The mechanisms of pH regulation on promoting volatile fatty acids production from kitchen waste.

The anaerobic acid production experiments were conducted with the pretreated kitchen waste under pH adjustment. The results showed that pH 8 was considered to be the most suitable condition for acid production, especially for the formation of acetic acid and propionic acid. The average value of total volatile fatty acid at pH 8 was 8814 mg COD/L, 1.5 times of that under blank condition. The average yield of acetic acid and propionic acid was 3302 mg COD/L and 2891 mg COD/L, respectively. The activities of key functional enzymes such as phosphotransacetylase, acetokinase, oxaloacetate transcarboxylase and succinyl-coA transferase were all enhanced. To further explore the regulatory mechanisms within the system, the distribution of microorganisms at different levels in the fermentation system was obtained by microbial sequencing, results indicating that the relative abundances of Clostridiales, Bacteroidales, Chloroflexi, Clostridium, Bacteroidetes and Propionibacteriales, which were great contributors for the hydrolysis and acidification, increased rapidly at pH 8 compared with the blank group. Besides, the proportion of genes encoding key enzymes was generally increased, which further verified the mechanism of hydrolytic acidification and acetic acid production of organic matter under pH regulation.

Recent advances in liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the detection of thyroid hormones and thyroglobulin in clinical samples: A review.

Thyroid hormones (THs), including triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and their metabolites, are essential for regulating development, growth, and energy metabolism. Thyroglobulin (Tg) produced by thyroid follicular cells acts as an essential substrate for TH synthesis. The combination of THs with Tg is a widely used serological laboratory test for thyroid function assessment. Early detection and timely intervention are significant for preventing and managing thyroid disease. In recent years, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has emerged as a powerful tool for the precise detection of small molecular analytes and steroid hormones in clinical practice as a result of its high sensitivity and specificity. While LC-MS/MS has been increasingly used for detecting THs and Tg recently, its application in clinical practice is still in its early stages. Recent advances in the assessment of thyroid metabolism using LC-MS/MS in clinical samples published during 2004-2023 were reviewed, with a special focus on the use of this technique for quantifying molecules involved in thyroid diseases.

The association of sedentary time with sleep disturbances among the US population, 2005 to 2014.

BACKGROUND: Sleep problems increase the risk of premature illness and death. We evaluated the association between sedentary time and sleep disturbances. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of the US nationally representative data of 21,414 adults (aged > = 18 years) from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2005-2014) was performed. The data of sleep disturbances were assessed using NHANES questionnaire results, which included the question, "{Have you/has sp} ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that {you have/s/he has} a sleep disorder?". All participants were stratified by quartiles of sedentary behavior distribution, which was the explanatory variable (sedentary time quartile cut points: Q1, 0 < = Q1 < 3 h; Q2, 3 < = Q2 < 5 h; Q3, 5 < = Q3 < 8 h; Q4, 8 < = Q4 < 20 h). We used multivariable logistic regression and the restricted cubic splines (RCS) model to assess the relationship between sedentary time and sleep disturbances. RESULTS: In the unadjusted multivariable logistic regression model (crude model), there was a demonstrated tendency for the odds of sleep disturbances to increase with the sedentary time (Q1 as reference, Q2: OR, 1.31 [95% CI 1.09-1.58] P = 0.005; Q3: OR, 1.62 [95% CI 1.39-1.88] P < 0.001; Q4: OR, 1.75 [95% CI 1.48-2.06] P < 0.001; P for trend < 0.001). In the adjusted model 4, adjustment for gender, age, marital type, education type, race, family poverty index ratio, waist circumference, recreational type, smoke status, drink status, diabetes mellitus status, cardiovascular disease status, sleep duration type, body mass index, the OR in Q2 subgroup didn't significantly increase (Q1 as reference. Q2: OR, 1.18 [95% CI 0.96-1.44] P = 0.1). However, the ORs in Q3 and Q4 (Q3: OR, 1.35 [95% CI 1.14-1.59] P < 0.001; Q4: OR, 1.45 [95% CI 1.21-1.75] P < 0.001) both revealed that the risk of sleep disturbances increased with increasing sedentary time, P for trend < 0.001. The unadjusted RCS model revealed that the risk of sleep disturbances increased non-linearly with increasing sedentary time for total participants (P for non-linearity < 0.001). After adjusting for all covariates, the RCS results revealed that the risk of sleep disturbances increased non-linearly with increasing sedentary time for total participants (P for non-linearity = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that the longer sedentary time was strongly associated with the sleep disturbances. The protective effect of recreational activities on sleep disturbance, has not been significantly demonstrated.

[Retracted] Long non­coding RNA SNHG3 promotes the development of non­small cell lung cancer via the miR­1343­3p/NFIX pathway.

Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editors' attention by a concerned reader that certain of the Transwell cell migration and invasion assay data shown in Fig. 3B were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in a pair of other articles written by different authors at different research institutes, one of which had already been published elsewhere prior to the submission of this paper to International Journal of Molecular Medicine, and one of which was under consideration for publication at around the same time. In view of the fact that the abovementioned data had already apparently been published previously, the Editor of International Journal of Molecular Medicine has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office did not receive a satisfactory reply. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [International Journal of Molecular Medicine 48: 147, 2021; DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2021.4980].

Shugan Jieyu capsule effects on peripheral blood micro-124, micro-132, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with mild to moderate depression.

BACKGROUND: To assess the effectiveness of Shugan Jieyu capsules on peripheral blood miR-124, miR-132, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in patients with mild to moderate depression following coronary artery intervention [percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)] for coronary heart disease. AIM: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Shugan Jieyu capsules and their effects on the peripheral blood levels of miR-124, miR-132, and BDNF in patients with mild to moderate depression following PCI for coronary heart disease. METHODS: Patients with mild-to-moderate depression of the liver-qi stagnation type after PCI for coronary heart disease at the 305th Hospital of the People's Liberation Army were enrolled from June 2022 to November 2023 and randomly assigned to two groups: Experimental (treated with Shugan Jieyu capsules) and control (treated with escitalopram oxalate tablets). This study compared the antidepressant effects of these treatments using 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) scores, metabolic equivalents, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, BDNF, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels, miR-124 and miR-132 levels, distribution of immune-related lymphocyte subsets, and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores before and after 6 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in any index between the two groups before treatment (P > 0.05). After treatment, the total efficacy rates were 93.33% and 90.00% in the experimental and control groups, respectively. Experimental group had significantly lower scores for the main and secondary syndromes compared to the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the metabolic equivalents between the two groups before and after treatment (P > 0.05). The levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and miR-132 were significantly lower, whereas those of miR-124, BDNF, CD3+T lymphocytes, CD3+CD4+T helper lymphocytes, and CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ cells were significantly higher in the experimental group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions during experimental group was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Shugan Jieyu capsules have good efficacy in patients with mild-to-moderate depression after PCI, and its mechanism may contribute to the regulation of miR-124, miR-132, BDNF levels, and lymphoid immune cells.

Complete genome sequence and anti-obesity potential of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HOM2217 in 3T3-L1 cells and high-fat diet-fed rats.

The global prevalence of obesity is rising year by year, which has become a public health problem worldwide. Many animal and clinical studies have shown that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is considered an ideal probiotic and potential supplement for the treatment of obesity. In this study, we aimed to complete the genome sequence of L. plantarum HOM2217, which was isolated from human milk, and study its physiological characteristics and anti-obesity effects in 3T3-L1 cells and rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to determine its potential as a starter for functional food products. Whole-genome analysis demonstrated that HOM2217 contained a single circular chromosome of 3,267,529 bp with a GC content of 44.5% and one plasmid (62,350 bp) with a GC content of 38.5%. Compared to the reference strains, HOM2217 demonstrated superior tolerance to gastrointestinal conditions, higher adhesion to intestinal epithelial cell lines, potent antimicrobial activity against Enterobacter cloacae ATCC 13047, and effective cholesterol removal ability in vitro. Treatment with heat-killed HOM2217 significantly reduced lipid accumulation and intracellular triglyceride production in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Daily treatment of HFD-fed rats with HOM2217 for 7 weeks decreased body weight, body weight gain, and body fat without changes in food intake. HOM2217 also significantly increased the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level, decreased the serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) (formic acid, acetic acid, and butyric acid) levels in the cecum. Thus, HOM2217 could potentially prevent obesity in rats by inhibiting inflammatory responses and regulating lipid metabolism and SCFAs expression. Therefore, HOM2217 has potential as an alternative treatment for obesity.

Dual-mode detection of α-fetoprotein using the photothermal effect and peroxidase-like activity of Au@Cu/Cu2O-rGO.

α-Fetoprotein (AFP) is widely recognized as an important marker for monitoring hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and its monitoring using two different transduction mechanisms is an effective way to avoid the risk of false positives or false negatives. In this paper, Au@Cu/Cu2O-rGO was used as a photothermal converter as well as an actuator to promote the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which was further designed as a probe for dual-mode detection to quantitatively assess AFP. The composite nanomaterials possessed photothermal conversion efficiencies (η) of up to 54.9 % and catalytically generated signals up to 1.6 times greater, relative to a single material. Based on the generated temperature and current signals, AFP has been sensitively detected in the range of 0.01-100 ng/mL, with limits of detection (LOD) of 5.62 pg/mL and 1.23 pg/mL, respectively. The dual-mode assay combines portability with high accuracy for the detection of human health systems.

Clopidogrel and Aspirin Initiated Between 24 to 72 Hours for Mild Ischemic Stroke: A Subgroup Analysis of the INSPIRES Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Prior trials showed that dual antiplatelet therapy could reduce the risk of early new stroke in patients with acute mild ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) within 24 hours of symptom onset. However, it is currently uncertain whether dual antiplatelet therapy can reduce the risk of early new stroke in patients with a more delayed initiation time window. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of clopidogrel and aspirin among patients with mild ischemic stroke or TIA when initiated within 24 hours, from more than 24 hours to 48 hours, and from more than 48 hours to 72 hours. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Intensive Statin and Antiplatelet Therapy for Acute High-Risk Intracranial or Extracranial Atherosclerosis randomized clinical trial was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, 2-by-2 factorial randomized clinical trial conducted at 222 hospitals in China from September 17, 2018, to October 15, 2022. All patients with acute mild ischemic stroke and TIA were included in this subgroup analysis and categorized into 3 groups according to time from symptom onset to randomization (group 1: ≤24 hours; group 2: >24 to ≤48 hours; and group 3: >48 to 72 hours). Patients were followed up for 90 days. Interventions: All patients received clopidogrel combined with aspirin (clopidogrel 300 mg loading dose on day 1, followed by 75 mg daily on days 2 to 90, and aspirin 100 to 300 mg on the first day and then 100 mg daily for days 2 to 90) or aspirin alone (100 to 300 mg on day 1 and then 100 mg daily for days 2 to 90) within 72 hours after symptom onset. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was new stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) within 90 days. The primary safety outcome was moderate-to-severe bleeding, according to Global Utilization of Streptokinase and Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Occluded Coronary Arteries criteria. Results: This analysis included a total of 6100 patients (3050 in the clopidogrel-aspirin group and 3050 in the aspirin group). The median age was 65 years (IQR, 57-71 years), and 3915 patients (64.2%) were male. In the population with time to randomization of 24 hours or less, stroke occurred in the next 90 days in 97 of 783 patients (12.4%); among those randomized from more than 24 hours to 48 hours, in 211 of 2552 patients (8.3%) among those randomized from more than 24 hours to 48 hours, and in 193 of 2765 patients (7.0%). The clopidogrel-aspirin group had a lower risk of new stroke within 90 days compared with the aspirin alone group both in patients with time to randomization of from 48 to 72 hours (5.8% vs 8.2%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.70 [95% CI, 0.53-0.94]), of more than 24 to 48 hours (7.6% vs 8.9%; HR, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.65-1.12]), and of 24 hours or less (11.5% vs 13.4%; HR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.55-1.25]) (P = .38 for interaction). Among those with time to randomization of more than 48 to 72 hours, moderate-to-severe bleeding occurred in 12 patients (0.9%) in the clopidogrel-aspirin group and in 6 patients (0.4%) in the aspirin-alone group (HR, 2.00 [95% CI, 0.73-5.43]), while moderate-to-severe bleeding in those with time to randomization of more than 24 hours to 48 hours occurred in 9 patients (0.7%) in the clopidogrel-aspirin group and in 4 patients (0.3%) in the aspirin-alone group (HR, 2.25 [95% CI, 0.68-7.39]) and in those with time to randomization of within 24 hours, occurred in 6 patients (1.5%) in the clopidogrel-aspirin group and in 3 patients (0.8%) in the aspirin-alone group (HR, 1.57 [95% CI, 0.36-6.83]) (P = .92 for interaction). Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial of antiplatelet therapy in China, patients with mild ischemic stroke or TIA had consistent benefit from dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin vs aspirin alone when initiated within 72 hours after symptom onset, with a similar increase in the risk of moderate-to-severe bleeding. Patients should receive dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin within 72 hours after symptom onset. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03635749.

Effect of blockage of Trem1 on the M1 polarization of macrophages in the regulation dental pulp inflammation.

Dental pulp inflammation is a common and significant factor related to poor dental prognosis. Current treatment strategies primarily concentrate on managing the inflammatory response, with specific targets for intervention still under investigation. Triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells (TREMs) are a group of receptor molecules extensively present on myeloid cell surfaces, crucial in the regulation of inflammatory process. Our analysis of transcriptomic sequencing data from clinical pulp samples of dataset GSE77459 and animal models revealed up-regulation of Trem1 during pulpitis. Administration of the Trem1-blocking peptide LP17 led to lower (more than 1-fold) levels of several pro-inflammatory factors and inhibition of M1 macrophage polarization both in vivo and in vitro. This study of the expression patterns and functions of Trem1 in the development of dental pulp inflammation provides novel insights into the therapeutic strategies for clinical pulpitis.

Campus landscape types and pro-social behavioral mediators in the psychological recovery of college students.

Introduction: Physical and mental health problems of college students are becoming more prominent, and contact with nature has a positive effect on physical and mental health. This paper investigates the psychological recovery effect of different types of campus green space landscape on college students. From the perspective of college students' perception of campus landscape types, the green space, blue space, gray space and movement space of three universities in Anhui Province are investigated. Methods: Through choose campus landscape types and questionnaires, structural equation modeling (SEM) and mediation modeling were constructed on the role of college students' perception of campus landscape types on psychological recovery. Results: It was found that the level of landscape type perception had a significant effect on the effect of psychological recovery and the generation of pro-social behavior, with no significant gender difference, while psychological recovery also had a positive effect on the generation of pro-social behavior. The study also found that campus landscape type not only directly affect students psychological recovery, but also promote psychological recovery through the mediating role of pro-social behavior. Discussion: The study reveals the effects of campus landscape type on college students' psychological recovery, and pro vides a basis for planning campus of different types.

Analysis of rhizosphere soil microbial diversity and its functions between Dahongpao mother tree and cutting Dahongpao.

Dahongpao mother tree (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Ktze) is a representative of Wuyi rock tea. Whether there is a difference in rhizosphere soil microbial diversity and function between asexually propagated cuttings of Dahongpao (PD) and the parent Dahongpao mother tree (MD) has not been reported. In this study, high throughput sequencing technology was used to analyze rhizosphere soil microbial diversity, functions and their relationship with soil available nutrients and enzyme activities in MD and PD. The results showed that available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents and urease, protease, acid phosphatase and sucrase activities of rhizosphere soils in MD were significantly higher than those in PD. Both bacterial and fungal diversity were higher in rhizosphere soils in MD than in PD, and secondly, the bacterial community structure was less stable while the fungal community structure was more stable in PD compared to MD. There were significant differences between MD and PD tea tree rhizosphere soils in 6 genera of characteristic bacteria and 4 genera of characteristic fungi. The results of function and interaction effect analysis showed that the rhizosphere soil available nutrient content and enzyme activities in MD were significantly higher than those in PD, and their contributions mainly originated from Pirellula and Acidisphaera of characteristic bacteria and Alatospora of characteristic fungi. Secondly, MD maybe had a stronger ability to inhibit soil pathogens than PD, with the main contribution coming from Scopulariopsis and Tolypocladium of characteristic fungi. Overall, compared with PD, soil texture in MD was relatively better, and its soil nutrient cycling-related enzyme activities were stronger, which was more favorable to soil nutrient cycling and increased the available nutrient content of the soil, which in turn promoted the growth of tea trees. This study provides an important reference for the planting and management of tea tree cuttings and microbial regulation of tea tree growth.

Genome-wide binding analysis unveils critical implication of B-Myb-mediated transactivation in cancers.

B-Myb, also known as MYB proto-oncogene like 2 (MYBL2), is an important transcription factor implicated in transcription regulation, cell cycle and tumorigenesis. However, the molecular mechanism underlying B-Myb-controlled transactivation in different cell contexts as well as its functional implication in cancers remains elusive. In this study, we have conducted a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of B-Myb binding sites in multiple immortalized or cancer cell lines and identified its critical target genes. The results revealed that B-Myb regulates a common set of core cell cycle genes and cell type-specific genes through collaboration with other important transcription factors (e.g. NFY and MuvB complex) and binding to cell type-invariant promoters and cell type-specific enhancers and super-enhancers. KIF2C, UBE2C and MYC were further validated as B-Myb target genes. Loss-of-function analysis demonstrated that KIF2C knockdown inhibited tumor cell growth both in vitro and in vivo, suppressed cell motility and cell cycle progression, accompanied with defects in microtubule organization and mitosis, strongly suggesting that KIF2C is a critical regulator of cancer cell growth and mitosis, and maintains high cancer cell motility ability and microtubule dynamics. Pan-cancer transcriptomic analysis revealed that the overexpression of both B-Myb and KIF2C presents as independent prognostic markers in various types of cancer. Notably, B-Myb associates with NFYB, binds to target gene promoters, enhancers and super-enhancers, and provokes a cascade of oncogenic gene expression profiles in cancers. Overall, our results highly suggest the critical implication of B-Myb-mediated gene regulation in cancers, and the promising therapeutic and prognostic potentials of B-Myb and KIF2C for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

PU.1 regulates osteoarthritis progression via CSF1R in synovial cells.

This study elucidates the molecular mechanisms driving osteoarthritis (OA) by focusing on the transcription factor PU.1's role in synovial cells, specifically macrophages and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). Analyzing OA-related synovial gene expression from the GEO database highlighted immune regulation pathways in OA. Using protein-protein interaction and the JASPAR database, we pinpointed essential genes in OA development. Synovial tissues from OA patients and controls revealed pronounced PU.1 and its target CSF1R presence. In a surgically induced OA mouse model with PU.1 and CSF1R knockdown, ChIP assays confirmed PU.1's binding to the CSF1R promoter. Dual luciferase reporter assays and immunohistochemistry validated PU.1's regulatory impact on CSF1R transcription. Combined analysis of microarrays GSE55235 and GSE206848 showed heightened PU.1 expression in OA, associated with immune regulation in macrophages. In vitro findings aligned with in vivo results, emphasizing PU.1's influence on macrophage polarization and FLS-induced inflammation. PU.1's direct activation of CSF1R transcription underpins its key role in OA progression. This research offers insights into OA's molecular basis, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.

Deep learning enables accurate brain tissue microstructure analysis based on clinically feasible diffusion magnetic resonance imaging.

Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) allows non-invasive assessment of brain tissue microstructure. Current model-based tissue microstructure reconstruction techniques require a large number of diffusion gradients, which is not clinically feasible due to imaging time constraints, and this has limited the use of tissue microstructure information in clinical settings. Recently, approaches based on deep learning (DL) have achieved promising tissue microstructure reconstruction results using clinically feasible dMRI. However, it remains unclear whether the subtle tissue changes associated with disease or age are properly preserved with DL approaches and whether DL reconstruction results can benefit clinical applications. Here, we provide the first evidence that DL approaches to tissue microstructure reconstruction yield reliable brain tissue microstructure analysis based on clinically feasible dMRI scans. Specifically, we reconstructed tissue microstructure from four different brain dMRI datasets with only 12 diffusion gradients, a clinically feasible protocol, and the neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) and spherical mean technique (SMT) models were considered. With these results we show that disease-related and age-dependent alterations of brain tissue were accurately identified. These findings demonstrate that DL tissue microstructure reconstruction can accurately quantify microstructural alterations in the brain based on clinically feasible dMRI.

Application value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and platelet to lymphocyte ratio in predicting stress ulcer after acute cerebral hemorrhage surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) are established biomarkers that are associated with the severity, progression, and fatality of diseases. This study aimed to determine their predictive value for the occurrence of stress ulcers (SU) following surgery for acute cerebral hemorrhage. METHODS: Retrospective data from 210 patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage hospitalized between June 2020 and March 2023 were analyzed. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the occurrence of SU post-surgery: the SU group (42 patients) and the non-SU group (168 patients). Clinical characteristics of both groups were compared, and a multivariate logistic regression was conducted to identify independent risk factors for SU. The study evaluated the predictive value of NLR and PLR, individually and in combination, for predicting SU using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: We observed significant differences between the SU and non-SU groups in several parameters, including GCS score, absolute neutrophils, NLR, PLR, postoperative tracheotomy, and intracranial infection (P < 0.05). Our multivariate logistic regression analysis identified four independent risk factors for SU in patients undergoing surgery for acute cerebral hemorrhage: GCS score, NLR, PLR, and fasting blood glucose (P < 0.05). Furthermore, ROC analysis demonstrated that the combination of NLR and PLR exhibited the highest AUC, sensitivity, and specificity in predicting SU following surgery for acute cerebral hemorrhage (P < 0.001), with values of 0.864 (95 % CI: 0.776-0.953), 0.778 (95 % CI: 0.658-0.899), and 0.941 (95 % CI: 0.889-0.993) respectively. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the combined application of PLR and NLR as a significant predictor of SU in patients post-acute cerebral hemorrhage surgery.

A Comprehensive Study on Self-Learning Methods and Implications to Autonomous Driving.

As artificial intelligence (AI) has already seen numerous successful applications, the upcoming challenge lies in how to realize artificial general intelligence (AGI). Self-learning algorithms can autonomously acquire knowledge and adapt to new, demanding applications, recognized as one of the most effective techniques to overcome this challenge. Although many related studies have been conducted, there is still no comprehensive and systematic review available, nor well-founded recommendations for the application of autonomous intelligent systems, especially autonomous driving. As a result, this article comprehensively analyzes and classifies self-learning algorithms into three categories: broad self-learning, narrow self-learning, and limited self-learning. These categories are used to describe the popular usage, the most promising techniques, and the current status of hybridization with self-supervised learning. Then, the narrow self-learning is divided into three parts based on the self-learning realization path: sample self-learning, model self-learning, and self-learning architecture. For each method, this article discusses in detail its self-learning capacity, challenges, and applications to autonomous driving. Finally, the future research directions of self-learning algorithms are pointed out. It is expected that this study has the potential to eventually contribute to revolutionizing autonomous driving technology.

Association analyses between urinary concentrations of multiple trace elements and gastric precancerous lesions and gastric cancer in Anhui province, eastern China.

Background: Limited epidemiological evidence suggests that exposure to trace elements adversely impacts the development of gastric precancerous lesions (GPL) and gastric cancer (GC). This study aimed to estimate the association of individual urinary exposure to multiple elements with GPL and GC. Methods: A case-control investigation was conducted in Anhui Province from March 2021 to December 2022. A total of 528 subjects (randomly sampled from 1,020 patients with GPL, 200 patients with GC, and 762 normal controls) were included in our study. Urinary levels of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), strontium (Sr), and Cesium (Cs) were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Four different statistical approaches were employed to explore the risk of GPL and GC with mixed exposure, including multivariate logistic regression, weighted quantile regression (WQS), quantile g-computation (Qgcomp), and the Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model. Results: The WQS model indicated that urinary exposure to a mixture of elements is positively correlated with both GPL and GC, with ORs for the mixture exposure of 1.34 (95% CI: 1.34-1.61) for GPL and 1.38 (95% CI: 1.27-1.50) for GC. The Qgcomp and BKMR models also demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation between the mixture and both GPL and GC. Conclusion: Considering the limitations of case-control studies, future prospective studies are warranted to elucidate the combined effects and mechanisms of trace elements exposure on human health.

A study on the causal relationship between the gut microbiome and herpes zoster using Mendelian randomization.

Introduction: The relationship between herpes zoster recurrence and the gut microbiome was not studied. We analyzed data on the gut microbiome and herpes zoster from the Large-Scale Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) database using bidirectional Mendelian randomization. For the first time, we identified a potentially bidirectional causal relationship between the gut microbiome and herpes zoster (HZ). These findings are groundbreaking and hold promise for new directions in the treatment of HZ, a global disease. Background and aims: HZ had a high global incidence, characterized by shingled blisters, blood blisters, and neuropathic pain, and could develop in various parts of the body, including the ear and throat. It was believed its onset was closely related to old age and infirmity. Some studies reported that the incidence of herpes zoster in patients with inflammatory intestinal diseases (such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) was higher than in the general population. Existing studies attributed this to the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) due to autoinflammatory attacks and immunosuppressive drugs. This provided a basis for exploring the new pathogenesis of HZ and investigating whether there was a relationship between intestinal auto-flora and the development of HZ. This study aimed to examine this potential relationship using bidirectional Mendelian analyses. Methods: GWAS data on HZ and gut microbiota were obtained from FinnGen, the Mibiogen consortium, and HZ meta-analysis data from the IEU Open GWAS Project. These data were subjected to two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to determine if there is a causal relationship between gut microbiota and HZ. Additionally, bidirectional Mendelian analyses were conducted to identify the direction of causality and to clarify any potential interactions. Results: In our Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis, we identified, for the first time, two gut microbes that might be associated with HZ reactivation. In the reverse MR analysis, four gut microbiota showed a potential association between the genetic susceptibility of gut microbiota and HZ reactivation. We found that genus Tyzzerella3 (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.17-1.72, FDR < 0.1) may be strongly correlated with an increased probability of HZ (ICD-10: B02.901) reactivation. Additionally, phylum Cyanobacteria was identified as a potential risk factor for the onset of HZ rekindling (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.09-1.87). Analyzing the results of the reverse MR, we also identified a potential inhibitory effect (OR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84-0.99) of HZ onset on the genus Eubacteriumhallii group in the gut, suggesting that HZ might reduce its abundance. However, genus Escherichia/Shigella (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01-1.22), genus Veillonella (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.04-1.30), and phylum Proteobacteria (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01-1.18) appeared to act as potential protective factors, indicating that the relative abundance and viability of these three bacteria increased in the HZ state. Conclusion: We identified the influence of gut flora as a new causative factor for HZ reactivation. Additionally, we found that individuals suffering from HZ might potentially impact their gut flora. Specific bacterial taxa that could influence the onset and progression of HZ were identified, potentially providing new directions for HZ treatment.

DNA Nanostructure Disintegration-Assisted SPAAC Ligation for Electrochemical Biosensing.

MicroRNAs (MiRNAs) are valuable biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. The development of reliable assays is an urgent pursuit. We herein fabricate a novel electrochemical sensing strategy based on the conformation transitions of DNA nanostructures and click chemistry. Duplex-specific nuclease (DSN)-catalyzed reaction is first used for the disintegration of the DNA triangular pyramid frustum (DNA TPF). A DNA triangle is formed, which in turn assists strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) to localize single-stranded DNA probes (P1). After SPAAC ligation, multiple DNA hairpins are spontaneously folded, and the labeled electrochemical species are dragged near the electrode interface. By recording and analyzing the responses, a highly sensitive electrochemical biosensor is established, which exhibits high sensitivity and reproducibility. Clinical applications have been verified with good stability. This sensing strategy relies on the integration of DNA nanostructures and click chemistry, which may inspire further designs for the development of DNA nanotechnology and applications in clinical chemistry.

Neo-adjuvant radiation and intratumoral immunotherapy followed by surgery-NARIS trial for extremity soft tissue sarcoma.

Extremity soft tissue sarcoma (ESTS) is a rare malignant nonepithelial disease, calling for combined modality treatments with surgery to further improve local control rates and long-term survival, especially in patients with multiple local recurrences with or without risk of amputation. In this double-arm, open-label, Phase II clinical trial, we will enroll 30 patients with pathologically confirmed ESTS without nodal involvement or distant metastases. Patients are randomly assigned to the combination treatment group or the radiation monotherapy group. Additionally, tumor and biological samples will be obtained directly before and after neoadjuvant therapy, allowing for studies of immune response and primary drug resistance mechanisms.Clinical Trial Registration: ChiCTR2200060659 (http://www.chictr.org.cn) (ClinicalTrials.gov).

[Box: see text].