A Plant Strategy: Irrigation, Nitrogen Fertilization, and Climatic Conditions Regulated the Carbon Allocation and Yield of Oilseed Flax in Semi-Arid Area

The injudicious use of water and fertilizer to maximize crop yield not only leads to environmental pollution, but also causes enormous economic losses. For this reason, we investigated the effect of nitrogen (N) (N0 (0), N60 (60 kg ha-1), and N120 (120 kg ha-1)) at different irrigation levels (I0 (0), I1200 (budding 600 m3 ha-1 + kernel 600 m3 ha-1), and I1800 (budding 900 m3 ha-1 + kernel 900 m3 ha-1)) on oilseed flax in the Loess Plateau of China in 2019 and 2020. The objective was to establish appropriate irrigation and fertilizer management strategies that enhance the grain yield (GY) of oilseed flax and maximize water and N productivity. The results demonstrated that irrigation and N application and their coupling effects promoted dry matter accumulation (DMA) and non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) synthesis, and increased the GY of oilseed flax. The contents of NSC in various organs of flax were closely related to grain yield and yield components. Higher NSC in stems was conducive to increased sink capacity (effective capsule number per plant (EC) and thousand kernel weight (TKW)), and the coupling of irrigation and N affected GY by promoting NSC synthesis. Higher GY was obtained by the interaction of irrigation and N fertilizer, with the increase rate ranging from 15.84% to 35.40%. Additionally, in the increased yield of oilseed flax, 39.70-78.06%, 14.49-54.11%, and -10.6-24.93% were contributed by the application of irrigation and nitrogen and the interaction of irrigation and nitrogen (I × N), respectively. Irrigation was the main factor for increasing the GY of oilseed flax. In addition, different climatic conditions changed the contribution of irrigation and N and their interaction to yield increase in oilseed flax. Drought and low temperature induced soluble sugar (SS) and starch (ST) synthesis to resist an unfavorable environment, respectively. The structural equation model showed that the key factors to increasing the GY of oilseed flax by irrigation and nitrogen fertilization were the differential increases in DMA, EC, and TKW. The increases in EC and TKW were attributed to the promotion of DMA and NSC synthesis in oilseed flax organs by irrigation, nitrogen fertilization, and their coupling effects. The I1200N60 treatment obtained higher water use efficiency (WUE) and N partial factor productivity (NPFP) due to lower actual evapotranspiration (ETa) and lower N application rate. Therefore, the strategy of 1200 m3 ha-1 irrigation and 60 kg ha-1 N application is recommended for oilseed flax in semi-arid and similar areas to achieve high grain yield and efficient use of resources.

A chitosan-based hydrogel loaded with fenofibrate for diabetic wound healing

Diabetic wounds represent a common chronic condition, posing significant challenges in the treatment process due to bacterial infections, increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and exacerbated inflammation. Fenofibrate (FEN) is a clinical medication used for lipid regulation. In this study, it was utilized for the first time as an effective component of wound dressings for treating diabetic ulcers, exploring its novel applications further. Therefore, we prepared a polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan/FEN (PCF) hydrogel using a freeze-thaw method and conducted physicochemical characterization of the PCF hydrogel to further elucidate its biological functions. In vitro studies demonstrated that the PCF hydrogel exhibits excellent biocompatibility along with significant antimicrobial, pro-angiogenic, ROS-scavenging, and anti-inflammatory properties. Subsequent animal experiments indicated that the PCF hydrogel has the ability to promote blood vessel formation and collagen deposition. Additionally, the PCF hydrogel showed a significant inhibitory effect on the inflammatory response, as evidenced by the reductions in the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). These compelling findings accentuate the promising application of the PCF hydrogel in the treatment of diabetic wounds.

Periodontitis prevalence and acceleration of biological aging: Insights from NHANES 2009-2014 and Mendelian randomization study

AIM

This study aimed to investigate the association of periodontitis with biological aging and to assess potential causality using Mendelian randomization (MR).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study with 9558 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009-2014) was conducted. Age acceleration (BioAgeAccel and PhenoAgeAccel) was calculated from clinical biomarkers and their discrepancies with chronological age. Two-sample MR analysis was performed using data from a large-scale genome-wide association study and UK Biobank.

RESULTS

Periodontitis was associated with increased biological aging, with 0.57-year (95% CI: 0.28-0.86, p < .001) increases in BioAgeAccel and 0.41-year (95% CI: 0.04-0.78, p = .034) increases in PhenoAgeAccel. Subgroup analysis found significantly stronger associations in males for BioAgeAccele (PINTERACTION = .006), and pronounced associations in young adults (pinteraction = .023), individuals with normal body mass index (pinteraction = .015), and current smokers (pinteraction = .016) for PehonAgeAccel. MR analysis did not provide strong evidence for a causal effect of periodontitis on biological aging (BioAgeAccel: IVW β = 0.008, 95% CI: -0.018 to 0.034, p = .553 and PhenoAgeAccel: IVW β = 0.016, 95% CI: -0.042 to 0.074, p = .585).

CONCLUSION

This study identified the association of periodontitis and its severity with accelerated aging, suggesting periodontal health could be a possible method in personalized preventive and therapeutic strategies of biological aging.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Effect of Oyster Mushroom Spherical Virus Infection in Pleurotus ostreatus

Oyster mushroom spherical virus (OMSV) is a mycovirus that inhibits mycelial growth, induces malformation symptoms, and decreases the yield of fruiting bodies in Pleurotus ostreatus. However, the pathogenic mechanism of OMSV infection in P. ostreatus is poorly understood. In this study, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was conducted, identifying 354 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the mycelium of P. ostreatus during OMSV infection. Verifying the RNA-seq data through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction on 15 DEGs confirmed the consistency of gene expression trends. Both Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses highlighted the pivotal role of primary metabolic pathways in OMSV infection. Additionally, significant changes were noted in the gene expression levels of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), which are crucial for providing the carbohydrates needed for fungal growth, development, and reproduction by degrading renewable lignocellulose. The activities of carboxymethyl cellulase, laccase, and amylase decreased, whereas chitinase activity increased, suggesting a potential mechanism by which OMSV influenced mycelial growth through modulating CAZyme activities. Therefore, this study provided insights into the pathogenic mechanisms triggered by OMSV in P. ostreatus.

[Renal eosinophilic vacuolated tumor: a clinicopathological analysis of seven cases]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features and differential diagnosis of eosinophilic vacuolated tumor (EVT). Methods: Seven cases of EVT with characteristic morphology and unequivocal diagnosis from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University (6 cases), Qingdao, China and the 971 Hospital of PLA Navy (1 case), Qingdao, China between January 2010 and December 2021 were subject to morphological and immunohistochemical analyses. Additionally, whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed in two cases. Twenty-two cases of renal oncocytoma (RO) and 17 cases of eosinophilic chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (eChRCC) diagnosed at the same time were used as controls. Results: Four males and three females with a mean age of 42 years (range: 29-61 years) were included in the study. The tumors were nodular and well-circumscribed, with sizes ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 cm. On cross-section, they appeared gray-red or gray-white, solid, and soft. Tumor cells were arranged in nests, solid sheets, and acinar or small vesicular structures. These cells exhibited eosinophilic cytoplasm with large, prominent clear vacuoles and round nuclei with prominent nucleoli. Perinuclear halos were focally present in four cases, while small tumor cells with sparse cytoplasm and hyperchromatic nuclei were seen in one case. No necrosis or mitosis was noted. Edematous stroma was detected in three cases. All tumors were positive for CD117 and Cathepsin K, but negative for vimentin and CK7. CK20 was positive in scattered individual cells, and Ki-67 positivity ranged from 1% to 4%. Point mutations in MTOR were identified in both patients who were subject to the molecular analysis. Statistical differences in the expression of Cathepsin K, CD10, S-100A1, and Cyclin D1 between EVT and RO (P<0.05) were significant, so were the differences in the expression of Cathepsin K, CD10, CK7 and claudin 7 between EVT and eChRCC (P<0.001). Seven patients were followed up for 4 to 96 months (mean, 50 months), with no recurrences or metastases. Conclusions: EVT is a rare renal tumor that shares morphological and immunophenotypic features with RO and eChRCC, and it is closely linked to the TSC/MTOR pathway. The presence of large prominent transparent vacuoles in eosinophilic cytoplasm along with conspicuous nucleoli is its key morphological characteristics. The use of combined immunohistochemical stains greatly aids in its diagnosis. Typically, the tumor exhibits indolent biological behaviors with a favorable prognosis.

[Study on the impact of aging on the brain activity patterns in auditory speech comprehension dual-route regions]

Objective: To elucidate the patterns of neural activity alterations associated with auditory speech comprehension across the lifespan and the impact of varying listening environments on these dynamics. Methods: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was employed to measure the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin in the brains of 93 adults aged from 20 to 70 with normal hearing. These participants were recruited from Beijing Tongren Hospital, affiliated with Capital Medical University, between March 2021 and February 2023. Brain activity was recorded as subjects passively listened to sentences in both silent and noise conditions with varying signal-to-noise ratios (SNR). The alterations in brain activity were analyzed to delineate the age-related trends under different auditory conditions. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 software. Results: The bilateral primary auditory cortex, superior temporal gyrus, and Wernicke's area, critical for sound signal discrimination and perception, exhibited enhanced activity post-stimulus presentation. Broca's area, pivotal for speech production, demonstrated an initial decrease in activity followed by an increment after stimulus onset. The ventral middle temporal gyrus and dorsal postcentral gyrus showed augmented activity in later time windows. Furthermore, it was observed that in quiet conditions and at low noise levels (SNR=10 dB), auditory cortical activity diminished with age. With increasing noise levels (SNR=5 dB), compensatory brain regions (right ventral middle temporal gyrus and dorsal postcentral gyrus) showed enhanced activity with advancing age. As noise intensity further escalated (SNR=0, SNR=-5 dB), not only did auditory cortical activity decline, but also the activity in regions associated with semantic processing and motor functions reduced with age. Conclusion: During auditory speech comprehension, dual-pathway brain regions exhibit distinct activity patterns. With heightened noise exposure, an increasing number of brain regions are influenced by aging, manifesting as a general decline in activity in most dual-pathway regions, alongside a selective augmentation in some compensatory regions on the right hemisphere.

Combination of Searches for Higgs Boson Pair Production in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter presents results from a combination of searches for Higgs boson pair production using 126-140  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data at sqrt[s]=13  TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector. At 95% confidence level (CL), the upper limit on the production rate is 2.9 times the standard model (SM) prediction, with an expected limit of 2.4 assuming no Higgs boson pair production. Constraints on the Higgs boson self-coupling modifier κ_{λ}=λ_{HHH}/λ_{HHH}^{SM}, and the quartic HHVV coupling modifier κ_{2V}=g_{HHVV}/g_{HHVV}^{SM}, are derived individually, fixing the other parameter to its SM value. The observed 95% CL intervals are -1.2<κ_{λ}<7.2 and 0.6<κ_{2V}<1.5, respectively, while the expected intervals are -1.6<κ_{λ}<7.2 and 0.4<κ_{2V}<1.6 in the SM case. Constraints obtained for several interaction parameters within Higgs effective field theory are the strongest to date, offering insights into potential deviations from SM predictions.

Strong and Weak CP Tests in Sequential Decays of Polarized Σ^{0} Hyperons

The J/ψ, ψ(3686)→Σ^{0}Σ[over ¯]^{0} processes and subsequent decays are studied using the world's largest J/ψ and ψ(3686) data samples collected with the BESIII detector. The parity-violating decay parameters of the decays Σ^{0}→Λγ and Σ[over ¯]^{0}→Λ[over ¯]γ, α_{Σ^{0}}=-0.0017±0.0021±0.0018 and α[over ¯]_{Σ^{0}}=0.0021±0.0020±0.0022, are measured for the first time. The strong CP symmetry is tested in the decays of the Σ^{0} hyperons for the first time by measuring the asymmetry A_{CP}^{Σ}=α_{Σ^{0}}+α[over ¯]_{Σ^{0}}=(0.4±2.9±1.3)×10^{-3}. The weak CP test is performed in the subsequent decays of their daughter particles Λ and Λ[over ¯]. Also for the first time, the transverse polarizations of the Σ^{0} hyperons in J/ψ and ψ(3686) decays are observed with opposite directions, and the ratios between the S-wave and D-wave contributions of the J/ψ, ψ(3686)→Σ^{0}Σ[over ¯]^{0} decays are obtained. These results are crucial to understand the decay dynamics of the charmonium states and the production mechanism of the Σ^{0}-Σ[over ¯]^{0} pairs.

Polymeric Dural Biomaterials in Spinal Surgery: A Review

Laminectomy is a commonly performed surgical procedure by orthopedic and neurosurgeons, aimed at alleviating nerve compression and reducing pain. However, in some cases, excessive proliferation of fibrous scar tissue in the epidural space post-surgery can lead to persistent and intractable lower back pain, a condition known as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS). The persistent fibrous tissue causes both physical and emotional distress for patients and also makes follow-up surgeries more challenging due to reduced visibility and greater technical difficulty. It has been established that the application of biomaterials to prevent epidural fibrosis post-lumbar surgery is more beneficial than revision surgeries to relieve dural fibrosis. Hydrogel-based biomaterials, with their excellent biocompatibility, degradability, and injectability and tunable mechanical properties, have been increasingly introduced by clinicians and researchers. This paper, building on the foundation of epidural fibrosis, primarily discusses the strategies for the preparation of natural and polymeric biomaterials to prevent epidural fibrosis, their physicochemical properties, and their ability to mitigate the excessive proliferation of fibroblasts. It also emphasizes the challenges that need to be addressed to translate laboratory research into clinical practice and the latest advancements in this field.

[Current research status of virus-like particle vaccine]

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are self-assembled protein nanoparticles with repetitive antigen epitopes, which can stimulate immune response and do not contain viral genetic materials. VLPs has important research value and application potential in vaccine development, targeted drug delivery and bioengineering materials. In this review, the mechanism of VLPs vaccine induced immune responses is discussed. The existing VLPs expression systems are summarized. The research progress of VLPs vaccine in prevention and treatment of virus infection are summarized. This review provides general reference and guidance for the design and development of antiviral VLPs vaccine.

Membrane RRM2-positive cells represent a malignant population with cancer stem cell features in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is one of the most lethal malignancies and highly heterogeneous. We thus aimed to identify and characterize iCCA cell subpopulations with severe malignant features.

METHODS

Transcriptomic datasets from three independent iCCA cohorts (iCCA cohorts 1-3, n = 382) and formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues from iCCA cohort 4 (n = 31) were used. An unbiased global screening strategy was established, including the transcriptome analysis with the activated malignancy/stemness (MS) signature in iCCA cohorts 1-3 and the mass spectrometry analysis of the sorted stemness reporter-positive iCCA cells. A group of cellular assays and subcutaneous tumor xenograft assay were performed to investigate functional roles of the candidate. Immunohistochemistry was performed in iCCA cohort 4 to examine the expression and localization of the candidate. Molecular and biochemical assays were used to evaluate the membrane localization and functional protein domains of the candidate. Cell sorting was performed and the corresponding cellular molecular assays were utilized to examine cancer stem cell features of the sorted cells.

RESULTS

The unbiased global screening identified RRM2 as the top candidate, with a significantly higher level in iCCA patients with the MS signature activation and in iCCA cells positive for the stemness reporter. Consistently, silencing RRM2 significantly suppressed iCCA malignancy phenotypes both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, immunohistochemistry in tumor tissues of iCCA patients revealed an unreported cell membrane localization of RRM2, in contrast to its usual cytoplasmic localization. RRM2 cell membrane localization was then confirmed in iCCA cells via immunofluorescence with or without cell membrane permeabilization, cell fractionation assay and cell surface biotinylation assay. Meanwhile, an unclassical signal peptide and a transmembrane domain of RRM2 were revealed experimentally. They were essential for RRM2 trafficking to cell membrane via the conventional endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi secretory pathway. Furthermore, the membrane RRM2-positive iCCA cells were successfully sorted. These cells possessed significant cancer stem cell malignant features including cell differentiation ability, self-renewal ability, tumor initiation ability, and stemness/malignancy gene signatures. Patients with membrane RRM2-positive iCCA cells had poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

RRM2 had an alternative cell membrane localization. The membrane RRM2-positive iCCA cells represented a malignant subpopulation with cancer stem cell features.

Studies of the Energy Dependence of Diboson Polarization Fractions and the Radiation-Amplitude-Zero Effect in WZ Production with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter presents the first study of the energy dependence of diboson polarization fractions in WZ→ℓνℓ^{'}ℓ^{'}(ℓ,ℓ^{'}=e,μ) production. The dataset used corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 140  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector. Two fiducial regions with an enhanced presence of events featuring two longitudinally polarized bosons are defined. A nonzero fraction of events with two longitudinally polarized bosons is measured with an observed significance of 5.3 standard deviations in the region with 100200  GeV, where p_{T}^{Z} is the transverse momentum of the Z boson. This Letter also reports the first study of the radiation-amplitude-zero effect. Events with two transversely polarized bosons are analyzed for the ΔY(ℓ_{W}Z) and ΔY(WZ) distributions defined respectively as the rapidity difference between the lepton from the W boson decay and the Z boson and the rapidity difference between the W boson and the Z boson. Significant suppression of events near zero is observed in both distributions. Unfolded ΔY(ℓ_{W}Z) and ΔY(WZ) distributions are also measured and compared to theoretical predictions.

Gene-Engineered Cerium-Exosomes Mediate Atherosclerosis Therapy Through Remodeling of the Inflammatory Microenvironment and DNA Damage Repair

The pro-inflammatory immune microenvironment in the localized lesion areas and the absence of DNA damage repair mechanisms in endothelial cells serve as essential accelerating factors in the development of atherosclerosis. The lack of targeted therapeutic strategies represents a significant limitation in the efficacy of therapeutic agents for atherosclerosis. In this study, Genetically engineered SNHG12-loaded cerium-macrophage exosomes (Ce-Exo) are designed as atherosclerosis-targeting agents. In vivo studies demonstrated that Ce-Exo exhibited multivalent targeting properties for macrophages, with a 4.1-fold higher atherosclerotic plaque-aggregation ability than that of the control drugs. This suggests that Ce-Exo has a higher homing capacity and deeper penetration into the atherosclerotic plaque. In apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, Ce-Exo found to effectively remodel the immune microenvironment in the lesion area, repair endothelial cell damage, and inhibit the development of atherosclerosis. This study provides a novel approach to the treatment of atherosclerosis and demonstrates the potential of cell-derived drug carriers in biomedicine.

Modeling the Impact of Proactive Community Case Management on Reducing Confirmed Malaria Cases in Sub-Saharan African Countries

Malaria continues to be a major source of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Timely, accurate, and effective case management is critical to malaria control. Proactive community case management (ProCCM) is a new strategy in which a community health worker "sweeps" a village, visiting households at defined intervals to proactively provide diagnostic testing and treatment if indicated. Pilot experiments have shown the potential of ProCCM for controlling malaria transmission; identifying the best strategy for administering ProCCM in terms of interval timings and number of sweeps could lead to further reductions in malaria infections. We developed an agent-based simulation to model malaria transmission and the impact of various ProCCM strategies. The model was validated using symptomatic prevalence data from a ProCCM pilot study in Senegal. Various ProCCM strategies were tested to evaluate the potential for reducing parasitologically confirmed symptomatic malaria cases in the Senegal setting. We found that weekly ProCCM sweeps during a 21-week transmission season could reduce cases by 36.3% per year compared with no sweeps. Alternatively, two initial fortnightly sweeps, seven weekly sweeps, and finally four fortnightly sweeps (13 sweeps total) could reduce confirmed malaria cases by 30.5% per year while reducing the number of diagnostic tests and corresponding costs by about 33%. Under a highly seasonal transmission setting, starting the sweeps early with longer duration and higher frequency would increase the impact of ProCCM, though with diminishing returns. The model is flexible and allows decision-makers to evaluate implementation strategies incorporating sweep frequency, time of year, and available budget.

Metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease and risk of Alzheimer's disease: a real-world retrospective cohort study

Objective

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is increasingly recognized as being associated with metabolic disorders, including Metabolic Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). This study aimed to assess the relative risk of AD in individuals with MASLD.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from individuals aged over 65 who underwent health check-ups between January 2018 and June 2023. MASLD was diagnosed based on ultrasound findings and cardiometabolic criteria. AD incidence was identified using ICD-10 codes and self-reports. Poisson regression models estimated the relative risk of AD in relation to MASLD, adjusting for age, BMI, sex, SBP, HbA1c, HDL-c, triglycerides, hs-CRP, GGT, and estimated GFR.

Results

The study included 4,582 MASLD patients and 6,318 controls. MASLD patients showed a higher incidence of AD (127 cases) compared to controls (61 cases). The fully adjusted Poisson regression model indicated an increased AD risk in MASLD patients [RR: 2.80 (95% CI: 1.79-4.38)].

Conclusion

Our findings suggested MASLD as an independent risk factor for AD, underlining the role of metabolic dysfunctions in AD pathogenesis. The study emphasized the need for comprehensive metabolic health management in AD prevention strategies, particularly among high-risk groups.

Analysis of the Spatial Distribution and Common Mode Error Correlation in a Small-Scale GNSS Network

When analyzing GPS time series, common mode errors (CME) often obscure the actual crustal movement signals, leading to deviations in the velocity estimates of station coordinates. Therefore, mitigating the impact of CME on station positioning accuracy is crucial to ensuring the precision and reliability of GNSS time series. The current approach to separating CME mainly uses signal filtering methods to decompose the residuals of the observation network into multiple signals, from which the signals corresponding to CME are identified and separated. However, this method overlooks the spatial correlation of the stations. In this paper, we improved the Independent Component Analysis (ICA) method by introducing correlation coefficients as weighting factors, allowing for more accurate emphasis or attenuation of the contributions of the GNSS network's spatial distribution during the ICA process. The results show that the improved Weighted Independent Component Analysis (WICA) method can reduce the root mean square (RMS) of the coordinate time series by an average of 27.96%, 15.23%, and 28.33% in the E, N, and U components, respectively. Compared to the ICA method, considering the spatial distribution correlation of stations, the improved WICA method shows enhancements of 12.53%, 3.70%, and 8.97% in the E, N, and U directions, respectively. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the WICA method in separating CMEs and provides a new algorithmic approach for CME separation methods.

[Two pediatric hereditary angioedemathe families: case report and literature review]

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics of two families with hereditary angioedema in children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the general information, clinical manifestations, genetic variations, and laboratory test results of two families diagnosed with hereditary angioedema at Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital from December 2022 to May 2023. And using keywords such as "children" "adolescent" "infant" "toddler" "pediatric" "hereditary angioedema" search for relevant literature from VIP, Wanfang, CNKI, PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar from the establishment of the database until January 2024 and summarize the diagnosis and clinical characteristics of hereditary angioed in children. Results: Case 1, female, 12 years old, presented with intermittent abdominal pain for 8 years, aggravated with vomiting for 2 days. Eight years ago, without a clear cause, case 1 experienced abdominal pain and underwent two abdominal surgeries. The concentration of C1 esterase inhibitor was 0.46 g/L, and the function of C1 esterase inhibitor was less than 0.01. The SERPING1 gene had a c.1396C>G variation, and she was diagnosed with hereditary angioedema type Ⅱ. Among the other 13 family members, 8 had swelling in different parts, and 2 had died. Case 2, female, 17 years old, was diagnosed with hereditary angioedema type Ⅰ due to intermittent limb swelling for more than 2 years. She had C4 of 0.09 g/L, C1 esterase inhibitor concentration of 0.05 g/L, C1 esterase inhibitor function <0.01, SERPING1 gene c.882C>G variation. Two out of the other 12 family members experienced intermittent skin swelling. Literature review meets the search criteria with 0 Chinese literature and 15 English literature, including a total of 524 cases of hereditary angioedema in children. Combined with 2 families in this group, there are 5 families with hereditary angioedema in children as the proband. The onset time is 1-15 years old, and the diagnosis delay time is -0.9 to 20.0 years. Two hundred and sixty-three cases (50.2%) of the children had a family history survey, of which 229 cases (87.1%) had a positive family history. Two hundred and fifty-seven cases (49.0%) had clear disease classification, with type Ⅰ being the main type, accounting for 234 cases (91.1%). The clinical symptoms of 296 children (56.5%) were described in detail, including 262 cases (88.5%) with skin edema in different parts, 176 cases (59.5%) with abdominal pain, and 61 cases (20.6%) with upper respiratory tract edema in the throat. Conclusions: Hereditary angioedema is mainly characterized by episodic skin and mucosal swelling, with individualized differences in the locations and characteristics of the onset. Hereditary angioedema in children is often overlooked, and patients with a positive family history of episodic skin and mucosal swelling need to actively undergo complement level testing.

[The treatment strategies for the repair of intervertebral disc degeneration]

The traditional treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) mainly focuses on symptomatic treatment, and cannot restore the physiological structure and function of the intervertebral disc. Therefore, more and more scholars begin to pay attention to the application of regenerative medicine and its derived therapeutic methods in IVDD. From the histological perspective, the early stage of IVDD shows the imbalance between synthesis and catabolism, but the cell number and tissue structure are relatively complete, and the intervention of exogenous molecules or gene therapy can achieve extracellular matrix (ECM) regeneration. With the progress of IVDD, the replenishment of healthy cells is the key to treatment. In the final stage, the cell number and tissue structure are disordered. Biological materials with certain mechanical strength and cell load can be used to supplement ECM and healthy cells to realize the repair and regeneration of IVDD. Molecular, cell and gene therapy, combined with the application of new biomaterials, the treatment of IVDD is more inclined to compensate for the shortcomings through a combination approach in the future, in order to achieve the purpose of repair and regeneration.

Observation of quantum entanglement with top quarks at the ATLAS detector

Entanglement is a key feature of quantum mechanics1-3, with applications in fields such as metrology, cryptography, quantum information and quantum computation4-8. It has been observed in a wide variety of systems and length scales, ranging from the microscopic9-13 to the macroscopic14-16. However, entanglement remains largely unexplored at the highest accessible energy scales. Here we report the highest-energy observation of entanglement, in top-antitop quark events produced at the Large Hadron Collider, using a proton-proton collision dataset with a centre-of-mass energy of √s = 13 TeV and an integrated luminosity of 140 inverse femtobarns (fb)-1 recorded with the ATLAS experiment. Spin entanglement is detected from the measurement of a single observable D, inferred from the angle between the charged leptons in their parent top- and antitop-quark rest frames. The observable is measured in a narrow interval around the top-antitop quark production threshold, at which the entanglement detection is expected to be significant. It is reported in a fiducial phase space defined with stable particles to minimize the uncertainties that stem from the limitations of the Monte Carlo event generators and the parton shower model in modelling top-quark pair production. The entanglement marker is measured to be D = -0.537 ± 0.002 (stat.) ± 0.019 (syst.) for 340 GeV < m t t ¯ < 380 GeV . The observed result is more than five standard deviations from a scenario without entanglement and hence constitutes the first observation of entanglement in a pair of quarks and the highest-energy observation of entanglement so far.

Shorter long-term post-transplant life expectancy may be due to prior chemotherapy for the underlying disease: analysis of 3012 patients with acute myeloid leukemia enrolled on 9 consecutive ECOG-ACRIN trials

Several studies reported that patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who remain in long-term remission after allogeneic or autologous transplant have a shorter life expectancy, compared to the general population. However, little is known about the life expectancy of adult long-term survivors of AML who were treated with chemotherapy alone without a transplant and there have been no comparisons with survival among the general population. The current study indicates that the life expectancy of AML patients who achieved and maintained CR for at least 3 years is shorter than expected for age in the US population. This was observed also in patients who did not undergo a transplant including those who have not relapsed during the entire long follow-up period. Thus, late relapse does not explain why patients without transplants have a shortened life expectancy. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that prior chemotherapy for the underlying AML is at least a major contributing factor for the known shortened life expectancy post-transplant.

Metal-doped biochar for selective recovery and reuse of phosphate from water: Modification design, removal mechanism, and reutilization strategy

Phosphorus (P) plays a crucial role in plant growth, which can provide nutrients for plants. Nonetheless, excessive phosphate can cause eutrophication of water, deterioration of aquatic environment, and even harm for human health. Therefore, adopting feasible adsorption technology to remove phosphate from water is necessary. Biochar (BC) has received wide attention for its low cost and environment-friendly properties. However, undeveloped pore structure and limited surface groups of primary BC result in poor uptake performance. Consequently, this work introduced the synthesis of pristine BC, parameters influencing phosphate removal, and corresponding mechanisms. Moreover, multifarious metal-doped BCs were summarized with related design principles. Meanwhile, mechanisms of selective phosphate adsorption by metal-doped BC were investigated deeply, and the recovery of phosphate from water, and the utilization of phosphate-loaded adsorbents in soil were critically presented. Finally, challenges and prospects for widespread applications of selective phosphate adsorption were proposed in the future.

Longitudinal characterization of serum metabolome and lipidome reveals that the ceramide profile is associated with metabolic health in early postpartum cows experiencing different lipolysis

Reduced feed intake in early lactation prompts increased fat mobilization to meet dairy cow energy needs for milk production. The increased lipolysis in cows presents significant health risks with unclear mechanisms. The objectives of our study were to compare the longitudinal profiles of metabolites and lipids of serum from high- and low-lipolysis cows. Forty multiparous Holstein dairy cows were enrolled in the retrospective study. Serum samples were collected on d 7 before expected calving, as well as on d 5, 7, 14, and 21 postpartum. Dairy cows were grouped according to mean serum nonesterified fatty acids on d 5 and 7 after parturition as low (<0.600 mmol/L; n = 8; LFM) and high (>0.750 mmol/L; n = 8; HFM), indicating fat mobilization during early lactation. Lactational performance and serum metabolic parameters related to glucose and lipid metabolism, liver functions, oxidative status, and inflammatory responses were determined. Serum samples were subjected to liquid chromatography-MS-based metabolomics and lipidomics. Despite differences in postpartum BW change, there were no observed variations in milk yield and composition between the 2 groups. Serum β-hydroxybutyric acid, glucose, leptin, aspartate aminotransferase, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha were greater in cows with HFM than in cows with LFM. Serum adiponectin, revised quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, and albumin were lower in cows with HFM than in cows with LFM. Intensified fat mobilization in the HFM cows came along with reduced estimated insulin sensitivity, impaired liver functions, and increased oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Differences in metabolic patterns were observed across the transition period when comparing serum blood matrixes (e.g., in different amino acids, acylcarnitines, and sphingolipids). The serum metabolome of the HFM cows was characterized by higher concentrations of glycine, acylcarnitines, carnosine, Cer(d20:0/18:0), Cer(d18:1/16:0), and Cer(t18:0/24:0) compared with LFM cows. The differential serum metabolites and lipids at different sampling times during the peripartum period were enriched in the sphingolipid metabolism. Differences in serum metabolic status parameters suggest that cows adopt varied metabolic adaptation strategies to cope with energy deficits postpartum. Our investigation found a comprehensive remodeling of the serum metabolic profiles in transition dairy cattle, highlighting the significance of alterations in sphingolipid species, as they play a crucial role in insulin resistance and metabolic disorders.

Dentinogenic ghost cell tumor revisited from a single institution in China with focus on adenoid ameloblastoma-like features

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims to identify adenoid ameloblastoma (AdAM) from previously diagnosed cases of dentinogenic ghost cell tumor (DGCT), and gain insight to the possible relationship between AdAM and DGCT.

METHODS

DGCT cases diagnosed between 2006 and 2022 were re-examined with focus on the AdAM-like features.

RESULTS

A total of nine patients were included. Seven patients were males and two were females. The mean age was 38.0 ± 16.0 years. Five tumors occurred in the maxilla and four in the mandible, with a remarkable predilection for the posterior regions of both jaws. Microscopically, dentinoid material deposition was present in all cases. The ghost cells were absent in two cases. Rare ghost cells (<1%) were observed in three cases, and a higher proportion of ghost cells (5%-20%) were present in the remaining four cases. All cases showed prominent AdAM-like features, including duct-like structures, whorls/morules, and cribriform architecture. According to the diagnostic criteria proposed by the 2022 WHO classification, five cases without or with rare ghost cells were reclassified as AdAM. The other four cases including a higher proportion of ghost cells consisted of a mixture of DGCT and AdAM histopathologic patterns.

CONCLUSION

Our results confirmed that the AdAM-like features had been largely overlooked in the diagnosis of DGCT at our institution in the past. Whilst a subset can now be more accurately classified as AdAM, some tumors showed overlapping morphological features between AdAM and DGCT, suggesting that the two may represent a spectrum of the same entity.