and biomolecule sensing.

In spite of the great progress of wound healing materials, the development of dressing with moisture permeability, stretchable capability, and adhesive performance remains a huge challenge. In this study, gelatin-dopamine (GT-DA) nanofiber membrane was prepared by introducing dopamine (DA) into gelatin (GT) via electrospinning followed by in-situ reaction. The effects of DA dosage, crosslinking condition and crosslinking time on the mechanical properties of the fiber membrane were studied systematically. The resultant GT-DA nanofibrous hydrogels exhibited integrated stress strength of 1.96 MPa, good water absorption of 700%, and water vapor transmission (WVT: 4.3 kg m−2d−1), which were superior than those of Mepiform®, a commercial adhesive silicone dressing. In addition, Fe3+ were introduced into one side of the nanofiber membrane. A stronger adhesion strength of 2.5 KPa on the porcine skin, which was 1.6 times higher than that of Mepiform® was achieved. Our research showed that the prepared nanofibrous hydrogel has potential as wound dressing and could be used in post-traumatic tissue healing engineering. This work presented a type of breathable, stretchable and adhesive nanofibrous hydrogels, which would ensure the stable attachment on wounds during movement as a wound healing material.