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Abstract Background Autoimmune uveitis is an inflammatory disease triggered by an aberrant immune response. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived small extracellular vesicles (MSC-sEVs) are emerging as potential therapeutic agents for this condition. CD73, an ectoenzyme present on MSC-sEVs, is involved in mitigating inflammation by converting extracellular adenosine monophosphate into adenosine. We hypothesize that the inhibitory effect of MSC-sEVs on experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) could be partially attributed to the surface expression of CD73. Methods To investigate novel therapeutic approaches for autoimmune uveitis, we performed lentiviral transduction to overexpress CD73 on the surface of MSC-sEVs, yielding CD73-enriched MSC-sEVs (sEVs-CD73). Mice with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP)-induced EAU were grouped randomly and treated with 50 µg MSC-sEVs, vector infected MSC-sEVs, sEVs-CD73 or PBS via single tail vein injection. We evaluated the clinical and histological features of the induced mice and analyzed the proportion and functional capabilities of T helper cells. Furthermore, T-cells were co-cultured with various MSC-sEVs in vitro, and we quantified the resulting inflammatory response to assess the potential therapeutic benefits of sEVs-CD73. Results Compared to MSC-sEVs, sEVs-CD73 significantly alleviates EAU, leading to reduced inflammation and diminished tissue damage. Treatment with sEVs-CD73 results in a decreased proportion of Th1 cells in the spleen, draining lymph nodes, and eyes, accompanied by an increased proportion of regulatory T-cells (Treg cells). In vitro assays further reveal that sEVs-CD73 inhibits T-cell proliferation, suppresses Th1 cells differentiation, and enhances Treg cells proportion. Conclusion Over-expression of CD73 on MSC-sEVs enhances their immunosuppressive effects in EAU, indicating that sEVs-CD73 has the potential as an efficient immunotherapeutic agent for autoimmune uveitis.

Abstract The escalation of cloud services, driven by their accessibility, improved performance, and cost-effectiveness, has led cloud service providers to consistently seek methods to expedite job completion, thereby boosting profits and reducing energy consumption expenses. Despite developing numerous scheduling algorithms, many of these techniques address only a specific objective within the scheduling process. To efficiently achieve better optimization results for the cloud task scheduling problem, a novel approach, the Enhanced Whale Optimization Algorithm (EWOA), is proposed. EWOA integrates the WOA with the Lévy flight. The incorporation of Lévy flight is tailored to broaden the search space of WOA, expediting convergence with adaptive crossover. The EWOA model is simulated using the Cloudsim tool and evaluated under diverse test conditions. The effectiveness of EWOA is assessed by employing various parameters and comparing them with existing algorithms. The results demonstrate that EWOA outperforms other algorithms in resource utilization, energy consumption, and execution cost, establishing its superiority in addressing the complexities of multi-objective cloud task scheduling.

Abstract Bacteriophage infection, a pivotal process in microbiology, initiates with the phage’s tail recognizing and binding to the bacterial cell surface, which then mediates the injection of viral DNA. Although comprehensive studies on the interaction between bacteriophage lambda and its outer membrane receptor, LamB, have provided rich information about the system’s biochemical properties, the precise molecular mechanism remains undetermined. This study revealed the high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the bacteriophage lambda tail complexed with its irreversible Shigella sonnei 3070 LamB receptor and the closed central tail fiber. These structures reveal the complex processes that trigger infection and demonstrate a substantial conformational change in the phage lambda tail tip upon LamB binding. Providing detailed structures of bacteriophage lambda infection initiation, this study contributes to the expanding knowledge of lambda-bacterial interaction, which holds significance in the fields of microbiology and therapeutic development.

This is an article in the field of ceramics and composites. Phosphogypsum has a large discharge and low utilization rate,and resource utilization is imminent. The heat treatment of phosphogypsum under different temperatures was studied. The influence of heat treatment temperature on the physical phase and microstructure of phosphogypsum, and the compressive strength, phase and microstructure of non burningsample of building materials by the treated phosphogypsum were studied. The results show that with the increase of heat treatment temperature, the crystallinity of gypsum increases and the crystal form changes. After heat treatment at 80 ℃, the crystal of gypsum is dense, and part of it is converted into hemihydrate gypsum. The Gypsum dihydrate formed by hydration recrystallization of hemihydrate gypsum fills the void, forming the internal microstructure of dense and mutual bonding of crystals, so the compressive strength of no burning building materials is greatly improved. After curing for 7 days and 28 days, the compressive strength of non burningsample (the mass ratio of phosphogypsum to cement is 4∶1) reaches 36.45 MPa and 38.12 MPa. The compressive strength of the sample soaked in water for 24 hours is still 21.03 MPa.

Abstract Yangmingism, a crucial component of Chinese Confucianism, has profoundly impacted the development of Eastern civilization throughout history and gained new significance within modern contexts. This study employs social network and GIS spatial analyses to investigate the spatio-temporal evolution and patterns of Yangmingism during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Conclusions drawn include: (1) Yangmingism spread during the Ming and Qing dynasties followed five phases (rise-peak-decline-revival-trough), consistent with general cultural diffusion processes. (2) The spatial structure of regions accepting Yangmingism changed from polycentric to localized ribbon-polycentric, then to monocentric, polycentric, and ultimately, fragmented distribution. Diffusion began with a point-axis structure along traffic routes, transitioned to a core-periphery spatial structure, and returned to a point-axis structure due to reduced diffusion potential energy. (3) Yangmingism diffusion exhibited distance decay characteristics, with the most extensive diffusion in the Han cultural region, primarily located within the middle and lower reaches of the Ganjiang River basin and the Yangtze River Delta. (4) Yangmingism diffusion reflected influences from local administrative hierarchies and cultural development. During the rise-to-peak phase, Yangmingism reached areas with higher administrative and cultural levels, while during the peak-to-decline phase, it disseminated from higher to lower hierarchy regions. (5) The spatial diffusion of Yangmingism is mainly relocation diffusion, followed by expansion diffusion. In the process of relocation diffusion, Yangmingism may reverse the diffusion from the “target regions” to the “source regions” due to the influence of the radiation of the high-ranking regions and the cultural innovation of the “target regions”.

Abstract Brain metastasis (BM) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, limited treatments are available due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Upregulation of lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1) in NSCLC has been found to promote BM. Conversely, downregulating LPCAT1 significantly suppresses the proliferation and metastasis of lung cancer cells. In this study, we firstly confirmed significant upregulation of LPCAT1 in BM sites compared to primary lung cancer by analyzing scRNA dataset. We then designed a delivery system based on a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and exosomes derived from HEK293T cells to enhance cell-targeting capabilities and increase permeability. Next, we loaded LPCAT1 siRNA (siLPCAT1) into these engineered exosomes (exoscFv). This novel scFv-mounted exosome successfully crossed the BBB in an animal model and delivered siLPCAT1 to the BM site. Silencing LPCAT1 efficiently arrested tumor growth and inhibited malignant progression of BM in vivo without detectable toxicity. Overall, we provided a potential platform based on exosomes for RNA interference (RNAi) therapy in lung cancer BM.

The on-ramp merging in multi-lane highway scenarios presents challenges due to the complexity of coordinating vehicles’ merging and lane-changing behaviors, while ensuring safety and optimizing traffic flow. However, there are few studies that have addressed the merging problem of ramp vehicles and the cooperative lane-change problem of mainline vehicles within a unified framework and proposed corresponding optimization strategies. To tackle this issue, this study adopts a cyber-physical integration perspective and proposes a graph-based solution approach. First, the information of vehicle groups in the physical plane is mapped to the cyber plane, and a dynamic conflict graph is introduced in the cyber space to describe the conflict relationships among vehicle groups. Subsequently, graph decomposition and search strategies are employed to obtain the optimal solution, including the set of mainline vehicles changing lanes, passing sequences for each route, and corresponding trajectories. Finally, the proposed dynamic conflict graph-based algorithm is validated through simulations in continuous traffic with various densities, and its performance is compared with the default algorithm in SUMO. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in improving vehicle safety and traffic efficiency, particularly in high traffic density scenarios, providing valuable insights for future research in multi-lane merging strategies.

Due to the increase in traffic volume, load level, and service life of existing bridges, the bending bearing capacity of reinforced concrete beams (hereinafter referred to as RC beams) has decreased, leading to safety issues. In order to solve the problem of insufficient flexural bearing capacity of RC beams, this article adopts the method of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) flexural strengthening RC beams, establishes a finite element model of UHPC-RC reinforcement system, and conducts stress analysis with reinforcement thickness, reinforcement range, reinforcement form, and reinforcement height as parameters to determine the optimal scheme of the reinforcement system. Based on the calculation results, a theoretical formula for the maximum principal stress and maximum deflection of the reinforcement system is proposed. To verify the feasibility of the plan, a reinforcement design was carried out on an existing beam, and it was found that the bending bearing capacity of the RC beam increased by 21%; the high tensile strength of UHPC and the addition of steel fibers have a good limiting effect on cracks; The steel plate of the reinforcement system can be used as a template, reducing construction costs and having good economy.

Abstract Our study aimed to evaluate the correlation between levels of 2,4-DCP(2,4-Dichlorophenol) and 2,5-DCP(2,5-Dichlorophenol) and the prevalence of kidney stones in US female adults. Participants were chosen from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database, spanning the years 2007–2016. Dose–response curves were analyzed using logistic regression, subgroup analyses, and other statistical methods to evaluate the relationship between 2,4-DCP and 2,5-DCP levels and the prevalence of kidney stones. The final study included 3220 participants aged over 20 years, with 252 females reporting a history of kidney stones. After accounting for all interfering variables, we found that every 0.1 ug/ml increase in 2.4-DCP correlated with a 1% rise in kidney stone prevalence (OR = 1.01, 95% CI 1.00, 1.01), whereas the same increase in 2.5-DCP was linked to a 27% growth in prevalence (OR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.01, 1.61). Sensitivity analysis was performed by triangulating 2,4-DCP and 2,5-DCP levels. The dose–response curves demonstrated a linear positive relationship between 2,4-DCP and 2,5-DCP levels and the risk of stone development. Our findings indicate a positive correlation between 2,4-DCP and 2,5-DCP levels and the prevalence of kidney stones in US female adults. This association is of clinical significance; however, a direct causal relationship cannot be definitively established.

Abstract Based on the advantages of laser high brightness, a high-temperature mechanical property measuring device has been developed, which can measure the high-temperature strength of C/SiC composites under the condition of short-term high-temperature rise rate and solve the problem of over-oxidation of materials in conventional high-temperature mechanical properties experiments. The experimental results show that the maximum temperature rise rate is 260 ℃/s at the initial heating stage, and the test time is controlled within 35 s. The tensile strength of the prepared C/SiC composites decreased first and then increased at high temperatures and laser-induced high temperatures. The experimental results are similar to those in the literature under the inert atmosphere. Oxidation has less of an effect on the mechanical characteristics of materials under conditions of rapid temperature rise. The system can be used to test the mechanical properties of composite materials at high temperatures and as a simulation platform for the thermal response of specific thermal protection systems subjected to a constant heat flux. This study can provide a new idea for testing ultra-high temperature mechanical properties of C/SiC materials and provide key technical support for the engineering application and high-temperature testing of C/SiC materials in high-temperature environments.

Highlights The innovation of this work mainly lies in the auto-regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) balance effective by combination of ROS antibacterial and ROS scavenging anti-inflammatory functions with a core–shell nanoplatform (CeO2@ZIF-8/Au), which can not only achieve high antibacterial efficiency, but also promote wound healing, and provide a new idea for the nano-catalytic system in the field of wound healing of bacterial infection.

Microlenses or arrays are key elements in many applications. However, their construction methods involve multiple fabrication processes, thereby increasing the complexity and cost of fabrication. In this study, we demonstrate an optically anisotropic, electrically tunable liquid crystal (LC) microlens array using a simple, one-step fabrication method. The microlens array is formed via photopolymerization-induced phase separation inside a polymer/LC composite. It possesses both polarization-dependent and electrically tunable focusing and imaging properties. Without applying voltage, the microlens array has a natural focal length of 8 mm, which is a result of its inherent gradient refractive index profile. Upon applying voltage above the threshold, the LC molecules reorient along the electric field direction and the focal length of the microlens array gradually increases. Based on its superior properties, the microlens array is further used for integral imaging applications, demonstrating electrically tunable central depth plane. Such LC microlens arrays could find numerous potential applications owing to their advantageous features of being flat, ultra-thin, and tunable, including 3D displays, optical interconnects, and more.

Multimodal Sentiment Analysis (MSA) is gaining attention, but faces two main challenges: efficient extraction of cross-modal features without redundancy and removing spurious correlations between sentiment labels and multimodal features. In this paper, we propose a novel multimodal learning debiasing model, named Bilateral Cross-modal Debias Multimodal sentiment analysis Model (BCD-MM), to address these issues. Specifically, BCD-MM ultimately enhances the generalisation of the model to out-of-distribution (OOD) situations by improving the ability of cross-modal low-redundancy feature extraction and reducing the reliance on non-causal correlations. First, BCD-MM utilizes an attention score-based method to preserve critical information and eliminate redundancy within modalities. It also employs a gated crossmodal attention mechanism to filter inconsistencies through modal interaction, thereby enhancing the extraction of cross-modal specific features. Second, BCD-MM incorporates a debiasing approach with double bias extraction, using a Tanh-based Mean Absolute Error (TMAE) loss function and inverse probability weighting to mitigate spurious correlations. Finally, extensive testing on three public datasets (MOSI, MOSEI, and SIMS) and two OOD datasets (OOD MOSI and OOD MOSEI) demonstrates our model’s effectiveness in both MSA and debiasing tasks.

Recommendation systems play a pivotal role in delivering user preference information. However, they often face the challenge of information cocoons due to repeated content delivery, particularly prevalent in stock recommendations that are susceptible to investor sentiment. In response to the information cocoons, we propose the Sentiment and Price Combined Model (SPCM), which leverages sentiment features and price factors to predict stock price movements. This novel framework combines collective sentiment analysis with state-of-the-art BERT transformer models and advanced machine learning techniques. Over a three-year period, we collected 40 million stock comments from the Guba platform, extracting investor sentiment conveyed in text information and investigating the impact of metrics such as homophily on stock recommendations. Experimental results indicate that both the volume of posts and the agreement index affect the effectiveness of investor sentiment, while homophily reduces the accuracy of participants’ stock price judgments. The recognition accuracy of the BERT-based sentiment analysis model reaches an impressive 84.12%, and the portfolio constructed by SPCM yields a cumulative return four times that of the industry benchmark. Furthermore, homogeneous quantitative metrics also enhance diversification in stock selection.

IntroductionThe impact of farm machinery outsourcing services (FMOS) on grain production has been extensively studied in the literature. However, whether FMOS would adjust cropping structures and ensure food security is little known. To address this research gap, we analyzed the impact of FMOS on the cropping structure adjustment and grain production of farmers.MethodsWe estimate the impact of FMOS on grain production by using data collected from a survey of 3,863 wheat farmers in China. We employ the Extended Regression Model (ERM) to address selectivity bias.Results and discussionThe empirical results show that FMOS can adjust the cropping structure and increase the proportion of household food cultivation. Among all segments of FMOS, fertilizer application services drive the increase in grain acreage more significantly. We also find that large-scale households prefer to self-purchase farm machinery rather than FMOS, leading to an insignificant impact of FMOS on cropping structure. Therefore, in the process of promoting the development of FMOS, we should focus on the coordinated development of various types of FMOS, strengthen the popularization and application of fertilization services, and formulate a differentiated subsidy policy for heterogeneous farmers in terms of scale to better play the role of agricultural machinery in promoting grain production.

BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. Patients diagnosed with stage I CRC typically do not require postoperative adjuvant treatment. However, postoperative recurrence is present in at least 40% of patients with CRC and often occurs in those with stage I disease. This study aimed to elucidate the current status of recurrence and clinicopathological characteristics in patients with stage I CRC.MethodsData of indicated patients were obtained from 18 registries in Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER). The multivariable Fine–Gray regression model was used to identify the mortality risk of patients. Disparities in survival were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves. Logistic regression was employed to identify factors associated with recurrent risk overestimation.ResultsOur study indicated a recurrence rate of 15.04% (1,874/12,452) in stage I CRC cases. Notably, we identified race, age, T stage, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels as independent risk factors for tumor recurrence, substantially impacting prognosis. Furthermore, gender, race (Black), age (>65 years), elevated CEA levels, and refusal or unknown status regarding radiotherapy significantly correlated with an adverse prognosis in patients with stage I CRC.ConclusionsWe identified certain key clinicopathological features of patients with stage I CRC and demonstrated the survival benefits of radiotherapy, offering a new perspective on stage I CRC follow-up and treatment recommendations.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) was defined as a rare disease in China due to its low prevalence. For a long time, interferon β was the only approved disease-modifying therapy (DMT). Since the first oral DMT was approved in 2018, DMT approval accelerated, and seven DMTs were approved within 5 years. With an increasing number of DMTs being prescribed in clinical practice, it is necessary to discuss the standardized MS treatment algorithms depending on the disease activity and DMT availability. In this review paper, more than 20 Chinese experts in MS have reviewed the therapeutic progress of MS in China and worldwide and discussed algorithms for treating relapsing MS (RMS) based on the available DMTs in China, providing insights for establishing the standardized RMS treatment algorithms in this country.

BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease. Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is an important nonmotor feature of PD. Dl-3-n-Butylphthalide (NBP) is a synthetic compound isolated from Apium graveolens seeds. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of NBP on olfaction in rotenone-induced Parkinson’s rats to explore the mechanism and pathway of OD in PD.MethodsThe PD model was established using rotenone-induced SD rats, divided into blank control, model, and treatment groups. A sham group was also established, with 10 rats in each group. The treatment group was given NBP (1 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg, dissolved in soybean oil) intragastrically for 28 days. Meanwhile, the control group rats were given intra-gastrically soybean oil. After behavioral testing, all rats were executed, and brain tissue was obtained. Proteomics and Proteomic quantification techniques (prm) quantification were used to detect proteomic changes in rat brain tissues.ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed significant differences in behavioral tests, and this difference was reduced after treatment. Proteomics results showed that after treatment with high-dose NBP, there were 42 differentially expressed proteins compared with the model group. Additionally, the olfactory marker (P08523) showed a significant upregulation difference. We then selected 22 target proteins for PRM quantification and quantified 17 of them. Among them, the olfactory marker protein was at least twofold upregulated in the RTH group compared to the model group.

Abstract S-palmitoylation is a reversible protein lipidation that controls the subcellular localization and function of targeted proteins, including oncogenes such as N-RAS. The depalmitoylation enzyme family ABHD17s can remove the S-palmitoylation from N-RAS to facilitate cancer development. We previously showed that ABHD17C has oncogenic roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and its mRNA stability is controlled by miR-145-5p. However, it is still unclear whether ABHD17C is regulated at the post-translational level. In the present study, we identified multiple ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) that can stabilize ABHD17C by inhibiting the ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated degradation. Among them, USP35 is the most potent stabilizer of ABHD17C. We found a positive correlation between the elevated expression levels of USP35 and ABHD17C, together with their association with increased PI3K/AKT pathway activity in HCCs. USP35 knockdown caused decreased ABHD17C protein level, impaired PI3K/AKT pathway, reduced proliferation, cell cycle arrest, increased apoptosis, and mitigated migration and invasion. USP35 can interact with and stabilize ABHD17C by inhibiting its ubiquitination. Overexpression of ABHD17C can rescue the defects caused by USP35 knockdown in HCC cells. In support of these in vitro observations, xenograft assay data also showed that USP35 deficiency repressed HCC development in vivo, characterized by reduced proliferation and disrupted PI3K/AKT signaling. Together, these findings demonstrate that USP35 may promote HCC development by stabilization of ABHD17C and activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Mine fire has always been one of the disasters that restrict coal mining and endanger the life safety of underground workers in China, and will cause great waste of resources. In the face of the current serious mine fire accidents, the research and development of new fire prevention and extinguishing materials is undoubtedly an important topic to ensure the safety and efficient production of modern mines. This paper comprehensively discusses the inducements of the current mine fire, as well as the fire extinguishing mechanism and existing defects of conventional fire extinguishing materials such as inert gas injection, mud injection, and spray inhibitor, and new fire extinguishing materials such as gel foam, liquid carbon dioxide, and expandable graphite gel. The problems faced by some advanced fire prevention and extinguishing materials at home and abroad in the current practical application are proposed, and the development of new fire prevention and extinguishing materials in the future is prospected.

TNFAIP1 regulates cellular biological functions, including DNA replication, DNA repair, and cell cycle, by binding to target proteins. Identification of Tnfaip1-interacting proteins contributes to the understanding of the molecular regulatory mechanisms of their biological functions. In this study, 48 hpf, 72 hpf, and 96 hpf wild-type zebrafish embryo mRNAs were used to construct yeast cDNA library. The library titer was 1.12 × 107 CFU/mL, the recombination rate was 100%, and the average length of the inserted fragments was greater than 1000 bp. A total of 43 potential interacting proteins of Tnfaip1 were identified using zebrafish Tnfaip1 as a bait protein. Utilizing GO functional annotation and KEGG signaling pathway analysis, we found that these interacting proteins are mainly involved in translation, protein catabolic process, ribosome assembly, cytoskeleton formation, amino acid metabolism, and PPAR signaling pathway. Further yeast spotting analyses identified four interacting proteins of Tnfaip1, namely, Ubxn7, Tubb4b, Rpl10, and Ybx1. The Tnfaip1-interacting proteins, screened from zebrafish embryo cDNA in this study, increased our understanding of the network of Tnfaip1-interacting proteins during the earliest embryo development and provided a molecular foundation for the future exploration of tnfaip1’s biological functions.

Abstract Natural rhizosphere bacteria has the potential to act as an alternative of chemical pesticides for sustainable agriculture. In the current study, tobacco rhizosphere Bacillus velezensis D exhibited great antibacterial effect against Ralstonia solanacearum, and significantly enhanced the tobacco resistance against bacterial wilt in pot experiments. Then Bacillus velezensis D was labeled with gfp marker and found to stably colonize in tobacco root, the colonization density of strain D in root still remained 5.33 × 104 CFU/gat 30 days post-inoculation. Subsequently, field trials for two years (2021–2022) showed the control effects of the strain D on the tobacco bacterial wilt were 12.26% and 36.37%, respectively, indicating the application of B. velezensis D could improve plant resistance to R.solanacearum. In order to further study the antibacterial activities of strain D, effects of the crude extracts on the swimming ability, cell viability and the morphology of R. solanacearum were analyzed. The results showed that the crude extracts reduced the motility of R. solanacearum, and caused cell wall rupture and cell death. Furthermore, MALDI-TOF-MS and HPLC-QTOF-MS analysis indicated that lipopeptides (fengycin and iturin) and polyketides (bacillaene) were detected in the crude extracts of strain D. Based on these findings, we speculated that Bacillus velezensis D firstly colonized in tobacco root, then produced antibacterial substances at ecological sites to exert antagonistic effects, inhibiting motility traits of R. solanacearum and damaging the cell well. Hence, Bacillus velezensis D could be used as a potential biological control agents against tobacco bacterial wilt.

In this paper, the influence of micro scale and nanoscale limestone powder (LP) on plastic viscosity of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) mixture was investigated. Moreover, a novel method for analyzing water film on particle surfaces has been presented based on low-field nuclear magnetic resonance technology (LF NMR). Results showed that approximately 95% of free water in UHPC slurry is adsorbed on the surface of particles, while the rest is filled in capillaries and macropores. Moreover, rheological properties of UHPC are related to particle size of limestone powder. Micro scale limestone powder (LP1) could reduce the heat release during early hydration of UHPC, increase the fluidity, but has no significant effect on the water film thickness. The plastic viscosity of UHPC mixed with 10% mass fraction of LP1 will decrease by 22.8%, the flowability will increase from 235 mm to 270 mm, and the compressive strength will remain unchanged at 160 MPa. However, nanoscale limestone powder (LP2) increases the heat release of UHPC and significantly reduces its fluidity. A 10% mass fraction of LP2 will reduce the water film thickness of the UHPC by 23.5%, increase the plastic viscosity by 38.5%, and reduce the flowability to 210 mm. Meanwhile, the compressive strength of UHPC will decrease if the mass fraction of LP2 exceeds 5%.

BackgroundGrowing evidence has shown that gut microbiome composition is associated with Biliary tract cancer (BTC), but the causality remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the causal relationship between gut microbiota and BTC, conduct an appraisal of the gut microbiome’s utility in facilitating the early diagnosis of BTC.MethodsWe acquired the summary data for Genome-wide Association Studies (GWAS) pertaining to BTC (418 cases and 159,201 controls) from the Biobank Japan (BBJ) database. Additionally, the GWAS summary data relevant to gut microbiota (N = 18,340) were sourced from the MiBioGen consortium. The primary methodology employed for the analysis consisted of Inverse Variance Weighting (IVW). Evaluations for sensitivity were carried out through the utilization of multiple statistical techniques, encompassing Cochrane’s Q test, the MR-Egger intercept evaluation, the global test of MR-PRESSO, and a leave-one-out methodological analysis. Ultimately, a reverse Mendelian Randomization analysis was conducted to assess the potential for reciprocal causality.ResultsThe outcomes derived from IVW substantiated that the presence of Family Streptococcaceae (OR = 0.44, P = 0.034), Family Veillonellaceae (OR = 0.46, P = 0.018), and Genus Dorea (OR = 0.29, P = 0.041) exerted a protective influence against BTC. Conversely, Class Lentisphaeria (OR = 2.21, P = 0.017), Genus Lachnospiraceae FCS020 Group (OR = 2.30, P = 0.013), and Order Victivallales (OR = 2.21, P = 0.017) were associated with an adverse impact. To assess any reverse causal effect, we used BTC as the exposure and the gut microbiota as the outcome, and this analysis revealed associations between BTC and five different types of gut microbiota. The sensitivity analysis disclosed an absence of empirical indicators for either heterogeneity or pleiotropy.ConclusionThis investigation represents the inaugural identification of indicative data supporting either beneficial or detrimental causal relationships between gut microbiota and the risk of BTC, as determined through the utilization of MR methodologies. These outcomes could hold significance for the formulation of individualized therapeutic strategies aimed at BTC prevention and survival enhancement.

BackgroundObservational studies have reported that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is associated with a series of pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. However, the results have been inconsistent, and the causal effect is unknown.MethodsA two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was performed using summary-level statistics for anti-H. pylori IgG levels from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children Cohort. Outcome data for pregnancy (miscarriage, preeclampsia-eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, placental abruption, premature rupture of membranes, postpartum hemorrhage) and neonates (birthweight, gestational age, and preterm birth) were sourced from genome-wide association meta-analysis as well as the FinnGen and Early Growth Genetics Consortium. Causal estimates were calculated by five methods including inverse variance weighted (IVW). The heterogeneity of instrumental variables was quantified by Cochran’s Q test, while sensitivity analyses were performed via MR-Egger, MR-PRESSO, and leave-one-out tests.ResultsIVW estimates suggested that genetically predicted anti-H. pylori IgG levels were significantly associated with increased risks of preeclampsia-eclampsia (odds ratio [OR] = 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.24, P = 0.026) and premature rupture of membranes (OR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.05–1.30, P = 0.004). Similar results were obtained for preeclampsia-eclampsia from the MR-Egger method (OR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.06–1.64, P = 0.027) and for premature rupture of membranes from the weighted median method (OR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.06–1.41, P = 0.006). No significant causal effects were found for other outcomes. There was no obvious heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy across the MR analysis.ConclusionOur two-sample MR study demonstrated a causal relationship of H. pylori infection with preeclampsia-eclampsia and premature rupture of membranes. The findings confirm the epidemiological evidence on the adverse impact of H. pylori in pregnancy. Further studies are needed to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms and assess the effectiveness of pre-pregnancy screening and preventive eradication.

2-bromoacetamide (BAcAm) is an emerging class of unregulated disinfection by-products (DBPs), with potent cytogenetic and developmental toxicity in animals. However, whether BAcAm exerts toxic effects on mammalian oocyte quality remains to be elucidate. In this research, we investigated the effect of BAcAm on mouse and human oocyte maturation with an in vitro culture system. Our results revealed that BAcAm exposure hindered the extrusion of the first polar body, disrupted the spindle organization and reduced the competence of embryo development after fertilization in the mouse oocytes. Results of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) showed that 605 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the BAcAm exposed mouse oocytes, among which 366 were up-regulated and 239 were down-regulated. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis further revealed that DEGs were mainly enriched in mitochondrial functions, oxidative stress, cytoskeleton, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi and protein synthesis, DNA damage and apoptosis. We then conducted further tests in these aspects and discovered that BAcAm exposure principally perturbed the function of microtubule and actin cytoskeleton. This finding was confirmed in human oocytes. Overall, our data suggest that BAcAm exposure disturbs the cytoskeleton function, thus impairing oocyte maturation. These data, for the first time, provide a comprehensive view for the toxic effects of BAcAm on oocyte maturation.

Abstract Metastasis is responsible for at least 90% of colon cancer (CC)‐related deaths. Lipid metabolism is a critical factor in cancer metastasis, yet the underlying mechanism requires further investigation. Herein, through the utilisation of single‐cell sequencing and proteomics, we identified sulfotransferase SULT2B1 as a novel metastatic tumour marker of CC, which was associated with poor prognosis. CC orthotopic model and in vitro assays showed that SULT2B1 promoted lipid metabolism and metastasis. Moreover, SULT2B1 directly interacted with SCD1 to facilitate lipid metabolism and promoted metastasis of CC cells. And the combined application of SCD1 inhibitor CAY with SULT2B1‐ konockout (KO) demonstrated a more robust inhibitory effect on lipid metabolism and metastasis of CC cells in comparison to sole application of SULT2B1‐KO. Notably, we revealed that lovastatin can block the SULT2B1‐induced promotion of lipid metabolism and distant metastasis in vivo. Further evidence showed that SMC1A transcriptionally upregulated the expression of SULT2B1. Our findings unveiled the critical role of SULT2B1 in CC metastasis and provided a new perspective for the treatment of CC patients with distant metastasis.

BackgroundDiabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a chronic complication of diabetes mellitus, which is the most common neuropathy worldwide. Owing to the inadequacies of existing treatment methods, managing DPN remains a significant challenge. Studies suggest that electroacupuncture (EA) could potentially serve as a beneficial alternative treatment for this condition. Nevertheless, there is still inadequate proof of its therapeutic effectiveness and safety. As a result, the goal of this protocol is to methodically compile the data pertaining to the effectiveness and security of EA in the management of DPN.MethodsTo find appropriate randomized controlled trials (RCTs), nine reliable databases in the English and Chinese languages will be examined. RevMan5.3 will be used to combine the retrieved data and perform meta-analyses. The methodological quality of the included RCTs will be evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment 2.0 tool. The Grades of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system will be utilized to evaluate the degree of strength and certainty of the evidence. We will also perform publication bias, sensitivity and subgroup analyses.DiscussionThis protocol describes the intended scope and approach for a forthcoming systematic review and meta-analysis that will inform therapeutic decision-making by offering current information on the efficacy and safety of EA in the treatment of DPN. The results of the study will help standardize strategies for EA in the treatment of DPN.

Endometriosis is a multifactorial disease associated with inflammation. Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, anti-oxidative, and immunomodulatory effects. Whether vitamin D levels are correlated with endometriosis is a subject of ongoing debate. This study aimed to examine the association between endometriosis and serum vitamin D levels. From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, this study examined the cross-sectional data of American women aged 20-54 years from 2001 to 2006. After adjusting for covariates, multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess correlations. A total of 3,232 women were included in this study. The multiple linear regression model demonstrated a negative correlation between the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) concentration and the risk of endometriosis after controlling for all confounding variables. The odds ratio was 0.73 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.54-0.97 in the adequate vitamin D level group compared with the insufficient vitamin D level group. Our results showed that endometriosis was inversely correlated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels. Further research is needed to establish a causal relationship and determine the potential benefits of maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels for endometriosis prevention.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a significant cause of disability worldwide, with limited treatment options. This study investigated the potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) modified with XIST lentiviral vector to modulate macrophage polarization and affect neural stem cell (NSC) microenvironment reconstruction following SCI. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that MID1 might be crucial for BMSCs’ treatment of SCI. XIST overexpression enriched Zmynd8 to the promoter region of MID1 and inhibited MID1 transcription, which promoted macrophage M2 polarization. In vitro experiments showed that BMSCs-XIST promoted NSC proliferation, migration, differentiation, and axonal growth by inducing macrophage M2 polarization, suppressing inflammation, and accelerating the re-establishment of the homeostatic microenvironment of NSCs. In vivo, animal experiments confirmed that BMSCs-XIST significantly alleviated SCI by promoting NSC differentiation and axon formation in the injured area. The study demonstrated the potential of XIST-overexpressing BMSCs for treating SCI by regulating macrophage polarization and homeostasis of the NSC microenvironment. These findings provide new insights into the development of stem cell-based therapies for SCI.

Summary: Background: Stroke and dementia are the leading causes of neurological disease burden. Detrimental effects of air pollution on both conditions are increasingly recognised, while the impacts on the dynamic transitions have not yet been explored, and whether critical time intervals exist is unknown. Methods: This prospective study was conducted based on the UK Biobank. Annual average air pollution concentrations at baseline year 2010 estimated by land-use regression models were used as a proxy for long-term air pollution exposure. Associations between multiple air pollutants (PM2.5, PM2.5-10, and NO2) indicated by air pollution score and the dynamic transitions of stroke and dementia were estimated, and the impacts during critical time intervals were explored. The date cutoff of this study was February 29, 2020. Findings: During a median follow-up of 10.9 years in 413,372 participants, 6484, 3813, and 376 participants developed incident stroke, dementia, and comorbidity of stroke and dementia. For the overall transition from stroke to comorbid dementia, the hazard ratio (HR) for each interquartile range (IQR) increase in air pollution score was 1.38 (95% CI, 1.15, 1.65), and the risks were limited to two time intervals (within 1 year and over 5 years after stroke). As for the transition from dementia to comorbid stroke, increased risk was only observed during 2–3 years after dementia. Interpretation: Our findings suggested that air pollution played an important role in the dynamic transition of stroke and dementia even at concentrations below the current criteria. The findings provided new evidence for alleviating the disease burden of neurological disorders related to air pollution during critical time intervals. Funding: The State Scholarship Fund of China Scholarship Council.

Abstract In contrast to conventional batteries, anode-free configurations can extend cell-level energy densities closer to the theoretical limit. However, realizing alkali metal plating/stripping on a bare current collector with high reversibility is challenging, especially at low temperature, as an unstable solid-electrolyte interphase and uncontrolled dendrite growth occur more easily. Here, a low-temperature anode-free potassium (K) metal non-aqueous battery is reported. By introducing Si-O-based additives, namely polydimethylsiloxane, in a weak-solvation low-concentration electrolyte of 0.4 M potassium hexafluorophosphate in 1,2-dimethoxyethane, the in situ formed potassiophilic interface enables uniform K deposition, and offers K||Cu cells with an average K plating/stripping Coulombic efficiency of 99.80% at −40 °C. Consequently, anode-free Cu||prepotassiated 3,4,9,10-perylene-tetracarboxylicacid-dianhydride full batteries achieve stable cycling with a high specific energy of 152 Wh kg−1 based on the total mass of the negative and positive electrodes at 0.2 C (26 mA g−1) charge/discharge and −40 °C.

Abstract Background Sec23 homolog A (SEC23A), a core component of coat protein complex II (COPII), has been reported to be involved in several cancers. However, the role of SEC23A in gastric cancer remains unclear. Methods The expression of SEC23A in gastric cancer was analyzed by using qRT-PCR, western blotting and IHC staining. The role of SEC23A in ER stress resistance was explored by functional experiments in vitro and vivo. The occupation of STAT3 on the SEC23A promoter region was verified by luciferase reporter plasmids and CHIP assay. The interaction between SEC23A and ANXA2 was identified by Co-IP and mass spectrometry analysis. Results We demonstrated that SEC23A was upregulated in gastric cancer and predicted poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer. Mechanistically, SEC23A was transcriptional upregulated by ER stress-induced pY705-STAT3. Highly expressed SEC23A promoted autophagy by regulating the cellular localization of ANXA2. The SEC23A-ANXA2-autophay axis, in turn, protected gastric cancer cells from ER stress-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, we identified SEC23A attenuated 5-FU therapeutic effectiveness in gastric cancer cells through autophagy-mediated ER stress relief. Conclusion We reveal an ER stress-SEC23A-autophagy negative feedback loop that enhances the ability of gastric cancer cells to resist the adverse survival environments. These results identify SEC23A as a promising molecular target for potential therapeutic intervention and prognostic prediction in patients with gastric cancer.

Abstract Background Despite the growing interest in the impact of the gut microbiome on cancer, the relationship between the lung microbiome and lung cancer has received limited investigation. Additionally, the composition of the oral microbiome was found to differ from that of individuals with lung cancer, indicating that these microorganisms may serve as potential biomarkers for the detection of lung cancer. Methods Forty-three Chinese lung cancer patients were enrolled in the current retrospective study and 16 S rRNA sequencing was performed on saliva, cancerous tissue (CT) and paracancerous tissue (PT) samples. Results Diversity and species richness were significantly different between the oral and lung microbiota. Lung microbiota were largely composed of the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria. The relative abundance of Promicromonosporacea and Chloroflexi increased in CT, while Enterococcaceae and Enterococcus were enriched in PT (p

Abstract Immune-based checkpoint therapy has made significant progress in cancer treatment, but its therapeutic effect is limited. A replication-defective adenovirus (Ad) vaccine encoding tumor antigen carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) combined with Ad-encoding immune checkpoint PD-L1 was developed to treat renal carcinoma. Three tumor models, subcutaneous, lung metastasis and orthotopic tumor were established, and Ad vaccines were used to immunize them and evaluate the vaccine’s therapeutic effect. Compared to the single Ad vaccine group, the subcutaneous tumor growth was significantly reduced in Ad-CAIX/Ad-PD-L1 combination group. Co-immunization of Ad-CAIX/Ad-PD-L1 enhanced the induction and maturation of CD11c+ or CD8+CD11c+ DCs in the spleen and tumor and promoted the strong tumor-specific CD8+ T cell immune responses. In vivo CD8 T cell deletion assay showed that the anti-tumor effect of the Ad-CAIX/Ad-PD-L1 vaccine was mainly dependent on functional CD8+ T cell immune responses. Furthermore, the Ad-CAIX/Ad-PD-L1 vaccine effectively inhibited tumor growth and lung metastasis in metastatic or orthotopic models. These results indicate that the combination strategy of the immune checkpoint vaccine shows promising potential as an approach for malignant tumor therapy.

Abstract Opioid use disorder (OUD) is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. While recent research suggests epigenetic disturbances in OUD, this is mostly limited to DNA methylation (5mC). DNA hydroxymethylation (5hmC) has been widely understudied. We conducted a multi-omics profiling of OUD in a male cohort, integrating neuronal-specific 5mC and 5hmC as well as gene expression profiles from human postmortem orbitofrontal cortex (OUD = 12; non-OUD = 26). Single locus methylomic analysis and co-methylation analysis showed a higher number of OUD-associated genes and gene networks for 5hmC compared to 5mC; these were enriched for GPCR, Wnt, neurogenesis, and opioid signaling. 5hmC marks also showed a higher correlation with gene expression patterns and enriched for GWAS of psychiatric traits. Drug interaction analysis revealed interactions with opioid-related drugs, some used as OUD treatments. Our multi-omics findings suggest an important role of 5hmC and reveal loci epigenetically dysregulated in OFC neurons of individuals with OUD.

Herein, the overall structure of a nanocluster coprotected by phosphine and mercaptan ligands [Au7Ag8(SPh)6((p-OMePh)3P)8]NO3 (Au7Ag8) was reported. For comparison, a previously reported nanocluster with the same structure, but a different metal composition, [Au13Cu2(TBBT)6((p-ClPh)3P)8]SbF6 (Au13Cu2), was synthesized. In addition, their optical and electrocatalytic CO2 reduction properties were comprehensively compared. The results reveal that the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of the Ag-doped Au7Ag8 nanocluster is 1.62%, which is seven times greater than that of the Cu-doped Au13Cu2 nanocluster (PLQY = 0.23%). Furthermore, the Au13Cu2 nanocluster demonstrates significantly enhanced catalytic selectivity for CO, with a CO Faradaic efficiency ranging from 79.7% to 90.4%, compared with that of the Au7Ag8 nanocluster (CO Faradaic efficiency: 67.2%–77.7%) within a potential range of 0.5 to −1.1 V. From structural analyses, the superior CO selectivity of Au13Cu2 is attributed to the copper dopant.

To explore the radial variation in wood properties of slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) during its growth process and to achieve the early prediction of these properties, our study was carried out in three slash pine harvest-age plantations in Ganzhou, Jian, and Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province of South China. Wood core samples were collected from 360 sample trees from the three plantations. SilviScan technology was utilized to acquire wood property parameters, such as tangential fiber widths (TFWs), radial fiber widths (RFWs), fiber wall thickness (FWT), fiber coarseness (FC), microfibril angle (MFA), modulus of elasticity (MOE), wood density (WD) and ring width (RD). Subsequent systematic analysis focused on the phenotypic and radial variation patterns of wood properties, aiming to establish a clear boundary between juvenile and mature wood. Based on determining the boundary between juvenile and mature wood, a regression equation was used to establish the relationship between the properties of juvenile wood and the ring ages. This relationship was then extended to the mature wood section to predict the properties of mature wood. Our results indicated significant differences in wood properties across different locations. The coefficients of variation for RD and MOE were higher than other properties, suggesting a significant potential for selective breeding. Distinct radial variation patterns in wood properties from the pith to the bark were observed. The boundary between juvenile and mature wood was reached at the age of 22. The prediction models developed for each wood property showed high accuracy, with determination coefficients exceeding 0.87. Additionally, the relative and standard errors between the measured and predicted values were kept below 10.15%, indicating robust predictability. Mature wood exhibited greater strength compared to juvenile wood. The approach of using juvenile wood properties to predict those of mature wood is validated. This method provides a feasible avenue for the early prediction of wood properties in slash pine.

In situ depot gel is a type of polymeric long-acting injectable (pLAI) drug delivery system; compared to microsphere technology, its preparation process is simpler and more conducive to industrialization. To ensure the chemical stability of peptide ACTY116, we avoided the use of harsh conditions such as high temperatures, high shear mixing, or homogenization; maintaining a water-free and oxygen-free environment was also critical to prevent hydrolysis and oxidation. Molecular dynamics (MDs) simulations were employed to assess the stability mechanism between ACTY116 and the pLAI system. The initial structure of ACTY116 with an alpha helix conformation was constructed using SYBYL-X, and the copolymer PLGA was generated by AMBER 16; results showed that PLGA-based in situ depot gel improved conformational stability of ACTY116 through hydrogen bonds formed between peptide ACTY116 and the components of the pLAI formulation, while PLGA (Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide)) also created steric hindrance and shielding effects to prevent conformational changes. As a result, the chemical and conformational stability and in vivo long-acting characteristics of ACTY116 ensure its enhanced efficacy. In summary, we successfully achieved our objective of developing a highly stable peptide-loaded long-acting injectable (LAI) in situ depot gel formulation that is stable for at least 3 months under harsh conditions (40 °C, above body temperature), elucidating the underlying stabilisation mechanism, and the high stability of the ACTY116 pLAI formulation creates favourable conditions for its in vivo pharmacological activity lasting for weeks or even months.

This paper presents an enhanced ground vehicle localization method designed to address the challenges associated with state estimation for autonomous vehicles operating in diverse environments. The focus is specifically on the precise localization of position and orientation in both local and global coordinate systems. The proposed approach integrates local estimates generated by existing visual–inertial odometry (VIO) methods into global position information obtained from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). This integration is achieved through optimizing fusion in a pose graph, ensuring precise local estimation and drift-free global position estimation. Considering the inherent complexities in autonomous driving scenarios, such as the potential failures of a visual–inertial navigation system (VINS) and restrictions on GNSS signals in urban canyons, leading to disruptions in localization outcomes, we introduce an adaptive fusion mechanism. This mechanism allows seamless switching between three modes: utilizing only VINS, using only GNSS, and normal fusion. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated through rigorous testing in the Carla simulation environment and challenging UrbanNav scenarios. The evaluation includes both qualitative and quantitative analyses, revealing that the method exhibits robustness and accuracy.

Heavy metals in flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum from coal-fired power plants are at risk of releaching during the processes of stockpiling and resource utilization. In this study, the effects of organosulfur chelators dithiocarbamate (DTC) and trisodium trithiocyanate-15 (TMT-15) on the solidification characteristics of heavy metals in desulphurized gypsum under different mass fractions, pH values, water contents and reaction times were investigated. The chemical composition and morphology were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The experiments showed that both DTC and TMT-15 were effective at stabilizing the heavy metals in the FGD gypsum, with more than a 50% curing effect for all the heavy metals except Pb. DTC showed a better stabilization for Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn, and Cr, and TMT-15 showed a better curing effect for Cd. The solidified gypsum had good heavy metal stability in low-water-content environments. Increasing the mass fraction, reaction time, and pH decreased the heavy metal leaching, and the mass fraction had the greatest effect on the total heavy metal leaching concentration, followed by the reaction time and pH value.

The microstructure characteristics of TiAl alloy prepared by laser-directed energy deposition (L-DED) are coarse columnar grains parallel to the building direction, which results in serious mechanical properties and anisotropy and limits its application. In the present study, TiB2 can be used as an effective grain refiner due to the extremely high Q value (growth inhibition factor; the larger the Q value of an alloying element, the stronger its grain refinement effect.) of B. With TiB2 addition, TiAl alloys prepared by laser-directed energy deposition with the microstructure of full equiaxed grains were obtained, and the grain size was significantly reduced by about 30% with 0.45 wt.% TiB2. This value has been further increased to 45% when adding 0.9 wt.% TiB2. Moreover, the γm phase was nearly eliminated and the width of (α2 + γ) lamellar was significantly decreased, which has positive effects on mechanical properties. Meanwhile, TiB2 precipitates uniformly distribute in the matrix, as a reinforced particle to increase the hardness and compressive strength of the alloys. The microhardness of the TiAl alloy increased with the increasing content of TiB2. The addition of TiB2 improved the room and high-temperature compressive properties of TiAl alloy while slightly increasing its ductility. These findings have important guiding significance for expanding the application of TiAl alloys.

The pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, is a major pest of legume crops, exhibiting distinct polymorphism in terms of wings and body color. We found that, under crowded conditions, the red morph A. pisum produced more winged offspring than the green morph. The signaling pathways involved in aphid wing determination, like insulin and ecdysone, also play important roles in regulating growth, development, and metabolism. Thus, here, we examined the association between the wing-producing ability and the growth rate, development time, reproductive capacity, and energy metabolism in these two color morphs. The growth rate of red morphs was significantly higher than that of green morphs, whereas green morphs produced more offspring during the first 6 days of the adult stage. Red morphs accumulated higher levels of glycogen and triglycerides and consumed more triglycerides during starvation; however, green aphids consumed more trehalose during food deprivation. Red aphids exhibited stronger starvation tolerance, possibly due to their higher triglyceride catabolic activity. Furthermore, the expression levels of genes involved in the insulin pathway, glycolysis, and lipolysis in red aphids were higher than those in green aphids. These results suggest that the wing-producing ability of the pea aphid may be associated with its growth and metabolism, which may be due to the shared regulatory signaling pathways.

With the continuous development of green energy, society is increasingly demanding advanced energy storage devices. Manganese-based asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) can deliver high energy density while possessing high power density. However, the structural instability hampers the wider application of manganese dioxide in ASCs. A novel MnO2-based electrode material was designed in this study. We synthesized a MnO2/carbon cloth electrode, CC@NMO, with NH4+ ion pre-intercalation through a one-step hydrothermal method. The pre-intercalation of NH4+ stabilizes the MnO2 interlayer structure, expanding the electrode stable working potential window to 0–1.1 V and achieving a remarkable mass specific capacitance of 181.4 F g−1. Furthermore, the ASC device fabricated using the CC@NMO electrode and activated carbon electrode exhibits excellent electrochemical properties. The CC@NMO//AC achieves a high energy density of 63.49 Wh kg−1 and a power density of 949.8 W kg−1. Even after cycling 10,000 times at 10 A g−1, the device retains 81.2% of its capacitance. This work sheds new light on manganese dioxide-based asymmetric supercapacitors and represents a significant contribution for future research on them.

Abstract Battery safety has attracted considerable attention worldwide due to the rapid development of wearable electronics and the steady increase in the production and use of electric vehicles. As battery failures are often associated with mechanical‐thermal coupled behaviors, protective shielding materials with excellent mechanical robustness and flame‐retardant properties are highly desired to mitigate thermal runaway. However, most of the thermal insulating materials are not strong enough to protect batteries from mechanical abuse, which is one of the most critical scenarios with catastrophic consequences. Here, inspired by wood, we have developed an effective approach to engineer a hierarchical nanocomposite via self‐assembly of calcium silicate hydrate and polyvinyl alcohol polymer chains (referred as CSH wood). The versatile protective material CSH wood demonstrates an unprecedented combination of light weight (0.018 g cm−3), high stiffness (204 MPa in the axial direction), negative Poisson's ratio (−0.15), remarkable toughness (6.67 × 105 J m−3), superior thermal insulation (0.0204 W m−1 K−1 in the radial direction), and excellent fire retardancy (UL94‐V0). When applied as a protective cover or a protective layer within battery packages, the tough CSH wood can resist high‐impact load and block heat diffusion to block or delay the spread of fire, therefore significantly reducing the risk of property damage or bodily injuries caused by battery explosions. This work provides new pathways for fabricating advanced thermal insulating materials with large scalability and demonstrates great potential for the protection of electronic devices.

The prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of spinal cord injury (SCI) have always posed significant medical challenges. After mechanical injury, disturbances in microcirculation, edema formation, and the generation of free radicals lead to additional damage, impeding effective repair processes and potentially exacerbating further dysfunction. In this context, inflammatory responses, especially the activation of macrophages, play a pivotal role. Different phenotypes of macrophages have distinct effects on inflammation. Activation of classical macrophage cells (M1) promotes inflammation, while activation of alternative macrophage cells (M2) inhibits inflammation. The polarization of macrophages is crucial for disease healing. A non-coding RNA, known as microRNA (miRNA), governs the polarization of macrophages, thereby reducing inflammation following SCI and facilitating functional recovery. This study elucidates the inflammatory response to SCI, focusing on the infiltration of immune cells, specifically macrophages. It examines their phenotype and provides an explanation of their polarization mechanisms. Finally, this paper introduces several well-known miRNAs that contribute to macrophage polarization following SCI, including miR-155, miR-130a, and miR-27 for M1 polarization, as well as miR-22, miR-146a, miR-21, miR-124, miR-223, miR-93, miR-132, and miR-34a for M2 polarization. The emphasis is placed on their potential therapeutic role in SCI by modulating macrophage polarization, as well as the present developments and obstacles of miRNA clinical therapy.

IntroductionThree-dimensional spectral distributions of forest stands can provide spatial information on the physiological and biochemical status of forests, which is vital for forest management. However, three-dimensional spectral studies of forest stands are limited.MethodsIn this study, LiDAR and multispectral data were collected from Masson pine stands in southern Fujian Province, China, and a method was proposed for inverting forest spectra using point clouds as a unit. First, multispectral values were mapped to a point cloud, and the isolated forest algorithm combined with K-means clustering was applied to characterize fusion data. Second, five deep learning algorithms were selected for semantic segmentation, and the overall accuracy (oAcc) and mean intersection ratio (mIoU) were used to evaluate the performance of various algorithms on the fusion data set. Third, the semantic segmentation model was used to reconfigure the class 3D spectral distribution, and the model inversion outcomes were evaluated by the peaks and valleys of the curve of the predicted values and distribution gaps.ResultsThe results show that the correlations between spectral attributes and between spatial attributes were both greater than 0.98, while the correlation between spectral and spatial attributes was 0.43. The most applicable method was PointMLP, highest oAcc was 0.84, highest mIoU was 0.75, peak interval of the prediction curve tended to be consistent with the true values, and maximum difference between the predicted value and the true value of the point cloud spectrum was 0.83.DiscussionExperimental data suggested that combining spatial fusion and semantic segmentation effectively inverts three-dimensional spectral information for forest stands. The model could meet the accuracy requirements of local spectral inversion, and the NIR values of stands in different regions were correlated with the vertical height of the canopy and the distance from the tree apex in the region. These findings improve our understanding of the precise three-dimensional spectral distribution of forests, providing a basis for near-earth remote sensing of forests and the estimation of forest stand health.

BackgroundA number of recent observational studies have indicated a correlation between the constitution of gut microbiota and the incidence of pancreatitis. Notwithstanding, observational studies are unreliable for inferring causality because of their susceptibility to confounding, bias, and reverse causality, the causal relationship between specific gut microbiota and pancreatitis is still unclear. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and four types of pancreatitis.MethodsAn investigative undertaking encompassing a genome-wide association study (GWAS) comprising 18,340 participants was undertaken with the aim of discerning genetic instrumental variables that exhibit associations with gut microbiota, The aggregated statistical data pertaining to acute pancreatitis (AP), alcohol-induced AP (AAP), chronic pancreatitis (CP), and alcohol-induced CP (ACP) were acquired from the FinnGen Consortium. The two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) approach was utilized. Utilizing the Inverse-Variance Weighted (IVW) technique as the cornerstone of our primary analysis. The Bonferroni analysis was used to correct for multiple testing, In addition, a number of sensitivity analysis methodologies, comprising the MR-Egger intercept test, the Cochran’s Q test, MR polymorphism residual and outlier (MR-PRESSO) test, and the leave-one-out test, were performed to evaluate the robustness of our findings.ResultsA total of 28 intestinal microflora were ascertained to exhibit significant associations with diverse outcomes of pancreatitis. Among them, Class Melainabacteria (OR = 1.801, 95% CI: 1.288–2.519, p = 0.008) has a strong causality with ACP after the Bonferroni-corrected test, in order to assess potential reverse causation effects, we used four types of pancreatitis as the exposure variable and scrutinized its impact on gut microbiota as the outcome variable, this analysis revealed associations between pancreatitis and 30 distinct types of gut microflora. The implementation of Cochran’s Q test revealed a lack of substantial heterogeneity among the various single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP).ConclusionOur first systematic Mendelian randomization analysis provides evidence that multiple gut microbiota taxa may be causally associated with four types of pancreatitis disease. This discovery may contribute significant biomarkers conducive to the preliminary, non-invasive identification of Pancreatitis. Additionally, it could present viable targets for potential therapeutic interventions in the disease’s treatment.

Tunable absorbers attract much attention due to their wide applications, such as integrated optical sensors, multiplexing far-field imaging and so on. In this paper, we design a multi-polarization selective absorber based on terahertz metasurface, whose geometric symmetry is tunable to satisfy the requirements of linear and circular polarization selective absorbers. At the ON state, the metasurface selectively absorbs y-polarized wave at 1.0 THz, with the linear dichroism of 0.84. At the OFF state, the metasurface selectively absorbs left circularly polarized wave at 1.16 THz, with the circular dichroism of 0.81. The physical mechanism of the metasurface is explained by the Jones calculus and the electromagnetic field distributions. In addition, the multi-polarization selective behavior is insensitive to the incident angle. Finally, we design a sample to verify the potential application of the metasurface absorber, which displays multiplexing imaging of ‘C’, ‘mirrored C’, ‘O’ and blurred images under different polarized incidences at different states. Such a metasurface, switching between linear polarization selective absorber and circular polarization selective absorber, may achieve stable applications in multifunction integrated absorbers, detectors, and image encryptions.