With the great development of Multi-Target Tracking(MTT)technologies,many MTT algorithms have been proposed with their own advantages and disadvantages.Due to the fact that requirements to MTT algorithms vary from the...With the great development of Multi-Target Tracking(MTT)technologies,many MTT algorithms have been proposed with their own advantages and disadvantages.Due to the fact that requirements to MTT algorithms vary from the application scenarios,performance evaluation is significant to select an appropriate MTT algorithm for the specific application scenario.In this paper,we propose a performance evaluation method on the sets of trajectories with temporal dimension specifics to compare the estimated trajectories with the true trajectories.The proposed method evaluates the estimate results of an MTT algorithm in terms of tracking accuracy,continuity and clarity.Furthermore,its computation is based on a multi-dimensional assignment problem,which is formulated as a computable form using linear programming.To enhance the influence of recent estimated states of the trajectories in the evaluation,an attention function is used to reweight the trajectory errors at different time steps.Finally,simulation results show that the proposed performance evaluation method is able to evaluate many aspects of the MTT algorithms.These evaluations are worthy for selecting suitable MTT algorithms in different application scenarios.展开更多
Stem cell proliferation is tightly regulated in developing and adult tissues through the coordinated action of cell-intrinsic and extracellular signals.Although many extracellular cues were identified,the cell-intrins...Stem cell proliferation is tightly regulated in developing and adult tissues through the coordinated action of cell-intrinsic and extracellular signals.Although many extracellular cues were identified,the cell-intrinsic mechanisms underlying the decision of a stem cell to proliferate,enter a dormant quiescent state or differentiate into a specific cell type remains incompletely understood.展开更多
The specific surface area(S S)and pore size(D)exhibit an inherent trade-off in the microscale design of bone implants:larger pores typically correlate with reduced surface area and vice versa.This relationship has att...The specific surface area(S S)and pore size(D)exhibit an inherent trade-off in the microscale design of bone implants:larger pores typically correlate with reduced surface area and vice versa.This relationship has attracted notable attention because of its critical role in the regulation of cell adhesion and osteogenesis.However,it remains largely unclear how S S and D affect the generated bone tissue and dynamically change during long-term osteogenesis.Herein,by applying rigorous geometric mapping to minimal surfaces,we constructed precisely partitioned and layer-by-layer thickened tissue models to simulate osteogenesis across different temporal scales and thereby track the dynamic evolution of geometric characteristics,permeability,and mechanobiological tissue differentiation.The high-S S samples were found to facilitate the rapid formation of new bone tissue in the early stages.However,their smaller pores tended to cause occlusions,hindering further tissue development.In contrast,low-S S samples showed slower bone regeneration,but their larger pores provided adequate physical space for tissue regeneration and mass transport,ultimately promoting bone formation in the long term.Mechanobiological regulation suggests that fibrous tissue formation inhibits additional bone formation,establishing a dynamic equilibrium between osteogenesis and pore space to sustain nutrient/waste exchange throughout the regenerative process.Overall,smaller pores are preferable in implants for minimally loaded osteoplasty procedures focused on early-stage bone consolidation,whereas larger pores are preferable in dynamically loaded implants requiring prolonged mechanical stability.展开更多
The establishment of plantations has become a critical approach for reducing greenhouse gas emissions,particularly in fragile environments with carbon sequestration potential.In karst areas,plantations based on fastgr...The establishment of plantations has become a critical approach for reducing greenhouse gas emissions,particularly in fragile environments with carbon sequestration potential.In karst areas,plantations based on fastgrowing afforestation species made significant contributions to enhancing carbon sequestration.However,the impact of understory vegetation on carbon accumulation remains unclear.Especially,the carbon accumulation associated with litter produced during the replacement of understory species receives insufficient attention,which leads to the neglect of the carbon sequestration potential in plantations of karst areas.Leaf is a crucial organ that links the litter production.To explore how leaf traits adapt to competitive environments and drive litter carbon accumulation during understory species replacement,this study observed leaf traits and litter carbon content changes in three types of plantations in the Liujiang River Basin,a typical karst area.A total of 37 sampling plots were selected for field investigation over a twoyear period.Leaf traits,species diversity,vegetation coverage,and litter carbon characteristics in understory vegetation were measured.Variance analysis,allometric equations,and path analysis were used for data analysis.The results showed that most understory species adopted a biomass conservation strategy under high-coverage conditions(>44.27%)and expanded competitive leaf area under low-coverage conditions(<44.27%).However,Bidens pilosa and Miscanthus floridulus exhibited strong competitiveness during understory species replacement.They showed an expansion of competitive leaf area under high-coverage conditions.This competitive strategy reduced species diversity and community specific leaf area.But the rapid expansion of Bidens pilosa and Miscanthus floridulus increased understory vegetation coverage,and their increased specific leaf area facilitated leaf shedding,resulting in significant litter weight accumulation(P<0.05),thereby enhancing litter carbon content per unit area.These competitive strategies were key driving factors for the increase in litter carbon content per square meter,which reached a maximum of 49.6% higher than that in natural grasslands.And the maximum increase in litter carbon accumulation derived from understory vegetation reached 3.37 times from 2023 to 2024 in plantations.In the understory vegetation of plantations,the competitive strategies reflected by leaf adaptation of key competitive species are critical factors influencing litter carbon accumulation.Future research could deeply explore the carbon sequestration effects resulting from the dynamic changes in competition within the understory vegetation of plantations.展开更多
The brain's functions are governed by molecular metabolic networks.However,due to the sophisticated spatial organization and diverse activities of the brain,characterizing both the minute and large-scale metabolic...The brain's functions are governed by molecular metabolic networks.However,due to the sophisticated spatial organization and diverse activities of the brain,characterizing both the minute and large-scale metabolic activity across the entire brain and its numerous micro-regions remains incredibly challenging.Here,we offer a high-definition spatially resolved metabolomics technique to better understand the metabolic specialization and interconnection throughout the mouse brain using improved ambient mass spectrometry imaging.This method allows for the simultaneous mapping of thousands of metabolites at a 30 μm spatial resolution across the mouse brain,ranging from structural lipids to functional neurotransmitters.This approach effectively reveals the distribution patterns of delicate microregions and their distinctive metabolic characteristics.Using an integrated database,we annotated 259 metabolites,demonstrating that the metabolome and metabolic pathways are unique to each brain microregion.The distribution of metabolites,closely linked to functionally connected brain regions and their interactions,offers profound insights into the complexity of chemical processes and their roles in brain function.An initial dataset for future metabolomics research might be obtained from the high-definition mouse brain's spatial metabolome atlas.展开更多
Coconut(Cocos nucifera L.),a major oil and fruit crop of the Arecaceae family,is extensively cultivated across the Asia—Pacific region.Despite its agricultural importance,genome assembly in coconut remains challengin...Coconut(Cocos nucifera L.),a major oil and fruit crop of the Arecaceae family,is extensively cultivated across the Asia—Pacific region.Despite its agricultural importance,genome assembly in coconut remains challenging due to its large genome size and high proportion of repetitive sequences.Allele-specific expression(ASE)plays a key role in regulating plant development and evolution,yet research on ASE in coconut is limited(Shao et al.,2019;Li et al.,2021;Zhang et al.,2021;Hu et al.,2022).Among phenotypic traits,fruit color is especially important as an indicator of maturity,guiding harvest timing and post-harvest processes(Kapoor et al.,2022).While prior studies have explored various coconut traits such as salt tolerance,fiber content,and plant height(Wang et al.,2021;Yang et al.,2021),investigations into ASE and fruit color remain scarce.展开更多
Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is the most common form of dementia.In addition to the lack of effective treatments,there are limitations in diagnostic capabilities.The complexity of AD itself,together with a variety of other...Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is the most common form of dementia.In addition to the lack of effective treatments,there are limitations in diagnostic capabilities.The complexity of AD itself,together with a variety of other diseases often observed in a patient’s history in addition to their AD diagnosis,make deciphering the molecular mechanisms that underlie AD,even more important.Large datasets of single-cell RNA sequencing,single-nucleus RNA-sequencing(snRNA-seq),and spatial transcriptomics(ST)have become essential in guiding and supporting new investigations into the cellular and regional susceptibility of AD.However,with unique technology,software,and larger databases emerging;a lack of integration of these data can contribute to ineffective use of valuable knowledge.Importantly,there was no specialized database that concentrates on ST in AD that offers comprehensive differential analyses under various conditions,such as sex-specific,region-specific,and comparisons between AD and control groups until the new Single-cell and Spatial RNA-seq databasE for Alzheimer’s Disease(ssREAD)database(Wang et al.,2024)was introduced to meet the scientific community’s growing demand for comprehensive,integrated,and accessible data analysis.展开更多
Supercapacitors are gaining popularity due to their high cycling stability,power density,and fast charge and discharge rates.Researchers are ex-ploring electrode materials,electrolytes,and separat-ors for cost-effecti...Supercapacitors are gaining popularity due to their high cycling stability,power density,and fast charge and discharge rates.Researchers are ex-ploring electrode materials,electrolytes,and separat-ors for cost-effective energy storage systems.Ad-vances in materials science have led to the develop-ment of hybrid nanomaterials,such as combining fil-amentous carbon forms with inorganic nanoparticles,to create new charge and energy transfer processes.Notable materials for electrochemical energy-stor-age applications include MXenes,2D transition met-al carbides,and nitrides,carbon black,carbon aerogels,activated carbon,carbon nanotubes,conducting polymers,carbon fibers,and nanofibers,and graphene,because of their thermal,electrical,and mechanical properties.Carbon materials mixed with conducting polymers,ceramics,metal oxides,transition metal oxides,metal hydroxides,transition metal sulfides,trans-ition metal dichalcogenide,metal sulfides,carbides,nitrides,and biomass materials have received widespread attention due to their remarkable performance,eco-friendliness,cost-effectiveness,and renewability.This article explores the development of carbon-based hybrid materials for future supercapacitors,including electric double-layer capacitors,pseudocapacitors,and hy-brid supercapacitors.It investigates the difficulties that influence structural design,manufacturing(electrospinning,hydro-thermal/solvothermal,template-assisted synthesis,electrodeposition,electrospray,3D printing)techniques and the latest car-bon-based hybrid materials research offer practical solutions for producing high-performance,next-generation supercapacitors.展开更多
Persistent toxic substances(PTS)represent a paramount environmental issue in the 21st century.Understanding the concentrations and forms of PTS in the environment is crucial for accurately assessing their environmenta...Persistent toxic substances(PTS)represent a paramount environmental issue in the 21st century.Understanding the concentrations and forms of PTS in the environment is crucial for accurately assessing their environmental health impacts.This article presents a concise overview of the components of PTS,pertinent environmental regulations,and conventional detection methodologies.Additionally,we offer an in-depth review of the principles,development,and practical applications of surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS)in environmental monitoring,emphasizing the advancements in detecting trace amounts of PTS in complex environmental matrices.Recent progress in enhancing SERS sensitivity,improving selectivity,and practical implementations are detailed,showcasing innovative materials and methods.Integrating SERS with advanced algorithms are highlighted as pivotal areas for future research.展开更多
The microstructural evolution,phase stability,and mechanical properties of Al-Li-Mg-Ti-M(M=Zn,Zr,V)lightweight high-entropy alloys(LW-HEAs)were investigated.The LW-HEAs with three components,Al_(20)Li_(20)Mg_(10)-Ti_(...The microstructural evolution,phase stability,and mechanical properties of Al-Li-Mg-Ti-M(M=Zn,Zr,V)lightweight high-entropy alloys(LW-HEAs)were investigated.The LW-HEAs with three components,Al_(20)Li_(20)Mg_(10)-Ti_(40)Zn_(10)(#Zn),Al_(20)Li_(20)Mg_(10)Ti_(30)Zr_(20)(#Zr),and Al_(20)Li_(20)Mg_(10)Ti_(30)V_(20)(#V),were designed according to the thermo-dynamic design criteria of HEA,and prepared via a combination process of mechanical alloying and cold-press sintering.The effects of alloy composition and sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the LW-HEAs were studied.The results show that the as-milled Al-Li-Mg-Ti-M(M=Zn,Zr,V)LW-HEAs form a simple structure with HCP-type solid solution as the primary phase,a dual-HCP type solid solution phase,and a BCC phase,respectively.After cold-press sintering,the#Zn and#V alloys undergo obvious phase transformation;while the#Zr alloy with dual-HCP phases exhibits the best phase stability during heat treatment.The#V-750°C alloy demonstrates the maximum hardness and specific strength of HV 595.2 and 625 MPa∙cm3/g,respectively,under the combined effect of solid solution strengthening of BCC phase and precipitation strengthening ofβ-AlTi_(3).Moreover,the#Zr-650°C,#Zr-750°C,and#Zn-650°C alloys are expected to have excellent plasticity.展开更多
The ACF adsorbent with high Cu loading was treated with dielectric barrier discharge plasma to mitigate the negative effects of high Cu loading and enhance PH_(3)and H_(2)S adsorption and oxidation.Bruno-Emmett-Taylor...The ACF adsorbent with high Cu loading was treated with dielectric barrier discharge plasma to mitigate the negative effects of high Cu loading and enhance PH_(3)and H_(2)S adsorption and oxidation.Bruno-Emmett-Taylor(BET)result showed that the specific surface area of the adsorbent after air plasma modification was almost three times that before modification.X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)findings revealed that the amino group was added to the adsorbent's surface,increasing lattice oxygen and chemisorbed oxygen.The adsorbent's large specific surface area,excellent surface active oxygen,and abundance of basic groups facilitate PH_(3)and H_(2)S adsorption and oxidation.The scanning electron microscopy showed that air plasma modification exposed more active components and uniformly dispersed them on the surface of adsorbent,thereby improving the adsorption performance.Activity evaluation results showed that the adsorbent has the best ability to capture PH_(3)and H_(2)S after being modified by air plasma at 4 kV voltage for 10 min.The adsorbent's breakthrough ability at high space velocity(WHSV:60,000 h^(−1))is 190 mg P/g and 146 mg S/g,respectively,which is 74%and 60%greater than that before modification.This is a great improvement over previous studies.In addition,the possible mechanism of adsorbent deactivation was proposed.展开更多
Fully implanted brain-computer interfaces(BCIs)are preferred as they eliminate signal degradation caused by interference and absorption in external tissues,a common issue in non-fully implanted systems.To optimize the...Fully implanted brain-computer interfaces(BCIs)are preferred as they eliminate signal degradation caused by interference and absorption in external tissues,a common issue in non-fully implanted systems.To optimize the design of electroencephalography electrodes in fully implanted BCI systems,this study investigates the penetration and absorption characteristics of microwave signals in human brain tissue at different frequencies.Electromagnetic simulations are used to analyze the power density distribution and specific absorption rate(SAR)of signals at various frequen-cies.The results indicate that lower-frequency signals offer advantages in terms of power density and attenuation coeffi-cients.However,SAR-normalized analysis,which considers both power density and electromagnetic radiation hazards,shows that higher-frequency signals perform better at superficial to intermediate depths.Specifically,at a depth of 2 mm beneath the cortex,the power density of a 6.5 GHz signal is 247.83%higher than that of a 0.4 GHz signal.At a depth of 5 mm,the power density of a 3.5 GHz signal exceeds that of a 0.4 GHz signal by 224.16%.The findings suggest that 6.5 GHz is optimal for electrodes at a depth of 2 mm,3.5 GHz for 5 mm,2.45 GHz for depths of 15-20 mm,and 1.8 GHz for 25 mm.展开更多
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries(AZIBs)are gaining attention owing to their affordability,high safety,and high energy density,making them a promising solution for large-scale energy storage.However,their performance is hamp...Aqueous zinc-ion batteries(AZIBs)are gaining attention owing to their affordability,high safety,and high energy density,making them a promising solution for large-scale energy storage.However,their performance is hampered by the instability of both the anode-electrolyte interface and the cathode-electrolyte interface.The use of sodium gluconate(SG),an organic sodium salt with multiple hydroxyl groups,as an electrolyte additive is suggested.Experimental and theoretical analyses demonstrate that Na^(+)from SG can intercalate and deintercalate within the associated V_(2)O_(5) cathode during in situ electrochemical processes.This action supports the layered structure of V_(2)O_(5),prevents structural collapse and phase transitions,and enhances Zn^(2+)diffusion kinetics.Additionally,the gluconate anion disrupts the original Zn^(2+)solvation structure,mitigates water-induced side reactions,and suppresses Zn dendrite growth.The synchronous regulation of both the V_(2)O_(5) cathode and Zn anode by the SG additive leads to considerable performance improvements.Zn‖Zn symmetric batteries demonstrate a cycle life exceeding 2800 h at 0.5 mA cm^(-2)and 1 mAh cm^(-2).In Zn‖V_(2)O_(5) full batteries,a high specific capacity of 288.92 mAh g^(-1)and capacity retention of 82.29%are maintained over 1000 cycles at a current density of 2 A g^(-1).This multifunctional additive strategy offers a new pathway for the practical application of AZIBs.展开更多
The present study monitored bacterial succession,physicochemical properties,and volatile organic compounds(VOCs)changes in smoked chicken legs with modified atmosphere packaging(MAP,60% CO_(2) and 40%N_(2))during a 25...The present study monitored bacterial succession,physicochemical properties,and volatile organic compounds(VOCs)changes in smoked chicken legs with modified atmosphere packaging(MAP,60% CO_(2) and 40%N_(2))during a 25-day storage period at 4℃.After 15 days of storage,S erratia proteamaculans and Pseudomonas fragi became the predominant bacteria.Furthermore,physicochemical properties changed significantly,as evidenced by an increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and b*(yellowness)value,and a decrease in hardness.A total of 65 VOCs were identified during storage.Correlation between bacterial succession and quality indicators(including VOCs and physicochemical properties)allowed the identification of 26 core dominant bacteria,including S.proteamaculans,Psychrobacter alimentarius,Pseudomonas putida,and Pseudomonas poae,which were positively related to spoilage VOCs(e.g.,1-octen-3-ol,1-pentanol,and 3-methyl-1-butanol)and could be defined as specific spoilage organisms(SSOs).The results of this study provide a systematic approach to predict SSOs in smoked chicken legs during storage,which can also provide a basis for product safety.展开更多
In this study,two wheat-derived cadmium(Cd)-immobilizing endophytic Pseudomonas paralactis M14 and Priestia megaterium R27 were evaluated for their effects on wheat tissue Cd uptake under hydroponic conditions.Then,th...In this study,two wheat-derived cadmium(Cd)-immobilizing endophytic Pseudomonas paralactis M14 and Priestia megaterium R27 were evaluated for their effects on wheat tissue Cd uptake under hydroponic conditions.Then,the impacts of the biochar(BC),M14+R27(MR),and BC+MR treatments on wheat Cd uptake and the mechanisms involved were investigated at the jointing,heading,and mature stages of wheat plants under field-plot conditions.A hydroponic experiment showed that the MR treatment significantly decreased the above-ground tissue Cd content compared with theM14 or R27 treatment.The BC+MRtreatment reduced the grain Cd content by 51.5%-67.7%and Cd translocation factor at the mature stage of wheat plants and increased the organic matter-bound Cd content by 31%-75%in the rhizosphere soils compared with the BC or MR treatment.Compared with the BC or MR treatment,the relative abundances of the biomarkers associated with Gemmatimonas,Altererythrobacter,Gammaproteobacteria,Xanthomonadaceae,Phenylobacterium,and Nocardioides in the BC+MR-treated rhizosphere microbiome decreased and negatively correlated with the organic matter-bound Cd contents.In the BC+MR-treated root interior microbiome,the relative abundance of the biomarker belonging to Exiguobacterium increased and negatively correlated with the Cd translocation factor,while the relative abundance of the biomarker belonging to Pseudonocardiaceae decreased and positively correlated with the Cd translocation factor.Our findings suggested that the BC+MR treatment reduced Cd availability and Cd transfer through affecting the abundances of these specific biomarkers in the rhizosphere soil and root interior microbiomes,leading to decreased wheat grain Cd uptake in the contaminated soil.展开更多
Magnesium(Mg)and its alloys have been identified as one of the most promising structural,energy and biomaterials owing to their exceptional combination of properties.These include low density,high specific strength,go...Magnesium(Mg)and its alloys have been identified as one of the most promising structural,energy and biomaterials owing to their exceptional combination of properties.These include low density,high specific strength,good damping,high castability,high capacity of hydrogen storage。展开更多
Influenza,a highly contagious respiratory infectious disease caused by an influenza virus,is a threat to public health worldwide.Avian influenza viruses(AIVs)have the potential to cause the next pandemic by crossing t...Influenza,a highly contagious respiratory infectious disease caused by an influenza virus,is a threat to public health worldwide.Avian influenza viruses(AIVs)have the potential to cause the next pandemic by crossing the species barrier through mutation of viral genome.Here,we investigated the pathogenicity of AIVs obtained from South Korea and Mongolia during 2018–2019 by measuring viral titers in the lungs and extrapulmonary organs of mouse models.In addition,we assessed the pathogenicity of AIVs in ferret models.Moreover,we compared the ability of viruses to replicate in mammalian cells,as well as the receptor-binding preferences of AIV isolates.Genetic analyses were finally performed to identify the genetic relationships and amino acid substitutions between viral proteins during mammalian adaptation.Of the 24 AIV isolates tested,A/Mallard/South Korea/KNU2019-34/2019(KNU19-34;H1N1)caused severe bodyweight loss and high mortality in mice.The virus replicated in the lungs,kidneys,and heart.Importantly,KNU19-34-infected ferrets showed high viral loads in both nasal washes and lungs.KNU19-34 replicated rapidly in A549 and bound preferentially to human likeα2,6-linked sialic acids rather than to avian-likeα2,3-linked sialic acids,similar to the pandemic A/California/04/2009(H1N1)strain.Gene segments of KNU19-34 were distributed in Egypt and Asia lineages from 2015 to 2018,and the virus had several amino acid substitutions compared to H1N1 AIV isolates that were non-pathogenic in mice.Collectively,the data suggest that KNU19-34 has zoonotic potential and the possibility of new mutations responsible for mammalian adaptation.展开更多
Induced brain oscillations in the gamma range have recently garnered attention due to their reported neuroprotective effects in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.This method differs from pharmacological approaches...Induced brain oscillations in the gamma range have recently garnered attention due to their reported neuroprotective effects in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.This method differs from pharmacological approaches by tapping into the neuronal population dynamics that underlie the homeostatic processes in the brain that are crucial for the recovery of function.Recently,induced gamma-range oscillations have been used to improve cerebral blood flow,motor function,and synaptic plasticity in a mouse model of focal stroke,highlighting the broad potential of recruiting intrinsic recovery processes for the treatment of neurological conditions.Addressing open questions,such as the frequency specificity of the benefits,will shed light on the intrinsic processes involved and allow clinicians to optimize recovery after stroke.展开更多
Evaluation of Gamma Index Analysis for Detecting Errors in Patient-specific Quality Assurance in Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Taylan Tugrul1(1.Department of Radiation Oncology,Medicine Faculty of Van Yüzü...Evaluation of Gamma Index Analysis for Detecting Errors in Patient-specific Quality Assurance in Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Taylan Tugrul1(1.Department of Radiation Oncology,Medicine Faculty of Van YüzüncüYıl University,Van,Turkey)Abstract:Quality assurance practices performed before treatment are believed to identify various potential errors.In this study,2-dimensional(2D)dosimetric results were analyzed by making some intentional mistakes in six different treatment plans.In this way,the detectability of errors was investigated.In all segments of all treatment plans,one of the multileaf collimators was kept fixed at different positions on the central axis.In addition to multileaf collimators error,gantry error was also examined in the study.The dose distribution results obtained by Treatment Planning System(TPS)were compared with those obtained by the 2D array device,both as local calculation and global calculation methods,using the gamma analysis method.When the results are examined in the case where the Multi-leaf collimators(MLC)is fixed at the 1 cm position.展开更多
BACKGROUND Cellular therapies have started an important new therapeutic direction in autistic spectrum disorder(ASD),and the ample diversity of ASD pathophysiology and the different types of cell therapies prompt an e...BACKGROUND Cellular therapies have started an important new therapeutic direction in autistic spectrum disorder(ASD),and the ample diversity of ASD pathophysiology and the different types of cell therapies prompt an equally ample effort to employ clinical studies for studying the ASD causes and cell therapies.Stem cells have yielded so far mixed results in clinical trials,and at patient level the results varied from impressive to no improvement.In this context we have administered autologous cord blood(ACB)and a non-placebo,material intervention repre-sented by an individualized combination of supplements(ICS)to ASD children.METHODS CORDUS clinical study is a crossover study in which both oral ICS and intravenous ACB were sequentially administered to 56 children;ACB was infused as an inpatient procedure.Treatment efficacy was evaluated pre-treatment and post-treatment at 6 months by an independent psychotherapist with Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist,Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers and a 16-item comparative table score,after interviewing the children’s parents and therapists.Before and after each intervention participants had a set of blood tests including inflammatory,metabolic and oxidative markers,and the neuronal specific enolase.RESULTS No serious adverse reactions were noted during and after cord blood or supplement administration.ACB improved evaluation scores in 78%of children with age 3–7-years(n=28),but was much less effective in kids older than 8 years or with body weight of more than 35 kg(n=28;only 11%of children improved scores).ICS yielded better results than ACB in 5 cases out of 28,while in 23 kids ACB brought more improvement than ICS(P<0.05);high initial levels of inflammation and ferritin were associated with no improvement.Ample individual differences were noted in children's progress,and statistically significant improvements were seen after ACB on areas such as verbalization and social interaction,but not on irritability or aggressive behavior.CONCLUSION ACB has superior efficacy to ICS in ASD;high inflammation,ferritin,age and body weight predict less improvement;more clinical studies are needed for studying ACB efficacy in ASD.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.62276204,No.62306222)the Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi,China(No.2023-JC-QN-0710)。
文摘With the great development of Multi-Target Tracking(MTT)technologies,many MTT algorithms have been proposed with their own advantages and disadvantages.Due to the fact that requirements to MTT algorithms vary from the application scenarios,performance evaluation is significant to select an appropriate MTT algorithm for the specific application scenario.In this paper,we propose a performance evaluation method on the sets of trajectories with temporal dimension specifics to compare the estimated trajectories with the true trajectories.The proposed method evaluates the estimate results of an MTT algorithm in terms of tracking accuracy,continuity and clarity.Furthermore,its computation is based on a multi-dimensional assignment problem,which is formulated as a computable form using linear programming.To enhance the influence of recent estimated states of the trajectories in the evaluation,an attention function is used to reweight the trajectory errors at different time steps.Finally,simulation results show that the proposed performance evaluation method is able to evaluate many aspects of the MTT algorithms.These evaluations are worthy for selecting suitable MTT algorithms in different application scenarios.
基金supported by the Argentine Agency for the Promotion of Science and Technology ANPCyT(PICT2019-1472 to GP,PICT2019-4597 to FL,PICT2020-1524 to GP,and PICT2021-00627 to FL)supported by an Independent Career Position from CONICETsupported by a postdoctoral fellowship from ANPCyT。
文摘Stem cell proliferation is tightly regulated in developing and adult tissues through the coordinated action of cell-intrinsic and extracellular signals.Although many extracellular cues were identified,the cell-intrinsic mechanisms underlying the decision of a stem cell to proliferate,enter a dormant quiescent state or differentiate into a specific cell type remains incompletely understood.
基金financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52035012)the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(No.2025A1515012203)。
文摘The specific surface area(S S)and pore size(D)exhibit an inherent trade-off in the microscale design of bone implants:larger pores typically correlate with reduced surface area and vice versa.This relationship has attracted notable attention because of its critical role in the regulation of cell adhesion and osteogenesis.However,it remains largely unclear how S S and D affect the generated bone tissue and dynamically change during long-term osteogenesis.Herein,by applying rigorous geometric mapping to minimal surfaces,we constructed precisely partitioned and layer-by-layer thickened tissue models to simulate osteogenesis across different temporal scales and thereby track the dynamic evolution of geometric characteristics,permeability,and mechanobiological tissue differentiation.The high-S S samples were found to facilitate the rapid formation of new bone tissue in the early stages.However,their smaller pores tended to cause occlusions,hindering further tissue development.In contrast,low-S S samples showed slower bone regeneration,but their larger pores provided adequate physical space for tissue regeneration and mass transport,ultimately promoting bone formation in the long term.Mechanobiological regulation suggests that fibrous tissue formation inhibits additional bone formation,establishing a dynamic equilibrium between osteogenesis and pore space to sustain nutrient/waste exchange throughout the regenerative process.Overall,smaller pores are preferable in implants for minimally loaded osteoplasty procedures focused on early-stage bone consolidation,whereas larger pores are preferable in dynamically loaded implants requiring prolonged mechanical stability.
基金supported by the Scientific Research Foundation supported by Yunnan Agricultural University(A3012024035044)International Cooperation and Exchange of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42361144885).
文摘The establishment of plantations has become a critical approach for reducing greenhouse gas emissions,particularly in fragile environments with carbon sequestration potential.In karst areas,plantations based on fastgrowing afforestation species made significant contributions to enhancing carbon sequestration.However,the impact of understory vegetation on carbon accumulation remains unclear.Especially,the carbon accumulation associated with litter produced during the replacement of understory species receives insufficient attention,which leads to the neglect of the carbon sequestration potential in plantations of karst areas.Leaf is a crucial organ that links the litter production.To explore how leaf traits adapt to competitive environments and drive litter carbon accumulation during understory species replacement,this study observed leaf traits and litter carbon content changes in three types of plantations in the Liujiang River Basin,a typical karst area.A total of 37 sampling plots were selected for field investigation over a twoyear period.Leaf traits,species diversity,vegetation coverage,and litter carbon characteristics in understory vegetation were measured.Variance analysis,allometric equations,and path analysis were used for data analysis.The results showed that most understory species adopted a biomass conservation strategy under high-coverage conditions(>44.27%)and expanded competitive leaf area under low-coverage conditions(<44.27%).However,Bidens pilosa and Miscanthus floridulus exhibited strong competitiveness during understory species replacement.They showed an expansion of competitive leaf area under high-coverage conditions.This competitive strategy reduced species diversity and community specific leaf area.But the rapid expansion of Bidens pilosa and Miscanthus floridulus increased understory vegetation coverage,and their increased specific leaf area facilitated leaf shedding,resulting in significant litter weight accumulation(P<0.05),thereby enhancing litter carbon content per unit area.These competitive strategies were key driving factors for the increase in litter carbon content per square meter,which reached a maximum of 49.6% higher than that in natural grasslands.And the maximum increase in litter carbon accumulation derived from understory vegetation reached 3.37 times from 2023 to 2024 in plantations.In the understory vegetation of plantations,the competitive strategies reflected by leaf adaptation of key competitive species are critical factors influencing litter carbon accumulation.Future research could deeply explore the carbon sequestration effects resulting from the dynamic changes in competition within the understory vegetation of plantations.
基金financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.82473887 and 21927808)the Scientific and Technological Innovation Program of Shanghai (No.23DZ2202500)the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (No.2021-1-I2M-026)。
文摘The brain's functions are governed by molecular metabolic networks.However,due to the sophisticated spatial organization and diverse activities of the brain,characterizing both the minute and large-scale metabolic activity across the entire brain and its numerous micro-regions remains incredibly challenging.Here,we offer a high-definition spatially resolved metabolomics technique to better understand the metabolic specialization and interconnection throughout the mouse brain using improved ambient mass spectrometry imaging.This method allows for the simultaneous mapping of thousands of metabolites at a 30 μm spatial resolution across the mouse brain,ranging from structural lipids to functional neurotransmitters.This approach effectively reveals the distribution patterns of delicate microregions and their distinctive metabolic characteristics.Using an integrated database,we annotated 259 metabolites,demonstrating that the metabolome and metabolic pathways are unique to each brain microregion.The distribution of metabolites,closely linked to functionally connected brain regions and their interactions,offers profound insights into the complexity of chemical processes and their roles in brain function.An initial dataset for future metabolomics research might be obtained from the high-definition mouse brain's spatial metabolome atlas.
基金supported by Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund(CATAS-Nos.1630152023007,1630152023011,1630152023012,1630152023013)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.32071805).
文摘Coconut(Cocos nucifera L.),a major oil and fruit crop of the Arecaceae family,is extensively cultivated across the Asia—Pacific region.Despite its agricultural importance,genome assembly in coconut remains challenging due to its large genome size and high proportion of repetitive sequences.Allele-specific expression(ASE)plays a key role in regulating plant development and evolution,yet research on ASE in coconut is limited(Shao et al.,2019;Li et al.,2021;Zhang et al.,2021;Hu et al.,2022).Among phenotypic traits,fruit color is especially important as an indicator of maturity,guiding harvest timing and post-harvest processes(Kapoor et al.,2022).While prior studies have explored various coconut traits such as salt tolerance,fiber content,and plant height(Wang et al.,2021;Yang et al.,2021),investigations into ASE and fruit color remain scarce.
文摘Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is the most common form of dementia.In addition to the lack of effective treatments,there are limitations in diagnostic capabilities.The complexity of AD itself,together with a variety of other diseases often observed in a patient’s history in addition to their AD diagnosis,make deciphering the molecular mechanisms that underlie AD,even more important.Large datasets of single-cell RNA sequencing,single-nucleus RNA-sequencing(snRNA-seq),and spatial transcriptomics(ST)have become essential in guiding and supporting new investigations into the cellular and regional susceptibility of AD.However,with unique technology,software,and larger databases emerging;a lack of integration of these data can contribute to ineffective use of valuable knowledge.Importantly,there was no specialized database that concentrates on ST in AD that offers comprehensive differential analyses under various conditions,such as sex-specific,region-specific,and comparisons between AD and control groups until the new Single-cell and Spatial RNA-seq databasE for Alzheimer’s Disease(ssREAD)database(Wang et al.,2024)was introduced to meet the scientific community’s growing demand for comprehensive,integrated,and accessible data analysis.
文摘Supercapacitors are gaining popularity due to their high cycling stability,power density,and fast charge and discharge rates.Researchers are ex-ploring electrode materials,electrolytes,and separat-ors for cost-effective energy storage systems.Ad-vances in materials science have led to the develop-ment of hybrid nanomaterials,such as combining fil-amentous carbon forms with inorganic nanoparticles,to create new charge and energy transfer processes.Notable materials for electrochemical energy-stor-age applications include MXenes,2D transition met-al carbides,and nitrides,carbon black,carbon aerogels,activated carbon,carbon nanotubes,conducting polymers,carbon fibers,and nanofibers,and graphene,because of their thermal,electrical,and mechanical properties.Carbon materials mixed with conducting polymers,ceramics,metal oxides,transition metal oxides,metal hydroxides,transition metal sulfides,trans-ition metal dichalcogenide,metal sulfides,carbides,nitrides,and biomass materials have received widespread attention due to their remarkable performance,eco-friendliness,cost-effectiveness,and renewability.This article explores the development of carbon-based hybrid materials for future supercapacitors,including electric double-layer capacitors,pseudocapacitors,and hy-brid supercapacitors.It investigates the difficulties that influence structural design,manufacturing(electrospinning,hydro-thermal/solvothermal,template-assisted synthesis,electrodeposition,electrospray,3D printing)techniques and the latest car-bon-based hybrid materials research offer practical solutions for producing high-performance,next-generation supercapacitors.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.42077299,and U21A20290)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDB0750400)the Ordos Key Research and Development Program(No.YF20240037).
文摘Persistent toxic substances(PTS)represent a paramount environmental issue in the 21st century.Understanding the concentrations and forms of PTS in the environment is crucial for accurately assessing their environmental health impacts.This article presents a concise overview of the components of PTS,pertinent environmental regulations,and conventional detection methodologies.Additionally,we offer an in-depth review of the principles,development,and practical applications of surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS)in environmental monitoring,emphasizing the advancements in detecting trace amounts of PTS in complex environmental matrices.Recent progress in enhancing SERS sensitivity,improving selectivity,and practical implementations are detailed,showcasing innovative materials and methods.Integrating SERS with advanced algorithms are highlighted as pivotal areas for future research.
基金financially supported by China Aeronautical Science Foundation (No.2023Z0530Q9002)the Program for Chongqing Talents,China (No.cstc2024ycjh-bgzxm0066)。
文摘The microstructural evolution,phase stability,and mechanical properties of Al-Li-Mg-Ti-M(M=Zn,Zr,V)lightweight high-entropy alloys(LW-HEAs)were investigated.The LW-HEAs with three components,Al_(20)Li_(20)Mg_(10)-Ti_(40)Zn_(10)(#Zn),Al_(20)Li_(20)Mg_(10)Ti_(30)Zr_(20)(#Zr),and Al_(20)Li_(20)Mg_(10)Ti_(30)V_(20)(#V),were designed according to the thermo-dynamic design criteria of HEA,and prepared via a combination process of mechanical alloying and cold-press sintering.The effects of alloy composition and sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the LW-HEAs were studied.The results show that the as-milled Al-Li-Mg-Ti-M(M=Zn,Zr,V)LW-HEAs form a simple structure with HCP-type solid solution as the primary phase,a dual-HCP type solid solution phase,and a BCC phase,respectively.After cold-press sintering,the#Zn and#V alloys undergo obvious phase transformation;while the#Zr alloy with dual-HCP phases exhibits the best phase stability during heat treatment.The#V-750°C alloy demonstrates the maximum hardness and specific strength of HV 595.2 and 625 MPa∙cm3/g,respectively,under the combined effect of solid solution strengthening of BCC phase and precipitation strengthening ofβ-AlTi_(3).Moreover,the#Zr-650°C,#Zr-750°C,and#Zn-650°C alloys are expected to have excellent plasticity.
基金supported by Yunnan Major Scientific and Technological Projects(No.202202AG050005)Yunnan Fundamental Research Projects(No.202101BE070001-001).
文摘The ACF adsorbent with high Cu loading was treated with dielectric barrier discharge plasma to mitigate the negative effects of high Cu loading and enhance PH_(3)and H_(2)S adsorption and oxidation.Bruno-Emmett-Taylor(BET)result showed that the specific surface area of the adsorbent after air plasma modification was almost three times that before modification.X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)findings revealed that the amino group was added to the adsorbent's surface,increasing lattice oxygen and chemisorbed oxygen.The adsorbent's large specific surface area,excellent surface active oxygen,and abundance of basic groups facilitate PH_(3)and H_(2)S adsorption and oxidation.The scanning electron microscopy showed that air plasma modification exposed more active components and uniformly dispersed them on the surface of adsorbent,thereby improving the adsorption performance.Activity evaluation results showed that the adsorbent has the best ability to capture PH_(3)and H_(2)S after being modified by air plasma at 4 kV voltage for 10 min.The adsorbent's breakthrough ability at high space velocity(WHSV:60,000 h^(−1))is 190 mg P/g and 146 mg S/g,respectively,which is 74%and 60%greater than that before modification.This is a great improvement over previous studies.In addition,the possible mechanism of adsorbent deactivation was proposed.
基金The Open Project of State Key Laboratory of Smart Grid Protection and Operation Control in 2022(No.SGNR0000KJJS2302150).
文摘Fully implanted brain-computer interfaces(BCIs)are preferred as they eliminate signal degradation caused by interference and absorption in external tissues,a common issue in non-fully implanted systems.To optimize the design of electroencephalography electrodes in fully implanted BCI systems,this study investigates the penetration and absorption characteristics of microwave signals in human brain tissue at different frequencies.Electromagnetic simulations are used to analyze the power density distribution and specific absorption rate(SAR)of signals at various frequen-cies.The results indicate that lower-frequency signals offer advantages in terms of power density and attenuation coeffi-cients.However,SAR-normalized analysis,which considers both power density and electromagnetic radiation hazards,shows that higher-frequency signals perform better at superficial to intermediate depths.Specifically,at a depth of 2 mm beneath the cortex,the power density of a 6.5 GHz signal is 247.83%higher than that of a 0.4 GHz signal.At a depth of 5 mm,the power density of a 3.5 GHz signal exceeds that of a 0.4 GHz signal by 224.16%.The findings suggest that 6.5 GHz is optimal for electrodes at a depth of 2 mm,3.5 GHz for 5 mm,2.45 GHz for depths of 15-20 mm,and 1.8 GHz for 25 mm.
基金supported by the Battery Energy Storage Testing Center of Chongqing through their provision of testing support and technical assistance。
文摘Aqueous zinc-ion batteries(AZIBs)are gaining attention owing to their affordability,high safety,and high energy density,making them a promising solution for large-scale energy storage.However,their performance is hampered by the instability of both the anode-electrolyte interface and the cathode-electrolyte interface.The use of sodium gluconate(SG),an organic sodium salt with multiple hydroxyl groups,as an electrolyte additive is suggested.Experimental and theoretical analyses demonstrate that Na^(+)from SG can intercalate and deintercalate within the associated V_(2)O_(5) cathode during in situ electrochemical processes.This action supports the layered structure of V_(2)O_(5),prevents structural collapse and phase transitions,and enhances Zn^(2+)diffusion kinetics.Additionally,the gluconate anion disrupts the original Zn^(2+)solvation structure,mitigates water-induced side reactions,and suppresses Zn dendrite growth.The synchronous regulation of both the V_(2)O_(5) cathode and Zn anode by the SG additive leads to considerable performance improvements.Zn‖Zn symmetric batteries demonstrate a cycle life exceeding 2800 h at 0.5 mA cm^(-2)and 1 mAh cm^(-2).In Zn‖V_(2)O_(5) full batteries,a high specific capacity of 288.92 mAh g^(-1)and capacity retention of 82.29%are maintained over 1000 cycles at a current density of 2 A g^(-1).This multifunctional additive strategy offers a new pathway for the practical application of AZIBs.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U22A20547)the Major Science and Technology Projects of Heilongjiang Province(2021ZX12B05 and 2020ZX07B02)。
文摘The present study monitored bacterial succession,physicochemical properties,and volatile organic compounds(VOCs)changes in smoked chicken legs with modified atmosphere packaging(MAP,60% CO_(2) and 40%N_(2))during a 25-day storage period at 4℃.After 15 days of storage,S erratia proteamaculans and Pseudomonas fragi became the predominant bacteria.Furthermore,physicochemical properties changed significantly,as evidenced by an increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and b*(yellowness)value,and a decrease in hardness.A total of 65 VOCs were identified during storage.Correlation between bacterial succession and quality indicators(including VOCs and physicochemical properties)allowed the identification of 26 core dominant bacteria,including S.proteamaculans,Psychrobacter alimentarius,Pseudomonas putida,and Pseudomonas poae,which were positively related to spoilage VOCs(e.g.,1-octen-3-ol,1-pentanol,and 3-methyl-1-butanol)and could be defined as specific spoilage organisms(SSOs).The results of this study provide a systematic approach to predict SSOs in smoked chicken legs during storage,which can also provide a basis for product safety.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41977199).
文摘In this study,two wheat-derived cadmium(Cd)-immobilizing endophytic Pseudomonas paralactis M14 and Priestia megaterium R27 were evaluated for their effects on wheat tissue Cd uptake under hydroponic conditions.Then,the impacts of the biochar(BC),M14+R27(MR),and BC+MR treatments on wheat Cd uptake and the mechanisms involved were investigated at the jointing,heading,and mature stages of wheat plants under field-plot conditions.A hydroponic experiment showed that the MR treatment significantly decreased the above-ground tissue Cd content compared with theM14 or R27 treatment.The BC+MRtreatment reduced the grain Cd content by 51.5%-67.7%and Cd translocation factor at the mature stage of wheat plants and increased the organic matter-bound Cd content by 31%-75%in the rhizosphere soils compared with the BC or MR treatment.Compared with the BC or MR treatment,the relative abundances of the biomarkers associated with Gemmatimonas,Altererythrobacter,Gammaproteobacteria,Xanthomonadaceae,Phenylobacterium,and Nocardioides in the BC+MR-treated rhizosphere microbiome decreased and negatively correlated with the organic matter-bound Cd contents.In the BC+MR-treated root interior microbiome,the relative abundance of the biomarker belonging to Exiguobacterium increased and negatively correlated with the Cd translocation factor,while the relative abundance of the biomarker belonging to Pseudonocardiaceae decreased and positively correlated with the Cd translocation factor.Our findings suggested that the BC+MR treatment reduced Cd availability and Cd transfer through affecting the abundances of these specific biomarkers in the rhizosphere soil and root interior microbiomes,leading to decreased wheat grain Cd uptake in the contaminated soil.
文摘Magnesium(Mg)and its alloys have been identified as one of the most promising structural,energy and biomaterials owing to their exceptional combination of properties.These include low density,high specific strength,good damping,high castability,high capacity of hydrogen storage。
基金funded by grants from the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)grant funded by the Korea government(2018M3A9H4055203 and 2023R1A2C2003679)from the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute(KHIDI),funded by the Ministry of Health&Welfare,Republic of Korea(HV23C1857)from KRIBB Research Initiative Program(KGM9942421).
文摘Influenza,a highly contagious respiratory infectious disease caused by an influenza virus,is a threat to public health worldwide.Avian influenza viruses(AIVs)have the potential to cause the next pandemic by crossing the species barrier through mutation of viral genome.Here,we investigated the pathogenicity of AIVs obtained from South Korea and Mongolia during 2018–2019 by measuring viral titers in the lungs and extrapulmonary organs of mouse models.In addition,we assessed the pathogenicity of AIVs in ferret models.Moreover,we compared the ability of viruses to replicate in mammalian cells,as well as the receptor-binding preferences of AIV isolates.Genetic analyses were finally performed to identify the genetic relationships and amino acid substitutions between viral proteins during mammalian adaptation.Of the 24 AIV isolates tested,A/Mallard/South Korea/KNU2019-34/2019(KNU19-34;H1N1)caused severe bodyweight loss and high mortality in mice.The virus replicated in the lungs,kidneys,and heart.Importantly,KNU19-34-infected ferrets showed high viral loads in both nasal washes and lungs.KNU19-34 replicated rapidly in A549 and bound preferentially to human likeα2,6-linked sialic acids rather than to avian-likeα2,3-linked sialic acids,similar to the pandemic A/California/04/2009(H1N1)strain.Gene segments of KNU19-34 were distributed in Egypt and Asia lineages from 2015 to 2018,and the virus had several amino acid substitutions compared to H1N1 AIV isolates that were non-pathogenic in mice.Collectively,the data suggest that KNU19-34 has zoonotic potential and the possibility of new mutations responsible for mammalian adaptation.
基金supported by the Brazil Family Program for Neurology(to MB),Alastair Rushworth Research Fund(to MS),Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship(to MS),the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82202787)(to CW).
文摘Induced brain oscillations in the gamma range have recently garnered attention due to their reported neuroprotective effects in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.This method differs from pharmacological approaches by tapping into the neuronal population dynamics that underlie the homeostatic processes in the brain that are crucial for the recovery of function.Recently,induced gamma-range oscillations have been used to improve cerebral blood flow,motor function,and synaptic plasticity in a mouse model of focal stroke,highlighting the broad potential of recruiting intrinsic recovery processes for the treatment of neurological conditions.Addressing open questions,such as the frequency specificity of the benefits,will shed light on the intrinsic processes involved and allow clinicians to optimize recovery after stroke.
文摘Evaluation of Gamma Index Analysis for Detecting Errors in Patient-specific Quality Assurance in Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Taylan Tugrul1(1.Department of Radiation Oncology,Medicine Faculty of Van YüzüncüYıl University,Van,Turkey)Abstract:Quality assurance practices performed before treatment are believed to identify various potential errors.In this study,2-dimensional(2D)dosimetric results were analyzed by making some intentional mistakes in six different treatment plans.In this way,the detectability of errors was investigated.In all segments of all treatment plans,one of the multileaf collimators was kept fixed at different positions on the central axis.In addition to multileaf collimators error,gantry error was also examined in the study.The dose distribution results obtained by Treatment Planning System(TPS)were compared with those obtained by the 2D array device,both as local calculation and global calculation methods,using the gamma analysis method.When the results are examined in the case where the Multi-leaf collimators(MLC)is fixed at the 1 cm position.
文摘BACKGROUND Cellular therapies have started an important new therapeutic direction in autistic spectrum disorder(ASD),and the ample diversity of ASD pathophysiology and the different types of cell therapies prompt an equally ample effort to employ clinical studies for studying the ASD causes and cell therapies.Stem cells have yielded so far mixed results in clinical trials,and at patient level the results varied from impressive to no improvement.In this context we have administered autologous cord blood(ACB)and a non-placebo,material intervention repre-sented by an individualized combination of supplements(ICS)to ASD children.METHODS CORDUS clinical study is a crossover study in which both oral ICS and intravenous ACB were sequentially administered to 56 children;ACB was infused as an inpatient procedure.Treatment efficacy was evaluated pre-treatment and post-treatment at 6 months by an independent psychotherapist with Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist,Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers and a 16-item comparative table score,after interviewing the children’s parents and therapists.Before and after each intervention participants had a set of blood tests including inflammatory,metabolic and oxidative markers,and the neuronal specific enolase.RESULTS No serious adverse reactions were noted during and after cord blood or supplement administration.ACB improved evaluation scores in 78%of children with age 3–7-years(n=28),but was much less effective in kids older than 8 years or with body weight of more than 35 kg(n=28;only 11%of children improved scores).ICS yielded better results than ACB in 5 cases out of 28,while in 23 kids ACB brought more improvement than ICS(P<0.05);high initial levels of inflammation and ferritin were associated with no improvement.Ample individual differences were noted in children's progress,and statistically significant improvements were seen after ACB on areas such as verbalization and social interaction,but not on irritability or aggressive behavior.CONCLUSION ACB has superior efficacy to ICS in ASD;high inflammation,ferritin,age and body weight predict less improvement;more clinical studies are needed for studying ACB efficacy in ASD.
