Cation-π Interactions Based Conductive Hydrogels with Slide-Ring Structure Toward Super Long-Time in-air/Underwater Linear Sensing and Communication.

Conductive hydrogels (CHs) are attracted more attention in the flexible wearable sensors field, however, how to stably apply CHs underwater is still a big challenge. In order to achieve the usage of CHs in aquatic environments, the integrated properties such as water retention ability, resistance to swelling, toughness, adhesiveness, linear GF sensing, and long-term usage are necessary to consider, but rarely reported in the previous reports. This paper proposes CHs prepared using cationic and aromatic monomers along with polyrotaxanes-based crosslinkers. Due to the intermolecular cation-π interactions and topological slide-ring-based polyrotaxanes, the CHs exhibit good mechanical performance, adhesive nature, and anti-swelling properties. The presence of slide-ring-based topological architecture effectively mitigates stress concentration. Additionally, the encapsulation of PA allows CHs to maintain functionality even after 240 days of direct placement at room temperature. Notably, the designed CHs exhibit linear sensitivity in detecting land/underwater human motions, and serve as Morse code signal transmitters for information transmission. Thus, the designed CHs may have broad applications in the underwater wearable sensors field.

On the heterogeneous microstructure and strengthening mechanisms in a laser welding AZ80 magnesium alloy.

This study investigates the microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of a laser welded AZ80 magnesium alloy. The welding process led to the formation of coarse-grained fusion zone (FZ), where a secondary phase formed continuous network. Mg17Al12 precipitation and coarsening of grain boundaries occurred in the heat affected zone. The welded joint exhibited excellent mechanical properties with a yield strength of 202 MPa and a joint efficiency of 92%. The microstructure analysis via EPMA and EBSD in conjunction with synchrotron X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that precipitates and increased dislocation density in the fusion zone are primary strengthening mechanisms for the laser welded AZ80 Mg alloy.

Loss-of-function in testis-specific serine/threonine protein kinase triggers male infertility in an invasive moth.

Genetic biocontrol technologies present promising and eco-friendly strategies for the management of pest and insect-transmitted diseases. Although considerable advancements achieve in gene drive applications targeting mosquitoes, endeavors to combat agricultural pests have been somewhat restricted. Here, we identify that the testis-specific serine/threonine kinases (TSSKs) family is uniquely expressed in the testes of Cydia pomonella, a prominent global invasive species. We further generated male moths with disrupted the expression of TSSKs and those with TSSKs disrupted using RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9 genetic editing techniques, resulting in significant disruptions in spermiogenesis, decreased sperm motility, and hindered development of eggs. Further explorations into the underlying post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms reveales the involvement of lnc117962 as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-3960, thereby regulating TSSKs. Notably, orchard trials demonstrates that the release of male strains can effectively suppress population growth. Our findings indicate that targeting TSSKs could serve as a feasible avenue for managing C. pomonella populations, offering significant insights and potential strategies for controlling invasive pests through genetic sterile insect technique (gSIT) technology.

Effectiveness and safety of azvudine versus nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in adult patients infected with COVID-19 omicron strains: a retrospective study in Beijing.

The study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of azvudine versus nirmatrelvir-ritonavir against omicron strains of coronavirus disease 2019 infections and determine their comparative effectiveness. This retrospective study included 716 patients who received nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (NR group) or azvudine (FNC group) at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between 1 November 2022 and 27 February 2023. Patients in the FNC group (n = 304) were younger, exhibited less severe symptoms, started antiviral therapy later, received corticosteroids more frequently, and used tocilizumab less frequently than patients in the NR group (n = 412). Within 28 d of therapy, 40 (9.7%) and 20 (6.6%) deaths were in the NR and FNC groups, respectively. No differences were observed between drugs and mortality rates (odds ratio [OR] 0.78, 95% CI 0.40-1.5, P = 0.45), clinical improvement (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.79-1.3, P = 0.38), and clinical progression (OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.58-1.8, P = 0.96). More patients in the NR group experienced platelet decline than those in the FNC group (17.6% vs. 8.9%, P = 0.034). This study indicated that the effectiveness and safety of azvudine were comparable to those of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir.

Individual and joint exposures to PM2.5 constituents and mortality risk among the oldest-old in China.

Cohort evidence linking long-term survival of older adults with exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) constituents remains scarce in China. By constructing a dynamic cohort based on the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Study, we aimed to assess the individual and joint associations of major PM2.5 constituents with all-cause death in Chinese oldest-old (.80 years) adults. Time-dependent Cox proportional hazards models were adopted to estimate death risks of long-term exposure to PM2.5 constituents. Among 14,884 participants, totaling 56,342 person-years of follow-up, 12,346 deaths were identified. The highest mortality risk associated with an interquartile range (IQR) increase in exposure was 1.081 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.055-1.108) for sulfate (IQR=4.1 µg m-3), followed by 1.078 (95% CI: 1.056-1.101) for black carbon (IQR=1.6 µg m-3), 1.056 (95% CI: 1.028-1.084) for ammonium (IQR=3.2 µg m-3), 1.050 (95% CI: 1.021-1.080) for nitrate (IQR=5.8 µg m-3), and 1.049 (95% CI: 1.024-1.074) for organic matter (IQR=10.3 µg m-3). In joint exposure, each IQRequivalent rise of all five PM2.5 constituents was associated with an 8.2% (95% CI: 4.0%-12.6%) increase in mortality risk. The weight analysis indicated the predominant role of sulfate and black carbon in driving PM2.5-related mortality. Octogenarians (aged 80-89 years) and rural dwellers were at significantly greater risk of mortality from individual and joint exposures to PM2.5 constituents. This study suggests that later-life exposure to PM2.5 constituents, particularly sulfate and black carbon, may curtail long-term survival of the oldest-old in China.

Deciphering the impact of MreB on the morphology and pathogenicity of the aquatic pathogen Spiroplasma eriocheiris.

BACKGROUND: Spiroplasma eriocheiris has been proved to be a pathogen causing tremor disease of Eriocheir sinensis, it is also infectious to other aquatic crustaceans, resulting in a serious threat on the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry. S. eriocheiris is a helical-shaped microbe without a cell wall, and its motility is related to the cytoskeleton protein MreB which belongs to the actin superfamily and has five MreB homologs. RESULTS: In this study, we purified MreB3, MreB4 and MreB5, and successfully prepared monoclonal antibodies. After S. eriocheiris treated with actin stabilizator Phalloidin and inhibitors A22, we found that Phalloidin and A22 affect the S. eriocheiris morphology by altering MreB expression. We confirmed that the ability of S. eriocheiris to invade E. sinensis was increased after treatment with Phalloidin, including that the morphology of E. sinensis blood lymphocytes was deteriorated, blood lymphocytes viability was decreased, peroxidase activity and cell necrosis were increased. On the contrary, the pathogenicity of S. eriocheiris decreased after treatment with A22. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the MreB protein in S. eriocheiris plays a crucial role in its morphology and pathogenicity, providing new insights into potential strategies for the prevention and control of S. eriocheiris infections.

Invariant Natural Killer T Cells Regulate Conventional Dendritic Cell Maturation to Re-establish Immune Tolerance to Rheumatoid Arthritis in DBA/1 Mice.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of autoimmune disease that results in immune disorder and excessive inflammatory response due to a reduction of self-tolerance. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells can effectively alleviate clinical symptoms and hyper-inflammation in RA, but their mechanism of action is not well-defined. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of iNKT cell therapy for RA. We established a DBA/1 mouse model for RA and treated it with specific iNKT cells. A cytometric bead array was used to measure the amounts of cytokines in the serum. Flow cytometry was then employed to identify different subsets of helper T cells (Th), the frequency of conventional dendritic cells (cDC), the expression of CD80, CD86, programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), and PD-L2 on cDC surfaces, and associated pathway proteins. iNKT cell treatment reduced Th1/Th2 and Th17/ regulatory T (Treg) cell ratios while increasing interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10. It enhanced the generation of immature cDCs, and it upregulated the level of PD-L2 by stimulating the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway. Meanwhile, it activated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway and inhibited the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. According to our findings, iNKT cell treatment increased the expression of phosphates STAT3  in lymph node cDC, causing them to upregulate PD-L2 molecules. While activating the ERK1/2 pathway and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, tolerogenic cDC was produced, restoring immune homeostasis and correcting excessive inflammation. These results deliver new insights into the treatment of RA by iNKT cells.

Roles of noncoding RNA in allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common respiratory noninfectious diseases and chronic inflammatory diseases, the incidence of which has been increasing in recent years. The main pathological characteristics of AR are repeated inflammation, airway hyperreactivity, mucus hypersecretion, and reversible airway obstruction due to inflammatory cell response. AR occurrence is associated with various factors, including those of genetic and environmental origins. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a group of RNA molecules that cannot be converted into polypeptides. The three main categories of ncRNAs include microRNAs (miRNAs), long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs). NcRNAs play a crucial role in controlling gene expression and contribute to the development of numerous human diseases. METHODS: Articles are selected based on Pubmed's literature review and the author's personal knowledge. The largest and highest quality studies were included. The search selection is not standardized. Several recent studies have indicated the relationship of ncRNAs with the development of respiratory allergic diseases. NcRNAs, including miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, are important gene expression regulatory factors. We review the expression and function of ncRNAs in AR, their role as disease biomarkers, and their prospective applicability in future research and clinically. We also discuss interactions between ncRNAs and their influence on AR comprehensively, these interactions are essential for determining the underlying pathological mechanisms further and discovering new drug therapeutic targets. RESULTS: NcRNAs can be used as biomarkers for early AR diagnosis, disease surveillance and prognosis assessment. Various categories of ncRNAs play distinct yet interconnected roles and actively contribute to intricate gene regulatory networks. They are also therapeutic targets and biomarkers in other allergic diseases. CONCLUSION: This article demonstrates ncRNAs have a wide range of applications in AR treatment. The database covers three key areas: miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs. Additionally, potential avenues for future research to facilitate the practical application of ncRNAs as therapeutic targets and biomarkers will be explore. With further research and technological development, ncRNAs may provide additional innovative, effective solutions for AR treatment.

Sports-Related Genomic Predictors Are Associated with Athlete Status in Chinese Sprint/Power Athletes.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between variant loci significantly associated with sports-related traits in the GWAS Catalog database and sprint/power athlete status, as well as to explore the polygenic profile of elite athletes. Methods: Next-generation sequencing and microarray technology were used to genotype samples from 211 elite athletes who had achieved success in national or international competitions in power-based sports and from 522 non-athletes, who were healthy university students with no history of professional sports training. Variant loci collected from databases were extracted after imputation. Subsequently, 80% of the samples were randomly selected as the training set, and the remaining 20% as the validation set. Results: Association analysis of variant loci was conducted in the training set, and individual Total Genotype Score (TGS) were calculated using genotype dosage and lnOR, followed by the establishment of a logistic model, with predictive performance evaluated in the validation set. Association analysis was performed on 2075 variant loci, and after removing linked loci (r2 > 0.2), 118 Tag SNPs (p ≤ 0.05) were identified. A logistic model built using 30 Tag SNPs (p ≤ 0.01) showed better performance in the validation set (AUC = 0.707). Conclusions: Our study identified 30 new genetic molecular markers and demonstrated that elite sprint/power athlete status is polygenic.

Baicalein ameliorates SEB-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome in a microbiota-dependent manner.

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by sudden and extensive pulmonary inflammation, with a mortality rate of approximately 40 %. Presently, there is no effective treatment to prevent or reverse its severe consequences. Baicalein (BAI) is a natural vicinal trihydroxyflavone and has been identified as the core quality marker of Scutellariae baicalensis for its effect on lung inflammation. However, its oral bioavailability is limited. The majority of studies that investigate BAI's in vivo mechanisms use injection techniques. Currently, there is no clear understanding of the mechanisms by which low-bioavailable BAI functions orally. PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of BAI in ARDS mice and its underlying mechanisms. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Behavioral experiments, histological analysis, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry of immune cells, qRT-PCR, and ELISA analysis were performed to evaluate the efficiency of BAI in ARDS mice. Lung tissues transcriptomic-based analyses were performed to detect the differentially expressed genes and biological pathways. Fecal samples were subjected to microbial 16S rRNA analysis and untargeted metabolomics analysis in order to identify the specific flora and metabolites associated with BAI. Furthermore, antibiotic cocktail treatment and fecal microbiota transplantation were used to elucidate the gut microbiota-mediated effects on ARDS. RESULTS: In our study, we first find that oral administration of BAI effectively mitigates staphylococcal enterotoxin B-induced ARDS. BAI can alleviate gut dysbiosis and regulate the Toll-like signaling pathway and amino acid metabolism. The protective effects of BAI against ARDS are gut microbiota dependent. Modulation of gut microbiota increases the production of short-chain fatty acids and enhances lung barrier function, which is consistent with the therapeutic interventions with BAI. Notably, BAI greatly enriches the abundance of Prevotellaceae, a butyrate-producing bacterial family, exhibiting a positive correlation with key differentially expressed genes in the TLR4/MyD88 signaling cascades. CONCLUSION: BAI emerges as a potential prebiotic agent to attenuate ARDS, and targeting specific microbial species may offer an innovative therapeutic approach to investigate other flavonoids with limited bioavailability.

Forecasting carbon dioxide emissions in Chongming: a novel hybrid forecasting model coupling gray correlation analysis and deep learning method.

Predicting regional carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is essential for advancing toward global carbon neutrality. This study introduces a novel CO2 emissions prediction model tailored to the unique environmental, economic, and energy consumption of Shanghai Chongming. Utilizing an innovative hybrid approach, the study first applies grey relational analysis to evaluate the influence of economic activity, natural conditions, and energy consumption on CO2 emissions. This is followed by the implementation of a dual-channel pooled convolutional neural network (DCNN) that captures both local and global features of the data, enhanced through feature stacking. Gated recurrent unit (GRU) network then assesses the temporal aspects of these features, culminating in precise CO2 emission predictions for the region. The results indicate: (1) The proposed hybrid model achieves accurate predictions based on accounting data, with high precision, low error, and good stability. (2) The study found an overall increase in Chongming's carbon emissions from 2000 to 2022, with the prediction results being generally consistent with existing research findings. (3) The proposed method, based on Chongming's CO2 emission predictions, addresses issues such as the scarcity of effective accounting data and inaccuracies in traditional calculation methods. The results can provide effective technical support for local government policies on carbon reduction and promote sustainable development.

Impact of Dietary Patterns on Metabolic Syndrome in Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Metabolic syndrome has become a significant public health concern. This study aims to investigate the impact of dietary patterns on metabolic syndrome in young adults and how physical activity modulates this effect. A cross-sectional study was conducted at a health management center in Tianjin, China, from September 2022 to March 2023. Participants aged 18-35 years were recruited using convenience sampling. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression models evaluated associations between these patterns and metabolic syndrome, adjusting for potential confounders. Among 442 participants, four dietary patterns were identified: Legume-Nut, Alcohol-Meat, Sugar-Processed, and Egg-Vegetable. The Legume-Nut dietary pattern was associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome (OR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.08-6.37), while the Egg-Vegetable dietary pattern was associated with a lower risk (OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.10-0.70). No significant associations were found for the Sugar-Processed and Alcohol-Meat patterns. Subgroup analysis revealed that the Legume-Nut pattern increased the risk of metabolic syndrome among those with irregular physical activity, whereas the Egg-Vegetable pattern decreased the risk. These findings highlight the significant influence of dietary patterns on the risk of metabolic syndrome in young adults and the modifying effect of regular physical activity, underscoring the need for targeted dietary and lifestyle interventions to prevent metabolic syndrome in this population.

Integrated Dual-Channel Retrograde Signaling Directs Stress Responses by Degrading the HAT1/TPL/IMPα-9 Suppressor Complex and Activating CAMTA3.

The intricate communication between plastids and the nucleus, shaping stress-responsive gene expression, has long intrigued researchers. This study combines genetics, biochemical analysis, cellular biology, and protein modeling to uncover how the plastidial metabolite MEcPP activates the stress-response regulatory hub known as the Rapid Stress Response Element (RSRE). Specifically, we identify the HAT1/TPL/IMPα- 9 suppressor complex, where HAT1 directly binds to RSRE and its activator, CAMTA3, masking RSRE and sequestering the activator. Stress-induced MEcPP disrupts this complex, exposing RSRE and releasing CAMTA3, while enhancing Ca 2+ influx and raising nuclear Ca 2+ levels crucial for CAMTA3 activation and the initiation of RSRE- containing gene transcription. This coordinated breakdown of the suppressor complex and activation of the activator highlights the dual-channel role of MEcPP in plastid-to- nucleus signaling. It further signifies how this metabolite transcends its expected biochemical role, emerging as a crucial initiator of harmonious signaling cascades essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis under stress. Summary: This study uncovers how the stress-induced signaling metabolite MEcPP disrupts the HAT1/TPL/IMPα-9 suppressor complex, liberating the activator CAMTA3 and enabling Ca 2+ influx essential for CAMTA3 activation, thus orchestrating stress responses via repressor degradation and activator induction.

Giant laryngeal neuroendocrine neoplasm causing airway obstruction: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Laryngeal neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) is a rare and heterogeneous disease that originates from neuroendocrine cells. It mainly occurs in middle-aged and elderly men. Due to the lack of specific clinical and imaging manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of the disease pose a challenge. Therefore, a consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of the disease is necessary. By discussing this case, we will be able to gain further insight into laryngeal NEN and will be able to provide some recommendations for the future management of this rare disease. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 67-year-old man was admitted to our department with a history of sore throat and dyspnea. After admission, the patient experienced acute airway obstruction and experienced an emergency bedside tracheotomy. DIAGNOSES: Flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy and enhanced CT showed a cauliflower-like mass in the left supraglottic region and obstructed most of the laryngeal cavity. We biopsied the mass, and the pathology showed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. INTERVENTIONS: A horizontal hemilaryngectomy and left neck dissection were performed. At 4 weeks after the operation, the patient underwent chemotherapy and radical radiotherapy. OUTCOMES: After a 1-year postoperative follow-up, the patient recovered well and showed no signs of recurrence. LESSONS: Laryngeal neuroendocrine neoplasm is very rare, early diagnosis remains difficult. Radical surgery combined with postoperative chemoradiotherapy is currently the most appropriate treatment.

Maternal exposure to ambient ozone and fetal congenital heart defects: a national multicenter study in China.

BACKGROUND: Ambient O3 has demonstrated an aggravated increasing trend in the context of global warming. The available evidence of maternal exposure to ambient O3 on fetal congenital heart defects (CHD) is still limited, especially in high polluted areas. OBJECTIVE: To examine associations of maternal exposure to ambient O3 during early pregnancy with fetal CHDs. METHODS: We conducted a national multicenter study in 1313 hospitals from 26 provinces in China and collected a total of 27,817 participants at high risk of CHD from 2013 to 2021. Exposure to ambient O3 during the embryonic period, preconception, the first trimester and periconception was assessed by extracting daily concentrations from a validated grid dataset at each subject's residential district. CHDs were diagnosed based on fetal echocardiography. RESULTS: Each 10 µg/m3 increase of exposure to ambient O3 during the embryonic period was approximately linearly associated with a 12.7% (odds ratio [OR]: 1.127, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.098, 1.155) increase in odds of pooled CHD (p < 0.001). The associations remain robust after adjusting for ambient PM2.5 and NO2 exposure. The odds of different types of CHD in association with ambient O3 exposure varied greatly. We observed significant association of ambient O3 exposure with ventricular septal defect (VSD), tetralogy of Fallot (TOF); pulmonary stenosis (PS), pulmonary atresia (PA), transposition of great arteries (TGA) and persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC), with TOF demonstrating the strongest estimates (OR: 1.194, 95% CI:1.107, 1.288). The estimates for preconception, the first trimester and periconception demonstrate consistent findings with the main analyses, indicating stronger associations of ambient O3 exposure during the periconception period. IMPACT: Our study provides evidence that higher ambient O3 during early pregnancy was significantly associated with increased odds of fetal CHD. Our findings suggest that pregnant women, clinical practitioners, and policy makers need to pay more attention to the exposure to higher ambient O3 during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of developing CHD and to improve outcomes across the life span.

Influence of ultrasonic pretreatment on the quality attributes and pectin structure of chili peppers (Capsicum spp.).

Chili peppers (Capsicum spp.) exhibit a diverse range of quality characteristics and pectin structures, which are influenced by various factors. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ultrasound (US), ultrasonic combined hot blanching (US-BL), and ultrasonic combined freezing and thawing (US-FT) on the quality characteristics and pectin structure of vacuum pulsation-dried (VP) chili peppers. The results indicated that US-BL samples exhibited the highest L* and a* values, retained maximum capsorubin, and showed an increase in vitamin C, total phenols, and rehydration by 14.28 %, 40.87 %, and 8.66 %, respectively. In contrast, the US-FT samples exhibited the highest capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin content, which increased by 54.97 % and 64.04 %, respectively. Pretreatment resulted in higher pectin linearity, a lower degree of branching, and a reduced molecular weight in the US-BL sample. Atomic force microscopy confirmed the degrading effect of pretreatment on the pectin structure. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that capsorubin, capsaicin analogs, vitamin C, and total phenols were highly correlated with pectin linearity and molecular weight. This study found that US-BL was the most effective pretreatment method for improving the quality of pulsatile chili peppers and provides theoretical support for the application of VP chili peppers.

Ocular Disease Detection with Deep Learning (Fine-Grained Image Categorization) Applied to Ocular B-Scan Ultrasound Images.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this work is to develop a deep learning (DL) system for rapidly and accurately screening for intraocular tumor (IOT), retinal detachment (RD), vitreous hemorrhage (VH), and posterior scleral staphyloma (PSS) using ocular B-scan ultrasound images. METHODS: Ultrasound images from five clinically confirmed categories, including vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, intraocular tumor, posterior scleral staphyloma, and normal eyes, were used to develop and evaluate a fine-grained classification system (the Dual-Path Lesion Attention Network, DPLA-Net). Images were derived from five centers scanned by different sonographers and divided into training, validation, and test sets in a ratio of 7:1:2. Two senior ophthalmologists and four junior ophthalmologists were recruited to evaluate the system's performance. RESULTS: This multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted in six hospitals in China. A total of 6054 ultrasound images were collected; 4758 images were used for the training and validation of the system, and 1296 images were used as a testing set. DPLA-Net achieved a mean accuracy of 0.943 in the testing set, and the area under the curve was 0.988 for IOT, 0.997 for RD, 0.994 for PSS, 0.988 for VH, and 0.993 for normal. With the help of DPLA-Net, the accuracy of the four junior ophthalmologists improved from 0.696 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.684-0.707) to 0.919 (95% CI 0.912-0.926, p < 0.001), and the time used for classifying each image reduced from 16.84 ± 2.34 s to 10.09 ± 1.79 s. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed DPLA-Net showed high accuracy for screening and classifying multiple ophthalmic diseases using B-scan ultrasound images across mutiple centers. Moreover, the system can promote the efficiency of classification by ophthalmologists.

Comparison of the Long-term Survival Outcome of Surgery versus Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy as Initial Local Treatment for Pulmonary Oligometastases from Colorectal Cancer: A Propensity Score Analysis.

PURPOSE: Optimal local treatment for pulmonary oligometastases from colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. We aimed to compare the long-term survival outcomes between surgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) as the initial local treatment for CRC pulmonary oligometastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 335 consecutive patients who initially underwent surgery or SBRT for CRC pulmonary metastases from 2011 to 2022, and 251 patients (173 surgery and 78 SBRT) were ultimately included. Freedom from intrathoracic progression (FFIP), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared using stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (sIPTW) analysis. In addition, patterns of intrathoracic progression and subsequent treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 61.6 months for surgery and 54.4 months for SBRT. After sIPTW adjustment, significant differences emerged in both FFIP and PFS between surgery and SBRT (FFIP: hazard ratio [HR] = 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31-0.79; PFS: HR = 0.56, 95% CI, 0.36-0.87). The 3- and 5-year FFIP rates were 58.6% and 54.8%, respectively, after surgery, and 34.6% and 31.3%, respectively, after SBRT (P = .006). The 3- and 5-year PFS rates were 49.4% and 45.2%, respectively, after surgery, and 28.8% and 26.1%, respectively, after SBRT (P = .010). However, OS was not significantly affected by treatment approach (HR = 0.93, 95% CI, 0.49-1.76). The 3- and 5-year OS rates were 85.9% and 73.1%, respectively, after surgery, and 78.9% and 68.7%, respectively, after SBRT (P = .849). Recurrence at the treated site was more prevalent after SBRT than after surgery (33.3% vs 16.9%), whereas new intrathoracic tumors occurred more frequently after surgery than after SBRT (71.8% vs 43.1%). Both groups chose radiation therapy as the primary local salvage treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Notwithstanding the significant differences in FFIP and PFS between surgery and SBRT, the long-term survival of patients with CRC pulmonary oligometastases did not depend on the initial choice of the local treatment approach.

Latent transition of social participation and its effects on depression among older adults in China: A National Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVES: As populations age, the issue of social participation among older adults has gained prominence. Studies indicate variability in social participation trajectories among this demographic, yet the transition patterns and their effects on depression remain unclear. This longitudinal study aims to explore the latent classes and transition patterns in social participation among older adults and to evaluate their effects on depression. METHODS: Data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) in 2014 (T1) and 2018 (T2) were analyzed, including 2293 older adults. Latent class analysis (LCA) and latent transition analysis (LTA) were employed to identify latent classes of social participation at T1 and T2, as well as the transition probabilities between these classes. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine predictors of transitions, and depression levels at T2 were compared across transition patterns. RESULTS: The LCA results supported a 3-class model labeled as low, moderate, and high social participation. The probabilities of remaining stable and transitioning to other classes were similar across the three classes (ranging from 0.50 to 0.54). Age, gender, and other baseline characteristics emerged as significant predictors of transition patterns. Older adults experiencing positive transitions exhibited reduced depression compared to those in their original class over time, while those with negative transitions showed increased depression. CONCLUSIONS: This research prompts a deep understanding of social participation dynamics in older adults and their effects on depression. Identifying social participation classes and transition patterns could inform interventions to enhance social participation and reduce depression among older adults.

A filter pad design-based multiplexed lateral flow immunoassay for rapid simultaneous detection of PDCoV, TGEV, and PEDV in swine feces.

Swine Enteric Coronaviruses (SECoVs), with high lethality and infectiousness, are the main pathogens causing fatal and watery diarrhea in piglets and spreading globally. Moreover, these SECoVs can cause similar clinical manifestations and are often co-infected, requiring an accurate assay suitable for rapid, in situ, and differential detection. Here, we developed a multiplexed fluorescent-based lateral flow immunoassay (mFB-LFIA) for the detection of three SECoVs, including porcine delta coronaviruses (PDCoV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), in swine fecal samples. Thanks to the filter pad design and reasonable optimization, the mFB-LFIA was achieved within 15 min for three SECoVs detection simultaneously and improved the tolerance of the strips for feces samples. The limit of detection (LoD) of detecting PDCoV, TGEV, and PEDV were 2.1 × 104 TCID50 mL-1, 3.4 × 102 TCID50 mL-1, and 3.6 × 102 TCID50 mL-1, respectively. Additionally, the proposed assay was successfully applied to the detection of PDCoV, TGEV, and PEDV in swine feces with high accuracy. Compared with the gold standard nucleic acid testing, the total coincidence rate of the proposed assay was more than 90 %. Moreover, the mFB-LFIA performed excellent stability and repeatability. The proposed mFB-LFIA allows for rapid, in situ, more cost-effective and simultaneous detection of PDCoV, TGEV, and PEDV compared with nucleic acid testing. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to describe a multiplexed point-of-care assay capable of detecting PDCoV, TGEV, and PEDV in swine fecal samples. We believe our approach has a great potential for application to pig farm.