MCM8 promotes lung cancer progression through upregulating DNAJC10.

MCM8 is a helicase, which participates in DNA replication and tumorigenesis and is upregulated in many human cancers, including lung cancer (LC); however, the function of MCM8 in LC tumour progression is unclear. In this study, we found that MCM8 was expressed at high levels in LC cells and tissues. Further, MCM8 upregulation was associated with advanced tumour grade and lymph node metastasis, and indicated poor prognosis. Silencing of MCM8 suppressed cell growth and migration in vitro and in vivo, while ectopic MCM8 expression promoted cell cycle progression, as well as cell migration, proliferation, and apoptosis. Mechanistically, DNAJC10 was identified as a downstream target of MCM8, using gene array and CO-IP assays. DNAJC10 overexpression combatted the inhibitory activity of MCM8 knockdown on LC progression, while silencing DNAJC10 alleviated the oncogenic function of MCM8 overexpression. MCM8 expression was positively correlated with that of DNAJC10 in LC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, and DNAJC10 upregulation was also associated with poor overall survival of patients with LC. This study indicated that MCM8/DNAJC10 axis plays an important role in in LC development, and maybe as a new potential therapeutic target or a diagnostic biomarker for treating patients with LC.

Seasonally Changing Interactions of Species Traits of Termites and Trees Promote Complementarity in Coarse Wood Decomposition.

Complementary resource use by functionally different species may accelerate ecosystem processes. However, how co-variation in plant traits and animal traits promotes complementarity through temporal plant-animal interactions is poorly understood, even less so in detrital systems, thereby hampering our fundamental understanding of decomposition and carbon turnover. We hypothesised that, in seasonal subtropical forests where termites are major deadwood decomposers, trait complementarity of both termite species and tree species should promote overall deadwood decomposition through different seasons and years. Findings from a four-year coarse wood decomposition experiment involving 27 tree and 5 termite species support this hypothesis. Phenological and mandibular traits of the two most abundant termite species controlled wood decomposition of tree species differing in wood traits, through the seasons over 4 years, thereby promoting overall deadwood decomposition rates. Our findings indicate that complementarity in functional trait co-variation in plants and animals plays an important role in carbon cycling.

Clonal expansion of shared T cell receptors reveals the existence of immune commonality among different lesions of synchronous multiple primary lung cancer.

The increase in the detection rate of synchronous multiple primary lung cancer (MPLC) has posed remarkable clinical challenges due to the limited understanding of its pathogenesis and molecular features. Here, comprehensive comparisons of genomic and immunologic features between MPLC and solitary lung cancer nodule (SN), as well as different lesions of the same patient, were performed. Compared with SN, MPLC displayed a lower rate of EGFR mutation but higher rates of BRAF, MAP2K1, and MTOR mutation, which function exactly in the upstream and downstream of the same signaling pathway. Considerable heterogeneity in T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire exists among not only different patients but also among different lesions of the same patient. Invasive lesions of MPLC exhibited significantly higher TCR diversity and lower TCR expansion than those of SN. Intriguingly, different lesions of the same patient always shared a certain proportion of TCR clonotypes. Significant clonal expansion could be observed in shared TCR clonotypes, particularly in those existing in all lesions of the same patient. In conclusion, this study provided evidences of the distinctive mutational landscape, activation of oncogenic signaling pathways, and TCR repertoire in MPLC as compared with SN. The significant clonal expansion of shared TCR clonotypes demonstrated the existence of immune commonality among different lesions of the same patient and shed new light on the individually tailored precision therapy for MPLC.

Design method for eliminating spectral line tilt in a multiple sub-pupil ultra-spectral imager (MSPUI).

A multiple sub-pupil ultra-spectral imaging system designed with a single spectrometer and detector can simultaneously detect multiple-channel spectra with ultra-high spectral resolution. However, due to using a prism in the system's front end, the nonlinear dispersion introduces spectral line tilt in the imaging spectra. This phenomenon can lead to bias in the final spectral data. To eliminate this issue, we propose a new design by introducing a second prism to correct this spectral tilt in the system. The angle of spectral line tilt generated by the nonlinear dispersion of the first prism is derived. It provides the theoretical basis for characterizing the second complementary prism. Finally, a UV multiple sub-pupil ultra-spectral imaging system is designed. The system employs two pupil separation prisms and one flat panel array to segment the pupil in three channels, each operating within spectral ranges of 180∼210 nm, 275∼305 nm, and 370∼400 nm, respectively. The spectral resolutions in all three channels are better than 0.1 nm. The corrected spectral line tilt is less than 1/3 of a pixel in the two channels with pupil separation prisms. At a Nyquist frequency of 30 lp/mm, the modulation transfer functions of all three channels are greater than 0.7, ensuring imaging quality. The design results indicate that the method proposed in this paper, utilizing complementary prisms, can effectively correct the spectral line tilt caused by the nonlinear dispersion of the pupil separation prisms. This design approach can be a reference for developing multiple sub-pupil ultra-spectral imaging systems.

Establishment and verification of novel TNM staging system for lung mucinous adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Lung adenocarcinoma is a high-mortality rate cancer. Within this category, Lung mucinous adenocarcinoma (LMAC) is a rare and distinct subtype of lung adenocarcinoma necessitating further investigation. The study was launched to compare the difference of survival features between LMAC and lung non-mucinous adenocarcinoma (LNMAC) and to investigate the significance and demand for developing a new staging system tailored to LMAC. METHODS: This retrospective study assessed the suitableness of the current staging system for LMAC. It compared the overall survival (OS) between LMAC and LNMAC from 2004 to 2020 (LNMAC: 160,387; LMAC: 6,341) and instituted a novel classification framework for LMAC based on US population. Verification group consisting of patients from two Chinese medical centers from 2010 to 2018 (n = 392) was set to ascertain the applicability of this novel system. The primary endpoint was OS. To minimize the bias, propensity score match (PSM) was employed. Survival analysis and Log-rank test were executed to explore the survival features of LMAC. RESULTS: The results indicated that the existed staging system was not suitable for LMAC. Patients diagnosed with LMAC exhibited a superior OS compared to those with LNMAC in stage IA2 (P < 0.0001), IA3 (P < 0.0001), IB (P = 0.0062), IIA (P = 0.0090), IIB (P = 0.0005). In contrast, a worse OS in stage IVA (P = 0.0103) was found in LMAC patients. The novel classification system proposed for LMAC proved to be highly applicable and demonstrated substantial efficacy, as confirmed by the verification group. CONCLUSION: The newly established classification system was more effective for LMAC, but it necessitates large-scale verification to confirm its applicability and reliability.

Taste preferences, cardiometabolic diseases and mild cognitive impairment: a prospective cohort analysis of older Chinese adults.

Taste preference is a pivotal predictor of nutrient intake, yet its impact on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remains poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the association between taste preferences and MCI and the role of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) in this association. The study included older adults, aged 65-90 years, with normal cognitive function at baseline who were enrolled in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) from 2008 to 2018. MCI was measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination, and multivariable Cox regression models were applied. Among 6423 participants, 2534 (39·45 %) developed MCI with an incidence rate of 63·12 - per 1000 person-years. Compared with individuals with insipid taste, those preferring sweetness or spiciness had a higher MCI risk, while saltiness was associated with a lower risk. This association was independent of objective dietary patterns and was more pronounced among urban residents preferring sweetness and illiterate participants preferring spiciness. Notably, among sweet-liking individuals, those with one CMD experienced a significant detrimental effect, and those with co-occurring CMD had a higher incidence rate of MCI. Additionally, regional variations were observed: sweetness played a significant role in regions known for sweet cuisine, while the significance of spiciness as a risk factor diminishes in regions where it is commonly preferred. Our findings emphasize the role of subjective taste preferences in protecting cognitive function and highlight regional variations. Target strategies should focus on assisting individuals with CMD to reduce excessive sweetness intake and simultaneously receiving treatment for CMD to safeguard cognitive function.

Sequestration of Labile Organic Matter by Secondary Fe Minerals from Chemodenitrification: Insight into Mineral Protection Mechanisms.

Labile organic matter (OM) immobilized by secondary iron (Fe) minerals from chemodenitrification may be an effective way to immobilize organic carbon (OC). However, the underlying mechanisms of coupled chemodenitrification and OC sequestration are poorly understood. Here, OM immobilization by secondary Fe minerals from chemodenitrification was investigated at different C/Fe ratios. Kinetics of Fe(II) oxidation and nitrite reduction rates decreased with increasing C/Fe ratios. Despite efficient sequestration, the immobilization efficiency of OM by secondary minerals varied with the C/Fe ratios. Higher C/Fe ratios were conducive to the formation of ferrihydrite and lepidocrocite, with defects and nanopores. Three contributions, including inner-core Fe-O and edge- and corner-shared Fe-Fe interactions, constituted the local coordination environment of mineral-organic composites. Microscopic analysis at the molecular scale uncovered that labile OM was more likely to combine with secondary minerals with poor crystallinity to enhance its stability, and OM distributed within nanopores and defects had a higher oxidation state. After chemodenitrification, high molecular weight substances and substances high in unsaturation or O/C ratios including phenols, polycyclic aromatics, and carboxylic compounds exhibited a stronger affinity to Fe minerals in the treatments with lower C/Fe ratios. Collectively, labile OM immobilization can occur during chemodenitrification. The findings on OM sequestration coupled with chemodenitrification have significant implications for understanding the long-term cycling of Fe, C, and N, providing a potential strategy for OM immobilization in anoxic soils and sediments.

Heavy atom-induced quenching of fluorescent organosilicon nanoparticles for iodide sensing and total antioxidant capacity assessment.

We present a novel approach for iodide sensing based on the heavy-atom effect to quench the green fluorescent emission of organosilicon nanoparticles (OSiNPs). The fluorescence of OSiNPs was significantly quenched (up to 97.4% quenching efficiency) in the presence of iodide ions (I-) through oxidation by hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, OSiNPs can serve as a fluorescent probe to detect I- with high selectivity and sensitivity. The highly selective response is attributed to the hydrophilic surface enabling good dispersion in aqueous solutions and the lipophilic core allowing the generated liposoluble I2 to approach and quench the fluorescence of OSiNPs. The linear working range for I- was from 0 to 50 µM, with a detection limit of 0.1 µM. We successfully applied this nanosensor to determine iodine content in edible salt. Furthermore, the fluorescent OSiNPs can be utilized for the determination of total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Antioxidants reduce I2 to I-, and the extent of quenching by the remaining I2 on the OSiNPs indicates the TAC level. The responses to ascorbic acid, pyrogallic acid, and glutathione were investigated, and the detection limit for ascorbic acid was as low as 0.03 µM. It was applied to the determination of TAC in ascorbic acid tablets and fruit juices, indicating the potential application of the OSiNP-based I2 sensing technique in the field of food analysis.

Microascones, Decahydrofluorene-Class Alkaloids from the Marine-Derived Fungus Microascus sp. SCSIO 41821.

Eight new decahydrofluorene-class alkaloids, microascones A and B (1 and 2), 2,3-epoxyphomapyrrolidone C (3), 14,16-epiascomylactam B (4), 24-hydroxyphomapyrrolidone A (5), and microascones C-E (6-8), along with five known analogs (9-13) were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Microascus sp. SCSIO 41821. Compounds 1 and 2 have an unprecedented complex macrocyclic alkaloid skeleton with a 6/5/6/5/6/5/13 polycyclic system. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopic analysis, quantum chemical calculations of ECD spectra, and 13C NMR chemical shifts. Compounds 10-13 showed selective enzyme inhibitory activity against PTPSig, PTP1B, and CDC25B, and 4, 9, and 10 exhibited strong antibacterial activity against seven tested pathogens. Their structure-bioactivity relationship was discussed, and a plausible biosynthetic pathway for 1-8 was also proposed.

VPAC2 receptor mediates VIP-potentiated insulin secretion via ion channels in rat pancreatic ß cells.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), a small neuropeptide composing of 28 amino acids, functions as a neuromodulator with insulinotropic effect on pancreatic ß cells, in which it is of vital importance in regulating the levels of blood glucose. VIP potently agonizes VPAC2 receptor (VPAC2-R). Agonists of VPAC2-R stimulate glucose-dependent insulin secretion. The purpose of this study was to further investigate the possible ion channel mechanisms in VPAC2-R-mediated VIP-potentiated insulin secretion. The results of insulin secretion experiments showed that VIP augmented insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner. The insulinotropic effect was mediated by VPAC2-R rather than VPAC1 receptor (VPAC1-R), through the adenylyl cyclase (AC)/protein kinase A (PKA) signalling pathway. The calcium imaging analysis demonstrated that VIP increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). In addition, in the whole-cell voltage-clamp mode, we found that VIP blocked the voltage-dependent potassium (Kv) channel currents, while this effect was reversed by inhibiting the VPAC2-R, AC or PKA respectively. Taken together, these findings suggest that VIP stimulates insulin secretion by inhibiting the Kv channels, activating the Ca2+ channels, and increasing [Ca2+]i through the VPAC2-R and AC/PKA signalling pathway. These findings provide theoretical basis for the research of VPAC2-R as a novel therapeutic target.

Comparative Proteome and Cis-Regulatory Element Analysis Reveals Specific Molecular Pathways Conserved in Dog and Human Brains.

Brain development and function are governed by precisely regulated protein expressions in different regions. To date, multiregional brain proteomes have been systematically analyzed only for adult human and mouse brains. To understand the underpinnings of brain development and function, we generated proteomes from six regions of the postnatal brain at three developmental stages of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), which are special among animals in terms of their remarkable human-like social cognitive abilities. Quantitative analysis of the spatiotemporal proteomes identified region-enriched synapse types at different developmental stages and differential myelination progression in different brain regions. Through integrative analysis of inter-regional expression patterns of orthologous proteins and genome-wide cis-regulatory element frequencies, we found that proteins related with myelination and hippocampus were highly correlated between dog and human but not between mouse and human, although mouse is phylogenetically closer to human. Moreover, the global expression patterns of neurodegenerative disease and autism spectrum disorder-associated proteins in dog brain more resemble human brain than in mouse brain. The high similarity of myelination and hippocampus-related pathways in dog and human at both proteomic and genetic levels may contribute to their shared social cognitive abilities. The inter-regional expression patterns of disease-associated proteins in the brain of different species provide important information to guide mechanistic and translational study using appropriate animal models.

Psychological stressors involved in the pathogenesis of premature ovarian insufficiency and potential intervention measures.

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a common gynecological endocrine disease, which seriously affects women's physical and mental health and fertility, and its incidence is increasing year by year. With the development of social economy and technology, psychological stressors such as anxiety and depression caused by social, life and environmental factors may be one of the risk factors for POI. We used PubMed to search peer-reviewed original English manuscripts published over the last 10 years to identify established and experimental studies on the relationship between various types of stress and decreased ovarian function. Oxidative stress, follicular atresia, and excessive activation of oocytes, caused by Stress-associated factors may be the main causes of ovarian function damage. This article reviews the relationship between psychological stressors and hypoovarian function and the possible early intervention measures in order to provide new ideas for future clinical treatment and intervention.

Re-exploration of prognosis in type B thymomas: establishment of a predictive nomogram model.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors for disease progression after initial treatment of type B thymomas using a predictive nomogram model. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study of patients with type B thymoma was performed. The Cox proportional hazard model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Variables with statistical and clinical significance in the multivariate Cox regression were integrated into a nomogram to establish a predictive model for disease progression. RESULTS: A total of 353 cases with type B thymoma were retrieved between January 2012 and December 2021. The median follow-up was 58 months (range: 1-128 months). The 10-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 91.8%. The final nomogram model included R0 resection status and Masaoka stage, with a concordance index of 0.880. Non-R0 resection and advanced Masaoka stage were negative prognostic factors for disease progression (p < 0.001). No benefits of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) were observed in patients with advanced stage and non-R0 resection (p = 0.114 and 0.284, respectively). CONCLUSION: The best treatment strategy for type B thymoma is the detection and achievement of R0 resection as early as possible. Long-term follow-up is necessary, especially for patients with advanced Masaoka stage and who have not achieved R0 resection. No prognostic benefits were observed for PORT.

Cholecystokinin-like peptide mediates satiety by inhibiting sugar attraction.

Feeding is essential for animal survival and reproduction and is regulated by both internal states and external stimuli. However, little is known about how internal states influence the perception of external sensory cues that regulate feeding behavior. Here, we investigated the neuronal and molecular mechanisms behind nutritional state-mediated regulation of gustatory perception in control of feeding behavior in the brown planthopper and Drosophila. We found that feeding increases the expression of the cholecystokinin-like peptide, sulfakinin (SK), and the activity of a set of SK-expressing neurons. Starvation elevates the transcription of the sugar receptor Gr64f and SK negatively regulates the expression of Gr64f in both insects. Interestingly, we found that one of the two known SK receptors, CCKLR-17D3, is expressed by some of Gr64f-expressing neurons in the proboscis and proleg tarsi. Thus, we have identified SK as a neuropeptide signal in a neuronal circuitry that responds to food intake, and regulates feeding behavior by diminishing gustatory receptor gene expression and activity of sweet sensing GRNs. Our findings demonstrate one nutritional state-dependent pathway that modulates sweet perception and thereby feeding behavior, but our experiments cannot exclude further parallel pathways. Importantly, we show that the underlying mechanisms are conserved in the two distantly related insect species.

Predictive factors for iliac vein compression syndrome in patients with varicose veins.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify predictors of iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) in patients with varicose veins and to evaluate the necessity of routine lower extremity venography for preoperative assessment of these patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 1165 patients with lower-limb varicose veins who underwent preoperative venography at Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, China, between January 2019 and September 2023. Logistic regression analyses identified factors associated with concurrent IVCS, and a nomogram was constructed based on these findings. RESULTS: Out of 1165 patients, 75 (6.4%) had IVCS according to venography and 769 had iliac vein ultrasound and found 2 (0.17%) positives. Multivariate analysis revealed the independent predictive value of left-sided involvement (odds ratio (OR) = 3.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.24-8.33, p = 0.016), history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the affected limb (OR = 3.11, 95% CI: 1.21-8.00, p = 0.018), pain (OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.17-4.26, p = 0.014), and positive results on iliac vein ultrasound (OR = 25.56, 95% CI: 2.10-311.26, p = 0.011) for the presence of IVCS in patients with lower-limb varicose veins. A nomogram incorporating these predictors demonstrated moderate predictive ability (AUV = 0.689, 95% CI: 0.607-0.771), with good calibration upon validation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with left lower extremity varicose veins, pain symptoms, history of DVT in the affected limb, and positive iliac vein ultrasound findings are at a higher risk of concurrent IVCS. Patients with varicose veins who have the aforementioned risk factors may need to undergo preoperative angiography.

Comparison of the efficacy of neuronavigation-assisted intracerebral hematoma puncture and drainage with neuroendoscopic hematoma removal in treatment of hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To compare neuronavigation-assisted intracerebral hematoma puncture and drainage with neuroendoscopic hematoma removal for treatment of hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage. METHOD: Ninety-one patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage admitted to our neurosurgery department from June 2022 to May 2023 were selected: 47 patients who underwent endoscopic hematoma removal with the aid of neuronavigation in observation Group A and 44 who underwent intracerebral hematoma puncture and drainage in control Group B. The duration of surgery, intraoperative bleeding, hematoma clearance rate, pre- and postoperative GCS score, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, mRS score and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The duration of surgery, intraoperative bleeding and hematoma clearance were significantly lower in Group B than in Group A (p < 0.05). Conversely, no significant differences in the preoperative, 7-day postoperative, 14-day postoperative or 1-month postoperative GCS or NIHSS scores or the posthealing mRS score were observed between Groups A and B. However, the incidence of postoperative complications was significantly greater in Group B than in Group A (p < 0.05), with the most significant difference in incidence of intracranial infection (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both neuronavigation-assisted intracerebral hematoma puncture and drainage and neuroendoscopic hematoma removal are effective at improving the outcome of patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage. The disadvantage of neuronavigation is that the incidence of complications is significantly greater than that of other methods; postoperative care and prevention of complications should be strengthened in clinical practice.

Real-world efficacy of adjuvant therapy for totally resected stage I lung adenocarcinoma patients with pathological high-risk factors: propensity score analysis.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the real-world efficacy of adjuvant therapy for stage I lung adenocarcinoma patients with pathological high-risk factors. METHODS: Study participants were enrolled from November 1, 2016 and December 31, 2020. Clinical bias was balanced by propensity score matching. Disease-free survival (DFS) outcomes were compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify survival-associated factors. p ≤ 0.05 was the threshold for statistical significance. RESULTS: A total of 454 patients, among whom 134 (29.5%) underwent adjuvant therapy, were enrolled in this study. One hundred and eighteen of the patients who underwent adjuvant therapy were well matched with non-treatment patients. Prognostic outcomes of the treatment group were significantly better than those of the non-treatment group, as revealed by Kaplan-Meier analysis after PSM. Differences in prevention of recurrence or metastasis between the targeted therapy and chemotherapy groups were insignificant. Adjuvant therapy was found to be positive prognostic factors, tumor size and solid growth patterns were negative. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant therapy significantly improved the DFS for stage I lung adenocarcinoma patients with high-risk factors. Larger prospective clinical trials should be performed to verify our findings.

Mitophagy mediated by HIF-1α/FUNDC1 signaling in tubular cells protects against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with a high mortality rate. Pathologically, renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (RIRI) is one of the primary causes of AKI, and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α may play a defensive role in RIRI. This study assessed the role of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α)-mediated mitophagy in protection against RIRI in vitro and in vivo. The human tubular cell line HK-2 was used to assess hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced mitophagy through different in vitro assays, including western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurement. Additionally, a rat RIRI model was established for evaluation by renal histopathology, renal Doppler ultrasound, and transmission electron microscopy to confirm the in vitro data. The selective HIF-1α inhibitor LW6 reduced H/R-induced mitophagy but increased H/R-induced apoptosis and ROS production. Moreover, H/R treatment enhanced expression of the FUN14 domain-containing 1 (FUNDC1) protein. Additionally, FUNDC1 overexpression reversed the effects of LW6 on the altered expression of light chain 3 (LC3) BII and voltage-dependent anion channels as well as blocked the effects of HIF-1α inhibition in cells. Pretreatment of the rat RIRI model with roxadustat, a novel oral HIF-1α inhibitor, led to decreased renal injury and apoptosis in vivo. In conclusion, the HIF-1α/FUNDC1 signaling pathway mediates H/R-promoted renal tubular cell mitophagy, whereas inhibition of this signaling pathway protects cells from mitophagy, thus aggravating apoptosis, and ROS production. Accordingly, roxadustat may protect against RIRI-related AKI.

DGRO: Doppler Velocity and Gyroscope-Aided Radar Odometry.

A stable and robust odometry system is essential for autonomous robot navigation. The 4D millimeter-wave radar, known for its resilience in harsh weather conditions, has attracted considerable attention. As the latest generation of FMCW radar, 4D millimeter-wave radar provides point clouds with both position and Doppler velocity information. However, the increased uncertainty and noise in 4D radar point clouds pose challenges that prevent the direct application of LiDAR-based SLAM algorithms. To address this, we propose a SLAM framework that fuses 4D radar data with gyroscope readings using graph optimization techniques. Initially, Doppler velocity is employed to estimate the radar's ego velocity, with dynamic points being removed accordingly. Building on this, we introduce a pre-integration factor that combines ego-velocity and gyroscope data. Additionally, leveraging the stable RCS characteristics of radar, we design a corresponding point selection method based on normal direction and propose a scan-to-submap point cloud registration technique weighted by RCS intensity. Finally, we validate the reliability and localization accuracy of our framework using both our own dataset and the NTU dataset. Experimental results show that the proposed DGRO system outperforms traditional 4D radar odometry methods, especially in environments with slow speeds and fewer dynamic objects.

Using a Mobile Application to Promote Patient Education for Patients With Liver Cirrhosis.

Patient education and self-management are essential for patients with liver cirrhosis. Based on Fisher and Fisher's Information-Motivation-Behavior Skills model, a Cirrhosis Care App was developed to support the education and self-management of these patients. To evaluate the effectiveness of the application, a randomized controlled trial was conducted with patients having liver cirrhosis who were being followed up in the outpatient area of ​​a medical center in Taiwan. The experimental group used the app for 1 month, whereas a control group continued to receive conventional patient education. A pretest and posttest questionnaire was used to evaluate the app's effectiveness in improving the knowledge and practice of self-care. In addition, a questionnaire was developed based on the Technology Acceptance Model to understand satisfaction with the app. Results showed that following the implementation of the Cirrhosis Care App, patients' self-care knowledge and ability to promote self-care practice improved. User satisfaction with the app was measured and reflected in its frequency of use. This study confirmed that the Cirrhosis Care App, based on the Information-Motivation-Behavior Skills model, can improve patient knowledge and self-care practice and be actively promoted to benefit patients with cirrhosis.