Citric acid is an important contributor to fruit flavor.The extremely significant differences in citric acid levels are observed among citrus species and varieties.The molecular basis of citric acid accumulation remai...Citric acid is an important contributor to fruit flavor.The extremely significant differences in citric acid levels are observed among citrus species and varieties.The molecular basis of citric acid accumulation remains largely unknown on the inter-species level.Here,we performed transcriptome analysis of five pairs of acidic and acidless variety fruits from kumquat(Citrus crassifolia),lemon(C.limon),pummelo(C.maxima),mandarin(C.reticulata),and sweet orange(C.sinensis)to investigate the common and specific genes related to citric acid accumulation in these citrus species.Transcript profiles of the citrate metabolism genes revealed that the mechanism of citric acid accumulation in kumquat differed from that in the other four species.The comparative analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified 61 candidate genes from lemon,pummelo,mandarin,and sweet orange.Vacuolar acidification regulated by CitPH4-CitAN1-CitPH5was a common mechanism underlying citric acid accumulation in these four species.In addition,gene network analysis indicated that CitPH4 was a central regulator,exhibiting a strong correlation with the genes involved in vacuolar trafficking and potassium(K^(+))transport.The co-expression and functional enrichment analyses showed that active sugar metabolism and increased citrate synthesis were mainly responsible for the accumulation of citric acid in kumquat.Twenty-four transcription factors were identified as candidate regulators,of which CitbHLH28 was found to regulate acidity level via transactivating CWINV2 and PK3 expressions.Overall,this study provides an insight into the mechanism of citric acid accumulation in citrus fruit and provides useful references for fruit quality improvement through acidity control in different citrus species.展开更多
BACKGROUND Early esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma(E-NEC)is a rare but aggressive malignancy with poorly understood endoscopic features.Despite advancements in multi-model endoscopy,including white light endoscopy,m...BACKGROUND Early esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma(E-NEC)is a rare but aggressive malignancy with poorly understood endoscopic features.Despite advancements in multi-model endoscopy,including white light endoscopy,magnifying end-oscopy narrow-band imaging(NBI),and endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS),the diagnostic characteristics of early E-NEC remain unclear.Comprehensive evalu-ation using these techniques can improve early detection and guide clinical management.This study aimed to investigate the endoscopic features of early E-NEC using multiple imaging modalities.We hypothesized that specific endos-copic patterns,such as irregular microvascular morphology or signs of submu-cosal invasion,could reliably distinguish early E-NEC from other esophageal lesions.AIM To characterize early E-NEC using multi-model endoscopy and identify diag-nostic endoscopic features.METHODS Clinical data of four patients with esophageal submucosal lesions identified by gastroscopy and pathologically diagnosed as E-NEC in the Department of Gastroenterology,The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine between January 2020 and August 2024 were retrospectively analyzed,and their manifestations under multi-model endoscopy were observed.Grayscale values of ultrasound images in three patients with E-NEC and eight with esophageal leiomyoma were calculated using Image J software and compared using the Mann-Whitney U test.Neuroendocrine neoplasms(NENs)are a rare heterogeneous group of epithelial tumors that originate from peptidergic neurons and neuroendocrine cells,and are characterized by neuroendocrine differentiation.NENs include well-differen-tiated neuroendocrine tumors(NETs),poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas(NECs),and mixed neuroen-docrine-non-NENs[1],which exhibit a wide range of biological behaviors,from indolent,slow-growing lesions to highly aggressive and metastatic malignancies[2].NENs have the capacity for whole-body distribution,with gastroenteropan-creatic NENs comprising approximately 60%-75%of cases,followed by those in the lungs and mediastinum[3].Eso-phageal NENs(E-NENs)are extremely rare,accounting for only approximately 1.6%of all NENs and occurring far less frequently than other gastrointestinal NENs[4].However,with advancements in early cancer screening and diagnostic techniques,the incidence of E-NENs has gradually increased in recent decades[5].Among E-NENs,<1%are well-differ-entiated NETs,with the vast majority being poorly differentiated small cell NECs[6,7].Nevertheless,esophageal NEC(E-NEC)accounts for only 0.05%-7.6%of all esophageal malignant tumors[8,9],and is characterized by aggressive behavior,rapid progression,and early metastasis.E-NEC primarily affects middle-aged and older individuals,with a higher prevalence in males[10].The tumor-node-metastasis staging system of E-NEC mirrors that of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)[11,12].Early E-NEC is defined as lesions limited to the mucosal or submucosal layer(stages T1a and T1b),with or without nodal metastasis.Clinically,we found that early E-NEC often presents with absent or non-specific symptoms,such as mild dysphagia or retrosternal discomfort,which are easily overlooked or mistaken for benign esophageal conditions such as leiomyoma.Conventional imaging and tumor markers frequently fail to detect early lesions,and endoscopic biopsy results may be inconclusive due to submucosal tumor growth and the overlying normal epithelium[13].As a result,E-NEC is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage(31%-90%of cases)when regional lymph node or distant metastases have already occurred,contributing to its poor prognosis[2,13,14].Studies have reported a median survival of approximately 11 months and 5-year survival rate of<10%[14].Given these challenges,early detection using endoscopy is essential for improving patient outcomes.展开更多
The sugarcane subtribe Saccharinae(Andropogoneae,Poaceae)was established in 1846,but its delimitation has long been debated.Moreover,the relationships among the genera of Saccharinae remain unclear,and there is no con...The sugarcane subtribe Saccharinae(Andropogoneae,Poaceae)was established in 1846,but its delimitation has long been debated.Moreover,the relationships among the genera of Saccharinae remain unclear,and there is no consensus on whether Pseudosorghum,a small genus in tropical Asia with only two species,should be included.Here,we performed phylogenomic analyses using whole plastomes(69 of them newly sequenced)from 132 individuals,representing 65 species in 19 related genera.We also built trees with nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences.Our results justify the inclusion of Pseudosorghum,likely also the Eulalia Clade III,in Saccharinae.Furthermore,both morphological and molecular analyses support merging the two Pseudosorghum species.The backbone relationships of the Saccharinae phylogeny were highly supported with four polyphyletic clades of Miscanthus and the inclusion of Narenga and Tripidium rufipilum in Saccharum.Pseudosorghum is moderately supported as sister to the Miscanthus Clade I,while the remaining Tripidium species could be excluded from the subtribe.Saccharinae is estimated to have originated~3.73 million years ago in East Asia,followed by intercontinental dispersals.Our study provides a comprehensive phylogenetic framework for future taxonomic revisions of this economically important subtribe.展开更多
With the miniaturization of devices and the development of modern heating technologies,the generalization of heat conduction and thermoelastic coupling has become crucial,effectively emulating the thermodynamic behavi...With the miniaturization of devices and the development of modern heating technologies,the generalization of heat conduction and thermoelastic coupling has become crucial,effectively emulating the thermodynamic behavior of materials in ultrashort time scales.Theoretically,generalized heat conductive models are considered in this work.By analogy with mechanical viscoelastic models,this paper further enriches the heat conduction models and gives their one-dimensional physical expression.Numerically,the transient thermoelastic response of the slim strip material under thermal shock is investigated by applying the proposed models.First,the analytical solution in the Laplace domain is obtained by the Laplace transform.Then,the numerical results of the transient responses are obtained by the numerical inverse Laplace transform.Finally,the transient responses of different models are analyzed and compared,and the effects of material parameters are discussed.This work not only opens up new research perspectives on generalized heat conductive and thermoelastic coupling theories,but also is expected to be beneficial for the deeper understanding of the heat wave theory.展开更多
Magnesium(Mg)-based composites are expected to be useful for biodegradable bone-implant materials due to their degradability,similar elastic modulus to that of bone,and biofunctionalities.However,their rapid degradati...Magnesium(Mg)-based composites are expected to be useful for biodegradable bone-implant materials due to their degradability,similar elastic modulus to that of bone,and biofunctionalities.However,their rapid degradation,poor biotribology performance,and lack of vascularization and antibacterial activity are not conducive to bone-fixation applications.In this study,an in situ Mg_(2)Ge/Mg-Cu-P composite with a nominal composition of Mg-10Ge-2Cu-0.5P(denoted MGCP)was prepared via phosphorus(P)-modified casting followed by hot extrusion for biodegradable bone-fixation applications.For comparison,an in situ Mg_(2)Ge/Mg-Cu composite(Mg-10Ge-2Cu,denoted MGC)was prepared under the same conditions without P-modification.The hot-extruded(HE)MGCP sample showed significantly improved corrosion resistance with corrosion rates of 2.2 mm/y and 2.51 mm/y as measured by potentiodynamic-polarization and hydrogen-release testing in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum(denoted DMEM).The HE MGCP also exhibited notably enhanced mechanical properties and biotribological resistance in DMEM,with an σ_(UTS) of ~304.2 MPa,σ_(TYS) of ~202.5 MPa,elongation of ~12.3%,σ_(UCS) of 769.0 MPa,σ_(CYS) of 208.0 MPa,and Brinell hardness of 105.3 HB,along with smallerσ_(TYS) andσ_(CYS) decreases after 3 d of immersion in Hanks’solution.In comparison to pure titanium and Mg,the HE MGCP demonstrated much greater cytocompatibility,angiogenic capacity,and osteogenic differentiation and mineralization capability.Furthermore,the HE MGCP displayed markedly higher in vitro antibacterial activity,in vivo antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ability,and good biosafety in a rat subcutaneous-implantation model compared to pure titanium and Mg,indicating significant potential for biodegradable bone-fixation applications.展开更多
Objective:To explore the application effect of a phased nursing guidance program in early rehabilitation training for patients after minimally invasive spinal surgery,providing references for clinical rehabilitation n...Objective:To explore the application effect of a phased nursing guidance program in early rehabilitation training for patients after minimally invasive spinal surgery,providing references for clinical rehabilitation nursing.Methods:A total of 148 patients who underwent minimally invasive spinal surgery in our hospital from July 2023 to June 2025 were selected as the study subjects.They were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group using a random number table method,with 74 cases in each group.The control group received conventional nursing guidance after minimally invasive spinal surgery,while the observation group implemented a phased nursing guidance program.The pain levels(VAS scores),spinal function(JOA scores),quality of life(SF-36 scores),rehabilitation training compliance,and complication rates of the two groups of patients at different postoperative time points were compared.Results:At 7,14,and 30 days postoperatively,the Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(all p<0.001).At 7,14,and 30 days postoperatively,the Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)scores in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(all p<0.0001).Moreover,the JOA scores in both groups gradually increased over time,with a more pronounced increase observed in the observation group.At 30 days postoperatively,the scores in all dimensions of the Short Form-36(SF-36)scale in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(all p<0.001).The compliance rate with rehabilitation training in the observation group was 95.95%,significantly higher than the 82.43%in the control group(χ^(2)=7.008,p<0.05).The complication rate in the observation group was 4.05%,significantly lower than the 14.86%in the control group(χ^(2)=5.049,p<0.05).Conclusion:The phased nursing guidance program can effectively alleviate pain,improve spinal function and quality of life,enhance compliance with rehabilitation training,and reduce the incidence of complications in patients after minimally invasive spinal surgery,making it worthy of clinical promotion and application.展开更多
Strong polyelectrolyte brushes(SPBs)play an important role in enabling material surface functionalization due to their unique stimuli-responsive properties.Although the unexpected pH responsiveness of SPBs has been re...Strong polyelectrolyte brushes(SPBs)play an important role in enabling material surface functionalization due to their unique stimuli-responsive properties.Although the unexpected pH responsiveness of SPBs has been revealed in the past ten years,it is still unclear if the pH-responsive properties of SPBs are affected by the brush thickness.In this study,we employed the positively charged poly[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride(PMETAC)and negatively charged sodium poly(styrenesulfonate)(NaPSS)brushes as model systems to explore the effect of thickness on the pH-responsive properties of SPBs.The results demonstrate that the pH-responsive properties of SPBs manifest different dependences on the brush thickness.Specifically,for both PMETAC and NaPSS brushes,the pH-responsive hydration and stiffness are influenced by the thickness,and the pH-responsive wettability and adhesion are almost unaffected by the thickness.This work not only provides a clear understanding of the relationship between the brush thickness and the pH responsiveness of SPBs,but also offers a new method to control the pH-responsive properties of SPBs.展开更多
AIM:To compare the efficacy of 3%diquafosol sodium(DQS)eye drops at different frequencies in dry eye(DE)after femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK).METHODS:In this prospective study,DE patients a...AIM:To compare the efficacy of 3%diquafosol sodium(DQS)eye drops at different frequencies in dry eye(DE)after femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK).METHODS:In this prospective study,DE patients after FS-LASIK were randomly divided into two groups.All patients were administered routine anti-inflammatory and anti-infective drugs after FS-LASIK.Additionally,both groups were treated with DQS,at frequencies of 4(DQS4 group)and 6(DQS6 group)times daily.Corneal fluorescein staining(CFS)score,non-invasive tear breakup time(NIBUT),tear meniscus height(TMH),lipid layer thickness(LLT),and incomplete blink rate(IBR)were assessed in patients preoperatively and at 1wk,1,and 3mo postoperatively.The Ocular Surface Disease Index(OSDI)questionnaire was also administered.RESULTS:Totally 119 patients(238 eyes)were randomly divided into the DQS4 group(60 individuals with 120 eyes)and DQS6 group(59 individuals with 118 eyes).From 1wk to 1mo after FS-LASIK,the CFS score in the DQS6 group decreased with statistical significance(P=0.014),while the DQS4 group showed an upward trend.Comparing with preoperative values,the NIBUT of both groups was significantly prolonged at various time points after FS-LASIK(P<0.05).Within 1mo post FS-LASIK,both groups had significantly higher OSDI scores compared with preoperative values(P<0.05).At postoperative 3mo,the DQS4 group recovered to a level similar to that before surgery(P>0.05),while the DQS6 group remained a little higher than preoperative values(P>0.05).The TMH levels in the DQS4 group increased significantly at 1wk postoperatively(P<0.05),while there was no statistically significant change in the TMH levels in the DQS6 group(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in IBR and LLT between the two groups within 1mo postoperatively.At postoperative 3mo,the LLT in the DQS4 group was significantly higher than that in the DQS6 group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Within 1mo post-FS-LASIK,applying DQS six times daily is superior to four daily applications in improving CFS score,and in increasing NIBUT meanwhile.After 1mo,applying DQS four times daily also effectively alleviate DE symptoms and improve DE signs.Therefore,we recommend DE patients using DQS eye drops 6 times daily within 1mo after FS-LASIK,and maintaining it 4 times daily until 3mo postoperatively.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the effects of robot-assisted training on upper limb function in elderly stroke patients.Methods:Seventy elderly stroke patients treated in the Rehabilitation Medicine Department of Jiangsu Pr...Objective:To investigate the effects of robot-assisted training on upper limb function in elderly stroke patients.Methods:Seventy elderly stroke patients treated in the Rehabilitation Medicine Department of Jiangsu Provincial Organ Hospital from January 2023 to December 2023 were randomly divided into an intervention group(n=35)and a control group(n=35).In addition to conventional rehabilitation and nursing care,both groups received 40 minutes of daily upper limb training.The control group underwent entirely manual training,whereas the intervention group received a combination of 20 minutes of manual and 20 minutes of robot-assisted training.All participants completed this protocol five times weekly for four weeks,with assessments of upper limb motor function and activities of daily living(ADL)conducted pre-and post-intervention.Results:After treatment,both groups showed significant increases in Fugl-Meyer Assessment(FMA-UE)and Barthel Index(BI)scores compared to before treatment(p<0.01).The intervention group had higher FMA-UE scores than the control group(p<0.05),while there was no significant difference in BI scores between the two groups after treatment(p>0.05).Conclusion:Robot-assisted training can improve upper limb motor function and enhance ADL capabilities in elderly stroke patients.展开更多
Solution environment can influence the flexible structure of DNA under specific conditions,thereby affecting the stability of nucleic acids and ultimately impacting critical biological processes such as replication an...Solution environment can influence the flexible structure of DNA under specific conditions,thereby affecting the stability of nucleic acids and ultimately impacting critical biological processes such as replication and transcription.Intracellular solution environment is variable,and previous studies have demonstrated that it can enhance the stability of DNA structures under certain circumstances.In this work,molecular dynamics simulations were conducted on B-DNA(1ZEW,with a nucleotide sequence of CCTCTAGAGG)derived from human breast cancer cells(MDA-MB231)to explore the effects of ethanol solution on DNA configuration transformation at different temperatures and concentrations.The calculated results indicate that ethanol facilitates the transition of 1ZEW from B-DNA to A-DNA at lower temperature.Furthermore,it is observed that temperature affects DNA structure to some extent,thereby modifying the trend in DNA configuration transformation.At low temperatures,the ethanol can promote the transformation of B-DNA into A-DNA at higher concentrations.While at higher temperatures,the DNA could be in a state of thermal melting.These conclusions presented here can give valuable insights into how ethanol affects B-DNA configuration transformations.展开更多
Pesticide residues are related to environmental pollution,food safety and other issues,and sample processing is a key link in the whole analysis and detection process.Therefore,it is of far-reaching significance to es...Pesticide residues are related to environmental pollution,food safety and other issues,and sample processing is a key link in the whole analysis and detection process.Therefore,it is of far-reaching significance to establish a reliable and safe pretreatment technique for pesticide detection.QuEChERS(quick,easy,cheap,effective,rugged and safe),as a pretreatment method for pesticide residue analysis,is widely used in the field of testing and analysis because of its characteristics of rapidity,simplicity,low cost and high efficiency.In this paper,the effects of material selection involving extractants,analyte protectants and purification agents and their ratio optimization in QuEChERS method on the improvement of pretreatment efficiency were analyzed,hoping to provide further technical reference for expanding the pretreatment technique.展开更多
With the progress of society, there is an increasing need to tackle disorders of the central nervous system. Human brain tissue, unlike animal tissues, is an irreplaceable resource for the study of neurological diseas...With the progress of society, there is an increasing need to tackle disorders of the central nervous system. Human brain tissue, unlike animal tissues, is an irreplaceable resource for the study of neurological diseases (1)Aimed at scientific research and education, the roles of human brain tissue repositories are to acquire brain tissue from donors, prepare, process, and preserve collected samples,provide tissue to specific eligible facilities, and determine the characteristics of each tissue sample.展开更多
Carotenoids are indispensable for both human health and plant survival.Citrus,is one of the fruit crops richest in carotenoid compounds,with approximately 115 kinds of carotenoids;tremendous diversity in carotenoids c...Carotenoids are indispensable for both human health and plant survival.Citrus,is one of the fruit crops richest in carotenoid compounds,with approximately 115 kinds of carotenoids;tremendous diversity in carotenoids composition and concentration exists among various species,showing different colors from nearly white to crimson.The carotenoid biosynthetic pathway and the key carotenogenic genes have been identified in citrus;however,the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unclear.In this study,among the main species of genus Citrus(primitive,wild,and cultivated),we detected carotenoids in flavedo using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography,and analyzed variations in cis-acting elements in the promoters of key carotenoid pathway genes.Intriguingly,both carotenoid composition and content were generally increased during the evolution of citrus,and the corresponding variations in the promoters were identified,including the gain or loss of critical environmental stress-responsive elements and hormone-responsive elements,which are closely associated with carotenoid enhancement.In addition,pummelo has the most heat-responsive elements,but the Mangshan mandarin does not have this element in the promoters of PSY,which is highly related to their geographical origin and indicate that temperature is a critical environmental signal influencing carotenoid accumulation.Moreover,the abscisic acid-responsive motif was rich in almost all the seven species,but the ethylene-responsive motif was deficient,which demystified the unique phytohormone regulation mechanism of carotenoid accumulation in citrus.Overall,our study provides new insights into the molecular regulatory mechanism of carotenoid enhancement in the evolution of citrus,which can facilitate breeding and cultivation efforts to improve the nutritional quality and esthetic value in citrus and hopefully other fruit crops.展开更多
Previous studies have shown that reduced sleep duration,sleep fragmentation,and decreased sleep quality in patients with Alzheimer's disease are related to dysfunction in orexin signaling.At the same time,blood-br...Previous studies have shown that reduced sleep duration,sleep fragmentation,and decreased sleep quality in patients with Alzheimer's disease are related to dysfunction in orexin signaling.At the same time,blood-brain barrier disruption is considered an early biomarker of Alzheimer's disease.However,currently no report has examined how changes in orexin signaling relate to changes in the blood-brain barrier of patients who have Alzheimer's disease with sleep insufficiency.This cross-sectional study included 50 patients with Alzheimer's disease who received treatment in 2019 at Beijing Tiantan Hospital.Patients were divided into two groups:those with insufficient sleep(sleep duration≤6 hours,n=19,age 61.58±8.54 years,10 men)and those with normal sleep durations(sleep duration>6 hours,n=31,age 63.19±10.09 years,18 men).Demographic variables were collected to evaluate cognitive function,neuropsychiatric symptoms,and activities of daily living.The levels of orexin,its receptor proteins,and several blood-brain barrier factors were measured in cerebrospinal fluid.Sleep insufficiency was associated with impaired overall cognitive function that spanned multiple cognitive domains.Furthermore,levels of orexin and its receptors were upregulated in the cerebrospinal fluid,and the blood–brain barrier was destroyed.Both these events precipitated each other and accelerated the progression of Alzheimer's disease.These findings describe the clinical characteristics and potential mechanism underlying Alzheimer's disease accompanied by sleep deprivation.Inhibiting the upregulation of elements within the orexin system or preventing the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier could thus be targets for treating Alzheimer's disease.展开更多
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.31925034)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2022YFF1003100)+1 种基金the Foundation of Hubei Hongshan Laboratory(Grant No.2021hszd016)Key project of Hubei provincial Natural Science Foundation(Grant No.2021CFA017)。
文摘Citric acid is an important contributor to fruit flavor.The extremely significant differences in citric acid levels are observed among citrus species and varieties.The molecular basis of citric acid accumulation remains largely unknown on the inter-species level.Here,we performed transcriptome analysis of five pairs of acidic and acidless variety fruits from kumquat(Citrus crassifolia),lemon(C.limon),pummelo(C.maxima),mandarin(C.reticulata),and sweet orange(C.sinensis)to investigate the common and specific genes related to citric acid accumulation in these citrus species.Transcript profiles of the citrate metabolism genes revealed that the mechanism of citric acid accumulation in kumquat differed from that in the other four species.The comparative analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified 61 candidate genes from lemon,pummelo,mandarin,and sweet orange.Vacuolar acidification regulated by CitPH4-CitAN1-CitPH5was a common mechanism underlying citric acid accumulation in these four species.In addition,gene network analysis indicated that CitPH4 was a central regulator,exhibiting a strong correlation with the genes involved in vacuolar trafficking and potassium(K^(+))transport.The co-expression and functional enrichment analyses showed that active sugar metabolism and increased citrate synthesis were mainly responsible for the accumulation of citric acid in kumquat.Twenty-four transcription factors were identified as candidate regulators,of which CitbHLH28 was found to regulate acidity level via transactivating CWINV2 and PK3 expressions.Overall,this study provides an insight into the mechanism of citric acid accumulation in citrus fruit and provides useful references for fruit quality improvement through acidity control in different citrus species.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82370570.
文摘BACKGROUND Early esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma(E-NEC)is a rare but aggressive malignancy with poorly understood endoscopic features.Despite advancements in multi-model endoscopy,including white light endoscopy,magnifying end-oscopy narrow-band imaging(NBI),and endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS),the diagnostic characteristics of early E-NEC remain unclear.Comprehensive evalu-ation using these techniques can improve early detection and guide clinical management.This study aimed to investigate the endoscopic features of early E-NEC using multiple imaging modalities.We hypothesized that specific endos-copic patterns,such as irregular microvascular morphology or signs of submu-cosal invasion,could reliably distinguish early E-NEC from other esophageal lesions.AIM To characterize early E-NEC using multi-model endoscopy and identify diag-nostic endoscopic features.METHODS Clinical data of four patients with esophageal submucosal lesions identified by gastroscopy and pathologically diagnosed as E-NEC in the Department of Gastroenterology,The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine between January 2020 and August 2024 were retrospectively analyzed,and their manifestations under multi-model endoscopy were observed.Grayscale values of ultrasound images in three patients with E-NEC and eight with esophageal leiomyoma were calculated using Image J software and compared using the Mann-Whitney U test.Neuroendocrine neoplasms(NENs)are a rare heterogeneous group of epithelial tumors that originate from peptidergic neurons and neuroendocrine cells,and are characterized by neuroendocrine differentiation.NENs include well-differen-tiated neuroendocrine tumors(NETs),poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas(NECs),and mixed neuroen-docrine-non-NENs[1],which exhibit a wide range of biological behaviors,from indolent,slow-growing lesions to highly aggressive and metastatic malignancies[2].NENs have the capacity for whole-body distribution,with gastroenteropan-creatic NENs comprising approximately 60%-75%of cases,followed by those in the lungs and mediastinum[3].Eso-phageal NENs(E-NENs)are extremely rare,accounting for only approximately 1.6%of all NENs and occurring far less frequently than other gastrointestinal NENs[4].However,with advancements in early cancer screening and diagnostic techniques,the incidence of E-NENs has gradually increased in recent decades[5].Among E-NENs,<1%are well-differ-entiated NETs,with the vast majority being poorly differentiated small cell NECs[6,7].Nevertheless,esophageal NEC(E-NEC)accounts for only 0.05%-7.6%of all esophageal malignant tumors[8,9],and is characterized by aggressive behavior,rapid progression,and early metastasis.E-NEC primarily affects middle-aged and older individuals,with a higher prevalence in males[10].The tumor-node-metastasis staging system of E-NEC mirrors that of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)[11,12].Early E-NEC is defined as lesions limited to the mucosal or submucosal layer(stages T1a and T1b),with or without nodal metastasis.Clinically,we found that early E-NEC often presents with absent or non-specific symptoms,such as mild dysphagia or retrosternal discomfort,which are easily overlooked or mistaken for benign esophageal conditions such as leiomyoma.Conventional imaging and tumor markers frequently fail to detect early lesions,and endoscopic biopsy results may be inconclusive due to submucosal tumor growth and the overlying normal epithelium[13].As a result,E-NEC is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage(31%-90%of cases)when regional lymph node or distant metastases have already occurred,contributing to its poor prognosis[2,13,14].Studies have reported a median survival of approximately 11 months and 5-year survival rate of<10%[14].Given these challenges,early detection using endoscopy is essential for improving patient outcomes.
基金supported by Yunnan Fundamental Research Project(202401BC070001)a research project of the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species,Kunming Institute of Botany,CAS,and the Project of Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(23DZ1204601).
文摘The sugarcane subtribe Saccharinae(Andropogoneae,Poaceae)was established in 1846,but its delimitation has long been debated.Moreover,the relationships among the genera of Saccharinae remain unclear,and there is no consensus on whether Pseudosorghum,a small genus in tropical Asia with only two species,should be included.Here,we performed phylogenomic analyses using whole plastomes(69 of them newly sequenced)from 132 individuals,representing 65 species in 19 related genera.We also built trees with nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences.Our results justify the inclusion of Pseudosorghum,likely also the Eulalia Clade III,in Saccharinae.Furthermore,both morphological and molecular analyses support merging the two Pseudosorghum species.The backbone relationships of the Saccharinae phylogeny were highly supported with four polyphyletic clades of Miscanthus and the inclusion of Narenga and Tripidium rufipilum in Saccharum.Pseudosorghum is moderately supported as sister to the Miscanthus Clade I,while the remaining Tripidium species could be excluded from the subtribe.Saccharinae is estimated to have originated~3.73 million years ago in East Asia,followed by intercontinental dispersals.Our study provides a comprehensive phylogenetic framework for future taxonomic revisions of this economically important subtribe.
基金Project supported by the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of China(No.2023A1515012809)the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province of China(No.2023-JC-YB-073)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China(No.D5000230066)。
文摘With the miniaturization of devices and the development of modern heating technologies,the generalization of heat conduction and thermoelastic coupling has become crucial,effectively emulating the thermodynamic behavior of materials in ultrashort time scales.Theoretically,generalized heat conductive models are considered in this work.By analogy with mechanical viscoelastic models,this paper further enriches the heat conduction models and gives their one-dimensional physical expression.Numerically,the transient thermoelastic response of the slim strip material under thermal shock is investigated by applying the proposed models.First,the analytical solution in the Laplace domain is obtained by the Laplace transform.Then,the numerical results of the transient responses are obtained by the numerical inverse Laplace transform.Finally,the transient responses of different models are analyzed and compared,and the effects of material parameters are discussed.This work not only opens up new research perspectives on generalized heat conductive and thermoelastic coupling theories,but also is expected to be beneficial for the deeper understanding of the heat wave theory.
基金supported by the Zhejiang Public Welfare Technology Application Research Project of China(No.LTGY24H140002,No.LTGY23H140002,No.LGF22H140008)Wenzhou Medical University Basic Scientific Research Expenses Project(KYYW202331)the financial support for this research by the Australian Research Council(ARC)through the Discovery Project(DP240101131).
文摘Magnesium(Mg)-based composites are expected to be useful for biodegradable bone-implant materials due to their degradability,similar elastic modulus to that of bone,and biofunctionalities.However,their rapid degradation,poor biotribology performance,and lack of vascularization and antibacterial activity are not conducive to bone-fixation applications.In this study,an in situ Mg_(2)Ge/Mg-Cu-P composite with a nominal composition of Mg-10Ge-2Cu-0.5P(denoted MGCP)was prepared via phosphorus(P)-modified casting followed by hot extrusion for biodegradable bone-fixation applications.For comparison,an in situ Mg_(2)Ge/Mg-Cu composite(Mg-10Ge-2Cu,denoted MGC)was prepared under the same conditions without P-modification.The hot-extruded(HE)MGCP sample showed significantly improved corrosion resistance with corrosion rates of 2.2 mm/y and 2.51 mm/y as measured by potentiodynamic-polarization and hydrogen-release testing in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum(denoted DMEM).The HE MGCP also exhibited notably enhanced mechanical properties and biotribological resistance in DMEM,with an σ_(UTS) of ~304.2 MPa,σ_(TYS) of ~202.5 MPa,elongation of ~12.3%,σ_(UCS) of 769.0 MPa,σ_(CYS) of 208.0 MPa,and Brinell hardness of 105.3 HB,along with smallerσ_(TYS) andσ_(CYS) decreases after 3 d of immersion in Hanks’solution.In comparison to pure titanium and Mg,the HE MGCP demonstrated much greater cytocompatibility,angiogenic capacity,and osteogenic differentiation and mineralization capability.Furthermore,the HE MGCP displayed markedly higher in vitro antibacterial activity,in vivo antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ability,and good biosafety in a rat subcutaneous-implantation model compared to pure titanium and Mg,indicating significant potential for biodegradable bone-fixation applications.
文摘Objective:To explore the application effect of a phased nursing guidance program in early rehabilitation training for patients after minimally invasive spinal surgery,providing references for clinical rehabilitation nursing.Methods:A total of 148 patients who underwent minimally invasive spinal surgery in our hospital from July 2023 to June 2025 were selected as the study subjects.They were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group using a random number table method,with 74 cases in each group.The control group received conventional nursing guidance after minimally invasive spinal surgery,while the observation group implemented a phased nursing guidance program.The pain levels(VAS scores),spinal function(JOA scores),quality of life(SF-36 scores),rehabilitation training compliance,and complication rates of the two groups of patients at different postoperative time points were compared.Results:At 7,14,and 30 days postoperatively,the Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(all p<0.001).At 7,14,and 30 days postoperatively,the Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)scores in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(all p<0.0001).Moreover,the JOA scores in both groups gradually increased over time,with a more pronounced increase observed in the observation group.At 30 days postoperatively,the scores in all dimensions of the Short Form-36(SF-36)scale in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(all p<0.001).The compliance rate with rehabilitation training in the observation group was 95.95%,significantly higher than the 82.43%in the control group(χ^(2)=7.008,p<0.05).The complication rate in the observation group was 4.05%,significantly lower than the 14.86%in the control group(χ^(2)=5.049,p<0.05).Conclusion:The phased nursing guidance program can effectively alleviate pain,improve spinal function and quality of life,enhance compliance with rehabilitation training,and reduce the incidence of complications in patients after minimally invasive spinal surgery,making it worthy of clinical promotion and application.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.22273098,52033001 and 22303032)the Key Project of Anhui Province Science and Technology Innovation Platform(No.S202305a12020030)+1 种基金the Science and Technology Program Project of Zhejiang Province,China(No.2025ZY01057)partially carried out at the USTC Center for Micro and Nanoscale Research and Fabrication。
文摘Strong polyelectrolyte brushes(SPBs)play an important role in enabling material surface functionalization due to their unique stimuli-responsive properties.Although the unexpected pH responsiveness of SPBs has been revealed in the past ten years,it is still unclear if the pH-responsive properties of SPBs are affected by the brush thickness.In this study,we employed the positively charged poly[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride(PMETAC)and negatively charged sodium poly(styrenesulfonate)(NaPSS)brushes as model systems to explore the effect of thickness on the pH-responsive properties of SPBs.The results demonstrate that the pH-responsive properties of SPBs manifest different dependences on the brush thickness.Specifically,for both PMETAC and NaPSS brushes,the pH-responsive hydration and stiffness are influenced by the thickness,and the pH-responsive wettability and adhesion are almost unaffected by the thickness.This work not only provides a clear understanding of the relationship between the brush thickness and the pH responsiveness of SPBs,but also offers a new method to control the pH-responsive properties of SPBs.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82271062)Tianjin Key Medical Discipline(Specialty)Construction Project(No.TJYXZDXK-037A)Tianjin Science and Technology Bureau(No.21JCZDJC01010).
文摘AIM:To compare the efficacy of 3%diquafosol sodium(DQS)eye drops at different frequencies in dry eye(DE)after femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK).METHODS:In this prospective study,DE patients after FS-LASIK were randomly divided into two groups.All patients were administered routine anti-inflammatory and anti-infective drugs after FS-LASIK.Additionally,both groups were treated with DQS,at frequencies of 4(DQS4 group)and 6(DQS6 group)times daily.Corneal fluorescein staining(CFS)score,non-invasive tear breakup time(NIBUT),tear meniscus height(TMH),lipid layer thickness(LLT),and incomplete blink rate(IBR)were assessed in patients preoperatively and at 1wk,1,and 3mo postoperatively.The Ocular Surface Disease Index(OSDI)questionnaire was also administered.RESULTS:Totally 119 patients(238 eyes)were randomly divided into the DQS4 group(60 individuals with 120 eyes)and DQS6 group(59 individuals with 118 eyes).From 1wk to 1mo after FS-LASIK,the CFS score in the DQS6 group decreased with statistical significance(P=0.014),while the DQS4 group showed an upward trend.Comparing with preoperative values,the NIBUT of both groups was significantly prolonged at various time points after FS-LASIK(P<0.05).Within 1mo post FS-LASIK,both groups had significantly higher OSDI scores compared with preoperative values(P<0.05).At postoperative 3mo,the DQS4 group recovered to a level similar to that before surgery(P>0.05),while the DQS6 group remained a little higher than preoperative values(P>0.05).The TMH levels in the DQS4 group increased significantly at 1wk postoperatively(P<0.05),while there was no statistically significant change in the TMH levels in the DQS6 group(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in IBR and LLT between the two groups within 1mo postoperatively.At postoperative 3mo,the LLT in the DQS4 group was significantly higher than that in the DQS6 group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Within 1mo post-FS-LASIK,applying DQS six times daily is superior to four daily applications in improving CFS score,and in increasing NIBUT meanwhile.After 1mo,applying DQS four times daily also effectively alleviate DE symptoms and improve DE signs.Therefore,we recommend DE patients using DQS eye drops 6 times daily within 1mo after FS-LASIK,and maintaining it 4 times daily until 3mo postoperatively.
基金Nanjing Medical University Science and Technology Development Fund(NMUB20240122)。
文摘Objective:To investigate the effects of robot-assisted training on upper limb function in elderly stroke patients.Methods:Seventy elderly stroke patients treated in the Rehabilitation Medicine Department of Jiangsu Provincial Organ Hospital from January 2023 to December 2023 were randomly divided into an intervention group(n=35)and a control group(n=35).In addition to conventional rehabilitation and nursing care,both groups received 40 minutes of daily upper limb training.The control group underwent entirely manual training,whereas the intervention group received a combination of 20 minutes of manual and 20 minutes of robot-assisted training.All participants completed this protocol five times weekly for four weeks,with assessments of upper limb motor function and activities of daily living(ADL)conducted pre-and post-intervention.Results:After treatment,both groups showed significant increases in Fugl-Meyer Assessment(FMA-UE)and Barthel Index(BI)scores compared to before treatment(p<0.01).The intervention group had higher FMA-UE scores than the control group(p<0.05),while there was no significant difference in BI scores between the two groups after treatment(p>0.05).Conclusion:Robot-assisted training can improve upper limb motor function and enhance ADL capabilities in elderly stroke patients.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foun-dation of China(Grant Nos.52073128 and 11964012)the Foundation of Educational Committee of Jiangxi Province of China(Grant No.GJJ2201314).
文摘Solution environment can influence the flexible structure of DNA under specific conditions,thereby affecting the stability of nucleic acids and ultimately impacting critical biological processes such as replication and transcription.Intracellular solution environment is variable,and previous studies have demonstrated that it can enhance the stability of DNA structures under certain circumstances.In this work,molecular dynamics simulations were conducted on B-DNA(1ZEW,with a nucleotide sequence of CCTCTAGAGG)derived from human breast cancer cells(MDA-MB231)to explore the effects of ethanol solution on DNA configuration transformation at different temperatures and concentrations.The calculated results indicate that ethanol facilitates the transition of 1ZEW from B-DNA to A-DNA at lower temperature.Furthermore,it is observed that temperature affects DNA structure to some extent,thereby modifying the trend in DNA configuration transformation.At low temperatures,the ethanol can promote the transformation of B-DNA into A-DNA at higher concentrations.While at higher temperatures,the DNA could be in a state of thermal melting.These conclusions presented here can give valuable insights into how ethanol affects B-DNA configuration transformations.
基金Supported by The Fourth Batch of High-end Talent Project in Hebei ProvinceThe Special Fund of the Central Government Guiding Local Science and Technology Development(226Z5504G)Tangshan Talent Funding Project(A202202005).
文摘Pesticide residues are related to environmental pollution,food safety and other issues,and sample processing is a key link in the whole analysis and detection process.Therefore,it is of far-reaching significance to establish a reliable and safe pretreatment technique for pesticide detection.QuEChERS(quick,easy,cheap,effective,rugged and safe),as a pretreatment method for pesticide residue analysis,is widely used in the field of testing and analysis because of its characteristics of rapidity,simplicity,low cost and high efficiency.In this paper,the effects of material selection involving extractants,analyte protectants and purification agents and their ratio optimization in QuEChERS method on the improvement of pretreatment efficiency were analyzed,hoping to provide further technical reference for expanding the pretreatment technique.
文摘With the progress of society, there is an increasing need to tackle disorders of the central nervous system. Human brain tissue, unlike animal tissues, is an irreplaceable resource for the study of neurological diseases (1)Aimed at scientific research and education, the roles of human brain tissue repositories are to acquire brain tissue from donors, prepare, process, and preserve collected samples,provide tissue to specific eligible facilities, and determine the characteristics of each tissue sample.
基金This research was supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2018YFD1000200)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant nos.31930095 and 31630065)We should thank Prof.Zuoxiong Liu for editing the English language of the manuscript.
文摘Carotenoids are indispensable for both human health and plant survival.Citrus,is one of the fruit crops richest in carotenoid compounds,with approximately 115 kinds of carotenoids;tremendous diversity in carotenoids composition and concentration exists among various species,showing different colors from nearly white to crimson.The carotenoid biosynthetic pathway and the key carotenogenic genes have been identified in citrus;however,the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unclear.In this study,among the main species of genus Citrus(primitive,wild,and cultivated),we detected carotenoids in flavedo using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography,and analyzed variations in cis-acting elements in the promoters of key carotenoid pathway genes.Intriguingly,both carotenoid composition and content were generally increased during the evolution of citrus,and the corresponding variations in the promoters were identified,including the gain or loss of critical environmental stress-responsive elements and hormone-responsive elements,which are closely associated with carotenoid enhancement.In addition,pummelo has the most heat-responsive elements,but the Mangshan mandarin does not have this element in the promoters of PSY,which is highly related to their geographical origin and indicate that temperature is a critical environmental signal influencing carotenoid accumulation.Moreover,the abscisic acid-responsive motif was rich in almost all the seven species,but the ethylene-responsive motif was deficient,which demystified the unique phytohormone regulation mechanism of carotenoid accumulation in citrus.Overall,our study provides new insights into the molecular regulatory mechanism of carotenoid enhancement in the evolution of citrus,which can facilitate breeding and cultivation efforts to improve the nutritional quality and esthetic value in citrus and hopefully other fruit crops.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China,Nos.2016YFC1306300(to XMW),2016YFC1306000the National Key R&D Program of China-European Commission Horizon 2020,No.2017YFE0118800-779238(to YXW)+15 种基金the Notional Natural Science Foundation of Chino,Nos.81970992(to WZ),81571229(to WZ),81071015(to WZ),30770745(to WZ)Capital's Funds for Health Improvement and Research(CFH),No.2022-2-2048(to WZ)the Key Technology R&D Program of Beijing Municipal Education Commission,No.kz201610025030(to WZ)the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing,No.7082032(to WZ)the Key Project of the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing,No.4161004(to WZ)Capitol Clinical Characteristic Applicotion Research,No.Z121107001012161(to WZ)Project of Scientific and Technological Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Beijing,No.JJ2018-48(to WZ)High Level Technical Personnel Training Project of Beijing Health System of China,No.2009-3-26(to WZ)Excellent Personnel Training Project of Beijing,No.20071D0300400076(to WZ)Important National Science&Technology Specific Project,No.2011ZX09102-003-01(to WZ)Beijing Healthcare Research Project,No.JING-15-2(to WZ)Basic-Clinicol Research Cooperation Funding of Capitol Medical University of China,Nos.2015-JL-PT-X04(to WZ),10JL49(to WZ),14JL15(to WZ)the Natural Science Foundation of Capital Medical UniversityBeijingChina,No.PYZ2018077(to PG)Youth Research Fund of Beijing Tianton Hospital of Capital Medical University of China,Nos.2015-YQN-14(to PG),2015-YQN-15,2015-YQN-17。
文摘Previous studies have shown that reduced sleep duration,sleep fragmentation,and decreased sleep quality in patients with Alzheimer's disease are related to dysfunction in orexin signaling.At the same time,blood-brain barrier disruption is considered an early biomarker of Alzheimer's disease.However,currently no report has examined how changes in orexin signaling relate to changes in the blood-brain barrier of patients who have Alzheimer's disease with sleep insufficiency.This cross-sectional study included 50 patients with Alzheimer's disease who received treatment in 2019 at Beijing Tiantan Hospital.Patients were divided into two groups:those with insufficient sleep(sleep duration≤6 hours,n=19,age 61.58±8.54 years,10 men)and those with normal sleep durations(sleep duration>6 hours,n=31,age 63.19±10.09 years,18 men).Demographic variables were collected to evaluate cognitive function,neuropsychiatric symptoms,and activities of daily living.The levels of orexin,its receptor proteins,and several blood-brain barrier factors were measured in cerebrospinal fluid.Sleep insufficiency was associated with impaired overall cognitive function that spanned multiple cognitive domains.Furthermore,levels of orexin and its receptors were upregulated in the cerebrospinal fluid,and the blood–brain barrier was destroyed.Both these events precipitated each other and accelerated the progression of Alzheimer's disease.These findings describe the clinical characteristics and potential mechanism underlying Alzheimer's disease accompanied by sleep deprivation.Inhibiting the upregulation of elements within the orexin system or preventing the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier could thus be targets for treating Alzheimer's disease.
