Single-cell RNA-seq reveals the effects of the FecB mutation on the transcriptome profile in ovine cumulus cells.

Genetic variations in the ovine ovulation rate, which are associated with the FecB mutation, provide useful models by which to explore the mechanisms regulating the development of mammalian antral follicles. In order to study the effects of the FecB mutation on cumulus cell differentiation, preovulatory follicles were aspirated and cumulus cells were isolated from three FecB genotypes (homozygous, heterozygous and wild type) of Small Tail Han (STH) sheep superstimulated with FSH. Transcriptome information from tens of thousands of cumulus cells was determined with the 10 × Genomics single-cell RNA-seq technology. Under the superovulation treatment, the observed number of preovulatory follicles in the ovaries of FecB carriers was still significantly higher than that in the wild-type (P < 0.05). The expression patterns of cumulus cells differed between FecB carriers and wild-type ewes. The screened cumulus cells could also be further divided into different cell clusters, and the differentiation states and fates of each group of cumulus cells also remained different, which supports the notion that heterogeneity in gene expression is prevalent in single cells. The oxidative phosphorylation pathway was significantly enriched in differentially expressed genes among the cell differentiation branch nodes of cumulus cells and among the differentially expressed genes of cumulus cells from the three genotypes. Combined with the important role of oxidative phosphorylation in the maturation of COCs, we suggest that the oxidative phosphorylation pathway of cumulus cells plays a crucial role in the differentiation process of cumulus cells and the mutation effect of the FecB gene.

Establishment of homotrimer collagen type I signature and its association with clinical manifestation and tertiary lymphoid structures formation in liver cancer.

Background: collagen type I is a fundamental composition of extracellular matrix. Typically it exists in the form of a heterotrimer, consisting of two α1 chains encoded by COL1A1 and one α2 chain encoded by COL1A2. However, in cancer a homotrimeric form of collagen type I comprises three α1 chains encoded by COL1A1 was founded. There is still a lack of transcriptional and histologic methods for detecting homotrimeric collagen type I. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of the pan-cancer distribution pattern and clinical relevance of homotrimeric collagen type I is conspicuously absent. Method: Using transcriptional and immunoflourance method, we established homocol signature, which is able to transcriptionally and histologically detect homotrimeric collagen type I. We investigated the diagnostic and prognostic potential of homocol as a novel cancer biomarker in a pan-cancer cohort. Furthermore, we assessed its association with clinical manifestations in a liver cancer cohort undergoing treatment at our institute. Result: Homotrimer Collagen Type I is predominantly expressed by cancer cells and is linked to several critical cancer hallmarks, particularly inflammatory response and proliferation. Survival analyses have indicated that a high Homocol expression is correlated with poor outcomes in most types of cancer studied. In terms of cancer detection, Homocol demonstrated strong performance in Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis, with an Area Under Curve (AUC) of 0.83 for pan-cancer detection and between 0.72 and 0.99 for individual cancers.In cohorts undergoing PD1 treatment, we noted a higher presence of Homocol in the response group. In a Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) clinical set, high Homocol expression was associated with an increased formation of intra-tumor tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), larger tumor sizes, more advanced Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages, higher microvascular invasion (MVI) grades, absence of a capsule, and an enriched para-tumor collagen presence. Conclusion: our research has led to the development of a novel gene signature that facilitates the detection of Homotrimer Collagen Type I. This may greatly assist efforts in cancer detection, prognosis, treatment response prediction, and further research into Homotrimer Collagen Type I.

Experimental Realization of Self-Contained Quantum Refrigeration.

A fundamental challenge in quantum thermodynamics is the exploration of inherent dimensional constraints in thermodynamic machines. In the context of two-level systems, the most compact refrigerator necessitates the involvement of three entities, operating under self-contained conditions that preclude the use of external work sources. Here, we build such a smallest refrigerator using a nuclear spin system, where three distinct two-level carbon-13 nuclei in the same molecule are involved to facilitate the refrigeration process. The self-contained feature enables it to operate without relying on net external work, and the unique mechanism sets this refrigerator apart from its classical counterparts. We evaluate its performance under varying conditions and systematically scrutinize the cooling constraints across a spectrum of scenarios, which sheds light on the interplay between quantum information and thermodynamics.

Near-infrared fluorescent probe to track Cys in plant roots under heavy metal hazards and its application in cells and zebrafish.

Heavy metals, including Hg2+, Cr6+ and Cd2+, have always been a major issue in environmental pollution, leading to abnormal changes in the levels of biologically active molecules including Cys in plants, seriously affecting all aspects of the growth and development of plants. This makes it essential to develop a simple and practical method to study the potential impact of heavy metals on plants. In this paper, our research group has developed near-infrared fluorescent probe WRM-S, which has the advantages of fast response, sensitivity to Cys, and successfully applying it to cells and zebrafish. Moreover, it combined the close relationship between heavy metal stress on plants and Cys, using Cys as the detection target, monitoring the internal environment changes of two plants under Hg2+, Cr6+, and Cd2+ stress in the environment, and then conducting 3D imaging. The results indicated that the probe has strong penetration ability in plant tissues, and revealed abnormal changes in plant Cys levels caused by heavy metal stress-induced cellular oxidative stress or cytotoxicity. Thus, the in-situ imaging detection of this probe provides a direction for the physiological dynamics research of plant environmental stress.

Synergetic effect of green synthesized NZVI@Chitin-modified ZSM-5 for efficient oxidative degradation of tetracycline.

The aggregation and limited activity of nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) in aqueous media hinder its practical application. In this study, a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, robust, and efficient synthesis method for NZVI-based composite was developed. NZVI@Chitin-modified ZSM-5 (NZVI@C-ZSM) composite was facilely and greenly synthesized by loading NZVI into alkali-modified ZSM-5 molecular sieves after modifying with chitin as a surfactant and binder. NZVI@C-ZSM exhibited remarkable efficacy in TC removal, achieving a removal efficiency of 97.72% within 60 min. Compared with pristine NZVI, NZVI@C-ZSM demonstrated twice the removal efficiency, indicating that NZVI@C-ZSM effectively improved the dispersion and stability of NZVI. This enhancement provided more reactive sites for generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), significantly boosting catalytic activity and durability while reducing the potential risk of secondary pollution. An improved two-parameter pseudo-first-order kinetic model was used to effectively characterize the reaction kinetics. The mechanism for TC removal primarily involved an adsorption process and chemical oxidation-reduction reactions induced by hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and superoxide radicals (•O2-). Three potential degradation pathways for TC were suggested. Furthermore, NZVI@C-ZSM exhibited good resistance to interference, suggesting its broad potential for practical applications in complex environmental conditions. This study offers a viable material and method for addressing the issue of antibiotic-contaminated water, with potential applications in water resource management.

Co-Cu nanoparticles uniformly embedded in the intra-crystalline mesoporous Silicalite-1 for catalytic ammonia borane hydrolysis.

Zeolite-encaged metal nanoparticles (NPs) catalysts are emerging as a new frontier owing to their superior ability to stabilize the structure and catalytic performance in the thermal and environmental catalytic reaction. However, the pore size below 2 nm of the conventional zeolites usually limits the accessibility of metal active sites. Herein, Co-Cu NPs of about 2.5-3.5 nm were uniformly encapsulated in the intracrystalline mesoporous Silicalite-1 (S-1) through alkali-treatment ligand-assisted strategy. The obtained sample (termed CoxCu1-x@HS-1) exhibited efficient activity and stability in the ammonia borane hydrolysis with the highest TOF value of 21.46 molH2·molMe-1·min-1. UV-vis DRS spectra indicated that intracrystalline mesopores have greatly improved the openness and accessibility of the active sites, thus improving their catalytic performance. The introduction of Cu regulates the electronic properties of Co, further increasing hydrogen production activity. This research creates new prospects to design other high-performance hierarchical porous zeolite-confined metal/metal oxide catalysts.

Development and validation of a novel colonoscopy withdrawal time indicator based on YOLOv5.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The study aims to introduce a novel indicator, effective withdrawal time (WTS), which measures the time spent actively searching for suspicious lesions during colonoscopy and to compare WTS and the conventional withdrawal time (WT). METHODS: Colonoscopy video data from 472 patients across two hospitals were retrospectively analyzed. WTS was computed through a combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and manual verification. The results obtained through WTS were compared with those generated by the AI system. Patients were categorized into four groups based on the presence of polyps and whether resections or biopsies were performed. Bland Altman plots were utilized to compare AI-computed WTS with manually verified WTS. Scatterplots were used to illustrate WTS within the four groups, among different hospitals, and across various physicians. A parallel box plot was employed to depict the proportions of WTS relative to WT within each of the four groups. RESULTS: The study included 472 patients, with a median age of 55 years, and 57.8% were male. A significant correlation with manually verified WTS (r = 0.918) was observed in AI-computed WTS. Significant differences in WTS/WT among the four groups were revealed by the parallel box plot (P < 0.001). The group with no detected polyps had the highest WTS/WT, with a median of 0.69 (interquartile range: 0.40, 0.97). WTS patterns were found to be varied between the two hospitals and among senior and junior physicians. CONCLUSIONS: A promising alternative to traditional WT for quality control and training assessment in colonoscopy is offered by AI-assisted computation of WTS.

Characterization of Key Aroma Compounds and Main Contributing Amino Acids in Hot-Pressed Oil Prepared from Various Peanut Varieties.

The production of peanut oil in the industrial sector necessitates the utilization of diverse raw materials to generate consistent batches with stable flavor profiles, thereby leading to an increased focus on understanding the correlation between raw materials and flavor characteristics. In this study, sensory evaluations, headspace solid-phase micro-extraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS), odor activity value (OAV) calculations, and correlation analysis were employed to investigate the flavors and main contributing amino acids of hot-pressed oils derived from different peanut varieties. The results confirmed that the levels of alcohols, aldehydes, and heterocyclic compounds in peanut oil varied among nine different peanut varieties under identical processing conditions. The OAVs of 25 key aroma compounds, such as methylthiol, 3-ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine, and 2,3-glutarone, exceeded a value of 1. The sensory evaluations and flavor content analysis demonstrated that pyrazines significantly influenced the flavor profile of the peanut oil. The concentrations of 11 amino acids showed a strong correlation with the levels of pyrazines. Notably, phenylalanine, lysine, glutamic acid, arginine, and isoleucine demonstrated significant associations with both pyrazine and nut flavors. These findings will provide valuable insights for enhancing the sensory attributes of peanut oil and selecting optimal raw peanuts for its production.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles: a regulator and carrier for targeting bone-related diseases.

The escalating threat of bone-related diseases poses a significant challenge to human health. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs), as inherent cell-secreted natural products, have emerged as promising treatments for bone-related diseases. Leveraging outstanding features such as high biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, superior biological barrier penetration, and extended circulating half-life, MSC-EVs serve as potent carriers for microRNAs (miRNAs), long no-code RNAs (lncRNAs), and other biomolecules. These cargo molecules play pivotal roles in orchestrating bone metabolism and vascularity through diverse mechanisms, thereby contributing to the amelioration of bone diseases. Additionally, engineering modifications enhance the bone-targeting ability of MSC-EVs, mitigating systemic side effects and bolstering their clinical translational potential. This review comprehensively explores the mechanisms through which MSC-EVs regulate bone-related disease progression. It delves into the therapeutic potential of MSC-EVs as adept drug carriers, augmented by engineered modification strategies tailored for osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoporosis, and osteosarcoma. In conclusion, the exceptional promise exhibited by MSC-EVs positions them as an excellent solution with considerable translational applications in clinical orthopedics.

The mitochondria-related gene risk mode revealed p66Shc as a prognostic mitochondria-related gene of glioblastoma.

Numerous studies have highlighted the pivotal role of mitochondria-related genes (MRGs) in the initiation and progression of glioblastoma (GBM). However, the specific contributions of MRGs coding proteins to GBM pathology remain incompletely elucidated. The identification of prognostic MRGs in GBM holds promise for the development of personalized targeted therapies and the enhancement of patient prognosis. We combined differential expression with univariate Cox regression analysis to screen prognosis-associated MRGs in GBM. Based on the nine MRGs, the hazard ratio model was conducted using a multivariate Cox regression algorithm. SHC-related survival, pathway, and immune analyses in GBM cohorts were obtained from the Biomarker Exploration of the Solid Tumor database. The proliferation and migration of U87 cells were measured by CCK-8 and transwell assay. Apoptosis in U87 cells was evaluated using flow cytometry. Confocal microscopy was employed to measure mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and morphology. The expression levels of SHC1 and other relevant proteins were examined via western blotting. We screened 15 prognosis-associated MRGs and constructed a 9 MRGs-based model. Validation of the model's risk score confirmed its efficacy in predicting the prognosis of patients with GBM. Furthermore, analysis revealed that SHC1, a constituent MRG of the prognostic model, was upregulated and implicated in the progression, migration, and immune infiltration of GBM. In vitro experiments elucidated that p66Shc, the longest isoform of SHC1, modulates mitochondrial ROS production and morphology, consequently promoting the proliferation and migration of U87 cells. The 9 MRGs-based prognostic model could predict the prognosis of GBM. SHC1 was upregulated and correlated with the prognosis of patients by involvement in immune infiltration. Furthermore, in vitro experiments demonstrated that p66Shc promotes U87 cell proliferation and migration by mediating mitochondrial ROS production. Thus, p66Shc may serve as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for GBM.

The immune suppressive functions of macrophages are impaired in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Chronic inflammation is the pathological feature of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), but its etiology is unknown. Macrophages are one of the major immune cell fractions in the colon. The objectives of this study are to characterize the immune regulatory functions of macrophages in the colon of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). UC patients (n = 30) were recruited into this study. Colon lavage fluid (CLF) was collected. Macrophages are isolated from the cellular components of CLF. The immune suppressive functions of macrophages were assessed using immunological approaches. We observed that macrophages occupied about half of the proportions of the cellular components in CLF. Lower amounts of IL10 mRNA and proteins were detected in macrophages of the UC group than the normal control (NC) group. The expression of IL10 in CLF macrophages was positively correlated with the UC-associated cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IFN-γ, eosinophil-derived mediators, in CLF. The immune suppressive functions of CLF macrophages in UC patients were impaired. The inducibility of IL10 expression of UC M0 cells was defective as compared with NC M0 cells. Exposure to CpG restored the inducibility of IL10 expression in UC M0 cells, and gain the potential to acquire the immune suppressive functions. To sum up, the immune suppressive functions of UC macrophages are impaired. The inducibility of IL10 expression of M0 cells is impaired, which can be restored by the treatment with CpG.

Trends in cancer-related suicide in the United States: a population-based epidemiology study spanning 40 years of data.

Large cohort studies examining trends in cancer-related suicide are lacking. We analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, encompassing a total of 4,870,410 patients diagnosed with cancer from 1975 to 2017 in the United States. Joinpoint regression was used to estimate the annual percent change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC) of age-adjusted rates of suicide. In the past 40 years, we revealed a gradual increase in cancer-related suicide rates from 1975 to 1989, followed by a gradual decrease from 1989 to 2013, and a marked decrease from 2013 to 2017. These trends suggested the potential impact of advancements in psychosocial care for patients with cancer in contributing to the observed decrease in suicide rates.

Amino Functionality Enables Aqueous Synthesis of Carboxylic Acid-Based MOFs at Room Temperature by Biomimetic Crystallization.

Enzyme immobilization within metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is a promising solution to avoid denaturation and thereby utilize the desirable properties of enzymes outside of their native environments. The biomimetic mineralization strategy employs biomacromolecules as nucleation agents to promote the crystallization of MOFs in water at room temperature, thus overcoming pore size limitations presented by traditional postassembly encapsulation. Most biomimetic crystallization studies reported to date have employed zeolitic imidazole frameworks (ZIFs). Herein, we expand the library of MOFs suitable for biomimetic mineralization to include zinc(II) MOFs incorporating functionalized terephthalic acid linkers and study the catalytic performance of the enzyme@MOFs. Amine functionalization of terephthalic acids is shown to accelerate the formation of crystalline MOFs enabling new enzyme@MOFs to be synthesized. The structure and morphology of the enzyme@MOFs were characterized by PXRD, FTIR, and SEM-EDX, and the catalytic potential was evaluated. Increasing the linker length while retaining the amino moiety gave rise to a family of linkers; however, MOFs generated with the 2,2'-aminoterephthalic acid linker displayed the best catalytic performance. Our data also illustrate that the pH of the reaction mixture affects the crystal structure of the MOF and that this structural transformation impacts the catalytic performance of the enzyme@MOF.

Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with a septate uterus complicated by endometriosis.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with a septate uterus often have endometriosis, which can exacerbate their adverse pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with a septate uterus complicated by endometriosis. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective study included patients who had a septate uterus complicated by endometriosis and were treated in Wuhan Tongji Hospital in the past 10 years. The characteristics of patients with a septate uterus and endometriosis were collected and described in terms of their preoperative and postoperative pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: There were 24 cases with a complete septate uterus and 49 cases with an incomplete septate uterus.Combinations of other malformations are more common in patients with complete septate uterus. In patients with a septate uterus, endometriosis often affected the ovaries, most commonly the left side (P < 0.001). Non-significant difference in the staging of endometriosis between complete and incomplete septate uterus (P= 0.812). Surgical treatment greatly improved the reproductive function and increased the live birth rate of patients with a septate uterus complicated by endometriosis (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to a septate uterus uncomplicated endometriosis, a septate uterus complicated by endometriosis significantly affects reproductive function. Surgical treatment can significantly improve the pregnancy outcomes of patients with a septate uterus and endometriosis. Clinicians should pay attention to timely diagnosing and treating these patients.

Mo4+-Doped CuS Nanosheet-Assembled Hollow Spheres for CO2 Electroreduction to Ethanol in a Flow Cell.

Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to ethanol has been widely researched for potential commercial application. However, it still faces limited selectivity at a large current density. Herein, Mo4+-doped CuS nanosheet-assembled hollow spheres are constructed to address this issue. Mo4+ ion doping modifies the local electronic environments and diversifies the binding sites of CuS, which increases the coverage of linear *COL and produces bridge *COB for subsequent *COL-*COH coupling toward ethanol production. The optimal Mo9.0%-CuS can electrocatalyze CO2 to ethanol with a faradaic efficiency of 67.5% and a partial current density of 186.5 mA cm-2 at -0.6 V in a flow cell. This work clarifies that doping high valence transition metal ions into Cu-based sulfides can regulate the coverage and configuration of related intermediates for ethanol production during the CO2RR in a flow cell.

Global, regional, and national levels and trends in burden of urticaria: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease study 2019.

Background: Urticaria places a significant burden on individuals and society due to its widespread nature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the burden of urticaria in different regions and nations by analysing data from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019 (GBD 2019), with the goal of providing information to health care policymakers. Methods: By utilising data from the GBD 2019 database, this study analysed metrics such as incidence, prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), age-standardised rate (ASR), and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) globally and across 204 countries and regions. The data was further stratified by age, sex, and sociodemographic index (SDI). Results: In 2019, global incidence cases, prevalence cases, and overall disease burden as measured by DALYs all increased. The distribution of the burden exhibited marked geographical heterogeneity. At the regional level, the burden is highest in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with the strongest growth in South Asia, compared with a decline in the high-income Asia Pacific. At the country level, Nepal reports the highest burden of urticaria, while Portugal has the lowest. Gender and age analyses showed that the burden of urticaria is higher in females than in males, with urticaria cases declining with age, especially in children, and picking up among the elderly. The study also finds a correlation between the burden of urticaria and the SDI, with the central part of the SDI showing a consistent increasing trend. Conclusion: This study found that the global burden of urticaria has risen from 1990 to 2019. Factors like geographic location, gender, and SDI influenced the urticaria burden. Overall, these results offer a resource to guide public health strategies seeking to reduce the burden of urticaria.

Fluorescein-guided surgery in high-grade gliomas: focusing on the eloquent and deep-seated areas.

PURPOSE: The vital function of eloquent and deep brain areas necessitates precise treatment for tumors located in these regions. Fluorescein-guided surgery (FGS) has been widely used for high-grade gliomas (HGGs) resection. Nevertheless, the safety and efficacy of utilizing this technique for resecting brain tumors located in eloquent and deep-seated areas remain uncertain. This study aims to assess the safety and extent of resection of HGGs in these challenging tumors with fluorescein and explore its impact on patient survival. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and radiological data of 67 consecutive patients with eloquent or deep-seated HGGs who underwent surgery between January 2020 and June 2023. Lacroix functional location grade was used to determine the eloquence of the tumors. The comparison between the fluorescence-guided surgery group (FGS, n = 32) and the conventional white-light microscopic surgery group (non-FGS, n = 35) included assessments of extent of resection (EOR), rates of gross total resection (GTR, 100%) and near-total resection (NTR, 99 to 98%), postoperative Neurologic Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (NANO) scores, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS), to evaluate the safety and efficacy of fluorescein-guided technology in tumor resection at these specific locations. RESULTS: Baseline of demographics, lesion location, and pathology showed no significant difference between the two groups. GTR of the FGS group was higher than the non-FGS group (84.4% vs. 60.0%, OR 3.60, 95% CI 1.18-10.28, p < 0.05). The FGS group also showed higher GTR + NTR (EOR ≥ 98%) than the non-FGS group (93.8% vs. 65.7%, OR 7.83, 95% CI 1.86-36.85, p < 0.01). 87.0% of eloquent tumors (Lacroix grade III) in the FGS group achieved GTR + NTR, compared to 52.2% of control group (OR 6.11, 95% CI 1.50-22.78, p < 0.05). For deep-seated tumors, the rate of GTR + NTR in the two groups were 91.7% and 53.3%, respectively (OR 9.62, 95% CI 1.05-116.50, p < 0.05). No significant difference of the preoperative NANO score of the two groups was found. The postoperative NANO score of the FGS group was significantly lower than the non-FGS group (2.56 ± 1.29 vs. 3.43 ± 1.63, p < 0.05). Median OS of the FGS group was 4.2 months longer than the non-FGS group despite no statistical difference (18.2 months vs. 14.0 months, HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.36-1.11, p = 0.112), while PSF was found significantly longer in FGS patients than those of the non-FGS group (11.2 months vs. 7.7 months, HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.35-0.99, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sodium fluorescein-guided surgery for high-grade gliomas in eloquent and deep-seated brain regions enables more extensive resection while preserving neurologic function and improve patient survival.

Global, regional, and national burden of pancreatitis in older adults, 1990-2019: A systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2019.

Background: To describe the past, present and future burden of pancreatitis in older adults, and to explore cross-national inequalities across socio-demographic index (SDI). Methods: Data on pancreatitis in older adults, including mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates, were collected from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study. Temporal trends were measured using joinpoint analyses and predicted using a Bayesian age-period-cohort model. Additionally, the unequal distribution of the burden of pancreatitis in older adults was quantified. Results: From 1990 to 2019, the number of deaths and DALYs due to pancreatitis in older adults has been increasing annually. However, in most regions of the world, age-standardized death rates (ASDR) and age-standardized DALYs rates have been declining. The burden of pancreatitis in older adults was highest in low SDI region, primarily affecting the population aged 65-74, with a greater burden on males than females. Furthermore, from 1990 to 2019, absolute and relative cross-national inequalities in pancreatitis among older adults have remained largely unchanged. It is projected that in the next 11 years, the number of deaths in older adults due to pancreatitis will continue to increase, but the ASDR is expected to decline. Conclusion: Over the past 30 years, the ASDR and age-standardized DALYs rate of pancreatitis in older adults have shown a decline globally, but the absolute burden continues to increase. Cross-national health inequalities persist. Therefore, it is necessary to develop targeted intervention measures and enhance awareness among this vulnerable population regarding the risk factors associated with pancreatitis.

Adaptive fuzzy control for tendon-sheath actuated bending-tip system with unknown friction for robotic flexible endoscope.

Introduction: The tendon-sheath actuated bending-tip system (TAB) has been widely applied to long-distance transmission scenes due to its high maneuverability, safety, and compliance, such as in exoskeleton robots, rescue robots, and surgical robots design. Due to the suitability of operation in a narrow or tortuous environment, TAB has demonstrated great application potential in the area of minimally invasive surgery. However, TAB involves highly non-linear behavior due to hysteresis, creepage, and non-linear friction existing on the tendon routing, which is an enormous challenge for accurate control. Methods: Considering the difficulties in the precise modeling of non-linearity friction, this paper proposes a novel fuzzy control scheme for the Euler-Lagrange dynamics model of TAB for achieving tracking performance and providing accurate friction compensation. Finally, the asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system is proved theoretically and the effectiveness of the controller is verified by numerical simulation carried out in MATLAB/Simulink. Results: The desired angle can be reached quickly within 3 s by adopting the proposed controller without overshoot or oscillation in Tracking Experiment, demonstrating the regulation performance of the proposed control scheme. The proposed method still achieves the desired trajectory rapidly and accurately without steady-state errors in Varying-friction Experiment. The angle errors generated by external disturbances are < 1 deg under the proposed controller, which returns to zero in 2 s in Anti-disturbance Experiment. In contrast, comparative controllers take more time to be steady and are accompanied by oscillating and residual errors in all experiments. Discussion: The proposed method is model-free control and has no strict requirement for the dynamics model and friction model. It is proved that advanced tracking performance and real-time response can be guaranteed under the presence of unknown bounded non-linear friction and time-varying non-linear dynamics.

A structure-functionality insight into the bioactivity of microbial polysaccharides toward biomedical applications: A review.

Microbial polysaccharides (MPs) are biopolymers secreted by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi during their metabolic processes. Compared to polysaccharides derived from plants and animals, MPs have advantages such as wide sources, high production efficiency, and less susceptibility to natural environmental influences. The most attractive feature of MPs lies in their diverse biological activities, such as antioxidative, anti-tumor, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory activities, which have demonstrated immense potential for applications in functional foods, cosmetics, and biomedicine. These bioactivities are precisely regulated by their sophisticated molecular structure. However, the mechanisms underlying this precise regulation are not yet fully understood and continue to evolve. This article presents a comprehensive review of the most representative species of MPs, including their fermentation and purification processes and their biomedical applications in recent years. In particular, this work presents an in-depth analysis into the structure-activity relationships of MPs across multiple molecular levels. Additionally, this review discusses the challenges and prospects of investigating the structure-activity relationships, providing valuable insights into the broad and high-value utilization of MPs.