Utility of Radiographic Parameter in Assessing Bone Density and Subsequent Fractures in Patients With Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of radiological parameter canal bone ratio (CBR) to assess bone mineral density and to differentiate between patients with primary and multiple osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on OVCF patients treated at our hospital. CBR was measured through full-spine x-rays. Patients were categorized into primary and multiple fracture groups. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and area under the curve (AUC) calculation were used to assess the ability of parameters to predict osteoporosis and multiple fractures. Predictors of T values were analyzed by multiple linear regression, and independent risk factors for multiple fractures were determined by multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: CBR showed a moderate negative correlation with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry T values (r = -0.642, p < 0.01). Higher CBR (odds ratio [OR], -6.483; 95% confidence interval [CI], -8.234 to -4.732; p < 0.01) and lower body mass index (OR, 0.054; 95% CI, 0.023-0.086; p < 0.01) were independent risk factors for osteoporosis. Patients with multiple fractures had lower T values (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: -3.76 ± 0.73 vs. -2.83 ± 0.75, p < 0.01) and higher CBR (mean ± SD: 0.54 ± 0.07 vs. 0.46 ± 0.06, p < 0.01). CBR had an AUC of 0.819 in predicting multiple fractures with a threshold of 0.53. T values prediction had an AUC of 0.816 with a threshold of -3.45. CBR > 0.53 was an independent risk factor for multiple fractures (OR, 14.66; 95% CI, 4.97-43.22; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: CBR is negatively correlated with bone mineral density (BMD) and can be a novel opportunistic BMD assessment method. It is a simple and effective measurement index for predicting multiple fractures, with predictive performance not inferior to T values.

Transposable Element (TE) insertion predictions from RNAseq inputs and TE impact on RNA splicing and gene expression in Drosophila brain transcriptomes.

Recent studies have suggested that Transposable Elements (TEs) residing in introns frequently splice into and alter primary gene-coding transcripts. To re-examine the exonization frequency of TEs into protein-coding gene transcripts, we re-analyzed a Drosophila neuron circadian rhythm RNAseq dataset and a deep long RNA fly midbrain RNAseq dataset using our Transposon Insertion and Depletion Analyzer (TIDAL) program. Our TIDAL results were able to predict several TE insertions from RNAseq data that were consistent with previous published studies. However, we also uncovered many discrepancies in TE-exonization calls, such as reads that mainly support intron retention of the TE and little support for chimeric mRNA spliced to the TE. We then deployed rigorous genomic DNA-PCR (gDNA-PCR) and RT-PCR procedures on TE-mRNA fusion candidates to see how many of bioinformatics predictions could be validated. By testing a w1118 strain from which the deeper long RNAseq data was derived and comparing to an OreR strain, only 9 of 23 TIDAL candidates (< 40%) could be validated as a novel TE insertion by gDNA-PCR, indicating that deeper study is needed when using RNAseq data as inputs into current TE-insertion prediction programs. Of these validated calls, our RT-PCR results only supported TE-intron retention. Lastly, in the Dscam2 and Bx genes of the w1118 strain that contained intronic TEs, gene expression was 23 times higher than the OreR genes lacking the TEs. This study's validation approach indicates that chimeric TE-mRNAs are infrequent and cautions that more optimization is required in bioinformatics programs to call TE insertions using RNAseq datasets.

Roboticized AI-assisted microfluidic photocatalytic synthesis and screening up to 10,000 reactions per day.

The current throughput of conventional organic chemical synthesis is usually a few experiments for each operator per day. We develop a robotic system for ultra-high-throughput chemical synthesis, online characterization, and large-scale condition screening of photocatalytic reactions, based on the liquid-core waveguide, microfluidic liquid-handling, and artificial intelligence techniques. The system is capable of performing automated reactant mixture preparation, changing, introduction, ultra-fast photocatalytic reactions in seconds, online spectroscopic detection of the reaction product, and screening of different reaction conditions. We apply the system in large-scale screening of 12,000 reaction conditions of a photocatalytic [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction including multiple continuous and discrete variables, reaching an ultra-high throughput up to 10,000 reaction conditions per day. Based on the data, AI-assisted cross-substrate/photocatalyst prediction is conducted.

CapeOX as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer: might less be more?

BACKGROUND: Locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) poses unique challenges in treatment, with current neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NA-CRT) showing limitations. The CapeOX regimen emerges as a potential less aggressive neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for LARC. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study involving treatment-naïve patients with LARC from March 2014 to March 2021 who received 2-4 cycles of CapeOX NAC followed by radical surgery. Treatment response was evaluated using tumor regression grade (TRG), MRI-based TRG (MRI-TRG), and Neoadjuvant Rectal (NAR) score. RESULTS: 94.7% of patients experienced symptom improvement and 96.4% achieved sphincter-preserving surgery. Post-NAC showed significant tumor regression and MRI confirmed a tumor length reduction (P < 0.001). Clinical and pathological staging discrepancies post-NAC suggest broader therapeutic advantages. 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 78.4% and 73.4%. NAR scores provided better prognostic accuracy than MRI-TRG. CONCLUSION: CapeOX NAC presents notable benefits for LARC patients and its clinical significance may be underestimated. The NAR score demonstrates superior prognostic value over MRI-TRG.

Zinc-Catalyzed Enantioselective Formal (3+2) Cycloadditions of Bicyclobutanes with Imines: Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Azabicyclo[2.1.1]hexanes.

The cycloaddition reaction involving bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes (BCBs) offers a versatile and efficient synthetic platform for producing C(sp3)-rich rigid bridged ring scaffolds, which act as phenyl bioisosteres. However, there is a scarcity of catalytic asymmetric cycloadditions of BCBs to fulfill the need for enantioenriched saturated bicycles in drug design and development. In this study, an efficient synthesis of valuable azabicyclo[2.1.1]hexanes (aza-BCHs) by an enantioselective zinc-catalyzed (3+2) cycloadditions of BCBs with imines is reported. The reaction proceeds effectively with a novel type of BCB that incorporates a 2-acyl imidazole group and a diverse array of alkynyl- and aryl-substituted imines. The target aza-BCHs, which consist of α-chiral amine fragments and two quaternary carbon centers, are efficiently synthesized with up to 94% yield and 96.5:3.5 er under mild conditions. Experimental and computational studies reveal that the reaction follows a concerted nucleophilic ring-opening mechanism of BCBs with imines. This mechanism is distinct from previous studies on Lewis acid-catalyzed cycloadditions of BCBs.

Development of a fast fluorescent probe for sensitive detection of glutathione in 100 % aqueous solution and its applications in real samples, oxidative stress model and ferroptosis model.

Glutathione (GSH) plays a crucial role in several physiological processes, including anti-oxidation and heavy metal detoxification. GSH is produced endogenously in the human body and can also be obtained through diet. The development of fast, highly sensitive, and multi-application fluorescent probes remains a challenging task. In this study, we have designed and synthesized a coumarin-based fluorescent probe (NFRF) for the sensitive and rapid detection of GSH in 100 % aqueous solution. By loading probe NFRF on the filter paper, the real-time visual detection of GSH is achieved in both daylight and fluorescence modes, providing a convenient, economical and rapid on-site detection tool. Probe NFRF could be used for the detection of GSH in real samples, with recoveries rates of 81.74 %-115.12 %. Notably, the probe imaged changes in GSH concentrations in oxidative stress environments and during ferroptosis. This work provides a prospective method for GSH detection in food and complex biological systems.

Comparative of OCT and OCTA parameters in patients with early chronic angle-closure glaucoma and early pituitary adenoma.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) have the potential application in evaluating pathological structural change of the optic nerve. We aimed to evaluate the value of the OCT and OCTA parameters of the optic disk and macular in differentiating early chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma (CPACG) and early pituitary adenoma (PA) in case of mild visual field defects (the mean defect (MD) > 6 dB). The results showed that regarding OCTA parameters, CPACG patients had lower retinal blood flow density of most layers of the optic disk and macular than PA patients. Regarding OCT parameters, CPACG patients had thinner circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (CP-RNFL) in all quadrants and average CP-RNFL, ganglion cell layer (GCL) and macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) in each quadrant of macular inner and outer rings, and inner plexus layer (IPL) of macular inner ring, superior-outer ring and temporal-outer ring than PA patients. The Z test indicated that OCTA parameters and OCT parameters had similar value in the diagnosis of disease. In conclusion, in the case of similar visual field damage, early CPACG patients have smaller blood flow density and thinner optic disk and macular than early PA. OCTA has similar performance to OCT in diagnosing CPACG and PA.

Research Competence in Clinical Nursing Insights From Chinese Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

AIM: To assess the research capacity of 3014 clinical nurses in northeastern China, examining their participation in research and self-assessed competencies to advance nursing practice. BACKGROUND: Nursing research is essential for the development of the nursing discipline, yet significant progress in enhancing the research capabilities of nursing staff has been limited over the past decades. Clinical nurses, central to the execution of research activities, need improved research skills to identify relevant topics and synthesise clinical experiences with the literature. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. METHODS: In 2023, using a convenience sampling method, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted on 3014 nurses in a Grade A tertiary hospital. The questionnaire included questions on basic information and scientific research, as well as a self-evaluation scale assessing the nurses' capability for conducting scientific research. RESULTS: Among the nurses participating in the survey, 29.66% (894) had published academic papers in Chinese, 2.06% (62) had published papers in Science Citation Index journals, 2.39% (72) had hosted nursing research projects, 5.87% (177) had participated in nursing research projects and 71% (2140) expressed their willingness to participate in nursing research activities. The average score on the self-evaluation of research capability was 54.08 ± 24.55, with scores ranging from 0 to 120. CONCLUSION: The clinical nurses' research capacity scores are at the midpoint of the scale (0-120), indicating basic research capabilities with room for improvement. There is a high willingness to engage in research. Nursing managers should consider these factors in training programmes and promote research activities to improve the team's scientific capability. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study reveals a critical gap between nurses' willingness and actual involvement in research, emphasising the need for enhanced research skills to improve nursing practice. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study did not require patient or public involvement in its design, outcome measures or execution. The contribution of patients/members of the public was limited solely to data collection.

Cognitive resilience to Alzheimer's disease characterized by cell-type abundance.

INTRODUCTION: The molecular basis of cognitive resilience (CR) among pathologically confirmed Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases is not well understood. METHODS: Abundance of 13 cell types and neuronal subtypes in brain bulk RNA-seq data from the anterior caudate, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) obtained from 434 AD cases, 318 cognitively resilient AD cases, and 188 controls in the Religious Orders Study and Rush Memory and Aging Project was estimated by deconvolution. RESULTS: PVALB+ neuron abundance was negatively associated with cognitive status and tau pathology in the DLPFC and PCC (Padj < 0.001) and the most reduced neuronal subtype in AD cases compared to controls in DLPFC (Padj = 8.4 × 10-7) and PCC (Padj = 0.0015). We identified genome-wide significant association of neuron abundance with TMEM106B single nucleotide polymorphism rs13237518 in PCC (p = 6.08 × 10-12). rs13237518 was also associated with amyloid beta (p = 0.0085) and tangles (p = 0.0073). DISCUSSION: High abundance of PVALB+ neurons may be a marker of CR. TMEM106B variants may influence CR independent of AD pathology. HIGHLIGHTS: Neuron retention and a lack of astrocytosis are highly predictive of Alzheimer's disease (AD) resilience. PVALB+ GABAergic and RORB+ glutamatergic neurons are associated with cognitive status. A TMEM106B single nucleotide polymorphism is related to lower AD risk, higher neuron count, and increased AD pathology.

Protective effect of salvianolic acid B against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury: preclinical systematic evaluation and meta-analysis.

Background: Salvianolic acid B is the most abundant water-soluble component in the traditional Chinese medicine Danshen and can reduce myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury through multiple targets and pathways. However, the role of SalB in protecting the myocardium from ischemia/reperfusion injury remains unclear. Purpose: To perform a preclinical systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of Sal B in an animal model of myocardial infarction/reperfusion (MI/R) and to summarize the potential mechanisms of Sal B against MI/R. Methods: Studies published from inception to March 2024 were systematically searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Wanfang, and VIP databases. The methodological quality was determined using the SYRCLE RoB tool. The R software was used to analyze the data. The potential mechanisms are categorized and summarized. Results: 32 studies containing 732 animals were included. The results of the meta-analysis showed that Sal B reduced myocardial infarct size (p < 0.01), and the cardiological indices of CK-MB (p < 0.01), CK (p < 0.01), LDH (p < 0.01), and cTnI (p < 0.01) compared to the control group. In addition, Sal B increased cardiac function indices, such as LVFS (p < 0.01), -dp/dt max (p < 0.01), +dp/dt max (p < 0.01), and cardiac output (p < 0.01). The protective effects of Sal B on the myocardium after I/R may be mediated by attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation, promoting neovascularization, regulating vascular function, and attenuating cardiac myocyte apoptosis. Publication bias was observed in all the included studies. Further studies are required to elucidate the extent of the cardioprotective effects of SalB and the safety of its use. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis of Sal B in the treatment of MI/R injury, and Sal B demonstrated a positive effect on MI/R injury through the modulation of key pathological indicators and multiple signaling pathways. Further studies are needed to elucidate the extent to which SalB exerts its cardioprotective effects and the safety of its use. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/.

VSIG4 induces the immunosuppressive microenvironment by promoting the infiltration of M2 macrophage and Tregs in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common subtype of renal cell carcinoma and has a poor prognosis. Despite the impressive advancements in treating ccRCC using immune checkpoint (IC) blockade, such as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, a considerable number of ccRCC patients experience adaptive resistance. Therefore, exploring new targetable ICs will provide additional treatment options for ccRCC patients. We comprehensively analyzed multi-omics data and performed functional experiments, such as pathologic review, bulk transcriptome data, single-cell sequencing data, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and in vitro/in vivo experiments, to explore novel immunotherapeutic targets in ccRCC. It was found that immune-related genes VSIG4, SAA1, CD7, FOXP3, IL21, TNFSF13B, BATF, CD72, MZB1, LTB, CCL25 and KLRK1 were significantly upregulated in ccRCC (Student's t test and p-value < 0.05; 36 normal and 267 ccRCC tissues in raining cohort; 36 normal and 266 ccRCC tissues in validation cohort) and correlated with the poor prognosis of ccRCC patients (Wald test and p-value < 0.05 in univariate cox analysis; log-rank test and p-value < 0.05 in Kaplan-Meier method; 267 patients in training cohort and 266 in validation cohort). In particular, we found the novel IC target VSIG4 was specifically expressed in inhibitory immune cells M2-biased tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), conventional dendritic cell 2 (cDC2) cells, and cycling myeloid cells in ccRCC microenvironment. Moreover, VSIG4 showed a closely relation with resistance of Ipilimumab/Nivolumab immunotherapy in ccRCC. Furthermore, VSIG4 promoted the infiltration of M2 macrophages, Tregs, and cDC2 in ccRCC tissues. VSIG4+ TAMs and VSIG4+ cDC2s may be a kind of immune cell subtypes related to immunosuppression. VSIG4 may play similar roles with other IC ligands, as it is highly expressed on the surface of antigen-presenting cells and ccRCC cells to inhibit T cells activity and facilitate immune escape. Targeting IC gene VSIG4 may provide a novel immunotherapeutic strategy to ccRCC patients with resistance to existing targeted therapy options.

Interpretable machine learning model predicting immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced hypothyroidism: A retrospective cohort study.

Hypothyroidism is a known adverse event associated with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in cancer treatment. This study aimed to develop an interpretable machine learning (ML) model for individualized prediction of hypothyroidism in patients treated with ICIs. The retrospective cohort of patients treated with ICIs was from the First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University. ML methods applied include logistic regression (LR), random forest classifier (RFC), support vector machine (SVM), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was the main evaluation metric used. Furthermore, the Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) was utilized to interpret the outcomes of the prediction model. A total of 458 patients were included in the study, with 59 patients (12.88%) observed to have developed hypothyroidism. Among the models utilized, XGBoost exhibited the highest predictive capability (AUC = 0.833). The Delong test and calibration curve indicated that XGBoost significantly outperformed the other models in prediction. The SHAP method revealed that thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was the most influential predictor variable. The developed interpretable ML model holds potential for predicting the likelihood of hypothyroidism following ICI treatment in patients. ML technology offers new possibilities for predicting ICI-induced hypothyroidism, potentially providing more precise support for personalized treatment and risk management.

Theoretical study of piezoelectric and light absorption properties, and carrier mobilities of Janus TiPX (X = F, Cl, and Br) monolayers.

Janus TiPX (X = F, Cl, and Br) monolayers were systematically investigated through first-principles calculations. The Janus TiPX monolayers exhibit mechanical and dynamic stability. Two monolayers are indirect bandgap semiconductors, except the TiPBr monolayer, which has the features of a quasi-direct bandgap semiconductor. Biaxial strain can modify the band gap of single layers. The Janus TiPX monolayers have remarkable flexibility and piezoelectric properties. In particular, the TiPF monolayer shows high horizontal (44.18 pm V-1) and vertical piezoelectric coefficients (-3.59 pm V-1). These values exceed those of conventional bulk materials, like GaN (3.1 pm V-1) and α-quartz (2.3 pm V-1). All of the monolayers have absorption coefficients of 105 cm-1 for visible and ultraviolet (UV) light, which are one order of magnitude greater than that of MoSSe. Furthermore, TiPX monolayers have high carrier mobility. Janus TiPX monolayers represent a class of two-dimensional (2D) materials with exceptional properties and multifunctionality, holding significant promise for various applications in piezoelectric sensors, solar cells, and nano-electronic devices.

Circular RNA IGF1R Promotes Cardiac Repair via Activating ß-Catenin Signaling by Interacting with DDX5 in Mice after Ischemic Insults.

The potential of circular RNAs (circRNAs) as biomarkers and therapeutic targets is becoming increasingly evident, yet their roles in cardiac regeneration and myocardial renewal remain largely unexplored. Here, we investigated the function of circIGF1R and related mechanisms in cardiac regeneration. Through analysis of circRNA sequencing data from neonatal and adult cardiomyocytes, circRNAs associated with regeneration were identified. Our data showed that circIGF1R expression was high in neonatal hearts, decreased with postnatal maturation, and up-regulated after cardiac injury. The elevation was validated in patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (MI) within 1 week. In human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) and myocardial tissue from mice after apical resection and MI, we observed that circIGF1R overexpression enhanced cardiomyocyte proliferation, reduced apoptosis, and mitigated cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis, while circIGF1R knockdown impeded endogenous cardiac renewal. Mechanistically, we identified circIGF1R binding proteins through circRNA precipitation followed by mass spectrometry. RNA pull-down Western blot and RNA immunoprecipitation demonstrated that circIGF1R directly interacted with DDX5 and augmented its protein level by suppressing ubiquitin-dependent degradation. This subsequently triggered the ß-catenin signaling pathway, leading to the transcriptional activation of cyclin D1 and c-Myc. The roles of circIGF1R and DDX5 in cardiac regeneration were further substantiated through site-directed mutagenesis and rescue experiments. In conclusion, our study highlights the pivotal role of circIGF1R in facilitating heart regeneration and repair after ischemic insults. The circIGF1R/DDX5/ß-catenin axis emerges as a novel therapeutic target for enhancing myocardial repair after MI, offering promising avenues for the development of regenerative therapies.

Perception of Virtual Education Learning among Dental Residents and Faculty during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic prompted a rapid shift from in-person to virtual learning in dental education. This study aims to assess the perceptions of virtual education learning among dental residents and faculty and employ regulatory focus theory (RFT) to understand the impact of motivational orientations on virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: In total, 46 dental residents and 10 faculty members in a dental institution participated in the study (June-August 2021). Questionnaires were used to obtain data on demographics, perceptions of virtual learning, burnout, and RFT types (promotion and prevention focus). Multiple regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with perceptions of virtual learning and burnout. RESULTS: Overall, 70% of residents and 44% of faculty found virtual learning effective. Younger residents with less experience preferred virtual learning more than their older, experienced peers. Residents trained outside the U.S. and Canada favored in-person learning more than those trained within. Furthermore, residents with a higher promotion focus score found virtual learning more interactive for didactic courses. Additionally, 52% of residents experienced burnout, with a higher incidence among females (p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Virtual learning is well received by dental residents and faculty, with potential for continued use post-pandemic. Future efforts should focus on creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment that meets the motivational and well-being needs of dental residents and faculty.

The activation of cGAS-STING pathway causes abnormal uterine receptivity in aged mice.

Maternal age is one of the most important factors affecting the success of maternal pregnancy. Uterine aging is the leading cause of pregnancy failure in older women. However, how uterine aging affects uterine receptivity and decidualization is unclear. In this study, naturally aged one-year-old female mice were used to investigate effects of maternal age on embryo implantation during early pregnancy. In our study, we found abnormal uterine receptivity in aged mice. Aged mouse uterus indicates a decrease in nuclear LAMIN A, and an increase in PRELAMIN A and PROGERIN. In aged mouse uterus, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in cytoplasmic fraction is significantly increased. PROGERIN overexpression in mouse uterine epithelial cells and epithelial organoids leads to nuclear DNA leakage and impaired uterine receptivity. DNase I, DNase II, and TREX1 are obviously reduced in aged mouse uterus. Treatments with foreign DNA or STING agonist significantly downregulate uterine receptivity markers and activate cGAS-STING pathway. Uterine estrogen (E2) concentration is significantly increased in aged mice. After ovariectomized mice are treated with a high level of E2, there are significant increase of PROGERIN and cytoplasmic DNA, and activation of cGAS-STING pathway. CD14 is significantly increased in aged uterus. Intrauterine CD14 injection inhibits embryo implantation. In vitro CD14 treatment of cultured epithelial cells or epithelial organoids decreases uterine receptivity. Uterine abnormality in aged mouse can be partially rescued by STING inhibitor. In conclusion, uterine PROGERIN increase in aged mouse uterus results in cytoplasmic DNA accumulation and cGAS-STING pathway activation. CD14 secretion in aged uterus impairs uterine receptivity.

Giant Second Harmonic Generation in Supertwisted WS2 Spirals Grown in Step-Edge Particle-Induced Non-Euclidean Surfaces.

In moiré crystals resulting from the stacking of twisted two-dimensional (2D) layered materials, a subtle adjustment in the twist angle surprisingly gives rise to a wide range of correlated optical and electrical properties. Herein, we report the synthesis of supertwisted WS2 spirals and the observation of giant second harmonic generation (SHG) in these spirals. Supertwisted WS2 spirals featuring different twist angles are synthesized on a Euclidean or step-edge particle-induced non-Euclidean surface using carefully designed water-assisted chemical vapor deposition. We observed an oscillatory dependence of SHG intensity on layer number, attributed to atomically phase-matched nonlinear dipoles within layers of supertwisted spiral crystals where inversion symmetry is restored. Through an investigation into the twist angle evolution of SHG intensity, we discovered that the stacking model between layers plays a crucial role in determining the nonlinearity, and the SHG signals in supertwisted spirals exhibit enhancements by a factor of 2 to 136 when compared with the SHG of the single-layer structure. These findings provide helpful perspectives on the rational growth of 2D twisted structures and the implementation of twist angle adjustable endowing them great potential for exploring strong coupling correlation physics and applications in the field of twistronics.

Effects of Dietary Chitosan on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Indices, Antioxidant Capacity, and Immune Response of Juvenile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under Cadmium Stress.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of varying levels of dietary chitosan supplementation on mitigating cadmium stress and its influence on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, antioxidant capacity, immune response, inflammatory response, and the expression of related genes in juvenile Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus). Five groups of juvenile tilapias (initial body weight 21.21 ± 0.24 g) were fed five diets with different levels (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%) of chitosan supplementation for 60 days under cadmium stress (0.2 mg/L Cd2+). The findings indicated that, compared with the 0% chitosan group, dietary chitosan could significantly increase (p < 0.05) the final weight (Wf), weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR), daily growth index (DGI), and condition factor (CF), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) expressed the opposite trend in juvenile GIFT. Dietary chitosan could significantly increase (p < 0.05) the activities (contents) of cholinesterase (CHE), albumin (ALB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), and lysozyme (LZM), while glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and complement 3 (C3) in the serum of juvenile GIFT expressed the opposite trend. Dietary chitosan could significantly increase (p < 0.05) the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and significantly decrease (p < 0.05) the activities (contents) of glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum of juvenile GIFT. Dietary chitosan could significantly increase (p < 0.05) the activities (contents) of CAT, GST, GSH-Px, and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and significantly decrease (p < 0.05) the contents of MDA in the liver of juvenile GIFT. Dietary chitosan could significantly increase (p < 0.05) the activities (contents) of SOD, GSH-Px, T-AOC, Na+-K+-ATPase, and Ca2+-ATPase and significantly decrease (p < 0.05) the activities (contents) of CAT, GST, and MDA in the gills of juvenile GIFT. Dietary chitosan could significantly up-regulate (p < 0.05) the gene expression of cat, sod, gst, and gsh-px in the liver of juvenile GIFT. Dietary chitosan could significantly up-regulate (p < 0.05) the gene expression of interferon-γ (inf-γ) in the gills and spleen and significantly down-regulate (p < 0.05) the gene expression of inf-γ in the liver and head kidney of juvenile GIFT. Dietary chitosan could significantly down-regulate (p < 0.05) the gene expression of interleukin-6 (il-6), il-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (tnf-α) in the liver, gills, head kidney, and spleen of juvenile GIFT. Dietary chitosan could significantly up-regulate (p < 0.05) the gene expression of il-10 in the liver, gills, head kidney, and spleen of juvenile GIFT. Dietary chitosan could significantly up-regulate (p < 0.05) the gene expression of transforming growth factor-ß (tgf-ß) in the liver and significantly down-regulate (p < 0.05) the gene expression of tgf-ß in the head kidney and spleen of juvenile GIFT. In conclusion, dietary chitosan could mitigate the impact of cadmium stress on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, antioxidant capacity, immune response, inflammatory response, and related gene expression in juvenile GIFT. According to the analysis of second-order polynomial regression, it was found that the optimal dietary chitosan levels in juvenile GIFT was approximately 1.42% to 1.45%, based on its impact on Wf, WGR, SGR, and DGI.

Causal relationship between air pollution and infections: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Traditional observational studies exploring the association between air pollution and infections have been limited by small sample sizes and potential confounding factors. To address these limitations, we applied Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the potential causal relationships between particulate matter (PM2.5, PM2.5-10, and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, and nitrogen oxide and the risks of infections. Methods: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to air pollution were selected from the genome-wide association study (GWAS) of the UK Biobank. Publicly available summary data for infections were obtained from the FinnGen Biobank and the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) meta-analysis was used as the primary method for obtaining the Mendelian randomization (MR) estimates. Complementary analyses were performed using the weighted median method, MR-Egger method, and MR Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) test. Results: The fixed-effect IVW estimate showed that PM2.5, PM2.5-10 and Nitrogen oxides were suggestively associated with COVID-19 [for PM2.5: IVW (fe): OR 3.573(1.218,5.288), PIVW(fe) = 0.021; for PM2.5-10: IVW (fe): OR 2.940(1.385,6.239), PIVW(fe) = 0.005; for Nitrogen oxides, IVW (fe): OR 1.898(1.318,2.472), PIVW(fe) = 0.010]. PM2.5, PM2.5-10, PM10, and Nitrogen oxides were suggestively associated with bacterial pneumonia [for PM2.5: IVW(fe): OR 1.720 (1.007, 2.937), PIVW(fe) = 0.047; for PM2.5-10: IVW(fe): OR 1.752 (1.111, 2.767), P IVW(fe) = 0.016; for PM10: IVW(fe): OR 2.097 (1.045, 4.208), PIVW(fe) = 0.037; for Nitrogen oxides, IVW(fe): OR 3.907 (1.209, 5.987), PIVW(fe) = 0.023]. Furthermore, Nitrogen dioxide was suggestively associated with the risk of acute upper respiratory infections, while all air pollution were not associated with intestinal infections. Conclusions: Our results support a role of related air pollution in the Corona Virus Disease 2019, bacterial pneumonia and acute upper respiratory infections. More work is need for policy formulation to reduce the air pollution and the emission of toxic and of harmful gas.