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Abstract Fault ruptures induced by earthquakes pose a significant threat to constructions, particularly underground structures such as pile foundations. Among various foundation types, batter pile foundations are widely used due to their ability to resist inclined forces. To gain new insights into the response of batter pile groups to fault ruptures caused by earthquakes, this study investigates the deformation and failure mechanisms of batter pile groups due to the propagation of normal and reverse fault ruptures using 3D numerical modeling. An advanced hypoplastic constitutive model for clay, which accounts for small-strain stiffness, and a concrete damage plasticity (CDP) model are employed to simulate the soil and the batter pile foundation, respectively. Results show that following fault propagation, nearly 10% tilting and significant displacement occurred at the pile cap, indicating a total failure of the batter pile foundation. It was also observed that the piles bent towards the slipping direction of the hanging wall. Tensile damage to the pile foundation was notably more severe than compression damage. The most severely damaged regions were not only located at the joints between the piles and the pile caps but were also found along the pile shafts.

Objective Thoracolumbar compression fractures resulting from high‐energy injuries are a common type of spinal fracture. Satisfying reduction of compressive vertebra body is essential for the clinical outcome. However, traditional distraction technique may lead to complications including pedicle screw loosening, pedicle screw breakage, and postoperative back pain because of excessive distraction. In this study, we reported a novel technique for reduction. Additionally, the effect and postoperative radiological parameters of this technique were compared with those of traditional distraction technique. Methods The clinical data of 80 patients who had been treated with posterior pedicle screw fixation from January 2019 to December 2020 was retrospectively analyzed. Thirty‐six patients were performed with the leverage technique, while 22 patients were treated with the traditional distraction technique. When pedicle screw fixation was performed with either the leverage technique or the traditional distraction technique, fracture reduction was completed with monoaxial pedicle screws using either the leverage maneuver or distraction of adjacent vertebrae. Clinical evaluation, including operation time, hospital stay, blood loss volume, and postoperative complications were collected. The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) score for neurological condition and the visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain were used to evaluate the patients' functional outcome. The radiographic analysis included local kyphotic angle (LKA), regional kyphotic angle (RKA), anterior vertebral height (AVH), posterior vertebral height (PVH), and sagittal compression (SC). The student t‐test and the χ2‐test (or the Fisher exact test) were used to compare the outcome measures between the two groups. Results The leverage group comprised 36 patients, while 44 patients were included in the distraction group. No statistically significant differences were found in the demographic data. The VAS score in the leverage group (3.0 ± 0.8) was significantly lower than that in the distraction group (4.2 ± 0.6) on postoperative day 1. Total correction of the LKA in the leverage group (11.5 ± 2.5°) was significantly higher than that in the distraction group (7.1 ± 1.3°) (p = 0.0004). Total correction of the RKA was higher in the leverage group (12.1 ± 4.3°) than in the distraction group (6.1 ± 0.9°) (p = 0.005). The ratio of rear pillar /front pillar correction was 0.35 ± 0.13 and 0.89 ± 0.18 in the leverage and distraction groups, respectively (p = 0.014). Total correction of the upper and lower foraminal height in the leverage group was significantly less than that in the distraction group. The leverage group had significantly higher correction of the upper and lower intervertebral space height than the distraction group. Conclusions Our novel leverage technique provided better kyphotic reduction and restoration than compared to conventional distraction technique in the surgical treatment of thoracolumbar compression fractures.

The integrated community energy system (ICES) has emerged as a promising solution for enhancing the efficiency of the distribution system by effectively coordinating multiple energy sources. However, the concept and modeling of ICES still remain unclear, and operational optimization of ICES is hindered by the physical constraints of heterogeneous integrated energy networks. This paper, therefore, provides an overview of the state-of-the-art concepts for techno–economic modeling of ICES by establishing a Multi-Network Constrained ICES (MNC-ICES) model. The proposed model underscores the diverse energy devices at community and consumer levels and multiple networks for power, gas, and heat in a privacy-protection manner, providing a basis for practical network-constrained community operation tools. The corresponding operational optimization in the proposed model is formulated into a constrained Markov decision process (C-MDP) and solved by a Safe Reinforcement Learning (RL) approach. A novel Safe RL algorithm, Primal-Dual Twin Delayed Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (PD-TD3), is developed to solve the C-MDP. By optimizing operations and maintaining network safety simultaneously, the proposed PD-TD3 method provides a solid backup for the ICESO and has great potential in real-world implementation. The non-convex modeling of MNC-ICES and the optimization performance of PD-TD3 is demonstrated in various scenarios. Compared with benchmark approaches, the proposed algorithm merits training speed, higher operational profits, and lower violations of multi-network constraints. Potential beneficiaries of this work include ICES operators and residents who could be benefited from improved ICES operation efficiency, as well as reinforcement learning researchers and practitioners who could be inspired for safe RL applications in real-world industry.

The intermittence and unpredictability of large-scale renewable integration poses significant challenges to the operation of the electricity market. New paradigms of the joint electricity spot market (EM) and ancillary service market (ASM) incorporating frequency regulation (FR) and flexible ramping product (FRP) are considered as potential solutions, addressing the challenge of limited compatibility in the electricity market with the widespread integration of renewable sources. This work focuses on three critical technical obstacles: optimizing the joint market mechanisms, constructing bidding models, and exploring algorithmic solutions. This paper presents a brief review of recent research on bidding mechanisms, models, and strategies for the electricity joint market with high-penetration renewable integration. Furthermore, challenges and future research prospects of these issues are also discussed.

Abstract Objectives Transitions from middle adolescence into merging adulthood, a life stage between age 15–25, has a high prevalence of sleep problems. Mindfulness is a trait defined as being attentive to the present moment which positively relates to sleep quality. In this study, we aimed to investigate how resilience and emotional dysfunction may influence the relationship between trait mindfulness and sleep quality. Methods The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales were used to measure the key variables through an online survey of 497 participants between middle adolescence and emerging adults (317 females, mean age 18.27 ± 0.76 years). A process model was built to investigate the mediating roles of resilience and emotional dysfunction in the impact of trait mindfulness on sleep quality, together with the relationships between their specific components. Results We found a positive association between mindfulness and sleep quality through resilience and through emotional dysfunction, and through the sequential pathway from resilience to emotional dysfunction. Of note, acting with awareness (mindfulness facet) showed significant indirect effects on sleep quality, mediated by resilience and emotional dysfunction. Conclusions Our findings may unveil the underlying mechanisms of how low mindfulness induces poor sleep quality. The findings indicate that conceiving mindfulness as a multifaceted construct facilitates comprehension of its components, relationships with other variables, and underscores its potential clinical significance given its critical implications for mental health.

Abstract Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease urgently needing effective treatments. Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell-derived exosomes (Exo) are considered good drug carriers whereas they have limitations such as fast clearance and low retention. This study aimed to overcome the limitations of Exo in drug delivery using multiple strategies. Novel photocrosslinking spherical gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel (GelMA)-encapsulated cartilage affinity WYRGRL (W) peptide-modified engineered Exo were developed for OA treatment and the performance of the engineered Exo (W-Exo@GelMA) loaded with a small inhibitor LRRK2-IN-1 (W-Exo-L@GelMA) was investigated in vitro and in vivo. The W-Exo-L@GelMA showed an effective targeting effect on chondrocytes and a pronounced action on suppressing catabolism and promoting anabolism in vitro. Moreover, W-Exo-L@GelMA remarkably inhibited OA-related inflammation and immune gene expression, rescuing the IL-1β-induced transcriptomic responses. With enhanced retention in the joint, W-Exo-L@GelMA demonstrated superior anti-OA activity and cartilage repair ability in the OA murine model. The therapeutic effect was validated in the cultured human OA cartilage. In conclusion, photocrosslinking spherical hydrogel-encapsulated targeting peptide-modified engineered Exo exhibit notable potential in OA therapy. Engineering Exo by a series of strategies enhanced the targeting ability and retention and cartilage-targeting and Exo-mediated drug delivery may offer a novel strategy for OA treatment. Clinical trial registration: Not applciable. Graphical Abstract

Abstract The liquid biopsy includes the detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and CTC clusters in blood, as well as the detection of, cell-free DNA (cfDNA)/circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the patient's body fluid. Liquid biopsy has important roles in translational research. But its clinical utility is still under investigation. Newly emerged patient-derived xenograft (PDX) and CTC-derived xenograft (CDX) faithfully recapitulate the genetic and morphological features of the donor patients’ tumor and patient-derived organoid (PDO) can mostly mimic tumor growth, tumor microenvironment and its response to drugs. In this review, we describe how the development of these patient-derived models has assisted the studies of CTCs and CTC clusters in terms of tumor biological behavior exploration, genomic analysis, and drug testing, with the help of the latest technology. We then summarize the studies of EVs and cfDNA/ctDNA in PDX and PDO models in early cancer diagnosis, tumor burden monitoring, drug test and response monitoring, and molecular profiling. The challenges faced and future perspectives of research related to liquid biopsy using patient-derived models are also discussed.

BackgroundPrenatal mental health is a neglected public health issue that places pregnant women at a higher risk for mental disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influencing factors of prenatal mental disorders and provide a scientific basis to guide and promote the mental health of pregnant women.MethodsThe study sample comprised 973 women in their first pregnancy, who were in their second trimester and third trimester, who underwent obstetric outpatient checkups at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Huai'an, who were recruited in the survey that was conducted from July to December 2017. The Chinese mental health scale (CMHS) was used to assess the mental health of pregnant women. The present study uses the chi-square test to compare the rates of class with different demographic variables, a latent class analysis to identify psychological symptoms, and multiple logistic regression analysis to examine whether the demographics predicted class membership.ResultsThe chi-square test results showed that participants who reported feeling different in the perinatal period (χ2 = 6.35, P = 0.04), having marital satisfaction (χ2 = 15.8, P < 0.001), with an in-law relationship (χ2 = 29.43, P < 0.001), with a friend relationship (χ2 = 24.81, P < 0.001), with basic diseases (χ2 = 8.04, P = 0.02), and taking birth control pills (χ2 = 8.97, P = 0.01) have different probabilities of being classified. Three latent classes were identified: the high symptoms group (6.89%), the moderate symptoms group (20.56%), and the low symptoms group (72.56%). Pregnant women in the third trimester [odds ratio (OR) = 1.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04–3.25, P = 0.04], with a poor in-law relationship (OR = 2.82, 95% CI:1.45–5.51, P = 0.002), with a bad friend relationship (OR = 3.17, 95% CI: 1.31–7.71, P = 0.01), and who had basic diseases (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.00–2.90, P = 0.04) tended to be classified under the high symptoms group than under the low symptoms group. Pregnant women with a bad friend relationship (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.08–4.28, P = 0.03) and taking birth control pills (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.08–2.11, P = 0.02) were more likely to be placed under the moderate symptoms group than under the low symptoms group.ConclusionsA pregnant woman's mental health status factors include feeling different in the perinatal period, those with marital satisfaction, those with an in-law relationship, those with a friend relationship, those with basic diseases, and those taking birth control pills. To ensure a smooth progress of pregnancy and promote the physical and mental health of pregnant women, psychological screening and psychological intervention measures should be strengthened.

BackgroundHand osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic progressive disease characterized by disabling pain in the hand, with a high clinical burden. This study is designed to assess the epidemiological patterns of hand OA from 1990 to 2019 and analyze its secular trends based on sex, age, and socio-demographic index (SDI) at global, regional, and national levels.MethodsData on the incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of hand OA were extracted from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD), and their respective age-standardized rates (ASRs) were calculated. The estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) in ASR were calculated to assess the prevalent trends of the incidence and DALYs of hand OA over the recent three decades. The relationship between ASR and SDI was analyzed by Pearson's correlation analysis.ResultsThe incidence of hand OA increased from 371.30 million in 1990 to 676.02 million in 2019, increasing by 82.07%, whereas its age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) decreased, with a downward trend [EAPC = −0.34; 95% confidence interval: −0.39–−0.28]. With the changes in age, the incidence of hand OA exhibited a unimodal distribution before 70 years of age, peaking at 50–54 years, while its incidence had an upward trend in the >70 years age groups. Overall, hand OA-related DALYs increased in the recent 30 years. Meanwhile, its annual age-standardized DALY rate decreased, with EAPCs of −0.35 (95% CI, −0.38 –−0.32). The DALYs increased with age. In 2019, the ASIR and age-standardized DALY rate were positively associated with the SDI regions. The incidence and DALYs presented predominance in female patients. The burden of hand OA over the recent three decades displayed obvious geographical diversity.ConclusionThe incident cases of hand OA increased globally from 1990 to 2019, while the ASIR and age-standardized DALY rate decreased. However, in many countries and regions, there was a rising trend of ASR related to incidence and DALYs. In addition, the prevalence revealed geographical, sex, and age diversity. Thus, governments and medical institutions should reallocate medical resources based on the epidemiological characteristics of hand OA.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent chronic degenerative joint diseases affecting adults in their middle or later years. It is characterized by symptoms such as joint pain, difficulty in movement, disability, and even loss of motion. Moreover, the onset and progression of inflammation are directly associated with OA. In this research, we evaluated the impact of Flavokawain A (FKA) on osteoarthritis. In-vitro effects of FKA on murine chondrocytes have been examined using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), safranin o staining, western blot, immunofluorescence staining, senescence β-galactosidase staining, flow cytometry analysis, and mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenovirus infection. An in-vivo model of destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) was employed to investigate FKA’s effect on OA mouse. An analysis of bioinformatics was performed on FKA and its potential role in OA. It was observed that FKA blocked interleukin (IL)-1β-induced expression of inflammatory factors, i.e., cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in chondrocytes. In addition, FKA also downregulated the catabolic enzyme expression, i.e., aggrecanase-2 (ADAMTS5) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and helped in the upregulation of the anabolic protein expression, i.e., type II collagen (Col2), Aggrecan, and sry-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9). Moreover, FKA ameliorated IL-1β-triggered autophagy in chondrocytes, and it was observed that the FKA causes anti-inflammatory effects by the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide-3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) signaling pathways inhibition. The results of immunohistochemical analysis and microcomputed tomography from the in vivo OA mouse model confirmed the therapeutic effect of FKA. Finally, we assessed the anti-arthritic impacts of FKA by conducting in vivo and in vitro analyses. We concluded that FKA can be employed as a useful therapeutic agent for OA therapy, but the findings require needs further clinical investigation.

BackgroundImmunotherapy is a promising anti-cancer strategy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, a limited number of patients can benefit from it. There are currently no reliable biomarkers available to find the potential beneficiaries. Methylcytosine (m5C) is crucial in HCC, but its role in forecasting clinical responses to immunotherapy has not been fully clarified.MethodsIn this study, we analyzed 371 HCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and investigated the expression of 18 m5C regulators. We selected 6 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to construct a prognostic risk model as well as 2 m5C-related diagnostic models.ResultsThe 1-, 3-, and 5-year area under the curve (AUC) of m5C scores for the overall survival (OS) was 0.781/0.762/0.711, indicating the m5C score system had an ideal distinction of prognostic prediction for HCC. The survival analysis showed that patients with high-risk scores present a worse prognosis than the patients with low-risk scores (p< 0.0001). We got consistent results in 6 public cohorts and validated them in Xiangya real-world cohort by quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemical (IHC) assays. The high-m5C score group was predicted to be in an immune evasion state and showed low sensitivity to immunotherapy, but high sensitivity to chemotherapy and potential targeted drugs and agents, such as sepantronium bromide (YM-155), axitinib, vinblastine and docetaxel. Meanwhile, we also constructed two diagnostic models to distinguish HCC tumors from normal liver tissues or liver cirrhosis.ConclusionIn conclusion, our study helps to early screen HCC patients and select patients who can benefit from immunotherapy. Step forwardly, for the less likely beneficiaries, this study provides them with new potential targeted drugs and agents for choice to improve their prognosis.

The consolidation Mg–Gd–Y–Zn–Zr billets containing long period-stacking ordered (LPSO) phase were recycled from the metal chips through the spark plasma sintering (SPS) process, which achieves the effective metallurgical bonding between metal chips. The effects of the sintering parameters on the microstructure characteristic and mechanical properties of the recycled billets were studied. The metal chips were effectively bonded in the recycled billets sintered at 500 °C, however, the metal chips partly melted into semi-solid state as sintering temperature increased to 550 °C. The oxidation films of rare earth (RE) element formed at the bond interface between metal chips during SPS recycling process. The consolidation recycled billets through SPS demonstrated the rival compression failure strain and superior compression stress compared with the referenced cast alloy. The lamellar 14H-LPSO phases hardly precipitate in the vicinity of the bond interface between metal chips after heat treatment with air cooling. However, the furnace cooling facilitates the precipitation of 14H-LPSO phases within the α-Mg grains, even the α-Mg matrix adjacent to the bond interface. The oxide films at the bond interface between the metal chips were zigzagged and fragmented during the isothermal compression. The cracks or holes were hardly observed adjacent to the bond interface during isothermal compression, which reveals superior bond properties and deformation consistency performance between metal chips.

Constructing an engineered hepatic lobule-mimetic model is challenging owing to complicated lobular architecture and crucial hepatic functionality. Our previous study has demonstrated the feasibility of using silk fibroin (SF) scaffolds as functional templates for engineering hepatic lobule-like constructs. But the unsatisfactory chemical and physical performances of the SF-only scaffold and the inherent defect in the functional activity of the carcinoma-derived seeding cells remain to be addressed to satisfy the downstream application demand. In this study, SF-collagen I (SFC) composite scaffolds with improved physical and chemical properties were fabricated, and their utilization for bioengineering a more hepatic lobule-like construct was explored using the immortalized human hepatocyte-derived liver progenitor-like cells (iHepLPCs) and endothelial cells incorporated in the dynamic culture system. The SFC scaffolds prepared through the directional lyophilization process showed radially aligned porous structures with increased swelling ratio and porosity, ameliorative mechanical stiffness that resembled the normal liver matrix more closely, and improved biocompatibility. The iHepLPCs displayed a hepatic plate-like distribution and differentiated into matured hepatocytes with improved hepatic function in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, hepatocyte–endothelial cell interphase arrangement was generated in the co-culture compartment with improved polarity, bile capillary formation, and enhanced liver functions compared with the monocultures. Thus, a more biomimetic hepatic lobule-like model was established and could provide a valuable and robust platform for various applications, including bioartificial liver and drug screening.

Large-scale renewable photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage system (BESS) units are promising to be significant electricity suppliers in the future electricity market. A bidding model is proposed for PV-integrated BESS power plants in a pool-based day-ahead (DA) electricity market, in which the uncertainty of PV generation output is considered. In the proposed model, we consider the market clearing process as the external environment, while each agent updates the bid price through the communication with the market environment for its revenue maximization. A multiagent reinforcement learning (MARL) called win-or-learn-fast policy-hill-climbing (WoLF-PHC) is used to explore optimal bid prices without any information of opponents. The case study validates the computational performance of WoLF-PHC in the proposed model, while the bidding strategy of each participated agent is thereafter analyzed.

Purpose: To evaluate the knowledge, anxiety, depression, and sleep quality toward COVID-19 among Chinese medical staff from tertiary and basic-level hospitals in central south areas of China.Method: A structured questionnaire was composed of Demographic and clinical characteristics of medical staff, Knowledge toward COVID-19 including epidemiology and clinical manifestations, The Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). It was administered to medical staff from tertiary hospitals (Group A) (n = 407) and basic-level hospitals (Group B) (n = 388) during February 2020 and May 2020.Results: Medical staff in group A had a stronger knowledge toward COVID-19 than group B (23.69 ± 5.83 & 18.15 ± 6.35, p < 0.001). Mild anxiety symptoms were found in both groups. The SAS scores (Mean ± SD) of group B were 58.87 ± 10.17, which was significantly higher than that of group A (52.59 ± 12.09, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in CES-D scores between the two groups (p = 0.981). The mean score of total PSQI in group B (8.41 ± 3.03) was statistically higher than that of group A (7.31 ± 3.74, p < 0.001). Additionally, the scores of sub-components of group B, including subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep disorder, sleeping medication use and daytime dysfunction, were significantly higher compared to Group A (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Our study showed greater anxiety, more severe depression and poorer sleep quality among medical staff in central south areas of China during the COVID-19 outbreak. Additionally, compared to the tertiary hospital group, medical staff from basic-level hospitals had poorer knowledge toward COVID-19 and worse mental health conditions. In addition, residence, specialty, title and education level may also be factors of knowledge of COVID-19 and psychiatry problems. In light of this information, more attention should be paid to early identification and intervention of symptoms of anxiety and depression in susceptible medical staff from the basic-level hospitals.

Purpose: To assess knowledge, attitudes, and social responsiveness toward COVID-19 among Chinese medical students.Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from 889 medical students in three well-known Chinese medical universities. The questionnaire was comprised of three domains which consisted of demographic characteristic collection, seven items for knowledge, and eight items for attitudes and social responsiveness toward COVID-19. Data from different universities were lumped together and were divided into different groups to compare the differences, including (1) students at the clinical learning stage (Group A) or those at the basic-medicine stage (Group B) and (2) students who have graduated and worked (Group C) or those newly enrolled (Group D).Results: Medical students at group B had a weaker knowledge toward COVID-19 than did students at group A, especially in the question of clinical manifestations (p < 0.001). The percentage of totally correct answers of COVID-19 knowledge in group C was higher than that in Group D (p < 0.001). There were significant differences between groups C and D in the attitudes and social responsiveness toward COVID-19. Surprisingly, we found that the idea of newly enrolled medical students could be easily affected by interventions.Conclusions: In light of this information, medical education should pay attention not only to the cultivation of professional knowledge and clinical skills but also to the positive interventions to better the comprehensive qualities including communicative abilities and empathy.

AimImmunotherapy shows efficacy in only a subset of melanoma patients. Here, we intended to construct a risk score model to predict melanoma patients’ sensitivity to immunotherapy.MethodsIntegration analyses were performed on melanoma patients from high-dimensional public datasets. The CD8+ T cell infiltration related genes (TIRGs) were selected via TIMER and CIBERSORT algorithm. LASSO Cox regression was performed to screen for the crucial TIRGs. Single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and ESTIMATE algorithm were used to evaluate the immune activity. The prognostic value of the risk score was determined by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis.Results184 candidate TIRGs were identified in melanoma patients. Based on the candidate TIRGs, melanoma patients were classified into three clusters which were characterized by different immune activity. Six signature genes were further screened out of 184 TIRGs and a representative risk score for patient survival was constructed based on these six signature genes. The risk score served as an indicator for the level of CD8+ T cell infiltration and acted as an independent prognostic factor for the survival of melanoma patients. By using the risk score, we achieved a good predicting result for the response of cancer patients to immunotherapy. Moreover, pan-cancer analysis revealed the risk score could be used in a wide range of non-hematologic tumors.ConclusionsOur results showed the potential of using signature gene-based risk score as an indicator to predict melanoma patients’ sensitivity to immunotherapy.

Purpose: To evaluate the attitudes toward epilepsy among parents of children with epilepsy (CWE) in China and identify some related factors for future interventions for parents to offer more social support for CWE.Method: The Chinese Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (CPATE) scale was administered to 234 parents of CWE and 203 parents of normal children in Xiangya hospital during 2019–2020.Results: The cumulative score of the parents of CWE (26.427 ± 6.688) was significantly lower than that of the normal children group (32.330 ± 7.234, p < 0.001). Subanalysis showed more positive attitudes among parents of CWE than the control group (p < 0.001) toward education (4.765 ± 1.985 vs. 6.621 ± 2.419), social life (6.556 ± 2.456 vs. 8.010 ± 2.683), marriage (9.586 ± 2.675 vs. 11.025 ± 2.900), and employment (3.876 ± 1.364 vs. 4.5123 ± 1.283). The attitudes toward epilepsy among parents of CWE with seizures in public (27.16 ± 6.66) or during sleep (27.10 ± 6.38) were more negative than those without (25.35 ± 6.62 and 25.08 ± 7.10, respectively) (p < 0.05). In addition, female and low income were negatively related to parents' attitudes toward epilepsy.Conclusions: More active policy guidance and adequate social support should be given to parents of children with seizures in public or during sleep to instruct their children to form a positive perception about epilepsy, which is expected to have a positive impact on their social abilities in the future.

Abstract Background Although the genetic spectrum of human colorectal cancer (CRC) is mainly characterized by APC, KRAS and TP53 mutations, driver genes in tumor initiation have not been conclusively demonstrated. In this study, we aimed to identify novel markers for CRC. Methods We performed exome analysis of sporadic colorectal cancer (sCRC) coding regions to screen loss of function (LoF) mutation genes, and carried out systems-level approaches to confirm top rank gene in this study. Results We identified loss of BMP5 is an early event in CRC. Deep sequencing identified BMP5 was mutated in 7.7% (8/104) of sCRC samples, with 37.5% truncating mutation frequency. Notably, BMP5 negative expression and its prognostic value is uniquely significant in sCRC but not in other tumor types. Furthermore, BMP5 expression was positively correlated with E-cadherin in CRC patients and its dysregulation play a vital role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), thus triggering tumor initiation and development. RNA sequencing identified, independent of BMP/Smads pathway, BMP5 signaled though Jak-Stat pathways to inhibit the activation of oncogene EPSTI1. Conclusions Our result support a novel concept that the importance of BMP5 in sCRC. The tumor suppressor role of BMP5 highlights its crucial role in CRC initiation and development.

As a new type of heterogeneous social network, Event-Based Social Network (EBSN) has experienced rapid development after its appearance. In EBSN, the interaction data between users and events is relatively sparse because of the short life cycle of events, which brings great challenges to event recommendation. In this paper, a multiple features based event recommendation method is proposed, which makes full use of various information in the network to mine users’ preference for event recommendation. Firstly, a heterogeneous information network model is constructed based on the intrinsic structure characteristics. Then multiple features about topology, temporal, spatial and semantic are extracted to measure the user’s event preference, and a linear scoring model is designed to acquire user’s preference score on events. At last, the bayesian personalized ranking method is used to learn the feature weights by using user-event pairs in scoring model and events are recommended to users according to the descending score order. Experiments are carried out on two real EBSN data sets, the results show that our approach can effectively alleviate the data sparseness problem and achieve better recommendation results.

Water-stable silk fibroin (SF) films are normally prepared by transforming the secondary structure of SF, from amorphous silk I (random coils) to silk II (β-sheet), via physical or chemical means. Although mechanically strong, these films are generally brittle. Herein, we prepared water-stable flexible SF films possessing silk I rather than silk II structure. Films were prepared by casting SF solution possessing SF nanoparticles induced by two different methods: (1) pre-prepared SF nanoparticles by ethanol were added into SF solution; (2) nanoparticles were induced in SF solution via autoclaving. These films were compared with each other and with water-annealed and methanol-annealed films for their secondary structure and physical properties. The as-prepared films were primarily composed of silk I structure, as validated by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. However, the water-annealed and methanol-annealed films exhibited silk II structure. The films prepared by induction of nanoparticles were water-stable, transparent, mechanically strong (tensile strength as high as 5.14 ± 1.43 MPa), exhibited tunable degradation and sustained drug release properties. As for mechanical properties, these films displayed 4 times and 12 times improved mechanical ductility as compared with water-annealed and methanol-annealed films, respectively. Moreover, these films exhibited fast enzymatic degradation as compared with their counterparts with silk II structure. These films hold great promise as a biomaterial for tissue engineering applications especially where flexibility and fast degradation of scaffold are important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]