What enlightenment has the development of lung cancer bone metastasis brought in the last 22 years.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer bone metastasis (LCBM) is a disease with a poor prognosis, high risk and large patient population. Although considerable scientific output has accumulated on LCBM, problems have emerged, such as confusing research structures. AIM: To organize the research frontiers and body of knowledge of the studies on LCBM from the last 22 years according to their basic research and translation, clinical treatment, and clinical diagnosis to provide a reference for the development of new LCBM clinical and basic research. METHODS: We used tools, including R, VOSviewer and CiteSpace software, to measure and visualize the keywords and other metrics of 1903 articles from the Web of Science Core Collection. We also performed enrichment and protein-protein interaction analyses of gene expression datasets from LCBM cases worldwide. RESULTS: Research on LCBM has received extensive attention from scholars worldwide over the last 20 years. Targeted therapies and immunotherapies have evolved into the mainstream basic and clinical research directions. The basic aspects of drug resistance mechanisms and parathyroid hormone-related protein may provide new ideas for mechanistic study and improvements in LCBM prognosis. The produced molecular map showed that ribosomes and focal adhesion are possible pathways that promote LCBM occurrence. CONCLUSION: Novel therapies for LCBM face animal testing and drug resistance issues. Future focus should centre on advancing clinical therapies and researching drug resistance mechanisms and ribosome-related pathways.

Up-and-Down Determination of Different Crystalloid Coload Volumes on the ED 90 of Prophylactic Norepinephrine Infusion for Preventing Postspinal Anesthesia Hypotension During Cesarean Section.

Background: Fluid loading improves hemodynamic stability and reduces the incidence rate of post-spinal anesthesia hypotension when prophylactic vasopressors are administered. We investigated the impact of different crystalloid coload volumes on the 90% effective dose (ED) of prophylactic norepinephrine infusion for preventing post-spinal anesthesia hypotension in non-hypertensive patients undergoing cesarean section. Methods: Patients were randomly allocated to receive one of the different crystalloid coload volumes (0mL/kg [0mL/kg Group], 5mL kg [5mL/kg Group], and 10mL kg [10mL/kg Group]) in combination with prophylactic norepinephrine infusion immediately after the induction of spinal anesthesia. The prophylactic norepinephrine infusion doses were determined using the up-and-down sequential allocation methodology, with an initial dose of 0.025 µg/kg/min and a gradient of 0.005 µg/kg/min. The primary endpoint was the effective dose at which 90% (ED 90) of patients responded to prophylactic norepinephrine infusion for preventing post-spinal anesthesia hypotension. Results: The estimated effective dose of norepinephrine infusion, at which 90% (ED 90) of patients responded, was found to be 0.084 (95% CI, 0.070 to 0.86), 0.074 (95% CI, 0.059 to 0.077), and 0.063 (95% CI, 0.053 to 0.064) µg/kg/min in the three groups, respectively. Conclusion: A crystalloid coload of 5 mL/kg or 10 mL/kg, as opposed to the groups receiving 0 mL/kg crystalloid coloads, resulted in a reduction of approximately 11.9% and 25.0%, respectively, in the ED90 of prophylactic norepinephrine infusion for preventing post-spinal anesthesia hypotension during cesarean section.

GNL3L exhibits pro-tumor activities via NF-κB pathway as a poor prognostic factor in acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the leukemia with the worst prognosis, and current knowledge of AML pathogenesis and available therapies for AML remain limited. 40% of AML patients exhibit elevated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activity, which provides a compelling rationale for targeting the NF-κB pathway in AML. Guanine nucleotide-binding protein-like 3-like protein (GNL3L) is a recently identified pro-oncogene that promotes NF-κB activation in a variety of malignancies. For the first time, we comprehensively examined GNL3L expression in AML, reporting GNL3L as a poor prognostic factor in three independent AML cohorts. GNL3L enhanced RELA activity, activated NF-κB, promoted AML cell proliferation, resisted apoptosis, and encouraged cytarabine resistance in AML. In conclusion, these data suggest a role for GNL3L in the malignant process of AML and as a promising therapeutic target.

Atomoxetine for Intradialytic Hypotension in a Patient on Hemodialysis: A Case Report.

Intradialytic hypotension significantly affects patient safety and clinical outcomes during hemodialysis. Despite various pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions, effective management remains elusive. In this report, we detail a case of intradialytic hypotension in a male patient in his 40s, undergoing hemodialysis with a history of polycystic kidney disease. Eight years ago, the patient underwent bilateral nephrectomy because of a severe cystic infection, after which his systolic blood pressure (BP) persistently remained at 50-70 mm Hg during dialysis sessions. The initial treatment strategy for hypotension included fludrocortisone, midodrine, and prednisolone, leading to a slight temporary increase in BP, which subsequently declined. As the patient's condition deteriorated, the administration of norepinephrine or dopamine became necessary to sustain BP during dialysis. Given the patient's resistance to these treatments, a daily dose of 25 mg of atomoxetine was introduced. Following this treatment, there was a gradual improvement in the patient's vertigo, weakness, and BP. This case illustrates that low-dose atomoxetine can alleviate symptoms and elevate BP in patients experiencing severe intradialytic hypotension during hemodialysis.

Serum lipid metabolism characteristics and potential biomarkers in patients with unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

BACKGROUND: Glycerophospholipids (GPLs) are essential for cell membrane structure and function. Sphingomyelin and its metabolites regulate cell growth, apoptosis, and stress responses. This study aimed to investigate lipid metabolism in patients experiencing sudden sensorineural hearing loss across all frequencies (AF-SSNHL). METHODS: The study included 60 patients diagnosed with unilateral AF-SSNHL, among whom 30 patients had a level of hearing improvement ≥ 15 dB after 6 months of follow-up. A propensity score-matched (2:1) control group was used. Liquid chromatography‒mass spectrometry based untargeted lipidomics analysis combined with multivariate statistics was performed to investigate the lipids change. The "lipidome" R package and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were utilised to assess the lipids' structural features and the association between lipids and hearing. RESULTS: Lipidomics successfully differentiated the AF-SSNHL group from the control group, identifying 17 risk factors, mainly including phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and related metabolites. The ratios of lysophosphatidylcholine/PC, lysophosphatidylethanolamine/PE, and lysodimethylphosphatidylethanolamine/PE were upregulated, while some glycerophospholipid (GPL)-plasmalogens were downregulated in the AF-SSNHL group, indicating abnormal metabolism of GPLs. Trihexosylceramide (d34:1), PE (18:1e_22:5), and sphingomyelin (d40:3) were significantly different between responders and nonresponders, and positively correlated with hearing improvement. Additionally, the results of the WGCNA also suggested that partial GPL-plasmalogens were positively associated with hearing improvement. CONCLUSION: AF-SSNHL patients exhibited abnormally high blood lipids and pronounced GPLs metabolic abnormalities. Sphingolipids and GPL-plasmalogens had an association with the level of hearing improvement. By understanding the lipid changes, clinicians may be able to predict the prognosis of hearing recovery and personalize treatment approaches.

A cross-sectional analysis of gender and psychological well-being among older Taiwanese adults.

Background: Psychological well-being (PWB) facilitates good health. Few studies have taken into consideration gender and how it can affect PWB within a sociocultural context. This study aims to determine if relationships between social, health, behavioral, and socioeconomic factors on PWB among older Taiwanese adults are affected by gender. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2016 Taiwan Mental Health Survey. A representative sample, of 2,286 individuals, was created using multistage proportional probability. Participants were interviewed at their homes using a structured questionnaire. Inclusion criteria were Taiwanese citizenship, age ≥ 55 years, and the ability to provide informed consent. Participants 65 years and above were selected for the study sample n = 1,533. An 18-item version of Ryff's PWB scale was used to determine PWB. The median value was used to categorize low and high PWB. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine predictors of PWB stratified by gender. Results: Chronic disease, unemployment, and financial dependence negatively impacted men's PWB. Satisfaction with living environment and family relationships positively impacted women's PWB. Unique characteristics of older men, women, and culture account for this. Conclusion: Gender-specific interventions aimed at promoting PWB in older adults are needed. Recommendations include educational programs, social support workshops, and community engagement initiatives.

Laparoscopic training workshop to assess medical students' skill acquisition and interest in surgical careers.

BACKGROUND: With its minimally invasive approach, laparoscopic surgery has transformed the medical landscape. As the demand for these procedures escalates, there is a pressing need for adept surgeons trained in laparoscopic techniques. However, current training often falls short of catering to medical school education. This study evaluates the impact of a custom-designed laparoscopic training workshop on medical students' surgical skills and career aspirations. METHODS: This prospective experimental study was conducted at the E-Da hospital in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. Medical students from Taiwanese medical schools undergoing Clerk 5, Clerk 6, and Postgraduate Year 1 and 2 were invited to participate. Medical students (n = 44) underwent an endoscopic skill training workshop consisting of lectures, box training, and live tissue training. The trainees performed multiple tasks before and after training using our objective evaluation system. The primary outcome was assessed before and after training through a questionnaire assessing the influence of training on students' interest in surgery as a career. The secondary outcome measured improvement in skill acquisition, comparing the task completion time pre- and post-workshop. For the primary outcome, descriptive statistics were used to summarize the questionnaire responses, and paired t-tests were performed to determine significant changes in interest levels post-workshop. For the secondary outcome, paired t-tests were used to compare the time recorded pre- and post-training. RESULTS: Post-training, participants exhibited significant proficiency gains, with task completion times reducing notably: 97 s (p = 0.0015) for Precision Beads Placement, 88.5 s (p < 0.0001) for Beads Transfer Exercise, 95 s (p < 0.0001) for Precision Balloon Cutting, and 137.8 s (p < 0.0001) for Intracorporeal Suture. The primary outcome showcased an increased mean score from 8.15 pre-workshop to 9.3 post-workshop, indicating a bolstered interest in surgery as a career. Additionally, post-training sentiment analysis underscored a predominant inclination toward surgery among 88% of participants. CONCLUSION: The custom-designed laparoscopic workshop significantly improved technical skills and positively influenced students' career aspirations toward surgery. Such hands-on training workshops can play a crucial role in medical education, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills and potentially shaping the future of budding medical professionals.

Elevating the upconversion performance of a multiple resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitter via an embedded azepine approach.

Multiple resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) emitters hold promise for efficient organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and wide gamut displays. An azepine donor is introduced into the boron-nitrogen system for the first time. The highly twisted conformation of a seven-ring embedded new molecule, TAzBN, increases the intermolecular distances, suppressing self-aggregation emission quenching. Meanwhile, the azepine donor is crucial to achieve a narrow singlet-triplet gap (0.03 eV) as well as boost the reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) rate to 8.50 × 105 s-1. It is noteworthy that TAzBN demonstrates an impressive photoluminescence quantum yield of 94%. In addition, its nonsensitized OLED displayed a remarkable external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) with values peaking at 27.3%, and an EQE of 21.4% at 500 cd m-2. This finding shows that when TAzBN is used at a high concentration of 10 wt%, its device maintains efficiency even at higher brightness levels, highlighting TAzBN's resistance to aggregation quenching. Furthermore, TAzBN enantiomers showed circularly polarized photoluminescence characteristics with dissymmetry factors |g PL| of up to 1.07 × 10-3 in doped films. The curved heptagonal geometry opens an avenue to design the MR-TADF emitters with fast spin-flip and chiroptical properties.

Color-coded parametric imaging support display of vessel hemorrhage-an in vitro experiment and clinical validation study.

Background: Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) is currently the most effective diagnostic method for vascular diseases, but it is still subject to various factors, resulting in uncertain diagnosis. Therefore, a new technology is needed to help clinical doctors improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. Purpose: The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of utilizing color-coded parametric imaging techniques on the accuracy of identifying active bleeding through DSA, the widely accepted standard for diagnosing vascular disorders. Methods: Several variables can delay the diagnosis and treatment of active bleeding with DSA. To resolve this, we carried out an in vitro simulation experiment to simulate vascular hemorrhage and utilized five color-coded parameters (area under curve, time to peak, time-of-arrival, transit time, and flow rate of contrast agent) to determine the optimal color coding parameters. We then verified it in a clinical study. Results: Five different color-coded parametric imaging methods were compared and the time-of-arrival color coding was the most efficient technique for diagnosing active hemorrhage, with a statistically significant advantage (P < 0.001). In clinical study, 135 patients (101 with confirmed bleeding and 34 with confirmed no bleeding) were collected. For patients whose bleeding could not be determined using DSA alone (55/101) and whose no bleeding could not be diagnosed by DSA alone (35/55), the combination of time-of-arrival color parametric imaging was helpful for diagnosis, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01 and P = 0.01). Conclusions: The time-of-arrival color coding imaging method is a valuable tool for detecting active bleeding. When combined with DSA, it improves the visual representation of active hemorrhage and improves the efficiency of diagnosis.

Novel MAGIC composite scores using both clinical symptoms and biomarkers best predict treatment outcomes of acute GVHD.

Acute graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) grading systems that use only clinical symptoms at treatment initiation such as Minnesota risk identify standard and high risk categories but lack a low risk category suitable to minimize immunosuppressive strategies. We developed a new grading system that includes a low risk stratum based on clinical symptoms alone and determined whether the incorporation of biomarkers would improve the model's prognostic accuracy. We randomly divided 1863 patients in the Mount Sinai Acute GVHD International Consortium (MAGIC) who were treated for GVHD into training and validation cohorts. Patients in the training cohort were divided into 14 groups based on similarity of clinical symptoms and similar NRM; we used a classification and regression tree (CART) algorithm to create three Manhattan risk groups that produced a significantly higher area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for 6-month NRM than the Minnesota risk classification (0.69 vs. 0.64, P=0.009) in the validation cohort. We integrated serum GVHD biomarker scores with Manhattan risk using patients with available serum samples and again used a CART algorithm to establish three MAGIC composite scores that significantly improved prediction of NRM compared to Manhattan risk (AUC, 0.76 vs. 0.70, P=0.010). Each increase in MAGIC composite score also corresponded to a significant decrease in day 28 treatment response (80% vs. 63% vs. 30%, P<0.001). We conclude that the MAGIC composite score more accurately predicts response to therapy and long term outcomes than systems based on clinical symptoms alone and may help guide clinical decisions and trial design.

Allogeneic B cell immunomodulatory therapy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an orphan neurodegenerative disease. Immune system dysregulation plays an essential role in ALS onset and progression. Our preclinical studies have shown that the administration of exogenous allogeneic B cells improves outcomes in murine models of skin and brain injury through a process termed pligodraxis, in which B cells adopt an immunoregulatory and neuroprotective phenotype in an injured environment. Here, we investigated the effects of B-cell therapy in the SOD1G93A mouse preclinical model of ALS and in a person living with ALS. Purified splenic mature naïve B cells from haploidentical donor mice were administered intravenously in SOD1G93A mice for a total of 10 weekly doses. For the clinical study in a person with advanced ALS, IgA gammopathy of unclear significance, and B lymphopenia, CD19+ B cells were positively selected from a healthy haploidentical donor and infused intravenously twice, at a 60-day interval. Repeated intravenous B-cell administration was safe and significantly delayed disease onset, extended survival, reduced cellular apoptosis, and decreased astrogliosis in SOD1G93A mice. Repeated B-cell infusion in a person with ALS was safe and did not appear to generate a clinically evident inflammatory response. An improvement of 5 points on the ALSFRS-R scale was observed after the first infusion. Levels of inflammatory markers showed persistent reduction post-infusion. This represents a first demonstration of the efficacy of haploidentical B-cell infusion in the SOD1G93A mouse and the safety and feasibility of using purified haploidentical B lymphocytes as a cell-based therapeutic strategy for a person with ALS.

Field performance of 15 rain gardens in different cities in Taiwan.

Rain gardens are widely used for low impact development (LID) or as a nature-based solution (NbS). They help to reduce runoff, mitigate hot temperatures, create habitats for plants and insects, and beautify landscapes. Rain gardens are increasingly being established in urban areas. In Taiwan, the Ministry of Environment (MoE) initiated a rain garden project in Taipei city in 2018, and 15 rain gardens have since been constructed in different cities. These Taiwanese-style rain gardens contain an underground storage tank to collect the filtrated rainwater, which can be used for irrigation. Moreover, the 15 rain gardens are equipped with sensors to monitor temperature, rainfall, and underground water levels. The monitoring data were transmitted with Internet of Things (IoT) technology, enabling the capture and export of real-time values. The water retention, temperature mitigation, water quality, and ecological indices of the rain gardens were quantified using field data. The results from the young rain gardens (1-3 years) showed that nearly 100 % of the rainfall was retained onsite and did not flow out from the rain gardens; however, if the stored water was not used and the tanks were full, the rainwater from subsequent storms could not be stored, and the tanks overflowed. The surface temperatures of the rain garden and nearby impermeable pavement differed by an average of 2-4 °C. This difference exceeded 20 °C in summer at noon. The water in the underground storage tanks had very low levels of SS and BOD, with averages of 1.6 mg/L and 5.6 mg/L, respectively. However, the E. coli concentrations were high, and the average was 6283 CFU/100 mL; therefore, washing or drinking water is not recommended. The ecological indices, i.e., the Shannon and Simpson indices, demonstrated the good flora status of the rain gardens after one year. Although the weather differed by city, the performance of the rain gardens in terms of water retention, temperature mitigation, rainwater harvesting, and providing biological habitats was consistent. However, maintenance influences rain garden performance. If the stored water is not frequently used, the stored volume is reduced, and the stored water quality degrades.

Dose and Time Effects of Renin-Angiotensin Inhibitors on Patients With Advanced Stages 4 to 5 of Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Context: Limited evidence exists regarding the cumulative dosing and duration impact of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASis) on cardiorenal and mortality outcomes in patients with advanced stages (predominantly in stage 5 and a minority in stage 4) of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Objective: To retrospectively investigate whether there are dose- and time-dependent relationships between RASis and cardiorenal and mortality outcomes in this population. Methods: Using Taiwan's national health insurance data in 2000-2017, we analyzed 2196 RASi users and 2196 propensity-matched nonusers among 8738 patients living with diabetes and newly diagnosed with advanced chronic kidney disease (23% stage 4, 77% stage 5). Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% CI. Results: RASi use was significantly associated with reduced risks of all-cause mortality (aHR, 0.53; 95% CI 0.47-0.60) and cardiovascular mortality (0.68; 0.56-0.83) with the degree of benefit depending on therapeutic dosage and duration, despite a nonsignificant increase in acute kidney injury risk (1.16; 0.98-1.38) and a significant increase in hyperkalemia risk (1.45; 1.19-1.77). Significant differences in proteinuria risk (1.32; 1.21-1.43) were observed, while there were no significant differences in end-stage renal disease risk (1.01; 0.88-1.15) and no dose- or time-response relationships for either end-stage renal disease or proteinuria risks. Sensitivity analyses confirmed cardiovascular and survival benefits, even in patients with stage 5 DKD. Conclusion: This real-world study suggests that RASi use in advanced stages 4 to 5 DKD may provide dose- and time-dependent cardioprotection and improved survival, without excess renal harms.

Dementia severity at incident diagnosis in a population representative sample of older Americans.

INTRODUCTION: We provide the first analysis of distribution of dementia severity at incident diagnosis for a population representative sample of older Americans. METHODS: Using data from the Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study (ADAMS), the Health Retirement Study (HRS), and traditional Medicare claims, we estimated the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale for ADAMS respondents and applied parameter estimates to predict dementia severity for HRS respondents with claims-based incident dementia diagnosis. RESULTS: Seventy percent of older adults received a dementia diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia (early stages). Fewer individuals were diagnosed at early stages in years 2000 to 2008 (65%) compared to years 2009 to 2016 (76%). About 72% of non-Hispanic white persons were diagnosed at early stages, compared to 63% non-Hispanic black and 59% Hispanic persons. More males than females were diagnosed at early stages (75% vs 67%). DISCUSSION: These data linkages allow population surveillance of early and equitable dementia detection in the older US population to assess clinical and policy levers to improve detection. Highlights: For the US population 70 and older, 30% were diagnosed with dementia at a moderate or severe stage.Fewer were diagnosed at early stages in years 2000 to 2008 compared to 2009 to 2016 (65% vs 76%).A total of 72% of white persons were diagnosed at early stages, compared to 63% black and 59% Hispanic persons.More males than females were diagnosed at early stages (75% vs 67%).High wealth and education level were associated with diagnosis at early stages disease.

Role of TAP1 in the identification of immune-hot tumor microenvironment and its prognostic significance for immunotherapeutic efficacy in gastric carcinoma.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC), a multifaceted gastrointestinal malignancy, is the fourth most prevalent contributor to cancer-related fatalities globally. As a member of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family, transporter associated with antigen processing 1 (TAP1) is crucial for conveying antigen peptides from the cytoplasm to the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum and subsequently loading them onto the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. Recent studies have established the biological significance of TAP1 in upholding tumor survival and facilitating immune evasion by remodeling the tumor microenvironment (TME) and orchestrating immune infiltration. The study was conducted to elucidate the association of TAP1 expression with immunological characteristics, and sought to exploit the value of TAP1 as a biomarker reflecting the inflamed TME and immunotherapeutic response. Methods: RNA-sequencing profiles and clinical annotations were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas-stomach adenocarcinoma (TCGA-STAD) cohort and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) portal. Preprocessing was conducting using the limma package. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify gene modules and TAP1 co-expressed genes (CEGs) based on correlation patterns. Consensus clustering and silhouette analysis determined the optimal number of TAP1-related groups. Gene expression profiles were integrated and classified using the pamr package. The Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumors using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) were used to evaluate immunological characteristics. Differential expression analysis was conducted using the limma package. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets were analyzed using the Seurat toolkit to characterize cell types. Results: Within this investigation, no significant differences in TAP1 expression were observed among patients exhibiting various clinicopathological features, indicating that TAP1 expression was not specific to molecular subtypes. Subsequent analysis revealed a positive correlation between TAP1 and diverse immunological traits, encompassing immunomodulators, tumor-infiltrating immune cells, as well as immune checkpoints across multiple datasets. Besides, within a GC immunotherapy cohort, individuals displaying high TAP1 expression demonstrated an increased likelihood of achieving complete remission (CR) post-treatment, suggesting heightened sensitivity to immunotherapy. In the clinical cohort, TAP1 overexpression in GC patients was positively correlated with CD8. Conclusions: TAP1 appears linked to an inflamed TME and serves as a prospective biomarker for discerning immunological attributes and gauging immunotherapeutic responses in GC, particularly in identifying immune-reactive tumors.

The shell formation mechanism of Turbo argyrostomus based on ultrastructure and transcriptome analysis.

The gold inner shell of Turbo argyrostomus is an important morphological classification characteristic in Gastropoda. However, the gene sets responsible for shell formation in gastropods remain poorly explored. In this study, we investigated the microstructure using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Alcian blue staining-periodic acid-Schiff (AB-PAS) staining. The SEM results illustrated that the T. argyrostomus shell exhibited a special "sandwich" microstructure. The results of histological observation demonstrated two major cell types: adipocytes and mucin cells. A total of 318 differentially expressed genes were identified between edge mantle and central mantle, among which whey acidic protein, N66, and nacre-like proteins, and Lam G and EGF domains may be related to shell microstructure. 22.39% - 25.20% of the mucin genes had biomineralization related domains, which supported for the relationship between mucins and shell formation. Moreover, this study revealed energy distribution differences between the edge mantle and central mantle. These results provide insights for further understanding of the biomineralization mechanism in Gastropoda.

Investigation of Lithium-Ion Battery Performance Utilizing Magnetic Controllable Superionic Conductor Li3(V1-x Fe x )2(PO4)3/C (x = 0.05 and 0.10).

Lithium-ion batteries with Li3V2(PO4)3/C as the cathode have been a popular research topic in recent years; however, studies of the effects of external magnetic fields on them are less common. This study investigates the effects of an external magnetic field applied parallel to the direction of the anode and cathode on the ion transport through iron-doped Li3(V1-x Fe x )2(PO4)3, the outer carbon coating, the film/electrolyte/separator, and up to the lithium metal electrode on a microscopic level. The results reveal that for the x = 0.05 sample with lower doping, the magnetostriction expansion of Li3(V1-x Fe x )2(PO4)3 and the magnetostrictive contraction effect of the outer ordered carbon layer cancel each other out, resulting in no significant enhancement of the battery's energy and power density due to the external magnetic field. In contrast, the x = 0.1 sample, lacking magnetostrictive contraction in the outer ordered carbon layer, shows that its energy and power density can be influenced by the magnetic field. Under zero magnetic field, the cyclic performance exhibits superior average capacity performance in the x = 0.05 sample, while the x = 0.1 sample shows a lower decay rate. Both samples are affected by the magnetic field; however, the x = 0.1 sample performs better under magnetic conditions. In particular, in the C-rate tests under a magnetic field, the sample with x = 0.1 showed a significant relative reduction in capacity decay rate by 20.18% compared to the sample with x = 0.05.

Evaluating local plant species for effective fall armyworm management strategies in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm; FAW) in the world has raised concerns regarding its impact on crop production, particularly on corn and sorghum. While chemical control and Bt crops have been effective in managing FAW damage, the development of pesticide-resistant and Bt-resistant strains necessitates alternative control methods. The push-pull farming system has gained attention, but direct utilization of African plant species in Taiwan faces challenges due to invasive potential and climatic disparities. Therefore, identifying and evaluating suitable local plant species, such as Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), Desmodium species, and signal grass (Brachiaria brizantha), is crucial for implementing effective FAW management strategies in Taiwan. RESULTS: In screening fifty Napier grass germplasms, all demonstrated an antibiotic effect, reducing leaf consumption compared to corn. Notably, thirty-five germplasms exhibited robust antibiotic traits, decreasing FAW consumption and increasing mortality rates. Three Napier grass germplasms also attracted more female moths for oviposition. Further evaluation of selected Napier grass germplasms and signal grass demonstrated efficacy in reducing FAW larval weight and survival duration. Additionally, Desmodium species, particularly D. uncinatum, showed promising toxicity against FAW larvae. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the effectiveness of selected Napier grass germplasms and signal grass as pull plants, and highlight the potential of D. uncinatum as a push plant in FAW management strategies in Taiwan.

Health and wellbeing of staff working at higher education institutions globally during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period: evidence from a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The ongoing global crisis of Higher Education (HE) institutions during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period has increased the likelihood of enduring psychological stressors for staff. This study aimed to identify factors associated with job insecurity, burnout, psychological distress and coping amongst staff working at HE institutions globally. METHODS: An anonymous cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 with staff at HE institutions across 16 countries. Job insecurity was measured using the Job Insecurity Scale (JIS), burnout using the Perceived Burnout measure question, psychological distress using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and coping using the Brief Resilient Coping Scale. Multivariable logistic regression with a stepwise variable selection method was used to identify associations. RESULTS: A total of 2,353 staff participated; the mean age (± SD) was 43(± 10) years and 61% were females. Most staff (85%) did not feel job insecurity, one-third (29%) perceived burnout in their jobs, more than two-thirds (73%) experienced moderate to very high levels of psychological distress, and more than half (58%) exhibited medium to high resilient coping. Perceived job insecurity was associated with staff working part-time [Adjusted Odds Ratio 1.53 (95% Confidence Intervals 1.15-2.02)], having an academic appointment [2.45 (1.78-3.27)], having multiple co-morbidities [1.86 (1.41-2.48)], perceived burnout [1.99 (1.54-2.56)] and moderate to very high level of psychological distress [1.68 (1.18-2.39)]. Perceived burnout was associated with being female [1.35 (1.12-1.63)], having multiple co-morbidities [1.53 (1.20-1.97)], perceived job insecurity [1.99 (1.55-2.57)], and moderate to very high levels of psychological distress [3.23 (2.42-4.30)]. Staff with multiple co-morbidities [1.46 (1.11-1.92)], mental health issues [2.73 (1.79-4.15)], perceived job insecurity [1.61 (1.13-2.30)], and perceived burnout [3.22 (2.41-4.31)] were associated with moderate to very high levels of psychological distress. Staff who perceived their mental health as good to excellent [3.36 (2.69-4.19)] were more likely to have medium to high resilient coping. CONCLUSIONS: Factors identified in this study should be considered in reviewing and updating current support strategies for staff at HE institutions across all countries to reduce stress and burnout and improve wellbeing.