Drought-induced circular RNAs in maize roots: separating signal from noise.

Circular RNAs (CircRNAs) play an important role in diverse biological processes; however, their origin and functions, especially in plants, remain largely unclear. Here, we used two maize (Zea mays) inbred lines, as well as 14 of their derivative RILs with different drought sensitivity, to systematically characterize 8,790 circRNAs in maize roots under well-watered (WW) and water-stress (WS) conditions. We found that a diverse set of circRNAs expressed at significantly higher levels under WS. Enhanced expression of circRNAs was associated with longer flanking introns and an enrichment of long interspersed nuclear element (LINE) retrotransposable elements. The epigenetic marks found at the back-splicing junctions of circRNA-producing genes were markedly different from canonical splicing, characterized by increased levels of H3K36me3/H3K4me1, as well as decreased levels of H3K9Ac/H3K27Ac. We found that genes expressing circRNAs are subject to relaxed selection. The significant enrichment of trait-associated sites along their genic regions suggested that genes giving rise to circRNAs were associated with plant survival rate under drought stress, implying that circRNAs play roles in plant drought responses. Furthermore, we found that overexpression of circMED16, one of the drought-responsive circRNAs, enhances drought tolerance in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Our results provide a framework for understanding the intricate interplay of epigenetic modifications and how they contribute to the fine-tuning of circRNA expression under drought stress.

Combining full-length gene assay and SpliceAI to interpret the splicing impact of all possible SPINK1 coding variants.

BACKGROUND: Single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) within gene coding sequences can significantly impact pre-mRNA splicing, bearing profound implications for pathogenic mechanisms and precision medicine. In this study, we aim to harness the well-established full-length gene splicing assay (FLGSA) in conjunction with SpliceAI to prospectively interpret the splicing effects of all potential coding SNVs within the four-exon SPINK1 gene, a gene associated with chronic pancreatitis. RESULTS: Our study began with a retrospective analysis of 27 SPINK1 coding SNVs previously assessed using FLGSA, proceeded with a prospective analysis of 35 new FLGSA-tested SPINK1 coding SNVs, followed by data extrapolation, and ended with further validation. In total, we analyzed 67 SPINK1 coding SNVs, which account for 9.3% of the 720 possible coding SNVs. Among these 67 FLGSA-analyzed SNVs, 12 were found to impact splicing. Through detailed comparison of FLGSA results and SpliceAI predictions, we inferred that the remaining 653 untested coding SNVs in the SPINK1 gene are unlikely to significantly affect splicing. Of the 12 splice-altering events, nine produced both normally spliced and aberrantly spliced transcripts, while the remaining three only generated aberrantly spliced transcripts. These splice-impacting SNVs were found solely in exons 1 and 2, notably at the first and/or last coding nucleotides of these exons. Among the 12 splice-altering events, 11 were missense variants (2.17% of 506 potential missense variants), and one was synonymous (0.61% of 164 potential synonymous variants). Notably, adjusting the SpliceAI cut-off to 0.30 instead of the conventional 0.20 would improve specificity without reducing sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: By integrating FLGSA with SpliceAI, we have determined that less than 2% (1.67%) of all possible coding SNVs in SPINK1 significantly influence splicing outcomes. Our findings emphasize the critical importance of conducting splicing analysis within the broader genomic sequence context of the study gene and highlight the inherent uncertainties associated with intermediate SpliceAI scores (0.20 to 0.80). This study contributes to the field by being the first to prospectively interpret all potential coding SNVs in a disease-associated gene with a high degree of accuracy, representing a meaningful attempt at shifting from retrospective to prospective variant analysis in the era of exome and genome sequencing.

Observing and Modeling the Wear Process of Heterogeneous Interface.

Understanding and controlling the wear process of heterogeneous interfaces between soft and hard phases is crucial for designing and fabricating materials, such as improving the wear resistance of particle reinforced metal matrix composites and the accuracy and efficiency of chemical mechanical polishing. However, the wear process can be hardly observed, as interfaces are buried under the surface. Here, we proposed a nanowear test method by combining focused ion beam cutting to expose interfaces, atomic force microscopy to rub against interfaces, and scanning electron microscope to characterize the interface damage. Using this method, three typical wear forms had been observed in Al/SiC composite, i.e., merely matrix wear, particle fracture, and particle pullout. A theoretical model was proposed that revealed that the increasing interfacial friction would induce particle fracture or pullout, depending on the particle edge angle and tip edge angle. This work sheds light on wear control in composites and nanofabrication.

The effect of PDK1 in maintaining immune cell development and function.

3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) exhibits a substantial influence on immune cell development by establishing a vital connection between PI3K and downstream mTOR signaling cascades. However, it remains unclear whether PDK1 signaling affects the homeostasis and functionality of immune cells. To explore the impact of PDK1 on different immune cells within immune organs, transgenic mouse strains with lymphocyte-specific PDK1 knockout (PDK1fl/fl CD2-Cre) were generated. Unlike wild-type (WT) mice, lymphocyte-specific PDK1 knockout (KO) mice exhibited thymic atrophy, elevated percentages of CD8+ T cells and neutrophils, and reduced proportions of γδ T cells, B cells, and NK cells in the spleen. Functional analysis revealed elevated release of IFN-γ and IL-17A by T cells in PDK1 KO mice, contrasting with diminished levels observed in γδ T cells and Treg cells. Furthermore, the activation, cytotoxicity, and migratory potential of γδ T cells in PDK1 KO mice are heightened, indicating a potential association with the regulation of the mTOR signaling pathway. To conclude, the findings of this research demonstrated that specific knockout of PDK1 in lymphocytes hindered T cell development in the thymus and exhibited a substantial influence on immune cell homeostasis in the spleen and lymph nodes.

Recent Progress on Flexible Self-Powered Tactile Sensing Platforms for Health Monitoring and Robotics.

Over the past decades, tactile sensing technology has made significant advances in the fields of health monitoring and robotics. Compared to conventional sensors, self-powered tactile sensors do not require an external power source to drive, which makes the entire system more flexible and lightweight. Therefore, they are excellent candidates for mimicking the tactile perception functions for wearable health monitoring and ideal electronic skin (e-skin) for intelligent robots. Herein, the working principles, materials, and device fabrication strategies of various self-powered tactile sensing platforms are introduced first. Then their applications in health monitoring and robotics are presented. Finally, the future prospects of self-powered tactile sensing systems are discussed.

Epidermal stem cells: skin surveillance and clinical perspective.

The skin epidermis is continually influenced by a myriad of internal and external elements. At its basal layer reside epidermal stem cells, which fuels epidermal renovation and hair regeneration with powerful self-renewal ability, as well as keeping diverse signals that direct their activity under surveillance with quick response. The importance of epidermal stem cells in wound healing and immune-related skin conditions has been increasingly recognized, and their potential for clinical applications is attracting attention. In this review, we delve into recent advancements and the various physiological and psychological factors that govern distinct epidermal stem cell populations, including psychological stress, mechanical forces, chronic aging, and circadian rhythm, as well as providing an overview of current methodological approaches. Furthermore, we discuss the pathogenic role of epidermal stem cells in immune-related skin disorders and their potential clinical applications.

Consistent community assembly but contingent species pool effects drive ß-diversity patterns of multiple microbial groups in desert biocrust systems.

One of the key goals of ecology is to understand how communities are assembled. The species co-existence theory suggests that community ß-diversity is influenced by species pool and community assembly processes, such as environmental filtering, dispersal events, ecological drift and biotic interactions. However, it remains unclear whether there are similar ß-diversity patterns among different soil microbial groups and whether all these mechanisms play significant roles in mediating ß-diversity patterns. By conducting a broad survey across Chinese deserts, we aimed to address these questions by investing biological soil crusts (biocrusts). Through amplicon-sequencing, we acquired ß-diversity data for multiple microbial groups, that is, soil total bacteria, diazotrophs, phoD-harbouring taxa, and fungi. Our results have shown varying distance decay rates of ß-diversity across microbial groups, with soil total bacteria showing a weaker distance-decay relationship than other groups. The impact of the species pool on community ß-diversity varied across microbial groups, with soil total bacteria and diazotrophs being significantly influenced. While the contributions of specific assembly processes to community ß-diversity patterns varied among different microbial groups, significant effects of local community assembly processes on ß-diversity patterns were consistently observed across all groups. Homogenous selection and dispersal limitation emerged as crucial processes for all groups. Precipitation and soil C:P were the key factors mediating ß-diversity for all groups. This study has substantially advanced our understanding of how the communities of multiple microbial groups are structured in desert biocrust systems.

Selectivities of Stepped Cu-M (M = Pt, Ni, Pd, Zn, Ag, Au) Bimetallic Surface Environment for C1 and C2 Pathways.

Copper (Cu) emerges as a highly efficient and cheap catalytic agent for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2RR), promising a sustainable route toward carbon neutrality. Despite its utility, the Cu catalyst exhibits limitations in terms of product selectivity, highlighting the need for the development of a superior catalyst design. Herein, we present a density functional theory (DFT) investigation into the selectivities of Cu-M (M = Pt, Ni, Pd, Zn, Ag, Au) bimetallic catalysts (BMCs) for the carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR). The interaction between the metals of Cu-M makes the surface electrons reconstruct so that the d-band center shifts to the Fermi level. In terms of CO2 activation, the Cu-Ni catalyst exhibits superior performance. Additionally, the Cu-Pd catalyst favors the formation of *COH along the reaction pathway, favoring the generation of CH4. Conversely, the Cu-Ni catalyst preferentially produces *CHO, thereby favoring the production of CH3OH. For the Cu-Ag catalyst, the reaction intermediates along the C2 pathway are *CO-*CHO and *COH-*CHO. The Cu-Ni catalyst follows a reaction path that proceeds via *CO-*CO → *CO-*COH → *COH-CHO. On the other hand, the Cu-Pt catalyst exhibits a reaction sequence of *CO-*CO → *CO-*CHO → *OCH-*OCH. This study provides guiding significance for the design of Cu-based bimetallic catalysts aimed at improving the selectivities and efficiency of the CO2RR process.

Gut microbiota: a superior operator for dietary phytochemicals to improve atherosclerosis.

Mounting evidence implicates the gut microbiota as a possible key susceptibility factor for atherosclerosis (AS). The employment of dietary phytochemicals that strive to target the gut microbiota has gained scientific support for treating AS. This study conducted a general overview of the links between the gut microbiota and AS, and summarized available evidence that dietary phytochemicals improve AS via manipulating gut microbiota. Then, the microbial metabolism of several dietary phytochemicals was summarized, along with a discussion on the metabolites formed and the biotransformation pathways involving key gut bacteria and enzymes. This study additionally focused on the anti-atherosclerotic potential of representative metabolites from dietary phytochemicals, and investigated their underlying molecular mechanisms. In summary, microbiota-dependent dietary phytochemical therapy is a promising strategy for AS management, and knowledge of "phytochemical-microbiota-biotransformation" may be a breakthrough in the search for novel anti-atherogenic agents.

Amino acid mutations PB1-V719M and PA-N444D combined with PB2-627K contribute to the pathogenicity of H7N9 in mice.

H7N9 subtype avian influenza viruses (AIVs) cause 1567 human infections and have high mortality, posing a significant threat to public health. Previously, we reported that two avian-derived H7N9 isolates (A/chicken/Eastern China/JTC4/2013 and A/chicken/Eastern China/JTC11/2013) exhibit different pathogenicities in mice. To understand the genetic basis for the differences in virulence, we constructed a series of mutant viruses based on reverse genetics. We found that the PB2-E627K mutation alone was not sufficient to increase the virulence of H7N9 in mice, despite its ability to enhance polymerase activity in mammalian cells. However, combinations with PB1-V719M and/or PA-N444D mutations significantly enhanced H7N9 virulence. Additionally, these combined mutations augmented polymerase activity, thereby intensifying virus replication, inflammatory cytokine expression, and lung injury, ultimately increasing pathogenicity in mice. Overall, this study revealed that virulence in H7N9 is a polygenic trait and identified novel virulence-related residues (PB2-627K combined with PB1-719M and/or PA-444D) in viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complexes. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying AIV pathogenesis in mammals, with implications for pandemic preparedness and intervention strategies.

A prototype galectin-1 (also known as galecin-2) from large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea): Molecular and function study.

Galectin-1 (also known as galecin-2), one member of galectins family, has multiple functions as a pattern recognition receptor (PRR) in innate immune defense system. In the present study, LcGal-1, a prototype galectin, was identified and function investigated in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). LcGal-1 consists of one carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD), which contains two carbohydrate binding motifs HFNPR and WG-E-R. LcGal-1 had a ubiquitous tissues profile with the highest and lowest expression in spleen and muscle, respectively. Moreover, it was in cytoplasm and nucleus of head-kidney cells in large yellow croaker. RT-qRCR showed that P. plecoglossicida induced LcGal-1 up-regulated expression in liver and gills, and the results were validated by immunohistochemistry analysis. Additionally, the recombinant LcGal-1 (rLcGal-1) showed agglutinate activity on erythrocytes, and the histidine (His) in the HFNPR motif was a key locus to the activity. The agglutination effect of rLcGal-1 on erythrocytes could be inhibited by LPS, α-lactase and d-galactose. The rLcGal-1 was able to bind and agglutinate Gram+ and Gram-bacteria, and damage bacterial membrane as confirmed by PI staining and SEM observation. Transcriptome analysis showed that the overexpressed LcGal-1 in HEK 293T cells could induce 176 DGEs, including 172 boosting genes and 4 falling genes. Collectively, LcGal-1 was a key immune gene involved in the recognition, conjunction, and elimination of pathogens in L. crocea, as well as multiple physiological and pathological regulatory processes.

Association between weight-adjusted-waist index and gallstones: an analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND: The weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI) is a novel obesity index, and gallstones are associated with obesity. This study aimed to investigate the possible relationship between WWI and gallstones. METHODS: The datasets from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2020 were used in a cross-sectional investigation. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the linear connection between WWI and gallstones incidence. Fitted smoothing curves and threshold effect analysis were used to describe the nonlinear relationship. RESULTS: The study comprised 8004 participants over the age of 20, including 833 reported with gallstones. Participants in the higher WWI tertile tended to have a higher gallstones prevalence. In the final adjusted model, a positive association between WWI and gallstones prevalence was observed (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.20‒1.49). Participants in the highest WWI tertile had a significantly 71% higher risk of gallstones than those in the lowest WWI tertile (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.35‒2.17). A nonlinear correlation was found between the WWI and gallstones prevalence, with an inflection point of 12.7. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that higher WWI levels connected with increased prevalence of gallstones. However, more prospective studies are needed to validate our findings.

Innovative pancreas-guided technique for splenic flexure mobilization in laparoscopic left hemicolectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Splenic flexure mobilization (SFM) is a major challenge in laparoscopic left hemicolectomy. This study aims to assess the safety and effectiveness of the pancreas-guided SFM technique during laparoscopic left hemicolectomy. METHODS: From January 2018 to December 2023, 352 patients with left-sided colon cancer underwent laparoscopic left hemicolectomy. Based on the SFM method used, the patients were divided into the pancreas-guided group (167 cases) or the "Three Approaches Roundabout"/classic group (185 cases). Clinicopathologic characteristics and intraoperative and postoperative variables were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The two groups had no significant differences in baseline indicators (P > 0.05). All surgeries were successful without needing to convert to laparotomy, and there were no combined organ resections involving the spleen or pancreas in either group. The mean duration of surgery was significantly lower in the pancreas-guided group than in the classic group (P < 0.01). The median volume of intraoperative blood loss in the pancreas-guided group was lower than that in the classic group (P < 0.01). Through video playback, it was found that the retro-pancreatic space had been entered during operation in 8 cases (4.3%) in the classic group, while there were no such occurrences in the pancreas-guided group. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The difference in the number of lymph nodes cleared, postoperative hospital stays, and incidence of complications were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05) between the groups. CONCLUSION: The pancreas-guided SFM technique is a safe and feasible option for laparoscopic left hemicolectomy. Our study's findings suggest that this approach facilitates accurate access to the correct anatomic plane, potentially improving surgical efficiency.

What Are the Recurrence Rates, Complications, and Functional Outcomes After Multiportal Arthroscopic Synovectomy for Patients With Knee Diffuse-type Tenosynovial Giant-cell Tumors?

BACKGROUND: Diffuse-type tenosynovial giant-cell tumor (D-TGCT), formerly known as pigmented villonodular synovitis, is a rare, locally aggressive, invasive soft tissue tumor that primarily occurs in the knee. Surgical excision is the main treatment option, but there is a high recurrence rate. Arthroscopic surgical techniques are emphasized because they are less traumatic and offer faster postoperative recovery, but detailed reports on arthroscopic techniques and outcomes of D-TGCT in large cohorts are still lacking. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What is the recurrence rate of knee D-TGCT after multiportal arthroscopic synovectomy? (2) What are the complications, knee ROM, pain score, and patient-reported outcomes for patients, and do they differ between patients with and without recurrence? (3) What factors are associated with recurrence after arthroscopic treatment in patients with D-TGCT? METHODS: In this single-center, retrospective study conducted between January 2010 and April 2021, we treated 295 patients with knee D-TGCTs. We considered patients undergoing initial surgical treatment with multiportal arthroscopic synovectomy as potentially eligible. Based on that, 27% (81 of 295) of patients were excluded because of recurrence after synovectomy performed at another institution. Of the 214 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 17% (36 of 214) were lost to follow-up, leaving 83% (178 of 214) of patients in the analysis. Twenty-eight percent (50 of 178) of patients were men and 72% (128 of 178) were women, with a median (range) age of 36 years (7 to 69). The median follow-up duration was 80 months (26 to 149). All patients underwent multiportal (anterior and posterior approaches) arthroscopic synovectomy, and all surgical protocols were determined by discussion among four surgeons after preoperative MRI. A combined open posterior incision was used for patients with lesions that invaded or surrounded the blood vessels and nerves or invaded the muscle space extraarticularly. Standard postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy was recommended for all patients with D-TGCT who had extraarticular and posterior compartment invasion; for patients with only anterior compartment invasion, radiotherapy was recommended for severe cases as assessed by the surgeons and radiologists based on preoperative MRI and intraoperative descriptions. Postoperative recurrence at 5 years was calculated using a Kaplan-Meier survivorship estimator. The WOMAC score (0 to 96, with higher scores representing a worse outcome; minimum clinically important difference [MCID] 8.5), the Lysholm knee score (0 to 100, with higher scores being better knee function; MCID 25.4), the VAS for pain (0 to 10, with higher scores representing more pain; MCID 2.46), and knee ROM were used to evaluate functional outcomes. Because we did not have preoperative patient-reported outcomes scores, we present data on the proportion of patients who achieved the patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS) for each of those outcome metrics, which were 14.6 of 96 points on the WOMAC, 52.5 of 100 points on the Lysholm, and 2.32 of 10 points on the VAS. RESULTS: The symptomatic or radiographically documented recurrence at 5 years was 12% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7% to 17%) using the Kaplan-Meier estimator, with a mean recurrence time of 33 ± 19 months. Of these, three were asymptomatic recurrences found during regular MRI reviews, and the remaining 19 underwent repeat surgery. There was one intraoperative complication (vascular injury) with no effect on postoperative limb function and eight patients with postoperative joint stiffness, seven of whom improved with prolonged rehabilitation and one with manipulation under anesthesia. No postradiotherapy complications were found. The proportion of patients who achieved the preestablished PASS was 99% (176 of 178) for the VAS pain score, 97% (173 of 178) for the WOMAC score, and 100% (178 of 178) for the Lysholm score. A lower percentage of patients with recurrence achieved the PASS for WOMAC score than patients without recurrence (86% [19] versus 99% [154], OR 0.08 [95% CI 0.01 to 0.52]; p = 0.01), whereas no difference was found in the percentage of VAS score (95% [21] versus 99% [155], OR 0.14 [95% CI 0.01 to 2.25]; p = 0.23) or Lysholm score (100% [22] versus 100% [156], OR 1 [95% CI 1 to 1]; p = 0.99). Moreover, patients in the recurrence group showed worse knee flexion (median 135° [100° to 135°] versus median 135° [80° to 135°]; difference of medians 0°; p = 0.03), worse WOMAC score (median 3.5 [0 to 19] versus median 1 [0 to 29]; difference of medians 2.5; p = 0.01), and higher VAS pain score (median 1 [0 to 4] versus median 0 [0 to 4]; difference of medians 1; p < 0.01) than those in the nonrecurrence group, although no differences reached the MCID. No factors were associated with D-TGCT recurrence, including the use of postoperative radiotherapy, surgical technique, and invasion extent. CONCLUSION: This single-center, large-cohort retrospective study confirmed that multiportal arthroscopic surgery can be used to treat knee D-TGCTs with a low recurrence rate, few complications, and satisfactory postoperative outcomes. Surgeons should conduct a thorough preoperative evaluation, meticulous arthroscopic synovectomy, and regular postoperative follow-up when treating patients with D-TGCT to reduce postoperative recurrence. Because the available evidence does not appear to fully support the use of postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy in all patients with D-TGCTs and our study design is inadequate to resolve this controversial issue, future studies should look for more appropriate indications for radiotherapy, such as planning based on a more precise classification of lesion invasion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

Salvage Latarjet may provide worse outcomes in terms of recurrent instability and returning to sports compared to primary Latarjet: a systematic review of comparative studies.

BACKGROUND: The Latarjet procedure (LP) is performed as a primary stabilization procedure (primary LP) and a salvage procedure when an earlier shoulder stabilization procedure has failed (salvage LP). However, whether primary LP or salvage LP provides better outcomes for anterior shoulder instability remains unknown. METHODS: Two independent reviewers performed the literature search based on the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, web of science and Cochrane Library was performed from their inception date to December 4, 2023. Inclusion criteria mainly included the comparison of postoperative outcomes between primary and salvage LP, English language, and full text availability. Two reviewers independently examined the literature, collected data, and evaluated the methodological robustness of the included studies. The Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies was used to evaluate the quality of nonrandomized studies. Recurrent instability, complications, reoperations, return to sports, patient-reported outcomes, and range of motion were assessed. Statistical evaluations were conducted using Manager V.5.4.1 (The Cochrane Collaboration, Software Update, Oxford, UK). RESULTS: Twelve studies were included in the systematic review, with 940 shoulders undergoing primary LP and 631 shoulders undergoing salvage LP. Statistically significant differences in favor of primary LP were found in 2 of the 11 and 2 of 4 included studies in terms of recurrent instability and returning to the same sports (RTS) at preinjury level, respectively. In terms of the visual analog scale, subjective shoulder value and the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index, 2 of the 4, 1 of the 3 and 1 of the 3 included studies reported statistically significant differences in favor of primary LP. Differences were not noticed regarding complications, reoperations, the time to RTS, the Rowe score, the Athletic Shoulder Outcome Scoring System, and forward flexion. CONCLUSION: Current evidence suggests that compared with primary LP, salvage LP may provide inferior postoperative outcomes in terms of recurrent instability and the rate of RTS at preinjury level. Primary and salvage LP may yield comparable efficacy in terms of complications, reoperations, the rate of RTS, the time to RTS, pain, shoulder function, and range of motion. PROSPERO ID: CRD42023492027.

Effect and mechanism of coexistence of microplastics on arsenate adsorption capacity in water.

Arsenic pollution control technology in water was important to ensure environmental health and quality safety of agricultural products. Therefore, the adsorption performance of three adsorbents for chitosan, sepiolite, and Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) were investigated in arsenate contaminated water. The results revealed that the adsorption capacity of ZIF-8 was higher than that of chitosan and sepiolite. The analysis of adsorption isotherm models showed that the behavior of ZIF-8 was more consistent with the Langmuir model. Furthermore, the adsorption mechanisms of three adsorbents for arsenate were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The analysis of FTIR showed that ZIF-8 maintained the stability of the interaction with arsenate by forming As-O chemical bonds. However, the effect of chitosan and sepiolite with arsenate was mainly physical adsorption. The analysis of XPS showed that the absorption of ZIF-8 with arsenate involved metal sites and nitrogen through the characteristic peak and the change of the binding energy. Furthermore, the impact of microplastics as a widespread coexistence pollutant in the water on adsorbent performance was investigated. The results indicated that the adsorption capacity of ZIF-8 was almost not affected by microplastics. The maximum adsorption amount of arsenate was changed from 73.45 mg/g to 81.89 mg/g. However, the maximum adsorption amount of chitosan and sepiolite decreased by 31.4 % and 11.6 %, respectively. The analysis of FTIR and XPS revealed that ZIF-8 enhances arsenate adsorption by forming N-O-As bonds in the presence of microplastics. This study provides scientific evidence for the management of arsenate pollution in water bodies, especially in complex water bodies containing microplastics.

Bone Marrow Stimulation Does Not Lead to Lower Retear Rates, Better Functional Outcomes, or Higher Complication Rates at Short-Term Follow-Up for Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of bone marrow stimulation (BMS) on retear rates, functional outcomes, and complication rates in patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library were searched on March 25, 2023. Two evaluators independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the methodologic quality of the enrolled studies. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan software, version 5.4. RESULTS: A total of 7 randomized controlled trials with 638 patients were included. The evaluation of rotator cuff tendon integrity was conducted using distinct imaging modalities. Specifically, 259 patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging whereas 208 patients underwent ultrasound. Additionally, a subset of 95 patients underwent either of these modalities; however, the precise distribution between these 2 modalities was not explicitly delineated. Compared with RCR alone, RCR combined with BMS provided similar retear rates (P = .51, I2 = 46%), Constant-Murley scores (P = .14, I2 = 0%), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (standardized shoulder assessment form) scores (P = .56, I2 = 0%), Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index scores (P = .20, I2 = 0%), visual analog scale scores (P = .19, I2 = 0%), forward flexion (P = .18, I2 = 0%), external rotation (P = .62, I2 = 0%), severe complication rates (P = .56, I2 = 0%), and mild complication rates (P = .10, I2 = 0%). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the outcomes observed after isolated arthroscopic RCR, arthroscopic RCR with BMS showed comparable results in terms of retear rate, functional outcomes, and incidence of complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, meta-analysis of Level I and II studies.

Lower Reoperation Rate and Superior Patient-Reported Outcome Following Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair With Concomitant Acromioplasty: An Updated Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

PURPOSE: To systematically assess the postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs with or without concomitant acromioplasty through a rigorous systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: This systematic review, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, aimed to identify RCTs comparing clinical outcomes of patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with acromioplasty versus those without at a minimum 12-month follow-up. Databases searched included PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias 2. Meta-analysis was conducted for outcomes with at least 3 studies reporting, with pooled effect estimates calculated using either fixed-effect or random-effects models based on heterogeneity levels. Results were presented as the weighted mean difference or odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). For outcomes with fewer than 3 studies reporting, a Fisher exact test was conducted, with continuity correction applied if necessary. Primary outcomes included rates of retear and reoperation, whereas secondary outcomes included improvement in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, range of motion (ROM), and complication rate. RESULTS: Five high-quality RCTs, with low bias risk, involving 409 patients, revealed demographics of 58.4% males, mean age of 58.4 years, and the following acromion types: 12.2% type I, 70.7% type II, and 17.1% type III. Mean follow-up was 52.2 months. Retear (12.5% vs 16.1%, P = .536) and complication rates (odds ratio, 3.11; 95% CI, 0.31-30.73; P = .33) were comparable between the 2 groups. However, reoperation rate (5.3% vs 15.9%, P < .001) and improvement in ASES score (weighted mean difference, 3.99; 95% CI, 1.00-6.99; P = .009) favored the acromioplasty group. Both groups showed significant improvements in ROM, but insufficient data prevented a comparison. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair alone, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with acromioplasty demonstrated similar rates of retear and complications but had a significantly lower reoperation rate and superior improvement in ASES score. The available data were insufficient to draw a definitive conclusion regarding ROM. This conclusion is fragile due to a limited sample size. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, systematic review of Level I and II studies.

Pulsed Laser-Bleaching Semiconductor and Photodetector.

Pulsed lasers alter the optical properties of semiconductors and affect the photoelectric function of the photodetectors significantly, resulting in transient changes known as bleaching. Bleaching has a profound impact on the control and interference of photodetector applications. Experiments using pump-probe techniques have made significant contributions to understanding ultrafast carrier dynamics. However, there are few theoretical studies to the best of our knowledge. Here, carrier dynamic models for semiconductors and photodetectors are established, respectively, employing the rectified carrier drift-diffusion model. The pulsed laser bleaching effect on seven types of semiconductors and photodetectors from visible to long-wave infrared is demonstrated. Additionally, a continuous bleaching method is provided, and the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is used to solve carrier dynamic theory models. Laser parameters for continuous bleaching of semiconductors and photodetectors are calculated. The proposed bleaching model and achieved laser parameters for continuous bleaching are essential for several applications using semiconductor devices, such as infrared detection, biological imaging, and sensing.

Prediction of Drug-Target Affinity Using Attention Neural Network.

Studying drug-target interactions (DTIs) is the foundational and crucial phase in drug discovery. Biochemical experiments, while being the most reliable method for determining drug-target affinity (DTA), are time-consuming and costly, making it challenging to meet the current demands for swift and efficient drug development. Consequently, computational DTA prediction methods have emerged as indispensable tools for this research. In this article, we propose a novel deep learning algorithm named GRA-DTA, for DTA prediction. Specifically, we introduce Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit (BiGRU) combined with a soft attention mechanism to learn target representations. We employ Graph Sample and Aggregate (GraphSAGE) to learn drug representation, especially to distinguish the different features of drug and target representations and their dimensional contributions. We merge drug and target representations by an attention neural network (ANN) to learn drug-target pair representations, which are fed into fully connected layers to yield predictive DTA. The experimental results showed that GRA-DTA achieved mean squared error of 0.142 and 0.225 and concordance index reached 0.897 and 0.890 on the benchmark datasets KIBA and Davis, respectively, surpassing the most state-of-the-art DTA prediction algorithms.