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Abstract Objective Hemodialysis catheter-related right atrial thrombus (CRAT) is a rare and fatal complication related with catheter. Treatment recommendations are controversial. We reported our institution’s recent three cases in managing CRAT and review and analyze the reported cases of CRAT in hemodialysis patients. Methods A systematic search of the PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases was conducted to identify the therapy and outcome data in hemodialysis CRAT patients. Results From 1975 to November 2023, a total of previous 144 cases which reported in the literatures and three new cases in our institution of CRAT in hemodialysis were included and analyzed. Overall mortality was 18.1% (26/144). Most of cases can be detected by echocardiography. Thirty-three patients had no treatment, except for catheter removal, replacement or antibiotics, but eleven of them have died. Thrombolytic therapy was adopted in 14 cases but only nine cases was successful, the remaining cases need to further therapy. Eventually, 71 cases have been treated by anticoagulation and 34 cases received thrombectomy. Conclusions We recommend that the replacement of the catheter and anticoagulation combined with thrombolysis is a preferred therapy. Thrombectomy should be considered when other methods fail or new complication happened. Thrombolysis alone has a low success rate but may be useful in combination with anticoagulant therapy.

Abstract Controversy still exists regarding how much the inflow arterial percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) contributed to maintaining fistula function for hemodialysis. We aimed to analyze patency and risk factors after inflow arterial PTA. Hemodialysis patients with inflow arterial primary stenosis who were admitted to our institution from January 2017 to December 2022 were examined. One group had arterial-venous fistula with inflow artery stenosis alone (AVF + iAS) and another group had AVF with inflow artery stenosis and any vein stenosis (AVF + iAS + VS). The characteristics of patients, stenotic lesions, and PTA procedures were recorded. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to compare primary patency, assisted primary patency, and secondary patency in the two groups. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with patency. We examined 213 patients, 53 in the AVF + iAS group (51 radial arterial stenosis and 2 ulnar arterial stenosis) and 160 in the AVF + iAS + VS group (159 radial arterial stenosis and 1 ulnar arterial stenosis). Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated the AVF + iAS group had better primary patency and assisted primary patency (both P

For patients with repeated stenosis of autologous arteriovenous fistula, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) or bare metal stent placement had limited efficacy. Rapamycin was reported to inhibit neointimal hyperplasia and keep blood vessels patent. In this study, we reported a case with refractory stenosis, i.e., a short duration of patency maintenance after each repeated PTA, which was treated with a rapamycin-eluting stent (RES). The RES extended the patency duration from 4 to 5 months on average to 14 months. The stent was used to maintain dialysis for over 30 months. RES may be an effective way to treat refractory stenosis and salvage limited vascular resources.

Introduction: Venous valve-related stenosis (VVRS) is an uncommon type of failure of arteriovenous fistula among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). There is a paucity of data on the long-term efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for VVRS. Methods: ESRD patients who underwent PTA because of VVRS between January 2017 and December 2021 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were enrolled. Patients were classified into three cohorts (cohort1, VVRS located within 3 cm of the vein adjacent to the anastomosis; cohort2, VVRS located over 3 cm away from the anastomosis; cohort3, multiple stenoses). The patency rates were assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were performed to identify the risk factors. Results: A total of 292 patients were enrolled, including 125 (42.8%), 111 (38.0%), and 56 (19.2%) patients in cohort1, cohort2, and cohort3, respectively. The median follow-up was 34.8 months. The 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year primary patency rates were 86.0%, 69.4%, 47.5%, and 35.3%, respectively. The secondary patency rates were 94.5%, 89.4%, 75.5%, and 65.3%, respectively. Cohort1 showed a relatively better primary patency compared to cohort2 and cohort3. The secondary patency rates were comparable in the three cohorts. Duration of dialysis and VVRS type were potential factors associated with primary patency. Conclusions: This study showed acceptable long-term primary and secondary patency rates after PTA for VVRS in ESRD patients, especially for those with VVRS located within 3 cm of the vein adjacent to the anastomosis.

IntroductionSymptomatic pleural effusion is occasionally caused by superior vena cava syndrome. Dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain are common symptoms of pleural effusion. However, the current literature has not reported a causal linkage between chylous pleural effusion and dry cough.Case presentationA patient with uremia suffered from an unexplained severe dry cough, which could be triggered by postural changes. Medical examinations ruled out the possibility of chronic bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux, chest tumor, tuberculosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and allergy history. Examinations showed that the patient had chylous pleural effusion. The cough symptoms were relieved after extraction of the pleural effusion but soon reappeared with the recurrence of chylothorax. Enhanced computed tomography showed that the patient had superior vena cava occlusion. After recanalization of the superior vena cava by percutaneous balloon dilatation, the patient no longer had chylothorax, and the severe cough was eliminated.ConclusionSuper vena cava syndrome can cause chylothorax and further stimulate severe dry cough. Cough is not a specific symptom. Chest imaging and pleural fluid analysis can help narrow down the diagnosis.

ObjectiveThe objective of the study is to present a case of hemodialysis in which the covered stent that had migrated into the right ventricle was retrieved by exploratory thoracotomy, and to review the literature on the diagnosis and treatment of stent migration in thoracic central vein obstruction (TCVO) procedures for hemodialysis patients.MethodA systematic search of the PubMed database was performed to identify clinical presentations, imaging strategies, stent types, and treatment modalities for stent migration in hemodialysis patients.ResultsA total of 14 case reports on stent migration in TCVO procedures for hemodialysis patients were included and analyzed. Ten cases included migration to the cardiac chambers and the remainder migration to the pulmonary artery. The common symptoms of stent migration in TCVO procedures are reported to be chest pain and dyspnea, while three of the cases studied involved no symptoms. Echocardiography, chest X-ray, and computed tomography are the commonly used methods for the diagnosis of stent migration and identification of the precise positioning of the stent. Stent migration to the right subclavian or innominate veins was the most prevalent case (seven cases). All were bare stents. Seven cases involved retrieval by interventional surgery, while four cases involved retrieval by open heart surgery. However, there were three cases in which the “wait-and-see” approach was adopted since the patients were asymptomatic.ConclusionsStent migration in TCVO procedures is a rare but extremely serious complication. The causes are not fully understood. The current treatment strategies include interventional surgery, open heart surgery, and the “wait-and-see” approach.

Abstract Background The purse-string suture has been widely used for bleeding control after percutaneous interventions through arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and graft (AVG), and it requires suture removal the next day. This study aimed to introduce a simple method using a tourniquet to facilitate hemostasis following AVF or AVG sheath removal after percutaneous procedures. Methods Data were retrospectively collected and included all the consecutive patients who received bleeding control with a tourniquet after percutaneous AVF or AVG interventions. Hemostasis was facilitated using the tourniquet technique after sheath removal. Results A total of 1966 patients who received the tourniquet technique for bleeding control after percutaneous AVF or AVG interventions were included. Bleeding control was successfully achieved in all patients. Regarding complications, hematoma, thrombosis, and rebleeding occurred in 57 (2.9%), 11 (0.6%), and 8 (0.4%) patients, respectively. Neither pseudoaneurysm nor infection occurred in the patients. Age, gender, pre-existing diseases (including diabetes and hypertension), procedure count, sheath size, hemodialysis access type, and canalization route were similar between patients with and without complications. The primary patency rates at 6,12, 24, and 36 months were 85.0, 64.6, 53.8, and 41.6%, respectively. Conclusions The tourniquet technique is an effective and safe approach for facilitating hemostasis after catheter-based percutaneous interventions of hemodialysis accesses.

Abstract Background To assess the time to first on-study vascular thromboembolic events (VTEs) of clopidogrel (CL) or beraprost sodium (BPS) in Chinese population with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) treated with arteriovenous fistula (AVF) surgery. Methods From Jan 2009 to May 2015, 346 ESRD cases suffering an AVF surgery and undergoing oral administration of 75 mg CL (initial dose of 300 mg), 1 time/day, for 4 weeks or 40 μg BPS, 3 times/day, for 4 weeks were retrospectively assessed. The primary outcome was time to first on-study VTE. Results In total, 222 ESRD cases (CL, n = 112; BPS, n = 110) were assessed, with a median follow-up time of 38.1 months (range, 37–40 months). The mean time to first on-study VTE was 1.2 weeks (0.5–2.3) and 1.8 weeks (1.2–3.8) for CL and BPS, respectively (HR 0.27, 95% CI 0.16–1.45; P = 0.00). An increased incidence of VTEs was found during the 1th-month follow-up, with rates of 14.2 and 5.5% for CL and BPS, respectively (P = 0.03). The difference persisted over time, with rates of 24.1 and 11.8% at final follow-up, respectively (P = 0.02). Conclusion CL with an increased risk of VTEs tended to have a VTE within the 1st month after cessation compared with BPS.

Abstract Background Kidney allograft loss becomes an important cause of end-stage kidney disease and requires dialysis reinitiation. We report a case of a patient who restarted hemodialysis after his second kidney graft failure using a long-discarded autologous arteriovenous fistula. Case presentation A 62-year-old man was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease 20 year ago, and a native arteriovenous fistula was created for hemodialysis. After the patient received his first kidney transplantation, the hemodialysis fistula was discarded and chronically thrombosed for 13 years. When the patient experienced his second kidney graft loss and presented with uremia again, dialysis restart was needed. Under vascular ultrasound, but not x-ray, guidance, we successfully revascularized the patient’s chronically occluded, long-discarded arteriovenous fistula access and used it for hemodialysis. The resurrected fistula remained patent and clinically useable for hemodialysis up to 18 months. Conclusions This report provides the feasibility of ultrasound-guided transluminal angioplasty for the treatment of a mummy hemodialysis fistula, which could be considered when managing patients who need dialysis reinitiation.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of beraprost sodium (BPS) or clopidogrel (CL) using vascular thromboembolic events (VTEs) of arteriovenous fistula as a primary endpoint in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing arteriovenous fistula surgery. Methods We performed a multicentre, retrospective cohort study from August 2012 to August 2016. We studied patients with ESRD who underwent arteriovenous fistula surgery and received peroral administration of 40 µg BPS, three times per day, for 1 month, or 75 mg CL (initial dose of 300 mg), one time per day, for 1 month. The time to first on-study VTE was the primary endpoint. Results The BPS-treated cohort had a significantly delayed time to first VTE compared with the CL-treated cohort (hazard ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.18–0.56). An increased incidence of VTEs was detected in the 1-month follow-up, with rates of 2.4% and 8.7% for BPS and CL, respectively. This difference persisted over time, with rates of 8.0% and 18.1% at the final follow-up, respectively. Conclusion CL-treated patients with ESRD have a greater risk of VTEs compared with BPS-treated patients. CL-treated patients also tend to experience a VTE within the first month after cessation of oral administration.

Abstract Human gut Bacteroides and Parabacteroides species play crucial roles in human health and are known for their capacity to utilize diverse polysaccharides. Understanding how these bacteria utilize medicinal polysaccharides is foundational for developing polysaccharides-based prebiotics and drugs. Here, we systematically mapped the utilization profiles of 20 different medicinal polysaccharides by 28 human gut Bacteroides and Parabacteroides species. The growth profiles exhibited substantial variation across different bacterial species and medicinal polysaccharides. Ginseng polysaccharides promoted the growth of multiple Bacteroides and Parabacteroides species; in contrast, Dendrobium polysaccharides selectively promoted the growth of Bacteroides uniformis. This distinct utilization profile was associated with genomic variation in carbohydrate-active enzymes, rather than monosaccharides composition variation among medicinal polysaccharides. Through comparative transcriptomics and genetical manipulation, we validated that the polysaccharide utilization locus PUL34_Bu enabled Bacteroides uniformis to utilize Dendrobium polysaccharides (i.e. glucomannan). In addition, we found that the GH26 enzyme in PUL34_Bu allowed Bacteroides uniformis to utilize multiple plant-derived mannan. Overall, our results revealed the selective utilization of medicinal polysaccharide by Bacteroides and Parabacteroides species and provided insights into the use of polysaccharides in engineering the human gut microbiome.

Abstract The circadian clock genes are known important for kidney development, maturation and physiological functions. However, whether and how they play a role in renal regeneration remain elusive. Here, by using the single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology, we investigated the dynamic gene expression profiles and cell states after acute kidney injury (AKI) by gentamicin treatment in zebrafish. The core clock genes such as per1/2 and nr1d1, which encode transcriptional repressors of the circadian system, are strongly induced in the proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs). By generating mutant zebrafish lines, we show that per1a and nr1d1 are required for proper renal regeneration, by facilitating the expression of renal progenitor cell (RPC) genes. In per1a and nr1d1 mutants, the expression of RPC genes and the number of RPCs were decreased, resulting in a marked delay in nephron regeneration. lima1a, which encodes a cytoskeleton binding protein that functions to negatively regulate epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), is identified as the direct target of the clock proteins. Down-regulation of lima1a is associated with enhanced EMT, increased expression of cell migration- and RPC markers, and accelerated nephron regeneration. We propose that per1a and nr1d1 are important for the formation of nephrongenic RPCs by repressing lima1a. Our findings using zebrafish provide important insights into the roles of the clock genes in kidney repair.

Boosting bus ridership after pandemics is critical to green city and urban sustainability, to curb the rapid increase of private cars and to provide alternative trip choice to the public. Referring to bus passengers’ changes in trip behaviors from the pandemics, we may better focus on the bus service attributes to which passengers are sensitive, and devote the limited resources to improve these attributes for bus ridership growth. The reason for not comparing passenger behaviors between the pre- and post-pandemics, lies in that bus service system has changed significantly during the pandemics, and that we have to continue that passed on from the pandemics. With questionnaire and statistical analyses, passengers in the post-pandemics are found to accept more transfers, traveling over a shorter distance with fewer accompanies and more urgent purposes. Targeting at the frequent passengers, the factors of accepting longer access distance, longer wait time, and independence from private cars during the pandemics contribute positively to the frequent bus usage in the post-pandemics, in addition to being aged 50 years old or more and being female. Suggestions follow to keep sufficient stop distance for in-vehicle time saving, and to promote reliable transfer, accurate bus arrival information, long route reformation, service enrichment, trip pleasure creation, extensive connection, and special attention for frequent passengers. This research contributes comprehensive understanding of bus trip patterns in the post-pandemics to guide the respondent agencies to reform bus service delivered from the pandemics, and to promote bus ridership increase.

Abstract Amidst global demographic shifts, China’s negative population growth since 2022 underscores the urgent need for population-adaptive public service equilibrium. This study assesses the coupling coordination degrees between population and public service (P-PS CCD) across 1733 Chinese counties for the years 2000, 2010, and 2020, employing the Geographical Detector Model (GDM) to examine influencing factors. The findings reveal consistently low P-PS CCD levels, indicating a delayed response of public service systems to population trends and significant spatial disparities influenced substantially by administrative factors. This research offers valuable insights for countries and regions experiencing or about to experience similar population changes.

Background and objective: Urinary stones are a significant and common complication among patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), but epidemiological data are scarce and the evidence regarding risk factors remains unclear. Our aim was to investigate the incidence of and risk factors for urinary stones in SCI patients to provide evidence for better prevention and treatment strategies. Methods: Relevant studies were identified from the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Embase, and Scopus databases. Literature screening, information extraction, and quality evaluation were conducted in accordance with established standards. Data analysis was performed using the metaprop and metan commands in Stata 16.0. Key findings and limitations: A total of 65 studies involving 64 059 patients were included in the analysis. Meta-analysis using a random-effects model revealed that the overall incidence of urinary stones after SCI was 16.6% (95% confidence interval 14.1–19.3%). Over time, the incidence rate has stabilized between 15% and 20%, although annual rates varied significantly, ranging from 2.2% to 68.7%. The highest incidence was observed for bladder stones, with lower incidence rates for kidney and ureteral stones. Among the 13 factors assessed, male sex, a complete injury, and the use of intermittent, indwelling, and condom catheters were identified as independent risk factors for urinary stones. Conclusions and clinical implications: The incidence of urinary stones after SCI is high, with a number of risk factors identified. However, further high-quality research is needed to explore additional potential risk factors. Patient summary: We reviewed the results of previous studies on urinary stones in patients with a spinal cord injury. We found a high rate of urinary stones of about 17% for this patient group. Males are more prone to urinary stones and use of a catheter is a risk factor. More research is needed to identify other risk factors.

Abstract Gas curtain launch is an innovative method for underwater gun firing that enhances efficiency by creating a gas curtain. This gas curtain interacts with post-projectile gas and the surrounding water, resulting in a complex multiphase flow field at the muzzle, which significantly impacts projectile accuracy. To investigate the evolution of this flow field, a three-dimensional numerical model was developed, focusing on the distribution of shock waves, temperature, and pressure at the muzzle. The study’s findings reveal that after ignition, the gas curtain passes through the projectile and exits the muzzle, forming an initial bottle-shaped shock wave through repeated expansion and compression actions. As the projectile penetrates this shock wave and the post-projectile gas continues to exit, a radially expanding bottle-shaped shock wave is formed. The Mach disk diameter decreases exponentially over time. The gas temperature within the shock wave bottle rises sharply at the Mach disk and remains high in the downstream region, gradually expanding while the overall temperature decreases. The high-pressure region is located downstream of the Mach disk and, due to the swirling effect caused by projectile penetration, this region moves radially along the Mach disk towards the downstream, with the average pressure gradually decreasing.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by bacterial biofilms, which leads to the destruction of periodontal tissue. Current treatments, such as mechanical cleaning and antibiotics, struggle to effectively address the persistent biofilms, inflammation, and tissue damage. A new approach involves developing a Janus nanomotor (J-CeM@Au) by coating cerium dioxide-doped mesoporous silica (CeM) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). This nanomotor exhibits thermophoretic motion when exposed to near-infrared (NIR) laser light due to the temperature gradient produced by the photothermal effects of asymmetrically distributed AuNPs. The NIR laser provides the energy for propulsion and activates the nanomotor's antibacterial properties, allowing it to penetrate biofilms and kill bacteria. Additionally, the nanomotor's ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) can modulate the immune response and create a regenerative environment, promoting the healing of periodontal tissue. Overall, this multifunctional nanomotor offers a promising new approach for treating periodontitis by simultaneously addressing biofilm management and immune modulation with autonomous movement.

Abstract With significant advances in classifying and cataloguing topological matter, the focus of topological physics has shifted towards quantum control, particularly the creation and manipulation of topological phases of matter. Floquet engineering, the concept of tailoring a system by periodic fields, offers a powerful tool to manipulate electronic properties of condensed systems, and even to create exotic non-equilibrium topological states that are impossibly present in equilibrium scenarios. In this perspective, we give a brief review of recent progress in theoretical investigations of Floquet engineering topological states from effective models towards realistic materials. We show that light irradiation can realize various desired topological states through the introduction of symmetry breaking, such as first- and higher-order Weyl fermions, quadrupole topological insulator with periodic driving and disorder, quantum anomalous Hall effects with a tunable Chern number, as well as beyond. Moreover, based on first-principles calculations and Floquet theorem, we show several realistic material candidates proposed as potential hosts for promising Floquet topological states, facilitating their verification in experiments. We believe that our perspective on Floquet engineering of topological states will advance further studies of rich exotic light-induced phenomena in condensed matter physics.

Abstract Background Thyroid disorders(TD) poses a significant health threat to Americans due to its high incidence rate. Obesity, a common factor linked to thyroid disorders, has garnered increasing attention. While Body mass index (BMI) is a widely used obesity index, it fails to account for the distribution of muscle and fat in the body. Recently, tMFR has emerged as a crucial obesity index in clinical research, warranting further investigation into its association with TD. Objective Exploring the association between tMFR and thyroid disorders. Method A comprehensive survey and data analysis were conducted using the NHANES database to investigate the relationship between tMFR and the risk of TD. This study utilized multiple logistic regression, smooth curve fitting, and subgroup analysis across four periods from 2011 to 2018. Result A total of 11,912 subjects were included in the study, showing a prevalence of 7.14% for TD. The research indicated that tMFR had an inverse correlation with the risk of TD in a comprehensive model (OR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.00). When tMFR was divided into quartiles (Q1-Q4), individuals in the highest quartile had a 28% lower risk of TD than those in Q1 (OR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.91). Analysis using smoothed curve fitting demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between tMFR and TD risk, with the inflection point for tMFR saturation effect identified as 1.5. Subgroup analysis further confirmed the strong association between tMFR and TD risk. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that tMFR exhibited superior predictive ability for TD relative to BMI. Conclusion The study found a negative association between tMFR and the risk of TD; however, additional prospective studies are required to validate these findings.

Abstract Background The chronic digestive condition gallstones is quite common around the world, the development of which is closely related to oxidative stress, inflammatory response and abnormalities of lipid metabolism. In the last few years, as a novel biomarker of lipid metabolism, the non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR) has garnered significant interest. However, its relationship with gallstones has not been studied yet. Methods 3,772 people, all under 50, were included in this study, and their full data came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database for the years 2017–2020. Information on gallstones was obtained through self-reported questionnaires. Smoothed curve fitting multifactorial logistic regression was utilized to evaluate the connection of NHHR with gallstone formation incidence. Subsequently, subgroup analysis and interaction tests were applied. Finally, to create a prediction model, logistic regression and feature screening by last absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used. The resulting model was displayed using a nomogram. Results In multivariate logistic regression that accounted for all factors, there was a 77% increase in the likelihood of gallstones for every unit rise in lnNHHR (OR 1.77 [CI 1.11–2.83]). Following NHHR stratification, the Q4 NHHR level was substantially more linked to the risk of gallstones than the Q1 level (OR 1.86 [CI 1.04–3.32]). This correlation was stronger in women, people under 35, smokers, abstainers from alcohol, non-Hispanic White people, those with excessively high cholesterol, people with COPD, and people without diabetes. After feature screening, a predictive model and visualized nomogram for gallstones were constructed with an AUC of 0.785 (CI 0.745–0.819), which was assessed by DCA to be clinically important. Conclusion In the group of people ≤ 50 years of age, elevated NHHR levels were substantially linked to a higher incidence of gallstones. This correlation was stronger in several specific groups such as females, under 35 years of age, smokers, and so on. Predictive models constructed using the NHHR have potential clinical value in assessing gallstone formation.

Abstract Small convolutional neural network (CNN)‐based models usually require transferring knowledge from a large model before they are deployed in computationally resource‐limited edge devices. Masked image modelling (MIM) methods achieve great success in various visual tasks but remain largely unexplored in knowledge distillation for heterogeneous deep models. The reason is mainly due to the significant discrepancy between the transformer‐based large model and the CNN‐based small network. In this paper, the authors develop the first heterogeneous self‐supervised knowledge distillation (HSKD) based on MIM, which can efficiently transfer knowledge from large transformer models to small CNN‐based models in a self‐supervised fashion. Our method builds a bridge between transformer‐based models and CNNs by training a UNet‐style student with sparse convolution, which can effectively mimic the visual representation inferred by a teacher over masked modelling. Our method is a simple yet effective learning paradigm to learn the visual representation and distribution of data from heterogeneous teacher models, which can be pre‐trained using advanced self‐supervised methods. Extensive experiments show that it adapts well to various models and sizes, consistently achieving state‐of‐the‐art performance in image classification, object detection, and semantic segmentation tasks. For example, in the Imagenet 1K dataset, HSKD improves the accuracy of Resnet‐50 (sparse) from 76.98% to 80.01%.

ABSTRACT 16S rRNA gene sequencing is the gold standard for identifying microbial diversity in environmental communities. The Illumina short-read platform is widely used in marine environment studies due to its cost-effectiveness and high accuracy, but its limited read length restricts taxonomic identification mainly to genus or family levels. Recently, the PacBio long-read sequencing platform was developed. This method has exceptional base-level resolution exceeding 99%, thereby effectively mitigating the challenges associated with high error rates commonly observed in long-read sequencing technologies. However, few studies have compared the PacBio long-read and Illumina short-read platforms in marine deep-sea sediments. Here, the PacBio long-read and Illumina short-read platforms were compared with samples collected from the deep-sea surface sediments from the cold seep in the Shenhu area of the South China Sea offshore Pearl River Estuary. Comparisons revealed a more comprehensive taxonomic identification, α-diversity, and β-diversity by PacBio long-reads. The PacBio long-read platform exhibited higher classified rates and classified taxonomy at all levels, particularly at the species level. The PacBio long-read platform was also more accurate at capturing fine spatial-scale variations in microbial communities in sediments. Our studies will facilitate the selection of 16S rRNA sequencing platforms for investigating fine spatial-scale patterns in microbial communities in deep-sea surface sediments and serve as a crucial methodological reference for future studies on microbial diversity.IMPORTANCEThe PacBio long-read platform, with its exceptional base-level resolution exceeding 99%, has advanced our comprehension of deep-sea microbial diversity. By comparing microbial community analyses conducted using the Illumina short-read and PacBio long-read sequencing platforms, we have provided an enhanced understanding of fine spatial-scale patterns in microbial community diversity with depth across a deep-sea sediment core, as well as methodological insights that will be valuable for future research in this field.

Sulfapyridine (SPY) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant belonging to the sulfonamide antibiotics. Previous studies showed that hydroxylamine (HA) can improve the performance of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) by promoting Fe(II) regeneration, yet the reaction mechanisms were not elucidated. Therefore, the role of HA and the degradation mechanisms of SPY were systematically studied therein. The SPY degradation efficiency increased from 77.5 % to 91.6 % after HA was added. With radical scavenger experiment, a function of HA to promote •OH production for SPY degradation was clarified. The major radical from SO4•- and •OH to •OH with addition of HA in Fe(II)/potassium peroxydisulfate (PDS). Results showed that alkali, acid condition and high PDS concentration all contributed to SPY degradation. According to experimental results, density functional theory (DFT) was used to calculate the degradation pathway of SPY. Rate-limiting path was obtained by comparing the rate constants calculated from the transition-state theory. The cleavage of C–C bond in benzene ring with the slowest rate was essential to degrade SPY, which not only promotes the mineralization of SPY, but also prevent the production of toxic TPs effectively. This study provides valuable insight into the SPY degradation in HA/Fe(II)/PDS.

The influence of gut microbiota on transient receptor potential (TRP) channels has been identified as an important element in the development of gastrointestinal conditions, yet its involvement in cancer progression is not as thoroughly understood. This review explores the multifaceted roles of TRP channels in oncogenesis and emphasizes their significance in cancer progression and therapeutic outcomes. Critical focus was placed on the influence of traditional medicines, such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) related aromatic medicines, on TRP channel functions. Moreover, we explored the interplay between the gut microbiota and TRP channels in cancer signaling, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting this axis in cancer treatment. The impact of current therapies on TRP channel function was examined, demonstrating the need for a comprehensive understanding of how different modalities affect TRP channels in cancer. Technological advancements, including artificial intelligence (AI) tools and computer-aided drug development (CADD), have been discussed in the context of leveraging TRP channels for innovative cancer therapies. Future directions emphasize the potential applications of TRP channel research in advancing cancer treatment and enhancing patients' well-being.

Abstract Over the past decade, we have witnessed the development of cell transplantation as a new strategy for repairing spinal cord injury (SCI). However, due to the complexity of the central nervous system (CNS), achieving successful clinical translation remains a significant challenge. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUMSCs) possess distinct advantages, such as easy collection, lack of ethical concerns, high self-renewal ability, multilineage differentiation potential, and immunomodulatory properties. hUMSCs are promising for regenerating the injured spinal cord to a significant extent. At the same time, for advancing SCI treatment, the appropriate benefit and risk evaluation methods play a pivotal role in determining the clinical applicability of treatment plans. Hence, this study discusses the advantages and risks of hUMSCs in SCI treatment across four dimensions—comprehensive evaluation of motor and sensory function, imaging, electrophysiology, and autonomic nervous system (ANS) function—aiming to improve the rationality of relevant clinical research and the feasibility of clinical translation.

The high cost of using the niobium (Nb) barrier for manufacturing magnesium diboride (MgB2) mono-and multi-filamentary wires for large-scale applications has become one of the barriers to replacing current commercial niobium-titanium superconductors. The potential of replacing the Nb barrier with a low-cost iron (Fe) barrier for multifilament MgB2 superconducting wires is investigated in this manuscript. Therefore, MgB2 wires with Fe barrier sintered with different temperatures are studied (from 650 °C to 900 °C for 1 h) to investigate the non-superconducting reaction phase of Fe-B. Their superconducting performance including engineering critical current density (Je) and n-value are tested at 4.2 K in various external magnetic fields. The best sample sintered at 650 °C for 1 h has achieved a Je value of 3.64 × 104 A cm−2 and an n-value of 61 in 2 T magnetic field due to the reduced formation of Fe2B, better grain connectivity and homogenous microstructure. For microstructural analysis, the focused ion beam (FIB) is utilised for the first time to acquire three-dimensional microstructures and elemental mappings of the interface between the Fe barrier and MgB2 core of different wires. The results have shown that if the sintering temperature can be controlled properly, the Je and n-value of the wire are still acceptable for magnet applications. The formation of Fe2B is identified along the edge of MgB2, as the temperature increases, the content of Fe2B also increases which causes the degradation in the performance of wires.

Cancer is the leading cause of mortality in human health, with the highest mortality rate among all diseases. Unfortunately, most of the current cancer treatments inevitably come with certain side effects. Therefore, a significant amount of research is focused on the development of safe and effective anticancer drugs. Sulforaphane is one of the most bioactive natural compounds isolated from cruciferous plants. Numerous studies show its anti-cancer, antioxidant, and antiviral properties, as well as its anticancer mechanisms. Sulforaphane can inhibit the growth of cancer cells by regulating the cell cycle, inhibiting cell migration and invasion, and inhibiting the expression of apoptosis related proteins. It can also inhibit the occurrence and development of cancer cells through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant measures. Some reports also indicate that sulforaphane can impede the development of cancer cells through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Compared to most traditional cancer treatment methods, sulforaphane is much safer and more reliable. It is also more readily available and has great anticancer potential. This paper review the anticancer mechanisms of sulforaphane over the past two years and provide the corresponding theoretical basis for further research on the anticancer effects of sulforaphane.

Development of advanced materials for drug delivery is of great importance for efficient cancer therapy. Among various materials for drug delivery, boron nitride has attracted much attention due to its unique properties for pharmaceutical applications. The efficiency of pure boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS) and modified BNNS by Ni and Pd atoms in the delivery process of the anticancer medicine 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is studied here within the framework of density functional theory (DFT) method in different configurations. The computational method was carried out for better understanding the new drug delivery system design and release of drug. Calculation of the adsorption energy revealed that adsorption of drug via the F atom in the perpendicular configuration was more desirable than adsorption in the perpendicular state via the O atom of the drug molecule. On the other hand, Ni and Pd improved the geometry and electronic properties of the adsorption process. The Eads increased from −3.488 for pristine BNNS to −7.365 and −8.287 eV for Ni@BNNS and Pd@BNNS, respectively. The electronic band structures demonstrated the competency of the modified BNNS for adsorption of 5-FU medicine via change in the VBM, CBM, and Egap values prior and after the molecules are adsorbed onto the surface.

Abstract Background Research on the fatty acid metabolism related gene SLC27A2 is currently mainly focused on solid tumors, and its mechanism of action in hematological tumors has not been reported. Method This study aims to explore the pathological and immune mechanisms of the fatty acid metabolism related gene SLC27A2 in hematological tumors and verify its functional role in hematological tumors through cell experiments to improve treatment decisions and clinical outcomes of hematological tumors. Result This study identified the fatty acid metabolism related gene SLC27A2 as a common differentially expressed gene between DLBCL and AML. Immune microenvironment analysis showed that SLC27A2 was significantly positively correlated with T cell CD4 + , T cell CD8 + , endothelial cells, macrophages, and NK cells in DLBCL. In AML, there is a significant negative correlation between SLC27A2 and B cells, T cell CD8 + , and macrophages. SLC27A2 participates in the immune process of hematological tumors through T cell CD8 + and macrophages. The GESA results indicate that high expression of SLC27A2 is mainly involved in the fatty acid pathway, immune pathway, and cell cycle pathway of DLBCL. The low expression of SLC27A2 is mainly involved in the immune pathway of AML. Therefore, SLC27A2 is mainly involved in the pathological mechanisms of hematological tumors through immune pathways, and cell experiments have also confirmed that SLC27A2 is involved in the regulation of DLBCL cells. Conclusion In summary, our research results comprehensively report for the first time the mechanism of action of SLC27A2 in the immune microenvironment of DLBCL and AML, and for the first time verify the cycle and apoptotic effects of the fatty acid related gene SLC27A2 in DLBCL cells through cell experiments. Research can help improve the treatment of AML and DLBCL patients.

Abstract Periodontitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease that causes the periodontal bone destruction and may ultimately result in tooth loss. With the progression of periodontitis, the osteoimmunology microenvironment in periodontitis is damaged and leads to the formation of pathological alveolar bone resorption. CD301b+ macrophages are specific to the osteoimmunology microenvironment, and are emerging as vital booster for conducting bone regeneration. However, the key upstream targets of CD301b+ macrophages and their potential mechanism in periodontitis remain elusive. In this study, we concentrated on the role of Tim4, a latent upstream regulator of CD301b+ macrophages. We first demonstrated that the transcription level of Timd4 (gene name of Tim4) in CD301b+ macrophages was significantly upregulated compared to CD301b− macrophages via high-throughput RNA sequencing. Moreover, several Tim4-related functions such as apoptotic cell clearance, phagocytosis and engulfment were positively regulated by CD301b+ macrophages. The single-cell RNA sequencing analysis subsequently discovered that Cd301b and Timd4 were specifically co-expressed in macrophages. The following flow cytometric analysis indicated that Tim4 positive expression rates in total macrophages shared highly synchronized dynamic changes with the proportions of CD301b+ macrophages as periodontitis progressed. Furthermore, the deficiency of Tim4 in mice decreased CD301b+ macrophages and eventually magnified alveolar bone resorption in periodontitis. Additionally, Tim4 controlled the p38 MAPK signaling pathway to ultimately mediate CD301b+ macrophages phenotype. In a word, Tim4 might regulate CD301b+ macrophages through p38 MAPK signaling pathway in periodontitis, which provided new insights into periodontitis immunoregulation as well as help to develop innovative therapeutic targets and treatment strategies for periodontitis.

With the development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, the threat of UAV intrusion is no longer negligible. Therefore, drone perception, especially anti-UAV tracking technology, has gathered considerable attention. However, both traditional Siamese and transformer-based trackers struggle in anti-UAV tasks due to the small target size, clutter backgrounds and model degradation. To alleviate these challenges, a novel contrastive-augmented memory network (CAMTracker) is proposed for anti-UAV tracking tasks in thermal infrared (TIR) videos. The proposed CAMTracker conducts tracking through a two-stage scheme, searching for possible candidates in the first stage and matching the candidates with the template for final prediction. In the first stage, an instance-guided region proposal network (IG-RPN) is employed to calculate the correlation features between the templates and the searching images and further generate candidate proposals. In the second stage, a contrastive-augmented matching module (CAM), along with a refined contrastive loss function, is designed to enhance the discrimination ability of the tracker under the instruction of contrastive learning strategy. Moreover, to avoid model degradation, an adaptive dynamic memory module (ADM) is proposed to maintain a dynamic template to cope with the feature variation of the target in long sequences. Comprehensive experiments have been conducted on the Anti-UAV410 dataset, where the proposed CAMTracker achieves the best performance compared to advanced tracking algorithms, with significant advantages on all the evaluation metrics, including at least 2.40%, 4.12%, 5.43% and 5.48% on precision, success rate, success AUC and state accuracy, respectively.

The establishment of the United Church of Christ in Japan (nihon kirisuto kyōdan 日本基督教団) marked the culmination of the Church Union Movement in Imperial Japan. Although the Church Union Movement can be traced back to the Meiji era, no significant breakthroughs were made until 1939 due to the refusal of some denominations. In this article, I aim to clarify the process and causes behind the formation of the united church, while also attempting to understand the interaction pattern between the State and Christianity under an increasing wartime totalitarian regime. In April 1939, the Diet passed the Religious Organizations Law (syūkyō dantai hō 宗教団体法), a bill aimed at strengthening state control over religions, which required Christian denominations to establish religious organizations. With the war intensifying Japan’s antagonism toward Western countries, Christianity as a foreign religion faced progressive attacks from the nationalist sects. Some denominations, like the Salvation Army, were accused of espionage due to their international connections and were monitored by gendarmerie (kenpeitai 憲兵隊). Facing harsh pressure, Christians sought to project a patriotic image, ultimately leading to the formation of the United Church as a survival strategy amidst a hostile social-political environment.

The early diagnosis of cancer is vital for effective treatment and improved prognosis. Tumor biomarkers, which can be used for the early diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic evaluation of cancer, have emerged as a topic of intense research interest in recent years. Nucleic acid, as a type of tumor biomarker, contains vital genetic information, which is of great significance for the occurrence and development of cancer. Currently, living cell nucleic acid probes, which enable the in situ imaging and dynamic monitoring of nucleic acids, have become a rapidly developing field. This review focuses on living cell nucleic acid probes that can be used for the early diagnosis of tumors. We describe the fundamental design of the probe in terms of three units and focus on the roles of different nanomaterials in probe delivery.

BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a significant global health and economic challenge, with atherosclerosis being a primary cause. Over the past 40 years, substantial research has been conducted into the prevention and reversal of atherosclerosis, resulting in the development of lipid-lowering agents such as statins and fibrates. Despite the extensive literature and formulation of numerous therapeutic guidelines in this domain, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the current research landscape and trends has not been performed. This study aimed to elucidate the evolution and milestones of research into lipid-lowering treatments for coronary heart disease (CHD) in conjunction with hyperlipidemia through bibliometric analysis, offering insights into future directions for treatment strategies.MethodsThis study examined publications from 1986 to 2023 retrieved from the Web of Science database (Core Collection). Utilizing tools such as VOSviewer, Pajek, and CiteSpace, we analyzed publication and citation numbers, H-indexes, contributions by countries and institutions, authorship, journal sources, and keyword usage to uncover research trajectories and areas of focus.ResultsOur analysis of 587 publications revealed a recent surge in research output, particularly post-2003. The American Journal of Cardiology published the highest number of studies, with 40 articles, whereas Circulation received the highest number of citations (6,266). Key contributors included the United States, Japan, and China, with the United States leading in citation numbers and the H-index. Harvard University and Leiden University emerged as pivotal institutions, and Professors J. Wouter Jukema and Robert P. Giugliano were identified as leading experts. Keyword analysis disclosed five thematic clusters, indicating a shift in research towards new drug combinations and strategies, signaling future research directions.ConclusionThe last 4 decades have seen a notable rise in publications on lipid-lowering therapies for CHD and hyperlipidemia, with the United States retaining world-leading status. The increase in international collaboration aids the shift towards research into innovative lipid-lowering agents and therapeutic approaches. PCSK9 inhibitors and innovative combination therapies, including antisense oligonucleotides and angiopoietin-like protein 3 inhibitors, provide avenues for future research, intending to maximize the safety and efficacy of treatment approaches.

Abstract Ball milling is a representative mechanochemical strategy that uses the mechanical agitation-induced effects, defects, or extreme conditions to activate substrates. Here, we demonstrate that ball grinding could bring about contact-electro-catalysis (CEC) by using inert and conventional triboelectric materials. Exemplified by a liquid-assisted-grinding setup involving polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced, despite PTFE being generally considered as catalytically inert. The formation of ROS occurs with various polymers, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polypropylene (PP), and the amount of generated ROS aligns well with the polymers’ contact-electrification abilities. It is suggested that mechanical collision not only maximizes the overlap in electron wave functions across the interface, but also excites phonons that provide the energy for electron transition. We expect the utilization of triboelectric materials and their derived CEC could lead to a field of ball milling-assisted mechanochemistry using any universal triboelectric materials under mild conditions.

Abstract A prevailing question in contemporary transport research queries the contribution of transport infrastructure investment to regional and local economic growth. Notably, the benefits under consideration extend beyond travel-time savings to possible additional developmental benefits. Centering on the Chengdu-Chongqing twin-city economic circle, this study sheds light on this issue. It presents a comprehensive approach involving economic, investment, and political-institutional conditions, and underscores their synergistic operation in eliciting measurable economic benefits. We delve into the effects of road traffic accessibility on economic growth in 2019, using accessibility indicators integrated into a spatial econometric model. Our research relied on robust indicators of road traffic accessibility, transportation investments, and economic outputs from the Chengdu-Chongqing region. The study demonstrates that the road traffic network’s development level is higher in the central area compared to the peripheral regions. Further, it reveals an uneven economic development distribution within the circle. Moreover, the spatial effect of road traffic on economic growth surfaces as an error term spatial interaction effect, highlighting accessibility’s pivotal role. Factors like industrial infrastructure, labor force, and new economic geography also significantly affect growth. To wrap up, we discuss the broader implications of our findings. We suggest a stronger connection between road transportation and economic growth and stress the need to enhance the supporting economic environment. Our findings have broader implications, guiding policy and planning in other urban economic circles.

Lane detection is fundamental to autonomous driving, yet remains challenging in complex environments with occlusions, ambiguous markings, and varied lighting. We introduce the Global Semantic Enhancement Network (GSENet), a groundbreaking framework that significantly advances lane detection accuracy and robustness. GSENet’s core innovations include the Global feature Extraction Module (GEM) and the Top Layer Auxiliary Module (TLAM). GEM revolutionizes the extraction of fine-grained global features, overcoming limitations of traditional deep convolutional approaches without compromising inference speed. TLAM leverages self-attention mechanisms to capture rich contextual information and learn task-specific representations, dramatically enhancing the network’s performance in complex scenarios. We further propose the Generalized Line Intersection over Union (GLIoU) Loss, a novel optimization approach that considers spatial relationships between lane points and introduces a geometric penalty term. This loss function promotes globally coherent and smooth lane predictions, addressing key limitations in existing methods. Our comprehensive mathematical analyses, including gradient derivations and complexity assessments, provide theoretical foundations for the effectiveness of these innovations. Extensive experiments on challenging benchmarks demonstrate GSENet’s superior accuracy and robustness, significantly outperforming state-of-the-art methods. Notably, our framework’s modular design extends its applicability beyond lane detection to various computer vision tasks involving elongated or curved structures, opening new avenues for research and practical applications in autonomous systems and beyond.

Objective Intertrochanteric fracture is a very common but serious type of hip fracture in nonagenarians. The surgical treatment remains a significant challenge for orthopedists. The objective of this study was to investigate postoperative complications and survival outcomes compared between bipolar hemiarthroplasty (HA) and proximal femoral nail anti‐rotation (PFNA) in nonagenarians with intertrochanteric fractures, and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the two surgical procedures in this patient population. Methods A total of 113 consecutive nonagenarians who underwent bipolar HA or PFNA for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures from January 2006 to August 2021 were retrospectively studied in the current paper. There were 34 males and 79 females, with a mean age of 92.2 years (range 90–101 years) at the time of operation. The average duration of follow‐up was 29.7 months (range 1–120 months). The full cohort was divided into bipolar HA (77 cases) and PFNA (36 cases) groups. Damage control orthopedics was used to determine the optimal surgery time and assist in perioperative management. A restrictive blood transfusion strategy was employed, along with appropriate adjustments under multidisciplinary assessment, throughout the perioperative period. Perioperative clinical information and prognostic data were analyzed. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used for survival analysis, and landmark analysis divided the entire follow‐up period into 1–12 months (short‐term), 13–42 months (medium‐term) and 43–120 months (long‐term) according to the configurations of Kaplan–Meier survival curves. Results Both groups had similar general variables except for the proportion of high adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (aCCI) (≥6 points) (6.5% in bipolar HA group and 22.2% in PFNA group, p = 0.024). Intraoperative blood loss and transfusion requirements were greater, and the intraoperative transfusion rates were higher in the bipolar HA group compared to the PFNA group (all p 0.05). Both groups had similar overall survival curves (p = 0.37). However, landmark analysis revealed that bipolar HA group exhibited higher survival rates in medium‐term (p = 0.01), while similar survival rates were observed in the short‐ and long‐term post‐operation periods (both p > 0.05). Cox regression with survival‐time‐dependent covariate calculated the hazard ratio (HR) of bipolar HA was 0.41 in medium‐term (p = 0.039). Conclusion Bipolar HA is equally effective and reliable as PFNA for treating intertrochanteric fractures in nonagenarians. Despite resulting in more intraoperative blood loss and transfusions, bipolar HA therapy is associated with a higher medium‐term survival rate compared to PFNA treatment. The application of damage control orthopedics and precise perioperative patient blood management could contribute to the positive clinical outcomes observed in this patient population.