Gut microbiota in preterm infants with late-onset sepsis and pneumonia: a pilot case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Late-onset sepsis (LOS) and pneumonia are common infectious diseases, with high morbidity and mortality in neonates. This study aimed to investigate the differences in the gut microbiota among preterm infants with LOS, or pneumonia, and full-term infants. Furthermore, this study aimed to determine whether there is a correlation between intestinal pathogenic colonization and LOS. METHODS: In a single-center case‒control study, 16 S rRNA gene sequencing technology was used to compare gut microbiota characteristics and differences among the LOS group, pneumonia group, and control group. RESULTS: Our study revealed that the gut microbiota in the control group was more diverse than that in the LOS group and pneumonia group (P < 0.05). No significant differences in diversity were detected between the LOS and pneumonia groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the abundances of Akkermansia, Escherichia/Shigella, and Enterococcus increased, while the abundances of Bacteroides and Stenotrophomonas decreased in the LOS and pneumonia groups. The pathogenic bacteria in infants with LOS were consistent with the distribution of the main bacteria in the intestinal microbiota. An increase in Escherichia/Shigella abundance may predict a high risk of LOS occurrence, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.773. CONCLUSION: Changes in the gut microbiota composition were associated with an increased risk of LOS and pneumonia. The dominant bacteria in the gut microbiota of the LOS group were found to be associated with the causative pathogen of LOS. Moreover, preterm infants exhibiting an elevated abundance of Escherichia/Shigella may be considered potential candidates for predicting the onset of LOS.

Predictive role of early treatment dynamics of HBV RNA and HBcrAg for HBeAg seroconversion in children with chronic hepatitis B.

This study aimed to assess the predictive capacity of emerging serological markers, serum HBV RNA and HBcrAg, for HBeAg seroconversion in children with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Treatment-naïve HBeAg-positive CHB children who admitted to the Liver Disease Center of Hunan Children's Hospital between April 2021 and September 2022 and received treatment with the combined entecavir and interferon-alpha treatment were recruited. Serum HBV RNA and HBcrAg were measured at baseline and Weeks 12, 24, and 48 of treatment. Our study showed that serum HBV RNA (HR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.56-0.91, p = 0.006), HBcrAg (HR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.43-0.84, p = 0.003), and HBsAg (HR = 0.49, 95%CI: 0.36-0.69, p < 0.001) at Week 12 were independent predictors of HBeAg seroconversion. ROC curve analysis presented that serum HBV RNA decline value (ΔHBV RNA) at Week 36 and HBcrAg decline value (ΔHBcrAg) at Week 12 (AUC = 0.871, p = 0.003 and AUC = 0.810, p = 0.003, respectively) could effectively predict HBeAg seroconversion. Furthermore, the optimal critical values were determined and the children with ΔHBV RNA > 3.759 log10 copies/mL at Week 36 or ΔHBcrAg >0.350 log10 U/mL at Week 12 more likely to achieve HBeAg seroconversion. The serum HBV RNA and HBcrAg provide new insights into the treatment of CHB in children. Early assessment of serum HBV RNA and HBcrAg during treatment can assist clinical decision-making and optimize individualized therapeutic approaches.

Impact of the Hydrophobic Phase on the Interfacial Dilational Rheology of Alkoxy Carboxylate/Cetyltrimethyl Ammonium Chloride Mixtures.

Despite extensive investigations on the interfacial activities of mixed anionic and cationic surfactants (Sa/c), the influence of the hydrophobic phase on their interfacial assembly and dilational rheology remains unaddressed. In this study, the interfacial dilational rheology of alkoxy carboxylate (anionic)/cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (cationic) surfactant mixtures was studied at various interfaces. The dilational modulus of Sa/c increases linearly with interfacial pressure at the interfaces of air, n-hexane/n-octane/n-hexadecane, and toluene. The limit elasticity (ε0) is similar at air and alkane interfaces but significantly decreases at the toluene interface. To explain these phenomena, all-atom molecular simulation was carried out to investigate the microscopic features of surfactants at the interface. The findings emphasize the crucial role of anionic/cationic surfactant bound pairs in regulating interfacial rheology. Sa/c tend to form large aggregates at the air/water surface. When mixed with alkanes like octane, most Sa/c remain as ion pairs. However, when toluene is employed, the coordination number between anionic and cationic surfactants sharply decreases due to π-π interactions between the toluene molecules and the phenyl groups in the anionic surfactant. This leads to a much lower interfacial modulus because interactions between oil molecules and surfactants cannot compensate for weakened interactions among anionic/cationic surfactants. These results suggest that Sa/c in this study tolerate alkanes but are not resistant to aromatics, which helps explain why Sa/c demonstrate excellent performance for the chemical enhanced oil recovery of a high-wax reservoir and further provides fundamental knowledge of their potential applications, such as gas well deliquification using foamers in the presence of condensate oil, textiles, etc.

Accuracy of ChatGPT3.5 in answering clinical questions on guidelines for severe acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines must be interpreted comprehensively and correctly to standardize the clinical process. However, this process is challenging and requires interpreters to have a medical background and qualifications. In this study, the accuracy of ChatGPT3.5 in answering clinical questions related to the 2019 guidelines for severe acute pancreatitis was evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS: An observational study was conducted using the 2019 guidelines for severe acute pancreatitis. The study compared the accuracy of ChatGPT3.5 in English versus Chinese and found that it was more accurate in English (71%) than in Chinese (59%) (P value: 0.203). Additionally, the study assessed the accuracy of ChatGPT3.5 in answering short-answer questions versus true/false questions and found that it was more accurate in answering short-answer questions (76%) than in answering true/false questions (60%) (P value: 0.405). CONCLUSIONS: For clinicians managing severe acute pancreatitis, ChatGPT3.5 may have potential value. However, it should not be relied upon excessively for clinical decision making.

High-performance MoS2phototransistors with Hf1-xAlxO back-gate dielectric layer grown by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition.

Molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) as an emerging optoelectronic material, shows great potential for phototransistors owing to its atomic thickness, adjustable band gap, and low cost. However, the phototransistors based on MoS2have been shown to have some issues such as large gate leakage current, and interfacial scattering, resulting in suboptimal optoelectronic performance. Thus, Al-doped hafnium oxide (Hf1-xAlx) is proposed to be a dielectric layer of the MoS2-based phototransistor to solve this problem because of the relatively higher crystallization temperature and dielectric constant. Here, a high-performance MoS2phototransistor with Hf1-xAlxO gate dielectric layer grown by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition has been fabricated and studied. The results show that the phototransistor exhibits a high responsivity of 2.2 × 104A W-1, a large detectivity of 1.7 × 1017Jones, a great photo-to-dark current ratio of 2.2 × 106%, and a high external quantum efficiency of 4.4 × 106%. The energy band alignment and operating mechanism were further used to clarify the reason for the enhanced MoS2phototransistor. The suggested MoS2phototransistors could provide promising strategies in further optoelectronic applications.

Characteristics of tunable aluminum-doped Ga2O3thin films and photodetectors.

Aluminum-doped Ga2O3(AGO) thin films were prepared by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PE-ALD). The growth mechanism, surface morphology, chemical composition, and optical properties of AGO films were systematically investigated. The bandgap of AGO films can be theoretically set between 4.65 and 6.8 eV. Based on typical AGO films, metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors (PDs) were created, and their photoelectric response was examined. The preliminary results show that PE-ALD grown AGO films have high quality and tunable bandgap, and AGO PDs possess superior characterizations to undoped films. The AGO realized using PE-ALD is expected to be an important route for the development of a new generation of gallium oxide-based photodetectors into the deep-ultraviolet.

Gender differences in the relationship between the triglyceride-glucose index and serum Klotho concentrations among the middle-aged and elderly: a cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is recognized as a robust indicator for evaluating insulin resistance (IR). Despite the well-documented anti-aging biological functions of Klotho protein, its correlation with the TyG index remains unexplored. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted involving participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2007-2016. The TyG index was computed using laboratory data, while serum Klotho concentrations was determined using ELISA kit. After adjusting potential confounding variables, multivariate regression models were employed to evaluate the association between the TyG index and Klotho protein levels among middle-aged and elderly females and males separately. Additionally, smooth curve fitting and segmented regression model were applied to investigate potential threshold effects and identify the inflection point. RESULTS: A total of 6,573 adults qualified for inclusion, comprising 3,147 (47.88%) males and 3,426 (52.12%) females. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that females with a higher TyG index exhibited significantly lower serum Klotho concentrations (ß=-83.41, 95% CI: -124.23 to -42.60, P < 0.0001). This association was not statistically significant in males (ß = 15.40, 95% CI: -19.16 to 49.95, P = 0.3827). Subgroup analyses revealed a significant interaction effect by diabetes status in females (P-interaction = 0.0121), where non-diabetic females showed a stronger negative association between TyG index and serum Klotho levels compared to diabetic females. In the female group, when TyG index was divided into quartiles, individuals in the highest quartile of TyG index exhibited reduced levels of Klotho protein (Q4: -88.77 pg/ml) compared to those in the lowest quartile (Q1) after full adjustment (P = 0.0041). Segmented regression analysis indicated a turning point value of 9.4 in females. Notably, a 1-unit increase in TyG index was significantly associated with a decrease in Klotho levels by -111.43 pg/ml (95% CI: -157.34 to -65.52, P < 0.0001) when TyG index was below 9.4, while above this threshold, the association was not significant (Log likelihood ratio test: 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight a non-linear correlation between the TyG index and serum Klotho concentrations among females, indicative of a saturation effect. This relationship was particularly pronounced in non-diabetic women. In contrast, no statistically significant association was observed in male participants.

Analysis of the prognostic value of mitochondria-related genes in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key determinant of cell death post-AMI. Preventing mitochondrial dysfunction is thus a key therapeutic strategy. This study aimed to explore key genes and target compounds related to mitochondrial dysfunction in AMI patients and their association with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). METHODS: Differentially expressed genes in AMI were identified from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets (GSE166780 and GSE24519), and mitochondria-related genes were obtained from MitoCarta3.0 database. By intersection of the two gene groups, mitochondria-related genes in AMI were identified. Next, the identified genes related to mitochondria were subject to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analyses. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and key genes were screened. Then, targeted drug screening and molecular docking were performed. Blood samples from AMI patients and healthy volunteers were analyzed for the key genes expressions using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Later, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves assessed the diagnostic value of key genes, and univariate and multivariate COX analyses identified risk factors and protective factors for MACE in AMI patients. RESULTS: After screening and identification, 138 mitochondria-related genes were identified, mainly enriched in the processes and pathways of cellular respiration, redox, mitochondrial metabolism, apoptosis, amino acid and fatty acid metabolism. According to the PPI network, 5 key mitochondria-related genes in AMI were obtained: translational activator of cytochrome c oxidase I (TACO1), cytochrome c oxidase subunit Va (COX5A), PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1), SURF1, and NDUFA11. Molecular docking showed that Cholic Acid, N-Formylmethionine interacted with COX5A, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide + hydrogen (NADH) and NDUFA11. Subsequent basic experiments revealed that COX5A and NDUFA11 expressions were significantly lower in the blood of patients with AMI than those in the corresponding healthy volunteers; also, AMI patients with MACE had lower COX5A and NDUFA11 expressions in the blood than those without MACE (P < 0.01). ROC analysis also showed high diagnostic value for COX5A and NDUFA11 [area under the curve (AUC) > 0.85]. In terms of COX results, COX5A, NDUFA11 and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were protective factors for MACE in AMI, while C-reactive protein (CRP) was a risk factor. CONCLUSION: COX5A and NDUFA11, key mitochondria-related genes in AMI, may be used as biomarkers to diagnose AMI and predict MACE.

The structural validity and latent profile characteristics of the Abbreviated Profile of Mood States among Chinese athletes.

BACKGROUND: This study examines the structural validity of the Chinese version of the Abbreviated Profile of Mood States (POMS) among Chinese athletes and analyzes potential profiles to provide evidence for its effective use and recommendations for its application. METHODS: A total of 340 Chinese athletes completed the Chinese version of the Abbreviated POMS. Initially, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted to identify and verify the extractable dimensions of the Abbreviated POMS. Subsequently, the fit of the six-factor and seven-factor models of POMS was tested directly based on their theoretical structures. Finally, latent profile analysis was used to examine profiles based on the four-factor model derived from the factor analysis, six-factor model, and seven-factor model. RESULTS: The Abbreviated POMS was refined to a four-factor model, consisting of 27 items across four factors: positive mood, anger, fatigue, and confusion. The hypothesized six-factor and seven-factor models did not demonstrate satisfactory fit, suggesting that the seven dimensions function better as independent subscales. Iceberg and inverse iceberg profiles were observed across the four-factor model, six-factor model, and seven-factor model. CONCLUSION: The Abbreviated POMS does not support its initial hypothesized structure among Chinese athletes. Caution is advised when using the Abbreviated POMS with athletes; it is recommended to use the four-factor model or evaluate each emotion as an independent subscale. The iceberg and inverse iceberg profiles can be used to categorize athletes' emotional characteristics.

Patient Characteristics Associated with Concurrent Klebsiella pneumoniae Infection and Severe Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the clinical characteristics associated with concurrent Klebsiella pneu-moniae (K. pneumoniae) infection in hospitalized patients with severe pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on hospitalized severe pulmonary tuberculosis patients between January 2019 and December 2020. Among the 487 patients with severe pulmonary tuberculosis, a positive sputum culture for K. pneumoniae was reported in 76 patients (15.6%, 61 males and 15 females). RESULTS: Among these patients, 27 (35.5%) and 49 (64.5%) patients were with and without K. pneumoniae infection, respectively. Compared to patients without K. pneumoniae infection, patients with K. pneumoniae infection had higher mortality (16.3% vs. 40.7%, p = 0.02), and lower inhibitory/cytotoxic CD8 count (24.2 ± 9.9 vs. 17.8 ± 8.0, p = 0.02), complement C4 (0.3 ± 0.1 vs. 0.2 ± 0.1, p = 0.01), and retinol-binding protein level (32.2 ± 22.2 vs. 22.4 ± 11.8, p = 0.02). Furthermore, the acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was associated with the K. pneumoniae infection in severe pulmonary tuberculosis patients. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that a significant number of severe pulmonary tuberculosis patients can have concurrent K. pneumoniae infection. Immunity, nutritional status, and disease severity are associated with the concurrent infection of K. pneumoniae in these patients.

Prediction of Acute Kidney Injury After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft From Preoperative Serum Uric Acid.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of an elevated level of uric acid (UA) in the bloodstream with an increased likelihood of acute kidney injury (AKI) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using a multivariate logistic regression model. SETTING: Single institution. PARTICIPANTS: Recipients of CABG surgery. INTERVENTION: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 761 individuals who underwent CABG were included in the study. The participants were categorized into 4 groups based on their UA level: Q1 group (UA <292.5 µmol/L), Q2 group (292.5 ≤ UA <353 µmol/L), Q3 group (353 ≤ UA < 423 µmol/L), and Q4 group (UA ≥423 µmol/L). A total of 167 patients, accounting for 21.9% of the sample, experienced postoperative AKI. The study found a significantly higher risk of AKI in the Q4 group compared to the Q1 group (40.4% v 8.9%; p < 0.001). After adjustment for confounding variables, an independent association between serum UA concentration and an elevated risk of AKI post-CABG was identified (odds ratio, 6.41; 95% confidence interval, 3.49-12.32; p < 0.001; p for trend < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship between preoperative blood UA level and the occurrence of AKI following CABG surgery.

Coral-Inspired Terahertz-Infrared Bi-Stealth Electronic Skin.

The development of electronic skin with dual stealth functionality is crucial for enabling devices to operate effectively in dynamic electromagnetic environments, thereby facilitating intelligent electromagnetic protection for autonomous perception. However, achieving compatibility between terahertz (THz) and infrared (IR) stealth technologies remains largely unexplored due to their inherent contradictions. Herein, inspired by natural corals, a novel coral-like multi-scale composite foam (CMSF) was proposed that ingeniously reconciles these contradictions. The design capitalizes on the conductive network and heat insulation properties of the foam skeleton, the loss effects and low infrared emission of metal particles, and the infrared transparency of magneto-optical materials. This approach leads to the realization of a THz-IR bi-stealth electronic skin concept. The CMSF exhibits a maximum reflection loss of 84.8 dB in the terahertz band, while its infrared stealth capability ensures environmental adaptability under varying temperatures. Furthermore, the electronic skin exhibits exceptional sensitivity and reliability as a wearable device for perceiving environmental changes. This advanced material, combining multispectral stealth with sensing capabilities, holds immense potential for applications ranging from camouflage technology to smart wearables.

Triple Stimuli-Responsive Flexible Shape Memory Foams with Super-Amphiphilicity.

Highly porous multi-responsive shape memory foams have unique advantages in designing 3D materials with lightweight for varied applications. Herein, a facile and efficient approach to fabricating a thermo-, electro-, and photo-responsive shape memory composite foam is demonstrated. A specific multi-step carbonization protocol is adopted for transforming commercial melamine sponge (MS) to highly porous carbon foam (CF) with robust elastic resilience, efficient electrothermal/photothermal conversions, and super-amphiphilicity. It is a novel proposal for CF to take the dual role of the elastic supporting framework and 3D energy conversion/transmission network without any functional fillers. The composite foam cPCL@CF incorporates the CF skeleton with in situ crosslinked polycaprolactone (PCL) layers, which exhibits high conductivity (≈140 S m-1 ) and excellent light absorption (≈97.7%) in the range of 250-2500 nm. By triggering the crystalline transition of PCL, the composite foam displays sensitive electro- and photo-induced shape memory effect (SME) with outstanding shape fixation ratio (Rf ) and recovery ratio (Rr ). Thanks to the super-amphiphilicity and high electrical conductivity, the cPCL@CF composite foam can give rapid and distinguishable electric signals upon tiny drips of salt solutions or lithium-ion battery (LIB) electrolytes, making it a new type of sensor for detecting electrolyte leakage.

LAD1 promotes malignant progression by diminishing ubiquitin-dependent degradation of vimentin in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Ladinin-1 (LAD1), an anchoring filament protein, has been associated with several cancer types, including cancers of the colon, lungs, and breast. However, it is still unclear how and why LAD1 causes gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: Multiple in vitro and in vivo, functional gains and loss experiments were carried out in the current study to confirm the function of LAD1. Mass spectrometry was used to find the proteins that interact with LAD1. Immunoprecipitation analyses revealed the mechanism of LAD1 involved in promoting aggressiveness. RESULTS: The results revealed that the LAD1 was overexpressed in GC tissues, and participants with increased LAD1 expression exhibited poorer disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Functionally, LAD1 promotes cellular invasion, migration, proliferation, and chemoresistance in vivo and in vitro in the subcutaneous patient-and cell-derived xenograft (PDX and CDX) tumor models. Mechanistically, LAD1 competitively bound to Vimentin, preventing it from interacting with the E3 ubiquitin ligase macrophage erythroblast attacher (MAEA), which led to a reduction in K48-linked ubiquitination of Vimentin and an increase in Vimentin protein levels in GC cells. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the current investigation indicated that LAD1 has been predicted as a possible prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for GC due to its ability to suppress Vimentin-MAEA interaction.

Intercellular adhesion molecule 2 as a novel prospective tumor suppressor induced by ERG promotes ubiquitination-mediated radixin degradation to inhibit gastric cancer tumorigenicity and metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is a fatal cancer with unclear pathogenesis. In this study, we explored the function and potential mechanisms of intercellular adhesion molecule 2 (ICAM2) in the development and advancement of GC. METHODS: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were performed to quantify ICAM2 expression in harvested GC tissues and cultured cell lines. Immunohistochemical analyses were conducted on a GC tissue microarray to quantify ICAM2 expression and explore its implication on the prognosis of GC patients. In vitro experiments were carried out to reveal the biological functions of ICAM2 in GC cell lines. Further, in vivo experiments were conducted using xenograft models to assess the impact of ICAM2 on GC development and metastasis. Western blot, immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, luciferase assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and ubiquitination analysis were employed to investigate the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: ICAM2 expression was downregulated in GC, positively correlating with advanced T stage, distant metastasis, advanced clinical stage, vessel invasion, and shorter patient survival time. ICAM2 overexpression suppressed the proliferation, migration, invasion, metastasis of GC cells as well as their ability to form tumors, whereas ICAM2 knockdown yielded opposite results. Erythroblast transformation-specific-related gene (ERG) as a transcription factor promoted the transcription of ICAM2 by binding to the crucial response element localized within its promoter region. Further analysis revealed that ICAM2 reduced radixin (RDX) protein stability and expression. In these cells, ICAM2 bound to the RDX protein to promote the ubiquitination and degradation of RDX via NEDD4 Like E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase (NEDD4L), and this post-translational modification resulted in the inhibition of GC. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, this study demonstrates that ICAM2, which is induced by ERG, suppresses GC progression by enhancing the ubiquitination and degradation of RDX in a NEDD4L-dependent manner. Therefore, these results suggest that ICAM2 is a potential prognostic marker and a therapeutic target for GC.

Matching entropy based disparity estimation from light field data.

A major challenge for matching-based disparity estimation from light field data is to prevent mismatches in occlusion and smooth regions. An effective matching window satisfying three characteristics: texture richness, disparity consistency, and anti-occlusion should be able to prevent mismatches to some extent. According to these characteristics, we propose matching entropy in the spatial domain of the light field to measure the amount of correct information in a matching window, which provides the criterion for matching window selection. Based on matching entropy regularization, we establish an optimization model for disparity estimation with a matching cost fidelity term. To find the optimum, we propose a two-step adaptive matching algorithm. First, the region type is adaptively determined to identify occluding, occluded, smooth, and textured regions. Then, the matching entropy criterion is used to adaptively select the size and shape of matching windows, as well as the visible viewpoints. The two-step process can reduce mismatches and redundant calculations by selecting effective matching windows. The experimental results on synthetic and real data show that the proposed method can effectively improve the accuracy of disparity estimation in occlusion and smooth regions and has strong robustness for different noise levels. Therefore, high-precision disparity estimation from 4D light field data is achieved.

Simulation of double resonant excitation of ions in an asymmetric linear ion trap mass analyzer.

RATIONALE: Improving the analytical performance of linear ion traps (LITs) is crucial for the advancement of high-performance LIT mass spectrometers. In this study, a double resonant excitation method was employed in an asymmetric LIT to achieve high ion unidirectional ejection efficiency and enhanced mass resolution. METHODS: The asymmetric trapping field was generated by stretching one x electrode with a distance α. The double resonant excitation was achieved by applying an alternating voltage out of phase and a supplementary alternating voltage in phase to the x and y electrode pairs of the LIT, respectively. Numerical simulations of ion trajectories were performed to validate the effectiveness of this method. RESULTS: The mass resolution of the asymmetric LIT with double resonant excitation could be improved to ~3800, which was over two times compared to that with only dipolar resonant excitation, while both reached ~90% in ion unidirectional ejection efficiency. CONCLUSIONS: By employing the double resonant excitation method, the mass resolution could be improved significantly in the asymmetric LIT, while maintaining a considerably high ion unidirectional ejection efficiency. This method might provide a general solution for enhancing ion detection efficiency and mass resolution of LIT mass spectrometers.

Cystatin C and eGFRCKD-EPI-CysC: novel biomarkers for renal impairment diagnosis and two-year progression-free survival in multiple myeloma.

To evaluate cystatin C (CysC) and estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) calculated using the formula, CKD-EPI-CysC (eGFRCKD-EPI-CysC) for renal impairment diagnosis and predicting the prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). One hundred-fourteen patients with MM and 38 healthy individuals were recruited for the study. Data on clinical characteristics and renal function-related biochemical indicators were collected and analyzed. Patients with MM had increased levels of CysC (1.25 (0.97-2.31) vs. 0.84 (0.80-0.92), respectively, p < 0.001) and decreased levels of eGFRCKD-EPI-CysC (53.0 (24.4-81.1) vs. 97.2 (87.0-104.5), respectively, p < 0.001), compared with healthy individuals. There were significantly more patients with elevated CysC levels than with elevated sCr levels (64.9% vs. 41.2%, respectively, p < 0.001). The CKD-EPI-CysC formula detected more patients with eGFR < 60 ml/(min × 1.73 m2) than the CKD-EPI-sCr formula (52.63% vs. 37.72%, respectively, p < 0.001). Correlation analysis found that only CysC, eGFRCKD-EPI-CysC, and eGFRCKD-EPI-sCr-CysC strongly correlated with ß2-microglobulin in group ISS-I. Logistic regression analysis was used to screen CysC (OR = 1.495, 95% CI = 1.097-2.038, p = 0.011) and eGFRCKD-EPI-CysC (OR = 0.980, 95% CI = 0.967-0.993, p = 0.003) as independent prognostic indicators for 2-year-progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with MM. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis found that CysC values >1.70 mg/L had 67.6% sensitivity and 65.2% specificity and eGFRCKD-EPI-CysC values <38.62 ml/(min × 1.73 m2) had 65.2% sensitivity and 67.6% specificity for 2-year PFS of patients with MM. In summary, CysC and eGFRCKD-EPI-CysC were more sensitive than sCr and eGFRCKD-EPI-sCr for predicting renal impairment in patients newly diagnosed with MM. Increased CysC and decreased eGFRCKD-EPI-CysC levels were effective predictors of 2-year PFS of patients with MM.

Reed microstructure detection by optical coherence tomography, an efficient and non-invasive method.

Woodwind instrument reeds are commonly made from Arundo donax Linn (ADL) material. The mechanical properties of ADL significantly influence the acoustic behavior of the reed, thereby affecting the instrument's overall performance. Current investigations into the internal microstructure of reeds are primarily conducted through optical microscopy, a method that involves cutting open the sample and observing its morphological features, thereby causing irreversible damage to the specimen. To address this issue, we employed optical coherence tomography (OCT) to examine the interior microstructure of reeds in both two and three dimensions, thus providing a non-invasive and real-time technique for characterizing reeds. The optical data gathered through backscattering is used to reveal microstructural variations and determine the reed's lifespan. Our findings indicate that, with increasing degrees of vibratory load excitation, the microstructure of the vessel wall degrades while the width of the vessel lumen appears to expand. Over extended periods of usage, the backscattered signal intensity of the parenchymal tissue diminishes. Additionally, the 3D imaging capabilities of OCT can be employed to rapidly establish the spatial volume of defects within the reed. In light of these results, optical coherence tomography shows its promise as a powerful, real-time, and noninvasive technique for the identification of reeds.

Research on the Changes in Catecholamine and Other Indicators during Different Training Phases in Female Volleyball Players.

Objective: This study seeks to assess the functional status and central fatigue state of athletes in the Shanghai women's volleyball team during the training phase of the 2021 Shaanxi National Games. Employing a comprehensive methodology involving functional status assessment and catecholamine index analysis, the research aims to establish a scientific foundation for preparing for the 2025 National Games. Additionally, it aims to provide valuable insights for preventing excessive fatigue and promoting the rational elimination of fatigue. Methods: (1) Participants: Twelve adult female volleyball players from Shanghai participated in the study. The average age of the participants was 26.23±3.39 years, and they had an average training period of 11.92±3.73 years. (2) Training Period: The study spanned a duration of 21 consecutive weeks, during which the training regimen was divided into eight distinct stages based on specific content and tasks. (3) Testing Procedures: Various tests were conducted at specific intervals throughout the training period. These included assessments performed at the conclusion of each upper training stage and the Metamorphosis stage. Additionally, comprehensive testing was carried out before and after both the preliminaries and championship matches of the National Games. Fasting elbow venous blood samples were collected for assessing functional status indicators, including Hemoglobin (HGB), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Creatine Kinase (CK), Serum Ferritin (SF), Testosterone (T), Cortisol (C), Testosterone/Cortisol ratio (T/C). Moreover, blood catecholamine indicators (Dopamine (DA), Norepinephrine (NE), Epinephrine (E) were analyzed before the National Games, at the end of Metamorphosis stage 2, and at the conclusion of upper phase 3. (4)Data Analysis: The collected data underwent rigorous statistical processing using SPSS 25.0 statistical software package and Microsoft Excel software. This comprehensive analysis was essential for deriving meaningful conclusions and identifying significant patterns in the athletes' functional status and central fatigue states. Results: (1) HGB, T, and T/C showed the same trend throughout the whole period. The upper phase 1 drops significantly to the lowest value and the Metamorphosis stage increases. The training stage 2 fell again, but the decline was less than the training stage 1, and the Metamorphosis stage 2 increased significantly, and there was a significant difference between the basic value and the training stages (P < .05). Testosterone increased significantly to the maximum before the final of the National Games, and there was a significant difference between the baseline and the pre-match (P < .05). (2) At the end of the training stage, DA, and E decreased significantly, and there was no significant difference in NE decline. During the preliminaries of the National Games, DA, NE, and E all declined, but there was no significant difference. In the championship stage, DA, NE, and E both increased, but only NE was significantly different from the Metamorphosis stage and the championship (P < .05). Conclusion: (1) Performance Enhancement: Recognizing and addressing performance dips in the training stage through targeted adjustments can optimize athlete performance. Athletes exhibit improved competitiveness during actual games, indicating the effectiveness of tailored interventions (2) Strategic Fatigue Management: Distinguishing between body and central fatigue is vital. Monitoring sensitive markers like blood dopamine and adrenaline in the training stage enables timely fatigue management. Understanding the relationship between blood testosterone and dopamine offers insights into energy levels and mental resilience, aiding in effective training strategies. (3) Efficient Evaluation Tools: Hemoglobin and blood testosterone serve as efficient markers for evaluating athletes' states. Regular assessment of these indicators allows for proactive adjustments in training, preventing excessive fatigue and promoting overall well-being.