Follicular sphericity based on three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound algorithms predicts ovarian responsiveness to in vitro fertilization.

Background: The principal indicators adopted for the assessment of follicular quality are still two-dimensional ultrasound(2D-US) imaging parameters, but these do not reflect the three-dimensional morphology of follicles. We herein aimed to explore novel parameters of ovarian follicles by three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US) by comparing various follicles on the trigger day in gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-ant) stimulation cycles, and investigated the effects on ovarian responsiveness, oocyte and embryo quality.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study of women who commenced their first controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) cycle with a GnRH-ant protocol from March 2023 to March 2024.

Spark Mapping Analysis for Segregation Partitioning in Large-Scale Super-Critical-Power Steel.

The material properties of P91 steel, a critical high-temperature heat-resistant steel, are critically dependent on the uniformity of its macro-composition distribution. This paper presents the first application of Spark Mapping Analysis for Large Samples (SMALS) for the non-destructive, full-field characterization of macro-composition distribution in P91 steel ingots and finished tubes. To address the analytical challenges posed by large-sized specimens, an innovative partition-based statistical analysis model was developed, enabling the effective demarcation of large-scale macro-segregation areas.

Photocatalytic 1,2-Dicarboxylation of Unactivated Alkynes with CO.

The carboxylation of widely available raw materials with CO represents a highly desirable transformation in synthetic chemistry, enabling the streamlined synthesis of valuable carboxylic acids. While the photocatalytic carboxylation of activated unsaturated compounds with CO has emerged as a powerful strategy for accessing diverse carboxylated products, the direct carboxylation of unactivated alkynes with CO remains a formidable challenge due to the intrinsic inertness of both aliphatic alkynes and CO. Herein, we report the first visible-light photocatalytic 1,2-dicarboxylation of unactivated alkynes with CO, providing a versatile platform for synthesizing structurally diverse succinic acid derivatives.

Maternal vitamin D regulates the metabolic rearrangement of offspring CD4 T cells in response to intestinal inflammation.

Children with autism spectrum disorders often have increased susceptibility to intestinal inflammation. However, the mechanisms and prevention of gastrointestinal immune dysfunction remain unclear. We demonstrate that maternal high vitamin D (VitD) level can rescue abnormal intestinal immune phenotypes in offspring that exhibit autism-like phenotypes due to exposure to maternal inflammation.

Visible-Light Photoredox-Catalyzed Carboxylation of Benzylic C(sp)-O Bonds in Ethers with CO.

Although significant progress has been made in achieving site-selective C-O bond functionalization in specific substrates, the selective cleavage and functionalization of C(sp)-O bonds in ethers remain a fundamental challenge in synthetic chemistry. Herein, we present an efficient carboxylation method via the photoredox-catalyzed cleavage of benzylic C(sp)-O bonds in ethers with carbon dioxide (CO). Diverse primary, secondary, and tertiary benzyl ethers undergo selective carboxylation with CO to generate valuable aryl acetic acids, including several drug molecules.

Proteomic Landscape of Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Gastric Juice and Identified TFF2 as a Specific Biomarker.

Introduction: Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) derived from gastric juice (GJ) have emerged as potential biomarkers for gastric disease. However, methods for isolating sEVs from GJ (gsEVs) remain underexplored.

Methods: This study employed four methods for isolating gsEVs: ultracentrifugation (UC), PEG6000 precipitation combined with UC (PEG-UC), UC combined with size exclusion chromatography (UC-SEC), and ultrafiltration combined with SEC (UF-SEC).

Effects of Calcined Coal Gangue and Carbide Slag on the Properties of Cement Paste and Mortar.

When using supplementary cementitious materials to replace cement partially, the carbon emissions of cement products can be reduced, but it often leads to reduced strength. This study explores the application potential of carbide slag (CS) and calcined coal gangue (CCG), byproducts of acetylene production, to partially replace cement. The effects of these two materials on the macroscopic properties and microstructure of cement-based materials were analyzed through systematic experiments.

Polariton-Mediated Ultrafast Nonlinear Energy Transfer in a van der Waals Superlattice.

Exciton-polariton dynamics in 2D materials have garnered substantial attention across diverse scientific domains for fundamental research with potential applications in optoelectronics. However, practical implementation has been hindered by the challenge of maintaining stable and long-range polariton propagation. Here, we present an innovative material platform featuring extensive monolayer WS/AlO superlattices (a square with a length of >0.

Analysis of key parameters influencing the permeability of cement sheath based on multiphysical fields.

This paper develops a finite element analysis model to investigate the seepage characteristics of cement sheaths, considering the flow properties of their porous medium. The model's applicability under various conditions was evaluated through grid sensitivity tests and model validation, indicating that it effectively captures the seepage behavior of cement sheaths with a reasonable degree of reliability. Key parameters, including cement sheath length, permeability, gap structure, pressure differential, and fluid properties, were analyzed using finite element methods to determine their impact on seepage flow.

Construction of a CNN-SK weld penetration recognition model based on the Mel spectrum of a CMT arc sound signal.

Arc sound signals are considered appropriate for detecting penetration states in cold metal transfer (CMT) welding because of their noninvasive nature and immunity to interference from splatter and arc light. Nevertheless, the stability of arc sound signals is suboptimal, the conventional feature extraction methods are inefficient, and the significance of arc sound attributes for determining penetration statuses is often overlooked. In this study, a compact convolutional neural network (CNN) model is proposed for the adaptive extraction of features from arc sound signals.

Nickel-Catalyzed Atroposelective Carbo-Carboxylation of Alkynes with CO: En Route to Axially Chiral Carboxylic Acids.

Precise synthesis of carboxylic acids via catalytic carboxylation with CO is highly appealing. Although considerable advancements have been achieved in difunctionalizing carboxylation of unsaturated hydrocarbons, the asymmetric variants are conspicuously underdeveloped, particularly in addressing axially chiral alkenes. Herein, we report the first catalytic atroposelective carboxylation of alkynes with CO.

Extraction and Synthesis of Typical Carotenoids: Lycopene, β-Carotene, and Astaxanthin.

Carotenoids are tetraterpene compounds acting as precursors to vitamin A, with functions that include protecting eyesight, enhancing immunity, promoting cell growth and differentiation, and providing antioxidative benefits. Lycopene, β-carotene, and astaxanthin are particularly critical for health and have diverse applications in food, health products, and medicine. However, natural carotenoids are encased within cell structures, necessitating mechanical methods to disrupt the cell wall for their extraction and purification-a process often influenced by environmental conditions.

Comparing risk factors and neonatal outcomes in women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy between assisted reproductive technology and spontaneous conception.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) as well as neonatal outcomes between conception via in vitro fertilization (IVF) compared with spontaneous conception (SC) and screen the risk factors of ICP in IVF.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 4467 puerperae who conceived via IVF, and 28 336 puerperae who conceived spontaneously and linked the information from neonates. The general linear model (GLM), multivariate logistic regression analysis, a forest plot, and nomogram were used to assess impact factors and risk prediction.

Nanometer Control of Ruddlesden-Popper Interlayers by Thermal Evaporation for Efficient Perovskite Photovoltaics.

Solution-processed Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) interlayers in lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) present processing challenges due to fast film formation and uncontrolled growth of phases and layer thickness at interfaces. In this work, an alternative, solvent-free, thermal co-evaporation process is developed to deposit RP interlayers. The method provides precise control on interlayer thickness and enables understanding its role on charge-carrier extraction.

Principle and experimental study of a combined teardrop and heart-shaped channel bluffbody valveless piezoelectric pump.

In this study, we have developed a piezoelectric pump with a combined teardrop- and heart-shaped channel based on the Coanda effect and bionics principle. The bluffbody consists of teardrop- and heart-shaped channels. The vibration and the pump flow rate are evaluated theoretically, and the flow conditions under different bluffbody heights and different main channel widths are simulated.

Integrative analysis of transcriptome, DNA methylome, and chromatin accessibility reveals candidate therapeutic targets in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited heart disease and is characterized by primary left ventricular hypertrophy usually caused by mutations in sarcomere genes. The mechanism underlying cardiac remodeling in HCM remains incompletely understood. An investigation of HCM through integrative analysis at multi-omics levels will be helpful for treating HCM.

A comprehensive study on machine learning models combining with oversampling for bronchopulmonary dysplasia-associated pulmonary hypertension in very preterm infants.

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia-associated pulmonary hypertension (BPD-PH) remains a devastating clinical complication seriously affecting the therapeutic outcome of preterm infants. Hence, early prevention and timely diagnosis prior to pathological change is the key to reducing morbidity and improving prognosis. Our primary objective is to utilize machine learning techniques to build predictive models that could accurately identify BPD infants at risk of developing PH.

Atropisomeric Carboxylic Acids Synthesis via Nickel-Catalyzed Enantioconvergent Carboxylation of Aza-Biaryl Triflates with CO.

Upgrading CO to value-added chiral molecules via catalytic asymmetric C-C bond formation is a highly important yet challenging task. Although great progress on the formation of centrally chiral carboxylic acids has been achieved, catalytic construction of axially chiral carboxylic acids with CO has never been reported to date. Herein, we report the first catalytic asymmetric synthesis of axially chiral carboxylic acids with CO, which is enabled by nickel-catalyzed dynamic kinetic asymmetric reductive carboxylation of racemic aza-biaryl triflates.

Significance of homogeneous operation in light-assisted fixed-bed bioprocess under ammonia stress: Optimization, long-term operation and metagenomic analysis.

Activating microbes with light is a promising strategy for addressing ammonia-stressed anaerobic digestion (AD). However, as a critical in-process parameter, homogenous operation, in light-assisted AD amended by bio-fixed bed has received limited attention. This research endeavors to establish a uniform-illuminated biosystem and assess its practical feasibility through a 90-day semi-continuous operation at pilot scale under solar light illumination.

Mapping crossover events of mouse meiotic recombination by restriction fragment ligation-based Refresh-seq.

Single-cell whole-genome sequencing methods have undergone great improvements over the past decade. However, allele dropout, which means the inability to detect both alleles simultaneously in an individual diploid cell, largely restricts the application of these methods particularly for medical applications. Here, we develop a new single-cell whole-genome sequencing method based on third-generation sequencing (TGS) platform named Refresh-seq (restriction fragment ligation-based genome amplification and TGS).

Bone marrow relapse in stage 4 neuroblastoma of children in Shanghai.

Objective: To characterize the epidemiological, clinical, and molecular features of bone marrow relapse in high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB) and to identify potential prognostic indicators and therapeutic approaches for this specific subset within the Shanghai pediatric oncology landscape.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 256 patients diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma at two major pediatric hospitals in Shanghai, China, between 2008 and 2018. Patient data was collected, including demographic information, treatment regimens, and outcomes.

Extracranial Germ Cell Tumors in Children: Ten Years of Experience in Three Children's Medical Centers in Shanghai.

Objective: The aim was to describe the clinical features of extracranial germ cell tumors (GCTs) in pediatrics and study the clinical risk factors related to survival for malignant germ cell tumors (MGCTs) in order to optimize therapeutic options.

Methods: The clinical data of children with extracranial GCTs in three children's medical centers in Shanghai were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: In total, 1007 cases of extracranial GCTs diagnosed between 2010 and 2019 were included in this study, including teratomas (TERs) 706 (70.

Nanoscale Gap-Plasmon-Enhanced Superconducting Photon Detectors at Single-Photon Level.

With a growing demand for detecting light at the single-photon level in various fields, researchers are focused on optimizing the performance of superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) by using multiple approaches. However, input light coupling for visible light has remained a challenge in the development of efficient SSPDs. To overcome these limitations, we developed a novel system that integrates NbN superconducting microwire photon detectors (SMPDs) with gap-plasmon resonators to improve the photon detection efficiency to 98% while preserving all detector performance features, such as polarization insensitivity.

Realizing High Brightness Quasi-2D Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes with Reduced Efficiency Roll-Off via Multifunctional Interface Engineering.

Quasi-2D perovskites have recently flourished in the field of luminescence due to the quantum-confinement effect and the efficient energy transfer between different n phases resulting in exceptional optical properties. However, owing to the lower conductivity and poor charge injection, quasi-2D perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) typically suffer from low brightness and high-efficiency roll-off at high current densities compared to 3D perovskite-based PeLEDs, which is undoubtedly one of the most critical issues in this field. In this work, quasi-2D PeLEDs with high brightness, reduced trap density, and low-efficiency roll-off are successfully demonstrated by introducing a thin layer of conductive phosphine oxide at the perovskite/electron transport layer interface.

Drug repurposing screening and mechanism analysis based on human colorectal cancer organoids.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly heterogeneous cancer and exploring novel therapeutic options is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. Here, we established human CRC tumor-derived organoids that well represent both morphological and molecular heterogeneities of original tumors. To efficiently identify repurposed drugs for CRC, we developed a robust organoid-based drug screening system.