Mucosal Flap Reconstruction Enhances Survival in Salvage Endoscopic Nasopharyngectomy for Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Propensity-Matched Cohort Study.

Mucosal flap reconstruction can improve the long-term survival rate of patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Mucosal flap reconstruction also increases the treatment-related risks of ear fullness and dysphagia. This matching study provides preliminary evidence for the use of mucosal flap reconstruction in salvage endoscopic nasopharyngectomy.

Calcium Vacancy Generated Luminescence Improvement of the CaScSiO:Ce Phosphor for WLED.

Phosphors with high efficiency and excellent thermal stability for solid-state lighting have kept catching researchers' attention. Herein, a series of CaScSiO:Ce cyan-emitting phosphors are synthesized, and calcium vacancy is introduced into the lattice to improve emission and thermal stability. Detailed structure information is studied via X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to obtain the effect of Ca vacancy on the lattice structure.

Robotic Removal and Collection of Screws in Collaborative Disassembly of End-of-Life Electric Vehicle Batteries.

The recycling and remanufacturing of end-of-life (EoL) electric vehicle (EV) batteries are urgent challenges for a circular economy. Disassembly is crucial for handling EoL EV batteries due to their inherent uncertainties and instability. The human-robot collaborative disassembly of EV batteries as a semi-automated approach has been investigated and implemented to increase flexibility and productivity.

CRL: An Efficient Autonomous Exploration Framework for Large-Scale Environments With Contrastive-Driven Reinforcement Learning.

Autonomous exploration in large-scale environments is impeded by two critical challenges, namely, suboptimal viewpoint selection resulting from inadequate feature extraction and the continuously rising computational costs as the environment expands. Existing methods struggle to simultaneously tackle these dual challenges within cohesive frameworks. In response, we present an efficient autonomous exploration framework with contrastive-driven reinforcement learning.

Efficient electron transfer between Cr(VI) and organic acids mediated by wide bridges of Fe/CN.

Various organic acids commonly coexist with Cr(VI) in wastewater. However, direct electron transfer between Cr(VI) and electron-rich organic acids is typically slow. Current Fe-based mediators primarily operate through the aqueous Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycle, which faces challenges in achieving efficient Fe recycling.

Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Central Nervous System Diseases: Advancing Translational Neuropathology via Single-Cell and Spatial Multiomics.

Central nervous system (CNS) diseases, a leading cause of global disability and mortality, encompass a wide range of brain disorders such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and so on. These diseases are characterized by dynamic cellular heterogeneity and disrupted intercellular crosstalk, yet their molecular drivers remain incompletely resolved. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dissects transcriptional diversity at cellular resolution, while spatial transcriptomics (ST) maps niche-specific interactions within tissue architecture-complementary approaches that have revealed disease-associated subpopulations, neural-glial communication, and microenvironmental remodeling.

Integration of Metabolomics, Transcriptomics, and 16s rRNA Sequencing Reveals the Mechanism of (Sangzhi) Alkaloids (SZ-A) in Improving Cholesterol Metabolism in Diabetic Rats.

Mulberry ( ) is a plant widely used in the agricultural, food and pharmaceutical fields. Sangzhi alkaloids (SZ-A) are a series of alkaloids extracted from mulberry branches that are approved in China for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM is always accompanied by hypercholesterolemia, which increases the risk of macrovascular complications.

Metallic Fabry-Pérot Cavity-Enhanced "Pseudo-Charge Transfer" Absorption for Efficient Narrowband Short-Wave Infrared Photodetection.

Narrowband short-wave infrared (SWIR) organic photodetectors, combining wavelength-specific detection with the inherent advantages of organic semiconductors, are important candidates for many applications like medical diagnostics, industrial sorting, and environmental monitoring. However, previously reported spectral-narrowing strategies often compromise device performance through structural complexity and intrinsic limitations of charge-transfer (CT) absorption, even when coupled with strong cavity device architectures. To address this, a pseudo-charge-transfer state is engineered by doping an ultra-narrow bandgap third component, simultaneously optimizing electrode processing to minimize parasitic absorption and interface energetic barriers.

Perioperative and mid-term prognosis in coronary artery bypass grafting patients with mild renal dysfunction.

Objective: Renal dysfunction is the most common risk factor for patients with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The aim of this research was to evaluate the prognosis and mid-term outcomes in CABG patients with mild renal dysfunction.

Methods: Patients undergoing isolated CABG from July 2020 to December 2022 in Nanjing First Hospital were selected into this cohort study and divided into normal renal function group (eGFR ≥ 90 mL/min/1.

Rendering algorithm for 3D model of goods in power warehouse based on linear interpolation and 2D texture mapping.

Given the technical requirements for equipment storage in the power industry, conventional storage methods prove inadequate for managing specialized materials such as precision instruments. To address texture distortion and detail loss in 3D visualization of such equipment, this study establishes a fused rendering algorithm integrating Dynamic Weighted Linear Interpolation (DWLI) and Adaptive Texture Mapping (ATM). The innovative contributions are threefold in several aspects.

Modelling and simulation of the block pouring construction system considering spatial-temporal conflict of construction machinery in arch dams.

The spatial-temporal conflicts in the construction process may cause a series of construction quality, safety and schedule problems. The outbreak of mechanical spatial-temporal conflict in the construction process of the arch dam pouring block is random and uncertain. Scientific simulation and preview of the pouring construction process and analysis of the level, time, and influence degree of the outbreak of spatial-temporal conflict are significant means to optimize the construction organization and management.

NEMS acceleration transducers based on MoS/graphene heterostructure ribbons with an attached proof mass: a simulation study.

Compared with silicon-based accelerometers, nanoelectromechanical system accelerometers based on two-dimensional materials have potential advantages such as ultra-small sizes and high sensitivity. However, transition metal dichalcogenide based NEMS accelerometers, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS) based accelerometers, have not been studied yet. Here, we modeled different acceleration transducers based on MoS/graphene heterostructure ribbons, double-layer MoS ribbons and double-layer graphene ribbons with an attached SiO/Si proof mass and simulated their mechanical properties in triaxial directions.

iTBS on RDLPFC improves performance of motor imagery: a brain-computer interface study combining EEG and fNIRS.

Background: Some individuals using brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) exhibit ineffective control during motor imagery-based BCI (MI-BCI) training. MI-BCI performance correlates with the activation in the frontoparietal attention network, premotor-parietal network, and supplementary motor area (SMA). This study aimed to enhance motor imagery ability and MI-BCI performance by modulating the excitability of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (RDLPFC) through intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS), inducing neuroplastic changes.

Tunable starch/sisal fiber porous composites for broadband acoustic absorption: Experimental design, JCA modeling, and sustainable applications.

The use of green materials as acoustic absorbers has received much attention in recent years. Sisal and corn are subject to large-scale cultivation and are widely available. We used sisal fiber as the skeleton and dextrinated starch as the binder.

Influence of Zn Content on the Corrosion and Mechanical Properties of Cast and Friction Stir-Welded Al-Si-Mg-Fe-Zn Alloys.

With the ongoing development of lightweight automobiles, research on new aluminum alloys and welding technology has gained significant attention. Friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid-state joining technique for welding aluminum alloys without melting. In this study, novel squeeze-cast Al-Si-Mg-Fe-Zn alloys with different Zn contents (0, 3.

Glo-In-One-v2: holistic identification of glomerular cells, tissues, and lesions in human and mouse histopathology.

Purpose: Segmenting intraglomerular tissue and glomerular lesions traditionally depends on detailed morphological evaluations by expert nephropathologists, a labor-intensive process susceptible to interobserver variability. Our group previously developed the Glo-In-One toolkit for integrated glomerulus detection and segmentation. We leverage the Glo-In-One toolkit to version 2 (Glo-In-One-v2), which adds fine-grained segmentation capabilities.

Analysis of Factors Affecting the Astigmatic Correction Outcomes of Keratorefractive Lenticule Extraction Surgery.

Keratorefractive Lenticule Extraction (KLEx) is an emerging flap-free surgical technique for the correction of myopic astigmatism. However, postoperative astigmatic accuracy remains variable. This study aimed to identify clinical and surgical factors that influence the outcomes of astigmatic correction following KLEx.

Postoperative outcome analysis of chronic rhinosinusitis using transfer learning with pre-trained foundation models based on endoscopic images: a multicenter, observational study.

Background: This study developed a foundation model-based analytical framework for the analysis of postoperative endoscopic images in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The framework leverages the standardized identification and reproducible results enabled by artificial intelligence algorithms, combined with the strengths of pre-trained foundation models in developing downstream applications. This approach effectively addresses the inherent challenge of strong subjectivity in conventional postoperative endoscopic evaluation for CRS.

The defensome of prokaryotes in aquifers.

Groundwater harbors a pristine biosphere where microbes co-evolve with less human interference, yet the ancient and ongoing arms race between prokaryotes and viruses remains largely unknown in such ecosystems. Based on our recent nationwide groundwater monitoring campaign across China, we construct a metagenomic groundwater prokaryotic defensome catalogue (GPDC), encompassing 190,810 defense genes, 90,824 defense systems, 139 defense families, and 669 defense islands from 141 prokaryotic phyla. Over 94% of the defense genes in GPDC are novel and contribute vast microbial immune resources in groundwater.

Animal Model of Implant-Associated Infections in Mice.

Implant-associated infections represent a significant clinical challenge, as they arise when pathogenic microorganisms infiltrate the site of medical implants, such as joint replacements, catheters, or pacemakers. These infections can lead to severe complications, including implant failure, prolonged hospitalization, and the need for additional surgical interventions. To investigate these critical issues, murine models provide an invaluable platform for studying implant-associated infections and evaluating therapeutic strategies against bacterial biofilms, yielding insights that may ultimately improve clinical outcomes for patients afflicted by infected implants.

The impact of systemic inflammation index on prolonged mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery: a retrospective study.

Background: Despite advancements in surgical techniques and intensive care management, the incidence of prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) following cardiac surgery remains a significant concern.

Objectives: Investigate the relationship between the Systemic Inflammation Index (SII) and the occurrence of PMV, as well as the medium-term prognostic outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at Nanjing First Hospital, including data from adult patients who underwent CPB for cardiac surgery between January 2020 and December 2020.

The public health threat of emerging phenuiviruses.

Phenuiviruses, a group of arthropod-borne RNA viruses, have the capacity to emerge unexpectedly in human beings, resulting in a spectrum of clinical manifestations, including hemorrhagic disease, hepatitis, shock, encephalitis, congenital abnormalities, as well as more common symptoms like fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, myalgia, and arthralgia. The epidemiological patterns have unfolded over recent decades, marked by epidemics such as Rift Valley fever virus in Africa and Toscana virus in Europe, as well as the most recent Dabie bandavirus epidemic in Asia. These viruses possess the potential for continuous geographical expansion, which poses substantial public health concerns.

Aldo-keto Reductase 1B10 (AKR1B10) Suppresses Sensitivity of Ferroptosis in TNBC by Activating the AKT/GSK3β/Nrf2/GPX4 Axis.

Background: Aldo-keto reductase 1B10 (AKR1B10) is expressed in various malignant tissues. Several studies have highlighted the essential function of AKR1B10 in lipid metabolism and in the detoxification of lipid peroxides. The aim of this research was to explore the role of AKR1B10 in the susceptibility of MDA-MB-231 cells to ferroptosis.

Research on a noise-suppression super-resolution enhancement module for positron flow field images based on convolution and SwinTransformer structures.

Positron emission tomography (PET) technology, with its advantages of strong γ-photon penetration and results unaffected by temperature or electromagnetic fields, has emerged as a novel non-contact monitoring technique for industrial flow fields under harsh conditions. However, dynamic sampling leads to a severe lack of photon data within individual time frames, resulting in an ill-posed nature of positron image reconstruction, which introduces uncertainty in noise statistical characteristics and degradation in imaging quality. This paper proposes a novel noise-suppressing super-resolution enhancement module for positron flow field imaging.

Artificial intelligence-assisted detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma on endoscopic images: a national, multicentre, model development and validation study.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is highly curable when diagnosed early. However, the nasopharynx's obscure anatomical position and the similarity of local imaging manifestations with those of other nasopharyngeal diseases often lead to diagnostic challenges, resulting in delayed or missed diagnoses. Our aim was to develop a deep learning algorithm to enhance an otolaryngologist's diagnostic capabilities by differentiating between nasopharyngeal carcinoma, benign hyperplasia, and normal nasopharynx during endoscopic examination.