Search Results (38)

Background: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is essential for diagnosing upper gastrointestinal disorders. Traditional training for novice endoscopists is often inefficient and inconsistent. This study evaluates the effectiveness of an AI-assisted system (EndoAdd) in improving EGD training. Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, eight novice endoscopists were assigned to either the EndoAdd group or a control group (traditional training). The EndoAdd system provided real-time feedback on blind spots and photodocumentation. Primary outcomes were the number of blind spots, with secondary outcomes including examination time, lesion detection, and photodocumentation completeness. Results: The EndoAdd system exhibited an overall accuracy of 98.0% and a mean area under the curve (AUC) of 0.984. The EndoAdd group had significantly fewer blind spots, improved photodocumentation, and a higher lesion detection rate. Examination time was reduced without compromising diagnostic accuracy. Conclusions: The AI-assisted EndoAdd system improved novice endoscopist performance, reducing blind spots and enhancing lesion detection. AI systems like EndoAdd show potential in accelerating endoscopy training and improving procedural quality. Full article

The selective separation of aromatics from slurry oil (SLO)—a low-value byproduct of fluid catalytic cracking—remains a major industrial challenge. This study investigates the use of subcritical water (Sub-CW) as a green and tunable solvent to extract aromatics from SLO in a semi-batch system operating at 250–325 °C. At 325 °C and a water-to-oil mass ratio of 6:1, the extract yield reaches 16 wt%, with aromatic hydrocarbons accounting for over 90 wt% of the extract, predominantly composed of 3- to 4-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Comprehensive characterization via simulated distillation, SARA analysis, FT-IR, and ¹H-NMR confirms the selective enrichment of aromatics and effective separation from saturates and asphaltenes. To elucidate the molecular basis of this selectivity, principal component analysis of Hansen solubility parameters was performed. The results revealed a temperature-dependent solubility trend in Sub-CW, whereby the affinity for hydrocarbons follows the order aromatics > cycloalkanes > alkanes. This solubility preference, supported by both experimental data and theoretical analysis, offers new insight into subcritical solvent design and provides a basis for process intensification in SLO valorization. Full article

MicroRNAs play crucial roles in regulating inflammatory responses and disease progression. Since its identification on chromosome 17q11.2 in 2005, miR-451 has emerged as a key regulator of multiple physiological and pathological processes. While its role in cancer has been extensively documented, accumulating evidence reveals miR-451’s broader significance in inflammatory conditions through the regulation of NF-κB, AMPK, and PI3K signaling pathways. This comprehensive review systematically analyzes miR-451’s multifaceted functions in inflammatory diseases, with particular focus on ischemia–reperfusion injury, arthritis, and acute organ injuries. We present compelling evidence for miR-451’s potential as a diagnostic biomarker, demonstrating its distinctive expression patterns across various biological specimens and disease states. Furthermore, we elucidate how miR-451 modulates inflammatory responses through the regulation of immune cell populations, including microglia activation, macrophage polarization, and neutrophil chemotaxis. By integrating current evidence and bioinformatic analyses, we establish a theoretical framework linking miR-451’s molecular mechanisms to its therapeutic applications. This review not only synthesizes the current understanding of miR-451 in inflammatory diseases but also provides critical insights for developing novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies. Full article

The family Onocleaceae represents a small family of terrestrial ferns, with four genera and around five species. It has a circumboreal to north temperate distribution, and exhibits a disjunct distribution between Eurasia and North America, including Mexico. Historically, the taxonomy and classification of this family has been subject to debate and contention among scholars, leading to contradictory classifications and disagreements on the number of genera and species within the family. Furthermore, due to this disjunct intercontinental distribution and the lack of detailed study across its wide range, this family merits further study to clarify its distributional pattern. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic reconstructions were based on a concatenated sequence dataset for 17 plastid loci and one nuclear locus, which were generated from 106 ingroup and six outgroup taxa from three families. Phylogenetic analyses support that Onocleaceae is composed of four main clades, and Pentarhizidium was recovered as the first branching lineages in Onocleaceae. Molecular dating and ancestral area reconstruction analyses suggest that the stem group of Onocleaceae originated in Late Cretaceous, with subsequent diversification and establishment of the genera Matteuccia, Onoclea, Onocleopsis, and Pentarhizidium during the Paleogene and Neogene. The ancestors of Matteuccia, Onoclea, and Onocleopsis could have migrated to North America via the Beringian land bridge or North Atlantic land bridge which suggests that the diversification of Matteuccia + Onoclea + Onocleopsis closely aligns with the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). In addition, these results suggest that Onocleaceae species diversity peaks during the late Neogene to Quaternary. Studies such as this enhance our understanding of the mechanisms and climatic conditions shaping disjunct distribution in ferns and lycophytes of eastern Asia, North America, and Mexico and contribute to a growing body of evidence from other taxa, to advance our understanding of the origins and migration of plants across continents. Full article

Wuyi Rock tea (WRT), originating from the northern region of Fujian province, has a good reputation for its distinctive Yan flavor and floral–fruity aroma. The aroma quality, an essential element of the Yan flavor, undergoes various changes during the manufacturing process of WRT. To enhance the understanding of the formation patterns of WRT aroma and its influence on the flavor quality of WRT, we utilized both manufactured WRT (Rougui tea) and primary tea as materials. Utilizing a sensory evaluation, detection of volatile compounds, and multivariate statistical analysis, we identified and characterized the distinctive volatile components present in WRT. The sensory evaluation and radar chart analysis revealed that the primary tea exhibited a strong and lasting aroma, along with a mellow taste and a prominent Yan flavor. Through gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF MS), a total of 251 volatile compounds were identified. The odor activity value (OAV) was calculated to identify key aroma-active compounds in the primary tea. The results indicated that a total of 14 compounds had an OAV greater than 1.0, including (2-nitroethyl) benzene, indole, and geranylacetone. These compounds exhibited floral and fruity aroma attributes. They primarily formed and accumulated during the latter stages of WRT. Using a partial least squares discrimination analysis (PLS-DA) combined with a variable importance in projection (VIP) score greater than 1.0 as a criterion, a total of 89 compounds were identified. Furthermore, out of the selected compounds, 15 types, including geraniol, 1-nonanol, and 1-butyl-2-ethyl-cyclopropene, were found to exclusively exist during the enzymatic manufacturing stages, particularly during the intermediate and later phases of the turn-over process (the last-three-times turn-over treatments), exhibiting predominantly floral and sweet fragrances. In contrast, during the non-enzymatic stages, only four compounds, such as pentanoic acid and phenylmethyl ester, were detected, exhibiting a fruity aroma profile. These volatile compounds significantly influenced the quality attributes of the final tea product, resulting in strong and lasting characteristics, particularly marked by a pronounced floral and fruity aroma. This study revealed how the aroma quality in WRT is developed and pinpointed possible volatile compounds that react to post-harvest treatments, thereby offering valuable insights relating to the intelligent production strategies of WRT. Full article

Hypertension is one of the major risk factors for morbidity and mortality worldwide. In this study, Mendelian randomization was utilized to investigate how dietary supplement intake can impact hypertension based on circulating plasma metabolite genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets, protein quantitative trait loci (pQTLs) of plasma proteins, and multiple public summary-level GWAS data. Pathway enrichment analysis combined with the results of inverse variance weighted Mendelian randomization revealed that a lower risk of hypertension was associated with the dietary intake of glucosamine, an anti-inflammatory supplement: odds ratio (OR) (95% CI): 0.888 (0.824–0.958). Additionally, glucosamine 6-phosphate N-acetyltransferase was identified as a protective factor against hypertension, OR (95% CI): 0.995 (0.992–0.998), shedding light on the potential protective mechanism of glucosamine. Mediation Mendelian randomization indicated that the protective effect of glucosamine metabolism was mediated by glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase, with a mediation proportion of 12.1% (5.9–18.2%), p < 0.05. This study offers new insights into preventive strategies for individuals with hypertension risk. Full article

Nickel hydroxide is a potentially cheap non-precious metal catalytic material for alkaline hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs). Herein, a nickel form (NF)-based nitrogen-modified nickel hydroxide (N-Ni(OH)₂/NF) with interlaced two-dimensional (2D) nanosheet structures was synthesized by a simple one-step ammonia vapor-phase hydrothermal method for efficient electrocatalytic HERs. The effect of the reaction temperature of the catalyst preparation on the HERs’ performance was studied in detail. The HER activity of N-Ni(OH)₂/NF is enhanced by the large specific surface area, mass transfer and electron conductivity provided by a unique and suitable 2D nanostructure and nitrogen doping. The obtained N-Ni(OH)₂/NF not only shows a superior HERs performance, but also exhibits good stability during long-term electrolysis. Full article

One of the most effective strategies for modifying the surface properties of nano-fillers and enhancing their composite characteristics is through polymer grafting. In this study, a coprecipitation method was employed to modify hydroxyapatite (HAP) with epoxidized soybean oleic acid (ESOA), resulting in ESOA-HAP. Subsequently, oligomeric poly(lactic acid) (OPLA) was grafted onto the surface of ESOA-HAP, yielding OPLA-ESOA-HAP. HAP, ESOA-HAP, and OPLA-ESOA-HAP were comprehensively characterized. The results demonstrate the progressive grafting of ESOA and OPLA onto the surface of HAP, resulting in enhanced hydrophobicity and improved dispersity in organic solvent for OPLA-ESOA-HAP compared to HAP. The vitality and adhesion of Wistar rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were assessed using HAP and modified HAP materials. Following culture with MSCs for 72 h, the OPLA-ESOA-HAP showed an inhibition rate lower than 23.0% at a relatively high concentration (1.0 mg/mL), which is three times lower compared to HAP under similar condition. The cell number for OPLA-ESOA-HAP was 4.5 times higher compared to HAP, indicating its superior biocompatibility. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the OPLA-ESOA-HAP/PLLA composite almost remained unaltered ever after undergoing two stages of thermal processing involving melt extrusion and inject molding. The increase in the biocompatibility and relatively high mechanical properties render OPLA-ESOA-HAP/PLLA a potential material for the biodegradable fixation system. Full article

Fever is a serious condition that can lead to various consequences ranging from prolonged illness to death. Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg (T. hemsleyanum) has been used for centuries to treat fever, but the specific chemicals responsible for its antipyretic effects are not well understood. This study aimed to isolate and identify the chemicals with antipyretic bioactivity in T. hemsleyanum extracts and to provide an explanation for the use of T. hemsleyanum as a Chinese herbal medicine for fever treatment. Our results demonstrate that kaempferol 3-rutinoside (K3OR) could be successfully isolated and purified from the roots of T. hemsleyanum. Furthermore, K3OR exhibited a significant reduction in rectal temperature in a mouse model of fever. Notably, a 4 μM concentration of K3OR showed more effective antipyretic effects than ibuprofen and acetaminophen. To explore the underlying mechanism, we conducted an RNA sequencing analysis, which revealed that PXN may act as a key regulator in the fever process induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In the mouse model of fever, K3OR significantly promoted the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α during the early stage in the LPS-treated group. However, during the middle to late stages, K3OR facilitated the elimination of IL-6 and TNF-α in the LPS-treated group. Overall, our study successfully identified the chemicals responsible for the antipyretic bioactivity in T. hemsleyanum extracts, and it answered the question as to why T. hemsleyanum is used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for treating fever. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the therapeutic potential of T. hemsleyanum in managing fever, and they provide a basis for further research and development in this field. Full article

Transient elastography (TE), recommended by the WHO, is an established method for characterizing liver fibrosis via liver stiffness measurement (LSM). However, technical barriers remain towards point-of-care application, as conventional TE requires wired connections, possesses a bulky size, and lacks adequate imaging guidance for precise liver localization. In this work, we report the design, phantom validation, and clinical evaluation of a palm-sized TE system that enables simultaneous B-mode imaging and LSM. The performance of this system was validated experimentally using tissue-equivalent reference phantoms (1.45–75 kPa). Comparative studies against other liver elastography techniques, including conventional TE and two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE), were performed to evaluate its reliability and validity in adults with various chronic liver diseases. Intra- and inter-operator reliability of LSM were established by an elastography expert and a novice. A good agreement was observed between the Young’s modulus reported by the phantom manufacturer and this system (bias: 1.1–8.6%). Among 121 patients, liver stiffness measured by this system and conventional TE were highly correlated (r = 0.975) and strongly agreed with each other (mean difference: −0.77 kPa). Inter-correlation of this system with conventional TE and 2D-SWE was observed. Excellent-to-good operator reliability was demonstrated in 60 patients (ICCs: 0.824–0.913). We demonstrated the feasibility of employing a fully integrated phased array probe for reliable and valid LSM, guided by real-time B-mode imaging of liver anatomy. This system represents the first technical advancement toward point-of-care liver fibrosis assessment. Its small footprint, along with B-mode guidance capability, improves examination efficiency and scales up screening for liver fibrosis. Full article

With the development of urbanization, the demand for bricks continues to increase. However, traditional brick production methods result in significant energy consumption and environmental pollution. In Hebei Province, China, historical mineral extraction activities have left behind substantial iron ore tailings (IOT). With the objective of recycling IOT resources and promoting ecological restoration and sustainable development, the feasibility of producing alkali-activated bricks using iron ore tailings was explored. This study primarily utilized IOT supplemented with ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) to successfully synthesize sustainable eco-friendly alkali-activated high-content IOT bricks. Experimental investigations were conducted to explore the effects of the raw material mixing ratio, content, and modulus of the alkaline activator, molding pressure, and grain size distribution on the strength. The research demonstrated that the IOT: GGBS ratio of 85:15 met the requirements of the Chinese JC/T422-2007 MU25 standard, resulting in compressive and flexural strengths of 31.72 MPa and 2.83 MPa, respectively. Increasing the alkali activator content enhanced the brick strength, with an optimal alkali activator modulus of 1 M. Moreover, the molding pressure significantly improved brick strength and also enhanced the particle-to-particle contact density. Bricks prepared using finer particle size IOT exhibited higher compressive strength, whereas flexural strength remained relatively unaffected by particle size distribution. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of the microstructure and alkali activation mechanism of IOT-GGBS bricks was performed using XRD, SEM, FTIR, and AFM techniques. The results indicated that IOT primarily acted as an aggregate and partially participated in the reaction, whereas GGBS reacted extensively, generating C-S-H gel and C-A-H, providing robust bonding strength. Additionally, the increase in GGBS content led to the partial disintegration of some IOT particles, forming more stable aggregates under the influence of the C-S-H gel. This study offers theoretical guidance for the efficient utilization of IOT in construction materials, thereby contributing to the promotion of sustainable development and environmental conservation. Full article

Invasive alien species are a growing threat to natural systems, the economy, and human health. Active surveillance and responses that readily suppress newly established colonies are effective actions to mitigate the noxious consequences of biological invasions. Aedes (Hulecoeteomyia) koreicus (Edwards), a mosquito species native to East Asia, has spread to parts of Europe and Central Asia since 2008. In the last decade, Ae. koreicus has been shown to be a competent vector for chikungunya virus and Dirofilaria immitis. However, information about the current and potential distribution of Ae. koreicus is limited. Therefore, to understand the changes in their global distribution and to contribute to the monitoring and control of Ae. koreicus, in this study, the MaxEnt model was used to predict and analyze the current suitable distribution area of Ae. koreicus in the world to provide effective information. Full article

Maintaining rice yield and reducing nitrogen (N) input are two important targets in sustainable agriculture practices. The adoption of a nitrogen-saving variety (NSV) provides a unique opportunity to achieve this. However, limited options in NSV japonica rice and a lack of information on their responses to N reduction make management decisions difficult. This study aims to explore the responses of yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in NSV to N reduction. Two newly released NSVs and two popular general varieties (GVs) of japonica rice were field tested in Yangzhou, located at the lower reaches of Yangtze River of China, in two consecutive years. The results showed that for NSVs, with a 40–60% reduction in common practice N rate (300 Kg ha⁻¹), the rice yield could maintain a record average level (p < 0.05), whereas the yield for the GV would drop 20–30% (p < 0.05). This indicates that combining the practices of adoption of NSV and N reduction to 120–180 Kg N ha⁻¹ could balance the yield and N consumption. Moderate N reduction promotes the N accumulation and NUE, and it increases the number of tillers, the productive tiller percentage and the total amount of spikelets in the population, and increases the carbon and N metabolism of the population in the NSV. Compared with GV, NSV showed higher NUE and non-structural carbohydrate re-mobilization in the reduced N rate. The results showed that the practice of N reduction has to adopt NSV at the same time in order to maintain the grain yield level in rice. Full article

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a swine coronavirus that is highly infectious and prone to variation. Vaccines derived from traditional PEDV strains provide less protection against PEDV-variant strains. Furthermore; there is a complex diversity of sequences among various PEDV-variant strains. Therefore; there is an urgent need to develop alternative antiviral strategies to defend against PEDV. Molnupiravir is a nucleotide analogue that could replace natural nucleosides to restrain viral RNA replication. Our study provided evidence for the dose-dependent inhibition of PEDV replication by molnupiravir in Vero cells. Molnupiravir also exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on viral RNA and protein production. Our results demonstrated that molnupiravir inhibits PEDV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) activity and induces a high frequency of mutations in the PEDV genome. Further studies revealed that molnupiravir can reverse changes in the transcriptome caused by viral infection. In conclusion, our results indicated that molnupiravir has the potential to be an effective treatment for PEDV infection. Full article

Pulsating auroras are usually observed with ultralow-frequency (ULF) waves in the Pc 3–5 band (period 10–600 s). These auroras are thought to result from interactions between energetic electrons and chorus waves, but their relationship with ULF waves remains an open question. In this study, we investigated this question by conducting a comparative study on two ULF wave events with pulsating auroras observed near the magnetic footprints. Conjugate observations from the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission and the Chinese Yellow River Station were used. In both events, lower-band chorus waves were observed, which were suggested to be connected with the auroral pulsations by wavelet analysis. The intensity of these waves oscillates at the period of the ULF waves, but the physics laid behind them differs by events. During the event of 22 January 2019, compressional ULF waves changed the threshold for the whistler anisotropy instability periodically, affecting the emission of chorus waves. In the event on 10 January 2016, poloidal ULF waves modulated the chorus wave generation by regulating electron temperature anisotropy through drift resonance. ULF waves in these events may originate from perturbations in the solar wind. We highlight the role of ULF waves in the solar wind–magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling, which requires further study. Full article