Identification of mycoplasma pneumonia in children based on fusion of multi-modal clinical free-text description and structured test data.

Mycoplasma pneumonia may lead to hospitalizations and pose life-threatening risks in children. The automated identification of mycoplasma pneumonia from electronic medical records holds significant potential for improving the efficiency of hospital resource allocation. In this study, we proposed a novel method for identifying mycoplasma pneumonia by integrating multi-modal features derived from both free-text descriptions and structured test data in electronic medical records. Our approach begins with the extraction of free-text and structured data from clinical records through a systematic preprocessing pipeline. Subsequently, we employ a pre-trained transformer language model to extract features from the free-text, while multiple additive regression trees are used to transform features from the structured data. An attention-based fusion mechanism is then applied to integrate these multi-modal features for effective classification. We validated our method using clinic records of 7157 patients, retrospectively collected for training and testing purposes. The experimental results demonstrate that our proposed multi-modal fusion approach achieves significant improvements over other methods across four key performance metrics.

Revealing the reconstruction mechanism of AgPd nanoalloys under fluorination based on a multiscale deep learning potential.

The design of heterogeneous catalysts generally involves optimizing the reactivity descriptor of adsorption energy, which is inevitably governed by the structure of surface-active sites. A prerequisite for understanding the structure-properties relationship is the precise identification of real surface-active site structures, rather than relying on conceived structures derived from bulk alloy properties. However, it remains a formidable challenge due to the dynamic nature of nanoalloys during catalytic reactions and the lack of accurate and efficient interatomic potentials for simulations. Herein, a generalizable deep-learning potential for the Ag-Pd-F system is developed based on a dataset encompassing the bulk, surface, nanocluster, amorphous, and point defected configurations with diverse compositions to achieve a comprehensive description of interatomic interactions, facilitating precise prediction of adsorption energy, surface energy, formation energy, and diffusion energy barrier and is utilized to investigate the structural evolutions of AgPd nanoalloys during fluorination. The structural evolutions involve the inward diffusion of F, the outward diffusion of Ag in Ag@Pd nanoalloys, the formation of surface AgFx species in mixed and Janus AgPd nanoalloys, and the shape deformation from cuboctahedron to sphere in Ag and Pd@Ag nanoalloys. Moreover, the effects of atomic diffusion and dislocation formation and migration on the reconstructing pathway of nanoalloys are highlighted. It is demonstrated that the stress relaxation upon F adsorption serves as the intrinsic driving factor governing the surface reconstruction of AgPd nanoalloys.

Circularly Polarized Room Temperature Phosphorescence through Twisting-induced Helical Structures from Polyvinyl Alcohol-based Fibers Containing Hydrogen-bonded Dyes.

Room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials have garnered significant attention owing to its distinctive optical characteristics and broad range of potential applications. However, the challenge remains in producing RTP materials with more simplicity, versatility, and practicality on a large scale, particularly in achieving chiral signals within a single system. Herein, we show that a straightforward and effective combination of wet spinning and twisting technique enables continuously fabricating RTP fibers with twisting-induced helical chirality. By leveraging the hydrogen bonding interactions between polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and quinoline derivatives, along with the rigid microenvironment provided by PVA chains, typically, Q-NH2@PVA fiber demonstrates outstanding phosphorescent characteristics with RTP lifetime of 1.08 s and phosphorescence quantum yield of 24.6%, and the improved tensile strength being 1.7 times than pure PVA fiber (172 ± 5.82 vs 100 ± 5.65 MPa). Impressively, the transformation from RTP to circularly polarized room temperature phosphorescence (CP-RTP) is readily achieved by imparting left- or right-hand helical structure through simply twisting, enabling large-scale production of chiral Q-NH2@PVA fiber with dissymmetry factor of 10-2. Besides, an array of displays and encryption patterns are crafted by weaving or seaming to exemplify the promising applications of these PVA-based fibers with outstanding adaptivity in cutting-edge anti-counterfeiting technology.

Cell-specific localization of ß-synuclein in the mouse retina.

ß-synuclein, a member of the synuclein family, is frequently co-expressed with α-synuclein in the neural system, where it serves to inhibit abnormal aggregation of α-synuclein in neurodegenerative diseases. Beyond its role in pathological conditions, ß-synuclein plays various functions independently of α-synuclein. In our investigation, we discovered a broader expression of ß-synuclein in the mouse retina compared to α-synuclein. This widespread pattern implies its potential significance in the retina. Through detailed examination via light- and electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry, we identified ß-synuclein expression from the inner segment (IS) and outer segment (OS) of photoreceptor cells to the ganglion cell layer (GCL). Our findings unveiled unique features, including ß-synuclein immunoreactive IS and OS of cones, higher expression in cone pedicles than in rod spherules, absence in horizontal cells, limited expression in cone bipolar dendrites and somas, higher expression in cone bipolar terminals, presence in most amacrine cells, and expression in almost majority of somas in GCL with an absence in intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell (ipRGCs) processes. Notably, all cholinergic amacrine cells express high ß- but not α-synuclein, while dopaminergic amacrine cells express α-synuclein exclusively. These distinctive expression patterns offer valuable insights for further exploration into the functions of ß-synuclein and its potential role in synuclein pathology within the retina.

Sediment resuspension as a driving force for organic carbon transference and rebalance in marginal seas.

The transfer of particulate organic carbon (POC) to dissolved organic carbon (DOC; OC transferP-D) is crucial for the marine carbon cycle. Sediment resuspension driven by hydrodynamic forcing can affect the burial of sedimentary POC and benthic biological processes in marginal sea. However, the role of sediment grain size fraction on OC transferP-D and the subsequent impact on OC cycling remain unknown. Here, we conduct sediment resuspension simulations by resuspending grain-size fractionated sediments (< 20, 20-63, and > 63 µm) into filtered seawater, combined with analyses of OC content, optical characteristics, 13C and 14C isotope compositions, and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate OC transferP-D and its regulations on OC bioavailability under sediment resuspension. Our results show that the relative intensities of terrestrial humic-like OC (refractory DOC) increase in resuspension experiments of < 20, 20-63, and > 63 µm sediments by 0.14, 0.01, and 0.03, respectively, likely suggesting that sediment resuspension drives refractory DOC transfer into seawater. The variations in the relative intensities of microbial protein-like DOC are linked to the change of terrestrial humic-like OC, accompanied by higher DOC content and reactivity in seawater, particularly in finer sediments resuspension experiments. This implies that transferred DOC likely fuels microbial growth, contributing to the subsequent enhancement of DOC bioavailability in seawater. Our results also show that the POC contents increase by 0.35 %, 0.66 %, and 0.93 % in < 20, 20-63, and > 63 µm resuspension experiments at the end of incubation, respectively. This suggests that the re-absorption of OC on particles may be a significant process, but previously unrecognized during sediment resuspension. Overall, our findings suggest that sediment resuspension promotes the OC transferP-D, and the magnitudes of OC transferP-D further influence the DOC and POC properties by inducing microbial production and respiration. These processes significantly affect the dynamics and recycling of biological carbon pump in shallow marginal seas.

Superhalide-Anion-Motivator Reforming-Enabled Bipolar Manipulation toward Longevous Energy-Type Zn||Chalcogen Batteries.

Neutrophilic superhalide-anion-triggered chalcogen conversion-based Zn batteries, despite latent high-energy merit, usually suffer from a short lifespan caused by dendrite growth and shuttle effect. Here, a superhalide-anion-motivator reforming strategy is initiated to simultaneously manipulate the anode interface and Se conversion intermediates, realizing a bipolar regulation toward longevous energy-type Zn batteries. With ZnF2 chaotropic additives, the original large-radii superhalide zincate anion species in ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes are split into small F-containing species, boosting the formation of robust solid electrolyte interphases (SEI) for Zn dendrite inhibition. Simultaneously, ion radius reduced multiple F-containing Se conversion intermediates form, enhancing the interion interaction of charged products to suppress the shuttle effect. Consequently, Zn||Se batteries deliver a ca. 20-fold prolonged lifespan (2000 cycles) at 1 A g-1 and high energy/power density of 416.7 Wh kgSe-1/1.89 kW kgSe-1, outperforming those in F-free counterparts. Pouch cells with distinct plateaus and durable cyclability further substantiate the practicality of this design.

Genome-wide characterization, transcriptome profiling, and functional analysis of the ALMT gene family in Medicago for aluminum resistance.

Aluminum (Al) is the major limiting factor affecting plant productivity in acidic soils. Al3+ ions exhibit increased solubility at a pH below 5, leading to plant root tip toxicity. Alternatively, plants can perceive very low concentrations of Al3+, and Al triggers downstream signaling even at pH 5.7 without causing Al toxicity. The ALUMINUM-ACTIVATED-MALATE-TRANSPORTER (ALMT) family members act as anion channels, with some regulating the secretion of malate from root apices to chelate Al, which is a crucial mechanism for plant Al resistance. To date, the role of the ALMT gene family within the legume Medicago species has not been fully characterized. In this study, we investigated the ALMT gene family in M. sativa and M. truncatula and identified 68 MsALMTs and 18 MtALMTs, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis classified these genes into five clades, and synteny analysis uncovered genuine paralogs and orthologs. The real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed that MtALMT8, MtALMT9, and MtALMT15 in clade 2-2b are expressed in both roots and root nodules, and MtALMT8 and MtALMT9 are significantly upregulated by Al in root tips. We also observed that MtALMT8 and MtALMT9 can partially restore the Al sensitivity of Atalmt1 in Arabidopsis. Moreover, transcriptome analysis examined the expression patterns of these genes in M. sativa in response to Al at both pH 5.7 and pH 4.6, as well as to protons, and found that Al and protons can independently induce some Al-resistance genes. Overall, our findings indicate that MtALMT8 and MtALMT9 may play a role in Al resistance, and highlight the resemblance between the ALMT genes in Medicago species and those in Arabidopsis.

Fate and mitigation of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes in microbial fuel cell and coupled systems.

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs), known for their low energy consumption, high efficiency, and environmental friendliness, have been widely utilized for removing antibiotics from wastewater. Compared to conventional wastewater treatment methods, MFCs produce less sludge while exhibiting superior antibiotic removal capacity, effectively reducing the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). This study investigates 1) the mechanisms of ARGs generation and proliferation in MFCs; 2) the influencing factors on the fate and removal of antibiotics and ARGs; and 3) the fate and mitigation of ARGs in MFC and MFC-coupled systems. It is indicated that high removal efficiency of antibiotics and minimal amount of sludge production contribute the mitigation of ARGs in MFCs. Influencing factors, such as cathode potential, electrode materials, salinity, initial antibiotic concentration, and additional additives, can lead to the selection of tolerant microbial communities, thereby affecting the abundance of ARGs carried by various microbial hosts. Integrating MFCs with other wastewater treatment systems can synergistically enhance their performance, thereby improving the overall removal efficiency of ARGs. Moreover, challenges and future directions for mitigating the spread of ARGs using MFCs are suggested.

A Methylation-Gated DNAzyme Circuit for Spatially Controlled Imaging of MicroRNA in Cells and Animals.

Epigenetic modification plays an indispensable role in regulating routine molecular signaling pathways, yet it is rarely used to modulate molecular self-assembly networks. Herein, we constructed a bioorthogonal demethylase-stimulated DNA circuitry (DSC) system for high-fidelity imaging of microRNA (miRNA) in live cells and mice by eliminating undesired off-site signal leakage. The simple and robust DSC system is composed of a primary cell-specific circuitry regulation (CR) module and an ultimate signal-transducing amplifier (SA) module. After the modularly designed DSC system was delivered into target live cells, the DNAzyme of the CR module was site-specifically activated by endogenous demethylase to produce fuel strands for the subsequent miRNA-targeting SA module. Through the on-site and multiply guaranteed molecular recognitions, the lucid yet efficient DSC system realized the reliably amplified in vivo miRNA sensing and enabled the in-depth exploration of the demethylase-involved signal pathway with miRNA in live cells. Our bioorthogonally on-site-activated DSC system represents a universal and versatile biomolecular sensing platform via various demethylase regulations and shows more prospects for more different personalized theragnostics.

Comparative transcriptome analysis between two different cadmium-accumulating genotypes of soybean (Glycine max) in response to cadmium stress.

BACKGROUND: Cadmium (Cd) is extremely toxic and non-essential for plants. Different soybean varieties differ greatly in their Cd accumulation ability, but little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. RESULTS: Here, we performed transcriptomic analysis using Illumina pair-end sequencing on root tissues from two soybean varieties (su8, high-Cd-accumulating (HAS) and su7, low Cd-accumulating (LAS)) grown with 0 or 50 µM CdSO4. A total of 18.76 million clean reads from the soybean root samples were obtained after quality assessment and data filtering. After Cd treatment, 739 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; 265 up and 474 down) were found in HAS; however, only 259 DEGs (88 up and 171 down) were found in LAS, and 64 genes were same between the two varieties. Pathway enrichment analysis suggested that after cadmium treatment, the DEGs between LAS and HAS were mainly enriched in glutathione metabolism and plant-pathogen interaction pathways. KEGG analysis showed that phenylalanine metabolism responding to cadmium stress in LAS, while ABC transporters responding to cadmium stress in HAS. Besides we found more differential expressed heavy metal transporters such as ABC transporters and zinc transporters in HAS than LAS, and there were more transcription factors differently expressed in HAS than LAS after cadmium treatment in two soybean varieties, eg. bHLH transcription factor, WRKY transcription factor and ZIP transcription factor. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study will shed new insights on the underlying molecular mechanisms behind the Cd accumulation in soybean.

An Artificial Intelligence-Driven Approach for Automatic Evaluation of Right-to-Left Shunt Grades in Saline-Contrasted Transthoracic Echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Intracardiac or pulmonary right-to-left shunt (RLS) is a common cardiac anomaly associated with an increased risk of neurological disorders, specifically cryptogenic stroke. Saline-contrasted transthoracic echocardiography (scTTE) is often used for RLS diagnosis. However, the identification of saline microbubbles in the left heart can be challenging for novice residents, potentially leading to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we proposed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithm designed to automatically detect microbubbles in scTTE images and evaluate right-to-left shunt grades. This tool aims to support residency training and decrease the workload of cardiologists. METHODS: A dataset of 23,665 scTTE images obtained from 174 individuals was included in this study. This dataset was partitioned into a training set (n = 20,475) and an internal validation set (n = 3,190) on a patient-level basis. An additional cohort of 33 patients diagnosed with cryptogenic ischemic stroke was enrolled as an external validation set. The proposed algorithm for right-to-left shunt degree classification employed the EfficientNet-b4 model, and the model's performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity, and compared to the performance of residents. RESULTS: Our AI model demonstrated robust performance with an accuracy of 0.926, sensitivity of 0.827, and specificity of 0.951 on the internal testing dataset. In the external validation set, our AI model exhibited diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.864, 0.818, and 0.909, respectively. In comparison, residents achieved values of 0.727, 0.636, and 0.818, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our AI model provides a swift, precise, and easily deployable methodology for grading the degree of right-to-left shunt in scTTE, carrying substantial implications for routine clinical practice. Residents can benefit from our artificial intelligence-based algorithm, enhancing both the accuracy and efficiency of RLS diagnosis.

Hybrid Water-Harvesting Channels Delivering Wide-Range and Supersensitive Passive Fluorescence Humidity Sensors.

The development of optical humidity detection has been of considerable interest in highly integrated wearable electronics and packaged equipment. However, improving their capacities for color recognition at ultralow humidity and response-recovery rate remains a significant challenge. Herein, we propose a type of hybrid water-harvesting channel to construct brand-new passive fluorescence humidity sensors (PFHSs). Specifically, the hybrid water-harvesting channels involve porous metal-organic frameworks and a hydrophilic poly(acrylic acid) network that can capture water vapors from the ambient environment even at ultralow humidity, into which polar-responsive aggregation-induced emission molecules are doped to impart humidity-sensitive luminescence colors. As a result, the PFHSs exhibit clearly defined fluorescence signals within 0-98% RH coupling with desirable performances such as a fast response rate, precise quantitative feedback, and durable reversibility. Given the flexible processability of this system, we further upgrade the porous structure via electrostatic spinning to furnish a kind of Nano-PFHSs, demonstrating an impressive response time (<100 ms). Finally, we validate the promising applications of these sensors in electronic humidity monitoring and successfully fabricate a portable and rapid humidity indicator card.

Effectiveness of the acute stroke care map program in reducing in-hospital delay for acute ischemic stroke in a Chinese urban area: an interrupted time series analysis.

Background: Timely intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is crucial for improving outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Acute Stroke Care Map (ASCaM) initiative in Shenyang, aimed at reducing door-to-needle times (DNT) and thus improving the timeliness of care for AIS patients. Methods: An retrospective cohort study was conducted from April 2019 to December 2021 in 30 hospitals participating in the ASCaM initiative in Shenyang. The ASCaM bundle included strategies such as EMS prenotification, rapid stroke triage, on-call stroke neurologists, immediate neuroimaging interpretation, and the innovative Pre-hospital Emergency Call and Location Identification feature. An interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) was used to assess the impact of ASCaM on DNT, comparing 9 months pre-intervention with 24 months post-intervention. Results: Data from 9,680 IVT-treated ischemic stroke patients were analyzed, including 2,401 in the pre-intervention phase and 7,279 post-intervention. The ITSA revealed a significant reduction in monthly DNT by -1.12 min and a level change of -5.727 min post-ASCaM implementation. Conclusion: The ASCaM initiative significantly reduced in-hospital delays for AIS patients, demonstrating its effectiveness as a comprehensive stroke care improvement strategy in urban settings. These findings highlight the potential of coordinated care interventions to enhance timely access to reperfusion therapies and overall stroke prognosis.

Multifunctional Drug- and AuNRs-Loaded ROS-Responsive Selenium-Containing Polyurethane Nanofibers for Smart Wound Healing.

Elevated levels of ROS, bacterial infection, inflammation, and improper regeneration are the factors that need to be addressed simultaneously for achieving effective wound healing without scar formation. This study focuses on the fabrication of electrospun ROS-responsive selenium-containing polyurethane nanofibers incorporating deferoxamine mesylate (Def), indomethacin (Indo), and gold nanorods (AuNRs) as proangiogenesis, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial agents for synchronized delivery to a full-thickness wound in vivo. The structure of the fabricated nanofibers was analyzed by various techniques. Toxicity was checked by CCK-8 and hemolytic assays. The efficiency of wound healing in vitro was verified by a transwell assay and cell scratch assay. The wound healing efficiency of the nanofibers was assayed in full-thickness wounds in a rat model. The multifunctional nanofibers had a porous structure, enhanced antioxidation, antibacterial activity, and promoted wound healing. They eradicated TNF-α and IL-6, increased IL-10 expression, and revealed the angiogenic potential by increased expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, and CD31.

Correlation between small-cell lung cancer serum protein/peptides determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and chemotherapy efficacy.

BACKGROUND: Currently, no effective measures are available to predict the curative efficacy of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) chemotherapy. We expect to develop a method for effectively predicting the SCLC chemotherapy efficacy and prognosis in clinical practice in order to offer more pertinent therapeutic protocols for individual patients. METHODS: We adopted matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and ClinPro Tools system to detect serum samples from 154 SCLC patients with different curative efficacy of standard chemotherapy and analyze the different peptides/proteins of SCLC patients to discover predictive tumor markers related to chemotherapy efficacy. Ten peptide/protein peaks were significantly different in the two groups. RESULTS: A genetic algorithm model consisting of four peptides/proteins was developed from the training group to separate patients with different chemotherapy efficacies. Among them, three peptides/proteins (m/z 3323.35, 6649.03 and 6451.08) showed high expression in the disease progression group, whereas the peptide/protein at m/z 4283.18 was highly expressed in the disease response group. The classifier exhibited an accuracy of 91.4% (53/58) in the validation group. The survival analysis showed that the median progression-free survival (PFS) of 30 SCLC patients in disease response group was 9.0 months; in 28 cases in disease progression group, the median PFS was 3.0 months, a statistically significant difference (χ2 = 46.98, P < 0.001). The median overall survival (OS) of the two groups was 13.0 months and 7.0 months, a statistically significant difference (χ2 = 40.64, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These peptides/proteins may be used as potential biological markers for prediction of the curative efficacy and prognosis for SCLC patients treated with standard regimen chemotherapy.

Heat-moisture treatment can modulate all-purpose wheat flour for short dough biscuit making: Evidences and mechanism.

In view of the merits of all-purpose wheat flour (APWF) to soft wheat flour (SWF) in cost and protein supply, the feasibility of heat-moisture treatment (HMT, 19% moisture for 1 h at 60, 80 and 100 °C, respectively) to modify APWF as a substitute SWF in making short dough biscuits was explored. For underlying mechanisms, on the one hand, HMT reduced the hydration capacity of damaged starch particles by coating them with denatured proteins. On the other hand, HMT at 80 °C and 100 °C significantly denatured gluten proteins to form protein aggregates, highly weakening the gluten network in dough. These two aspects jointly conferred APWF dough with higher deformability and therefore significantly improved the qualities of biscuits. Moreover, the qualities of biscuits from APWF upon HMT-100 °C were largely comparable to that from SWF, even higher values were concluded in spread ratio, volume, specific volume and consumer acceptance.

Dietary intake changes the associations between long-term exposure to fine particulate matter and the surrogate indicators of insulin resistance.

The relationship of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and insulin resistance remains inclusive. Our study aimed to investigate this association in the project of Prediction for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in China (China-PAR). Specifically, we examined the associations between long-term PM2.5 exposure and three surrogate indicators of insulin resistance: the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), TyG with waist circumference (TyG-WC) and metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR). Additionally, we explored potential effect modification of dietary intake and components. Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate the associations between PM2.5 and the indicators with an unbalanced repeated measurement design. Our analysis incorporated a total of 162,060 observations from 99,329 participants. Each 10 µg/m3 increment of PM2.5 was associated with an increase of 0.22 % [95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.20 %, 0.25 %], 1.60 % (95 % CI: 1.53 %, 1.67 %), and 2.05 % (95 % CI: 1.96 %, 2.14 %) in TyG, TyG-WC, and METS-IR, respectively. These associations were attenuated among participants with a healthy diet, particularly those with sufficient intake of fruit and vegetable, fish or tea (pinteraction < 0.0028). For instance, among participants with a healthy diet, TyG increased by 0.11 % (95 % CI: 0.08 %, 0.15 %) per 10 µg/m3 PM2.5 increment, significantly lower than the association observed in those with an unhealthy diet. The findings of this study emphasize the potential of a healthy diet to mitigate these associations, highlighting the urgency for improving air quality and implementing dietary interventions among susceptible populations in China.