Disorder Operator and Rényi Entanglement Entropy of Symmetric Mass Generation.

The "symmetric mass generation" (SMG) quantum phase transition discovered in recent years has attracted great interest from both condensed matter and high energy theory communities. Here, interacting Dirac fermions acquire a gap without condensing any fermion bilinear mass term or any concomitant spontaneous symmetry breaking. It is hence beyond the conventional Gross-Neveu-Yukawa-Higgs paradigm. One important question we address in this Letter is whether the SMG transition corresponds to a true unitary conformal field theory. We employ the sharp diagnosis including the scaling of disorder operator and Rényi entanglement entropy in large-scale lattice model quantum Monte Carlo simulations. Our results strongly suggest that the SMG transition is indeed an unconventional quantum phase transition and it should correspond to a true (2+1)d unitary conformal field theory.

Analysis of Polyphenol Extract from Hazel Leaf and Ameliorative Efficacy and Mechanism against Hyperuricemia Zebrafish Model via Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking.

Hazel leaf, a by-product of hazelnuts, is commonly used in traditional folk medicine in Portugal, Sweden, Iran and other regions for properties such as vascular protection, anti-bleeding, anti-edema, anti-infection, and pain relief. Based on our previous studies, the polyphenol extract from hazel leaf was identified and quantified via HPLC fingerprint. The contents of nine compounds including kaempferol, chlorogenic acid, myricetin, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, resveratrol, luteolin, gallic acid and ellagic acid in hazel leaf polyphenol extract (ZP) were preliminary calculated, among which kaempferol was the highest with 221.99 mg/g, followed by chlorogenic acid with 8.23 mg/g. The inhibition of ZP on α-glucosidase and xanthine oxidase activities was determined via the chemical method, and the inhibition on xanthine oxidase was better. Then, the effect of ZP on hyperuricemia zebrafish was investigated. It was found that ZP obviously reduced the levels of uric acid, xanthine oxidase, urea nitrogen and creatinine, and up-regulated the expression ofOAT1 and HPRT genes in hyperuricemia zebrafish. Finally, the targeted network pharmacological analysis and molecular docking of nine polyphenol compounds were performed to search for relevant mechanisms for alleviating hyperuricemia. These results will provide a valuable basis for the development and application of hazel leaf polyphenols as functional ingredients.

Scaling of Entanglement Entropy at Deconfined Quantum Criticality.

We develop a nonequilibrium increment method to compute the Rényi entanglement entropy and investigate its scaling behavior at the deconfined critical (DQC) point via large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations. To benchmark the method, we first show that, at a conformally invariant critical point of O(3) transition, the entanglement entropy exhibits universal scaling behavior of area law with logarithmic corner corrections, and the obtained correction exponent represents the current central charge of the critical theory. Then we move on to the deconfined quantum critical point, where we still observe similar scaling behavior, but with a very different exponent. Namely, the corner correction exponent is found to be negative. Such a negative exponent is in sharp contrast with the positivity condition of the Rényi entanglement entropy, which holds for unitary conformal field theories (CFTs). Our results unambiguously reveal fundamental differences between DQC and quantum critical points described by unitary CFTs.

High-efficiency water-window x-ray generation from nanowire array targets irradiated with femtosecond laser pulses.

We demonstrate the high-efficiency generation of water-window soft x-ray emissions from polyethylene nanowire array targets irradiated by femtosecond laser pulses at the intensity of 4×1019 W/cm2. The experimental results indicate more than one order of magnitude enhancement of the water-window x-ray emissions from the nanowire array targets compared to the planar targets. The highest energy conversion efficiency from laser to water-window x-rays is measured as 0.5%/sr, which comes from the targets with the longest nanowires. Supported by particle-in-cell simulations and atomic kinetic codes, the physics that leads to the high conversion efficiency is discussed.

High-efficiency generation of narrowband soft x rays from carbon nanotube foams irradiated by relativistic femtosecond lasers.

A number of applications require x rays of both high flux and narrow bandwidth. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate the high-efficiency generation of narrowband soft x rays from carbon nanotube foams irradiated by a femtosecond laser pulse at an intensity of 1019W/cm2. The building blocks of the foam, single-walled carbon nanotube bundles with diameters smaller than the laser skin length can be volumetrically heated and fully ionized on a femtosecond time scale. The three-dimensional network structure of the foam permits deep penetration and drastic absorption of the laser pulse, and results in bright line emissions without prominent Stark broadening. A single-shot yield of 3×1014photons in the carbon Lyα line at 3.37 nm was measured with a bandwidth of 0.013 nm.

Ultrahigh-charge electron beams from laser-irradiated solid surface.

Compact acceleration of a tightly collimated relativistic electron beam with high charge from a laser-plasma interaction has many unique applications. However, currently the well-known schemes, including laser wakefield acceleration from gases and vacuum laser acceleration from solids, often produce electron beams either with low charge or with large divergence angles. In this work, we report the generation of highly collimated electron beams with a divergence angle of a few degrees, nonthermal spectra peaked at the megaelectronvolt level, and extremely high charge (∼100 nC) via a powerful subpicosecond laser pulse interacting with a solid target in grazing incidence. Particle-in-cell simulations illustrate a direct laser acceleration scenario, in which the self-filamentation is triggered in a large-scale near-critical-density plasma and electron bunches are accelerated periodically and collimated by the ultraintense electromagnetic field. The energy density of such electron beams in high-Z materials reaches to [Formula: see text], making it a promising tool to drive warm or even hot dense matter states.

Advances in the Study of Marine Products with Lipid-Lowering Properties.

With twice the number of cancer's deaths, cardiovascular diseases have become the leading cause of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis, in particular, is a progressive, chronic inflammatory cardiovascular disease caused by persistent damage to blood vessels due to elevated cholesterol levels and hyperlipidemia. This condition is characterized by an increase in serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein, and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein. Although existing therapies with hypolipidemic effects can improve the living standards of patients with cardiovascular diseases, the drugs currently used in clinical practice have certain side effects, which insists on the need for the development of new types of drugs with lipid-lowering effects. Some marine-derived substances have proven hypolipidemic activities with fewer side effects and stand as a good alternative for drug development. Recently, there have been thousands of studies on substances with lipid-lowering properties of marine origin, and some are already implemented in clinical practice. Here, we summarize the active components of marine-derived products having a hypolipidemic effect. These active constituents according to their source are divided into algal, animal, plant and microbial and contribute to the development and utilization of marine medicinal products with hypolipidemic effects.

Advances in Research on the Bioactivity of Alginate Oligosaccharides.

Alginate is a natural polysaccharide present in various marine brown seaweeds. Alginate oligosaccharide (AOS) is a degradation product of alginate, which has received increasing attention due to its low molecular weight and promising biological activity. The wide-ranging biological activity of AOS is closely related to the diversity of their structures. AOS with a specific structure and distinct applications can be obtained by different methods of alginate degradation. This review focuses on recent advances in the biological activity of alginate and its derivatives, including their anti-tumor, anti-oxidative, immunoregulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antibacterial, hypolipidemic, antihypertensive, and hypoglycemic properties, as well as the ability to suppress obesity and promote cell proliferation and regulate plant growth. We hope that this review will provide theoretical basis and inspiration for the high-value research developments and utilization of AOS-related products.

Current Research Landscape of Marine-Derived Anti-Atherosclerotic Substances.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease characterized by lipid accumulation and chronic inflammation of the arterial wall, which is the pathological basis for coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and thromboembolic disease. Currently, there is a lack of low-cost therapeutic agents that effectively slow the progression of atherosclerosis. Therefore, the development of new drugs is urgently needed. The research and development of marine-derived drugs have gained increasing interest from researchers across the world. Many marine organisms provide a rich material basis for the development of atherosclerotic drugs. This review focuses on the latest technological advances in the structures and mechanisms of action of marine-derived anti-atherosclerotic substances and the challenges of the application of these substances including marine polysaccharides, proteins and peptides, polyunsaturated fatty acids and small molecule compounds. Here, we describe the theoretical basis of marine biological resources in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Advances in Studies on the Pharmacological Activities of Fucoxanthin.

Fucoxanthin is a natural carotenoid derived mostly from many species of marine brown algae. It is characterized by small molecular weight, is chemically active, can be easily oxidized, and has diverse biological activities, thus protecting cell components from ROS. Fucoxanthin inhibits the proliferation of a variety of cancer cells, promotes weight loss, acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, interacts with the intestinal flora to protect intestinal health, prevents organ fibrosis, and exerts a multitude of other beneficial effects. Thus, fucoxanthin has a wide range of applications and broad prospects. This review focuses primarily on the latest progress in research on its pharmacological activity and underlying mechanisms.

Exogenous IL-9 Ameliorates Experimental Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis Symptoms in Rats.

Interleukin-9 (IL-9) is a multifunctional cytokine involved in protective immunity or immunopathology depending on the microenvironment and specific disease settings. Our early study determined that IL-9 and Th9 cells participate in and promote the progression of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG). The data from this study showed that exogenous recombinant rat IL-9 (rrIL-9) acted as an IL-9 receptor antagonist, reduced the incidence of EAMG in rats, alleviated the severity of the disease, and reduced the anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) IgG antibody levels by altering the Th-subset distribution. These data suggest that administration of rrIL-9 may provide a novel therapeutic strategy against MG or related autoimmune diseases. Abbreviations: 2-Mercaptoethanol (2-ME); antibodies (Abs); ?-bungarotoxin (?-BTX); acetylcholine receptor (AChR); airway hyper-reactivity (AHR); allophycocyanin-conjugated (APC); antigen presenting cells (APCs); complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA); Cyanine dye 3 (Cy3); dendritic cells (DCs); experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE); experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG); flow cytometry (FACS); fetal bovine serum (FBS); fetal calf serum (FCS); Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC); gamma chain (?c); intraperitoneally (i.p.); Incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA); interferon (IFN); immunoglobulin (Ig); Interleukin (IL); Janus kinase (JAK); myasthenia gravis (MG); Mononuclear cells (MNC); neuromuscular junctions (NMJ); optical density (OD); ovalbumin (OVA); phosphate-buffered saline (PBS); phycoerythrin (PE); Peridinin chlorophyll protein complex (Percp); Rat AChR ? subunit (R-AChR97-116); Recombinant Rat (rr); room temperature (RT); signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT); T helper cells (Th).

Euzebyella marina sp. nov., isolated from seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, yellow-pigmented, non-flagellated, non-gliding, oxidase- and catalase-positive bacterium, designated CY01T, was isolated from seawater of the Yellow Sea. CY01T grew at 15-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 5-8 (optimum, 6.5-7.5) and with 0.5-12 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5-3.5 %). It could not produce flexirubin-type pigment or reduce nitrate to nitrite. CY01T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strain of Euzebyella saccharophila (97.0 %) and clustered tightly with the species of the genus Euzebyella in the phylogenetic trees based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences. The major cellular fatty acids of CY01T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1G and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and the major respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-6. Polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), four unidentified lipids and one unidentified aminolipid. The genomic DNA G+C content was 38.2 mol%. Based on the results of the polyphasic characterization of CY01T, it represents a novel species of the genus Euzebyella, for which the name Euzebyella marina sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CY01T (=CCTCC AB 2014348T=KCTC 42440T).

Prognostic model of fibroblasts in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by combined bulk and single-cell RNA-sequencing.

Background: Fibroblasts play an important role in the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Methods: We employed single-cell RNA-sequencing data obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database to perform cell clustering and annotation analyses. We then performed secondary clustering of fibroblasts and conducted functional enrichment and cell trajectory analyses of the two newly defined fibroblast subtypes. Bulk RNA-sequencing data were used to perform consensus clustering and weighted gene co-expression network analysis. We constructed a fibroblast-related prognostic model using least absolute shrinkage, selection operator regression, and Cox regression analysis. The prognostic model was validated using a validation dataset. Immune infiltration and functional enrichment analyses were conducted for patients in the high- and low-risk IPF groups. Results: We characterized two fibroblast subtypes that are active in IPF (F3+ and ROBO2+). Using fibroblast-related genes, we identified five genes (CXCL14, TM4SF1, CYTL1, SOD3, and MMP10) for the prognostic model. The area under the curve values of our prognostic model were 0.852, 0.859, and 0.844 at one, two, and three years in the training set, and 0.837, 0.758, and 0.821 at one, two, and three years in the validation set, respectively. Conclusion: This study annotates and characterizes different subtypes of fibroblasts in IPF.

Ginsenoside - a promising natural active ingredient with steroidal hormone activity.

Ginsenosides are a class of natural products with hormone-like activity of triterpenoid saponins and have a variety of pharmacological activities such as anti-aging, immune regulation and cognitive improvement. With the great research interest in alternative medicine and natural products, they are gradually becoming research hotspots. Ginsenosides have a four-ring rigid steroid backbone similar to steroid hormones, and a series of experimental studies have shown that they can exhibit hormone-like activity by binding to nuclear receptors or affecting hormone levels, thereby affecting a wide range of inflammatory conditions, cancers, and menopause-related diseases. This review summarizes the mechanisms and potential health effects of ginsenosides exhibiting estrogen-like, glucocorticoid-like and androgen-like activities, providing an important reference for the exploration of safe phytohormone replacement therapy.

Clinical application of platelet rich plasma to promote healing of open hand injury with skin defect.

Background: Skin defects caused by open hand trauma are difficult to treat clinically and severely affect the recovery of hand function. Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been widely used in the treatment of refractory chronic wounds, but its use in hand trauma skin defects remains scarce. Methods: This study compared the outcomes of 27 patients treated with PRP to 31 patients undergoing skin flap transplantation for hand wounds. We assessed several parameters, including healing times, duration of surgery, postoperative pain (VAS score), intraoperative amputation length, finger function, sensation restoration, nail bed preservation, and hospitalization expenses. Results: PRP-treated patients showed a mean healing time of 21.59 ± 3.17 days. Surgical times were significantly shorter in the PRP group (22.04 ± 7.04 min) compared to the flap group (57.45 ± 8.15 min, P < 0.0001). PRP patients experienced longer postoperative healing times (20.15 ± 2.16 days) than those in the skin flap group (12.84 ± 1.08 days, P < 0.0001), but reported lower pain scores (1.3 ± 1.44 vs 2.55 ± 2.06, P = 0.0119). Range of Motion (ROM) at the proximal interphalangeal joint was better in the PRP group (96.26° ± 6.69) compared to the flap group (86.16° ± 15.24, P = 0.0028). Sensory outcomes favored the PRP group, with a two-point discrimination of 2.37 ± 1.34 mm versus 2.52 ± 1.27 mm in the flap group (P = 0.0274). Costs were lower in the PRP group ($2081.6 ± 258.14 vs $2680.18 ± 481.15, P < 0.0001). Conclusion: PRP treatment for skin defects from hand trauma is effective, offering advantages in terms of reduced surgical time, pain, and cost, with comparable or superior functional outcomes to flap transplantation. Despite longer healing times, PRP may represent a preferable option for open hand injuries, preserving more nail beds and resulting in better sensation and joint motion.

Protein blend extrusion: Crafting meat analogues with varied textural structures and characteristics.

With an increasing emphasis on health and environmental consciousness, there is a growing inclination toward plant protein-based meat substitutes as viable alternatives to animal meat. In the pursuit of creating diverse and functional plant protein-based substitutes, innovative plant proteins have been introduced in conjunction with soy protein isolate (SPI), encompassing pea protein isolate (PPI), rice bran protein (RBP), fava bean protein isolate (FPI), and spirulina protein isolate (SPPI). Notably, SPI-WG extrudates and SPI-PPI extrudates exhibited superior fiber structures (fiber degrees were 1.72 and 1.88, respectively), with coarse fibers in SPI-WG extrudates and fine, dense fibers in SPI-PPI extrudates. The addition of RBP, FPI and SPPI had minimal effect on fiber structure. Fresh SPI-FPI displayed the slowest rate of water loss, losing about 7.11% of their total weight in 5 h. Different plant proteins can be selected for the preparation of plant protein-based meat substitutes according to practical needs.

Effects of hazelnut soluble dietary fiber on lipid-lowering and gut microbiota in high-fat-diet-fed rats.

Hazelnut is one of the most popular nuts in the world, rich in nutrients and various active substances. In this study, soluble dietary fiber (SDF) was extracted from hazelnut kernels, and its physicochemical properties and absorbability were explored. Hazelnut-SDF exhibited ideal water-holding, oil-holding and swelling capacity, and glucose, cholesterol and cholate absorbing ability. Scanning electron microscopy and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that hazelnut-SDF had typical polysaccharide structure of functional groups. The main monosaccharides were identified as arabinose, rhamnose, xylose, ribose, glucuronic acid, mannose and glucose by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In high-fat diet rats, hazelnut-SDF could improve serum lipid parameters, inhibit lipid accumulation in liver and adipocytes, and regulate the expression level of liver lipid synthesis-related genes. It also could adjust intestinal short chain fatty acids, promote the composition and structure of intestinal microbiota, and significantly balance the abundance of Alloprevotella, Fusicatenibacter, Lactobacillus, Roseburia, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 and Clostridiales. The results concluded that oral administration of hazelnut-SDF could alleviate hyperlipidemia and obesity, and might serve as a potential functional food ingredient.

Multi-omics and pharmacological characterization of patient-derived glioma cell lines.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common brain tumor and remains incurable. Primary GBM cultures are widely used tools for drug screening, but there is a lack of genomic and pharmacological characterization for these primary GBM cultures. Here, we collect 50 patient-derived glioma cell (PDGC) lines and characterize them by whole genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and drug response screening. We identify three molecular subtypes among PDGCs: mesenchymal (MES), proneural (PN), and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Drug response profiling reveals that PN subtype PDGCs are sensitive to tyrosine kinase inhibitors, whereas OXPHOS subtype PDGCs are sensitive to histone deacetylase inhibitors, oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors, and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. PN and OXPHOS subtype PDGCs stably form tumors in vivo upon intracranial transplantation into immunodeficient mice, whereas most MES subtype PDGCs fail to form tumors in vivo. In addition, PDGCs cultured by serum-free medium, especially long-passage PDGCs, carry MYC/MYCN amplification, which is rare in GBM patients. Our study provides a valuable resource for understanding primary glioma cell cultures and clinical translation and highlights the problems of serum-free PDGC culture systems that cannot be ignored.

Hazelnut and its by-products: A comprehensive review of nutrition, phytochemical profile, extraction, bioactivities and applications.

As output of hazelnut increases worldwide, so does the amount of by-products, leading to huge waste and environmental stress. This paper focuses on the varieties of hazelnut that have been studied more in the past two decades, and summarizes the research status of hazelnut and its by-products from the aspects of nutritional value, phytochemicals, extraction methods, biological functions and applications. Hazelnut and its by-products are rich in a variety of bioactive constituents, mainly polyphenols, which have antioxidant, antibacterial and prebiotic effects. Moreover, hazelnut shells, husks, and leaves contain taxanes such as paclitaxel, which can inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. They are potentially good natural sources of paclitaxel compared to the slower growing yew. Therefore, it is essential to further integrate the extraction techniques and health-promoting properties of these nutrients and bioactive substances to expand their application and enhance their value.

Bird-Nest-Like Multi-Interfacial MXene@SiCNWs@Co/C Hybrids with Enhanced Electromagnetic Wave Absorption.

Newly emerged two-dimensional transition metal carbides and/or nitrides (MXenes) have attracted considerable interest in the field of electromagnetic wave absorption, but their excessive conductivity and single loss mechanism limit their applicability. Herein, an MXene decorated with SiCNWs@Co/C was prepared by in situ growth and carbonization processes, followed by electrostatic self-assembly. The electromagnetic wave absorption performance of MXene@SiCNWs@Co/C with a bird-nest-like structure could be effectively regulated and optimized by changing the proportion of MXene and SiCNWs@Co/C. The prepared MXene@SiCNWs@Co/C hybrid absorbers reveal superior impedance matching, complementary dissipation mechanism, and plentiful heterointerfaces. Profiting from the synergy of abovementioned factors, the resultant MXene@SiCNWs@Co/C absorber exhibits an optimum reflection loss (RL) value of -76.5 dB at 6.36 GHz under a thickness of 3.9 mm and broad effective absorption bandwidth (EAB, RL ≤ -10 dB) of 6.2 GHz (11.8-18.0 GHz) with a thickness of only 2.0 mm, covering the entire Ku band. This work offers new insights into designing and fabricating highly efficient MXene-based electromagnetic absorbers.