Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in Alzheimer's disease: effects on neural and synaptic rehabilitation.

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease resulting from deficits in synaptic transmission and homeostasis. The Alzheimer's disease brain tends to be hyperexcitable and hypersynchronized, thereby causing neurodegeneration and ultimately disrupting the operational abilities in daily life, leaving patients incapacitated. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is a cost-effective, neuro-modulatory technique used for multiple neurological conditions. Over the past two decades, it has been widely used to predict cognitive decline; identify pathophysiological markers; promote neuroplasticity; and assess brain excitability, plasticity, and connectivity. It has also been applied to patients with dementia, because it can yield facilitatory effects on cognition and promote brain recovery after a neurological insult. However, its therapeutic effectiveness at the molecular and synaptic levels has not been elucidated because of a limited number of studies. This study aimed to characterize the neurobiological changes following repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment, evaluate its effects on synaptic plasticity, and identify the associated mechanisms. This review essentially focuses on changes in the pathology, amyloidogenesis, and clearance pathways, given that amyloid deposition is a major hypothesis in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Apoptotic mechanisms associated with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation procedures and different pathways mediating gene transcription, which are closely related to the neural regeneration process, are also highlighted. Finally, we discuss the outcomes of animal studies in which neuroplasticity is modulated and assessed at the structural and functional levels by using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, with the aim to highlight future directions for better clinical translations.

Sirolimus for kaposiform hemangioendothelioma: Potential mechanisms of action and resistance.

Kaposiform hemangioendotheliomas (KHEs) are vascular tumors that are considered borderline or locally aggressive and may lead to lethal outcomes. Traditional therapies, such as surgery and embolization, may be insufficient or technically impossible for patients with KHE. Sirolimus (or rapamycin), a specific inhibitor of mechanistic target of rapamycin, has recently been demonstrated to be very useful in the treatment of KHEs. Here, we highlight recent substantial progress regarding the effects of sirolimus on KHEs and discuss the potential mechanisms of action of sirolimus in treating this disease. The prevention of platelet activation and inflammation, along with antiangiogenic effects, the inhibition of lymphangiogenesis, the attenuation of fibrosis, or a combination of all these effects, may be responsible for the therapeutic effects of sirolimus. In addition, the mechanism of sirolimus resistance in some KHE patients is discussed. Finally, we review the somatic mutations that have recently been identified in KEH lesions, and discuss the potential of novel therapeutic targets based on these further understandings of the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of KHE.

One-pot Hydrogenolysis of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) to p-xylene over CuZn/Al2O3 Catalyst.

Chemical upcycling of plastic wastes into valuable chemicals is a promising strategy for resolving plastic pollution, but economically viable methods currently are still lacking. Here, we report one-pot hydrogenolysis of PET plastic into p-xylene with an excellent yield (99.8 %) over a robust non-precious Cu-based catalyst, CuZn/Al2O3, in the absence of alcohol solvents. The presence of Zn species promotes the dispersion of Cu0 and increases the ratio of Cu+/Cu0, whereas the synergistic effect of Cu0 and Cu+ leads to a superior performance in the conversion of PET. The combination of GC-MS, 13C CP MAS NMR, 2D 1H-13C CP HETCOR NMR spectroscopy and kinetic studies for the first time demonstrates 4-methyl benzyl alcohol as an important reaction intermediate in the hydrogenolysis of PET. Mechanistic studies indicate that the conversion of PET mainly follows a hydrogenolysis process, involving the cleavage of ester bonds to alcohols and the C-O bond cleavage of alcohols to alkanes. This work not only brings new insight for understanding the upgrading pathway of PET, but also provides a guidance for the design of high-performance non-precious catalysts for the chemical upcycling of plastic wastes.

Galformer: a transformer with generative decoding and a hybrid loss function for multi-step stock market index prediction.

The prediction of stock market fluctuations is crucial for decision-making in various financial fields. Deep learning algorithms have demonstrated outstanding performance in stock market index prediction. Recent research has also highlighted the potential of the Transformer model in enhancing prediction accuracy. However, the Transformer faces challenges in multi-step stock market forecasting, including limitations in inference speed for long sequence prediction and the inadequacy of traditional loss functions to capture the characteristics of noisy, nonlinear stock history data. To address these issues, we introduce an innovative transformer-based model with generative decoding and a hybrid loss function, named "Galformer," tailored for the multi-step prediction of stock market indices. Galformer possesses two distinctive characteristics: (1) a novel generative style decoder that predicts long time-series sequences in a single forward operation, significantly boosting the speed of predicting long sequences; (2) a novel loss function that combines quantitative error and trend accuracy of the predicted results, providing feedback and optimizing the transformer-based model. Experimental results on four typical stock market indices, namely the CSI 300 Index, S&P 500 Index, Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJI), and Nasdaq Composite Index (IXIC), affirm that Galformer outperforms other classical methods, effectively optimizing the Transformer model for stock market prediction.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors for acute abdomen in patients with abdominal lymphatic malformations.

OBJECTIVE: The diagnosis of abdominal lymphatic malformations (ALMs) is often overlooked in clinical practice. However, reports in the literature about ALMs are limited to case reports and series with small sample sizes. This study aimed to review our currently available data to describe the clinical characteristics of ALMs and evaluate the risk factors for acute abdomen caused by ALMs. METHODS: We reviewed the records of patients with ALMs who were diagnosed between December 2008 and January 2023 in our institution. The associations between acute abdomen and ALMs were analyzed based on single-factor and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: This study included 345 patients with pathologically confirmed ALMs, with a slight female predominance of 1:1.4. Approximately 39.1% (135/345) of patients were asymptomatic, and 24.6% (85/345) presented with acute abdomen. Among the ALMs in the cohort, 42.6% (147/345) were retroperitoneal lymphatic malformations (LMs). The maximal lesion dimensions in patients with acute abdomen and nonacute abdomen were 10.0 cm and 7.8 cm, respectively, with no significant difference based on multivariate analyses. Children were more likely to develop acute abdomen than adults were (P = .002; odds ratio, 5.128; 95% confidence interval, 1.835-14.326). ALMs accompanying acute abdomen were more common for lesions involving the small intestinal mesentery (P = .023; odds ratio, 2.926; 95% confidence interval, 1.157-7.400). CONCLUSIONS: ALMs are rare with an insidious onset, and retroperitoneal LMs are the most common ALMs, followed by jejunal mesenteric LMs. Our retrospective analysis suggested that young age and small intestinal mesenteric lymphatic malformation are independent risk factors for acute abdomen with ALMs.

Radiation dose reduction and image quality in pediatric paranasal sinus CT: with automatic tube current modulation and iterative reconstruction technique.

Our objective is to evaluate radiation dose and image quality in pediatric paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) with automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) and sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction algorithm (SAFIRE). CT scans from 80 patients were divided into two groups: Group A [80 kVp, pitch 1.5, 40 mAs, the filtered back projection (FBP) algorithm] and Group B (70 kVp, pitch 3, ATCM with reference at 40 mAs, SAFIRE strengths 1-5). We have evaluated image quality and radiation dose. Group B demonstrated significantly lower volume computed tomography dose index, dose-length product, and effective dose than Group A (0.13 ± 0.03 vs. 1.57 ± 0.01 mGy, 2.27 ± 0.82 vs. 19.88 ± 2.01 mGy·cm, and 0.0081 ± 0.0017 vs. 0.079 ± 0.013 mSv, respectively; P < .001). Increasing SAFIRE strengths correlated with noise reduction and SNR enhancement. Group B's noise and SNRsoft at SAFIRE strength 5 were comparable with Group A. Images reconstructed with SAFIRE strength 5 in Group B exhibit comparable image quality with FBP in Group A.

A self-powered photoelectrochemical aptasensor using 3D-carbon nitride and carbon-based metal-organic frameworks for high-sensitivity detection of tetracycline in milk and water.

Antibiotic residues have become a significant challenge in food safety, threatening both ecosystem integrity and human health. To combat this problem, we developed an innovative photo-powered, self-powered aptasensor that employs a novel carbon-doped three-dimensional graphitic carbon nitride (3D-CN) combined with a metal-organic framework composed of N-doped copper(I) oxide-carbon (Cu2O@C) skeletons. The 3D-CN serves as the photoanode, offering stable photocurrent production due to its three-dimensional open framework structure. The N-doped Cu2O@C acts as the photocathode, providing oxidation protection for the metal core and enhancing light absorption due to its metal-organic framework structure. A key feature of our work is exploiting the Fermi level difference between the n-type photoanode and p-type photocathode, which facilitates faster migration of photogenerated electrons toward the photocathode, thereby enhancing the sensor's self-powered effect. Experimental results reveal that upon aptamer loading, the sensor can linearly detect tetracycline (TC) within a range of 0.5 pmol/L to 300 nmol/L, with a detection limit as low as 0.13 pmol/L. It also demonstrates excellent selectivity, stability, and reproducibility, making it applicable to real samples such as milk and river water. Consequently, our research provides a highly efficient and sensitive method for monitoring TC in food, with significant practical implications and profound impacts on food safety.

Hesperetin Attenuates T-2 Toxin-Induced Chondrocyte Injury by Inhibiting the p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Hesperetin, a flavonoid derived from citrus fruits, exhibits potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and has been implicated in cartilage protection. However, its effectiveness against T-2 toxin-induced knee cartilage damage remains unclear. METHODS: In this study, high-throughput sequencing analysis was employed to identify the key signaling pathways involved in T-2 toxin-induced articular cartilage damage in rats. Animal models were divided into the following groups: control, low-dose T-2 toxin, high-dose T-2 toxin, T-2 toxin + hesperetin, hesperetin, and vehicle. Pathological staining and immunohistochemistry were used to assess pathological changes, as well as the expression levels of the cartilage matrix-related proteins MMP13 and collagen II, along with the activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Additionally, primary rat chondrocytes were cultured to establish an in vitro model for investigating the underlying mechanism. RESULTS: High-throughput sequencing analysis revealed the involvement of the MAPK signaling pathway in T-2 toxin-induced articular cartilage damage in rats. Hesperetin intervention in T-2 toxin-exposed rats attenuated pathological cartilage damage. Immunohistochemistry results demonstrated a significant reduction in collagen II protein expression in the high-dose T-2 toxin group (p < 0.01), accompanied by a significant increase in MMP13 protein expression (p < 0.01). In both the articular cartilage and the epiphyseal plate, the T-2 toxin + hesperetin group exhibited significantly higher collagen II protein expression than the high-dose T-2 toxin group (p < 0.05), along with significantly lower MMP13 protein expression (p < 0.05). Hesperetin inhibited the over-activation of the p38/MEF2C signaling axis induced by T-2 toxin in primary rat chondrocytes. Compared to the T-2 toxin group, the T-2 toxin + hesperetin group showed significantly reduced phosphorylation levels of p38 and protein expression levels of MEF2C (p < 0.001 or p < 0.05). Moreover, the T-2 toxin + hesperetin group exhibited a significant decrease in MMP13 protein expression (p < 0.05) and a significant increase in collagen II protein expression (p < 0.01) compared to the T-2 toxin group. CONCLUSIONS: T-2 toxin activates the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, causing knee cartilage damage in rats. Treatment with hesperetin inhibits the p38/MEF2C signaling axis, regulates collagen II and MMP13 protein expression, and reduces cartilage injury significantly.

Predicting Health Misperceptions: The Role of eHealth Literacy and Situational Perceptions.

This study sought to understand how health misperceptions develop among individuals after exposure to misinformation messages, and how eHealth literacy and situational motivation in problem solving are associated with the negative effects of misinformation exposure. We also sought to understand the differentiated effects of misinformation exposure on the four misinformation-susceptible publics. Results from two studies revealed that situational motivation was positively associated with the formation of misperceptions after misinformation exposure as well as individuals' likelihood of amplifying the misinformation message. However, eHealth literacy does not reduce misperceptions, as had been hypothesized. In fact, eHealth literacy was not significantly associated with misperceptions or with misinformation amplification likelihood. Results also provide support for the typology of misinformation-susceptible publics as misinformation-amplifying publics were the most susceptible to misinformation messages.

Photoinduced Metal-Free Decarboxylative Fluoroalkylation of Alkenes for the Synthesis of N-Arylbutanamides and Oxindoles.

The visible light-induced decarboxylative cascade reaction of fluoroalkyl carboxylic acids has been achieved for the efficient synthesis of fluorinated compounds. However, most of the transformations rely on noble iridium metal complex. Herein, a visible light-induced metal-free decarboxylative cascade reaction of fluoroalkyl carboxylic acids has been realized. This protocol features simple operation, transition metal free, and good functional group tolerance.

The role of neutrophil and LDL-C levels in predicting intracranial hemorrhage following endovascular thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and preoperative levels of neutrophils and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), and to assess the predictive value of preoperative levels of neutrophils and LDL-C. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical records of patients diagnosed with AIS who underwent EVT at Nanchong Central Hospital between 2019 and 2023. Multivariate regression analysis was employed to examine the association of preoperative levels of neutrophils and LDL-C with the occurrence of ICH. Furthermore, a receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to assess the predictive efficacy of these parameters. RESULTS: A total of 300 patients with a mean age of 68.0 years (standard deviation, 11.1 years) and a median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke scale (NIHSS) score of 15.5 (interquartile range, 12.0-19.75) were identified in this cohort. Of these, 28 (9.3%) patients experienced ICH. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that elevated preoperative neutrophil (odds ratio [OR] 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-1.38, P < 0.001) and LDL-C (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.52-4.58, P < 0.001) levels were independently associated with ICH. The combined indicator demonstrated a higher area under the curve (AUC 0.759, 95% CI 0.654-0.865) compared with preoperative neutrophil (AUC 0.647, 95% CI 0.532-0.763) and LDL-C (AUC 0.711, 95% CI 0.607-0.814) levels individually.The specificity and sensitivity of the combined indicator were 67.9% and 83.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative levels of neutrophils and LDL-C may serve as predictive indicators for ICH in patients with AIS who have undergone EVT; moreover, the combination of preoperative neutrophil and LDL-C levels demonstrates enhanced predictive efficacy.

Dynamic functional network connectivity in patients with a mismatch between white matter hyperintensity and cognitive function.

Objective: White matter hyperintensity (WMH) in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is strongly associated with cognitive impairment. However, the severity of WMH does not coincide fully with cognitive impairment. This study aims to explore the differences in the dynamic functional network connectivity (dFNC) of WMH with cognitively matched and mismatched patients, to better understand the underlying mechanisms from a quantitative perspective. Methods: The resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and cognitive function scale assessment of the patients were acquired. Preprocessing of the rs-fMRI data was performed, and this was followed by dFNC analysis to obtain the dFNC metrics. Compared the dFNC and dFNC metrics within different states between mismatch and match group, we analyzed the correlation between dFNC metrics and cognitive function. Finally, to analyze the reasons for the differences between the mismatch and match groups, the CSVD imaging features of each patient were quantified with the assistance of the uAI Discover system. Results: The 149 CSVD patients included 20 cases of "Type I mismatch," 51 cases of Type I match, 38 cases of "Type II mismatch," and 40 cases of "Type II match." Using dFNC analysis, we found that the fraction time (FT) and mean dwell time (MDT) of State 2 differed significantly between "Type I match" and "Type I mismatch"; the FT of States 1 and 4 differed significantly between "Type II match" and "Type II mismatch." Correlation analysis revealed that dFNC metrics in CSVD patients correlated with executive function and information processing speed among the various cognitive functions. Through quantitative analysis, we found that the number of perivascular spaces and bilateral medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) scores differed significantly between "Type I match" and "Type I mismatch," while the left MTA score differed between "Type II match" and "Type II mismatch." Conclusion: Different mechanisms were implicated in these two types of mismatch: Type I affected higher-order networks, and may be related to the number of perivascular spaces and brain atrophy, whereas Type II affected the primary networks, and may be related to brain atrophy and the years of education.

The association between serum vitamin A concentrations and virus hepatitis among U.S. adults from the NHANES database: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: According to the present study, the relationship between vitamin A (VA) levels and hepatitis virus carriage has been unclear and controversial. This study aimed to determine the potential relationship between serum VA levels and viral hepatitis and to provide ideas for future clinical treatments. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using the 2005-2006 and 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) datasets. Multiple linear regression and logistic regression were adopted to analyze the association between serological hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or hepatitis C RNA (HCV-RNA) positivity and VA levels. There were 5,351 HBsAg-related responders and 242 HCV-RNA-related responders, including 52 HBsAg (+) and 104 HCV-RNA (+) responders. Results: Compared with HBsAg (-) and HCV-RNA (-) respondents, HBsAg (+) and HCV-RNA (+) respondents tended to have lower serum VA levels, respectively [1.63 (1.33 ~ 2.01) vs. 1.92 (1.57 ~ 2.34), P < 0.001; 1.54 (1.25 ~ 1.83) vs. 1.78 (1.46 ~ 2.26), P < 0.001]. A greater percentage of responders in the subclinical VA deficiency (SVAD) group were HBsAg (+) and HCV-RNA (+) than were those in the normal VA (VAN) group [2.4% (9/374) vs. 0.9% (43/4977), p = 0.003; 61.5% (16/26) vs. 40.7% (88/215), p = 0.043]. According to the results of the multiple regression analyses of the different models, the serum VA concentration was negatively correlated with HBsAg (+) and HCV-RNA (+) status (ß = -0.14, 95% CI = -0.30 to -0.01, p = 0.066; ß = -0.29, 95% CI = -0.50 ~ -0.09, p = 0.005, respectively). Compared to those with SVAD, patients with VAN were less likely to be serologically HBsAg (+) or HCV-RNA (+) (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.25 ~ 1.10, p = 0.089; OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.18 ~ 0.84, p = 0.016, respectively). Conclusion: Our study provides evidence that patients who are HBsAg (+) or HCV-RNA (+) have a high incidence of SVAD. Moreover, HBsAg and HCV-RNA positivity are negatively correlated with VA levels, and patients with SVAD are more likely to carry HBsAg (+) or HCV-RNA (+). These findings suggest that the relationship between hepatitis viruses and vitamin A needs to be validated by more basic studies and clinical large-sample randomized controlled trials to provide ideas for new therapeutic targets.

Combining (CH2O)n and (NH4)2CO3 as a Formamidine Equivalent for "Four-in-One" Synthesis of Fluoroalkylated 2-H-Pyrimidines.

Multicomponent reactions hold the potential to maximize the synthetic efficiency in the preparation of diverse and complex molecular scaffolds. An unprecedented formal [3+1+1+1] annulation approach for the one-step synthesis of fluoroalkylated 2-H-pyrimidines commencing from perfluoroalkyl alkenes, paraformaldehyde, and ammonium carbonate is described. By harnessing readily accessible (CH2O)n and cheap (NH4)2CO3 as a formamidine surrogate, this method effectively replaces traditionally preformed amidines with a pyrimidine assembly. The multicomponent reaction proceeds in a step-economical, operationally simple, metal-free, and additive-free manner, featuring a broad substrate scope, excellent functional group compatibility, and scalability. The potential for the synthetic elaboration of the obtained 2-H-pyrimidine is further demonstrated in the alkylation and vinylation of its C2 position.

Nondissociative Activated Dihydrogen Binding on CeO2 Revealed by High-Pressure Operando Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy.

Dihydrogen complexes, which retain the H-H bond, have been extensively studied in molecular science and found to be prevalent in homogeneous and enzymatic catalysis. However, their counterparts in heterogeneous catalysis, specifically nondissociative chemisorbed dihydrogen binding on the catalyst surface, are rarely reported experimentally. This scarcity is due to the complexity of typical material surfaces and the lack of effective characterization techniques to prove and distinguish various dihydrogen binding modes. Herein, using high-pressure operando solid-state NMR technology, we report the first unambiguous experimental observation of activated dihydrogen binding on a reduced ceria catalyst through interactions with surface oxygen vacancies. By employing versatile NMR structural and dynamical analysis methods, we establish a proportional relationship between the degree of ceria surface reduction and dihydrogen binding, as evidenced by NMR observations of H-D through-bond coupling (JHD), T1 relaxation, and proton isotropic chemical shifts. In situ NMR analysis further reveals the participation of bound dihydrogen species in a room-temperature ethylene hydrogenation reaction. The remarkable similarities between surface-activated dihydrogen in heterogeneous catalysis and dihydrogen model molecular complexes can provide valuable insights into the hydrogenation mechanism for many other solid catalysts, potentially enhancing hydrogen utilization.

Sirtuin 3-activated superoxide dismutase 2 mediates fluoride-induced osteoblastic differentiation in vitro and in vivo by down-regulating reactive oxygen species.

Skeletal fluorosis is a chronic metabolic bone disease caused by long-term excessive fluoride intake. Abnormal differentiation of osteoblasts plays an important role in disease progression. Research on the mechanism of fluoride-mediated bone differentiation is necessary for the prevention and treatment of skeletal fluorosis. In the present study, a rat model of fluorosis was established by exposing it to drinking water containing 50 mg/L F-. We found that fluoride promoted Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) as well as superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) and sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) expression in osteoblasts of rat bone tissue. In vitro, we also found that 4 mg/L sodium fluoride promoted osteogenesis-related indicators as well as SOD2 and SIRT3 expression in MG-63 and Saos-2 cells. In addition, we unexpectedly discovered that fluoride suppressed the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) in osteoblasts. When SOD2 or SIRT3 was inhibited in MG-63 cells, fluoride-decreased ROS and mtROS were alleviated, which in turn inhibited fluoride-promoted osteogenic differentiation. In conclusion, our results suggest that SIRT3/SOD2 mediates fluoride-promoted osteoblastic differentiation by down-regulating reactive oxygen species.

Association of Sleep Duration with Risk of All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality Among American Adults: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Objective: To examine potential factors affecting sleep duration and explore its association with the risk of mortality among adults in the United States. Methods: The study population consisted of adults aged 26 to 79 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted from 2007 to 2016. Sleep duration was classified into three categories: short (<7 hours), optimal (7-8 hours), and long (≥9 hours). The associations between sleep duration and both all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality (including heart disease, tumors, cerebrovascular disease, and others) were examined in the overall population and subgroups using weighted Cox regression models. Dose-response associations between sleep duration and risk of all-cause mortality were explored using restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses. Additionally, a multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate potential factors that influence sleep duration in adults. Results: The study included a total of 24,141 subjects, with a population-weighted mean age of 48.93 years. Over 30% of the subjects exhibited unhealthy sleep habits. Fully adjusted models revealed that both short sleep duration (HR=1.169, 95% CI 1.027-1.331) and long sleep duration (HR=1.286, 95% CI 1.08-1.531), were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. The RCS curves showed a U-shaped relationship between sleep duration and risk of all-cause mortality. Subgroup analyses showed a significant association between poor sleep patterns and all-cause mortality among adults aged 26-64 years, males, and non-Hispanic whites. Furthermore, multinomial logistic regression identified several predictors associated with short and long sleep durations. Conclusion: Both short and long sleep duration are associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, with a U-shaped dose-response relationship. It is imperative to implement appropriate primary prevention strategies aimed at monitoring and providing health education to populations at risk of developing unhealthy sleep patterns.

The Effects of Combined Treatments of Laser Engraving, Plasma Spraying and Resin Pre-Coating on Improving the Bonding Strength of Titanium Alloy and Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer.

This study focused on effective methods of laser engraving treatment (LET), plasma spraying, and resin pre-coating (RPC) to manufacture the reinforced adhesive joints of titanium alloy and carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (TA-CFRP) composites. The combined treatments contributed to the creation of a better adhesive bonding condition and offer a vertical gap between circular protrusions to form epoxy pins and carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced epoxy pins. The bonding strength of the TA-CFRP composite was reinforced by 130.6% via treatments with a twice-engraving unit of 0.8 mm, plasma spraying, and RPC. The original debonding failure on the TA surface was changed into the cohesive failure of the epoxy adhesive and delamination-dominated failure of the CFRP panel. Overall, laser engraving has been confirmed as an effective and controllable treatment method to reinforce the bonding strength of the TA-CFRP joint combined with plasma spraying and RPC. It may be considered as an alternative in industry for manufacturing high-performance metal-CFRP composites.

Development of a novel Cas13a/Cas12a-mediated 'one-pot' dual detection assay for genetically modified crops.

INTRODUCTION: Genetically modified (GM) crops have been widely cultivated across the world and the development of rapid, ultrasensitive, visual multiplex detection platforms that are suitable for field deployment is critical for GM organism regulation. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we developed a novel one-pot system, termed MR-DCA (Multiplex RPA and Dual CRISPR assay), for the simultaneous detection of CaMV35S and NOS genetic targets in GM crops. This innovative approach combined Multiplex RPA (recombinase polymerase amplification) with the Dual CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat) assay technique, to provide a streamlined and efficient method for GM crop detection. METHODS: The RPA reaction used for amplification CaMV35S and NOS targets was contained in the tube base, while the dual CRISPR enzymes were placed in the tube cap. Following centrifugation, the dual CRISPR (Cas13a/Cas12a) detection system was initiated. Fluorescence visualization was used to measure CaMV35S through the FAM channel and NOS through the HEX channel. When using lateral flow strips, CaMV35S was detected using rabbit anti-digoxin (blue line), whilst NOS was identified using anti-mouse FITC (red line). Line intensity was quantified using Image J and depicted graphically. RESULTS: Detection of the targets was completed in 35 min, with a limit of detection as low as 20 copies. In addition, two analysis systems were developed and they performed well in the MR-DCA assay. In an analysis of 24 blind samples from GM crops with a wide genomic range, MR-DCA gave consistent results with the quantitative PCR method, which indicated high accuracy, applicability and semi-quantitative ability. CONCLUSION: The development of MR-DCA represents a significant advancement in the field of GM detection, offering a rapid, sensitive and portable method for multiple target detection that can be used in resource-limited environments.