Evaluating EEG neurofeedback in sport psychology: a systematic review of RCT studies for insights into mechanisms and performance improvement.

Electroencephalographic Neurofeedback Training (EEG NFT) aims to improve sport performance by teaching athletes to control their mental states, leading to better cognitive, emotional, and physical outcomes. The psychomotor efficiency hypothesis suggests that optimizing brain function could enhance athletic ability, indicating the potential of EEG NFT. However, evidence for EEG-NFT's ability to alter critical brain activity patterns, such as sensorimotor rhythm and frontal midline theta-key for concentration and relaxation-is not fully established. Current research lacks standardized methods and comprehensive studies. This shortfall is due to inconsistent EEG target selection and insufficient focus on coherence in training. This review aims to provide empirical support for EEG target selection, conduct detailed control analyses, and examine the specificity of electrodes and frequencies to relation to the psychomotor efficiency hypothesis. Following the PRISMA method, 2,869 empirical studies were identified from PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, and PsycINFO. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria: (i) proficient skill levels; (ii) use of EEG; (iii) neurofeedback training (NFT); (iv) motor performance metrics (reaction time, precision, dexterity, balance); (v) control group for NFT comparison; (vi) peer-reviewed English-language publication; and (vii) randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. Studies indicate that NFT can enhance sports performance, including improvements in shooting accuracy, golf putting, and overall motor skills, as supported by the psychomotor efficiency hypothesis. EEG NFT demonstrates potential in enhancing sports performance by optimizing performers' mental states and psychomotor efficiency. However, the current body of research is hampered by inconsistent methodologies and a lack of standardized EEG target selection. To strengthen the empirical evidence supporting EEG NFT, future studies need to focus on standardizing target selection, employing rigorous control analyses, and investigating underexplored EEG markers. These steps are vital to bolster the evidence for EEG NFT and enhance its effectiveness in boosting sport performance.

Two cyanobacterial species exhibit stress responses when grown together in visible light or far-red light.

Although most cyanobacteria grow in visible light (VL; λ = 400-700 nm), some cyanobacteria can also use far-red light (FRL; λ = 700-800 nm) for oxygenic photosynthesis by performing far-red light photoacclimation. These two types of cyanobacteria can be found in the same environment. However, how they respond to each other remains unknown. Here, we reveal that coculture stresses FRL-using Chlorogloeopsis fritschii PCC 9212 and VL-using Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. No significant growth difference was found in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 between the coculture and the monoculture. Conversely, the growth of Chlorogloeopsis fritschii PCC 9212 was suppressed in VL under coculture. According to transcriptomic analysis, Chlorogloeopsis fritschii PCC 9212 in coculture shows low transcript levels of metabolic activities and high transcript levels of ion transporters, with the differences being more noticeable in VL than in FRL. The transcript levels of stress responses in coculture were likewise higher than in monoculture in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 under FRL. The low transcript level of metabolic activities in coculture or the inhibition of cyanobacterial growth indicates a possible negative interaction between these two cyanobacterial strains.IMPORTANCEThe interaction between two cyanobacterial species is the primary focus of this study. One species harvests visible light, while the other can harvest far-red and visible light. Prior research on cyanobacteria interaction concentrated on its interactions with algal, coral, and fungal species. Interactions between cyanobacterial species were, nevertheless, rarely discussed. Thus, we characterized the interaction between two cyanobacterial species, one capable of photosynthesis using far-red light and the other not. Through experimental and bioinformatic approaches, we demonstrate that when one cyanobacterium thrives under optimal light conditions, it stresses the remaining cyanobacterial species. We contribute to an ecological understanding of these two kinds of cyanobacteria distribution patterns. Cyanobacteria that utilize far-red light probably disperse in environments with limited visible light to avoid competition with other cyanobacteria. From a biotechnological standpoint, this study suggests that the simultaneous cultivation of two cyanobacterial species in large-scale cultivation facilities may reduce the overall biomass yield.

An ultrastable 1397-nm laser stabilized by a crystalline-coated room-temperature cavity.

State-of-the-art optical cavities are pivotal in pushing the envelope of laser frequency stability below 10-16. This is often achieved by extending the cavity length or cooling the system to cryogenic temperatures to reduce the thermal noise floor. In our study, we present a 30-cm-long cavity that operates at room temperature and is outfitted with crystalline coatings. The system has a predicted ultralow thermal noise floor of 4.4 × 10-17, comparable to what is observed in cryogenic silicon cavities. A 1397-nm laser is stabilized in this advanced cavity, and the stable frequency is then transferred to the clock transition in strontium optical lattice clocks via a frequency-doubling process. We have meticulously minimized and assessed the technical noise contributions through comparisons with an ultrastable reference laser that is locked to a commercially available 30-cm cavity. The frequency instability of the system is rigorously evaluated using a three-cornered-hat method. The results demonstrate that the laser frequency instability remains below 2 × 10-16 for averaging times ranging from 1 to 50 s. These findings underscore the significant potential of room-temperature cavities with crystalline coatings in high-precision metrology and pave the way for further improvements in optical lattice clocks.

A Hybrid Metadetector for Measuring Bell States of Optical Angular Momentum Entanglement.

High-dimensional entanglement of optical angular momentum has shown its enormous potential for increasing robustness and data capacity in quantum communication and information multiplexing, thus offering promising perspectives for quantum information science. To make better use of optical angular momentum entangled states, it is necessary to develop a reliable platform for measuring and analyzing them. Here, we propose a hybrid metadetector of monolayer transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) integrated with spin Hall nanoantenna arrays for identifying Bell states of optical angular momentum. The corresponding states are converted into path-entangled states of propagative polaritonic modes for detection. Several Bell states in different forms are shown to be identified effectively. TMDs have emerged as an attractive platform for the next generation of on-chip optoelectronic devices. Our work may open up a new horizon for devising integrated quantum circuits based on these two-dimensional van der Waals materials.

Bibliometric analysis of Mongolian medicine and medicinal materials in China since 2000.

Aim of the study: To analyze the progress in Mongolian medicine and medicinal materials and to highlight its development process, emerging trends, and hotspots. Materials and methods: Papers on Mongolian medicine and medicinal materials from January 2000 to May 2022 were retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database. Using the collaboration network analysis of CiteSpace V and VOSviewer software, the cooperation among individuals and institutions in the field of scientific research was analyzed. The functions of frequency analysis, cluster analysis, and burst analysis were employed to conduct bibliometric analysis on research hotspots and trends in the field of Mongolian medicine research. Furthermore, the data visualization function was utilized to clearly display data trends and changes. Results: A total of 8362 papers on Mongolian medicine medicinal materials from CNKI were identified and analyzed.The research on Mongolian medicine has gone through three stages: the initial stage, the exploratory stage, and the developmental stage. The top two institutions in the number of papers are Inner Mongolia Medical University and Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities. Bagenna from Inner Mongolia Medical University is the author with the most papers. "clinical efficacy", "clinical research", and "quality standards" were the most frequently used keywords. Research in the field of Mongolian medicine has focused on several diseases, including skeletal system disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and digestive system disorders. Conclusion: Since 2000, there have been growing attention and efforts made in the field of Mongolian medicine and medicinal materials. The research in the field of Mongolian medicine had undergone three stages, namely the initial stage, the exploratory stage, and the developmental stage. The focus shifted from basic research such as the analysis of medicinal ingredients in Mongolian herbs to the application-oriented directions of traditional treatment techniques and advantageous diseases in Mongolian medicine. To make breakthroughs in this field, further research is needed to improve the persuasiveness and authority of Mongolian medicine and medicinal materials in terms of mechanism, standardization, and safety, to promote the development of Mongolian medicine and medicinal materials.

Fish gut-derived probiotic Pediococcus pentosaceus alleviates gossypol-induced intestinal inflammation by inhibiting NLRC3/NF-κB/IL-1ß signal pathway in Nile tilapia.

Cottonseed meal (CSM) and cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) serve as protein alternatives to fish meal and soybean meal in the feed industry. However, the presence of gossypol residue in CSM and CPC can potentially trigger severe intestinal inflammation, thereby restricting the widespread utilization of these two protein sources. Probiotics are widely used to prevent or alleviate intestinal inflammation, but their efficacy in protecting fish against gossypol-induced enteritis remains uncertain. Here, the protective effect of Pediococcus pentosaceus, a strain isolated from the gut of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), was evaluated. Three diets, control diet (CON), gossypol diet (GOS) and GOS supplemented with P. pentosaceus YC diet (GP), were used to feed Nile tilapia for 10 weeks. After the feeding trial, P. pentosaceus YC reduced the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the proximal intestine (PI) and distal intestine (DI). Following a 7-day exposure to Aeromonas hydrophila, the addition of P. pentosaceus YC was found to increase the survival rate of the fish. P. pentosaceus YC significantly inhibited the oxidative stress caused by gossypol, which was evidenced by lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as higher activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in PI and DI. Addition of P. pentosaceus YC significantly inhibited enteritis, with the lower expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (il-1ß, il-6, il-8) and higher expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines tgf-ß. RNA-seq analysis indicated that P. pentosaceus YC supplementation significantly inhibited nlrc3 and promoted nf-κb expression in PI and DI, and the siRNA interference experiment in vivo demonstrated that intestinal inflammation was mediated by NLRC3/NF-κB/IL-1ß signaling pathway. Fecal bacteria transplantation experiment demonstrated that gut microbiota mediated the protective effect of P. pentosaceus YC. These findings offer valuable insights into the application of P. pentosaceus YC for alleviating gossypol-induced intestinal inflammation in fish.

Colored Radiative Cooling and Flame-Retardant Polyurethane-Based Coatings: Selective Absorption/Reflection in Solar Waveband.

The aesthetic demand has become an imperative challenge to advance the practical and commercial application of daytime radiative cooling technology toward mitigating climate change. Meanwhile, the application of radiative cooling materials usually focuses on the building surface, related tightly to fire safety. Herein, the absorption and reflection spectra of organic and inorganic colorants are first compared in solar waveband, finding that iron oxides have higher reflectivity in NIR region. Second, three kinds of iron oxides-based colorants are selected to combine porous structure and silicon-modified ammonium polyphosphate (Si-APP) to engineer colored polyurethane-based (PU) coating, thus enhancing the reflectivity and flame retardancy. Together with reflectivity of more than 90% in near-infrared waveband and infrared emissivity of ≈91%, average temperature drops of ≈5.7, ≈7.9, and ≈3.8 °C are achieved in porous PU/Fe2O3/Si-APP, porous PU/Fe2O3·H2O/Si-APP, and porous PU/Fe3O4·H2O/Si-APP, compared with dense control samples. The catalysis effect of iron oxides in the cross-linking reaction of pyrolysis products and dehydration mechanism of Si-APP enable PU coating to produce an intumescent and protective char residue. Consequently, PU composite coatings demonstrate desirable fire safety. The ingenious choice of colorants effectively minimizes the solar heating effect and trades off the daytime radiative cooling and aesthetic appearance requirement.

Health outcomes of COVID-19 patients from Wuhan, China 3-year after hospital discharge: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate changes in health outcomes between years 2 and 3 after discharge following COVID-19 and to identify risk factors for poor health 3-year post-discharge. DESIGN: This is a multicentre observational cohort study. SETTING: This study was conducted in two centres from Wuhan, China. PARTICIPANTS: Eligibility screening has been performed in 3988 discharged laboratory-confirmed adult COVID-19 patients. Exclusion criteria were refusal to participate, inability to contact and death before follow-up. The WHO COVID-19 guidelines on defining disease severity were adopted. RESULTS: 1594 patients participated in the 1-year, 2-year and 3-year follow-ups, including 796 (49.9%) male patients, and 422 (26.5%) patients were classified in the severe disease group. 3 years after discharge, 182 (11.4%) patients still complained of at least one symptom. The most common symptoms were fatigue, myalgia, chest tightness, cough, anxiety, shortness of breath and expectoration. Fatigue or myalgia, the most common symptom cluster, frequently coexisted with chest symptoms and anxiety. Symptom persistence between years 2 and 3 was reported in 70 patients (4.4%) for which intensive care unit (ICU) admission was a risk factor (p=0.038). Of the 1586 patients who completed the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test (CAT), 97 (6.1%) scored ≥10, with older age being associated with CAT ≥10 (p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Between years 2 and 3 after SARS-CoV-2 infection, most patients returned to an asymptomatic state, and only a few were still symptomatic. ICU admission was a risk factor for symptom persistence.

The Clinical Impact of Different Types of Preoperative Biliary Intervention on Postoperative Biliary Tract Infection of Patients Undergoing Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Background: For patients with obstructive jaundice and who are indicated for pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) or biliary intervention, either endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage (PTCD) may be indicated preoperatively. However, the possibility of procedure-related postoperative biliary tract infection (BTI) should be a concern. We tried to evaluate the impact of ERCP and PTCD on postoperative BTI. Methods: Patients diagnosed from June 2013 to March 2022 with periampullary lesions and with PD indicated were enrolled in this cohort. Patients without intraoperative bile culture and non-neoplastic lesions were excluded. Clinical information, including demographic and laboratory data, pathologic diagnosis, results of microbiologic tests, and relevant infectious outcomes, was extracted from medical records for analysis. Results: One-hundred-and-sixty-four patients from the cohort (164/689) underwent preoperative biliary intervention, either ERCP (n = 125) or PTCD (n = 39). The positive yield of intraoperative biliary culture was significantly higher in patients who underwent ERCP than in PTCD (90.4% vs. 41.0%, p < 0.001). Although there was no significance, a trend of higher postoperative BTI (13.8% vs. 2.7%) and BTI-related septic shock (5 vs. 0, 4.0% vs. 0%) in the ERCP group was noticed. While the risk factors for postoperative BTI have not been confirmed, a trend suggesting a higher incidence of BTI associated with ERCP procedures was observed, with a borderline p-value (p = 0.05, regarding ERCP biopsy). Conclusions: ERCP in patients undergoing PD increases the positive yield of intraoperative biliary culture. PTCD may be the favorable option if preoperative biliary intervention is indicated.

m6A- and m5C- modified lncRNAs orchestrate the prognosis in cutaneous melanoma and m6A- modified LINC00893 regulates cutaneous melanoma cell metastasis.

BACKGROUND: As the most important modifications on the RNA level, N6-methyladenosine (m6A-) and 5-methylcytosine (m5C-) modification could have a direct influence on the RNAs. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) could also be modified by methylcytosine modification. Compared with mRNAs, the function of lncRNAs could be more potent to some extent in biological processes like tumorigenesis. Until now, rare reports have been done associated with cutaneous melanoma. Herein, we wonder if the m6A- and m5C- modified lncRNAs could influence the immune landscape and prognosis in melanoma, and we also want to find some lncRNAs which could directly affect the malignant behaviors of melanoma. METHODS: Systematically, we explored the expression pattern of m6A- and m5C- modified lncRNAs in melanoma from datasets including UCSC Xena and NCBI GEO, and the prognostic lncRNAs were selected. Then, according to the expression pattern of lncRNAs, melanoma samples from these datasets were divided into several subtypes. Prognostic model, nomogram survival model, drug sensitivity, GO, and KEGG pathway analysis were performed. Furthermore, among several selected lncRNAs, we identified one lncRNA named LINC00893 and investigated its expression pattern and its biological function in melanoma cell lines. RESULTS: We identified 27 m6A- and m5C- related lncRNAs which were significantly associated with survival, and we made a subtype analysis of melanoma samples based on these 27 lncRNAs. Among the two subtypes, we found differences of immune cells infiltration between these two subtypes. Then, LASSO algorithm was used to screen the optimized lncRNAs combination including ZNF252P-AS1, MIAT, FAM13A-AS1, LINC-PINT, LINC00893, AGAP2-AS1, OIP5-AS1, and SEMA6A-AS1. We also found that there was a significant correlation between the different risk groups predicted based on RS model and the actual prognosis. The nomogram survival model based on independent survival prognostic factors was also constructed. Besides, sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents, GO and KEGG analysis were performed. In different risk groups, a total of 14 drug molecules with different distributions were obtained, which included AZD6482, AZD7762, AZD8055, camptothecin, dasatinib, erlotinib, gefitinib, gemcitabine, GSK269962A, nilotinib, rapamycin, and sorafenib. A total of 55 significantly related biological processes and 17 KEGG signaling pathways were screened. At last, we noticed that LINC00893 had a relatively lower expression in melanoma tissue and cell lines compared with adjacent tissues and epidermal melanocyte, and down-regulation of LINC00893 could promote the malignant behavior of melanoma cells in A875 and MV3. In these two melanoma cell lines, down-regulation of m6A-related molecules like YTHDF3 and METTL3 could promote the expression of LINC00893. CONCLUSION: We made an analysis of m6A- and m5C- related lncRNAs in melanoma samples and a prediction of these lncRNAs' role in prognosis, tumor microenvironment, immune infiltration, and clinicopathological features. We also found that LINC00893, which is potentially regulated by m6A modification, could serve as a tumor-suppressor in melanoma and play an inhibitory role in melanoma metastasis.

Interaction of base excision repair gene polymorphism and estrogen-DNA adducts in breast cancer risk among East Asian women.

PURPOSE: In East Asia, the incidence of breast cancer has been increasing rapidly, particularly among premenopausal women. An elevated ratio of estrogen-DNA adducts was linked to a higher risk of breast cancer. The present study explored the influence of the interaction between base excision repair (BER) gene polymorphisms and estrogen-DNA adducts on breast cancer risk. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study comprising healthy volunteers and individuals with benign breast disease (control arm, n = 176) and patients with invasive carcinoma or carcinoma in situ (case arm, n = 177). Genotyping for BER-related genes, including SMUG1, OGG1, ERCC5, and APEX1, was performed. A logistic regression model, incorporating interactions between gene polymorphisms, estrogen-DNA adduct ratio, and clinical variables, was used to identify the risk factors for breast cancer. RESULTS: Univariate analysis indicated marginal associations between breast cancer risk and APEX1 rs1130409 T > G (P = 0.057) and APEX1 rs1760944 T > G (P = 0.065). Multivariate regression analysis revealed significant associations with increased breast cancer risk for APEX1_rs1130409 (GT/GG versus TT) combined with a natural logarithmic value of the estrogen-DNA adduct ratio (estimated OR 1.164, P = 0.023) and premenopausal status with an estrogen-DNA adduct ratio > 2.93 (estimated OR 2.433, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: APEX1_rs1130409 (GT/GG versus TT) polymorphisms, which are related to decreased BER activity, combined with an increased ratio of estrogen-DNA adducts, increase the risk of breast cancer in East Asian women.

Genome-wide identification, characterization, and evolutionary analysis of the barley TALE gene family and its expression profiles in response to exogenous hormones.

Three-amino-loop-extension (TALE) family belongs to the homeobox gene superfamily and occurs widely in plants, playing a crucial role in regulating their growth and development. Currently, genome-wide analysis of the TALE family has been completed in many plants. However, the systematic identification and hormone response analysis of the TALE gene family in barley are still lacking. In this study, 21 TALE candidate genes were identified in barley, which can be divided into KNOX and BELL subfamilies. Barley TALE members in the same subfamily of the phylogenetic tree have analogically conserved motifs and gene structures, and segmental duplications are largely responsible for the expansion of the HvTALE family. Analysis of TALE orthologous and homologous gene pairs indicated that the HvTALE family has mainly undergone purifying selective pressure. Through spatial structure simulation, HvKNOX5-HvKNOX6 and HvKNOX5-HvBELL11 complexes are all formed through hydrogen bonding sites on both the KNOX2 and homeodomain (HD) domains of HvKNOX5, which may be essential for protein interactions among the HvTALE family members. Expression pattern analyses reveal the potential involvement of most HvTALE genes in responses to exogenous hormones. These results will lay the foundation for regulation and function analyses of the barley TALE gene family in plant growth and development by hormone regulation.

Study on the interaction mechanism of whey protein isolate with phosphatidylcholine: By multispectral methods and molecular docking.

The elucidation of the interaction mechanism between phospholipids and milk proteins within emulsions is pivotal for comprehending the properties of infant formula fat globules. In this study, multispectral methods and molecular docking were employed to explore the relationship between phosphatidylcholine (PC) and whey protein isolate (WPI). Observations indicate that the binding constant, alongside thermodynamic parameters, diminishes as temperature ascends, hinting at a predominantly static quenching mechanism. Predominantly, van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds constitute the core interactions between WPI and PC. This assertion is further substantiated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which verifies PC's influence on WPI's secondary structure. A detailed assessment of thermodynamic parameters coupled with molecular docking reveals that PC predominantly adheres to specific sites within α-lactalbumin, ß-lactoglobulin, and bovine serum albumin, propelled by a synergy of hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and van der Waals forces, with binding energies noted at -5.59, -6.71, and -7.85 kcal/mol, respectively. An increment in PC concentration is observed to amplify the emulsification properties of WPI whilst concurrently diminishing the zeta potential. This study establishes a theoretical foundation for applying the PC-WPI interaction mechanism in food.

Engineering of a DNA/γPNA Hybrid Nanoreporter for ctDNA Mutation Detection via γPNA Urinalysis.

Detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) mutations, which are molecular biomarkers present in bodily fluids of cancer patients, can be applied for tumor diagnosis and prognosis monitoring. However, current profiling of ctDNA mutations relies primarily on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing and these techniques require preanalytical processing of blood samples, which are time-consuming, expensive, and tedious procedures that increase the risk of sample contamination. To overcome these limitations, here the engineering of a DNA/γPNA (gamma peptide nucleic acid) hybrid nanoreporter is disclosed for ctDNA biosensing via in situ profiling and recording of tumor-specific DNA mutations. The low tolerance of γPNA to single mismatch in base pairing with DNA allows highly selective recognition and recording of ctDNA mutations in peripheral blood. Owing to their remarkable biostability, the detached γPNA strands triggered by mutant ctDNA will be enriched in kidneys and cleared into urine for urinalysis. It is demonstrated that the nanoreporter has high specificity for ctDNA mutation in peripheral blood, and urinalysis of cleared γPNA can provide valuable information for tumor progression and prognosis evaluation. This work demonstrates the potential of the nanoreporter for urinary monitoring of tumor and patient prognosis through in situ biosensing of ctDNA mutations.

Luminescence Probes in Bio-Applications: From Principle to Practice.

Bioanalysis based on optical imaging has gained significant progress in the last few decades. Luminescence probes are capable of detecting, monitoring, and tracing particular biomolecules in complex biological systems to figure out the roles of these molecules in organisms. Considering the rapid development of luminescence probes for bio-applications and their promising future, we have attempted to explore the working principles and recent advances in bio-applications of luminescence probes, in the hope of helping readers gain a detailed understanding of luminescence probes developed in recent years. In this review, we first focus on the current widely used luminescence probes, including fluorescence probes, bioluminescence probes, chemiluminescence probes, afterglow probes, photoacoustic probes, and Cerenkov luminescence probes. The working principles for each type of luminescence probe are concisely described and the bio-application of the luminescence probes is summarized by category, including metal ions detection, secretion detection, imaging, and therapy.

Progress in application of cyclic single-stranded nucleic acids.

Cyclic nucleic acids are biologically stable against nucleic acid exonucleases due to the absence of 5' and 3' termini. Studies of cyclic nucleic acids mainly focus on cyclic single-stranded nucleic acids. Cyclic single-stranded nucleic acids are further divided into circular RNA (circRNA) and circular single-stranded DNA (cssDNA). The synthesis methods of circRNA include lasso-driven cyclization, intron-paired cyclization, intron cyclization, intron complementary pairing-driven cyclization, RNA-binding protein-driven cyclization, and artificial synthesis depending on the source. Its main role is to participate in gene expression and the treatment of some diseases. Circular single-stranded DNA is mainly synthesized by chemical ligation, template-directed enzyme ligation, and new techniques for the efficient preparation of DNA single loops and topologies based on CircLigase. It is mainly used in rolling circle amplification (RCA) technology and in the bioprotection of circular aptamers and second messengers. This review focuses on the types, synthesis methods, and applications of cyclic single-stranded nucleic acids, providing a reference for further research on cyclic single-stranded nucleic acids.

Shugan Tongluo Qiangjing recipe protects against varicocele of EVC rats through modulating sperm DNA damage, telomere expression and oxidative stress.

Varicocele (VC) refers to expansion and tortuosity of spreading venous plexus in spermatic cord due to poor blood flow. This study aimed to investigate effects of Shugan Tongluo Qiangjing recipe (SGTL) on sperm DNA damage and oxidative stress in experimental VC (EVC) rats. EVC model was established by partial ligation of left renal vein. Spermatic vein diameter, testicular weight, sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were evaluated. Telomere reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression, telomere gene transcription, and testicular tissue morphology were determined·H2O2, catalase, SOD, T-AOC were measured with colorimetry. SGTL significantly decreased spermatic vein diameter (P=0.000) and increased testicular weight (P=0.013) of rats compared those of EVC rats. SGTL maintained testicular tissue morphology in EVC rats. SGTL markedly reduced sperm DFI value in sperm of rats compared to EVC rats (P=0.000). SGTL significantly enhanced TERT expression and telomere gene transcription (P=0.028) in testis of rats compared to EVC rats. SGTL reduced H2O2 levels (P=0.001) and promoted CAT activity (P=0.016), SOD activity (P=0.049), and T-AOC activity (P=0.047) of rats, compared to EVC rats. In conclusion, SGTL could reduce pathogenic process of EVC by reducing sperm DNA damage and regulating telomere length in EVC rats, which may be related to oxidative stress regulation.

Atomically Resolved Defect-Engineering Scattering Potential in 2D Semiconductors.

Engineering atomic-scale defects has become an important strategy for the future application of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) materials in next-generation electronic technologies. Thus, providing an atomic understanding of the electron-defect interactions and supporting defect engineering development to improve carrier transport is crucial to future TMDs technologies. In this work, we utilize low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (LT-STM/S) to elicit how distinct types of defects bring forth scattering potential engineering based on intervalley quantum quasiparticle interference (QPI) in TMDs. Furthermore, quantifying the energy-dependent phase variation of the QPI standing wave reveals the detailed electron-defect interaction between the substitution-induced scattering potential and the carrier transport mechanism. By exploring the intrinsic electronic behavior of atomic-level defects to further understand how defects affect carrier transport in low-dimensional semiconductors, we offer potential technological applications that may contribute to the future expansion of TMDs.

Tunable multifunctional terahertz metasurface based on an indium antimonide medium.

Active adjustable terahertz multifunctional devices are crucial for the application of terahertz technology. In this paper, we propose a composite metasurface structure based on an indium antimonide metal octagonal pattern, which achieves different functional switching by controlling the phase state of indium antimonide material under different ambient temperatures. When indium antimonide exhibits in the dielectric state, by stacking and encoding the unit cell, the designed metasurface has the functions of two-beam splitting beam superposition, vortex beam and quarter beam superposition, and dual vortex beam superposition for circularly polarized and linearly polarized wave incidence. When indium antimonide appears in the metallic state, the encoding metasurface alters the modulation function of incident circularly polarized and linearly polarized terahertz waves. This terahertz metasurface provides a new approach for the design of multifunctional devices that can flexibly regulate terahertz wave metasurfaces.

Effectiveness of early palliative care in patients with head and neck cancer in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Early palliative care (EPC) benefits some cancers, but its clinical outcomes differ depending on patients' racial and ethnic disparities, and customs. To determine whether EPC improves symptoms, emotional distress, and quality of life among Taiwanese patients with early or advanced-stage head and neck cancer (HNC). METHODS: Based on participants' pathological stages, they were categorized as having early and advanced-stage HNC. Those willing and unwilling to undergo EPC were assigned to the EPC and standard groups, respectively. Their daily cancer-related symptoms were assessed using the Distress Thermometer (DT) and MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI), whose scores' concurrent validity was evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Core Quality of Life (EORTC-QLQ-C30) and Head and Neck 35 (EORTC-QLQ-H&N35) questionnaires. RESULTS: Patients (n = 93) diagnosed with HNC at Taiwan's Chia-Yi Christian Hospital from November 2020 to October 2022 were recruited. The patients voluntarily split into two groups: EPC groups and standard groups (23 and 11 in early-stage; 46 and 13 in advanced-stage, respectively). DT assessment showed significant emotional distress improvements for all patients with HNC who received EPC. The EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaire indicated that, compared to standard interventions, EPC groups significantly improved the quality of life and some symptoms for both early and advanced-stage HNC patients. However, the EORTC-QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire found no significant difference between the two groups. Furthermore, advanced-stage patients' anticancer treatment completion rates with EPC and standard interventions were 95.35% and 75%, respectively. CONCLUSION: EPC improves symptoms, emotional distress, quality of life, and treatment completion rates in Taiwanese patients with early or advanced-stage HNC. Nonetheless, further extensive clinical studies are required for validation.