Association between psychological resilience and all-cause mortality in the Health and Retirement Study.

BACKGROUND: Psychological resilience refers to an individual's ability to cope with and adapt to challenging life circumstances and events. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the association between psychological resilience and all-cause mortality in a national cohort of US older adults by a cross-sectional study. METHODS: The Health and Retirement Study (2006-2008) included 10 569 participants aged ≥50. Mortality outcomes were determined using records up to May 2021. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyse the associations between psychological resilience and all-cause mortality. Restricted cubic splines were applied to examine the association between psychological resilience and mortality risk. FINDINGS: During the follow-up period, 3489 all-cause deaths were recorded. The analysis revealed an almost linear association between psychological resilience and mortality risk. Higher levels of psychological resilience were associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality in models adjusting for attained age, sex, race and body mass index (HR=0.750 per 1 SD increase in psychological resilience; 95% CI 0.726, 0.775). This association remained statistically significant after further adjustment for self-reported diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and hypertension (HR=0.786; 95% CI 0.760, 0.813). The relationship persisted even after accounting for smoking and other health-related behaviours (HR=0.813; 95% CI 0.802, 0.860). CONCLUSIONS: This cohort study highlights the association between psychological resilience and all-cause mortality in older adults in the USA. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Psychological resilience emerges as a protective factor against mortality, emphasising its importance in maintaining health and well-being.

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in necrotic tumors after melanoma neoadjuvant anti-PD1 therapy correlate with pathological response and recurrence-free survival.

PURPOSE: Neoadjuvant anti-PD1 therapy in melanoma may increase tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and more TILs are associated with better treatment response. A major pathological response (MPR) in melanoma after neoadjuvant anti-PD1 therapy usually comprises tumor necrosis and fibrosis. The role of TILs in necrotic tumor necrosis (nTILs) has not been explored. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We performed CD3 and CD8 immunohistochemical stains on 41 melanomas with geographic necrosis. 14 were immunotherapy-naïve, and 27 had been treated with one dose of neoadjuvant anti-PD-1 in two clinical trials. CD3+ and CD8+ nTILs were graded as absent/minimal or moderate/brisk. The percentage of necrotic areas in the tumor bed before and after treatment was quantified. Endpoints were MPR and 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS). RESULTS: In the immunotherapy-naïve cohort, 3/14 (21%) specimens had moderate/brisk CD3+, and 2/14 (14%) had moderate/brisk CD8+ nTILs. In the treated cohort, 16/27 (59%) specimens had moderate/brisk CD3+, and 15/27 (56%) had moderate/brisk CD8+ nTILs, higher than the naïve cohort (CD3, p=0.046; CD8, p=0.018). Tumor necrosis was significantly increased after anti-PD1 therapy (p=0.007). In the treated cohort, moderate/brisk CD3+ and CD8+ nTILs correlated with MPR (p=0.042, p=0.019, respectively). Treated patients with moderate/brisk CD3+ nTILs had higher 5-year RFS than those with absent/minimal nTILs (69% versus 0%; p=0.006). This persisted on multivariate analysis (HR 0.16, 95% CI 0.03-0.84, p=0.03), adjusted for pathologic response, which was borderline significant (HR 0.26, 95% CI 0.07-1.01, p=0.051). CONCLUSIONS: CD3+ and CD8+ nTILs are associated with pathological response and 5-year RFS in melanoma patients after neoadjuvant anti-PD1 therapy.

Cation/anion-doping induced electronic structure modulation of CoMoO4 for enhanced hydrogen evolution.

The design and fabrication of high-performance, inexpensive and durable electrocatalyst toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is supremely significant for alleviating energy crisis and environmental concerns, but still remaining challenging. Herein, we develop an experimental work based on etching and reduction strategy to reveal the remarkable effect of cation/anion co-doping in CoMoO4 on its intrinsic HER activity. The CoMoO4 with Fe and B incorporation (Fe/B-CoMoO4) exhibits a current density of 10 mA cm-2 with strikingly low potential of 38 mV coupling with Tafel slope of 51 mV dec-1, and manifesting a robust durability for 100 h with no attenuation, which is comparable to the state-of-the-art commercial Pt/C catalyst. The collective experimental and theoretical findings concomitantly illustrate that the enhanced performances are due to the strong synergistic effect resulting from the co-doping of Fe and B, which plays a pivotal role in finely tuning the electronic structure of CoMoO4, further optimizing the adsorption free energy of H intermediates and shifting the center of the d-band of Fe/B-CoMoO4 away from the Fermi level. This fantastic work highlights the critical role of foreign element incorporating for optimizing electronic structure of transition metal oxides toward HER, and offers valuable guiding principles for rational design of more efficient energy conversion devices.

Efficiency evaluation, regional technological heterogeneity and determinant of total factor productivity change in China's healthcare system.

Enhancing efficiency and productivity in countries' healthcare systems is a global challenge. The Chinese government invested huge resources to improve the efficiency and productivity of the healthcare system across the country. To assess the success of the mission above, this research utilized DEA-SBM Meta frontier analysis alongside the Malmquist Productivity Index. These methodologies were employed to gauge Efficiency, production technology heterogeneity, and productivity of healthcare systems change across 31 mainland Chinese provinces and four distinct geographical regions throughout the study period spanning from 1997 to 2022. Results revealed that the mean efficiency score of China's healthcare system is 0.7672. It indicates a growth potential of 23.28 percent in the operational efficiency of healthcare systems. The eastern region's efficiency level (0.86917) is higher among all four regions. Zhejiang, Shandong, and Guangdong are the top three healthcare-efficiency performers. The technology gap ratio indicates that eastern regions witnessed a high TGR (0.9909), showing the country's attainment of superior healthcare technologies. Beijing, Guangdong, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Zhejiang witnessed higher TGR values among all 31 mainland Chinese provinces. The total factor productivity index of the healthcare system witnessed a slight growth of 0.33%, with an average MI score of 1.0033. Efficiency change (EC) was found to be the main determinant of TFPC as technology change TC is less than EC. Moreover, the MI score of the Western region (1.033) is higher than the corresponding Eastern, northeastern, and central regions. Guizhou, Anhui, and Yunnan were found to be the top three performers in TFPC growth. Finally, the Kruskal-Wallis test confirmed the statistically significant difference among 4 Chinese regions for the healthcare system's efficiency, TFPC, and TGR.

Sodium alginate-based indicator film with enhanced physicochemical properties induced by cellulose nanocrystals and monitor the freshness of chilled meat.

Intelligent indicator films with colorimetric pH indicator properties were developed, incorporating black soybean seed coat anthocyanin (BA), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), and sodium alginate (SA) to monitor meat freshness. The effect of different CNC additions on the microstructure, water barrier properties of the films, and BA release kinetics were comprehensively investigated. The results showed that with the increasement of CNC addition, the mechanical properties of SA/BA/CNC films were improved, the water contact angle significantly increased from 51.6° to 69°. Moreover, water solubility, vapor adsorption, and permeability significantly decreased, indicating enhanced water barrier properties. The release kinetic results showed that BA was released rapidly within 72 h and slowly thereafter, and its release process was described by Fick's model. Films with 7 % and 10 % CNC had lower BA diffusion coefficients. Their diffusions were formulated as linear regression equations (y = nx + a), where R2 was >0.80 and n was <0.50. Structural characterization showed that CNC immobilized BA mainly through hydrogen bonding, forming compact network microstructures with SA and BA. Meat freshness monitoring results showed that the film containing 7 % CNC showed visible color changes with increasing total volatile basic nitrogen and pH, along with low BA release, high water barrier and mechanical properties. Therefore, CNC has great potential for improving the physicochemical properties of indicator films, and the intelligent colorimetric indicator film could be applied to various food product.

Combination anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapy generates waves of clonal responses that include progenitor-exhausted CD8+ T cells.

Combination checkpoint blockade with anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies has shown promising efficacy in melanoma. However, the underlying mechanism in humans remains unclear. Here, we perform paired single-cell RNA and T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing across time in 36 patients with stage IV melanoma treated with anti-PD-1, anti-CTLA-4, or combination therapy. We develop the algorithm Cyclone to track temporal clonal dynamics and underlying cell states. Checkpoint blockade induces waves of clonal T cell responses that peak at distinct time points. Combination therapy results in greater magnitude of clonal responses at 6 and 9 weeks compared to single-agent therapies, including melanoma-specific CD8+ T cells and exhausted CD8+ T cell (TEX) clones. Focused analyses of TEX identify that anti-CTLA-4 induces robust expansion and proliferation of progenitor TEX, which synergizes with anti-PD-1 to reinvigorate TEX during combination therapy. These next generation immune profiling approaches can guide the selection of drugs, schedule, and dosing for novel combination strategies.

An explainable predictive model of direct pulp capping in carious mature permanent teeth.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a novel approach for predicting the personalized probability of success of DPC treatment in carious mature permanent teeth using explainable machine learning (ML) models. METHODS: Clinical data were obtained from our previous single-center retrospective study, comprising 393 carious mature permanent teeth from 372 patients who underwent DPC and attended 1-year follow-up between January 2015 and February 2021. Six ML models were derived based on 80 % cases of the cohort, with the remaining 20 % cases used for validation. Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) values were utilized to assess feature importance and the clinical relevance of prediction models. RESULTS: Within the cohort, 9.67 % (38 out of 393) of teeth experienced failure at the 1-year follow-up after DPC treatment. Among the six evaluated ML models, the XGBoost model exhibited the highest discriminative ability. By prioritizing features based on their importance, streamlined and interpretable XGBoost model with 11 features were developed for 1-year prognostication post-DPC. The model demonstrated predictive accuracy with area under the curve (AUC) scores of 0.86 for the 1-year prediction. The final model has been translated into a web application to facilitate clinical decision-making. CONCLUSION: By incorporating demographic and clinical examination data, the XGBoost model offered a user-friendly tool for dentists to predict personalized probability of success, thereby improving personalized dental care and patient counseling. The utilization of SHAP for model interpretation provided transparent insights into the decision-making process.

Unveiling potential sex-determining genes and sex-specific markers in autotetraploid Carassius auratus.

Autotetraploid Carassius auratus is a stable hereditary autotetraploid fish resulting from the hybridization of Carassius auratus red var. (RCC, ♀) × Megalobrama amblycephala (BSB, ♂), containing four sets of RCC chromosomes. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the determination of sex in this species remains largely unknown. Currently, there lacks a full understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing sex determination and specific molecular markers to differentiate sex in this species. In this study, 25,801,677 SNPs (Single-nucleotide polymorphism) and 6,210,306 Indels (insertion-deletion) were obtained from whole-genome resequencing of 100 individuals (including 50 female and 50 male). Further identification confirmed the candidate chromosomes as Chr46B, with the sex-determining region located at Chr46B: 22,500,000-22,800,000 bp. Based on the male-specific insertion (26 bp) within the candidate sex-determining region, a pair of sex-specific molecular markers has been identified. In addition, based on the screening of candidate sex-determining region genes and RT-qPCR validation analysis, ADAM10, AQP9 and tc1a were identified as candidate sex-determining genes. These findings provide a robust foundation for investigating sex determination mechanisms in fish, the evolution of sex chromosomes, and the development of monosex populations.

The Impact of a Multidisciplinary Experiential Training Model on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Healthcare Workers in Maternity Health Management: A Preliminary Study.

Background: Maternity health management has always been the area of concern and considering, and considering its complexity and multidisciplinary, it is necessary to provide effective training for healthcare workers. Purpose: To evaluate the impact of a multidisciplinary experiential training model on the knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare workers in maternity health management. Patients and Methods: We conducted a novel educational model, Multidisciplinary Maternity Health Experiential Training based on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (MMHET), which combined theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and human-centred humanistic care, offering a comprehensive offline education program supported by online teaching materials structured around knowledge graphs. Pre- and post-test surveys were used to assess the changes in participants' knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Results: From May to July 2023, a total of 322 participants attended the course, and only a small percentage had participated in experiential training. For all topics, the vast majority of participants endorsed the course, and the attitude content had the highest percentage of participants who said they agreed. Among the groups with different years of working life, the highest percentage of participants in the >20 years group strongly endorsed the course. Conclusion: The preliminary findings indicate that the MMHET model is well-received and feasible, demonstrating its potential to enhance maternity health management education.

ITPR1 variant-induced autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia in a Chinese family.

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a rare neurodegenerative disease prominently characterized by slowly progressive lower limb weakness and spasticity. The significant genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity of this disease makes its accurate diagnosis challenging. In this study, we identified the NM_001168272: c.2714A > G (chr3.hg19: g.4716912A > G, N905S) variant in the ITPR1 gene in a three-generation Chinese family with multiple individuals affected by HSP, which we believed to be associated with HSP pathogenesis. To confirm, we performed whole exome sequencing, copy number variant assays, dynamic mutation analysis of the entire family, and protein structure prediction. The variant identified in this study was in the coupling domain, and this is the first corroborated report assigning ITPR1 variants to HSP. These findings expand the clinical and genetic spectrum of HSP and provide important data for its genetic analysis and diagnosis.

Ammonia energy fraction effect on the combustion and reduced NOX emission of ammonia/diesel dual fuel.

With stringent regulations of internal combustion engine on reducing CO2 emission, ammonia has been used as an alternative fuel. Investigating how engine-related performance is affected by partial ammonia replacement of diesel fuel is essential for understanding the combustion. Therefore, in this study, a three-dimensional numerical simulation model is developed for the burning of two fuels of diesel and ammonia based on relevant parameters (i.e., compression ratio, load, ammonia energy fraction, etc.) in a lab-made diesel engine. The consequences of load and compression proportion on combustion and pollutant emissions are investigated for ammonia energy fractions between 50% and 90%. When the ammonia portion rises, the increased ammonia equivalent ratio causes ammonia to move away from the dilute combustion boundary and accelerates the combustion rate of ammonia. An increase in compression ratio significantly increases the specified thermal performance and combustion efficacy. When the compression ratio is 16, as the ammonia energy fractions increases, due to the increase in the proportion of ammonia, that is, the proportion of nitrogen atoms increases, more NOx is generated during the combustion process. When the ammonia substitution rate is 90%, as the compression ratio increases, the cylinder pressure and temperature increase. The combustion efficiency of ammonia increases, generating more NOx and NOx emissions can reach 0.66 mg/m3. At a compression ratio of 18, the NOx emissions can reach 1.59 mg/m3. However, under medium and low load conditions, as the ammonia fraction increases, the total energy of fuel decreases, and the combustion efficiency of ammonia decreases, resulting in a decrease in the heat released during combustion and a decrease in NOx emissions. When the ammonia substitution rate is 90% and the load is 25%, NOx emissions reach 0.1 mg/m3. This research provides theoretical suggestions for the profitable and use ammonia fuel in internal combustion engines in a clean manner.

A Pan-Cancer Patient-Derived Xenograft Histology Image Repository with Genomic and Pathologic Annotations Enables Deep Learning Analysis.

Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) model human intra- and intertumoral heterogeneity in the context of the intact tissue of immunocompromised mice. Histologic imaging via hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining is routinely performed on PDX samples, which could be harnessed for computational analysis. Prior studies of large clinical H&E image repositories have shown that deep learning analysis can identify intercellular and morphologic signals correlated with disease phenotype and therapeutic response. In this study, we developed an extensive, pan-cancer repository of >1,000 PDX and paired parental tumor H&E images. These images, curated from the PDX Development and Trial Centers Research Network Consortium, had a range of associated genomic and transcriptomic data, clinical metadata, pathologic assessments of cell composition, and, in several cases, detailed pathologic annotations of neoplastic, stromal, and necrotic regions. The amenability of these images to deep learning was highlighted through three applications: (i) development of a classifier for neoplastic, stromal, and necrotic regions; (ii) development of a predictor of xenograft-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder; and (iii) application of a published predictor of microsatellite instability. Together, this PDX Development and Trial Centers Research Network image repository provides a valuable resource for controlled digital pathology analysis, both for the evaluation of technical issues and for the development of computational image-based methods that make clinical predictions based on PDX treatment studies. Significance: A pan-cancer repository of >1,000 patient-derived xenograft hematoxylin and eosin-stained images will facilitate cancer biology investigations through histopathologic analysis and contributes important model system data that expand existing human histology repositories.

Hepatic encephalopathy post-TIPS: Current status and prospects in predictive assessment.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an essential procedure for the treatment of portal hypertension but can result in hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a serious complication that worsens patient outcomes. Investigating predictors of HE after TIPS is essential to improve prognosis. This review analyzes risk factors and compares predictive models, weighing traditional scores such as Child-Pugh, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD), and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) against emerging artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. While traditional scores provide initial insights into HE risk, they have limitations in dealing with clinical complexity. Advances in machine learning (ML), particularly when integrated with imaging and clinical data, offer refined assessments. These innovations suggest the potential for AI to significantly improve the prediction of post-TIPS HE. The study provides clinicians with a comprehensive overview of current prediction methods, while advocating for the integration of AI to increase the accuracy of post-TIPS HE assessments. By harnessing the power of AI, clinicians can better manage the risks associated with TIPS and tailor interventions to individual patient needs. Future research should therefore prioritize the development of advanced AI frameworks that can assimilate diverse data streams to support clinical decision-making. The goal is not only to more accurately predict HE, but also to improve overall patient care and quality of life.

Japanese spotted fever complicated with pleural effusion in Zhejiang province, China: a case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Japanese spotted fever (JSF) mainly occurs in Japan; however, it has been increasingly reported in China. JSF is typically characterized by fever, rash, and eschar, in addition to non-specific symptoms. Yet, reports on the pulmonary indicators in JSF are limited. Herein, we report an unusual case of JSF associated with pleural effusion and pneumonia, in which the pathogen was identified via blood next-generation sequencing (NGS). CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 33-year-old woman who presented with fever for five days, rash for two days, and myalgia, fatigue, and edema for one day. She had recently been on vacation when an unknown insect bit her. The doctors at the local primary hospital considered a bacterial infection and administered dexamethasone, ceftriaxone, indomethacin, and anti-allergy agents, but the symptoms persisted. A rash without pruritus or pain developed gradually over the entire body and face. We considered rickettsial infection and administered doxycycline and levofloxacin. Metagenomic NGS from blood confirmed the presence of Rickettsia japonica (R. japonica). Abdominal computed tomography revealed bilateral pleural effusion with two atelectasis; patchy shadows with blurred edges, and uniform enhancement in both lower lungs. After several days of treatment, the symptoms and laboratory results improved. A literature review of the epidemiology of R. japonica and JSF in China, characteristics of JSF, and related pulmonary changes, and technology to diagnose JSF is provided. CONCLUSIONS: JSF has a variety of symptoms and is becoming increasingly popular in China. Clinical doctors need to identify it carefully.

Low-dose anti-thymocyte globulin plus low-dose posttransplant cyclophosphamide-based regimen for prevention of graft-versus-host disease in haploidentical peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies.

The low-dose anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) plus low-dose post transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) -based (low-dose ATG/PTCy-based) regimen had a promising activity in preventing of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in adult patients. However, its efficacy in pediatric patients remain to be defined. Here, we presented the findings from 35 pediatric patients undergoing haploidentical peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (haplo-PBSCT) with the new regimen for GVHD prophylaxis. The cumulative incidences (CIs) of grades II-III and III-IV acute GVHD (aGVHD) were 34% (95% CI, 17-48%) and 11% (95% CI, 0-21%) within 180 days post-transplantation, respectively. The CIs of chronic GVHD (cGVHD) and moderate-to-severe cGVHD within 2 years were 26% (95% CI, 7-41%) and 12% (95% CI, 0-25%), respectively. The 2-year probabilities of overall survival, relapse-free survival, and graft-versus-host disease and relapse-free survival were 89% (95% CI, 78-100%), 82% (95% CI, 68-98%) and 59% (95% CI, 43-80%), respectively. The CIs of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation by day 180 were 37% (95% CI, 19-51%) and 20% (95% CI, 6-32%) respectively. These results strongly advocate for the efficacy of the low-dose ATG/PTCy-based regimen as a robust strategy for GVHD prevention in haplo-PBSCT for pediatric patients.

Exploring laser-induced acute and chronic retinal vein occlusion mouse models: Development, temporal in vivo imaging, and application perspectives.

Photodynamic venous occlusion is a commonly accepted method for establishing mouse models of retinal vein occlusion (RVO). However, existing model parameters do not distinguish between acute and chronic RVO subtypes. Large variations in laser energy seem to correlate with fluctuating retinopathy severity and high rates of venous recanalization during the acute phase, along with the variable levels of retinal perfusion during the chronic phase. After optimizing the modeling procedure and defining success and exclusion criteria, laser energy groups of 80mW, 100mW, and 120mW were established. Multimodal imaging confirmed that higher energy levels increased the incidence of retinal cystoid edema and intraretinal hemorrhage, exacerbated the severity of exudative retinal detachment, and reduced the venous recanalization rate. For the acute model, 100mW was considered an appropriate parameter for balancing moderate retinopathy and venous recanalization. Continuous imaging follow-up revealed that day 1 after RVO was the optimal observation point for peaking of retinal thickness and intensive occurrence of retinal cystic edema and intraretinal hemorrhage. After excluding the influence of venous recanalization on retinal thickness, acute retinal edema demonstrated a positive response to standard anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, validating the clinical relevance of the acute RVO model for further study in pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic efficacy. For the chronic model, the 120mW parameter with the lowest venous recanalization rate was applied, accompanied by an increase in both photocoagulation shots and range to ensure sustained vein occlusion. Imaging follow-up clarified non-ischemic retinopathy characterized by tortuosity and dilation of the distal end, branches, and adjacent veins of the occluded vein. These morphological changes are quantifiable and could be combined with electrophysiological functional assessment for treatment effectiveness evaluation. Moreover, the stable state of venous occlusion may facilitate investigations into response and compensation mechanisms under conditions of chronic retinal hypoperfusion.

Cellular Senescence in Acute Liver Injury: What Happens to the Young Liver?

Cellular senescence, characterized by irreversible cell cycle arrest, not only exists in age-related physiological states, but has been found to exist in various diseases. It plays a crucial role in both physiological and pathological processes and has become a trending topic in global research in recent years. Acute liver injury (ALI) has a high incidence worldwide, and recent studies have shown that hepatic senescence can be induced following ALI. Therefore, we reviewed the significance of cellular senescence in ALI. To minimize the potential confounding effects of aging on cellular senescence and ALI outcomes, we selected studies involving young individuals to identify the characteristics of senescent cells, the value of cellular senescence in liver repair, its regulation mechanisms in ALI, its potential as a biomarker for ALI, the prospect of treatment, and future research directions.

Longitudinal dynamic single-cell mass cytometry analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in COVID-19 patients within 6 months after viral RNA clearance.

This study investigates the longitudinal dynamic changes in immune cells in COVID-19 patients over an extended period after recovery, as well as the interplay between immune cells and antibodies. Leveraging single-cell mass spectrometry, we selected six COVID-19 patients and four healthy controls, dissecting the evolving landscape within six months post-viral RNA clearance, alongside the levels of anti-spike protein antibodies. The T cell immunophenotype ascertained via single-cell mass spectrometry underwent validation through flow cytometry in 37 samples. Our findings illuminate that CD8 + T cells, gamma-delta (gd) T cells, and NK cells witnessed an increase, in contrast to the reduction observed in monocytes, B cells, and double-negative T (DNT) cells over time. The proportion of monocytes remained significantly elevated in COVID-19 patients compared to controls even after six-month. Subpopulation-wise, an upsurge manifested within various T effector memory subsets, CD45RA + T effector memory, gdT, and NK cells, whereas declines marked the populations of DNT, naive and memory B cells, and classical as well as non-classical monocytes. Noteworthy associations surfaced between DNT, gdT, CD4 + T, NK cells, and the anti-S antibody titer. This study reveals the changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of COVID-19 patients within 6 months after viral RNA clearance and sheds light on the interactions between immune cells and antibodies. The findings from this research contribute to a better understanding of immune transformations during the recovery from COVID-19 and offer guidance for protective measures against reinfection in the context of viral variants.

The longitudinal trajectory of CSF sTREM2: the alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative.

BACKGROUND: The soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is considered a biomarker of microglia activity. The objective of this study was to investigate the trajectory of CSF sTREM2 levels over time and examine its association with sex. METHODS: A total of 1,017 participants from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Study (ADNI) with at least one CSF sTREM2 record were included. The trajectory of CSF sTREM2 was analyzed using a growth curve model. The association between CSF sTREM2 levels and sex was assessed using linear mixed-effect models. RESULTS: CSF sTREM2 levels were increased with age over time (P < 0.0001). No significant sex difference was observed in sTREM2 levels across the entire sample; however, among the APOE ε4 allele carriers, women exhibited significantly higher sTREM2 levels than men (ß = 0.146, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the association between CSF sTREM2 levels and age-related increments, underscoring the potential influence of aging on sTREM2 dynamics. Furthermore, our observations indicate a noteworthy association between sex and CSF sTREM2 levels, particularly in individuals carrying the APOE ε4 allele.

Experimental and Quantum Chemical Calculations on the High-Efficiency Transesterification of Dimethyl Carbonate with Alcohol Catalyzed by Calcium Oxide.

Typical catalysts used in dimethyl carbonate (DMC) transesterification encounter challenges in terms of environmental sustainability and economic viability. Calcium oxide (CaO), being an environmentally friendly and cost-effective catalyst, exhibits favorable compatibility with the criteria above. It has been conclusively demonstrated that CaO performs high efficiency as a catalyst for the transesterification between alcohols and DMC. The optimal conditions for the CaO-catalyzed transesterification of DMC and 1-octanol were determined (90 °C, 17 h, and CaO/1-octanol/DMC molar ratio = 0.3:1.0:40.0), under which the conversion of 1-octanol reaches 98.3%, while the yield and selectivity of methyl octyl carbonate are 98.1 and 99.9%, and CaO has been proven to have the efficient ability to be recycled three times. Meanwhile, the CaO-catalyzed reaction mechanism of the transesterification of DMC with alcohol is illustrated in the quantum chemical method based on the M06-2X functional, and the structures of the corresponding transition states are simultaneously derived. The activation energy barrier is proven to be effectively decreased by the catalytic effect of CaO. In addition, the electrostatic potential diagram verifies the proposed reaction sites. This research constructs the theoretical basis for CaO-based DMC chemistry and expands the green catalysts available for the synthesis of dialkyl carbonates.