Agricultural management practices in China enhance nitrogen sustainability and benefit human health.

The potential of enhanced agricultural management practices to drive sustainability is rarely quantified at grassroots level. Here we analyse nitrogen use and loss in Chinese cropland, drawing from data collected in 2,238,550 sites in two national agricultural pollution source censuses from 2007 to 2017. We find an upswing of 10% in crop yields and an 8% reduction in nitrogen pollution during this period, owing to the promotion and adoption of various management practices (including the combination of organic and chemical fertilizers, straw recycling and deep placement of fertilizer). These practices have collectively contributed to an 18% increase in nitrogen use efficiency in the country. By fully embracing them, we project that annual cropland pollution could be further reduced by up to 1.4 Mt of nitrogen without compromising crop yields. Environmental and human health benefits are projected to consistently outweigh implementation costs in the future, with total benefits reaching US$15 billion.

Prognostic value of growth differentiation factor-15 in heart failure among whole ejection fraction phenotypes.

AIMS: The utility of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) in predicting long-term adverse outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients is not well established. This study explored the relationship between GDF-15 levels and adverse outcomes in HF patients across various ejection fraction (EF) phenotypes associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) and evaluated the added prognostic value of incorporating GDF-15 into the Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure (MAGGIC) risk score-based model. METHODS AND RESULTS: This single-centre cohort study included 823 HF patients, categorized into 230 (27.9%) reduced EF (HFrEF), 271 (32.9%) mid-range EF (HFmrEF), and 322 (39.1%) preserved EF (HFpEF) groups. The median age was 68.0 years (range: 56.0-77.0), and 245 (29.8%) were females. Compared with the HFrEF and HFmrEF groups, the HFpEF group had a higher GDF-15 concentration (P = 0.002) and a higher MAGGIC risk score (P < 0.001). We examined the associations between GDF-15 levels and the risks of all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalization using Cox regression models. The C-index, integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and net reclassification improvement (NRI) metrics were employed to assess the incremental prognostic value. During the 9.4 year follow-up period, 425 patients died, and 484 were rehospitalized due to HF. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that elevated GDF-15 levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20-1.54; P < 0.001] and HF rehospitalization (HR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.57-1.95; P < 0.001) across all HF phenotypes. This association remained significant when GDF-15 was treated as a categorical variable (high GDF-15 group: all-cause death: HR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.40-2.14; P < 0.001; HF rehospitalization: HR = 3.37, 95% CI: 2.73-4.15; P < 0.001). Inclusion of GDF-15 in the MAGGIC risk score-based model provided additional prognostic value for all HF patients (Δ C-index = 0.021, 95% CI: 0.002-0.041; IDI = 0.011, 95% CI: 0.001-0.025; continuous NRI = 0.489, 95% CI: 0.174-0.629) and HF rehospitalization (Δ C-index = 0.034, 95% CI: 0.005-0.063; IDI = 0.021, 95% CI: 0.007-0.032; continuous NRI = 0.307, 95% CI: 0.147-0.548), particularly in the HFpEF subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: GDF-15 is identified as an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes in HF patients across the entire EF spectrum in the context of CHD. Integrating GDF-15 into the MAGGIC risk score-based model enhances its prognostic capability for adverse outcomes in the general HF population. This incremental prognostic effect was observed specifically in the HFpEF subgroup and not in other subgroups.

Lignin: A multi-faceted role/function in 3D printing inks.

3D printing technology demonstrates significant potential for the rapid fabrication of tailored geometric structures. Nevertheless, the prevalent use of fossil-derived compositions in printable inks within the realm of 3D printing results in considerable environmental pollution and ecological consequences. Lignin, the second most abundant biomass source on earth, possesses attributes such as cost-effectiveness, renewability, biodegradability, and non-toxicity. Enriched with active functional groups including hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, and methyl, coupled with its rigid aromatic ring structure and inherent anti-oxidative and thermoplastic properties, lignin emerges as a promising candidate for formulating printable inks. This comprehensive review presents the utilization of lignin, either in conjunction with functional materials or through the modification of lignin derivatives, as the primary constituent (≥50 wt%) for formulating printable inks across photo-curing-based (SLA/DLP) and extrusion-based (DIW/FDM) printing technologies. Furthermore, lignin as an additive with multi-faceted roles/functions in 3D printing inks is explored. The effects of lignin on the properties of printing inks and printed objects are evaluated. Finally, this review outlines future perspectives, emphasizing key obstacles and potential opportunities for facilitating the high-value utilization of lignin in the realm of 3D printing.

Nanoplastics impair growth and nitrogen fixation of marine nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria.

Nanoplastics pollution is a growing environmental problem worldwide. Recent research has demonstrated the toxic effects of nanoplastics on various marine organisms. However, the influences of nanoplastics on marine nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria, a critical nitrogen source in the ocean, remained unknown. Here, we report that nanoplastics exposure significantly reduced growth, photosynthetic, and nitrogen fixation rates of Crocosphaera watsonii (a major marine nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium). Transcriptomic analysis revealed that nanoplastics might harm C. watsonii via downregulation of photosynthetic pathways and DNA damage repair genes, while genes for respiration, cell damage, nitrogen limitation, and iron (and phosphorus) scavenging were upregulated. The number and size of starch grains and electron-dense vacuoles increased significantly after nanoplastics exposure, suggesting that C. watsonii allocated more resources to storage instead of growth under stress. We propose that nanoplastics can damage the cell (e.g., DNA, cell membrane, membrane-bound transporters, etc.), inhibit N2 and CO2 fixation, and hence lead to nutrient limitation and impaired growth. Our findings suggest the possibility that nanoplastics pollution could reduce the new nitrogen input and hence affect the productivity in the ocean. The impact of nanoplastics on marine nitrogen fixation and productivity should be considered when predicting the ecosystem response and biogeochemical cycling in the changing ocean.

The deubiquitinase cofactor UAF1 interacts with USP1 and plays an essential role in spermiogenesis.

Spermiogenesis defines the final phase of male germ cell differentiation. While multiple deubiquitinating enzymes have been linked to spermiogenesis, the impacts of deubiquitination on spermiogenesis remain poorly characterized. Here, we investigated the function of UAF1 in mouse spermiogenesis. We selectively deleted Uaf1 in premeiotic germ cells using the Stra8-Cre knock-in mouse strain (Uaf1 sKO), and found that Uaf1 is essential for spermiogenesis and male fertility. Further, UAF1 interacts and colocalizes with USP1 in the testes. Conditional knockout of Uaf1 in testes results in disturbed protein levels and localization of USP1, suggesting that UAF1 regulates spermiogenesis through the function of the deubiquitinating enzyme USP1. Using tandem mass tag-based proteomics, we identified that conditional knockout of Uaf1 in the testes results in reduced levels of proteins that are essential for spermiogenesis. Thus, we conclude that the UAF1/USP1 deubiquitinase complex is essential for normal spermiogenesis by regulating the levels of spermiogenesis-related proteins.

BMI-based metabolic syndrome severity score and arterial stiffness in a cohort Chinese study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome severity z score(MetS-Z) and arterial stiffness(AS). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 7621 participants who took three physical examination and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(ba-pwv) test from 2006 were enrolled. Cumulative MetS-Z(cMetS-Z) was calculated by using blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, blood glucose and BMI. AS was assessed by ba-pwv. Cox regression model was used to evaluate the risk of AS. All the participants were divided into four groups according to cMetS-Z(Q1-Q4). The average age of the participants was 43.06 ± 8.91 years old. During a median follow-up of 6.27 years, 1831cases of AS was identified. The incident rate of AS increased gradually from group Q1 to Q4. Compared with the lowest cMetS-Z(group Q1), the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of group Q2-Q4 for AS were 1.27 (1.09-1.47),1.28(1.10-1.48) and 1.45 (1.24-1.69) respectively. The cubic spline model indicated cMetS-Z had a liner relationship with AS and the cut-off value was lower than zero. Sub-group analysis suggested cMetS-Z was related to AS especially among participants who were younger and without obesity or hypertension or diabetes. CONCLUSION: Higher cMetS-Z was associated with an increased risk of AS in this cohort community study, and this relationship seemed to be stronger among normal healthy subjects. REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR-TNC-11001489. CLINICAL TRIAL: January 1st 2006, ChiCTR-TNC-11001489 and 2011.

MorphGI: A Self-Propelling Soft Robotic Endoscope Through Morphing Shape.

Colonoscopy is currently the best method for detecting bowel cancer, but fundamental design and construction have not changed significantly in decades. Conventional colonoscope (CC) is difficult to maneuver and can lead to pain with a risk of damaging the bowel due to its rigidity. We present the MorphGI, a robotic endoscope system that is self-propelling and made of soft material, thus easy to operate and inherently safe to patient. After verifying kinematic control of the distal bending segment, the system was evaluated in: a benchtop colon simulator, using multiple colon configurations; a colon simulator with force sensors; and surgically removed pig colon tissue. In the colon simulator, the MorphGI completed a colonoscopy in an average of 10.84 min. The MorphGI showed an average of 77% and 62% reduction in peak forces compared to a CC in high- and low-stiffness modes, respectively. Self-propulsion was demonstrated in the excised tissue test but not in the live pig test, due to anatomical differences between pig and human colons. This work demonstrates the core features of MorphGI.

Transcriptomics and metabolomics reveal the underlying mechanism of drought treatment on anthocyanin accumulation in postharvest blood orange fruit.

BACKGROUND: Anthocyanins are the most important compounds for nutritional quality and economic values of blood orange. However, there are few reports on the pre-harvest treatment accelerating the accumulation of anthocyanins in postharvest blood orange fruit. Here, we performed a comparative transcriptome and metabolomics analysis to elucidate the underlying mechanism involved in seasonal drought (SD) treatment during the fruit expansion stage on anthocyanin accumulation in postharvest 'Tarocco' blood orange fruit. RESULTS: Our results showed that SD treatment slowed down the fruit enlargement and increased the sugar accumulation during the fruit development and maturation period. Obviously, under SD treatment, the accumulation of anthocyanin in blood orange fruit during postharvest storage was significantly accelerated and markedly higher than that in CK. Meanwhile, the total flavonoids and phenols content and antioxidant activity in SD treatment fruits were also sensibly increased during postharvest storage. Based on metabolome analysis, we found that substrates required for anthocyanin biosynthesis, such as amino acids and their derivatives, and phenolic acids, had significantly accumulated and were higher in SD treated mature fruits compared with that of CK. Furthermore, according to the results of the transcriptome data and weighted gene coexpression correlation network analysis (WGCNA) analysis, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL3) was considered a key structural gene. The qRT-PCR analysis verified that the PAL3 was highly expressed in SD treated postharvest stored fruits, and was significantly positively correlated with the anthocyanin content. Moreover, we found that other structural genes in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway were also upregulated under SD treatment, as evidenced by transcriptome data and qRT-PCR analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that SD treatment promotes the accumulation of substrates necessary for anthocyanin biosynthesis during the fruit ripening process, and activates the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway genes during the postharvest storage period. This is especially true for PAL3, which co-contributed to the rapid accumulation of anthocyanin. The present study provides a theoretical basis for the postharvest quality control and water-saving utilization of blood orange fruit.

Denitrification Characteristics of the Low-Temperature Tolerant Denitrification Strain Achromobacter spiritinus HS2 and Its Application.

The low-temperature environment significantly inhibits the growth and metabolism of denitrifying bacteria, leading to an excessive concentration of ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen in sewage treatment plants during the cold season. In this study, an efficient denitrifying strain of heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification (HN-AD) bacteria named HS2 was isolated and screened from industrial sewage of a chemical factory in Inner Mongolia at 8 °C. The strain was confirmed to be Achromobacter spiritinus, a colorless rod-shaped bacterium. When cultured with sodium succinate as the carbon source, a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 20-30, a shaking rate of 150-180 r/min, and an initial pH of 6-10, the strain HS2 exhibited excellent nitrogen removal at 8 °C. Through the results of whole-genome sequencing, gene amplification, and gas product detection, the strain HS2 was determined to possess key enzyme genes in both nitrification and denitrification pathways, suggesting a HN-AD pathway of NH4+-N → NH2OH → NO2-N → NO → N2O → N2. At 8 °C, the strain HS2 could completely remove ammonia nitrogen from industrial sewage with an initial concentration of 127.23 mg/L. Microbial species diversity analysis of the final sewage confirmed Achromobacter sp. as the dominant genus, which indicated that the low-temperature denitrifying strain HS2 plays an important role in nitrogen removal in actual low-temperature sewage.

Comparative Efficacy of Curative Effects of Sacubitril/Valsartan in HFpEF versus HFrEF Treatment.

Objective: This study aims to assess the differential efficacy of Sacubitril/Valsartan in treating heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), thereby enhancing medication guidance for heart failure management. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, and a cohort of 89 patients, comprising 48 with HFrEF and 41 with HFpEF, treated at our hospital from February 2020 to January 2022, received Sacubitril/Valsartan. Adverse reactions were documented, and pre- and post-treatment cardiac and renal functions were evaluated. Mobility and quality of life were assessed using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) . Patient outcomes were tracked for one year, measuring readmission and survival rates. Results: The study found no significant difference in the overall incidence of adverse reactions or cardiac function before and after treatment between the two groups (P > .05). However, patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) exhibited notably greater disparities in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, as well as in 6MWT and MLHFQ scores before and after treatment compared to those with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (P < .05). Additionally, the HFpEF group showed a lower prognostic readmission rate compared to the HFrEF group, although the difference in prognostic survival was not statistically significant (P > .05). Conclusions: Sacubitril/Valsartan demonstrates superior efficacy in improving renal function and enhancing quality of life in HFpEF patients while providing comparable prognostic benefits for HFrEF patients. This finding underscores its potential as a therapeutic foundation in the management of heart failure across ejection fraction categories.

MORN2 regulates the morphology and energy metabolism of mitochondria and is required for male fertility in mice.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondria produce adenosine triphosphate through respiratory activities to power sperm differentiation and motility, and decreased mitochondrial respiratory activity can result in poor sperm motility and asthenospermia. The mitochondrial sheath is a component of the mid-piece of the sperm flagellum, and dysfunction of the sheath can reduce sperm motility and cause male infertility. The membrane occupation and recognition nexus-motif protein 2 (MORN2) is testis enriched in mice, and the MORN motif was reported to play a role in the regulation of bioelectrical signal homeostasis in cardiomyocytes. METHODS: We generated Morn2-/- mice using CRISPR/Cas9 and evaluated the potential functions of MORN2 in spermiogenesis through histological analysis, fertility examination, RT-PCR, CASA, immunofluorescence, TUNEL, electron microscopy analysis, mitochondrial energy metabolism analysis, etc. RESULTS: The Morn2-/- mice were infertile, and their sperm showed severe motility defects. Morn2-/- sperm also had abnormal morphology characterized by bent heads, aberrant mitochondrial sheath formation, lower mitochondrial membrane potential, higher levels of reactive oxygen species, and decreased mitochondrial respiratory activity. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that MORN2 is essential for male fertility and indicates that MORN2 functions in mitochondrial sheath formation and regulates mitochondrial respiratory activity.

Stereo Visual Servoing Control of a Soft Endoscope for Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection.

Quickly and accurately completing endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) operations within narrow lumens is currently challenging because of the environment's high flexibility, invisible collision, and natural tissue motion. This paper proposes a novel stereo visual servoing control for a dual-segment robotic endoscope (DSRE) for ESD surgery. Departing from conventional monocular-based methods, our DSRE leverages stereoscopic imaging to rapidly extract precise depth data, enabling quicker controller convergence and enhanced surgical accuracy. The system's dual-segment configuration enables agile maneuverability around lesions, while its compliant structure ensures adaptability within the surgical environment. The implemented stereo visual servo controller uses image features for real-time feedback and dynamically updates gain coefficients, facilitating rapid convergence to the target. In visual servoing experiments, the controller demonstrated strong performance across various tasks. Even when subjected to unknown external forces, the controller maintained robust performance in target tracking. The feasibility and effectiveness of the DSRE were further verified through ex vivo experiments. We posit that this novel system holds significant potential for clinical application in ESD surgeries.

The safety and efficacy of anti-PD-1 inhibitor-based combinational therapy in non-small cell lung cancer patients with oncogenic alterations.

Background: The anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) immunotherapy has been extensively used in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in which the tumors are negative for oncogenic alterations. However, whether PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy could be applicable in patients harboring oncogenic mutations is largely unknown. Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed the safety and efficacy of anti-PD-1 inhibitor-based combinational therapy in a NSCLC cohort of 84 patients who harbored oncogenic alterations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), k-Ras, RET, HER2 and BRAF. The patients were followed up till disease progression or death. The adverse effects associated with the treatment were carefully evaluated and timely interrupted. Results: There were 50 patients harboring EGFR mutations, 17 patients with k-Ras mutation, 2 patients with ALK rearrangement, 6 patients with RET rearrangement, 6 patients with HER2 exon20 insertion and 3 patients with BRAF V600E mutation. About 58.8% of the k-Ras mutant patients responded to the combinational treatment. The median progression-free survival (mPFS) of the k-Ras cohort was 14 months, with the 12-month median overall survival (mOS) ratio and the 24-month OS ratio of 86.7% and 75.8%, respectively. Patients with EGFR exon21 L858R mutation or RET rearrangement tended to have a more favorable response, while patients harboring ALK rearrangement, HER2 exon20 insertion and BRAF V600E mutation did not respond well to anti-PD-1 inhibitor-based combinational therapy. The incidence of treatment-related toxicity was 52.3% and the most common immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were PD-1 inhibitors-related hypothyroidism and pneumonitis. The PD-L1 status and lung immune prognostic index (LIPI) could be used as biomarkers dictating therapeutic outcomes of the combinational therapy. Conclusions: The anti-PD-1 inhibitor-based combinational therapy elicited exciting anti-tumor efficacy and prolonged patient survival with manageable adverse effects in NSCLC patients harboring oncogenic alterations. The PD-L1 status and LIPI could be used as a biomarker predicting response to anti-PD-1 inhibitor-based combinational treatment in these patients.

Rice receptor kinase FLR7 regulates rhizosphere oxygen levels and enriches the dominant Anaeromyxobacter that improves submergence tolerance in rice.

Oxygen is one of the determinants of root microbiome formation. However, whether plants regulate rhizosphere oxygen levels to affect microbiota composition and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. The receptor-like kinase (RLK) family member FERONIA modulates the growth-defense tradeoff in Arabidopsis. Here, we established that rice FERONIA-like RLK 7 (FLR7) controls rhizosphere oxygen levels by methylene blue staining, oxygen flux, and potential measurements. The formation of oxygen-transporting aerenchyma in roots is negatively regulated by FLR7. We further characterized the root microbiota of 11 FLR mutants including flr7 and wild-type Nipponbare (Nip) grown in the field by 16S ribosomal RNA gene profiling and demonstrated that the 11 FLRs are involved in regulating rice root microbiome formation. The most abundant anaerobic-dependent genus Anaeromyxobacter in the Nip root microbiota was less abundant in the root microbiota of all these mutants, and this contributed the most to the community differences between most mutants and Nip. Metagenomic sequencing revealed that flr7 increases aerobic respiration and decreases anaerobic respiration in the root microbiome. Finally, we showed that a representative Anaeromyxobacter strain improved submergence tolerance in rice via FLR7. Collectively, our findings indicate that FLR7 mediates changes in rhizosphere oxygen levels and enriches the beneficial dominant genus Anaeromyxobacter and may provide insights for developing plant flood prevention strategies via the use of environment-specific functional soil microorganisms.

Impact of obesity on intensive care unit outcomes in older patients with critical illness: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although the paradoxical association between obesity and improved survival has been reported in a variety of clinical settings, its applicability to intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes in older critically ill patients remains unclear. We sought to examine the association between obesity and 30-day mortality and other adverse outcomes in this population. METHODS: We analyzed data of older patients (≥ 60 years) in the eICU Collaborative Research Database. Body mass index (BMI) was stratified according to the World Health Organization obesity classification. Logistic regression model was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs), and cubic spline curve was used to explore the nonlinear association between BMI and 30-day ICU outcomes. Stratified analysis and sensitivity analysis were also performed. RESULTS: Compared with class I obesity, under- and normal-weight were associated with higher all-cause, cardiovascular and noncardiovascular mortality, and class III obesity was associated with greater all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (OR, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.06-1.32], 1.28 [1.08-1.51]). Obesity classes II and III were associated with higher composite all-cause mortality, mechanical ventilation, or vasoactive drug usage risks (OR, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.04-1.20], 1.33 [1.24-1.43]). Mechanical ventilation was strongly positively associated with BMI. A significant BMI-by-sex interaction was observed for cardiovascular mortality, such that the association between severe obesity and mortality was more pronounced among older men than older women. CONCLUSIONS: The obesity paradox does not appear to apply to short-term ICU outcomes in older patients with critical illness, mainly due to increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in severely obese patients, particularly in men.

Building Stable Anodes for High-Rate Na-Metal Batteries.

Due to low cost and high energy density, sodium metal batteries (SMBs) have attracted growing interest, with great potential to power future electric vehicles (EVs) and mobile electronics, which require rapid charge/discharge capability. However, the development of high-rate SMBs has been impeded by the sluggish Na+ ion kinetics, particularly at the sodium metal anode (SMA). The high-rate operation severely threatens the SMA stability, due to the unstable solid-electrolyte interface (SEI), the Na dendrite growth, and large volume changes during Na plating-stripping cycles, leading to rapid electrochemical performance degradations. This review surveys key challenges faced by high-rate SMAs, and highlights representative stabilization strategies, including the general modification of SMB components (including the host, Na metal surface, electrolyte, separator, and cathode), and emerging solutions with the development of solid-state SMBs and liquid metal anodes; the working principle, performance, and application of these strategies are elaborated, to reduce the Na nucleation energy barriers and promote Na+ ion transfer kinetics for stable high-rate Na metal anodes. This review will inspire further efforts to stabilize SMAs and other metal (e.g., Li, K, Mg, Zn) anodes, promoting high-rate applications of high-energy metal batteries towards a more sustainable society.

Phytoplankton Community Integrity Index (PCII) - A potential supplementary tool for evaluating nutrient enrichment status of Hong Kong marine waters.

Diagnosis of eutrophication requires evidence of disturbance to the balance of organisms. We describe a tool, the Plankton Community Integrity Index (PCII), derived from the Plankton Index (PI) for tracking change in the seasonal patterns of abundance of diatom and dinoflagellate lifeforms when plotted in state space. The tool uses a nutrient-minimum reference period to interpret PCII values as status indicators, with values close to 1 indicating "High" status and 0.6 a Biological Water Quality Criterion (BioWQC) target set at the "Fair"/"Good" status boundary. It has been applied to Hong Kong marine waters, using data from monthly samples from 1995 through 2021. A preliminary analysis, required for the PI method, confirmed monsoonal seasonality in the diatom lifeform. In 5 of the 9 water bodies examined, PCII time series correlated with those of Total Inorganic Nitrogen (TIN). Since 2020, all Water Control Zones met the operationally defined BioWQC target.

Nanocellulose based ultra-elastic and durable foams for smart packaging applications.

Foams with advanced sensing properties and excellent mechanical properties are promising candidates for smart packaging materials. However, the fabrication of ultra-elastic and durable foams is still challenging. Herein, we report a universal strategy to obtain ultra-elastic and durable foams by crosslinking cellulose nanofiber and MXene via strong covalent bonds and assembling the composites into anisotropic cellular structures. The obtained composite foam shows an excellent compressive strain of up to 90 % with height retention of 97.1 % and retains around 90.3 % of its original height even after 100,000 compressive cycles at 80 % strain. Their cushioning properties were systematically investigated, which are superior to that of wildly-used petroleum-based expanded polyethylene and expanded polystyrene. By employing the foam in a piezoelectric sensor, a smart cushioning packaging and pressure monitoring system is constructed to protect inner precision cargo and detect endured pressure during transportation for the first time.

The relationship between triglyceride-glucose index and prospective key clinical outcomes in patients hospitalised for coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is regarded as a dependable alternative for assessing insulin resistance (IR), given its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and strong correlation with IR. The relationship between the TyG index and adverse outcomes in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) is not well established. This study examines the association of the TyG index with long-term adverse outcomes in hospitalized CHD patients. METHODS: In this single-center prospective cohort study, 3321 patients hospitalized with CHD were included. Multivariate Cox regression models were employed to assess the associations between the TyG index and the incidence of all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). To examine potential nonlinear associations, restricted cubic splines and threshold analysis were utilized. RESULTS: During a follow-up period of 9.4 years, 759 patients (22.9%) succumbed to mortality, while 1291 (38.9%) experienced MACEs. Threshold analysis demonstrated a significant "U"-shaped nonlinear relationship with MACEs, with different hazard ratios observed below and above a TyG index of 8.62 (below: HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.50-0.99; above: HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.10-1.48). Notably, an increased risk of all-cause mortality was observed only when the TyG index exceeded 8.77 (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.19-1.96). CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a nonlinear association between the TyG index and both all-cause mortality and MACEs in hospitalized CHD patients with CHD. Assessing the TyG index, particularly focusing on individuals with extremely low or high TyG index values, may enhance risk stratification for adverse outcomes in this patient population.

Boosting the output performance of triboelectric nanogenerators via surface engineering and structure designing.

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have been utilized in a wide range of applications, including smart wearable devices, self-powered sensors, energy harvesting, and high-voltage power sources. The surface morphology and structure of TENGs play a critical role in their output performance. In this review, we analyze the working mechanism of TENGs with the aim to improve their output performance and systematically summarize the morphological engineering and structural design strategies for TENGs. Additionally, we present the emerging applications of TENGs with specific structures and surfaces. Finally, we discuss the potential future development and industrial application of TENGs. By deeply exploring the surface and structural design strategy of high-performance TENGs, it is conducive to further promote the application of TENGs in actual production. We hope that this review provides insights and guidance for the morphological and structural design of TENGs in the future.