Graphene-doped silicon-carbon materials with multi-interface structures for lithium-ion battery anodes

The carbon nanomaterials are usually used to improve the electrical conductivity and stability of silicon (Si) anodes for lithium-ion batteries. However, the Si-based composites containing carbon nanomaterials generally show large specific surface area, leading to severe side reactions that generate large amounts of solid electrolyte interphase films. Herein, we embedded graphene oxide (GO) and silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) uniformly in pitch matrix by solvent dispersion. The internally doped GO reduces the exposed surface and improves the electrical conductivity of the composite. Meanwhile, the multi-interface structures are constructed inside to limit the domains of Si NPs and improve the structural stability of the material. When evaluated as anodes, the Si/graphene/pitch-based carbon composite anode exhibits the outstanding electrochemical properties, delivering a reversible capacity of 820.8 mAh/g at 50 mA g-1, as well as a capacity retention of 93.6 % after 1000 cycles at 2 A/g. In addition, when assembled with the LiFePO4 cathode, the full cell exhibits an impressive capacity retention of 95 % after 100 cycles at 85 mA g-1. This work provides a valuable design concept for the development of Si/carbon anodes.

Vitamin B6 alleviates chronic sleep deprivation-induced hippocampal ferroptosis through CBS/GSH/GPX4 pathway

Several studies have found that sleep deprivation (SD) can lead to neuronal ferroptosis and affect hippocampal function. However, there are currently no effective interventions. Vitamin B6 is a co-factor for key enzymes in the transsulfuration pathway which is critical for maintaining cell growth in the presence of cysteine deprivation. The results showed that SD inhibited cystine-glutamate antiporter light chain subunit xCT protein expression and caused cysteine deficiency, which reduced the synthesis of the glutathione (GSH) to trigger neuronal ferroptosis. Nissl staining further revealed significant neuronal loss and shrinkage in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus in SD mice. Typical ferroptotic indicators characterized by lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation were showed in the hippocampus after sleep deprivation. As expected, vitamin B6 could alleviate hippocampal ferroptosis by upregulating the expression of cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) in the transsulfuration pathway, thereby replenishing the intracellular deficient GSH and restoring the expression of GPX4. Similar anti-ferroptotic effects of vitamin B6 were demonstrated in HT-22 cells treated with ferroptosis activator erastin. Furthermore, vitamin B6 had no inhibitory effect on erastin-induced ferroptosis in CBS-knockout HT22 cells. Our findings suggested chronic sleep deprivation caused hippocampal ferroptosis by disrupting the cyst(e)ine/GSH/GPX4 axis. Vitamin B6 alleviated sleep deprivation-induced ferroptosis by enhancing CBS expression in the transsulfuration pathway.

Integrating multi-index determination coupled with hierarchical cluster analysis to evaluate the quality consistency of PVE30, an anti-HSV "glycoprotein" macromolecule of Prunellae Spica

INTRODUCTION

Prunellae Spica (PS), derived from the dried fruit spikes of Prunella vulgaris L., is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. Our previous studies found that PVE30, a water-extracting ethanol-precipitating "glycoprotein" macromolecule of PS, was a potential anti-herpes simplex virus (HSV) candidate. However, due to the complex structure and diverse bioactivity of the "glycoprotein", ensuring its quality consistency across different batches of PVE30 becomes particularly challenging. This poses a significant hurdle for new drug development based on PVE30.

OBJECTIVE

Our study aimed to integrate multi-index determination coupled with hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) to holistically profile the quality consistency of "glycoprotein" in PVE30.

METHODS

High-performance gel permeation chromatography with refractive index detector (HPGPC-RID) was used to characterise the molecular weight (Mw) distribution, HPLC-PDA was used to quantitatively analyse the composed monosaccharides and amino acids, and UV-VIS was used to quantify the contents of polysaccharides and proteins. Qualitative and quantitative consistency was analysed for each single index in 16 batches of PVE30, and a 16 × 38 data matrix, coupled with HCA, was used to evaluate the holistic quality consistency of PVE30.

RESULTS

The newly developed and validated methods were exclusive, linear, precise, accurate, and stable enough to quantify multi-indexes in PVE30. Single-index analysis revealed that 16 batches of PVE30 were qualitatively consistent in Mw distribution, polysaccharides and proteins, and the composition of composed monosaccharides and amino acids but quantitatively inconsistent in the relative contents of some "glycoprotein" macromolecules, as well as the composed monosaccharides/amino acids. HCA showed that the holistic quality of PVE30 was inconsistent, the inconsistency was uncorrelated with the regions where PS was commercially collected, and the contents of 17 amino acids and 2 monosaccharides contributed most to the holistic quality inconsistency.

CONCLUSION

Multi-index determination coupled with HCA was successful in evaluating the quality consistency of PVE30, and the significant difference in quantitative indices was not caused by the origin of PS. The cultivating basis should be confirmed for PVE30-based new drug development.

YTE-17 inhibits colonic carcinogenesis by resetting antitumor immune response via Wnt5a/JNK mediated metabolic signaling

The density and composition of lymphocytes infiltrating colon tumors serve as predictive factors for the clinical outcome of colon cancer. Our previous studies highlighted the potent anti-cancer properties of the principal compounds found in Garcinia yunnanensis (YTE-17), attributing these effects to the regulation of multiple signaling pathways. However, knowledge regarding the mechanism and effect of YTE-17 in the prevention of colorectal cancer is limited. In this study, we conducted isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) analysis on intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) exposed YTE-17, both in vitro and invivo, revealing a significant inhibition of the Wnt family member 5a (Wnt5a)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway. Subsequently, we elucidated the influence and mechanism of YTE-17 on the tumor microenvironment (TME), specifically focusing on macrophage-mediated T helper 17 (Th17) cell induction in a colitis-associated cancer (CAC) model with Wnt5a deletion. Additionally, we performed the single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on the colonic tissue from the Wnt5a-deleted CAC model to characterize the composition, lineage, and functional status of immune mesenchymal cells during different stages of colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. Remarkably, our findings demonstrate a significant reduction in M2 macrophage polarization and Th17 cell phenotype upon treatment with YTE-17, leading to the restoration of regulatory T (Treg)/Th17 cell balance in azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) model. Furthermore, we also confirmed that YTE-17 effectively inhibited the glycolysis of Th17 cells in both direct and indirect co-culture systems with M2 macrophages. Notably, our study shed light on potential mechanisms linking the non-canonical Wnt5a/JNK signaling pathway and well-established canonical β-catenin oncogenic pathway in vivo. Specifically, we proposed that Wnt5a/JNK signaling activity in IECs promotes the development of cancer stem cells with β-catenin activity within the TME, involving macrophages and T cells. In summary, our study undergoes the potential of YTE-17 as a preventive strategy against CRC development by addressing the imbalance with the immune microenvironment, thereby mitigating the risk of malignancies.

Application of deep learning in radiation therapy for cancer

In recent years, with the development of artificial intelligence, deep learning has been gradually applied to clinical treatment and research. It has also found its way into the applications in radiotherapy, a crucial method for cancer treatment. This study summarizes the commonly used and latest deep learning algorithms (including transformer, and diffusion models), introduces the workflow of different radiotherapy, and illustrates the application of different algorithms in different radiotherapy modules, as well as the defects and challenges of deep learning in the field of radiotherapy, so as to provide some help for the development of automatic radiotherapy for cancer.

Genome-wide association study of growth curve parameters reveals novel genomic regions and candidate genes associated with metatarsal bone traits in chickens

The growth and development of chicken bones have an enormous impact on the health and production performance of chickens. However, the development pattern and genetic regulation of the chicken skeleton are poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate metatarsal bone growth and development patterns in chickens via non-linear models, and to identify the genetic determinants of metatarsal bone traits using a genome-wide association study (GWAS) based on growth curve parameters. Data on metatarsal length (MeL) and metatarsal circumference (MeC) were obtained from 471 F2 chickens (generated by crossing broiler sires, derived from a line selected for high abdominal fat, with Baier layer dams) at 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks of age. Four non-linear models (Gompertz, Logistic, von Bertalanffy, and Brody) were used to fit the MeL and MeC growth curves. Subsequently, the estimated growth curve parameters of the mature MeL or MeC (A), time-scale parameter (b), and maturity rate (K) from the non-linear models were utilized as substitutes for the original bone data in GWAS. The Logistic and Brody models displayed the best goodness-of-fit for MeL and MeC, respectively. Single-trait and multi-trait GWASs based on the growth curve parameters of the Logistic and Brody models revealed 4 618 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), annotated to 332 genes, associated with metatarsal bone traits. The majority of these significant SNPs were located on Gallus gallus chromosome (GGA) 1 (167.433-176.318 Mb), GGA2 (96.791-103.543 Mb), GGA4 (65.003-83.104 Mb) and GGA6 (64.685-95.285 Mb). Notably, we identified 12 novel GWAS loci associated with chicken metatarsal bone traits, encompassing 35 candidate genes. In summary, the combination of single-trait and multi-trait GWASs based on growth curve parameters uncovered numerous genomic regions and candidate genes associated with chicken bone traits. The findings benefit an in-depth understanding of the genetic architecture underlying metatarsal growth and development in chickens.

Study of High-Transverse-Momentum Higgs Boson Production in Association with a Vector Boson in the qqbb Final State with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter presents the first study of Higgs boson production in association with a vector boson (V=W or Z) in the fully hadronic qqbb final state using data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137  fb^{-1}. The vector bosons and Higgs bosons are each reconstructed as large-radius jets and tagged using jet substructure techniques. Dedicated tagging algorithms exploiting b-tagging properties are used to identify jets consistent with Higgs bosons decaying into bb[over ¯]. Dominant backgrounds from multijet production are determined directly from the data, and a likelihood fit to the jet mass distribution of Higgs boson candidates is used to extract the number of signal events. The VH production cross section is measured inclusively and differentially in several ranges of Higgs boson transverse momentum: 250-450, 450-650, and greater than 650 GeV. The inclusive signal yield relative to the standard model expectation is observed to be μ=1.4_{-0.9}^{+1.0} and the corresponding cross section is 3.1±1.3(stat)_{-1.4}^{+1.8}(syst)  pb.

Advancing kidney xenotransplantation with anesthesia and surgery - bridging preclinical and clinical frontiers challenges and prospects

Xenotransplantation is emerging as a vital solution to the critical shortage of organs available for transplantation, significantly propelled by advancements in genetic engineering and the development of sophisticated immunosuppressive treatments. Specifically, the transplantation of kidneys from genetically engineered pigs into human patients has made significant progress, offering a potential clinical solution to the shortage of human kidney supply. Recent trials involving the transplantation of these modified porcine kidneys into deceased human bodies have underscored the practicality of this approach, advancing the field towards potential clinical applications. However, numerous challenges remain, especially in the domains of identifying suitable donor-recipient matches and formulating effective immunosuppressive protocols crucial for transplant success. Critical to advancing xenotransplantation into clinical settings are the nuanced considerations of anesthesia and surgical practices required for these complex procedures. The precise genetic modification of porcine kidneys marks a significant leap in addressing the biological and immunological hurdles that have traditionally challenged xenotransplantation. Yet, the success of these transplants hinges on the process of meticulously matching these organs with human recipients, which demands thorough understanding of immunological compatibility, the risk of organ rejection, and the prevention of zoonotic disease transmission. In parallel, the development and optimization of immunosuppressive protocols are imperative to mitigate rejection risks while minimizing side effects, necessitating innovative approaches in both pharmacology and clinical practices. Furthermore, the post-operative care of recipients, encompassing vigilant monitoring for signs of organ rejection, infectious disease surveillance, and psychological support, is crucial for ensuring post-transplant life quality. This comprehensive care highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach involving transplant surgeons, anesthesiologists, immunologists, infectiologists and psychiatrists. The integration of anesthesia and surgical expertise is particularly vital, ensuring the best possible outcomes of those patients undergoing these novel transplants, through safe procedural practices. As xenotransplantation moving closer to clinical reality, establishing consensus guidelines on various aspects, including donor-recipient selection, immunosuppression, as well as surgical and anesthetic management of these transplants, is essential. Addressing these challenges through rigorous research and collective collaboration will be the key, not only to navigate the ethical, medical, and logistical complexities of introducing kidney xenotransplantation into mainstream clinical practice, but also itself marks a new era in organ transplantation.

Spatial-temporal differentiation of urban eco-efficiency and its driving factors: A comparison of five major urban agglomerations in China

This paper utilizes an improved undesirable output DEA model to measure the eco-efficiency of cities in five major urban agglomerations in China during 2006-2020. It employs the Theil Index and Geodetector to investigate the spatial-temporal distribution differentiation characteristics and driving factors of urban eco-efficiency. The main findings are as follows. Firstly, the eco-efficiency of all urban agglomerations showed a fluctuating upward trend, but the eco-efficiency performance of different urban agglomerations in China shows a stratification characteristic. Specifically, the Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration consistently ranks first in China, while the mean values of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration, and Chengdu-Chongqing urban agglomeration are lower than the national average. Secondly, the overall differences in the urban eco-efficiency of all sample cities show a consistently fluctuating downward trend. The factor that affects the level differences of eco-efficiency in different cities is the intra-regional differences. Last but not least, the top three factors affecting the spatial distribution difference of urban eco-efficiency in the whole sample are environmental pollution control investments, innovation level, and environmental infrastructure investments. In the end, this paper proposes that reducing the intra-regional differences is the primary task to achieve the coordinated improvement of urban eco-efficiency in urban agglomerations, and then puts forward some policy suggestions to improve eco-efficiency for the five major urban agglomerations.

Understanding Defects in Perovskite Solar Cells through Computation: Current Knowledge and Future Challenge

Lead halide perovskites with superior optoelectrical properties are emerging as a class of excellent materials for applications in solar cells and light-emitting devices. However, perovskite films often exhibit abundant intrinsic defects, which can limit the efficiency of perovskite-based optoelectronic devices by acting as carrier recombination centers. Thus, an understanding of defect chemistry in lead halide perovskites assumes a prominent role in further advancing the exploitation of perovskites, which, to a large extent, is performed by relying on first-principles calculations. However, the complex defect structure, strong anharmonicity, and soft lattice of lead halide perovskites pose challenges to defect studies. In this perspective, on the basis of briefly reviewing the current knowledge concerning computational studies on defects, this work concentrates on addressing the unsolved problems and proposing possible research directions in future. This perspective particularly emphasizes the indispensability of developing advanced approaches for deeply understanding the nature of defects and conducting data-driven defect research for designing reasonable strategies to further improve the performance of perovskite applications. Finally, this work highlights that theoretical studies should pay more attention to establishing close and clear links with experimental investigations to provide useful insights to the scientific and industrial communities.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of parameters of erector spinae in patients with uremic sarcopenia

AIM

This study aimed to investigate whether computed tomography (CT)-measured erector spinae parameters (ESPs) have diagnostic, severity assessment, and prognostic predictive value in uremic sarcopenia (US).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 202 uremic patients were enrolled and divided into two groups: a control group and a sarcopenia group. Sarcopenia was classified into two types: severe and nonsevere. The area, volume, and density of the erector spinae (ES) were measured using chest CT images, and the relevant ESP, including the erector spinae index (ESI), total erector spinae volume (TESV), erector spinae density (ESD), and erector spinae gauge (ESG) were calculated. The occurrence of adverse events was followed-up for 36 months. The diagnostic value and severity of US were determined using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Survival curves diagnosed using CT were plotted and compared with the curve drawn using the gold standard. Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors associated with survival in US.

RESULTS

With an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.840 and 0.739, the combined ESP has diagnostic value and the ability to assess the severity of US. There was no significant difference in the survival curve between the combined ESP for the diagnosis of US and the gold standard (P > 0.05). ESI is a standalone predictor of survival in patients with US.

CONCLUSION

ESP measured by CT has diagnostic values for US and its severity, as well as being a predictive value for the prognosis of US.

Measurement of the Centrality Dependence of the Dijet Yield in p+Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

ATLAS measured the centrality dependence of the dijet yield using 165  nb^{-1} of p+Pb data collected at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16  TeV in 2016. The event centrality, which reflects the p+Pb impact parameter, is characterized by the total transverse energy registered in the Pb-going side of the forward calorimeter. The central-to-peripheral ratio of the scaled dijet yields, R_{CP}, is evaluated, and the results are presented as a function of variables that reflect the kinematics of the initial hard parton scattering process. The R_{CP} shows a scaling with the Bjorken x of the parton originating from the proton, x_{p}, while no such trend is observed as a function of x_{Pb}. This analysis provides unique input to understanding the role of small proton spatial configurations in p+Pb collisions by covering parton momentum fractions from the valence region down to x_{p}∼10^{-3} and x_{Pb}∼4×10^{-4}.

A Non-canonical Excitatory PV RGC-PV SC Visual Pathway for Mediating the Looming-evoked Innate Defensive Response

Parvalbumin-positive retinal ganglion cells (PV+ RGCs) are an essential subset of RGCs found in various species. However, their role in transmitting visual information remains unclear. Here, we characterized PV+ RGCs in the retina and explored the functions of the PV+ RGC-mediated visual pathway. By applying multiple viral tracing strategies, we investigated the downstream of PV+ RGCs across the whole brain. Interestingly, we found that the PV+ RGCs provided direct monosynaptic input to PV+ excitatory neurons in the superficial layers of the superior colliculus (SC). Ablation or suppression of SC-projecting PV+ RGCs abolished or severely impaired the flight response to looming visual stimuli in mice without affecting visual acuity. Furthermore, using transcriptome expression profiling of individual cells and immunofluorescence colocalization for RGCs, we found that PV+ RGCs are predominant glutamatergic neurons. Thus, our findings indicate the critical role of PV+ RGCs in an innate defensive response and suggest a non-canonical subcortical visual pathway from excitatory PV+ RGCs to PV+ SC neurons that regulates looming visual stimuli. These results provide a potential target for intervening and treating diseases related to this circuit, such as schizophrenia and autism.

Immediate implant placement for chronic peri-apical periodontitis in the molar region: a randomised controlled trial

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of immediate implantation for chronic peri-apical periodontitis in the molar region. Seventy-four molars were selected and allocated randomly to two groups. The experimental group (n = 38) received immediate implantation by flap surgery and the control group (n = 36) received delayed implantation. CBCT was performed immediately after surgery (T1) and 12 months after the permanent repair (T3). The implant survival rate at T3 was 100% in both groups. There was no significant difference in buccal or lingual vertical marginal bone loss between the groups (P = 0.515, P = 0.736). However, the buccal horizontal margin bone loss was significantly greater in the experimental group: 0.98 ± 0.34 mm vs 0.77 ± 0.27 mm in the control group (P = 0.003). In the experimental group, the highest point of buccal and lingual implant-bone contact increased at T3. The buccal and lingual jump gap widths were 3.21 ± 1.10 mm and 2.92 ± 1.01 mm at T1, and CBCT showed no jump gap around the implants at T3. The clinical outcomes showed immediate implantation to be feasible for chronic peri-apical periodontitis in the molar region.

Search for New Phenomena in Two-Body Invariant Mass Distributions Using Unsupervised Machine Learning for Anomaly Detection at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

Searches for new resonances are performed using an unsupervised anomaly-detection technique. Events with at least one electron or muon are selected from 140  fb^{-1} of pp collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV recorded by ATLAS at the Large Hadron Collider. The approach involves training an autoencoder on data, and subsequently defining anomalous regions based on the reconstruction loss of the decoder. Studies focus on nine invariant mass spectra that contain pairs of objects consisting of one light jet or b jet and either one lepton (e,μ), photon, or second light jet or b jet in the anomalous regions. No significant deviations from the background hypotheses are observed. Limits on contributions from generic Gaussian signals with various widths of the resonance mass are obtained for nine invariant masses in the anomalous regions.

Observation of WZγ Production in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter reports the observation of WZγ production and a measurement of its cross section using 140.1±1.2  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data recorded at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The WZγ production cross section, with both the W and Z bosons decaying leptonically, pp→WZγ→ℓ^{'}^{±}νℓ^{+}ℓ^{-}γ (ℓ^{(^{'})}=e, μ), is measured in a fiducial phase-space region defined such that the leptons and the photon have high transverse momentum and the photon is isolated. The cross section is found to be 2.01±0.30(stat)±0.16(syst)  fb. The corresponding standard model predicted cross section calculated at next-to-leading order in perturbative quantum chromodynamics and at leading order in the electroweak coupling constant is 1.50±0.06  fb. The observed significance of the WZγ signal is 6.3σ, compared with an expected significance of 5.0σ.

Prunella vulgaris polysaccharide inhibits herpes simplex virus infection by blocking TLR-mediated NF-κB activation

BACKGROUND

Prunella vulgaris polysaccharide extracted by hot water and 30% ethanol precipitation (PVE30) was reported to possess potent antiviral effects against herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. However, its anti-HSV mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms of PVE30 against HSV infection.

METHODS

Antiviral activity was evaluated by a plaque reduction assay, and the EC50 value was calculated. Immunofluorescence staining and heparin bead pull-down assays confirmed the interactions between PVE30 and viral glycoproteins. Real-time PCR was conducted to determine the mRNA levels of viral genes, including UL54, UL29, UL27, UL44, and US6, and the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. The protein expression of viral proteins (ICP27, ICP8, gB, gC, and gD), the activity of the TLR-NF-κB signalling pathway, and necroptotic-associated proteins were evaluated by Western blotting. The proportion of necroptotic cells was determined by flow cytometric analysis.

RESULTS

The P. vulgaris polysaccharide PVE30 was shown to compete with heparan sulfate for interaction with HSV surface glycoprotein B and gC, thus strongly inhibiting HSV attachment to cells. In addition, PVE30 downregulated the expression of IE genes, which subsequently downregulated the expression of E and L viral gene products, and thus effectively restricted the yield of progeny virus. Further investigation confirmed that PVE30 inhibited TLR2 and TLR3 signalling, leading to the effective suppression of NF-κB activation and IL-6 and TNF-α expression levels, and blocked HSV-1-induced necroptosis by reducing HSV-1-induced phosphorylation of MLKL.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that the P. vulgaris polysaccharide PVE30 is a potent anti-HSV agent that blocks TLR-mediated NF-κB activation.

Electro-Responsive Breathing Transition of Conductive Hydrogel for Broadband Kinetic Energy Harvesting

Reclaiming kinetic energy from vibrating machines holds great promise for sustainable energy harvesting technologies. Nevertheless, the impulsive current induced by vibrations is incompatible with conventional energy storage devices. The energy-management system necessitates novel designs of soft materials for lightweight, miniaturized, and integrated high-frequency electrochemical devices. Here, this work develops a conductive hydrogel with an electro-responsive polymeric network. The electro-responsive breathing transition of the crosslinking points facilitates the expeditious formation of a localized electrolyte layer. This layer features an exceedingly high local charge density, surpassing that of a saturated electrolyte solution by an order of magnitude, and thus enabling rapid charge transport under the influence of an applied voltage. The micro-capacitor based on the gel exhibits record-high capacitance of ≈2 mF cm-2 when the frequency of energy input reaches up to 104  Hz. This work also demonstrates a prototype battery charger that harvests energy from a running car engine. This study presents a feasible strategy for waste energy recycling using integrated electrochemical devices, opening a new avenue for ambient energy management.

A novel magnetic Fe3O4/cellulose nanofiber/polyethyleneimine/thiol-modified montmorillonite aerogel for efficient removal of heavy metal ions: Adsorption behavior and mechanism study

To efficiently remove heavy metals from wastewater, designing an adsorbent with high adsorption capacity and ease of recovery is necessary. This paper presents a novel magnetic hybridized aerogel, Fe3O4/cellulose nanofiber/polyethyleneimine/thiol-modified montmorillonite (Fe3O4/CNF/PEI/SHMMT), and explores its adsorption performance and mechanism for Pb2+, Cu2+, and Cd2+ in aqueous solutions. The hybrid aerogel has a slit-like porous structure and numerous exposed active sites, which facilitates the uptake of metal ions by adsorption. Pb2+, Cu2+, and Cd2+ adsorption by the hybridized aerogel followed the second-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm model, the maximum adsorption of Pb2+, Cu2+, and Cd2+ at 25 °C, pH = 6, 800 mg/L was 429.18, 381.68 and 299.40 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption process was primarily attributed to monolayer chemical adsorption, a spontaneous heat-absorption reaction. FTIR, XPS and DFT studies confirmed that the adsorption mechanisms of Fe3O4/CNF/PEI/SHMMT on Pb2+, Cu2+, and Cd2+ were mainly chelation, coordination, and ion exchange. The lowest adsorption energy of Pb2+ on the hybrid aerogel was calculated to be -2.37 Ha by DFT, which indicates that the sample has higher adsorption affinity and preferential selectivity for Pb2+. After 5 cycles, the adsorption efficiency of the aerogel was still >85 %. The incorporation of Fe3O4 improved the mechanical properties of the aerogel. The Fe3O4/CNF/PEI/SHMMT has fast magnetic responsiveness, and it is easy to be separated and recovered after adsorption, which is a promising potential for the treatment of heavy metal ions.

Combined Measurement of the Higgs Boson Mass from the H→γγ and H→ZZ^{*}→4ℓ Decay Channels with the ATLAS Detector Using sqrt[s]=7, 8, and 13 TeV pp Collision Data

A measurement of the mass of the Higgs boson combining the H→ZZ^{*}→4ℓ and H→γγ decay channels is presented. The result is based on 140  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data collected by the ATLAS detector during LHC run 2 at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV combined with the run 1 ATLAS mass measurement, performed at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, yielding a Higgs boson mass of 125.11±0.09(stat)±0.06(syst)=125.11±0.11  GeV. This corresponds to a 0.09% precision achieved on this fundamental parameter of the Standard Model of particle physics.

Search for Dark Photons in Rare Z Boson Decays with the ATLAS Detector

A search for events with a dark photon produced in association with a dark Higgs boson via rare decays of the standard model Z boson is presented, using 139  fb^{-1} of sqrt[s]=13  TeV proton-proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The dark boson decays into a pair of dark photons, and at least two of the three dark photons must each decay into a pair of electrons or muons, resulting in at least two same-flavor opposite-charge lepton pairs in the final state. The data are found to be consistent with the background prediction, and upper limits are set on the dark photon's coupling to the dark Higgs boson times the kinetic mixing between the standard model photon and the dark photon, α_{D}ϵ^{2}, in the dark photon mass range of [5, 40] GeV except for the ϒ mass window [8.8, 11.1] GeV. This search explores new parameter space not previously excluded by other experiments.

Riboflavin deficiency reduces bone mineral density in rats by compromising osteoblast function

Insufficient riboflavin intake has been associated with poor bone health. This study aimed to investigate the effect of riboflavin deficiency on bone health in vivo and in vitro. Riboflavin deficiency was successfully developed in rats and osteoblasts. The results indicated that bone mineral density, serum bone alkaline phosphatase, bone phosphorus, and bone calcium were significantly decreased while serum ionized calcium and osteocalcin were significantly increased in the riboflavin-deficient rats. Riboflavin deficiency also induced the reduction of Runx2, Osterix, and BMP-2/Smad1/5/9 cascade in the femur. These results were further verified in cellular experiments. Our findings demonstrated that alkaline phosphatase activities and calcified nodules were significantly decreased while intracellular osteocalcin and pro-collagen I c-terminal propeptide were significantly increased in the riboflavin-deficient osteoblasts. Additionally, the protein expression of Osterix, Runx2, and BMP-2/Smad1/5/9 cascade were significantly decreased while the protein expression of p-p38 MAPK were significantly increased in the riboflavin-deficient cells compared to the control cells. Blockage of p38 MAPK signaling pathway with SB203580 reversed these effects in riboflavin-deficient osteoblastic cells. Our data suggest that riboflavin deficiency causes osteoblast malfunction and retards bone matrix mineralization via p38 MAPK/BMP-2/Smad1/5/9 signaling pathway.

Observation of Single-Top-Quark Production in Association with a Photon Using the ATLAS Detector

This Letter reports the observation of single top quarks produced together with a photon, which directly probes the electroweak coupling of the top quark. The analysis uses 139  fb^{-1} of 13 TeV proton-proton collision data collected with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Requiring a photon with transverse momentum larger than 20 GeV and within the detector acceptance, the fiducial cross section is measured to be 688±23(stat) _{-71}^{+75}(syst)  fb, to be compared with the standard model prediction of 515_{-42}^{+36}  fb at next-to-leading order in QCD.

Korean red ginseng formula attenuates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in oleic acid-induced HepG2 cells and high-fat diet-induced rats

Objective

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading chronic liver disease. We have developed a Korean Red Ginseng Formula (KRGF) containing extracts of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), Crataegus Fructus, and Cassiae Semen. In this study, our aims were to investigate the therapeutic potential and underpinning mechanisms of KRGF in NAFLD complicated by hyperlipidemia.

Methods

In the in vitro assays, HepG2 cells were treated with KRGF for 24 h in the presence or absence of oleic acid (OA). To assess the in vivo protective effect of KRGF against NAFLD, rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) were given intragastric administration for 30 days.

Results

KRGF exerted protective effects against NAFLD by reducing lipid accumulation and steatosis in OA-stimulated HepG2 cells and HFD-fed rats. In HFD-fed rats, KRGF effectively decreased triglyceride levels in both blood and liver tissue and modulated the expression of key regulators of lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation. KRGF downregulated the expression of lipogenesis factors, namely C/EBPα, FAS, SREBP-1c, and PPARγ, while upregulating the expression of PPARα and CPT-1, thus promoting fatty acid oxidation. Additionally, KRGF intensified the phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC, which are two enzymes that suppress fatty acid synthesis and promote fatty acid oxidation. KRGF effectively decreased total cholesterol (TC) levels in both blood and liver tissue, and it modulated the expression of major enzymes related to TC metabolism, namely apoB, ACAT2, CYP7A1, and HMGCR.

Conclusion

In conclusion, KRGF mitigated NAFLD complicated by hyperlipidemia by modulating triglyceride and cholesterol metabolism, suggesting its potential for future development in the treatment of NAFLD.

Engineered Extracellular Vesicles for Delivery of an IL-1 Receptor Antagonist Promote Targeted Repair of Retinal Degeneration

Retinal degeneration (RD) is an irreversible blinding disease that seriously affects patients' daily activities and mental health. Targeting hyperactivated microglia and regulating polarization are promising strategies for treating the disease. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation is proven to be an effective treatment due to its immunomodulatory and regenerative properties. However, the low efficiency of cell migration and integration of MSCs remains a major obstacle to clinical use. The goal of this study is to develop a nanodelivery system that targets hyperactivated microglia and inhibits their release of proinflammatory factors, to achieve durable neuroprotection. This approach is to engineer extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from MSC, modify them with a cyclic RGD (cRGD) peptide on their surface, and load them with an antagonist of the IL-1 receptor, anakinra. Comparing with non-engineered EVs, it is observed that engineered cRGD-EVs exhibit an increased targeting efficiency against hyperactivated microglia and strongly protected photoreceptors in experimental RD cells and animal models. This study provides a strategy to improve drug delivery to degenerated retinas and offers a promising approach to improve the treatment of RD through targeted modulation of the immune microenvironment via engineered cRGD-EVs.

Measurement of Suppression of Large-Radius Jets and Its Dependence on Substructure in Pb+Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

This letter presents a measurement of the nuclear modification factor of large-radius jets in sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV Pb+Pb collisions by the ATLAS experiment. The measurement is performed using 1.72  nb^{-1} and 257  pb^{-1} of Pb+Pb and pp data, respectively. The large-radius jets are reconstructed with the anti-k_{t} algorithm using a radius parameter of R=1.0, by reclustering anti-k_{t} R=0.2 jets, and are measured over the transverse momentum (p_{T}) kinematic range of 158 Collapse

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Measurement of the Sensitivity of Two-Particle Correlations in pp Collisions to the Presence of Hard Scatterings

A key open question in the study of multiparticle production in high-energy pp collisions is the relationship between the "ridge"-i.e., the observed azimuthal correlations between particles in the underlying event that extend over all rapidities-and hard or semihard scattering processes. In particular, it is not known whether jets or their soft fragments are correlated with particles in the underlying event. To address this question, two-particle correlations are measured in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV using data collected by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC, with an integrated luminosity of 15.8  pb^{-1}, in two different configurations. In the first case, charged particles associated with jets are excluded from the correlation analysis, while in the second case, correlations are measured between particles within jets and charged particles from the underlying event. Second-order flow coefficients, v_{2}, are presented as a function of event multiplicity and transverse momentum. These measurements show that excluding particles associated with jets does not affect the measured correlations. Moreover, particles associated with jets do not exhibit any significant azimuthal correlations with the underlying event, ruling out hard processes contributing to the ridge.

[Benchmark dose estimation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure base on Bayesian kernel machine regression]

Objective: To explore benchmark dose (BMD) estimations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) based on Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) . Methods: A total of 155 adult residents of a coking plant in Shanxi Province who were surveyed in summer (June to August) from 2014 to 2019 were selected as the research objects. Fasting elbow vein blood of the subjects was collected in the morning for automatic analysis and detection of blood routine. Morning urine samples were collected for automatic analysis and detection of urine routine and urine creatinine detection. BKMR model combined with BMD method was used to calculate the acceptable doses of PAHs exposure on red blood cell damage in non-occupational population. Results: The concentration of hydroxylpolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) in the red blood cells abnormal group (n=117) was significantly higher than that in the normal group (n=38) (P<0.01). In the combined effect of OH-PAHs, 2-hydrol-naphthalene contributed the most, and the posterior inclusion probability (PIP) value was 0.9354. When OH-PAHs ≥P(55) concentration, the joint effect on the risk of red blood cell abnormalities increased as the concentration of the OH-PAHs mixture increased. When OH-PAHs were at P(65) and P(75) concentrations, respectively, the risk of red blood cell abnormalities in adults were 3.09 and 4.98 times that of OH-PAHs at P(50) concentrations, respectively. Compared with high concentration, low concentration of OH-PAHs exposure was more sensitive to red blood cell darmage. The acceptable doses of 8 kinds of OH-PAHs were 1.010 μmol/mol Cr (2-hydrol-naphthalene), 0.743 μmol/mol Cr (1-hydrol-naphthalene), 0.901 μmol/mol Cr (2-hydroxy-fluorene) and 0.775 μmol/mol Cr (1-hydroxy-phenanthrene), 0.737 μmol/mol Cr (1-hydroxy-pyrene), 0.607 μmol/mol Cr (9-hydroxy-fluorene), 0.713 μmol/mol Cr (2-hydroxy-phenanthrene) and 0.628 μmol/mol Cr (3-hydroxybenzo[a] pyrene), respectively. Conclusion: OH-PAHs mixture has positive combined effect on red blood cell damage in non-occupational population, and low concentration of OH-PAHs exposure is more sensitive to red blood cell damage. It is recommended that the exposure dose of PAHs should be controlled within 1 μmol/mol Cr.

Observation of an Excess of Dicharmonium Events in the Four-Muon Final State with the ATLAS Detector

A search is made for potential ccc[over ¯]c[over ¯] tetraquarks decaying into a pair of charmonium states in the four muon final state using proton-proton collision data at sqrt[s]=13  TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140  fb^{-1} recorded by the ATLAS experiment at LHC. Two decay channels, J/ψ+J/ψ→4μ and J/ψ+ψ(2S)→4μ, are studied. Backgrounds are estimated based on a hybrid approach involving Monte Carlo simulations and data-driven methods. Statistically significant excesses with respect to backgrounds dominated by the single parton scattering are seen in the di-J/ψ channel consistent with a narrow resonance at 6.9 GeV and a broader structure at lower mass. A statistically significant excess is also seen in the J/ψ+ψ(2S) channel. The fitted masses and decay widths of the structures are reported.

Observation of the γγ→ττ Process in Pb+Pb Collisions and Constraints on the τ-Lepton Anomalous Magnetic Moment with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter reports the observation of τ-lepton-pair production in ultraperipheral lead-lead collisions Pb+Pb→Pb(γγ→ττ)Pb and constraints on the τ-lepton anomalous magnetic moment a_{τ}. The dataset corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 1.44  nb^{-1} of LHC Pb+Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV recorded by the ATLAS experiment in 2018. Selected events contain one muon from a τ-lepton decay, an electron or charged-particle track(s) from the other τ-lepton decay, little additional central-detector activity, and no forward neutrons. The γγ→ττ process is observed in Pb+Pb collisions with a significance exceeding 5 standard deviations and a signal strength of μ_{ττ}=1.03_{-0.05}^{+0.06} assuming the standard model value for a_{τ}. To measure a_{τ}, a template fit to the muon transverse-momentum distribution from τ-lepton candidates is performed, using a dimuon (γγ→μμ) control sample to constrain systematic uncertainties. The observed 95% confidence-level interval for a_{τ} is -0.057 Collapse

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Efficacy of Postoperative Radiotherapy for Patients with New N2 Descriptors of Subclassification in Completely Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Real-World Study

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Patients with N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were heterogeneous groups and required further stratification. The International Society for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) added new descriptors of three sub-stages for stage N2 NSCLC: N2 at a single station without N1 involvement (N2a1), N2 at a single station with N1 involvement (N2a2), and N2 at multiple stations (N2b). This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for patients with these N2 descriptors.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients with histologically confirmed NSCLC after complete resection and divided into PORT group and non-PORT group. The primary endpoint was DFS. The second endpoints were overall survival (OS) and locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS). Propensity-score matching (PSM) of baseline characteristics between the PORT and non-PORT groups was used for validation.

RESULTS

Totally 1832 patients were enrolled, including 308 N2a1 patients, 682 N2a2 patients, and 842 N2b patients. The median follow-up time was 50.1 months. The survival outcomes of the PORT and non-PORT groups before PSM were shown in Table 1. For patients with N2a1, PORT could not improve the DFS (median DFS of the PORT group and the non-PORT group: not reached vs. 46.8 months, P = 0.41), OS (P = 0.85), or LRFS (P = 0.32), which were consistent with the multivariate analysis and data after the PSM. For patients with N2a2, PORT significantly improved the DFS (median DFS 29.7 vs. 22.2 months, P = 0.02), OS (P = 0.03), and LRFS (P = 0.01). The multivariate analysis and data after the PSM confirmed the benefits in DFS and LRFS, but no benefit was observed in OS (multivariate analysis: HR 0.79, P = 0.18; median OS after PSM: 103.7 vs. 63.1 months, P = 0.34). For patients with N2b, PORT could not improve the DFS (median DFS 20.6 vs. 21.2 months, P = 0.39) but significantly improved the OS (P<0.001) and LRFS (P<0.001). However, the multivariate analysis showed that PORT significantly improved DFS (HR 0.81, P = 0.03), consistent with the data after the PSM (median DFS 20.6 and 17.6 months, P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

PORT significantly improved the DFS and LRFS in patients with N2a2 and significantly improved the DFS, LRFS, and OS in patients with N2b. Patients with N2a1 could not benefit from PORT.

The Impact of a High Radiation Dose to the Immune Cells on Tumor Control and Survival in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Undergoing Postoperative Radiotherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Previous studies showed that the estimated dose of radiation to immune cells (EDRIC) was correlated with the overall survival (OS) of patients who received definitive thoracic radiotherapy. However, planning target volume (PTV) may be a confounding factor. The PTV is relatively uniform for patients undergoing postoperative radiotherapy (PORT). We further assessed the prognostic value of EDRIC on survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing PORT.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients with NSCLC who received PORT between 2004 and 2019 were analyzed. EDRIC was calculated as a function of the number of radiation fractions and mean doses to the lung, heart, and remaining body based on a model developed by Jin et al. The correlation between EDRIC and OS, PFS, local progression-free survival (LPFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were analyzed using univariable and multivariable Cox models. Kaplan-Meier method was used to show the survival difference between patients with high and low EDRIC.

RESULTS

A total of 345 patients were eligible. The mean EDRIC was 7.6 Gy. Multivariate analysis showed that EDRIC was associated with OS (HR 1.14, P = 0.002), PFS (HR 1.08, P = 0.016), LRFS (HR 1.111, P = 0.008), and DMFS (HR 1.10, P = 0.018). Patients were divided into low and high EDRIC groups according to median EDRIC. The 3-year OS was 82.7% and 72.2% (p = 0.03). The 3-year PFS was 40.3% and 17.8% (p < 0.01). The 3-year LRFS was 71.39% and 59.18% (p = 0.05). The 3-year DMFS was 74.4% and 63.4% (p = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

EDRIC was an independent prognostic factor for survival. Higher doses of radiation to the immune system were associated with tumor progression and death after the PORT of NSCLC. The organ at risk for the immune system should be considered during radiotherapy planning.

Clinical Verification of a Nomogram Model for Prediction of Brain Metastases in Patients with pⅢA-N2 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Brain metastasis is one of the most common failure patterns of pⅢA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after complete resection. Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation (PCI) can improve intracranial control but not overall survival. Thus, it is particularly important to identify risk factors that are associated with brain metastasis and subsequently provide instructions for selecting patients who will optimally benefit from PCI. We have reported a nomogram model which was established based on the condition of histology, bronchial invasion, perineural invasion, and adjuvant chemotherapy, through which we can predict high risk brain metastases in patients with pⅢA-N2 NSCLC. The purpose of this study is to verify the accuracy of the nomogram model by using new cases information.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2019, patients of pⅢA-N2 NSCLC were retrospectively analyzed, to verify the consistency between actual and predictive brain metastases. The verification group was divided into two groups according to the years when genetic testing has been widely used in clinic (group1:2015-2016, group2:2017-2019). ROC curves and calibration curves were chosen for validation.

RESULTS

A total of 770 patients were enrolled in our retrospective study (group1:294 patients, group2: 476patients). The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 97.2%, 76.5%, 63.2% in group1, and 95.8%, 84.5%, 76.9% in group2, respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year brain metastasis rates were 7.9%, 19.7%, 25.8%, and 5.4%, 14.5%, 26.3% in group2, respectively. The AUC were 0.74 (95% CI:0.72 - 0.76) in group1, and 0.71(95% CI:0.70 - 0.73) in group 2.The 1.3.5-year calibration curves of the two groups show that the prediction is in good agreement with the actual observation.

CONCLUSION

The nomogram model can predict brain metastases high risk patients with pⅢA-N2 NSCLC. Whether gene test or not, it can be used as a basis to screening out patients of high-risk brain metastases in future clinical trials for PCI.

Overall Survival Following Salvage Thoracic Radiotherapy for Locoregional Recurrence in Patients with Completely Resected PIIIA-N2 NSCLC

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Locoregional recurrence is a common failure pattern for patients with completely resected pIIIA-N2 NSCLC. The salvage thoracic radiotherapy is administered in some pIIIA-N2 NSCLC patients despite postoperative radiotherapy (PORT). Salvage thoracic radiotherapy could be well tolerated and might improve survival from several small sample retrospective studies, while the high-level clinical evidence is presently lacking. We conducted this retrospective case control study to demonstrate the efficacy of salvage thoracic radiotherapy for completely resected pIIIA-N2 NSCLC patients with locoregional recurrence.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Between January 2003 and June 2019, patients who had undergone lobectomy or pneumonectomy plus mediastinal lymph node dissection or systematic sampling in our single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Those with pⅢA-N2 NSCLC that did not receive PORT and suffered locoregional recurrence being the first treatment failure were enrolled. The log-rank test was used to analyze differences between the groups, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses using Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed to evaluate potential prognostic factors for survival. Statistically significant difference was set as p<0.05.

RESULTS

Of all the patients with pⅢA-N2 NSCLC reviewed, 105 suffered locoregional recurrence as the first treatment failure and didn't receive PORT. Among these patients, 51 (48.6%) received salvage thoracic radiotherapy and 54 (51.4%) did not. The median OS was 47.7 months of all patients. Survival analysis showed that the median OS in salvage thoracic radiotherapy group (69.0 months) was significantly longer than that in non-salvage thoracic radiotherapy group (37.7 months) (p = 0.029). For patients of EGFR wild type, salvage thoracic radiotherapy group had significantly longer median OS of 69.0 months compared with non-salvage thoracic radiotherapy group of 31.3 months (p = 0.004). When assessed by histological types, salvage thoracic radiotherapy significantly improved the survival of patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma with median OS not reached compared with non-salvage thoracic radiotherapy group of 31.3 months (p<0.001), while in patients with non-squamous cell carcinoma, this survival benefit was not observed (p = 0.829).

CONCLUSION

Salvage thoracic radiotherapy is an effective treatment for completely resected pIIIA-N2 NSCLC patients that have not received PORT and suffered post-operative locoregional recurrence.

[Impact of different diagnostic criteria for assessing mild micro-hepatic encephalopathy in liver cirrhosis: an analysis based on a prospective, multicenter, real-world study]

Objective: To compare the differences in the prevalence of mild micro-hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) among patients with cirrhosis by using the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) and the Stroop smartphone application (Encephal App) test. Methods: This prospective, multi-center, real-world study was initiated by the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Infectious Diseases and the Portal Hypertension Alliance and registered with International ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05140837). 354 cases of cirrhosis were enrolled in 19 hospitals across the country. PHES (including digital connection tests A and B, digital symbol tests, trajectory drawing tests, and serial management tests) and the Stroop test were conducted in all of them. PHES was differentiated using standard diagnostic criteria established by the two studies in China and South Korea. The Stroop test was evaluated based on the criteria of the research and development team. The impact of different diagnostic standards or methods on the incidence of MHE in patients with cirrhosis was analyzed. Data between groups were differentiated using the t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ (2) test. A kappa test was used to compare the consistency between groups. Results: After PHES, the prevalence of MHE among 354 cases of cirrhosis was 78.53% and 15.25%, respectively, based on Chinese research standards and Korean research normal value standards. However, the prevalence of MHE was 56.78% based on the Stroop test, and the differences in pairwise comparisons among the three groups were statistically significant (kappa = -0.064, P < 0.001). Stratified analysis revealed that the MHE prevalence in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C was 74.14%, 83.33%, and 88.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Chinese researchers, while the MHE prevalence rates in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C were 8.29%, 23.53%, and 38.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Korean researchers. Furthermore, the prevalence rates of MHE in the three groups of patients with Child-Pugh grades A, B, and C were 52.68%, 58.82%, and 73.53%, respectively, according to the Stroop test standard. However, among the results of each diagnostic standard, the prevalence of MHE showed an increasing trend with an increasing Child-Pugh grade. Further comparison demonstrated that the scores obtained by the number connection test A and the number symbol test were consistent according to the normal value standards of the two studies in China and South Korea (Z = -0.982, -1.702; P = 0.326, 0.089), while the other three sub-tests had significant differences (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence rate of MHE in the cirrhotic population is high, but the prevalence of MHE obtained by using different diagnostic criteria or methods varies greatly. Therefore, in line with the current changes in demographics and disease spectrum, it is necessary to enroll a larger sample size of a healthy population as a control. Moreover, the establishment of more reliable diagnostic scoring criteria will serve as a basis for obtaining accurate MHE incidence and formulating diagnosis and treatment strategies in cirrhotic populations.

Characterization and quantification of chemical constituents in Fuzhuan brick tea using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Fuzhuan brick tea, a distinctive dark tea fermented by microorganisms, is a traditional beverage in China throughout history. Recently, it has attracted considerable attention owing to its unique quality characteristics and potential health benefits. The aim of this study was to establish a method for the quality control of Fuzhuan brick tea for stable production. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify Fuzhuan brick tea, and the major components were chosen for further quantitative analysis. Subsequently, a quantification method was developed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry, and its reliability was verified through methodological validation. Finally, a total of 30 compounds were identified, including catechins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and fatty acids. The established method was reliable for methodological validation and was applied to the quantitative analysis of Fuzhuan brick tea. This study provides a fundamental basis for the quality control and further studies on the component analysis of Fuzhuan brick tea.

A novel method for age identification of mountain-cultivated ginseng

Panax ginseng, a slow-growing perennial herb, is the most praised and popular traditional medicinal herb. Mountain-cultivated ginseng (MCG) and cultivated ginseng (CG) both belong to Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer. The market price and medical effects of this popular health product are closely related to its age. It is widely acknowledged that CG is typically harvested after 4-6 years of growth, but MCG is often collected after 10 years. Until now, the age identification of MCG or mountain wild ginseng (MWG) has remained a major challenge. In this study, we established a novel and rapid method for staining xylem vessels with phloroglucinol and identifying the "annual growth rings" of ginseng by utilizing a stereoscope, which serves as a reliable indicator of the age of MCG. Statistical analysis of the ring radius and the ring density of MCG aged from 1 to 20 years shows that the secondary xylem of MCG increases rapidly in the first 3 years but then gradually slows down from 4 to 10 years, and minor fluctuation is observed in the next 10 years. Meanwhile, the space between the growth rings (ring density) becomes increasingly small with age. This straightforward staining approach can reveal the age of MCG with remarkable clarity and can distinguish MCG from CG. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: A novel rapid staining method for Panax ginseng was established. The age of mountain-cultivated ginseng (MCG) can be identified by microscopic techniques. MCG and cultivated ginseng (CG) can be discriminated by microstructure characteristics.

Strong Constraints on Jet Quenching in Centrality-Dependent p+Pb Collisions at 5.02 TeV from ATLAS

Jet quenching is the process of color-charged partons losing energy via interactions with quark-gluon plasma droplets created in heavy-ion collisions. The collective expansion of such droplets is well described by viscous hydrodynamics. Similar evidence of collectivity is consistently observed in smaller collision systems, including pp and p+Pb collisions. In contrast, while jet quenching is observed in Pb+Pb collisions, no evidence has been found in these small systems to date, raising fundamental questions about the nature of the system created in these collisions. The ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider has measured the yield of charged hadrons correlated with reconstructed jets in 0.36  nb^{-1} of p+Pb and 3.6  pb^{-1} of pp collisions at 5.02 TeV. The yields of charged hadrons with p_{T}^{ch}>0.5  GeV near and opposite in azimuth to jets with p_{T}^{jet}>30 or 60 GeV, and the ratios of these yields between p+Pb and pp collisions, I_{pPb}, are reported. The collision centrality of p+Pb events is categorized by the energy deposited by forward neutrons from the struck nucleus. The I_{pPb} values are consistent with unity within a few percent for hadrons with p_{T}^{ch}>4  GeV at all centralities. These data provide new, strong constraints that preclude almost any parton energy loss in central p+Pb collisions.

Search for Heavy Neutral Leptons in Decays of W Bosons Using a Dilepton Displaced Vertex in sqrt[s]=13 TeV pp Collisions with the ATLAS Detector

A search for a long-lived, heavy neutral lepton (N) in 139  fb^{-1} of sqrt[s]=13  TeV pp collision data collected by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider is reported. The N is produced via W→Nμ or W→Ne and decays into two charged leptons and a neutrino, forming a displaced vertex. The N mass is used to discriminate between signal and background. No signal is observed, and limits are set on the squared mixing parameters of the N with the left-handed neutrino states for the N mass range 3  GeV Collapse

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Test of CP Invariance in Higgs Boson Vector-Boson-Fusion Production Using the H→γγ Channel with the ATLAS Detector

A test of CP invariance in Higgs boson production via vector-boson fusion has been performed in the H→γγ channel using 139  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data at sqrt[s]=13  TeV collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The optimal observable method is used to probe the CP structure of interactions between the Higgs boson and electroweak gauge bosons, as described by an effective field theory. No sign of CP violation is observed in the data. Constraints are set on the parameters describing the strength of the CP-odd component in the coupling between the Higgs boson and the electroweak gauge bosons in two effective field theory bases: d[over ˜] in the HISZ basis and c_{HW[over ˜]} in the Warsaw basis. The results presented are the most stringent constraints on CP violation in the coupling between Higgs and weak bosons. The 95% C.L. constraint on d[over ˜] is derived for the first time and the 95% C.L. constraint on c_{HW[over ˜]} has been improved by a factor of 5 compared to the previous measurement.

Profile of cotton flavonoids: Their composition and important roles in development and adaptation to adverse environments

Cotton is a commercial crop that is cultivated in more than 50 countries. The production of cotton has severely diminished in recent years owing to adverse environments. Thus, it is a high priority of the cotton industry to produce resistant cultivars to prevent diminished cotton yields and quality. Flavonoids comprise one of the most important groups of phenolic metabolites in plants. However, the advantage and biological roles of flavonoids in cotton have yet not been studied in depth. In this study, we performed a widely targeted metabolic study and identified 190 flavonoids in cotton leaves that span seven different classes with flavones and flavonols as the dominant groups. Furthermore, flavanone-3-hydroxylase was cloned and silenced to knock down flavonoid production. The results show that the inhibition of flavonoid biosynthesis affects the growth and development of cotton and causes semi-dwarfing in cotton seedlings. We also revealed that the flavonoids contribute to cotton defense against ultraviolet radiation and Verticillium dahliae. Moreover, we discuss the promising role of flavonoids in cotton development and defense against biotic and abiotic stresses. This study provides valuable information to study the variety and biological functions of flavonoids in cotton and will help to profile the advantages of flavonoids in cotton breeding.

Emerging Insights into Liver X Receptor α in the Tumorigenesis and Therapeutics of Human Cancers

Liver X receptor α (LXRα), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is identified as a protein activated by ligands that interacts with the promoters of specific genes. It regulates cholesterol, bile acid, and lipid metabolism in normal physiological processes, and it participates in the development of some related diseases. However, many studies have demonstrated that LXRα is also involved in regulating numerous human malignancies. Aberrant LXRα expression is emerging as a fundamental and pivotal factor in cancer cell proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, and metastasis. Herein, we outline the expression levels of LXRα between tumor tissues and normal tissues via the Oncomine and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) 2.0 databases; summarize emerging insights into the roles of LXRα in the development, progression, and treatment of different human cancers and their diversified mechanisms; and highlight that LXRα can be a biomarker and therapeutic target in diverse cancers.

Proteins: Neglected active ingredients in edible bird's nest

Edible bird's nest (EBN) is a kind of natural invigorant with a long history of consumption in Asia, especially in China. EBN is formed by mixing the saliva of swiftlets (Aerodramus) with feathers and other components during the breeding season. Proteins are the most important nutrient in EBN. By studying proteins in EBN, we can not only elucidate their components at the molecular level, but also study their bioactivities. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the proteins in EBN. Previous research on the proteins in EBN was preliminary and cursory, and no one has summarized and analyzed the proteins in EBN and correlated the bioactivities of these proteins with the biological functions of EBN. This article focused on the proteins in EBN, listed the proteins identified in different proteomic studies, and introduced the sources, structures and bioactivities of the most frequently identified proteins, including acidic mammalian chitinase, lysyl oxidase homolog 3, mucin-5AC, ovoinhibitor, nucleobindin-2, calcium-binding protein (MW: 4.5 × 104) and glucose-regulated protein (MW: 7.8 × 104). The properties of these proteins are closely related to the bioactivities of EBN. Therefore, this article can provide inspiration for further research on the efficacy of EBN.

Alternative pathway of bile acid biosynthesis contributes to ameliorate NASH after induction of NAMPT/NAD+/SIRT1 axis

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is emerging as a serious liver disorder characterized by hepatic steatosis and liver inflammation. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) and NAD⁺-dependent deacetylase, SIRT1, play important roles in lipid metabolism in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, their effects on liver inflammation and homeostasis of bile acids (BAs), the extensively proved pathophysiological actors in NASH, have not been fully understood. NASH animal model was induced by a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet in C57BL/6J mice and intraperitoneally injected with NAD⁺ precursor, an agonist of upstream rate-limiting enzyme NAMPT or downstream SIRT1, or their vehicle solvents. Free fatty acid (FFA) was applied to HepG2 cells to construct the cell model. Induction of NAMPT/NAD⁺/SIRT1 axis could remarkably alleviate the aggravated inflammation in the liver of NASH mice, accompanied by decreased levels of total BAs throughout the enterohepatic system and a switch of BA synthesis from the classic pathway to the alternative pathway, resulting in less production of pro-inflammatory 12-OH BAs. The expressions of key enzymes including cyp7a1, cyp8b1, cyp27a1 and cyp7b1 in BA synthesis were significantly modulated after NAMPT/NAD⁺/SIRT1 axis induction in both animal and cell models. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in liver were significantly negatively correlated with the intermediates in NAD⁺ metabolism, which may also be related to their regulation on BA homeostasis. Our results indicated that induction of NAMPT/NAD⁺/SIRT1 axis may be a potential therapeutic strategy for NASH or its complications related with BAs.

UPLC-QTOF-MS with a chemical profiling approach for holistic quality evaluation between a material reference of Wen Dan decoction and its commercial preparations

BACKGROUND

Wen Dan decoction (WDD) has been a famous classic formula for resolving phlegm since ancient times in China. Currently, there are many types of WDD commercial preparations produced through modern technology. However, it is not known whether the holistic quality of WDD commercial preparations is consistent with the traditional decocting method to exert its proper effects. Therefore, the WDD material reference was studied and prepared, which can represent the traditional Chinese formulation WDD.

METHODS

A method based on UPLC-QTOF-MS was developed to evaluate the quality of WDD material reference and commercial prescriptions. At the same time, the multivariate statistical method was used to compare the differences between the material reference and the commercial prescription by principal component analysis (PCA) and heatmap. Finally, the UPLC-QTOF-MS method was established to quantitatively study 11 representative components, including naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, liquiritin, glycyrrhizic acid, adenosine, liquiritigenin, tangeretin, eriocitrin, naringenin and synephrine.

RESULTS

A total of 107 compounds were identified in the WDD material reference by comparing the retention time and fragment ion characteristics, including 54 flavonoids, 14 triterpenes, 10 organic acids, 7 alkaloids, 7 coumarins and 15 other components. The samples were almost evenly split into two groups, indicating a difference in quality between the WDD material reference and its commercial preparations in multivariate statistical analysis. Eleven major components of linearity, precision, repeatability, stability and recovery rate met the requirements, which were clearly different in commercial preparations and WDD material references. In terms of the content of 11 components in the commercial preparation, only CP8 is close to the material reference, which is in agreement with the statistical analysis of the heatmap. The concentrations of naringin and neohesperidin from the WDD material reference were higher than those from the commercial preparations.

CONCLUSIONS

The quality evaluation method established in this study can be used to identify different sources of WDD but also proves that the WDD material reference contains higher naringin. Furthermore, this study confirmed that the preparation technology of WDD commercial prescriptions should be optimized on the basis of WDD material references, producing the closest possible clinical basis for the substance.

Erratum: A crack compensation strategy for highly stretchable conductors based on liquid metal inclusions

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105495.].

Escherichia coli inhibits endometriosis by inducing M1 polarity of peritoneal macrophages and the IL-1 signaling pathway

The development of endometriosis is closely linked to macrophages, and the type M1 macrophage has been hypothesized to play an inhibitory role in its progression. Escherichia coli induces macrophage polarization toward M1 in numerous diseases and differs in the reproductive tract of patients with and without endometriosis; however, its specific role in endometriosis development remains unknown. Therefore, in this study, E. coli was selected as a stimulator to induce macrophages, and its effects on the growth of endometriosis lesions in vitro and in vivo were investigated using C57BL/6N female mice and endometrial cells. It was revealed that E. coli inhibited the migration and proliferation of co-cultured endometrial cells by IL-1 in vitro and prevented the growth of lesions and induced macrophage polarization toward M1 in vivo. However, this change was counteracted by C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 inhibitors, suggesting that it was associated with bone marrow-derived macrophages. Overall, the presence of E. coli in the abdominal cavity may be a protective factor for endometriosis.

Primary motor area-related injury of anterior central gyrus in Parkinson's disease with dyskinesia: a study based on MRS and Q-Space

INTRODUCTION

By using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and Q-Space imaging technology, this research analyzes the imaging characteristics of white matter fibers in the primary motor cortex and posterior limbs of the subcortical internal capsule in parkinsonian patients with motor disorders. The correlation among the changes in axonal function and structure in the cerebral cortex and subcortical cortex and motor disorder is further revealed.

METHODS

First, motor function and clinical condition of 20 patients with Parkinson's disease is assessed the third section of the Unified Parkinson's Scale and H&Y Parkinson's Clinical Staging Scale. Magnetic resonance (MR) scanning is performed with 1H-MRS. Secondly, the range maps of N-acetylaspartic acid (NAA), Choline (Cho), and Creatine (Cr) in the region of interest (the primary motor area of anterior central cortex gyrus, i.e. M1 region) are obtained, and the ratios of NAA/Cr and Cho are calculated. Third, Q-Space MR diffusion imaging technique is used to collect Q-Space images, and a Dsi-studio workstation is used to post-process the images. The fraction anisotropic (FA), generalized fraction anisotropic (GFA), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) parameters of Q-Space in the primary motor cortex and the region of interest in the posterior limb of the internal capsule are obtained. Finally, the parameters of MRS and Q-Space in the experimental group and the control group are further analyzed by SPSS statistical software.

RESULTS

After assessing with Parkinson's score scale, there is obvious motor dysfunction in the experimental group. The average clinical stage of H&Y is 3.0±0.31. In the analysis of MRS data, the ratio of NAA/Cr in the primary motor area of the anterior central gyrus in the experimental group is significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). In the ADC map obtained by Q-Space imaging technique, the ADC value in the primary motor area of the anterior central gyrus in the experimental group is higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the difference is statistically significant (P<0.05). There is no significant difference between the experimental group and the control group (P>0.05) in FA and GFA values of the posterior limb of capsule to characterize the characteristics of white matter fibers.

CONCLUSIONS

In parkinsonian patients with motor dysfunction, there are apparent functional and structural changes in the primary motor area neurons and peripheral white matter of the anterior central gyrus, and no obvious damage to the axonal structure of the descending fibers in the cortex.