3D printing tissue-engineered scaffolds for auricular reconstruction.

Congenital microtia is the most common cause of auricular defects, with a prevalence of approximately 5.18 per 10,000 individuals. Autologous rib cartilage grafting is the leading treatment modality at this stage of auricular reconstruction currently. However, harvesting rib cartilage may lead to donor site injuries, such as pneumothorax, postoperative pain, chest wall scarring, and deformity. Therefore, in the pursuit of better graft materials, biomaterial scaffolds with great histocompatibility, precise control of morphology, non-invasiveness properties are gradually becoming a new research hotspot in auricular reconstruction. This review collectively presents the exploit and application of 3D printing biomaterial scaffold in auricular reconstruction. Although the tissue-engineered ear still faces challenges before it can be widely applied to patients in clinical settings, and its long-term effects have yet to be evaluated, we aim to provide guidance for future research directions in 3D printing biomaterial scaffold for auricular reconstruction. This will ultimately benefit the translational and clinical application of cartilage tissue engineering and biomaterials in the treatment of auricular defects.

Quantifying the uncertainty of LLM hallucination spreading in complex adaptive social networks.

Large language models (LLMs) are becoming a significant source of content generation in social networks, which is a typical complex adaptive system (CAS). However, due to their hallucinatory nature, LLMs produce false information that can spread through social networks, which will impact the stability of the whole society. The uncertainty of LLMs false information spread within social networks is attributable to the diversity of individual behaviors, intricate interconnectivity, and dynamic network structures. Quantifying the uncertainty of false information spread by LLMs in social networks is beneficial for preemptively devising strategies to defend against threats. To address these challenges, we propose an LLMs hallucination-aware dynamic modeling method via agent-based probability distributions, spread popularity and community affiliation, to quantify the uncertain spreading of LLMs hallucination in social networks. We set up the node attributes and behaviors in the model based on real-world data. For evaluation, we consider the spreaders, informed people, discerning and unwilling non-spreaders as indicators, and quantified the spreading under different LLMs task situations, such as QA, dialogue, and summarization, as well as LLMs versions. Furthermore, we conduct experiments using real-world LLM hallucination data combined with social network features to ensure the validity of the proposed quantifying scheme.

Temperature sensitivity and transition kinetics of uniform corrosion of zirconium alloys in superheated steam.

Corrosion transition during uniform corrosion of zirconium alloys receives much attention since it is the major degradation procedure. However, predicting the time and oxide thickness at transition has been hindered by the lack of knowledge about transition kinetics and how it responds to varied temperatures. Current study investigated the temperature-sensitivity of corrosion kinetics, transition behavior and microstructures of various zirconium alloys corroded in superheated steam ranging from 390 °C/10.3 MPa to 455 °C/10.3 MPa by autoclave experiment and microscopy analyses. Transition time was found to follow Arrhenius-type relationship with temperature for the first time. Both the transition oxide thickness and metastable oxide thickness increased with temperature, which was theoretically deduced and experimentally confirmed. In Zr-4 oxides, a transition thickness varying from 3.3 µm at 390 °C to 4.2 µm at 455 °C was observed. Microstructure results presented rather large HCP-ZrO particles (200∼400 nm) at O/M interface and they were even larger at the protruded positions. An intense sub-stoichiometric atmosphere was identified at O/M interface, promoting the growth of metastable oxides. The activation energy of transition kinetics was 86∼114 kJ/mol, which is close to diffusion activation energy of oxygen in tetragonal zirconia. A new model based on parabolic-law empirical relationship was thus proposed to predict transition kinetics. Predictions regarding the time to oxidation breakaway at 900-1000 °C were reported, and the results were in good agreement with the experimental data.

The addition of Psathyrostachys Huashanica Keng 6Ns large segment chromosomes has positive impact on stripe rust resistance and plant spikelet number of common wheat.

BACKGROUND: Developing novel germplasm by using wheat wild related species is an effective way to rebuild the wheat resource bank. The Psathyrostachys huashanica Keng (P. huashanica, 2n = 2x = 14, NsNs) is regarded as a superior species to improve wheat breeding because of its multi-resistance, early maturation and numerous tiller traits. Introducing genetic components of P. huashanica into the common wheat background is the most important step in achieving the effective use. Therefore, the cytogenetic characterization and influence of the introgressed P. huashanica large segment chromosomes in the wheat background is necessary to be explored. RESULTS: In this study, we characterized a novel derived line, named D88-2a, a progeny of the former characterized wheat-P. huashanica partial amphiploid line H8911 (2n = 7x = 49, AABBDDNs). Cytological identification showed that the chromosomal composition of D88-2a was 2n = 44 = 22II, indicating the addition of exogenous chromosomes. Genomic in situ hybridization demonstrated that the supernumerary chromosomes were a pair of homologues from the P. huashanica and could be stably inherited in the common wheat background. Molecular markers and 15 K SNP array indicated that the additional chromosomes were derived from the sixth homoeologous group (i.e., 6Ns) of P. huashanica. Based on the distribution of the heterozygous single-nucleotide polymorphism sites and fluorescence in situ hybridization karyotype of each chromosome, this pair of additional chromosomes was confirmed as P. huashanica 6Ns large segment chromosomes, which contained the entire short arm and the proximal centromere portion of the long arm. In terms of the agronomic traits, the addition line D88-2a exhibited enhanced stripe rust resistance, improved spike characteristics and increased protein content than its wheat parent line 7182. CONCLUSIONS: The new wheat germplasm D88-2a is a novel cytogenetically stable wheat-P. huashanica 6Ns large segment addition line, and the introgressed large segment alien chromosome has positive impact on plant spikelet number and stripe rust resistance. Thus, this germplasm can be used for genetic improvement of cultivated wheat and the study of functional alien chromosome segment.

Electric Field Generated at the Millisecond Pulse-Polarized Interface Facilitates the Electrolytic Conversion of SO2 into H2S.

Interfacial electric field holds significant importance in determining both the polar molecular configuration and surface coverage during electrocatalysis. This study introduces a methodology leveraging the varying electric dipole moment of SO2 under distinct interfacial electric field strengths to enhance the selectivity of the SO2 electroreduction process. This approach presented the first attempt to utilize pulsed voltage application to the Au/PTFE membrane electrode for the control of the molecular configuration and coverage of SO2 on the electrode surface. Remarkably, the modulation of pulse duration resulted in a substantial inhibition of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) (FEH2 < 3%) under millisecond pulse conditions (ta = 10 ms, tc = 300 ms, Ea = -0.8 V (vs Hg/Hg2SO4), Ec = -1.8 V (vs Hg/Hg2SO4)), concomitant with a noteworthy enhancement in H2S selectivity (FEH2S > 97%). A comprehensive analysis, incorporating in situ Raman spectroscopy, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance, COMSOL simulations, and DFT calculations, corroborated the increased selectivity of H2S products was primarily associated with the inherently large dipole moment of the SO2 molecule. The enhancement of the interfacial electric field induced by millisecond pulses was instrumental in amplifying SO2 coverage, activating SO2, facilitating the formation of the pivotal intermediate product *SOH, and effectively reducing the reaction energy barrier in the SO2 reduction process. These findings provide novel insights into the influences of ion and molecular transport dynamics, as well as the temporal intricacies of competitive pathways during the SO2 electroreduction process. Moreover, it underscores the intrinsic correlation between the electric dipole moment and surface-molecule interaction of the catalyst.

Bioaerosols emission from source facilities in a wastewater treatment plant: critical exposure time and sensitivity analysis.

Overexposure of sewage workers to bioaerosol released from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can cause serious infections, but practical method for controlling their health risk is lacking. In this study, reverse quantitative microbial risk assessment was used to estimate the daily critical exposure time (CET) of sewage workers exposing to Staphylococcus aureus bioaerosol emitted by three emission sources facilities in a WWTP based on either U.S. EPA or WHO benchmark, and sensitivity analysis was conducted to analyze the influence of various parameters on the outcomes of CET. The results showed that the CET of females was always 1.12-1.29 times that of males. In addition, the CET after wearing face masks was 28.28-52.37 times as long as before. The working time can be determined based on the CET results of male workers wearing face masks exposed to the inverted-umbrella aeration tank (14.73-550.98 min for U.S. EPA benchmark and 55.07-1972.24 min for WHO benchmark). In each scenario, the variable parameter exposure concentration (ec) always showed the most influence on the CET results. After wearing the face masks, the removal fraction by employing face masks also had a significant effect on the results, only second to ec. Therefore, the wearing of face mask is the most convenient and effective measure to prolong the CET. Furthermore, practical methods to reducing bioaerosol concentration in WWTPs exposure are also necessary to extend CET and safeguard worker health. This study enriches the application range of reverse quantitative microbial risk assessment framework and provides theoretical support for stakeholders to establish reasonable working time threshold guidelines, and practical method and novel perspective to protect the on-site health risks of sewage workers exposing to various facilities.

Construction and validation of risk prediction models for pulmonary embolism in hospitalized patients based on different machine learning methods.

Objective: This study aims to apply different machine learning (ML) methods to construct risk prediction models for pulmonary embolism (PE) in hospitalized patients, and to evaluate and compare the predictive efficacy and clinical benefit of each model. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study involving 332 participants (172 PE positive cases and 160 PE negative cases) recruited from Guangdong Medical University. Participants were randomly divided into a training group (70%) and a validation group (30%). Baseline data were analyzed using univariate analysis, and potential independent risk factors associated with PE were further identified through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Six ML models, namely Logistic Regression (LR), Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Naive Bayes (NB), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and AdaBoost were developed. The predictive efficacy of each model was compared using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and the area under the curve (AUC). Clinical benefit was assessed using decision curve analysis (DCA). Results: Logistic regression analysis identified lower extremity deep venous thrombosis, elevated D-dimer, shortened activated partial prothrombin time, and increased red blood cell distribution width as potential independent risk factors for PE. Among the six ML models, the RF model achieved the highest AUC of 0.778. Additionally, DCA consistently indicated that the RF model offered the greatest clinical benefit. Conclusion: This study developed six ML models, with the RF model exhibiting the highest predictive efficacy and clinical benefit in the identification and prediction of PE occurrence in hospitalized patients.

Nitrogen-doped activated carbon-based steel slag composite material as an accelerant for enhancing the resilience of flexible biogas production process against shock loads: Performance, mechanism and modified ADM1 modeling.

Anaerobic digestion for flexible biogas production can lead to digestion inhibition under high shock loads. While steel slag addition has shown promise in enhancing system buffering, its limitations necessitate innovation. This study synthesized the nitrogen-doped activated carbon composite from steel slag to mitigate intermediate product accumulation during flexible biogas production. Material characterization preceded experiments introducing the composite into anaerobic digestion systems, evaluating its impact on methane production efficiency under hydraulic and concentration sudden shocks. Mechanistic insights were derived from microbial community and metagenomic analyses, facilitating the construction of the modified Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1) to quantitatively assess the material's effects. Results indicate superior resistance to concentration shocks with substantial increment of methane production rate up to 33.45% compared with control group, which is mediated by direct interspecies electron transfer, though diminishing with increasing shock intensity. This study contributes theoretical foundations for stable flexible biogas production and offers an effective predictive tool for conductor material reinforcement processes.

ROS-responsive charge reversal mesoporous silica nanoparticles as promising drug delivery system for neovascular retinal diseases.

Intravitreal injection of biodegradable implant drug carriers shows promise in reducing the injection frequency for neovascular retinal diseases. However, current intravitreal ocular devices have limitations in adjusting drug release rates for individual patients, thereby affecting treatment effectiveness. Accordingly, we developed mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) featuring a surface that reverse its charge in response to reactive oxygen species (ROS) for efficient delivery of humanin peptide (HN) to retinal epithelial cells (ARPE-19). The MSN core, designed with a pore size of 2.8 nm, ensures a high HN loading capacity 64.4% (w/w). We fine-tuned the external surface of the MSNs by incorporating 20% Acetyl-L-arginine (Ar) to create a partial positive charge, while 80% conjugated thioketal (TK) methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG) act as ROS gatekeeper. Ex vivo experiments using bovine eyes revealed the immobilization of Ar-MSNs-TK-PEG (mean zeta potential: 2 mV) in the negatively charged vitreous. However, oxidative stress reversed the surface charge to -25 mV by mPEG loss, facilitating the diffusion of the nanoparticles impeded with HN. In vitro studies showed that ARPE-19 cells effectively internalize HN-loaded Ar-MSNs-TK, subsequently releasing the peptide, which offered protection against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis, as evidenced by reduced TUNEL and caspase3 activation. The inhibition of retinal neovascularization was further validated in an in vivo oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mouse model.

Self-Adapting Biomass Hydrogel Embodied with miRNA Immunoregulation and Long-Term Bacterial Eradiation for Synergistic Chronic Wound Therapy.

Chronic wound rescue is critical for diabetic patients but is challenging to achieve with a specific and long-term strategy. The prolonged bacterial inflammation is particularly prevalent in hyperglycemia-induced wounds, usually leading to severe tissue damage. Such a trend could further suffer from an environmental suitability provided by macrophages for persisting Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and even deteriorate by their mutual reinforcement. However, the strategy of both suppressing bacteria growth and immunoreprogramming the inflammatory type of macrophages to break their vicious harm to wound healing is still lacking. Here, a self-adapting biomass carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) hydrogel comprising immunomodulatory nanoparticles is reported to achieve Gram-negative/Gram-positive bacteria elimination and anti-inflammatory cytokines induction to ameliorate the cutaneous microenvironment. Mechanistically, antibacterial peptides and CMCs synergistically result in a long-term inhibition against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) over a period of 7 days, and miR-301a reprograms the M2 macrophage via the PTEN/PI3Kγ/mTOR signaling pathway, consequently mitigating inflammation and promoting angiogenesis for diabetic wound healing in rats. In this vein, immunoregulatory hydrogel is a promising all-biomass dressing ensuring biocompatibility, providing a perspective to regenerate cutaneous damaged tissue, and repairing chronic wounds on skin.

Self-Assembling Nanoparticle Hemagglutinin Influenza Vaccines Induce High Antibody Response.

As a highly pathogenic avian virus, H5 influenza poses a serious threat to livestock, the poultry industry, and public health security. Hemagglutinin (HA) is both the dominant epitope and the main target of influenza-neutralizing antibodies. Here, we designed a nanoparticle hemagglutinin influenza vaccine to improve the immunogenicity of the influenza vaccine. In this study, HA5 subtype influenza virus was used as the candidate antigen and was combined with the artificially designed double-branch scaffold protein I53_dn5 A and B. A structurally correct and bioactive trimer HA5-I53_dn5B/Y98F was obtained through secretion and purification using an insect baculovirus expression system; I53_dn5A was obtained by purification using a prokaryotic expression system. HA5-I53_dn5B/Y98F and I53_dn5A self-assembled into spherical nanoparticles (HA5-I53_dn5) in vitro with a diameter of about 45 nm. Immunization and serum test results showed that both HA5-I53_dn5B/Y98F and HA5-I53_dn5 could induce HA5-specific antibodies; however, the immunogenicity of HA5-I53_dn5 was better than that of HA5-I53_dn5B/Y98F. Groups treated with HA5-I53_dn5B and HA5-I53_dn5 nanoparticles produced IgG antibody titers that were not statistically different from those of the nanoparticle-containing adjuvant group. This production of trimerized HA5-I53_dn5B and HA5-I53_dn5 nanoparticles using baculovirus expression provides a reference for the development of novel, safe, and efficient influenza vaccines.

Hydrogel binding sodium alginate based optical fiber surface plasmon resonance for calcium ion trace detection.

A plasmonic tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG)-based sensor for the detection of calcium ion (Ca2+) was proposed and demonstrated experimentally. Hydrogel material was synthesized by utilizing hydrogen bond recombination between cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Sodium alginate (SA) was incorporated into this hydrogel material, resulting in a composite membrane with specific binding properties for Ca2+. The membrane was applied as a coating on the surface of a gold-coated TFBG. The CNC/PVA-SA modified gold on the TFBG surface enhanced the localized refractive index changes caused by variations of Ca2+ concentrations. The experimental results demonstrated an impressive limit of detection (LOD) of approximately 0.025 fM, which is five orders of magnitude better than the current LODs of similar Ca2+ sensors. And the proposed Ca2+ sensor exhibited a wide dynamic range of 10-16 M to 10-6 M.

Two-dimensional and high-order directional information modulations for secure communications based on programmable metasurface.

Conventional wireless communication schemes indiscriminately transmit information into the whole space and pose inherent security risks. Recently, directional information modulation (DIM) has attracted enormous attention as a promising technology. DIM generates correct constellation symbols in the desired directions and distorts them in undesired directions, thus ensuring the security of the transmitted information. Although several DIM schemes have been reported, they suffer from defects of bulkiness, energy consumption, high cost, and inability to support two-dimensional (2D) and high-order modulations. Here, we propose a DIM scheme based on a 2-bit programmable metasurface (PM) that overcomes these defects. A fast and efficient discrete optimization algorithm is developed to optimize the digital coding sequences, and the correct constellation symbols can be generated and transmitted in multi-directional beams. As a proof-of-concept, three sets of constellation diagrams (8 phase shift keying (PSK), 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), and 64QAM) are realized in the multi-channel modes. This work provides an important route of employing DIM for ensuring physical-layer security and serves as a stepping stone toward endogenous secure communications.

Clinicopathologic Dissociation: Robust Lafora Body Accumulation in Malin KO Mice Without Observable Changes in Home-Cage Behavior.

Lafora disease (LD) is a syndrome of progressive myoclonic epilepsy and cumulative neurocognitive deterioration caused by recessively inherited genetic lesions of EPM2A (laforin) or NHLRC1 (malin). Neuropsychiatric symptomatology in LD is thought to be directly downstream of neuronal and astrocytic polyglucosan aggregates, termed Lafora bodies (LBs), which faithfully accumulate in an age-dependent manner in all mouse models of LD. In this study, we applied home-cage monitoring to examine the extent of neurobehavioral deterioration in a model of malin-deficient LD as a means to identify robust preclinical endpoints that may guide the selection of novel genetic treatments. At 6 weeks, ∼6-7 months, and ∼12 months of age, malin-deficient mice ("KO") and wild-type (WT) littermates underwent a standardized home-cage behavioral assessment designed to non-obtrusively appraise features of rest/arousal, consumptive behaviors, risk aversion, and voluntary wheel-running. At all timepoints, and over a range of metrics that we report transparently, WT and KO mice were essentially indistinguishable. In contrast, within WT mice compared across the same timepoints, we identified age-related nocturnal hypoactivity, diminished sucrose preference, and reduced wheel-running. Neuropathological examinations in subsets of the same mice revealed expected age-dependent LB accumulation, gliosis, and microglial activation in cortical and subcortical brain regions. At 12 months of age, despite the burden of neocortical LBs, we did not identify spontaneous seizures during an electroencephalographic (EEG) survey, and KO and WT mice exhibited similar spectral EEG features. However, in an in vitro assay of neocortical function, paroxysmal bursts of network activity (UP states) in KO slices were more prolonged at 3 and 6 months of age, but similar to WT at 12 months. KO mice displayed a distinct response to pentylenetetrazole, with a greater incidence of clonic seizures and a more pronounced postictal suppression of movement, feeding, and drinking behavior. Together, these results highlight the clinicopathologic dissociation in a mouse model of LD, where the accrual of LBs may latently modify cortical circuit function and seizure threshold without clinically meaningful changes in home-cage behavior. Our findings allude to a delay between LB accumulation and neurobehavioral decline in LD: one that may provide a window for treatment, and whose precise duration may be difficult to ascertain within the typical lifespan of a laboratory mouse.

Signaling through the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the liver protects against the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is the progressive form of liver steatosis, the most common liver disease, and substantially increases the mortality rate. However, limited therapies are currently available to prevent MASH development. Identifying potential pharmacological treatments for the condition has been hampered by its heterogeneous and complex nature. Here, we identified a hepatic nonneuronal cholinergic signaling pathway required for metabolic adaptation to caloric overload. We found that cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 2 subunit (CHRNA2) is highly expressed in hepatocytes of mice and humans. Further, CHRNA2 is activated by a subpopulation of local acetylcholine-producing macrophages during MASH development. The activation of CHRNA2 coordinates defensive programs against a broad spectrum of MASH-related pathogenesis, including steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Hepatocyte-specific loss of CHRNA2 signaling accelerates the disease onset in different MASH mouse models. Activation of this pathway via pharmacological inhibition of acetylcholine degradation protects against MASH development. Our study uncovers a hepatic nicotinic cholinergic receptor pathway that constitutes a cell-autonomous self-defense route against prolonged metabolic stress and holds therapeutic potential for combatting human MASH.

Effect of ultrafine grinding on the structure and physical properties of pregelatinized rice starch.

This study used a combination method of ultrafine grinding and pregelatinization to modify rice starch (RS) to delay its retrogradation and provide a rationale for prolonging rice product shelf life. The structure and physicochemical properties of the pregelatinized ultrafine grinding rice starch (PURS) were compared with those of RS, ultrafine grinding rice starch (URS), and pregelatinized rice starch (PRS). The microstructure, molecular weight, branched starch length distribution, short-range order, crystal structure, and physical properties of RS, URS, PRS, and PURS were analyzed, respectively. Results showed that RS, URS, PRS, and PURS granules exhibited similar spherical or polygonal shapes, and the content of amylose and short-branched starch in PURS increased compared with RS, URS, and PRS. Furthermore, the cross-polarization of PRS and PURS disappeared. Long-chain amylopectin and average molecular weight of PURS decreased significantly after ultrafine grinding. Our study suggested reduced breakdown value and setback value and improved gel stability, and PURS was beneficial for delaying retrogradation compared to RS, URS, and PRS. The ultrafine grinding method improved the water swelling capacity (WSC), solubility, pasting properties, and gelation properties of PRS. The hardness of PURS was reduced by ultrafine grinding. These suggest that the combination of ultrafine grinding and pregelatinization could improve the properties of RS. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that the structure of PURS significantly influenced the physicochemical properties. The present study was helpful in better understanding the importance of ultrafine grinding in improving the anti-retrogradation of PURS and provided new insights into extending the shelf life of rice products by ultrafine grinding and pregelatinization.

The difference of functional MR imaging in evaluating outcome of patients with diffuse and compact brain arteriovenous malformation.

Microsurgical resection is an effective method to treat brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can evaluate the spatial relationship of nidus and eloquent. Diffuse BAVMs are related to poor outcomes postoperatively. The role of fMRI in evaluating outcomes in patients with different nidus types remains unclear. BAVM patients received microsurgical resection were included from a prospective, multicenter cohort study. All patients underwent fMRI evaluation preoperatively and were regularly followed up postoperatively. Diffuse BAVM is radiologically identified as nidus containing normal brain tissue interspersing between malformed vessels. Lesion-to-eloquent distance (LED) was calculated based on the relationship between nidus and eloquent. The primary outcome was 180-day unfavorable neurological status postoperatively. The risk of primary outcome was investigated within different BAVM nidus types. The LED's performance to predict poor outcome was evaluated using area under curve (AUC). 346 BAVM patients were included in this study. 93 (26.9%) patients were found to have a 180-day unfavorable outcome. Multivariate logistic analysis demonstrated LED (odd ratio [OR], 0.44; 0.34-0.57; P < 0.001) and mRS at admission (OR, 2.59; 1.90-3.54; P < 0.001) as factors of unfavorable outcome. Subgroup analysis showed LED and mRS at admission as factors of unfavorable outcome for patients with compact BAVMs (all P < 0.05), but not for patients with diffuse BAVMs. Subsequent analysis showed that LED performed poorly to predict the unfavorable outcome for patients with diffuse BAVMs, compared with patients with compact BAVMs (AUC as 0.69 vs. 0.86, P < 0.05). A larger cutoff value of LED to unfavorable outcome was found in patients with diffuse BAVMs (15 mm) compared with patients with compact BAVMs (4.7 mm). Usage of LED to evaluate postoperative outcome of patients with diffuse BAVMs differs from its use in patients with compact BAVMs. Specific assessment strategy considering BAVM nidus types could help improve patients' outcome. MITASREAVM cohort (unique identifier: NCT02868008, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02868008?term=NCT02868008&rank=1 ).

Mechanical rheological model on the assessment of elasticity and viscosity in tissue inflammation: A systematic review.

Understanding the extent of inflammation is crucial for early disease detection, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating treatment responses. Over the past decade, researchers have demonstrated the need to understand the extent of inflammation through qualitative or quantitative characterization of tissue viscoelasticity using different techniques. In this scientific review, an examination of research on the association between elasticity and Viscosity in diseases, particularly as tissue inflammation progresses, is conducted. A review of utilizing mechanical rheological models to characterize quantitative viscoelastic parameters of normal and inflamed tissues is also undertaken. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, we identified 14 full-text studies suitable for review out of 290 articles published from January 2000 to January 2024. We used PRISMA guidelines for the systematic review. In the review, three studies demonstrated the criterion used by the researchers in identifying the best rheological model. Eleven studies showed the clinical application of the rheological model in quantifying the viscoelastic properties of normal and pathological tissue. The review quantified viscoelastic parameters for normal and pathological tissue across various soft tissues. It evaluated the effectiveness of each viscoelastic property in distinguishing between normal and pathological tissue stiffness. Furthermore, the review outlined additional viscoelastic-related parameters for researchers to consider in future stiffness classification studies.

Halogen Bond Unlocks Ultra-High Birefringence.

Anisotropy is crucial for birefringence (Δn) in optical materials, but optimizing it remains a formidable challenge (Δn > 0.3). Supramolecular frameworks incorporating π-conjugated components are promising for achieving enhanced birefringence since their structural diversity and inherent anisotropy. Herein, we first synthesized (C6H6NO2)+Cl- (NAC). And then constructed a halogen bonded supramolecular framework I+(C6H4NO2)- (INA) by halogen aliovalent substitution of Cl- with I+. The organic moieties are protonated and deprotonated nicotinic acid (NA), respectively. The antiparallel arrangement of birefringent-active units in NAC and INA leads to significant differences in bonding characteristics between interlayer and intralayer domains. Moreover, [O···I+···N] halogen bond in 1D [I+(C6H4NO2)-] chain exhibits stronger interactions and stricter directionality, resulting in a more pronounced in-plane anisotropy between the intrachain and interchain directions. Consequently, INA exhibits exceptional birefringent performance, with a value of 0.778 at 550 nm, twice that of NAC (0.363 at 550 nm). This value significantly exceeds those of commercial birefringent crystals, such as CaCO3 (0.172 at 546 nm), and is the highest reported value among ultraviolet birefringent crystals. This work presents a novel design strategy that employs halogen bonds as connection sites and modes for birefringent-active units, opening new avenues for developing high-performance birefringent crystals.