Treatment of landfill leachate by black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) larvae and the changes of intestinal microbial community

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) (Hermetia illucens) are commonly used to treat organic waste. This work aims to evaluate the transformation effect, heavy metal migration, and alterations in the gut microbiota of BSFL in addition to treating landfill leachate (LL) with BSFL. We found that BSFL may grow in various landfill leachate concentrations without obvious toxicity and growth inhibition. In addition, the results indicated a significant increase in the content of ammonia nitrogen and the activity of urease and β-glucosidase (β-GC) in LL, increased from 2570.17 mg/L to 5853.67 mg/L, 1859.17 mg/(g·d) to 517,177.98 mg/(g·d), 313.73 μg/(g·h) to 441.91 μg/(g·h) respectively. Conversely, the content of total nitrogen (TN) and total organic carbon (TOC) decreased in LL, decreasing by 31.24% and 29.45% respectively. Heavy metals are accumulated in the leachate by the BSFL to differing degrees, the descending sequence of accumulation is Cd > As > Cu > Cr. As dropped by 26.0%, Cd increased by 22.6%, Cu reduced by 5.23%, and Cr increased by 317.1% in the remaining matrix. The concentration of heavy metals satisfies the organic fertilizers' limit index (NY/T1978). The diversity of intestinal microorganisms in BSFL decreased, from 2819 OTUs to 2338 OTUs, with Providencia and Morganella emerging as the core flora. The gene abundance of nitrogen metabolism in the microbiota increased significantly. The TOC, β-GC, and Copper (Cu) content in BSFL correlated significantly with the gut microbiota. In Summary, this study revealed the treatment effect of BSFL on LL, the migration of heavy metals, and changes in the intestinal microorganisms of BSFL. The content of heavy metals in BSFL was found to be much lower than the upper limit of feed protein raw materials, demonstrating that BSFL is a sustainable method to treat LL.

PITPNA-AS1 Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Migration in Ovarian Cancer by Regulating the MIR-223-3p/RHOB Axis

Background

Ovarian cancer is a fatal gynecologic malignancy. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has been verified to serve as key regulator in ovarian cancer tumorigenesis.

Objective

The aim of the study was to study the functions and mechanism of lncRNA PITPNA-AS1 in ovarian cancer cellular process.

Methods

Clinical ovarian cancer samples were collected and stored at an academic medical center. Cellular fractionation assays and fluorescence in situ hybridization were conducted to locate PITPNA-AS1 in OC cells. TUNEL staining, colony-forming assays, and Transwell assays were performed for evaluating cell apoptosis as well as proliferative and migratory abilities. Western blot was conducted for quantifying protein levels of epithelialmesenchymal transition markers. The binding relation between genes was verified by RNA pulldown, RNA immunoprecipitation, and luciferase reporter assays. Gene expression levels in ovarian cancer tissues and cells were subjected to RT-qPCR.

Results

PITPNA-AS1 level was downregulated in ovarian cancer samples and cells. PITPNA-AS1 overexpression contributed to the accelerated ovarian cancer cell apoptosis and inhibited cell migration, proliferation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition process. In addition, PITPNA-AS1 interacted with miR-223-3p to regulate RHOB. RHOB knockdown partially counteracted the repressive impact of PITPNA-AS1 on ovarian cancer cell activities.

Conclusion

PITPNA-AS1 inhibited ovarian cancer cellular behaviors by targeting miR-223-3p and regulating RHOB.

Fabrication of multifunctional facial masks from phenolic acid grafted chitosan/collagen peptides via aqueous electrospinning

Facial masks have become ubiquitous in our daily life to endow skin enough moisture and activated nutrition through mask nonwovens infused with skincare ingredients. However, the active nutrients in wet masks are prone to deterioration and deactivation. Herein, a novel multifunctional nanofiber dry mask was successfully prepared using aqueous-electrospun phenolic acid grafted chitosan/collagen peptides. When used, the functional nanofibers in the mask dissolve through spraying moisture, activating active ingredients in response to water and providing in-situ free radical scavenging, moisturizing and antibacterial effects to the skin. In this work, a series of gallic acid (GA), caffeic acid (CA), and protocatechuic acid (PA) have been studied to be grafted with chitosan to improve water solubility of chitosan (CS). Also, through aqueous electrospinning of phenolic acid-grafted chitosan/collagen peptides, a one-step green multifunctional nanofiber mask was obtained. The results showed that the mask had a 12.14 % moisturizing rate and a 94.09 % activity for removing free radicals from the skin after encountering moisture. Considering its high efficiency, controllable function release, and easy processability, the nanofiber multifunctional mask may provide a competitive alternative to facial masks and promote potential value-added applications of bio-based macro-molecules.

Selective breeding of cold-tolerant black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae: Gut microbial shifts and transcriptional patterns

The larvae of black soldier fly (BSFL) convert organic waste into insect proteins used as feedstuff for livestock and aquaculture. BSFL production performance is considerably reduced during winter season. Herein, the intraspecific diversity of ten commercial BSF colonies collected in China was evaluated. The Bioforte colony was subjected to selective breeding at 12 °C and 16 °C to develop cold-tolerant BSF with improved production performance. After breeding for nine generations, the weight of larvae, survival rate, and the dry matter conversion rate significantly increased. Subsequently, intestinal microbiota in the cold-tolerant strain showed that bacteria belonging to Morganella, Dysgonomonas, Salmonella, Pseudochrobactrum, and Klebsiella genera were highly represented in the 12 °C bred, while those of Acinetobacter, Pseudochrobactrum, Enterococcus, Comamonas, and Leucobacter genera were significantly represented in the 16 °C bred group. Metagenomic revealed that several animal probiotics of the Enterococcus and Vagococcus genera were greatly enriched in the gut of larvae bred at 16 °C. Moreover, bacterial metabolic pathways including carbohydrate, lipid, amino acids, and cofactors and vitamins, were significantly increased, while organismal systems and human diseases was decreased in the 16 °C bred group. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the upregulated differentially expressed genes in the 16 °C bred groups mainly participated in Autophagy-animal, AMPK signaling pathway, mTOR signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, Hippo signaling pathway at day 34 under 16 °C conditions, suggesting their significant role in the survival of BSFL. Taken together, these results shed lights on the role of intestinal microflora and gene pathways in the adaptation of BSF larvae to cold stress.

Amplitude Analysis of the B^{0}→K^{*0}μ^{+}μ^{-} Decay

An amplitude analysis of the B^{0}→K^{*0}μ^{+}μ^{-} decay is presented using a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.7  fb^{-1} of pp collision data collected with the LHCb experiment. For the first time, the coefficients associated to short-distance physics effects, sensitive to processes beyond the standard model, are extracted directly from the data through a q^{2}-unbinned amplitude analysis, where q^{2} is the μ^{+}μ^{-} invariant mass squared. Long-distance contributions, which originate from nonfactorizable QCD processes, are systematically investigated, and the most accurate assessment to date of their impact on the physical observables is obtained. The pattern of measured corrections to the short-distance couplings is found to be consistent with previous analyses of b- to s-quark transitions, with the largest discrepancy from the standard model predictions found to be at the level of 1.8 standard deviations. The global significance of the observed differences in the decay is 1.4 standard deviations.

Handling the Challenges of Small-Scale Labeled Data and Class Imbalances in Classifying the N and K Statuses of Rubber Leaves Using Hyperspectroscopy Techniques

The nutritional status of rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) is inseparable from the production of natural rubber. Nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) levels in rubber leaves are 2 crucial criteria that reflect the nutritional status of the rubber tree. Advanced hyperspectral technology can evaluate N and K statuses in leaves rapidly. However, high bias and uncertain results will be generated when using a small size and imbalance dataset to train a spectral estimaion model. A typical solution of laborious long-term nutrient stress and high-intensive data collection deviates from rapid and flexible advantages of hyperspectral tech. Therefore, a less intensive and streamlined method, remining information from hyperspectral image data, was assessed. From this new perspective, a semisupervised learning (SSL) method and resampling techniques were employed for generating pseudo-labeling data and class rebalancing. Subsequently, a 5-classification spectral model of the N and K statuses of rubber leaves was established. The SSL model based on random forest classifiers and mean sampling techniques yielded optimal classification results both on imbalance/balance dataset (weighted average precision 67.8/78.6%, macro averaged precision 61.2/74.4%, and weighted recall 65.7/78.5% for the N status). All data and code could be viewed on the:Github https://github.com/WeehowTang/SSL-rebalancingtest. Ultimately, we proposed an efficient way to rapidly and accurately monitor the N and K levels in rubber leaves, especially in the scenario of small annotation and imbalance categories ratios.

Fraction of χ_{c} Decays in Prompt J/ψ Production Measured in pPb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16 TeV

The fraction of χ_{c1} and χ_{c2} decays in the prompt J/ψ yield, F_{χ_{c}→J/ψ}=σ_{χ_{c}→J/ψ}/σ_{J/ψ}, is measured by the LHCb detector in pPb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16  TeV. The study covers the forward (1.5 Collapse

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[Unilateral secondary breast reconstruction using a pedicled dorsal flap sparing the latissimus dorsi (TDAP and MSLD) in patients with a history of total mastectomy for breast cancer. Monocentric observational study]

INTRODUCTION

The use of pedicled dorsal flaps sparing the latissimus dorsi muscle (TDAP and MSLD flap) is a well-described reconstruction method in breast reconstruction after breast cancer. However, little data exists regarding patient satisfaction after this surgery. The main objective of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction after unilateral total secondary breast reconstruction using a TDAP or MSLD flap. The secondary objectives corresponded to the evaluation of postoperative complications following this surgery, the evaluation of the duration of the reconstruction and the nature of additional interventions, the evaluation of the functional after-effects, and the evaluation of the chest size when the reconstruction is completed.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

This is a monocentric, retrospective cohort study, including 22 patients who underwent unilateral secondary total breast reconstruction using a TDAP or MSLD flap between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2022. Patient satisfaction was assessed using three questionnaires validated in breast reconstruction: the Reconstruction module of the BREAST-Q, the MBROS-S and the MBROS-BI.

RESULTS

The MBROS-S satisfaction score is 71.4%. The MBROS-BI body image score is 62%. With the BREAST-Q, the Satisfaction with Breast score is estimated at 53.1; the Satisfaction with Back score is estimated at 75.5; the physical well-being score regarding the chest is evaluated at 71.7; the physical well-being score concerning the shoulder and back is evaluated at 67.4; the psychosocial well-being score is assessed at 67.4; the sexual well-being score is estimated at 48.7; and for women who have benefited from reconstruction associated with a prosthesis, the satisfaction score regarding the implant is 71.6.

CONCLUSION

Unilateral total secondary breast reconstruction with a dorsal pedicled flap sparing the latissimus dorsi muscle is an elegant, reliable, and respectful way to reconstruct a breast, and appears to give high levels of satisfaction.

Observation of Cabibbo-Suppressed Two-Body Hadronic Decays and Precision Mass Measurement of the Ω_{c}^{0} Baryon

The first observation of the singly Cabibbo-suppressed Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}K^{+} and Ω_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+} decays is reported, using proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4  fb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb detector between 2016 and 2018. The branching fraction ratios are measured to be B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}K^{+})/B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}π^{+})=[6.08±0.51(stat)±0.40(syst)]%,B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+})/B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}π^{+})=[15.81±0.87(stat)±0.44(syst)±0.16(ext)]%. In addition, using the Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}π^{+} decay channel, the Ω_{c}^{0} baryon mass is measured to be M(Ω_{c}^{0})=2695.28±0.07(stat)±0.27(syst)±0.30(ext)  MeV, improving the precision of the previous world average by a factor of 4.

Enhanced Production of Λ_{b}^{0} Baryons in High-Multiplicity pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The production rate of Λ_{b}^{0} baryons relative to B^{0} mesons in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[s]=13  TeV is measured by the LHCb experiment. The ratio of Λ_{b}^{0} to B^{0} production cross sections shows a significant dependence on both the transverse momentum and the measured charged-particle multiplicity. At low multiplicity, the ratio measured at LHCb is consistent with the value measured in e^{+}e^{-} collisions, and increases by a factor of ∼2 with increasing multiplicity. At relatively low transverse momentum, the ratio of Λ_{b}^{0} to B^{0} cross sections is higher than what is measured in e^{+}e^{-} collisions, but converges with the e^{+}e^{-} ratio as the momentum increases. These results imply that the evolution of heavy b quarks into final-state hadrons is influenced by the density of the hadronic environment produced in the collision. Comparisons with several models and implications for the mechanisms enforcing quark confinement are discussed.

Alleviating OH Blockage on the Catalyst Surface by the Puncture Effect of Single-Atom Sites to Boost Alkaline Water Electrolysis

Nonprecious transition metal catalysts have emerged as the preferred choice for industrial alkaline water electrolysis due to their cost-effectiveness. However, their overstrong binding energy to adsorbed OH often results in the blockage of active sites, particularly in the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction. Herein, we found that single-atom sites exhibit a puncture effect to effectively alleviate OH blockades, thereby significantly enhancing the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance. Typically, after anchoring single Ru atoms onto tungsten carbides, the overpotential at 10 mA·cm-2 is reduced by more than 130 mV (159 vs 21 mV). Also, the mass activity is increased 16-fold over commercial Pt/C (MA100 = 17.3 A·mgRu-1 vs 1.1 A·mgPt-1, Pt/C). More importantly, such electrocatalyst-based alkaline anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzers can exhibit an ultralow potential (1.79 Vcell) and high stability at an industrial current density of 1.0 A·cm-2. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the isolated Ru sites could weaken the surrounding local OH binding energy, thus puncturing OH blockage and constructing bifunctional interfaces between Ru atoms and the support to accelerate water dissociation. Our findings exhibit generality to other transition metal catalysts (such as Mo) and contribute to the advancement of industrial-scale alkaline water electrolysis.

Obligatory role of microglia-mobilized hippocampal CREB-BDNF signaling in the prophylactic effect of β-glucan on chronic stress-induced depression-like behaviors in mice

Our previous studies have reported that pre-stimulation of microglia before stress stimulation is a possible strategy to prevent depression-like phenotypes; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect are still unclear. Here, we used β-glucan, a polysaccharide from Saccharomyces cerevisiae with immunomodulatory activities that cannot elicit pro-inflammatory responses in microglia, to address this issue. Our results showed that a single injection of β-glucan one day before stress exposure dose-dependently prevented the depression-like behaviors triggered by chronic unpredictable stress (CUS), which peaked at 20 mg/kg and prevented the impairment of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling, a pathological process critical for the progression of depression-like phenotypes. Inhibition of BDNF signaling by infusion of an anti-BDNF antibody into the hippocampus, knock-in of the mutant BDNF Val68Met allele, or blockade of the BDNF receptor in the hippocampus abolished the preventive effect of β-glucan on CUS-induced depression-like behaviors. Further analysis showed that cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB)-mediated increase of BDNF expression in the hippocampus was essential for the prevention of depression-like phenotypes by β-glucan. Pretreatment with minocycline or PLX3397 before β-glucan injection to suppress microglia abolished the preventive effect of β-glucan on impaired CREB-BDNF signaling in the hippocampus and depression-like behaviors in CUS mice. These results suggest that an increase in hippocampal BDNF following CREB activation triggered by β-glucan-induced microglia stimulation and subsequent TrkB signaling mediates the preventive effect of β-glucan on depression. β-Glucan may be a more suitable immunostimulant for the prevention of depression due to its inability to promote pro-inflammatory responses in microglia.

Improved Measurement of CP Violation Parameters in B_{s}^{0}→J/ψK^{+}K^{-} Decays in the Vicinity of the ϕ(1020) Resonance

The decay-time-dependent CP asymmetry in B_{s}^{0}→J/ψ(→μ^{+}μ^{-})K^{+}K^{-} decays is measured using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6  fb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb detector at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. Using a sample of approximately 349 000 B_{s}^{0} signal decays with an invariant K^{+}K^{-} mass in the vicinity of the ϕ(1020) resonance, the CP-violating phase ϕ_{s} is measured, along with the difference in decay widths of the light and heavy mass eigenstates of the B_{s}^{0}-B[over ¯]_{s}^{0} system, ΔΓ_{s}, and the difference of the average B_{s}^{0} and B^{0} meson decay widths, Γ_{s}-Γ_{d}. The values obtained are ϕ_{s}=-0.039±0.022±0.006  rad, ΔΓ_{s}=0.0845±0.0044±0.0024  ps^{-1}, and Γ_{s}-Γ_{d}=-0.0056_{-0.0015}^{+0.0013}±0.0014  ps^{-1}, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. These are the most precise single measurements to date and are consistent with expectations based on the Standard Model and with the previous LHCb analyses of this decay. These results are combined with previous independent LHCb measurements. The phase ϕ_{s} is also measured independently for each polarization state of the K^{+}K^{-} system and shows no evidence for polarization dependence.

Microglia-Dependent Reversal of Depression-Like Behaviors in Chronically Stressed Mice by Administration of a Specific Immuno-stimulant β-Glucan

In recent years, the decline of microglia in the hippocampus has been shown to play a role in the development of depression, and its reversal shows marked antidepressant-like effects. β-glucan is a polysaccharide from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and has numerous beneficial effects on the nervous system, including improving axon regeneration and cognition. Considering its immuno-stimulatory activities in cultured microglia and brain tissues, we hypothesize that β-glucan may be a potential candidate to correct the functional deficiency of microglia and thereby alleviate depression-like behaviors in chronically stressed animals. An expected, our results showed that a single injection of β-glucan 5 h before behavioral tests at a dose of 10 or 20 mg/kg, but not at a dose of 5 mg/kg, reversed the depression-like behavior induced by chronic stress in mice in the tail suspension test, forced swimming test, and sucrose preference test. The effect of β-glucan (20 mg/kg) also showed time-dependent properties that were statistically significant 5 and 8, but not 3, hours after drug injection and persisted for at least 7 days. Fourteen days after β-glucan injection, no antidepressant-like effect was observed anymore. However, this effect was overcome by a second β-glucan injection (20 mg/kg) 14 days after the first β-glucan injection. Stimulation of microglia appeared to mediate the antidepressant-like effect of β-glucan, because both inhibition of microglia and their depletion prevented the antidepressant-like effect of β-glucan. Based on these effects of β-glucan, β-glucan administration could be developed as a new strategy for the treatment of depression.

Uric acid is negatively associated with cognition in the first- episode of schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

We explored the relationship between levels of serum uric acid (UA) and cognitive impairment in people with schizophrenia to order to better protect and improve cognitive function in such patients.

METHODS

A uricase method evaluated serum UA levels in 82 individuals with first-episode schizophrenia and in 39 healthy controls. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the event-related potential P300 were used to assess the patient's psychiatric symptoms and cognitive functioning. The link between serum UA levels, BPRS scores, and P300 was investigated.

RESULTS

Prior to treatment, serum UA levels and latency N3 in the study group were significantly higher than in the control group, whereas the amplitude P3 was considerably lower. After therapy, the study group's BPRS scores, serum UA levels, latency N3, and amplitude P3 were lower than before treatment. According to correlation analysis, serum UA levels in the pre-treatment study group significantly positively correlated with BPRS score and latency N3 but not amplitude P3. After therapy, serum UA levels were no longer substantially related to the BPRS score or amplitude P3 but strongly and positively correlated with latency N3.

CONCLUSIONS

First-episode schizophrenia patients have higher serum UA levels than the general population which partly reflects poor cognitive performance. Improving patients' cognitive function may be facilitated by lowering serum UA levels.

Amorphization Activated Multimetallic Pd Alloys for Boosting Oxygen Reduction Catalysis

Amorphous nanomaterials have drawn extensive attention owing to their unique features, while amorphization on noble metal nanomaterials still remains formidably challenging. Herein, we demonstrate a universal strategy to synthesize amorphous Pd-based nanomaterials from unary to quinary metals through the introduction of phosphorus (P). The amorphous Pd-based nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit generally promoted oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and durability compared with their crystalline counterparts. Significantly, the quinary P-PdCuNiInSn NPs, benefiting from the amorphous structure and multimetallic component effect, exhibit mass activities as high as 1.04 A mgPd-1 and negligible activity decays of 1.8% among the stability tests, which are much better than values for original Pd NPs (0.134 A mgPd-1 and 28.4%). Experimental and theoretical analyses collectively reveal that the synergy of P-induced amorphization and the expansion of metallic components can considerably lower the free energy changes in the rate-determined step, thereby explaining the positive correlation with the catalytic activity.

Measurement of CP Violation in B^{0}→ψ(→ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-})K_{S}^{0}(→π^{+}π^{-}) Decays

A measurement of time-dependent CP violation in the decays of B^{0} and B[over ¯]^{0} mesons to the final states J/ψ(→μ^{+}μ^{-})K_{S}^{0}, ψ(2S)(→μ^{+}μ^{-})K_{S}^{0} and J/ψ(→e^{+}e^{-})K_{S}^{0} with K_{S}^{0}→π^{+}π^{-} is presented. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 6  fb^{-1} collected at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=13  TeV with the LHCb detector. The CP-violation parameters are measured to be S_{ψK_{S}^{0}}=0.717±0.013(stat)±0.008(syst) and C_{ψK_{S}^{0}}=0.008±0.012(stat)±0.003(syst). This measurement of S_{ψK_{S}^{0}} represents the most precise single measurement of the CKM angle β to date and is more precise than the current world average. In addition, measurements of the CP-violation parameters of the individual channels are reported and a combination with the LHCb Run 1 measurements is performed.

Rapid Growth of the CO2 Hydrate Induced by Mixing Trace Tetrafluoroethane

Rapid formation of the CO2 hydrate can be significantly induced by the gaseous thermodynamic promoter 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane(R134a) due to the mild phase equilibrium conditions, although the formation mechanism and dynamic behavior are not clear. Therefore, a visual experimental system was developed to study the effects of different concentrations of R134a on the induction time, gas consumption, and growth morphology of the CO2 hydrate. At the same time, the combined effects under stirring and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) systems were also studied. In addition, visualization and experimental model diagrams were combined to explain the fast formation mechanism of the R134a/CO2 hydrate. The results show that the CO2 hydrate average conversion rate was increased by more than 63% with the addition of mixed trace R134a(7%). A special phenomenon is found that two temperature peaks appear on the hydrate formation temperature curve, corresponding to two different stages of hydrate formation when stirring or SDS is added to the mixed gas reaction system. Furthermore, the gas consumption in stirring and SDS systems increases by 9 and 44%, respectively. Finally, it is also found that the R134a/CO2 mixed hydrate formed under the action of SDS has a "capillary" mechanism, which provides a gas-liquid phase exchange channel and a large number of nucleation sites for CO2 hydrate, thus promoting the formation of CO2 hydrate. This paper provides a novel, simple, and efficient method for CO2 hydrate gas storage technology.

[Phalloplasty by radial forearm free flap in the context of female-to-male gender reassignment surgery]

AIMS

The aims of this article are to provide an overview of the technique of phalloplasty by radial forearm free flap in the context of female-to-male gender reassignment surgery, with a specific focus on surgical technical details and the prevention of postoperative complications.

METHODS

In the light of our 30 years of experience in caring for female-to-male transgender individuals and conducting a critical review of the literature, we exhaustively present our technique of radial forearm free flap phalloplasty in female-to-male gender reassignment surgery.

RESULTS

The technique of radial forearm free flap phalloplasty, utilizing a one-stage approach for neourethral and neophallus construction based on the "tube within a tube" principle, not only achieves an aesthetically pleasing appearance of the neophallus resembling a normal penis with tactile and erogenous sensitivities but also yields a functional neourethra and satisfactory penile rigidity using implants for standing voiding and sexual intercourse. This intricate surgical procedure demands not only meticulous execution of all surgical maneuvers but also high-level postoperative care. Despite refinements in technique over recent decades, aesthetic sequelae at the donor site of the flap remain subject to criticism, and postoperative complications, particularly of vascular and urological nature, remain significant.

CONCLUSION

Future optimization of the surgical technique for this procedure will be imperative to minimize postoperative complications and establish a true technical "gold standard" for phalloplasty in female-to-male transgender individuals.

[Description of a vaginoplasty technique using a peritoneal flap harvested by coelioscopic approach for male-to-female gender affirmations (MtF)]

AIM

The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive description of the peritoneal flap technique in male-to-female (MtF) gender affirmation surgery, particularly in cases of insufficient depth after penile inversion vaginoplasty.

RESULTS

Our short-term results reveal that the peritoneal flap vaginoplasty, adapted from the Davydov procedure, has shown significant potential for improving functional and aesthetic outcomes, including the creation of a self-lubricating neovagina. However, the complexity of the procedure requires advanced surgical expertise and appropriate postoperative care. Patient selection also plays an essential role as not all patients are ideal candidates for this procedure.

CONCLUSION

Despite its promises, the widespread adoption of the peritoneal flap technique in male-to-female (MtF) gender affirmation surgery is hindered by several challenges, including the need for specialized training and potential postoperative complications. Thus, this technique should be considered as an alternative or complement to traditional methods, depending on individual patient factors. Further research and extensive clinical trials are needed to better understand its potential and limitations in order to enhance the arsenal of effective surgical options for MtF gender affirmation surgery.

Observation of New Baryons in the Ξ_{b}^{-}π^{+}π^{-} and Ξ_{b}^{0}π^{+}π^{-} Systems

The first observation and study of two new baryonic structures in the final state Ξ_{b}^{0}π^{+}π^{-} and the confirmation of the Ξ_{b}(6100)^{-} state in the Ξ_{b}^{-}π^{+}π^{-} decay mode are reported using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}. In addition, the properties of the known Ξ_{b}^{*0}, Ξ_{b}^{'-} and Ξ_{b}^{*-} resonances are measured with improved precision. The new decay mode of the Ξ_{b}^{0} baryon to the Ξ_{c}^{+} π^{-} π^{+} π^{-} final state is observed and exploited for the first time in these measurements.

Precision Measurement of CP Violation in the Penguin-Mediated Decay B_{s}^{0}→ϕϕ

A flavor-tagged time-dependent angular analysis of the decay B_{s}^{0}→ϕϕ is performed using pp collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at the center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6  fb^{-1}. The CP-violating phase and direct CP-violation parameter are measured to be ϕ_{s}^{ss[over ¯]s}=-0.042±0.075±0.009  rad and |λ|=1.004±0.030±0.009, respectively, assuming the same values for all polarization states of the ϕϕ system. In these results, the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. These parameters are also determined separately for each polarization state, showing no evidence for polarization dependence. The results are combined with previous LHCb measurements using pp collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, yielding ϕ_{s}^{ss[over ¯]s}=-0.074±0.069  rad and |λ|=1.009±0.030. This is the most precise study of time-dependent CP violation in a penguin-dominated B meson decay. The results are consistent with CP symmetry and with the standard model predictions.

Effects of environmental factors on avian communities in urban parks in small- to medium-sized city: a case study of Fuyang City, Anhui, China

With a worldwide expansion of urbanization, the conservation of urban biodiversity is attracting growing attention; it is important to study the relationship between wildlife and urban green spaces. In this study, we selected 31 parks in the urban area of Fuyang City in the North China Plain. A total of 8795 individual birds from 69 species were recorded. The study found that (a) at the local level, tree diversity and heights are the most important factors contributing to each level of bird diversity, followed by the coverage of shrubs and herbs, and (b) at the landscape level, the proportion of woodland has a strong positive correlation with the multidimensional diversity of birds, followed by the patch diversity and percent of grassland. Our results showed that artificial greenland can effectively increase bird diversity. While considering urban planning and human well-being, the proportion of vegetation and landscape in urban parks should be properly planned, providing more habitats to enrich bird diversity.

Measurement of the Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ(1520)μ^{+}μ^{-} Differential Branching Fraction

The branching fraction of the rare decay Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ(1520)μ^{+}μ^{-} is measured for the first time, in the squared dimuon mass intervals q^{2}, excluding the J/ψ and ψ(2S) regions. The data sample analyzed was collected by the LHCb experiment at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}. The result in the highest q^{2} interval, q^{2}>15.0  GeV^{2}/c^{4}, where theoretical predictions have the smallest model dependence, agrees with the predictions.

Carbon Ion Radiotherapy Exerts Anti-Tumor Activity by Inducing cGAS-STING Activation and Immune Response in Prostate Cancer-Bearing Mice

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The aim of this study was to assess the influence on immune cell infiltration and T cell effector function to explore the immune response evoked by carbon ion radiotherapy (CiRT) in prostate cancer-bearing mice, and explored the mechanisms underlying CiRT-induced anti-tumor efficacy, involved in cGAS-STING signaling pathway.

MATERIALS/METHODS

C57BL/6 and BALB/c nude mouse tumor models were used to evaluate the efficacy of CiRT on tumor growth. Activation of cGAS-STING signaling pathway was performed by immunofluorescence analysis of cytoplasmic double-stranded DNA, western blot analysis of key factors involved in cGAS-STING pathway, and qRT-PCR analysis of the key downstream molecules like CCL5, CXCL10 and IFNβ1. Investigation of alterations of immunophenotypes including the quantification, memory status, exhaustion marker expression, and effector function were assessed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

CiRT showed more powerful tumor growth control of immunocompetent syngeneic C57BL/6 mice than photon radiotherapy did at biological equivalent dose of 5Gy. CiRT induces cytoplasmic DNA and cGAS-STING activation, and is functionally responsible for the observed tumor growth suppression. CiRT exerts anti-tumor effect by triggering immune response, characterized by increased infiltration of CD4+ T cells and macrophages in tumor, enhanced frequencies of CD8+ T cells and CD8+ T effector memory cells in spleen, improved interferon (IFN)-γ production ability of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte cells, and reduced expression of exhausted T cells in tumor and spleen.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that CIRT exerts excellent anti-tumor activity, which may be attributed to the induction of cGAS-STING activation and immune response, manifested by increased immune cell infiltration, improved T cell effector function and enhanced immune memory.

Deep Learning-Based Esophageal Tumor Identification on CT Slice

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The study aims to use deep learning to improve the accuracy of identifying esophageal tumors on CT slices for radiotherapy planning. The identification of Gross Tumor Volume (GTV) can be challenging due to low contrast with surrounding tissue. Other methods like endoscopy and PET scan can provide additional information, but may not be suitable for radiotherapy due to differences in tissue density and alignment needs.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A multi-task deep learning network was developed, which perform both segmentation and slice classification, simultaneously. For segmentation, the normal esophagus and tumor were treated as a single structure due to the difficulty in distinguishing between them on CT images. The slices were divided into 3 categories, including tumor, normal esophageal and other. An Unet was used for segmentation and generate the mask to remove irrelevant areas. The masked image will be input into a Resnet to obtain the categories of slices. The performance of classification was accessed by ROC curve, AUC and confusion matrix on a new dataset and PET images.

RESULTS

The multi-task deep learning network was developed on a dataset of 315 patients' CT images and GTV segmentations, which were reviewed and verified by physicians. The model was then evaluated on an additional validation dataset of 30 patients, resulting in an accuracy of 88%. In terms of sensitivity and specificity, the model showed high performance, with a sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 95% for tumor and normal esophagus in the validation dataset. Meanwhile, the specificity was 85% and the specificity was 80% for tumor and normal esophagus in PET images dataset.

CONCLUSION

This multi-task deep learning approach effectively combines the benefits of both segmentation and classification techniques, resulting in improved accuracy and efficiency in identifying esophageal tumors on CT slices for radiotherapy planning.

Observation of New Ω_{c}^{0} States Decaying to the Ξ_{c}^{+}K^{-} Final State

Two new excited states, Ω_{c}(3185)^{0} and Ω_{c}(3327)^{0}, are observed in the Ξ_{c}^{+}K^{-} invariant-mass spectrum using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}. Five previously observed excited Ω_{c}^{0} states are confirmed, namely Ω_{c}(3000)^{0}, Ω_{c}(3050)^{0}, Ω_{c}(3065)^{0}, Ω_{c}(3090)^{0}, and Ω_{c}(3119)^{0}. The masses and widths of these seven states are measured with the highest precision to date.

Evidence of a J/ψK_{S}^{0} Structure in B^{0}→J/ψϕK_{S}^{0} Decays

An amplitude analysis of B^{0}→J/ψϕK_{S}^{0} decays is performed using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV. Evidence with a significance of 4.0 standard deviations of a structure in the J/ψK_{S}^{0} system, named T_{ψs1}^{θ}(4000)^{0}, is seen, with its mass and width measured to be 3991_{-10}^{+12} _{-17}^{+9}  MeV/c^{2} and 105_{-25}^{+29} _{-23}^{+17}  MeV, respectively, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The T_{ψs1}^{θ}(4000)^{0} state is likely to be the isospin partner of the T_{ψs1}^{θ}(4000)^{+} state, previously observed in the J/ψK^{+} system of the B^{+}→J/ψϕK^{+} decay. When isospin symmetry for the charged and neutral T_{ψs1}^{θ}(4000) states is assumed, the signal significance increases to 5.4 standard deviations.

Measurement of the Ratios of Branching Fractions R(D^{*}) and R(D^{0})

The ratios of branching fractions R(D^{*})≡B(B[over ¯]→D^{*}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})/B(B[over ¯]→D^{*}μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}) and R(D^{0})≡B(B^{-}→D^{0}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})/B(B^{-}→D^{0}μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}) are measured, assuming isospin symmetry, using a sample of proton-proton collision data corresponding to 3.0  fb^{-1} of integrated luminosity recorded by the LHCb experiment during 2011 and 2012. The tau lepton is identified in the decay mode τ^{-}→μ^{-}ν_{τ}ν[over ¯]_{μ}. The measured values are R(D^{*})=0.281±0.018±0.024 and R(D^{0})=0.441±0.060±0.066, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The correlation between these measurements is ρ=-0.43. The results are consistent with the current average of these quantities and are at a combined 1.9 standard deviations from the predictions based on lepton flavor universality in the standard model.

Measurement of the Prompt D^{0} Nuclear Modification Factor in p-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16 TeV

The production of prompt D^{0} mesons in proton-lead collisions in both the forward and backward rapidity regions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16  TeV is measured by the LHCb experiment. The nuclear modification factor of prompt D^{0} mesons is determined as a function of the transverse momentum p_{T}, and the rapidity in the nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass frame y^{*}. In the forward rapidity region, significantly suppressed production with respect to pp collisions is measured, which provides significant constraints on models of nuclear parton distributions and hadron production down to the very low Bjorken-x region of ∼10^{-5}. In the backward rapidity region, a suppression with a significance of 2.0-3.8 standard deviations compared to parton distribution functions in a nuclear environment expectations is found in the kinematic region of p_{T}>6  GeV/c and -3.25 Collapse

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Human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cell secretome reverts silica-induced airway epithelial cell injury by regulating Bmi1 signaling

Silicosis is an irreversible chronic pulmonary disease caused by long-term inhalation and deposition of silica particles, which is currently incurable. The exhaustion of airway epithelial stem cells plays a pathogenetic role in silicosis. In present study, we investigated therapeutic effects and potential mechanism of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived MSC-likes immune and matrix regulatory cells (IMRCs) (hESC-MSC-IMRCs), a type of manufacturable MSCs for clinical application in silicosis mice. Our results showed that the transplantation of hESC-MSC-IMRCs led the alleviation of silica-induced silicosis in mice, accompanied by inhibiting epithelia-mesenchymal transition (EMT), activating B-cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus integration site 1 (Bmi1) signaling and airway epithelial cell regeneration. In consistence, the secretome of hESC-MSC-IMRC exhibited abilities to restore the potency and plasticity of primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) proliferation and differentiation following the SiO2 -induced HBECs injury. Mechanistically, the secretome resolved the SiO2 -induced HBECs injury through the activation of BMI1 signaling and restoration of airway basal cell proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, the activation of BMI1 significantly enhanced the capacity of HBEC proliferation and differentiation to multiple airway epithelial cell types in organoids. Cytokine array revealed that DKK1, VEGF, uPAR, IL-8, Serpin E1, MCP-1 and Tsp-1 were the main factors in the hESC-MSC-IMRC secretome. These results demonstrated a potential therapeutic effect of hESC-MSC-IMRCs and their secretome for silicosis, in part through a mechanism by activating Bmi1 signaling to revert the exhaustion of airway epithelial stem cells, subsequentially enhance the potency and plasticity of lung epithelial stem cells.

Measurement of the Time-Integrated CP Asymmetry in D^{0}→K^{-}K^{+} Decays

The time-integrated CP asymmetry in the Cabibbo-suppressed decay D^{0}→K^{-}K^{+} is measured using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.7  fb^{-1} collected at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV with the LHCb detector. The D^{0} mesons are required to originate from promptly produced D^{*+}→D^{0}π^{+} decays, and the charge of the companion pion is used to determine the flavor of the charm meson at production. The time-integrated CP asymmetry is measured to be A_{CP}(K^{-}K^{+})=[6.8±5.4±1.6]×10^{-4} where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The direct CP asymmetries in D^{0}→K^{-}K^{+} and D^{0}→π^{-}π^{+} decays, a_{K^{-}K^{+}}^{d} and a_{π^{-}π^{+}}^{d}, are derived by combining A_{CP}(K^{-}K^{+}) with the time-integrated CP asymmetry difference, ΔA_{CP}=A_{CP}(K^{-}K^{+})-A_{CP}(π^{-}π^{+}), and other inputs, giving a_{K^{-}K^{+}}^{d}=(7.7±5.7)×10^{-4},a_{π^{-}π^{+}}^{d}=(23.2±6.1)×10^{-4},with a correlation coefficient corresponding to ρ=0.88. The compatibility of these results with CP symmetry is 1.4 and 3.8 standard deviations for D^{0}→K^{-}K^{+} and D^{0}→π^{-}π^{+} decays, respectively. This is the first evidence for direct CP violation in a specific D^{0} decay.

Measurement of the Branching Fractions B(B^{0}→pp[over ¯]pp[over ¯]) and B(B_{s}^{0}→pp[over ¯]pp[over ¯])

Searches for the rare hadronic decays B^{0}→pp[over ¯]pp[over ¯] and B_{s}^{0}→pp[over ¯]pp[over ¯] are performed using proton-proton collision data recorded by the LHCb experiment and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}. Significances of 9.3σ and 4.0σ, including statistical and systematic uncertainties, are obtained for the B^{0}→pp[over ¯]pp[over ¯] and B_{s}^{0}→pp[over ¯]pp[over ¯] signals, respectively. The branching fractions are measured relative to the topologically similar normalization decays B^{0}→J/ψ(→pp[over ¯])K^{*0}(→K^{+}π^{-}) and B_{s}^{0}→J/ψ(→pp[over ¯])⁢ϕ(→K^{+}K^{-}). The branching fractions are measured to be B(B^{0}→pp[over ¯]pp[over ¯])=(2.2±0.4±0.1±0.1)×10^{-8} and B(B_{s}^{0}→pp[over ¯]pp[over ¯])=(2.3±1.0±0.2±0.1)×10^{-8}. In these measurements, the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third one is due to the external branching fraction of the normalization channel.

Observation of a Resonant Structure near the D_{s}^{+}D_{s}^{-} Threshold in the B^{+}→D_{s}^{+}D_{s}^{-}K^{+} Decay

An amplitude analysis of the B^{+}→D_{s}^{+}D_{s}^{-}K^{+} decay is carried out to study for the first time its intermediate resonant contributions, using proton-proton collision data collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV. A near-threshold peaking structure, referred to as X(3960), is observed in the D_{s}^{+}D_{s}^{-} invariant-mass spectrum with significance greater than 12 standard deviations. The mass, width, and the quantum numbers of the structure are measured to be 3956±5±10  MeV, 43±13±8  MeV, and J^{PC}=0^{++}, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. The properties of the new structure are consistent with recent theoretical predictions for a state composed of cc[over ¯]ss[over ¯] quarks. Evidence for an additional structure is found around 4140 MeV in the D_{s}^{+}D_{s}^{-} invariant mass, which might be caused either by a new resonance with the 0^{++} assignment or by a J/ψϕ↔D_{s}^{+}D_{s}^{-} coupled-channel effect.

Evidence for Modification of b Quark Hadronization in High-Multiplicity pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The production rate of B_{s}^{0} mesons relative to B^{0} mesons is measured by the LHCb experiment in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[s]=13  TeV over the forward rapidity interval 2 Collapse

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Test of Lepton Universality in b→sℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} Decays

The first simultaneous test of muon-electron universality using B^{+}→K^{+}ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} and B^{0}→K^{*0}ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} decays is performed, in two ranges of the dilepton invariant-mass squared, q^{2}. The analysis uses beauty mesons produced in proton-proton collisions collected with the LHCb detector between 2011 and 2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}. Each of the four lepton universality measurements reported is either the first in the given q^{2} interval or supersedes previous LHCb measurements. The results are compatible with the predictions of the Standard Model.

Spiral grass inspired eco-friendly zein fibrous membrane for multi-efficient air purification

Air pollution, one of the severest threats to public health, may lead to cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. In order to cope with the deteriorating air pollutant, there is an increasing demand for filters with high purification efficiency, but it's tough to strike a balance between efficiency and resistance. Fabricating an eco-friendly fibrous filter which can capture both PM2.5 and gaseous chemical hazards with high efficiency but under ultra-low resistance is a long-term challenge. Herein, inspired by the interesting ribbon shape of spiral grass, a green and robust 3D nonwoven membrane with controllable hierarchical structure made of self-curved zein nanofibers modified by zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) via bi-solvent electrospinning and fumigation welding method was fabricated. The obtained ZIF-8 modified zein membranes showed extraordinary overall performance with high PM2.5 removal efficiency (99.04 %) at a low stress drop (54.87 Pa), first-rate formaldehyde removal efficiency (98.8 %) and excellent photocatalytic antibacterial. In addition, the relatively weak mechanical properties of zein fibrous membranes have been improved via solvent fumigation welding of the joint zein fibers. This study provides a green and convenient insight to the manufacturing of environmentally-friendly zein fibrous membranes with high filtration efficiency, low air resistance and high formaldehyde removal for sustainable air remediation.

First Observation of a Doubly Charged Tetraquark and Its Neutral Partner

A combined amplitude analysis is performed for the decays B^{0}→D[over ¯]^{0}D_{s}^{+}π^{-} and B^{+}→D^{-}D_{s}^{+}π^{+}, which are related by isospin symmetry. The analysis is based on data collected by the LHCb detector in proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV. The full data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}. Two new resonant states with masses of 2.908±0.011±0.020  GeV and widths of 0.136±0.023±0.013  GeV are observed, which decay to D_{s}^{+}π^{+} and D_{s}^{+}π^{-} respectively. The former state indicates the first observation of a doubly charged open-charm tetraquark state with minimal quark content [cs[over ¯]ud[over ¯]], and the latter state is a neutral tetraquark composed of [cs[over ¯]u[over ¯]d] quarks. Both states are found to have spin-parity of 0^{+}, and their resonant parameters are consistent with each other, which suggests that they belong to an isospin triplet.

Search for Rare Decays of D^{0} Mesons into Two Muons

A search for the very rare D^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-} decay is performed using data collected by the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}. The search is optimized for D^{0} mesons from D^{*+}→D^{0}π^{+} decays but is also sensitive to D^{0} mesons from other sources. No evidence for an excess of events over the expected background is observed. An upper limit on the branching fraction of this decay is set at B(D^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-})<3.1×10^{-9} at a 90% C.L. This represents the world's most stringent limit, constraining models of physics beyond the standard model.

Nuclear Modification Factor of Neutral Pions in the Forward and Backward Regions in p-Pb Collisions

The nuclear modification factor of neutral pions is measured in proton-lead collisions collected at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon of 8.16 TeV with the LHCb detector. The π^{0} production cross section is measured differentially in transverse momentum (p_{T}) for 1.5 Collapse

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Observation of a J/ψΛ Resonance Consistent with a Strange Pentaquark Candidate in B^{-}→J/ψΛp[over ¯] Decays

An amplitude analysis of B^{-}→J/ψΛp[over ¯] decays is performed using 4400 signal candidates selected on a data sample of pp collisions recorded at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV with the LHCb detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}. A narrow resonance in the J/ψΛ system, consistent with a pentaquark candidate with strangeness, is observed with high significance. The mass and the width of this new state are measured to be 4338.2±0.7±0.4  MeV and 7.0±1.2±1.3  MeV, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The spin is determined to be 1/2 and negative parity is preferred. Because of the small Q-value of the reaction, the most precise single measurement of the B^{-} mass to date, 5279.44±0.05±0.07  MeV, is obtained.

Enabling early detection of knee osteoarthritis using diffusion-relaxation correlation spectrum imaging

AIM

To present a technique that enables detection of early stage OA of the knee using diffusion-relaxation correlation spectrum imaging (DR-CSI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-five early osteoarthritis patients (OA, Kellgren-Lawrence [KL] score 1 to 2; mean age, 56.4 years) and 49 healthy volunteers (mean age, 56.7 years) were underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with T2-mapping and DR-CSI techniques. Maps of mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), T2 relaxation time and volume fraction Vi for DR-CSI compartment i (A, B, C, D) sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratio (PLR, NLR) were assessed to determine the diagnostic accuracy for detection of early-stage degeneration of knee articular cartilage. The structural abnormalities of articular cartilage were evaluated using modified Whole-Organ MR Imaging Scores (WORMS).

RESULTS

All intra- and interobserver agreements for DR-CSI compartment volume fractions and modified WORMS of cartilage were excellent. Early OA versus the controls had higher V_C, lower V_A and V_B (p<0.001), but comparable V_D (p>0.05). V_A, V_B and V_C had a moderate association with WORMS. No significant correlation was identified between V_D and WORMS. V_C had better ability than V_A,V_B, V_D, T2 and ADC to discriminate early OA patients from healthy controls (area under the curve, 0.898). Sensitivity, specificity, PLR, and NLR of V_C with a cut-off value of 29.9% were 81.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 69.1-90.9%), 95.9% (86-99.5%), 20.05% (5.13-78.34%), and 0.19% (0.11-0.33%).

CONCLUSIONS

DR-CSI compartment volume fractions may be sensitive indicators for detecting early-stage degeneration in knee articular cartilage.

Single-scan ultrafast laser inscription of waveguides in IG2 for type-I and type-II operation in the mid-infrared

We demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, single-scan ultrafast laser inscription and performance of mid-infrared waveguiding in IG2 chalcogenide glass in the type-I and type-II configurations. The waveguiding properties at 4550 nm are studied as a function of pulse energy, repetition rate, and additionally separation between the two inscribed tracks for type-II waveguides. Propagation losses of ∼1.2 dB/cm in a type-II waveguide and ∼2.1 dB/cm in a type-I waveguide have been demonstrated. For the latter type, there is an inverse relation between the refractive index contrast and the deposited surface energy density. Notably, type-I and type-II waveguiding have been observed at 4550 nm within and between the tracks of two-track structures. In addition, although type-II waveguiding has been observed in the near infrared (1064 nm) and mid infrared (4550 nm) in two-track structures, type-I waveguiding within each track has only been observed in the mid infrared.

Wnt5a/Ca2+ signaling regulates silica-induced ferroptosis in mouse macrophages by altering ER stress-mediated redox balance

Silicosis is a chronic pulmonary disease characterized by diffuse fibrosis of lung caused by the deposition of silica dust (SiO₂). The inhaled silica-induced oxidative stress, ROS production and macrophage ferroptosis are key drivers of the pathological process of silicosis. However, mechanisms that involved in the silica-induced macrophage ferroptosis and its contributions to pathogenesis of silicosis remain elusive. In the present study, we showed that silica induced murine macrophage ferroptosis, accompanied by elevation of inflammatory responses, Wnt5a/Ca²⁺ signaling activation, and concurrent increase of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondrial redox imbalance in vitro and vivo. Mechanistic study further demonstrated that Wnt5a/Ca²⁺ signaling played a key role in silica-induced macrophage ferroptosis by modulating ER stress and mitochondrial redox balance. The presence of Wnt5a/Ca²⁺ signaling ligand Wnt5a protein increased the silica-induced macrophage ferroptosis by activating ER-mediated immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (Bip)-C/EBP homology protein (Chop) signaling cascade, reducing the expression of negative regulators of ferroptosis, glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (Slc7a11), subsequentially increasing lipid peroxidation. The pharmacologic inhibition of Wnt5a signaling or block of calcium flow exhibited an opposite effect to Wnt5a, resulted in the reduction of ferroptosis and the expression of Bip-Chop signaling molecules. These findings were further corroborated by the addition of ferroptosis activator Erastin or inhibitor ferrostatin-1. These results provide a mechanism by which silica activates Wnt5a/Ca²⁺ signaling and ER stress, sequentially leads to redox imbalance and ferroptosis in mouse macrophage cells.

Fast Formation of Hydrate Induced by Micro-Nano Bubbles: A Review of Current Status

Hydrate-based technologies have excellent application potential in gas separation, gas storage, transportation, and seawater desalination, etc. However, the long induction time and the slow formation rate are critical factors affecting the application of hydrate-based technologies. Micro-nano bubbles (MNBs) can dramatically increase the formation rate of hydrates owing to their advantages of providing more nucleation sites, enhancing mass transfer, and increasing the gas–liquid interface and gas solubility. Initially, the review examines key performance MNBs on hydrate formation and dissociation processes. Specifically, a qualitative and quantitative assembly of the formation and residence characteristics of MNBs during hydrate dissociation is conducted. A review of the MNB characterization techniques to identify bubble size, rising velocity, and bubble stability is also included. Moreover, the advantages of MNBs in reinforcing hydrate formation and their internal relationship with the memory effect are summarized. Finally, combining with the current MNBs to reinforce hydrate formation technology, a new technology of gas hydrate formation by MNBs combined with ultrasound is proposed. It is anticipated that the use of MNBs could be a promising sustainable and low-cost hydrate-based technology.

Edible pullulan enhanced water-soluble keratin with improved sizing performance for sustainable textile industry

Feather keratin from waste feather has become an attractive target to replace petroleum-based Poly (vinyl alcohol) sizes due to its easy film-forming ability, excellent adhesive property, biodegradability and low cost. However, poor water-solubility and brittleness of pure keratin films have become the bottlenecks and restricted the application of keratin as sizing agents. Therefore, water-soluble keratin was extracted by the reduction-preservation method and enhanced by saccharides in aqueous system to obtain all-green keratin-based slurry. The results showed that the keratin-based slurry exhibited improved sizing performance in the order of sucrose ≤ glucose ≤ pullulan by the moderate Maillard reaction. Among them, the fabricated pullulan-keratin sizes films had 27.86 %, 2684.08 % and 2911.31 % increment in tensile strength, elongation and work of facture compared with pure keratin sizes films. Besides, the addition of pullulan and subsequently moderate Maillard reaction improved the thermo-tenacity of keratin-based sizes, which was expected to tackle with the brittleness of pure keratin size films. In addition, novel pullulan-keratin sizes had good sizing performance and high desizing efficiency to cotton, cotton/polyester and polyester yarns and fabrics. Successful utilization of pullulan-keratin sizes will bring opportunities for high value utilization of waste feather and promote the green and low-carbon development of textile industry.

High Electron Mobility Hot-Exciton Induced Delayed Fluorescent Organic Semiconductors

The development of high mobility emissive organic semiconductors is of great significance for the fabrication of miniaturized optoelectronic devices, such as organic light emitting transistors. However, great challenge exists in designing key materials, especially those who integrates triplet exciton utilization ability. Herein, dinaphthylanthracene diimides (DNADIs), with 2,6-extended anthracene donor, and 3'- or 4'-substituted naphthalene monoimide acceptors were designed and synthesized. By introducing acceptor-donor-acceptor structure, both materials show high electron mobility. Moreover, by fine-tuning of substitution sites, good integration with high solid state photoluminescence quantum yield of 26 %, high electron mobility of 0.02 cm²  V^-1  s^-1 , and the feature of hot-exciton induced delayed fluorescence were obtained in 4'-DNADI. This work opens a new avenue for developing high electron mobility emissive organic semiconductors with efficient utilization of triplet excitons.

Multifunctional Microgel-Based Cream Hydrogels for Postoperative Abdominal Adhesion Prevention

Postoperative abdominal adhesions are a common problem after surgery and can produce serious complications. Current antiadhesive strategies focus mostly on physical barriers and are unsatisfactory and inefficient. In this study, we designed and synthesized advanced injectable cream-like hydrogels with multiple functionalities, including rapid gelation, self-healing, antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-cell adhesion. The multifunctional hydrogels were facilely formed by the conjugation reaction of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and hyaluronic acid (HA)-based microgels and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) based on the dynamic boronic ester bond. The physicochemical properties of the hydrogels including antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities were systematically characterized. A mouse cecum-abdominal wall adhesion model was implemented to investigate the efficacy of our microgel-based hydrogels in preventing postoperative abdominal adhesions. The hydrogels, with a high molecular weight HA, significantly decreased the inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis and reduced the abdominal adhesion formation, compared to the commercial Seprafilm group or Injury-only group. Label-free quantitative proteomics analysis demonstrated that S100A8 and S100A9 expressions were associated with adhesion formation; the microgel-containing hydrogels inhibited these expressions. The microgel-containing hydrogels with multifunctionality decreased the formation of postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions in a murine model, demonstrating promise for clinical applications.

Efficient pump-probe sampling with a single-cavity dual-comb laser: Application in ultrafast photoacoustics

Ultrafast pump-probe measurements are used to characterize various samples, such as biological cells, bulk, and thin-film structures. However, typical implementations of the pump-probe apparatus are either slow or complex and costly hindering wide deployment. Here we combine a single-cavity dual-comb laser with a simple experimental setup to obtain pump-probe measurements with ultra-high sensitivity, fast acquisition, and high timing precision over long optical delay scan ranges of 12.5 ns that would correspond to a mechanical delay of about 3.75 m. We employ digital signal balancing to obtain shot-noise-limited detection compatible with pump-probe microscopy deployment. Here we demonstrate ultrafast photoacoustics for thin-film sample characterization. We measured a tungsten layer thickness of (700 ± 4) Å with shot-noise-limited detection. Such single-cavity dual-comb lasers can be used for any pump-probe measurements and are especially well-suited for ultrafast photoacoustic studies such as involving ultrasonic echoes, Brillouin oscillations, surface acoustic waves and thermal dynamics.

Dynapenic Abdominal Obesity and Risk of Heart Disease among Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

The vicious cycle of dynapenia and abdominal obesity may have synergistic detrimental impacts on health. We aim to investigate the prospective association between dynapenic abdominal obesity and the risk of heart disease among middle-aged and older adults.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study.

SETTING

English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, 2002-2019.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 4734 participants aged 50 years and older were included.

MEASUREMENTS

Individuals were divided into non-dynapenia/non-abdominal obesity (ND/NAO), non-dynapenia/abdominal obesity (ND/AO), dynapenia/non-abdominal obesity (D/NAO), and dynapenia/abdominal obesity (D/AO) according to grip strength and waist circumference at baseline. The Cox proportional hazards models were used to obtain the hazard ratios (HRs) of incident heart disease associated with dynapenia and abdominal obesity after adjusting for potential confounding factors.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 9.5 years, 1040 cases of heart disease were recorded. Compared with ND/NAO group, the multivariable HRs were 1.05 (0.92, 1.21) for ND/AO group, 1.31 (0.96, 1.81) for D/NAO group, and 1.39 (1.03, 1.88) for D/AO group. The significant association of D/AO with incident heart disease was detected in women but not in men [HR = 1.55 (1.07, 2.24) and 1.06 (0.60, 1.88), respectively]. Among middle-aged adults, significant associations of D/NAO and D/AO with incident heart disease were observed [HR = 2.46 (1.42, 4.29) and 1.74 (1.02, 2.97), respectively].

CONCLUSION

Both D/NAO and D/AO might increase the risk of developing heart disease, highlighting the importance of dynapenia and obesity early screening for heart disease prevention.