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Abstract The pitting corrosion resistance of austenite stainless steel was significantly reduced during tribocorrosion: corrosion pits with high density formed far below pitting potential. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of tribocorrosion on the metastable pitting corrosion behaviour of 316 L stainless steel. The results indicated that the formation of a Cr-depleted layer on nanocrystallized surface (NS) during tribocorrosion played the crucial role in reducing pitting corrosion resistance of the stainless steel. The Cr-depleted layer led to a significant increase in defect density and a reduction in Cr content in the passive film, that increased the number of pitting nucleation sites and weakened the chloride-resistance of the passive film. Further, the initial dissolution of the Cr-depleted layer provided a high cation concentration to sustain pit growth on the NS with high reactivity beneath it. Consequently, metastable pits with high density could initiate and grow at low potentials.

Abstract Background Aortic aneurysm (AA) and aortic dissection (AD) are serious cardiovascular disorders with a high risk of mortality. The molecular mechanisms underlying the progression from AA to AD are not well understood. This study aimed to identify the key circular RNA (circRNA)-microRNA (miRNA)-messenger RNA (mRNA) regulatory axis involved in this disease progression. Methods CircRNA microarray, miRNA microarray, and mRNA sequencing were performed on plasma samples from healthy controls, AA patients, and AD patients. Bioinformatics analysis integrated the expression profiles to identify dysregulated circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks. Key molecules were validated in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and an AD mouse model. Cell proliferation, migration, and phenotypic transition assays were conducted after modulating the identified circRNA. The impact on AD progression was evaluated in mice upon circRNA knockdown. Results A total of 12 circRNAs were found upregulated in AD compared to AA samples. miR-483-5p was downregulated while its targets KDM2B and circ_0000006 were upregulated in AD. Silencing circ_0000006 in VSMCs inhibited PDGF-induced phenotypic switching, proliferation, and migration by increasing miR-483-5p and decreasing KDM2B levels. In the AD mouse model, knockdown of circ_0000006 alleviated disease progression with similar molecular changes. Conclusion The study identified a novel circ_0000006/miR-483-5p/KDM2B axis dysregulated during AD progression. Targeting this axis, especially circ_0000006, could be a potential strategy to mitigate the transition from AA to AD by modulating VSMC phenotype and function.

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in which mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation play crucial roles in its progression. Our previous studies found that cornuside from Cornus officinalis Sieb.Et Zucc is an anti-AD candidate, however, its underlying mechanism remains unknown. In the present study, AD mice were established by intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ1−42 and treated with cornuside (3, 10, 30 mg/kg) for 2 weeks. Cornuside significantly ameliorated behavioral deficits, protected synaptic plasticity and relieved neuronal damage in Aβ1−42 induced mice. Importantly, cornuside decreased NLRP3 inflammasome activation, characterized by decreased levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, GSDMD, and IL-1β. Furthermore, cornuside promoted mitophagy accompanied by decreasing SQSTM1/p62 and promoting LC3B-I transforming into LC3B-II, via Pink1/Parkin signaling instead of FUNDC1 or BNIP3 pathways. In order to investigate the relationship between NLRP3 inflammasome and mitophagy in the neuroprotective mechanism of cornuside, we established an in-vitro model in BV2 cells exposed to LPS and Aβ1−42. And cornuside inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation and subsequent cytokine release, also protected neurons from damaging factors in microenvironment of conditional culture. Cornuside improved mitochondrial function by promoting oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis, decreasing the production of ROS and mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization. Besides, mitophagy was also facilitated with increased colocalization of MitoTracker with LC3B and Parkin, and Pink1/Parkin, FUNDC1 and BNIP3 pathways were all involved in the mechanism of cornuside. By blocking the formation of autophagosomes by 3-MA, the protective effects on mitochondria, the inhibition on NLRP3 inflammasome as well as neuronal protection in conditional culture were eliminated. There is reason to believe that the promotion of mitophagy plays a key role in the NLRP3 inhibition of cornuside. In conclusion, cornuside re-establishes the mitophagy flux which eliminates damaged mitochondria and recovers mitochondrial function, both of them are in favor of inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation, then alleviating neuronal and synaptic damage, and finally improving cognitive function.

Abstract Background The occurrence of arrhythmias as a complication of Kawasaki disease (KD) is extremely rare. Moreover, previous literature showed a low incidence of arrhythmias during the acute phase of KD, and the majority occurred in the subacute and chronic phases. To date, we have found only 17 sporadically reported global cases in the available literature. Case presentation We present the first documented case of an infant with KD complicated with supraventricular tachycardia (Atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia) during the acute phase. The arrhythmia resolved promptly after the combination therapy of intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) and steroids during the acute phase since the inflammation subsided. Additionally, we conducted a review and summary of cases involving KD-related arrhythmias. Conclusions KD rarely causes arrhythmias, which might be associated with myocarditis and myocardial ischemia attributed to scar formation and/or excessive inflammatory factors damaging the conduction system. Strengthening the early identification and management of complications in patients with KD and personalized follow-up strategies for high-risk children during the chronic phase can enhance patients’ prognosis.

Abstract Acne vulgaris, a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disorder, is often characterized by hyperactive sebaceous glands and excessive sebum production, presenting a significant therapeutic challenge. While 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) is clinically effective in treating moderate to severe acne, the molecular mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects remain largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the impact of ALA-PDT on lipid metabolism in an acne-like mouse model and in immortalized human sebocytes (XL-i-20), focusing on the role of the OLR1-Wnt/β-catenin pathway. We employed transcriptomic analysis, lipid staining, and gene silencing techniques to dissect the molecular interactions induced by ALA-PDT. Our findings revealed that ALA-PDT significantly reduces lipogenesis by upregulating OLR1, which in turn suppresses the SREBP1-FAS axis, thereby decreasing lipid accumulation in sebocytes. Furthermore, activation of the OLR1-Wnt/β-catenin pathway was essential for these lipogenic effects, as silencing OLR1 or activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling reversed lipogenesis inhibition. This study elucidates a novel mechanistic pathway in ALA-PDT-mediated acne treatment, highlighting OLR1 as a promising target for future therapeutic strategies.

Abstract The relationship between hearing loss (HL) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains unclear. Using individual-level and summary-level data from the UK Biobank and the largest genome-wide association studies, we examined this link through observational, Mendelian randomization and genetic pleiotropy analyses. Among 158,229 participants, PD risk rose with HL severity especially in elder and males, and hearing aids significantly reduced PD risk in males. Although our results did not support a causal association, genetic correlation analysis suggested a localized genetic overlap (17q21.31). We identified 1545 SNPs and 63 genes with pleiotropic effects on HL and PD, including 79 novel SNPs across 6 loci, with 3 showing strong co-localization. These loci were enriched in key tissues like brain, heart, liver and pancreas, linked to the dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase complex pathway, and targeted by drugs such as Warfarin and Phenprocoumon. Overall, this study reveals the risk association, genetic basis, and pleiotropic loci connecting HL and PD.

Background: Elevated blood pressure (BP) in childhood is associated with adult hypertension and arterial stiffness. However, the effect of long-term time in target range (TTR) for BP since childhood on the risk of arterial stiffness in midlife remains unclear. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the independent association of TTR for systolic blood pressure (SBP) from childhood to midlife with arterial stiffness in adulthood. Methods: This study used data from the ongoing cohort of the Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Study. SBP-TTR was assessed over 36 years, with the target ranges of SBP defined as the 90th to 95th percentile of SBP for age, sex, and height in childhood, and 110 to 130 mm Hg in adulthood. Arterial stiffness was defined as brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity >1,400 cm/s. Results: Of the total 1,959 participants, 55.5% (1,088 of 1,959) were men, and the mean age was 49 years. The risk of arterial stiffness exhibited a gradual decrease with increasing SBP-TTR over the 36-year follow-up. Compared with the participants in the lowest quartile of SBP-TTR from childhood to midlife, those in the highest quartile showed significantly reduced arterial stiffness risk in midlife. This association persisted even after adjusting for mean SBP and SBP variability. Furthermore, men in the highest quartile of SBP-TTR demonstrated a markedly lower arterial stiffness risk than those in the lowest quartile, whereas this effect was not observed in women. Conclusions: Higher long-term SBP-TTR from childhood to midlife is associated with a reduced risk of arterial stiffness in midlife, regardless of the mean SBP or SBP variability.

Abstract Exploring sustainable alternative constituents is a key pathway to carbon-neutralization of concrete, but often limited to insufficient understandings of how they interact with conventional concrete components at microscale. In this paper we reviewed the most cutting-edge microprobes used for such purposes, from both laboratory setup to synchrotron radiation-based techniques. We also provided practical guidelines on sample preparation and result analysis, which could benefit researchers who plan to adopt these methods

Abstract Background While many studies have reported renal involvement in sarcoidosis, there is limited description of the pathological manifestations of renal sarcoidosis (RS). This study aimed to explore the standardized pathological diagnosis of RS while evaluating the relationship among pathology, clinical manifestations, and prognosis. Methods We conducted a retrospective, single-center study of RS in renal biopsy cases treated in our department between January 2019 and December 2023. Results We identified 5 patients (4 men, 1 woman; median age 52 years, IQR 36–61 years). Two patients were diagnosed with non-caseating granulomatous interstitial nephritis (GTN), while two patients were diagnosed with tubulointerstitial nephritis without granulomas (TIN), and one patient was diagnosed with acute tubular necrosis (ATN). The grading of tubulointerstitial acute inflammation revealed 2 cases (case 4 and case 5) graded as (+++), with serum creatinine levels greater than 900 µmol/L at onset. Additionally, there were 2 cases (case 2 and case 3) gradedas (+), and 1 case (case 1)graded as (-), with serum creatinine levels approximately 400 µmol/L at onset. All 5 cases exhibited an interstitial fibrosis grade of (-). However, in the second renal biopsy following recurrence in case 4, the interstitial fibrosis grade increased to (++). In two patients with GTN, immunohistochemical staining revealed that the infiltrating lymphocytes were predominantly CD4 + T cells, which formed nodular granulomas and were surrounded by CD8 + T cells. A favorable response to steroid therapy was noted in all cases, especially in case 1, 2, and 3. Conclusions The pathological manifestations of RS primarily consist of acute TIN with or without granuloma formation. Quantifying the pathological grade may assist in guiding treatment decisions and predicting prognosis.

Abstract Blasting excavation is widely used in mining, tunneling and construction industries, but it leads to produce ground vibration which can seriously damage the urban communities. The peak particle velocity (PPV) is one of main indicators for determining the extent of ground vibration. Owing to the complexity of blasting process, there is controversy over which parameters will be considered as the inputs for empirical equations and machine learning (ML) algorithms. According to current researches, the burden has controversial impact on the blast-induced ground vibration. To judge whether the burden affects blast-induced ground vibration, the data of ground vibration considering burden have been recorded at the Wujiata coal mine. Correlation coefficient is used to analyze the relationship between variables, the correlation between the distance from blasting center to monitored point (R) and peak particle velocity (PPV) is greatest and the value of correlation coefficient is − 0.67. This study firstly summarizes the most common empirical equations, and a new empirical equation is established by dimension analysis. The new equation shows better performance of predicting PPV than most other empirical equations by regression analysis. Secondly, the machine learning is confirmed the applicability of predicting PPV. Based on the performance assessments, regression error characteristic curve and Uncertainty analysis in the first round of predicting PPV, the random forest (RF) and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) show better performance than other four machine learning algorithms. Then, in the second round, based on the artithmetic optimization algorithm (AOA), the optimized random forest (AOA-RF) model as the most accurate model compared with the optimized K-Nearest Neighbors (AOA-KNN) presented in the literature. Finally, the points of predicted PPV which have been informed of danger are marked based on Chinese safety regulations for blasting.

This study aims to develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for nursing care during DVSS-Si robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) and to evaluate the clinical outcomes of these procedures. We included 140 patients who underwent robot-assisted LRP: 70 patients who received routine perioperative nursing care (control group) from July 2021 to February 2022, and 70 patients who were provided perioperative care according to the newly established SOPs (intervention group) from March 2022 to December 2022. Comparative analysis of operational metrics revealed that the intervention group had shorter operation position placement times, reduced robot installation times, decreased robot usage durations and fewer adverse events compared to the control group. Additionally, doctor satisfaction levels were significantly higher in the intervention group. In conclusion, the implementation of nursing SOPs for DVSS-Si robot-assisted LRP effectively standardized nursing practices in the operating room, leading to enhanced operational efficiency and improved quality of nursing services.

Abstract Background Stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) can reduce the impact of baseline glucose on the stress hyperglycemia level. Studies have shown that SHR is associated with adverse outcomes. However, its relationship with the prognosis of trauma/surgical ICU patients has not been fully studied. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between SHR and the short-term and long-term mortality in trauma/surgical ICU patients. Methods Clinical data of trauma/surgical ICU patients were extracted from MIMIC-IV. The primary outcome was 28-day all-cause mortality, and the secondary outcome was 365-day all-cause mortality. Boruta algorithm was used to screen the important features related to the 28-day mortality, and Kaplan–Meier curve, Cox proportional hazards regression, and restricted cubic spline were used to explore the relationship between SHR and clinical outcomes. Results A total of 1744 patients were included, of whom 786 were male and 958 were female. The 28-day and 365-day mortality rates were 14.7% and 27.2%, respectively. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that an increase in SHR was significantly associated with an increased risk of 28-day mortality [HR (95% CI) 1.30 (1.07, 1.58), p = 0.009] and 365-day mortality [HR (95% CI) 1.05 (1.02–1.09), p = 0.005]. Restricted cubic spline curve showed that the relationship between SHR and survival rate was "U-shaped". Conclusions Increase in SHR is associated with an increased risk of 28-day and 365-day all-cause mortality in trauma/surgical ICU patients.

Abstract Carbon-silicon-switch strategy, replacing one specific carbon atom in organic molecules with a silicon, has garnered significant interest for developing new functional molecules. However, the influence of a reaction regarding its selectivity and reactivity by carbon-silicon-switch strategy has far less been investigated. Here we discover an unusual carbon-silicon-switch effect in the enantioselective construction of silicon-stereogenic center. It is found that there has been a significant change in the desymmetrization reaction of silacyclohexadienones using asymmetric conjugate addition or oxidative Heck reaction with aryl/alkyl nucleophiles when compared with their carbon analogues cyclohexadienones. Specifically, the carbon-silicon-switch leads to a reversal in enantioselectivity with arylzinc as the nucleophile by the same chiral catalyst, and results in totally different reactivity with arylboronic acid as the nucleophile. Control experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations have shown that the unusual carbon-silicon-switch effect comes from the unique stereoelectronic feature of silicon.

Abstract Background Previous studies have indicated that social connectedness can serve as a protective buffer against negative outcomes associated with online victimization. However, the role of social connectedness between Internet gaming disorder and somatic symptoms is still unclear. This study aims to examine the mediating effect of social connectedness on the association between Internet gaming disorder and somatic symptoms. Methods A cross-sectional design was utilized, using questionnaires for data collection and multi-stage stratified cluster sampling. The general demographic questionnaire, Nine-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short Form, Social Connectedness Scale-Revised and Patient Health Questionnaire Physical Symptoms were used to collect data. We adopted Pearson’s correlation analysis and the PROCESS Macro Model in regression analysis to explore the relationships among Internet gaming disorder, social connectedness and somatic symptoms. Results Internet gaming disorder was positively correlated with somatic symptoms (r = 0.20, P

Modern concrete offers a significant potential for carbon capture, utilization and storage due to their alkaline nature. Herein, we combine the CO2 mineralization in the waste cement paste (WCP) with calcined clay cement to develop a novel low-carbon cement—carbonated waste paste calcined clay cement (CWPC3). Our results suggest that 1 kg WCP efficiently mineralizes ∼0.27 kg CO2 within 2 h, and together produces amorphous silica-alumina gel. This carbonated WCP promotes early hydration and strength development due to its high pozzolanic reactivity. Compared with conventional limestone calcined clay cement (LC3), CWPC3 has higher early strength and lower embodied carbon. Our work provides a synchronized solution to treat WCP while reducing embodied carbon in construction materials.

Coastal cities in China are confronting increasingly severe flood risks, which lead to significant losses of life and property. Here, this study estimate the population exposure to flooding under compounding impacts of climate variation and urban expansion over 1985–2014 and 2021–2100. It finds that the population exposure to flooding is expected to increase by approximately 1.2–4.7 times under such compound impacts. Under the most severe greenhouse gas emission scenario in the future, our projections show that most of China’s coastal provinces, except Shandong Province, will have the largest flood-exposed population. The future flood-exposed population is projected to increase by 2.0 times in Guangdong Province, and by 1.3 times in Liaoning Province compared to the historical period. Additionally, controlling urban expansion will reduce the future flood-exposed population, with the most significant reductions observed in eastern China like Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces (by 36.2–86.5 %), followed by southern areas like Fujian and Hainan provinces (by 9.8–17.8 %). In contrast, intensified compound extreme heat and precipitation events increase the average flood-exposed population by 21–27 % in Guangdong, Liaoning, and Shandong provinces. Our findings could provide valuable insights to help develop sustainable flood mitigation measures for coastal cities confronting flood risks.

ObjectiveS-1, an oral multicomponent capsule containing tegafur, gimeracil, and potassium oxonate, has demonstrated efficacy in various tumor types. This study aimed to assess the pharmacokinetics, bioequivalence (BE), and safety of a newly developed generic S-1 capsule compared to the original brand-name formulation in Chinese cancer patients under fasting and fed conditions.MethodsA multicenter, randomized, open-label, single-dose, double-cycle crossover study was conducted in Chinese cancer patients. The study involved 120 subjects, with 60 assigned to the fasting group and another 60 to the fed group. In each study cycle, subjects were randomly assigned toreceive either the reference or test S-1 capsule at a 7-day interval. Blood samples were collected for analysis within 48 h after ingestion. The plasma concentrations of tegafur, 5-fluorouracil, gimeracil, and potassium oxonate were determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The main pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated using the non-compartmental approach. BE was assessed through geometric mean ratios (GMRs) between the two formulations and their respective 90% confidence intervals (CIs). The safety of the two formulations was also evaluated.ResultsThe pharmacokinetics of the two formulations were similar under both fasting and fed conditions. The 90% CIs of the GMRs for the maximum observed serum concentration (Cmax), AUC0-t, and AUC0-∞ ratios were observed to lie within the BE acceptance range of 80%–125%. Both formulations of the S-1 capsule exhibited similar adverse events (AEs), primarily including decreased white blood cell count and hypertension. These AEs were generally mild and transient. The safety profiles of the two formulations were found to be good and comparable, with no serious adverse events (SAEs) reported.ConclusionThe newly developed generic S-1 and reference formulations exhibit comparable PK in Chinese cancer patients in the fasting and fed state. The formulations of S-1 showed good tolerability and a similar safety profile.Clinical Trial Registrationhttp://www.chinadrugtrials.org.cn/index.html, identifier CTR20171562.

Introduction Hypertension constitutes the primary health burden of cardiovascular diseases, and the global control of blood pressure (BP) remains insufficient. Single pill combinations (SPCs) are employed as a means to streamline the management of poor BP control due to non-adherence and treatment inertia. The compound reserpine and triamterene tablets constitute a quadruple SPC, comprising reserpine 0.1 mg, dihydralazine 12.5 mg, hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg and triamterene 12.5 mg. It is widely employed in primary medical institutions and has favourable efficacy, tolerability and cost-effectiveness.Methods and analysis The COSPQ-BP trial is a 12-week prospective randomised controlled trial to enrol 1332 patients with primary mild-to-moderate hypertension. Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to a 1:1 ratio to an intervention group (compound reserpine and triamterene tablets) or a control group (valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide). The primary outcome will be mean changes from baseline in 24-hour ambulatory systolic BP after intervention for 12 weeks. The secondary outcomes have been predetermined and will primarily encompass the following: (1) changes in other BP measures, as well as changes in blood lipids, blood glucose and uric acid at 12 weeks and (2) evaluation of the impact of starting antihypertensive therapy with compound reserpine and triamterene tablets or valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide on the depressive and anxiety statess of patients.Ethics and dissemination The study protocol (version number: V5.0, version date: 17 January 2023) has been approved by the ethics committee (Biomedical Ethics Committee of West China Hospital of Sichuan University, approval number: Review (51) in 2023). Written informed consent will be obtained from each participant by researchers. The findings of this study will be disseminated through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.Trial registration This study was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR2300067920). The COSPQ-BP trial is currently enrolling. The study period will be from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2025.

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is beneficial for managing rosacea, and chlorin e6 derivative-mediated photodynamic therapy (STBF-PDT) has demonstrated efficacy in reducing acne lesions with mild adverse reactions. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of STBF-PDT for the treatment of moderate-to-severe rosacea. Methods: In this prospective, randomised, evaluator-blind controlled study, patients with moderate-to-severe rosacea were assigned to receive up to six STBF-PDT sessions or 100 mg of doxycycline daily for eight weeks, followed by a 24-week follow-up. Results: A total of 76 patients were enrolled (38 assigned to STBF-PDT and 38 to oral doxycycline) with 69 (36 in the STBF-PDT group and 33 in the doxycycline group) completing the study. At the end of treatment, the median reduction in lesion count was 82.3 % in the STBF-PDT group and 81.8 % in the doxycycline group, indicating no significant difference between the groups. The STBF-PDT group exhibited a lower relapse rate and a significantly higher reduction in Demodex mites. Clinician's Erythema Assessment success (CEA), sensations of burning and pruritus, telangiectasia, and Rosacea-related Quality of Life (RosaQoL) scores were comparable between groups. No severe adverse reactions were observed. Conclusions: STBF-PDT is a promising treatment option for mild-to-moderate rosacea with mild adverse reactions.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most prevalent malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents worldwide. Identification of novel therapeutic targets and development of targeted drugs are one of the most feasible strategies for OS treatment. Ferroptosis, a recently discovered mode of programmed cell death, has been implicated as a potential strategy for cancer therapy. Sulforaphane (SFN), the main bioactive compound derived from cruciferous vegetables, has shown potential anti-cancer effects with negligible toxicity. However, the role of ferroptosis in the effect of SFN on OS remains unknown. In the present study, we found that SFN acted as a potent ferroptosis inducer in OS, which was demonstrated by various inhibitors of cell death. The SFN-induced ferroptotic cell death was characterized by elevated ROS levels, lipid peroxidation, and GSH depletion, which was dependent on decreased levels of SLC7A11. Mechanically, SFN directly targeted p62 protein and enhanced p62/SLC7A11 protein-protein interaction, thereby promoting the lysosomal degradation of SLC7A11 and triggering ferroptosis. Notably, both subcutaneous and intratibial OS models in nude mice confirmed the ferroptosis associated anti-cancer efficacy of SFN in vivo. Hence, our findings demonstrate that SFN exerts its anti-cancer effects through inducing SLC7A11-dependent ferroptosis in OS, providing compelling evidence for the application of SFN in OS treatment.

ABSTRACT To assess the effectiveness and safety of Sacubitril/Valsartan in reducing blood pressure in individuals with non‐dialysis‐dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD‐CKD) Stage 3–5 complicated by hypertension. This study was a multicenter retrospective analysis conducted from March 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024, involving adult patients with NDD‐CKD Stage 3–5 and hypertension, who received Sacubitril/Valsartan either as a monotherapy or in addition to current antihypertensive treatments that were insufficient. The main outcomes measured were blood pressure control, changes in blood pressure and laboratory parameters within 8 weeks post‐treatment initiation, and incidence of adverse events. The study included a total of 459 individuals with NDD‐CKD Stage 3–5 and hypertension. At the study endpoint, mean systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse pressure were markedly reduced compared to baseline (all p < 0.001). The average blood pressure reductions were 12.17 (4.66, 22.00), 6.00 (0.67, 12.66), and 6.67 (0.08, 14.00) mmHg, respectively. Throughout the study period, 96 patients (20.92%) with NDD‐CKD Stage 3–5 developed worsening renal function, 15 patients (3.27%) developed hyperkalemia, and 49 patients (10.68%) experienced symptomatic hypotension. Overall, there were no significant differences in the changes in serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and serum potassium before and after treatment (p = 0.28, p = 0.91, p = 0.61, respectively). Sacubitril/Valsartan significantly lowers blood pressure in patients with NDD‐CKD Stage 3–5 complicated by hypertension, with good safety profiles. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: ChiCTR2400086079

BackgroundPediatric thrombosis is a relatively rare but severe condition in the field of pediatrics, with far-reaching consequences. Recent studies have indicated a rising incidence of this disease in children over the years. Additionally, the pharmacological treatment of thrombotic diseases in children faces numerous challenges. Due to significant physiological differences between children and adults, guidelines for the prevention and treatment of thrombotic diseases in adults cannot be directly applied to pediatric patients.PurposeA systematic review of the existing evidence-based medical literature should be conducted to propose pharmacological prevention and treatment recommendations for pediatric thrombotic diseases. Developing a comprehensive and practical pharmacotherapy guideline for the prevention and treatment of pediatric thrombotic diseases is essential to enhancing the rational use of medications in managing these conditions in children.MethodsThe guideline development followed the World Health Organization's (WHO) Handbook for Guideline Development. This involves systematically searching and extensively collecting data on common medication issues in the prevention and treatment of pediatric thrombosis nationwide. The Delphi method was used to survey experts and identify the clinical issues to be included. Subsequently, a systematic literature review was conducted to evaluate existing primary studies, systematic reviews, and guidelines or consensus statements from professional organizations. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The Delphi method was employed again to reach a consensus on the recommendations and evidence levels. This process was culminated in the development of the Guideline for Pharmacological Management of Thrombotic Diseases in Children.ResultsDuring the guideline development process, a total of 29 clinical issues were collected and evaluated by 78 experts in clinical pharmacy and clinical medicine. Through two rounds of surveys, 13 clinical issues were selected. Under the supervision of two methodologists, 13 clinical pharmacotherapy recommendations were formulated.ConclusionBy conducting a comprehensive assessment of the feasibility and safety of clinical practices, the guideline provides specific anticoagulant medication recommendations for pediatric healthcare professionals. This will help enhance the prevention and treatment of pediatric thrombosis, promoting more standardized and effective medical practices.

Background: The association between co-exposure to multiple air pollutants and the occurrence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was not well-established, and the mediating role of accelerated aging in this association remained uncertain. Methods: Using a cohort of 313,908 participants without CKD at baseline from the UK Biobank, we examined the potential association between co-exposure to multiple air pollutants, including PM2.5, PM10, PM2.5–10, NO2 and NOx, and the incidence of CKD by calculating an air pollution score. Mediation analyses were performed to examine the mediating role of accelerated aging (PhenoAgeAccel or KDM-BioAgeAccel) in this association. Results: During the median follow-up time of 12.9 years, 11,117 participants developed CKD. The results showed that per interquartile range (IQR) increment in air pollution score led to an approximately 9.0 % (6.6–11.4 %) elevated risk of occurring CKD. Compared to the first quartile (Q1) of air pollution score, those in the highest quartile (Q4) had a 21.2 % (14.8–27.9 %) higher risk of developing CKD (Ptrend

This study presents a detailed clinical case of a 10-year-old boy with a history of prolonged cough, fever, and delayed diagnosis of bronchiectasis. Review of the case revealed that the child has had recurrent bronchitis, otitis media, skin allergies, and viral warts since early childhood, indicating persistent immune system abnormalities. Imaging studies, including pulmonary and sinus CT scans, show significant bronchiectasis accompanied by infections and sinusitis. Immunological assessment revealed abnormalities in immunoglobulin levels and T-cell distribution, suggesting a potential immune deficiency. Whole exome sequencing did not identify any genetic variants highly associated with and definitively pathogenic for bronchiectasis but detected a compound heterozygous missense mutation c.420A>T (p.R140S) in the IL2RG gene, linked to primary combined immunodeficiency (CID), a clinical phenotype rarely reported in China due to this gene mutation. This case report not only enhances our understanding of CID but also provides a new addition to the genetic landscape of CID both domestically and internationally, aiding in earlier diagnosis and treatment of such diseases in clinical practice. During the 18-month follow-up period, the child was unable to participate in physical activities, and experienced recurrent rhinitis, sinusitis, and warts. The child’s current weight and height are 30 kg and 140 cm, respectively.

To reveal the anti-protein aggregation ability of brazilin (Bra), hematoxylin (Hto) and hematein (Hte) under physiological crowding environment, the macromolecular crowding reagent (polyethylene glycol) was used to construct a simulated crowding environment. Then the inhibition mechanisms of these three structurally similar polyphenol compounds on the aggregation behavior of human serum albumin (HSA) were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force (AFM) microscope assay. The results showed that they could maintain the stability of the HSA structure, decrease the number of amyloid fibrils and shorten the length of aggregates in crowding environment. Therefore, they inhibited the aggregation process of HSA, and the sequence of the inhibition ability was in the order of Hto>Bra>Hte. Moreover, the presence of crowding reagents could lead to a decrease in the inhibitory activity of these three inhibitors compared to in vitro dilute solution. In conclusion, this study suggested that Hto could be used as a potential protein aggregation inhibitor and a functional food ingredient for the treatment and intervention of amyloid-related diseases.

Abstract The E‐proteinoid 3 receptor (PTGER3), a member of the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) subtype receptor, belongs to the G‐protein‐coupled superfamily of receptors. Animal studies have demonstrated its involvement in salt sensitivity by regulating sodium reabsorption. This study aimed to investigate the association between genetic variants of PTGER3 and salt sensitivity, longitudinal blood pressure (BP) changes, and the incidence of hypertension in Chinese adults. A chronic salt intake intervention was conducted involving 514 adults from 124 families in the 2004 Baoji Salt‐Sensitivity Study Cohort in northern China. These participants followed a 3‐day regular baseline diet, followed by a 7‐day low‐salt diet (3.0 g/d) and a 7‐day high‐salt diet (18 g/d), and were subsequently followed for 14 years. The findings revealed a significant relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs17482751 of PTGER3 and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) response to high salt intervention. Additionally, SNPs rs11209733, rs3765894, and rs2268062 were significantly associated with longitudinal changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), DBP, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during the 14‐year follow‐up period. SNP rs6424414 was significantly associated with longitudinal changes in DBP over 14 years. Finally, SNP rs17482751 showed a significant correlation with the incidence of hypertension over 14 years. These results emphasize the significant role of PTGER3 gene polymorphism in salt sensitivity, longitudinal BP changes, and the development of hypertension in the Chinese population.

Abstract Background Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (IVAs) arising from different portions of the communicating vein of the left ventricular summit (summit-CV) are not a rare phenomenon. Whereas its electrocardiographic (ECG) and electrophysiological characteristics are not fully investigated. Objective This study aimed to identify distinct ECG and electrophysiological features of IVAs originating from different portions of summit-CV. Methods Nineteen patients confirmed arising from summit-CV were included in this study. Results The 19 patients were divided into proximal and distal portion groups based on their target sites in summit-CV. In the proximal portion group, 100% (11/11) VAs showed dominant negative (rs or QS) waves in lead I, while in the distal portion group, 87.5% (7/8) showed dominant positive waves (R, Rs or r) (p 4mV, SI3.5mV, RI/SI>0.83, and RV1/SV1< 2.6 indicated a distal portion of summit-CV with the predictive value of 0.909, 1.000, 0.653, 0.972, 0.903, 0.966, respectively. A more positive wave in lead I and a more negative wave in lead V1 indicated more distal origin in summit-CV. Target sites in proximal and distal summit-CV groups showed similar electrophysiological characteristics during mapping. Conclusions There were significant differences in ECG characteristics of VAs at different portions of summit-CV, which could aid pre-procedure planning and facilitate radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) procedures.

Abstract Background To investigate the association between cigarette smoking, smoking cessation and the trajectory of cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM), and further to examine the association of age at smoking initiation and smoking cessation with CMM. Methods This study included 298,984 UK Biobank participants without cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) (including type 2 diabetes, coronary heart diseases, stroke, and hypertension) at baseline. Smoking status was categorized into former, current, and never smokers, with age at smoking initiation and smoking cessation as a proxy for current and former smokers. The multi-state model was performed to evaluate the association between cigarette smoking, smoking cessation and CMM. Results During a median follow-up of 13.2 years, 59,193 participants developed first cardiometabolic disease (FCMD), 14,090 further developed CMM, and 16,487 died. Compared to former smokers, current smokers had higher risk at all transitions, with hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) = 1.59 (1.55 ∼ 1.63) vs. 1.18 (1.16 ∼ 1.21) (P = 1.48 × 10− 118) from health to FCMD, 1.40 (1.33 ∼ 1.47) vs. 1.09 (1.05 ∼ 1.14) (P = 1.50 × 10− 18) from FCMD to CMM, and 2.87 (2.72 ∼ 3.03) vs. 1.38 (1.32 ∼ 1.45) (P

Abstract Refractory high-entropy alloys (HEAs) have attracted considerable attention due to their stable phase structure and excellent high-temperature properties. In this work, we performed first-principles calculations, coupled with experiments, to explore HEAs with high corrosion resistance. The results revealed that TiNbTa-based HEAs exhibited a lower tendency for corrosion. However, the appearance of local chemical fluctuations (LCFs) increased the corrosion tendency of TiNbTa-based HEAs. Comprehensive SHapley Additive exPlanations analyses uncovered that in a sample with configurational LCFs, the atomic order near the surface was altered. Therefore, corrosion behavior was affected. Based on experiments, the annealed samples exhibited typical chemical segregation and declined corrosion resistance.

ObjectiveTo assess the direct economic burden and influencing factors of road traffic injuries in Shanghai, providing a basis for future prevention of road traffic injuries.MethodsInformation of inpatient cases caused by road traffic injuries was collected from 22 pilot hospitals in Shanghai that participated in the registration and reporting system of injury hospitalizations from 2017 to 2020. The main content of the collected information included basic demographic information, total hospitalization costs for injuries, mode of transportation, cause of injury, nature of injury, location of injury, and hospital level. Univariate analysis was used to analyze the average hospitalization costs and length of hospital stay between different years. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze the median hospitalization costs and the median length of hospital stay between different years, and the median hospitalization costs of different groups. A full subset regression model in multivariate regression was used to explore the main influencing factors of hospitalization costs.ResultsA total of 4 655 patients were hospitalized with road traffic injuries, including 2 675 males (57.47%) and 1 980 females (42.53%). The average age was (53.84±15.37) years old, with a minimum age of 4 years old and a maximum age of 97 years old. 1 907 patients (40.97%) had non-motor vehicle accidents, and 2 748 patients (59.03%) had motor vehicle accidents. The average hospitalization cost is 23 245.71 yuan, with a median of 9 793.94 yuan. The average length of stay was 13.61 days, with a median stay of 10.00 days. The main factors affecting hospitalization costs included year, nature of injury, location of injury, length of hospital stay, and hospital level.ConclusionRoad traffic injuries seriously affect the health of middle-aged and young people, especially vulnerable road user such as pedestrians and cyclists, causing serious injury and an increase of direct economic burden year by year. Therefore, road traffic injury prevention projects should be actively carried out to reduce the occurrence of injuries.

Background Bleeding complications following percutaneous renal biopsy (PRB) are a significant clinical concern. This study aimed to validate and refine existing prediction models for post-biopsy bleeding to support more accurate clinical decision-making. Methods Clinical data from 471 PRB patients were examined in this prospective analysis. Ultrasounds were performed immediately and 6 h post-biopsy to identify perinephric hematomas. Patients exhibiting severe pain, a hemoglobin drop of >10 g/L, symptomatic hypotension, hematuria within 7 days post-procedure underwent repeat ultrasound to assess for bleeding complications. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with bleeding risk. The predictive performance of three kidney biopsy risk calculators (KBRC) was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve, net reclassification improvement (NRI), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and decision curve analysis (DCA) to determine clinical utility. Nomograms were developed for each model to facilitate clinical application. Results Univariate analysis identified body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin, and ultrasound findings as significant predictors of bleeding complications. In multivariable analysis, BMI, immediate ultrasound, and 6-h ultrasound data remained significant (p < 0.05). The three models compared included: KBRC-5 (age, body mass index (BMI), platelet count, hemoglobin, kidney size), KBRC-5 with immediate ultrasound data (IKBRC), and KBRC-5 with 6-h hematoma size (SKBRC). The AUROC values for these models were 0.683, 0.786, and 0.867, respectively (p < 0.001). NRI and IDI analyses demonstrated that adding immediate or 6-h ultrasound data significantly improved the risk reclassification ability of the KBRC-5 model (p < 0.05). DCA indicated that IKBRC provided the highest net benefit for risk thresholds between 25% and 77%, while SKBRC was superior for thresholds between 10% and 95%. Nomograms were constructed for each model, allowing clinicians to estimate the probability of bleeding complications by summing scores for each predictor. Calibration curves showed good agreement between predicted and observed probabilities. Conclusion Incorporating real-time ultrasound data post-PRB significantly enhances the predictive accuracy and risk reclassification capability of bleeding risk models. These findings provide critical insights for guiding clinical management decisions in patients undergoing renal biopsy.

BackgroundPatients with psoriasis also often experience stigma due to skin lesions, and this stigma further leads to severe psychological problems such as anxiety and depression. However, it is unclear how, and under what conditions, stigma relates to mental health. This study aimed to investigate the current status and interrelationships between stigma, social appearance anxiety, alexithymia, and mental health in patients with psoriasis. It also sought to identify the factors that influenced their mental health and to examine the mediating roles of social appearance anxiety and alexithymia in the relationship between stigma and psychological health.MethodFrom June to December 2023, patients with psoriasis were recruited from the outpatient department or ward of the dermatology department of a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou. Patients were assessed using the General Information Questionnaire, the Psoriasis Stigma Scale, the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted using Amos 24.0 to explore the relationships among the variables, and mediation effects were tested using SPSS 26.0.ResultsA total of 317 psoriasis patients were recruited to participate in the survey. The total score of stigma of patients was (82.03 ± 1.52), which was at a moderate level. The total score of social appearance anxiety scale was (49.38 ± 1.00), which was at a high level. The total score of negative mental health of patients was (2.77 ± 0.14), which was at a low level. The total score of positive mental health of patients was (20.14 ± 0.36), which was at a medium level. The findings revealed that social appearance anxiety and alexithymia play significant chain mediating roles between stigma and negative mental health in patients with psoriasis, with an effect size of -0.031. Similarly, these factors also mediate the relationship between stigma and positive mental health, with an effect size of 0.056.ConclusionStigma in patients with psoriasis can directly impact their mental health and can also influence it indirectly through social appearance anxiety and alexithymia. Both social appearance anxiety and alexithymia serve as mediators in the relationship between stigma and mental health in these patients.

Background and aimsAcquired resistance to thyroid hormone appears to exist in the general population. We aimed to evaluate the association between indices of thyroid hormone sensitivity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and made stratified analyses by diabetic status.MethodsWe included 26,413 participants from a health screening program and 8,246 hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes. Thyroid Feedback Quantile-based Index (TFQI), thyroid stimulating hormone index (TSHI) and thyrotroph thyroxine resistance index (TT4RI) were calculated. Advanced fibrosis risk was determined using the FIB-4 score. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.ResultsTFQI was associated with an increased risk of NAFLD in patients with diabetes (fourth quartile vs. first quartile: odds ratio [OR]=1.39 and 1.82 in hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients, respectively, both P

Background In recent years, the research on symptom management in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients has shifted from a single symptom to symptom clusters and network analysis. This study collected and evaluated unpleasant symptoms in PD patients and explored groups of symptoms that may affect PD patients with a view to higher symptom management.Methods The symptoms of PD patients were measured using the modified Dialysis Symptom Index. The symptom network and node characteristics were assessed by network analysis, and symptom clusters were explored by factor analysis.Results In this study of 602 PD patients (mean age 47.8 ± 16.8 years, 47.34% male), most had less than 2 years of dialysis experience. Five symptom clusters were obtained from factor analysis, which were body symptom cluster, gastrointestinal symptom cluster, mood symptom cluster, sexual disorder symptom cluster, and skin-sleep symptom cluster. Itching and decreased interest in sex may be sentinel symptoms, and being tired or lack of energy and feeling anxious are core symptoms in PD patients.Conclusions This study emphasizes the importance of recognizing symptom clusters in PD patients for better symptom management. Five clusters were identified, with key symptoms including itching, decreased interest in sex, fatigue, and anxiety. Early intervention focused on these symptom clusters in PD patients holds promise for alleviating the burden of symptoms.

Abstract Current induced spin–orbit torque (SOT) manipulation of magnetization is pivotal in spintronic devices. However, its application for perpendicular magnetic anisotropy magnets, crucial for high‐density storage and memory devices, remains nondeterministic and inefficient. Here, a highly efficient approach is demonstrated to generate collinear spin currents by artificial modulation of interfacial symmetry, achieving 100% current‐induced field‐free SOT switching in CoFeB multilayers with perpendicular magnetization on stepped Al2O3 substrates. This field‐free switching is primarily driven by the out‐of‐plane anti‐damping SOT generated by the planar spin Hall effect (PSHE), resulting from reduced interface symmetry due to orientation‐determined steps. Microscopic theoretical analysis confirms the presence and significance of PSHE in this process. Notably, this method for generating out‐of‐plane spin polarization along the collinear direction of the spin‐current with artificial modulation of interfacial symmetry, overcomes inherent material symmetry constraints. These findings provide a promising avenue for universal control of spin–orbit torque, addressing challenges associated with low crystal symmetry and highlighting its great potential to advance the development of energy‐efficient spintronic devices technology.

ABSTRACT: Automatically identifying abnormal behaviors of caged laying hens in a thermal environment improves manual management efficiency. It also provides reference indicators for breeding heat-tolerant hens. In this study, we propose a deep learning-based method for automatic recognition and evaluation of typical heat stress behaviors in hens. We developed a lightweight object detection algorithm, YOLO-HGP, based on the YOLOv8n as the baseline model. YOLO-HGP achieves Precision (P), Recall (R), and mean average precision (mAP) of 95.952%, 94.127%, and 97.667%, respectively, effectively detecting typical heat stress behaviors in hens. Compared to the original YOLO v8n, YOLO-HGP improves R, and mAP by 6.257%, and 1.963%, respectively. The FLOPs (floating point operations) and parameter count of YOLO-HGP are 4.3G and 1.729M, reducing by 47.56% and 42.58% compared to the original model. Additionally, we introduce the “ORC-ratio” (The ratio of the combined frequency of open-beak breathing and retching behaviors to the frequency of closed-beak behaviors.) as an evaluation indicator for the frequency of typical heat stress behaviors in hens and combine it with the Hybrid-SORT multiobject tracking algorithm to achieve tracking detection of individual hens. The study demonstrates that the proposed model effectively identifies and quantitatively evaluates typical behaviors of hens in a thermal environment, providing an effective approach for the automated recognition of heat stress behaviors in hens.

Obesity significantly contributes to the progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and elevates the risk of cardiovascular mortality. Atherosclerosis, the primary pathogenic process underlying CVDs, initiates with vascular endothelial dysfunction, serving as the cornerstone of vascular lesions. Adipokines, bioactive molecules secreted by adipose tissue that regulate metabolic and endocrine functions, play a pivotal role in modulating endothelial function during atherosclerosis. This review comprehensively examines the distinct roles of various adipokines in regulating endothelial function in atherosclerosis. We categorize these adipokines into two main groups: protective adipokines, including adiponectin, FGF21, CTRP9, PGRN, Omentin, and Vaspin, and detrimental adipokines such as leptin, Chemerin, Resistin, FABP4, among others. Targeting specific adipokines holds promise for novel clinical interventions in the management of atherosclerosis-related CVDs, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for cardiovascular disease treatment strategies.

The prevalence of environmental problems and the increasing risk of human exposure to environmental pollutants have become a global concern. The increasing environmental pollution is one of the main reasons for the rising incidence of most neurological-related diseases in recent years. However, the ethical constraints of direct human research and the racial limitations of animal models have slowed the progress of research in this area. The purpose of this study is to review the neurotoxicity of different environmental pollutants on the brain using brain organoids as a new model and to conclude that brain organoids may play a key role in assessing the mechanisms by which environmental pollutants affect neurogenesis and cause neurological pathogenesis. To accurately determine the negative effects of environmental pollutants on the nervous system, self-organizing brain organoids that are highly similar to the developing brain have become a new model system for studying the effects of environmental pollutants on human brain development and disease. This study uses brain organoids as a model to summarize the neurotoxicity of different environmental pollutants on the nervous system, including structural changes in brain organoids, inhibition of neuronal differentiation and migration, impairment of mitochondrial function, damage to cellular cilia, and influence on signaling pathways. In conclusion, exposure to environmental pollutants may cause different neurotoxicity to the nervous system. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how to use brain organoids to ameliorate neurological disorders caused by environmental pollution.

BackgroundThe relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and prostate cancer (PCa) remains controversial. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between SUA levels and PCa incidence.MethodsA total of 9,776 participants aged ≥40 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2020 were included, 503 of whom had PCa. Weighted univariate logistic regression, multivariate logistic regression, and smooth-fitting curve analyses were used to analyze the association between SUA and PCa incidence. Concurrently, the fitted smoothing curves were used to explore the potential non-linear relationships. If non-linearity was observed, a recursive algorithm further calculated the inflection point.ResultsThree models were used to analyze the correlation between SUA levels and PCa incidence. All regression models demonstrated a negative correlation between SUA levels and PCa incidence (model 1: OR = 0.88, 95% CI=0.80–0.97; model 2: OR = 0.87, 95% CI=0.80–0.96; model 3: OR = 0.87, 95% CI=0.78–0.96). According to the trend test, with increasing SUA, the risk of PCa showed a downward trend (three models P for trend = 0.037, 0.015, 0.016). According to the subgroup analysis, a significant negative correlation between SUA and PCa was detected in individuals aged >60 years, non-Hispanic whites, those of other races, and those with hypertension. Moreover, the association between SUA and PCa followed a U-shaped curve among participants without hypertension, and the inflection point of SUA was 5.1 mg/dl.ConclusionsThis cross-sectional study revealed a negative relationship between SUA levels and the risk of PCa, particularly in specific demographic groups. These findings offer a fresh perspective on the role of SUA in PCa patients, potentially paving the way for new approaches for the prevention and treatment of PCa. However, further studies are necessary to validate these findings.

Abstract Background Associations between perceived and actual risk of HIV infection and HIV prevention services uptake are inconclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the discrepancy between the perceived and actual HIV risk, and quantify the associations between perceived and actual risk of HIV infection and three HIV prevention services utilization among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shandong province, China. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shandong province in June 2021. Participants were eligible if they were born biologically male, aged 18 years or older, had negative or unknown HIV status, and had sex with men in the past year. Participants were recruited online. The discrepancy between their perceived and actual risk of HIV infection was evaluated by calculating the Kappa value. Bayesian model averaging was used to assess the associations between perceived and actual risk of HIV infection and HIV prevention services uptake. Results A total of 1136 MSM were recruited, most of them were 30 years old or younger (59.9%), single (79.5%), with at least college education level (74.7%). Most participants (97.4%) perceived that they had low risk of HIV infection, and 14.1% were assessed with high actual risk. The discrepancy between their perceived and actual risk of HIV infection was evaluated with a Kappa value of 0.076 (P

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic intestinal disorder characterized by severe intestinal inflammation and superficial mucosal ulcers. Ramulus mori alkaloids (SZ-A) were approved by the National Medical Products Administration of China in 2020 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Later studies confirmed that SZ-A act on multiple inflammatory pathways to exert anti-inflammatory effects, suggesting that SZ-A has the potential to alleviate UC. A temperature-sensitive hydrogel embedded with sodium alginate (SA)-chitosan (CS) microspheres was constructed for colon-targeted delivery of SZ-A. The results showed that the microspheres prepared by exogenous emulsification had rounded and smooth surfaces with high drug-loading capacity. The optimum preparation conditions were as follows: 600 rpm stirring speed; a 1:4 ratio of water-to-oil phase; and a 5% Span80 emulsifier. The temperature-sensitive hydrogels embedded with SA-CS microspheres (TMH) had a moderate gelling temperature of 31.8 ± 0.74°C. The rheologic results showed that the internal structure of TMH was stable with viscoelasticity, and the in vitro release results indicated that the TMH exhibited slow-release performance. The findings suggest that TMH has suitable gelling temperature and viscoelasticity, and may be a promising targeted delivery vector for UC treatment.

Abstract Our research endeavors are directed towards unraveling the stem cell characteristics of lower-grade glioma patients, with the ultimate goal of formulating personalized treatment strategies. We computed enrichment stemness scores and performed consensus clustering to categorize phenotypes. Subsequently, we constructed a prognostic risk model using weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA), random survival forest regression analysis as well as full subset regression analysis. To validate the expression differences of key genes, we employed experimental methods such as quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) and assessed cell line proliferation, migration, and invasion. Three subtypes were assigned to patients diagnosed with LGG. Notably, Cluster 2 (C2), exhibiting the poorest survival outcomes, manifested characteristics indicative of the subtype characterized by immunosuppression. This was marked by elevated levels of M1 macrophages, activated mast cells, along with higher immune and stromal scores. Four hub genes—CDCA8, ORC1, DLGAP5, and SMC4—were identified and validated through cell experiments and qPCR. Subsequently, these validated genes were utilized to construct a stemness risk signature. Which revealed that Lower-Grade Glioma (LGG) patients with lower scores were more inclined to demonstrate favorable responses to immune therapy. Our study illuminates the stemness characteristics of gliomas, which lays the foundation for developing therapeutic approaches targeting CSCs and enhancing the efficacy of current immunotherapies. By identifying the stemness subtype and its correlation with prognosis and TME patterns in glioma patients, we aim to advance the development of personalized treatments, enhancing the ability to predict and improve overall patient prognosis.

Abstract Adverse perinatal factors can interfere with the normal development of the brain, potentially resulting in long-term effects on the comprehensive development of children. Presently, the understanding of cognitive and neurodevelopmental processes under conditions of adverse perinatal factors is substantially limited. There is a critical need for an open resource that integrates various perinatal factors with the development of the brain and mental health to facilitate a deeper understanding of these developmental trajectories. In this Data Descriptor, we introduce a multicenter database containing information on perinatal factors that can potentially influence children’s brain-mind development, namely, periCBD, that combines neuroimaging and behavioural phenotypes with perinatal factors at county/region/central district hospitals. PeriCBD was designed to establish a platform for the investigation of individual differences in brain-mind development associated with perinatal factors among children aged 3–10 years. Ultimately, our goal is to help understand how different adverse perinatal factors specifically impact cognitive development and neurodevelopment. Herein, we provide a systematic overview of the data acquisition/cleaning/quality control/sharing, processes of periCBD.

Abstract Background Under a changing climate, the joint effects of temperature and relative humidity on tuberculosis (TB) are poorly understood. To address this research gap, we conducted a time-series study to explore the joint effects of temperature and relative humidity on TB incidence in China, considering potential modifiers. Methods Weekly data on TB cases and meteorological factors in 22 cities across mainland China between 2011 and 2020 were collected. The proxy indicator for the combined exposure levels of temperature and relative humidity, Humidex, was calculated. First, a quasi-Poisson regression with the distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) was constructed to examine the city-specific associations between humidex and TB incidence. Second, a multivariate meta-regression model was used to pool the city-specific effect estimates, and to explore the potential effect modifiers. Results A total of 849,676 TB cases occurred in the 22 cities between 2011 and 2020. Overall, a conspicuous J-shaped relationship between humidex and TB incidence was discerned. Specifically, a decrease in humidex was positively correlated with an increased risk of TB incidence, with a maximum relative risk (RR) of 1.40 (95% CI: 1.11–1.76). The elevated RR of TB incidence associated with low humidex (5th humidex) appeared on week 3 and could persist until week 13, with a peak at approximately week 5 (RR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.05). The effects of low humidex on TB incidence vary by Natural Growth Rate (NGR) levels. Conclusion A J-shaped exposure-response association existed between humidex and TB incidence in China. Humidex may act as a better predictor to forecast TB incidence compared to temperature and relative humidity alone, especially in regions with higher NGRs.

ObjectiveTo explore the intervention effects of different social media platforms on improving the knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) diagnosis and treatment among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). MethodsA total of 288 HIV-positive MSM were recruited at the Shandong Provincial Public Health Clinical Center from October to December 2020, and according to their preference, the MSM were divided into three groups to receive information on the knowledge and practice of HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment via short message service (SMS), WeChat, and the combination of WeChat and QQ group in six months. The generalized estimating equation used to analyze and compare the intervention effects of the interventions via different social media on the overall knowledge score of HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment among the all and subgroups of the participants. ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 34.67 ± 9.22 years. Six-month follow-up showed that the total score of HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment knowledge in the WeChat intervention group was 0.38 points higher than that in the SMS intervention group (P = 0.01), and there was no significant difference between the results of the other intervention groups (P > 0.05); in the subgroup with high school education and below, WeChat intervention (P = 0.018), WeChat and QQ group intervention (P = 0.002) were better than SMS intervention in improving the total score of AIDS diagnosis and treatment knowledge. ConclusionCompared with SMS intervention, WeChat intervention significantly improved the HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment knowledge score of HIV-positive MSM, and WeChat can be used as the main media for HIV-positive MSM to popularize HIV/AIDS knowledge in the future.

A density clustering-based health monitoring model for complex equipment is proposed for the complex equipment historical data which often has the characteristics of non-spherical shape. The local density and inter-class distance of each sample are estimated from the historical data, and the statistical properties of both are considered to determine the clustering center of the data. For the newly collected complex equipment health status monitoring data, if it is reachable with the density of the clustering center, the complex equipment is considered to be in a healthy state, otherwise it is in a non-healthy state. An actual complex equipment data set is analyzed by numerical simulation techniques, as well as visualization techniques such as scatter plots, box plots and parallel coordinate systems are used to verify the reliability of the calculated results, and the simulation results show that the proposed method can effectively monitor the health status of complex equipment.