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Abstract Pancreatic cancer is among the most immune-resistant tumor types due to its unique tumor microenvironment and low cancer immunogenicity. Single-agent immune modulators have thus far proven clinically ineffective. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that combination of these modulators with other strategies could unlock the potential of immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer. Herein, we describe the case of a 59-year-old male with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, referred to our center to receive immunotherapy (serplulimab, a novel anti-PD-1 antibody) combined with chemotherapy (gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel). During the initial three treatment cycles, the patient was assessed as having stable disease (SD) according to RECIST 1.1 criteria. However, following two additional cycles of combination therapy, the primary tumor mass increased from 4.9 cm to 13.2 cm, accompanied by the development of new lung lesions, ascites, and pelvic metastases. He succumbed to respiratory failure one month later. Retrospective analysis revealed that the patient had MDM4 amplification, identified as a high-risk factor for hyperprogressive disease (HPD). To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of HPD in pancreatic cancer with multiple metastases treated using combination therapy. We investigated the potential mechanisms and reviewed the latest literature on predictive factors for HPD. These findings suggest that while chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy may hold promise for treating pancreatic cancer, it is imperative to identify and closely monitor patients with high-risk factors for HPD when using immunotherapy.

Cotton fiber quality is a persistent concern that determines planting benefits and the quality of finished textile products. However, the limitations of measurement instruments have hindered the accurate evaluation of some important fiber characteristics such as fiber maturity, fineness, and neps, which in turn has impeded the genetic improvement and industrial utilization of cotton fiber. Here, 12 single fiber quality traits were measured using Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS) equipment among 383 accessions of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). In addition, eight conventional fiber quality traits were assessed by the High Volume Instrument (HVI) System. Genome-wide association study (GWAS), linkage disequilibrium (LD) block genotyping and functional identification were conducted sequentially to uncover the associated elite loci and candidate genes of fiber quality traits. As a result, the previously reported pleiotropic locus FL_D11 regulating fiber length-related traits was identified in this study. More importantly, three novel pleiotropic loci (FM_A03, FF_A05, and FN_A07) regulating fiber maturity, fineness and neps, respectively, were detected based on AFIS traits. Numerous highly promising candidate genes were screened out by integrating RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses, including the reported GhKRP6 for fiber length, the newly identified GhMAP8 for maturity and GhDFR for fineness. The origin and evolutionary analysis of pleiotropic loci indicated that the selection pressure on FL_D11, FM_A03 and FF_A05 increased as the breeding period approached the present and the origins of FM_A03 and FF_A05 were traced back to cotton landraces. These findings reveal the genetic basis underlying fiber quality and provide insight into the genetic improvement and textile utilization of fiber in G. hirsutum.

Abstract Cancer is a significant cause of death around the world, and for many varieties, treatment is not successful. Therefore, there is a need for the development of innovative, efficacious, and precisely targeted treatments. Here, we develop a series of Au(I) complexes (1-4) through rational manipulation of ligand structures, thereby achieving tumor cell specific targeting and orchestrated tumor eradication via chemo-phototherapy and induced immunogenic cell death. A comprehensive exploration based on in vitro and in vivo female mice experimentation shows that complex 4 exhibits proficiency in specific tumor imaging, endoplasmic reticulum targeting, and has robust therapeutic capabilities. Mechanistic elucidation indicates that the anticancer effect derives from the synergistic actions of thioredoxin reductase inhibition, highly efficient reactive oxygen species production and immunogenic cell death. This work presents a report on a robust Au(I) complex integrating three therapeutic modalities within a singular system. The strategy presented in this work provides a valuable reference for the development of high-performance therapeutic agents.

This paper presents a comprehensive review of recent advances in reconfigurable electromagnetic (EM) surfaces. The discussion is organized around three key aspects of reconfigurable EM surfaces: unit cell engineering design, full-wave numerical analysis, and large-scale optimization techniques. Numerous references are provided to facilitate further exploration of this compelling and timely subject. To address the above three key aspects, we conduct an extensive examination of the design process for metasurfaces in reconfigurable devices. This involves evaluating the design methodology of unit cells, EM simulation techniques tailored for highly complex structures, and innovative optimization methods suitable for scenarios with numerous variables. In scenarios featuring reconfigurability for real-time manipulation of EM waves to meet the requirements of emerging communication environments, the optimization cost function is defined with multiple variables, exhibiting intricate behavior in the design space. Consequently, it necessitates an optimization methodology capable of handling high-dimensional functions without getting trapped in local minima. Moreover, the intricate geometries of metasurface devices preclude analytical solutions, necessitating high-performance full-wave solvers capable of providing highly accurate simulations with minimal computational expense. Key concepts and details pertaining to the aforementioned design stages are presented in a unified manner, along with representative examples.

Abstract This study investigated the effect of rubber content on the mechanical characteristics of ultra-high-performance rubberised concrete (UHPRuC). The results revealed a distinctive non-linear decrease in the dry density of UHPRuC as the rubber content increased. Notably, lower rubber content led to a columnar failure mode, while higher content (≥ 20%) exhibited a mixed failure mode with vertical cracking and diagonal fracture. Importantly, the compressive strength showed minimal reduction compared to conventional concrete, presenting a remarkable 50% mitigation of strength reduction compared to previous studies. Utilising reference concrete with robust bond strength proved highly effective in preserving strength in rubberized concrete. Despite its effectiveness in mitigating compressive strength reduction, UHPC could not effectively offset flexural strength loss, which ranged from 1.5 to 3 times that of compressive strength loss. The addition of rubber aggregate in UHPC reduced the peak flexural strength, residual strength, and flexural toughness at a similar rate, while significantly increasing the vibration decaying rate. Incorporating 40% rubber in UHPRuC reduced the eCO2 up to 37%. Our findings emphasise the importance of reference concrete with good bond strength and shows that the addition of rubber aggregate in UHPC leads to reductions in strength but increases the energy-dissipating capacity.

Photocatalytic technology can use photogenerated electrons to reduce easily soluble U(Ⅵ) to insoluble U(Ⅳ). In this work, hierarchical macro/mesoporous g-C3N4-TiO2 composites were synthesized without the introduction of organic templates or auxiliary additives, and were used for photocatalytic reduction of U(Ⅵ). The morphology, structure and optical properties of g-C3N4-TiO2 composites were studied by X-ray diffractometer(XRD), scanning electron microscope(SEM), automatic specific surface area physical adsorption instrument(BET), ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectrometer(UV-vis DRS) and other advanced characterization equipment. The photocatalytic reduction of U(Ⅵ) of g-C3N4-TiO2 composites was studied by photocatalytic experiments. The results show that g-C3N4-TiO2 composites have the advantages of hierarchical macro/mesoporous TiO2 and g-C3N4, not only have a large specific surface area(174.68 m2/g) and pore channels, but also have a wider light absorption range. Therefore, the removal rate of g-C3N4-TiO2 composites on U(Ⅵ) is as high as 98.4% within 15 min. This work provides new ideas for the treatment of uranium-containing radioactive wastewater.

Abstract Previous studies in small samples have identified inconsistent cortical abnormalities in major depressive disorder (MDD). Despite genetic influences on MDD and the brain, it is unclear how genetic risk for MDD is translated into spatially patterned cortical vulnerability. Here, we initially examined voxel-wise differences in cortical function and structure using the largest multi-modal MRI data from 1660 MDD patients and 1341 controls. Combined with the Allen Human Brain Atlas, we then adopted transcription-neuroimaging spatial correlation and the newly developed ensemble-based gene category enrichment analysis to identify gene categories with expression related to cortical changes in MDD. Results showed that patients had relatively circumscribed impairments in local functional properties and broadly distributed disruptions in global functional connectivity, consistently characterized by hyper-function in associative areas and hypo-function in primary regions. Moreover, the local functional alterations were correlated with genes enriched for biological functions related to MDD in general (e.g., endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitogen-activated protein kinase, histone acetylation, and DNA methylation); and the global functional connectivity changes were associated with not only MDD-general, but also brain-relevant genes (e.g., neuron, synapse, axon, glial cell, and neurotransmitters). Our findings may provide important insights into the transcriptomic signatures of regional cortical vulnerability to MDD.

Clonorchis sinensis infections persist globally among humans. These pathogens mainly inhabit the intrahepatic biliary system. Most individuals with clonorchiasis exhibit mild symptoms. The absence of distinctive symptoms often results in delayed diagnosis and treatment, potentially leading to chronic infection. We herein report a case of a 29-year-old female presented with a year-long history of abdominal distention and dyspepsia. Imaging revealed intrahepatic bile duct dilatation, intrahepatic bile duct cyst, and associated deposits. One month post-cystectomy, the patient developed massive ascites and a significant increase in eosinophil count. After treatment, multiple worms were observed in the drainage tube. Morphological and DNA metagenomic analyses confirmed the presence of C. sinensis. Clinical manifestations of C. sinensis vary widely. Imaging serves as a valuable diagnostic tool in endemic areas, especially in detecting intrahepatic duct dilation where the flukes reside. In addition to intrahepatic bile duct dilation, abnormal echoes within the bile duct and the presence of floating objects in the gallbladder significantly aid in diagnosis. Clinicians may encounter these parasitic diseases unexpectedly, underscoring the importance of understating such cases in routine practice and contributing to our broader understanding of managing similar cases in clinical settings.

Abstract Infusion extravasation has an increased incidence in newborns, which can result in various adverse outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different types of temperament on infusion extravasation in newborns. A total of 209 newborns aged 4–7 days who were treated with infusion therapy were assessed for temperament type using the neonatal behavioral assessment scale score (NBAS). The 2009 Infusion Nurses Society clinical grading criteria for extravasation were used, and the clinical data of the newborns, such as gestational age and body weight, were collected. Out of 209 newborns assessed, 107 developed infusion extravasations, with an incidence rate of 51.2%. Newborns with intermediate temperament type were more prone to develop infusion extravasation. Newborns with low body weight, amniotic fluid aspiration syndrome, or meconium aspiration syndrome were prone to develop infusion extravasation. Body weight, temperament type of consolability, temperament type of peak of excitement, diseases, general temperament type, and NBAS total scores of the neonates were independent risk factors for infusion extravasation. Thus, different types of temperament can have an impact on neonatal extravasation.

Twinning is widely recognized as an effective and cost-efficient method for controlling the microstructure and properties of wrought magnesium (Mg) alloys. Specifically, twins play a crucial role in initiating dynamic recrystallization (DRX), while twin regions experience rapid recrystallization during static recrystallization (SRX). The activation of twinning can lead to changes in lattice orientation, significantly impacting the final texture in Mg alloys. The active roles of twinning are influenced by various factors during the activation process, and the mobility of twin boundaries (TB) can be amplified by stress effects, dislocation interactions, and thermal effects. Conversely, annealing treatments that involve proper segregation or precipitation on TBs serve to stabilize them, restraining their motion. Events such as segregation may also alter the twinning propensity in Magnesium-rare earth (Mg-RE) alloys. While {10–11} contraction twins (CT) and {10–11}-{10–12} double twins (DT) can promote dynamic recrystallization (DRX), they also pose a risk as potential sources of voids and cracks. Additionally, understanding the nucleation and growth mechanisms of twinning is crucial, and these aspects are briefly reviewed in this article. Considering the factors mentioned above, this article summarizes the recent research progress in this field, shedding light on advancements in recent eras.

Erythroleukemia, a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), is a life-threatening malignancy that affects the blood and bone marrow. Despite the availability of clinical treatments, the complex pathogenesis of the disease and the severe side effects of chemotherapy continue to impede therapeutic progress in leukemia. In this study, we investigated the antitumor activity of L76, an acylphloroglucinol compound derived from Callistemon salignus DC., against erythroleukemia, along with its underlying mechanisms. MTT assays were performed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of L76 on cancer cell viability, while flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in HEL cells. The molecular mechanisms of L76 were further explored using Western blotting, microscopic analysis, and cellular thermal shift assays (CETSA). Our in vitro experiments demonstrated that L76 inhibits proliferation, induces G1/S cell cycle arrest, and promotes apoptosis in human leukemia cells. Mechanistically, L76 exerts its effects by targeting STAT3 and p38-MAPK, and by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of L76 as an anti-erythroleukemia agent, demonstrating its ability to target STAT3 and p38-MAPK, and to inhibit the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. These findings suggest that L76 could be a promising candidate for the treatment of erythroleukemia.

Abstract Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains an urgent and formidable challenge to global public health. Developing new medicines or alternative therapies to address AMR is imperative. Herein, we rationally designed and synthesized a series of Au(I)‐based aggregation‐induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) to combat drug‐resistant bacterial infections. Through systematic screening, we identified an optimal AIEgen, called complex 5, which can rapidly discriminate between gram‐positive (G+) and gram‐negative bacteria (G−) bacteria, and exert robust and broad‐spectrum antimicrobial potency against diverse drug‐resistant bacterial strains, including those intractable to treat in clinic. Furthermore, extensive testing against a variety of clinical drug‐resistant isolates, coupled with the successful treatment of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus‐infected skin wounds unequivocally validates the high efficiency and broad‐spectrum activity of complex 5. Therefore, complex 5 emerges as a promising candidate for combating drug‐resistant bacterial infections in clinic, and this work provides inspiration for developing new solutions to address the escalating global challenge of AMR.

BackgroundHypercholesterolemia induces cholelithiasis and dysfunction of gallbladder motility. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) contribute to gallbladder motility. Emodin modulates the contractility of the gallbladder muscle; however, the underlying mechanism is unknown.AimThis study aimed to explore the effects of emodin on gallbladder ICCs with cholelithiasis in a guinea pig model.MethodsAnimals were randomly divided into a healthy control group and three study groups. All study groups received a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) for 8 weeks. Subsequently, they were randomly assigned to either the HCD group or one of the emodin treatment groups lasting 4 or 8 weeks. Total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were measured to determine changes in serum lipid levels. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the morphology and number of ICCs. TUNEL assays were performed to detect ICC apoptosis. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe ICC structure. Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to detect changes in stem cell factor (SCF)/c-kit pathway expression.ResultsSerum TC and TG were higher in all study groups. In cases of cholelithiasis, the SCF/c-kit pathway was downregulated, the number of gallbladder ICCs decreased, apoptosis increased, and the ICC network structure was damaged. After emodin treatment, the SCF/c-kit pathway was upregulated, the number of gallbladder ICCs increased, apoptosis decreased, and the ICC network structure recovered.ConclusionCholelithiasis downregulates the SCF/c-kit pathway and damages gallbladder ICCs. Emodin upregulates the SCF/c-kit pathway and increases gallbladder ICCs, contributing to recovery from gallbladder motility disorders.\

Explosion-proof diesel engine is one of the most widely used power sources for auxiliary transportation vehicles in coal mines at present. It is affected by explosion-proof transformation and harsh underground environment, resulting in serious exhaust pollution, which is contrary to the green mine development strategy. The emission standard of Non-road National Stage III has been implemented in coal mine since December 2020, but at the present stage, the exhaust gas purification of explosion-proof diesel engines for mining uses the internal pretreatment technology, which cannot meet the emission requirements of the Non-road National Stage IV and higher standards. Aiming at the problems of serious exhaust pollution and lagging exhaust purification technology, a four-element combined exhaust aftertreatment system was designed. Through simulation and bench test, the structural parameters optimization of key components and the purification performance of exhaust were studied. First of all, according to the explosion-proof requirements of underground coal mines, a four-element combined exhaust aftertreatment system of explosion-proof diesel engine composed of Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC), Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR), and Explosion-proof & Temperature Control device（EPTC） was designed, which exceeds the Non-road National Stage IV standard. The heat transfer analysis of EPTC device structure was carried out through the STAR-CCM+ software. The results show that the pipe wall temperature is less than 150℃, which could meet the explosion-proof requirements of coal mine safety regulations. Then, taking a 60 kW explosion-proof diesel engine as the research object, the simulation models of DOC, SCR and DPF aftertreatment components were built based on the GT-Power software. The key structural parameters and purification performance of the aftertreatment system were optimized by orthogonal test, and the optimal structural parameters of the key components were determined, and the following rules were obtained. The purification efficiency of pollutants increases with the increase of carrier diameter, carrier length and channel density of DOC and SCR. The effect of carrier length and diameter on the capture efficiency of DPF is consistent with the laws of DOC and SCR. Due to the special wall flow carrier structure of DPF, the capture efficiency of PM particles can always be maintained around 96% as the channel density increases. On this basis, the coupling model of the explosion-proof diesel engine and the aftertreatment system was established, and the simulation test of purification efficiency, power and economy of exhaust pollutants from explosion-proof diesel engine was carried out. Finally, a prototype of exhaust aftertreatment system was developed and bench test was carried out. The purification efficiency of the system for CO, NO, HC and particulate matter is greater than 95%, 90%, 83% and 95% respectively, which could meet the requirements of the Non-road National Stage IV standard. The overall output torque of explosion-proof diesel engine equipped with exhaust aftertreatment system decreased by 4.83% on average, and the overall fuel consumption rate increased by 1.19% on average, which had little impact on the power and economy of explosion-proof diesel engine.

Abstract Gossypium purpurascens is a member of the Malvaceae family, holds immense economic significance as a fiber crop worldwide. Abiotic stresses harm cotton crops, reduce yields, and cause economic losses. Generating high-quality reference genomes and large-scale transcriptomic datasets across diverse conditions can offer valuable insights into identifying preferred agronomic traits for crop breeding. The present research used leaf tissues to conduct PacBio Iso-seq and RNA-seq analysis. We carried out an in-depth analysis of DEGs using both correlations with cluster analysis and principal component analysis. Additionally, the study also involved the identification of both lncRNAs and CDS. We have prepared RNA-seq libraries from 75 RNA samples to study the effects of drought, salinity, alkali, and saline-alkali stress, as well as control conditions. A total of 454.06 Gigabytes of transcriptome data were effectively validated through the identification of differentially expressed genes and KEGG and GO analysis. Overwhelmingly, gene expression profiles and full-length transcripts from cotton tissues will aid in understanding the genetic mechanism of abiotic stress tolerance in G. purpurascens.

Abstract Background Thesium chinense Turcz. (Named as Bai Rui Cao in Chinese) and its preparations (e.g., Bairui Granules) have been used to treat inflammatory diseases, such as acute mastitis, lobar pneumonia, tonsillitis, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and upper respiratory tract infection. However, the material basis, pharmacological efficiency, and safety have not been illustrated. Methods Anti-inflammatory activity-guided isolation of constituents has been performed using multiple column chromatography, and their structures were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and ECD calculations. The inhibitory effects on lung inflammation and safety of the crude ethanol extract (CE), Bairui Granules (BG), and the purified active constituents were evaluated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated acute lung inflammation (ALI) mice model or normal mice. Results Seven new compounds (1–7) and fifty-six known compounds (8–63) were isolated from T. chinense, and fifty-four were reported from this plant for the first time. The new flavonoid glycosides 1–2, new fatty acids 4–5, new alkaloid 7 as well as the known constituents including flavonoid aglycones 8–11, lignans 46–54, alkaloids 34 and 45, coumarins 57, phenylpropionic acids 27, and simple aromatic compounds 39, 44 and 58 exhibited anti-inflammatory activity. Network pharmacology analysis indicated that anti-inflammation of T. chinense was attributed to flavonoids and alkaloids by regulating inflammation-related proteins (e.g., TNF, NF-κB, TGF-β). Furthermore, constituents of T. chinense including kaempferol-3-O-glucorhamnoside (KN, also named as Bairuisu I, 19), astragalin (AG, Bairuisu II, 12), and kaempferol (KF, Bairuisu III, 8), as well as CE and BG could alleviate lung inflammation caused by LPS in mice by preventing neutrophils infiltration and the expression of the genes for pro-inflammatory cytokines NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β, and COX-2. After a 28-day subacute toxicity test, BG at doses of 4.875 g/kg and 9.750 g/kg (equivalent to onefold and twofold the clinically recommended dose) and CE at a dose of 11.138 g/kg (equivalent to fourfold the clinical dose of BG) were found to be safe and non-toxic. Conclusions The discovery of sixty-three constituents comprehensively illustrated the material basis of T. chinense. T. chinense and Bairui Granules could alleviate lung inflammation by regulating inflammation-related proteins and no toxicity was observed under the twofold of clinically used doses.

In the current article, we consider a class of bounded turning functions associated with the cosine hyperbolic function and give some results containing coefficient functionals using the familiar Carathéodory functions. An improvement on the bound of the third-order Hankel determinant for functions in this class is provided. Furthermore, we obtain sharp estimates of the Fekete-Szegö, Krushkal, and Zalcman functionals with logarithmic coefficients as entries. All the findings are proved to be sharp.

Abstract As a common musculoskeletal disorder, frozen shoulder is characterized by thickened joint capsule and limited range of motion, affecting 2–5% of the general population and more than 20% of patients with diabetes mellitus. Pathologically, joint capsule fibrosis resulting from fibroblast activation is the key event. The activated fibroblasts are proliferative and contractive, producing excessive collagen. Albeit high prevalence, effective anti-fibrosis modalities, especially fibroblast-targeting therapies, are still lacking. In this study, microRNA-122 was first identified from sequencing data as a potential therapeutic agent to antagonize fibroblast activation. Then, Agomir-122, an analog of microRNA-122, was loaded into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (Agomir-122@NP), a carrier with excellent biocompatibility for the agent delivery. Moreover, relying on the homologous targeting effect, we coated Agomir-122@NP with the cell membrane derived from activated fibroblasts (Agomir-122@MNP), with an attempt to inhibit the proliferation, contraction, and collagen production of abnormally activated fibroblasts. After confirming the targeting effect of Agomir-122@MNP on activated fibroblasts in vitro, we proved that Agomir-122@MNP effectively curtailed fibroblasts activation, ameliorated joint capsule fibrosis, and restored range of motion in mouse models both prophylactically and therapeutically. Overall, an effective targeted delivery method was developed with promising translational value against frozen shoulder. Graphical Abstract

Introduction: Defoliation by applying defoliants before machine picking is an important agricultural practice that enhances harvesting efficiency and leads to increased raw cotton purity. However, the fundamental characteristics of leaf abscission and the underlying genetic basis in cotton are not clearly understood. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to (1) reveal the phenotypic variations in cotton leaf abscission, (2) discover the whole-genome differentiation sweeps and genetic loci related to defoliation, (3) identify and verify the functions of key candidate genes associated with defoliation, and (4) explore the relationship between haplotype frequency of loci and environmental adaptability. Methods: Four defoliation-related traits of 383 re-sequenced Gossypium hirsutum accessions were investigated in four environments. The genome-wide association study (GWAS), linkage disequilibrium (LD) interval genotyping and functional identification were conducted. Finally, the haplotype variation related to environmental adaptability and defoliation traits was revealed. Results: Our findings revealed the fundamental phenotypic variations of defoliation traits in cotton. We showed that defoliant significantly increased the defoliation rate without incurring yield and fiber quality penalties. The strong correlations between defoliation traits and growth period traits were observed. A genome-wide association study of defoliation traits identified 174 significant SNPs. Two loci (RDR7 on A02 and RDR13 on A13) that significantly associated with the relative defoliation rate were described, and key candidate genes GhLRR and GhCYCD3;1, encoding a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) family protein and D3-type cell cyclin 1 protein respectively, were functional verified by expression pattern analysis and gene silencing. We found that combining of two favorable haplotypes (HapRDR7 and HapRDR13) improved sensitivity to defoliant. The favorable haplotype frequency generally increased in high latitudes in China, enabling adaptation to the local environment. Conclusion: Our findings lay an important foundation for the potentially broad application of leveraging key genetic loci in breeding machine-pickable cotton.

Background: Low temperatures are adverse contributors to cardiovascular diseases, but the associations between short-term exposure to cold and the risk of death from aortic dissection and aneurysm remain unclear, particularly in tropical regions. Objective: This study was conducted based on 123,951 records of deaths caused by aortic dissection and aneurysms extracted from the national Mortality Information System in Brazil between 2000 and 2019. Methods: Relative risks and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for the aortic-related deaths associated with low ambient temperatures were estimated using the conditional logistic model combined with the distributed lag nonlinear model. Subgroup analyses were performed by age group, sex, race, education level, and residential region. Furthermore, this study calculated the number and fraction of aortic-related deaths attributed to temperatures below the temperature threshold to quantify the cold-related mortality burden of aortic diseases. Results: During the study period, aortic-related deaths and mortality rates in Brazil exhibited a steady increase, rising from 4419 (2.66/100,000) in 2000 to 8152 (3.88/100,000) in 2019. Under the identified temperature threshold (26 °C), per 1 °C decrease in daily mean temperature was associated with a 4.77 % (95 % CI: 4.35, 5.19) increase in mortality risk of aortic-related diseases over lag 0–3 days. Females, individuals aged 50 years or older, Asian and Black race, and northern residents were more susceptible to low temperatures. Low temperatures were responsible for 19.10 % (95 % CI: 17.71, 20.45) of aortic-related deaths in Brazil. Conclusion: This study highlights that low temperatures were associated with an increased risk of aortic-related deaths, with a remarkable burden even in this predominantly tropical country.

The development of Refractory High Entropy Alloys (RHEAs) for Additive Manufacturing has been advancing rapidly in recent years, buoyed by the triumph of RHEAs generated using traditional techniques in various applications. RHEAs, a recent category of materials possessing extraordinary high-temperature attributes, have only lately emerged. However, owing to their intricate microstructure, the production of RHEAs employing conventional methods such as casting and forging poses a challenge. On the other hand, Additive Manufacturing (AM) has exhibited significant potential for creating RHEAs due to its ability to generate intricate microstructures and complex geometries with minimal material wastage. The fundamentals of AM and RHEAs are introduced at the outset, in conjunction with the unique attributes of 3D-printed RHEA products, such as their enhanced strength and unique microstructure. The techniques for producing RHEA powders, including atomization and mechanical alloying, as well as the characteristics of the powder, are then elucidated. In this review article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of RHEAs produced using Additive Manufacturing (AM). We will examine the most innovative AM methods presently available for producing RHEAs, their microstructure, attributes, and potential applications.