In-depth investigation of the spatial variations of DOM components in sediments under the influence of cascade dams and their interactions with microbial communities.

Small cascade dams drive spatial divergence in the composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in local sediments. Taking Xixi River in the southeast of China, a representative small cascade-dammed watershed, as an example, this study explored the spatial variations of DOM components and its interactions with microbial communities under the influence of cascade dams. Results revealed that DOM composition differed significantly, i.

Clinical efficacy of a novel 3D-printed zirconia single crown: A randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Nano Particle Jetting (NPJ)-printed zirconia single crowns compared to Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM)-milled crowns over a 12-month follow-up period.

Methods: A total of 43 participants with 48 posterior teeth (vital or endodontically treated) were included. Randomization and allocation concealment were conducted using a computer-generated list and sealed envelopes, assigning 24 teeth to each group.

Electrically tunable Fano resonances in liquid crystal-based dynamic metasurface at telecommunication wavelengths.

Dielectric metasurface has become a versatile platform for light manipulation. Due to its subwavelength feature size, the metasurface can induce optical resonances with tailored characteristics, such as Fano resonance with asymmetric line shape. Moreover, resonance tuning is desired in many devices, such as spatial light modulators and light sources.

Liquid-crystal-based diffractive optical elements with high Pancharatnam-Berry phase accuracy for holographic displays fabricated using an optimized liquid crystal on silicon device.

A rapid and accurate photoalignment technique was proposed for the fabrication of liquid crystal Pancharatnam-Berry phase diffractive optical elements (LC PB-DOEs). The in-plane orientation of LCs was precisely manipulated through the polarized illumination of an optimized liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) device. LCOS and thereafter spatial light modulator (SLM) can generate polarization patterns at pixel level at will.

Genetic diversity analysis of IVM resistant Haemonchus contortus in sheep in inner Mongolia of China.

Haemonchus contortus is widely distributed in the world, which is seriously harmful to small ruminants and has serious resistance to common anthelmintics. Over time, the prevalence and intensity of host infection with this parasite have gradually increased, so it is necessary to study the phylogenetic and genetic changes of single anthelmintic resistant strains. This study is the first to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure about IVM-resistant H.

VOPP1 as a Novel Susceptibility Gene in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Insights Into Its Mechanisms From Mendelian Randomization and Experimental Validation.

Background: Genetic factors are key determinants of vulnerability to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a systemic inflammatory disease that causes inflammation, pain, swelling, and destruction of the joints. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) have been shown to detect novel disease-risk loci in previous studies. In this paper, we identified new susceptibility genes in RA and investigated their underlying mechanisms using integrated Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Electrically Tunable Geometric-Phase Optical Element with Hybrid Retardation and Subwavelength Pixel Size Enabled by Metasurface-Induced Liquid Crystal Patterning.

In this work, we present an electrically tunable hybrid geometric phase optical element (GPOE) at a telecommunication wavelength with the geometric phase jointly imparted by a liquid crystal (LC) layer and the embedded metasurface. A geometric phase (GP) grating was demonstrated both numerically and experimentally, achieving a voltage-switchable diffraction efficiency ranging from 8% to 56% at 1550 nm. Notably, LC patterning was induced exclusively by the spatially varying metasurface with a metaatom period of 800 nm, enabling the realization of LC-GPOEs with a subwavelength pixel size.

Efficacy and safety of PD-1 inhibitors for advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with or without MAFLD.

Background: This study sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitor immunotherapy specifically in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD)-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) patients, in comparison to those without MAFLD.

Methods: We retrospectively included 161 ICC patients, both with and without MAFLD, who underwent PD-1 inhibitors between March 2019 and August 2024. Subsequent locoregional interventions (e.

Preparation of a fucoidan-KCl-based sodium salt substitute and its application in improving chicken mince quality.

Potassium chloride (KCl), a sodium substitute, faces challenges due to its metallic bitterness. This study investigated the bitterness-masking effect of fucoidan (Fuc), a sulfated polysaccharide, on KCl and its impact on chicken mince quality. Sensory evaluation, rheological analysis, and simulated K release tests revealed that 1.

Development and characterization of CMCS/gelatin based humidity-responsive hydrogel pads with thyme essential oil release for blueberry preservation.

Blueberries are highly perishable and humidity-sensitive, with humidity promoting microbial growth and accelerating quality deterioration during storage. To address this, we developed a humidity-responsive hydrogel pad to modulate the local microenvironment and enable controlled thyme essential oil (TEO) release, improving antimicrobial efficacy and extending blueberry shelf life. The novel pad was synthesized via solution casting, using carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) and gelatin as the matrix, genipin as the cross-linker, and TEO as the active component.

Novel machine learning models for the prediction of acute respiratory distress syndrome after liver transplantation.

Early prediction of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after liver transplantation (LT) facilitates timely intervention. We aimed to develop a predictor of post-LT ARDS using machine learning (ML) methods. Data from 755 patients in the internal validation set and 115 patients in the external validation set were retrospectively reviewed, covering demographics, etiology, medical history, laboratory results, and perioperative data.

γ-Aminobutyric acid: An emerging biomolecule for maintaining the postharvest quality of fresh fruits and vegetables: A meta-analysis.

The preservation of fresh fruits and vegetables (F&V) is important to achieve food and nutritional security, reduce food loss, and boost global trade and economic growth. To understand the γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) impact on F&V quality, this study conducted a meta-analysis of 30 articles (2020-2024). GABA was found to effectively preserve F&V quality by regulating total soluble solids (TSS), delaying firmness loss, and minimizing browning, microbial spoilage, and chilling injury.

Facile quantification of free and total sulphur dioxide in beer using a flavylium-based fluorescent probe.

Accurate and convenient determination of free and total sulphur dioxide (SO) in beer is pivotal to guarantee the quality of beer, but the traditional assay methods are laborious, time-consuming, and dependent on experienced technician. In this study, we designed and synthesized a flavylium-based fluorescent probe Hy-S which exhibited selective response to SO under both acidic conditions (pH = 4.0) and basic conditions (pH = 9.

An indolium-based near-infrared fluorescent probe for non-invasive real-time monitoring of gastric pH and .

Abnormal gastric acidity is closely linked to severe gastrointestinal diseases, making the real-time monitoring of gastric pH critical for investigating stomach-related physiological and pathological processes, diagnosing related diseases, and evaluating drug efficacy. In this study, we developed a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe, named Hcy-pH, by conjugating a -dimethylaminophenyl moiety with an indolium fluorophore extended double bonds. The probe displayed significant NIR fluorescence at 820 nm in a PBS buffer, with a large Stokes shift of 240 nm.

Deciphering the Risk of Developing Lung Cancer After the Diagnosis of Gastric Cancer with Genetic Evidence: A European and East Asian Populations-Based Mendelian Randomization Analysis.

Purpose: Lung cancer is frequently observed as a second primary malignancy following gastric cancer, yet the genetic causality between them remains uncertain. This study aims to evaluate the causal relationship between gastric and lung cancers using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Materials And Methods: Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with gastric and lung cancers were selected from Genome-Wide Association Study in East Asian and European populations as instrumental variables.

Loss function of tumor suppressor FRMD8 confers resistance to tamoxifen therapy via a dual mechanism.

Approximately 40% ERα-positive breast cancer patients suffer from therapeutic resistance to tamoxifen. Although reduced ERα level is the major cause of tamoxifen resistance, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we report that FRMD8 raises the level of ERα at both transcriptional and post-translational layers.

Preparation and application of thyme essential oil@halloysite nanotubes-loaded multifunctional pullulan/gelatin/PVA aerogels.

Blueberries are susceptible to microbial contamination and mechanical damage after harvesting, thereby accelerating their quality deterioration. Therefore, in the present work, thyme essential oil@halloysite nanotubes (TEO@HNTs)-loaded pullulan/gelatin/PVA (PGP) aerogels with antimicrobial activities and cushioning properties were developed to address these issues. The results showed that TEO achieved a 91.

Effects of negative air ion treatment on postharvest storage quality and anthocyanin metabolism of grape.

Grapes are rich in anthocyanin but are prone to postharvest quality deterioration. Many studies proved that negative air ion (NAI) preserved horticultural products. We hypothesized that NAI kept postharvest quality and repressed anthocyanin degradation of grape.

Tenting Screw Technique for Horizontal Alveolar Bone Augmentation in the Anterior Maxilla: A 1- to 5-Year Retrospective Study.

Objectives: To evaluate the 1- to 5-year outcomes of dental implants placed with the tenting screw (TS) technique and to compare their clinical efficacy with conventional guided bone regeneration (GBR).

Methods: This retrospective study involved implants placed with TS or conventional GBR technique. Horizontal and volumetric bone gains were evaluated by reconstructing cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data.

Deciphering the risk of developing liver cancer following gastric cancer diagnosis with genetic evidence: a Mendelian randomization analysis in an East Asian population.

Background: Liver cancer is a common second primary cancer in gastric cancer patients, but whether a gastric cancer diagnosis contributes to the development of second primary liver cancer remains contentious. This study aims to utilize Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the potential causal relationship between gastric cancer and second primary liver cancer from a genetic perspective.

Methods: We extracted single nucleotide polymorphism for gastric cancer and liver cancer in the East Asian population from the Genome-Wide Association Studies database as instrumental variables and employed univariate and multivariate MR analysis to evaluate the causal relationship between gastric cancer and liver cancer.

Rehabilitative effects of Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation on limb function in stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: We conducted a systematic review to assess the effectiveness of TENS in the rehabilitation of limb motor dysfunction following stroke.

Materials And Methods: We collected data from three databases, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, covering the earliest available date to April 2024, with a focus on randomized controlled trials that utilized TENS as an intervention for limb motor dysfunction after stroke, and extracted the main evaluation indicators before and after treatment, including the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and Composite Spasticity Scale (CSS). Meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.

Mechanism and therapeutic potential of hippo signaling pathway in type 2 diabetes and its complications.

Loss of pancreatic islet cell mass and function is one of the most important factors in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hyperglycemia-induced lesions in other organs are also associated with apoptosis or hyperproliferation of the corresponding tissue cells. The Hippo signaling pathway is a key signal in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation and apoptosis, which has been shown to play an important role in the regulation of diabetes mellitus and its complications. Excessive activation of the Hippo signaling pathway under high glucose conditions triggered apoptosis and decreased insulin secretion in pancreatic islet cells, while dysregulation of the Hippo signaling pathway in the cells of other organ tissues led to proliferation or apoptosis and promoted tissue fibrosis, which aggravated the progression of diabetes mellitus and its complications.

L-selectin Promotes Migration, Invasion and Inflammatory Response of Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes in Rheumatoid Arthritis via NF-kB Signaling Pathway.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the synovium and progressive joint damage. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) exhibit excessive proliferative and aggressive phenotypes and play a major role in the pathophysiology of RA. Previous studies have confirmed the pathologic role of L-selectin in cell adhesion and migration.