Research on the Aging Characteristics of Simulated Asphalt Within Pavement Structures in Natural Environments.

The global asphalt production growth rate exceeded 10% in the past decade, and over 90% of the world's road surfaces are generated from asphalt materials. Therefore, the issue of asphalt aging has been widely researched. In this study, the aging of asphalt thin films under various natural conditions was studied to prevent the distortion of indoor simulated aging and to prevent the extraction of asphalt samples from road surfaces from impacting the aged asphalt.

Secondary Metabolites from the Mangrove Ecosystem-Derived Fungi spp.: Chemical Diversity and Biological Activity.

Mangrove ecosystems have attracted widespread attention because of their high salinity, muddy or sandy soil, and low pH, as well as being partly anoxic and periodically soaked by tides. Mangrove plants, soil, or sediment-derived fungi, especially the species, possess unique metabolic pathways to produce secondary metabolites with novel structures and potent biological activities. This paper reviews the structural diversity and biological activity of secondary metabolites isolated from mangrove ecosystem-derived species over the past 5 years (January 2020-October 2024), and 417 natural products (including 170 new compounds, among which 32 new compounds were separated under the guidance of molecular networking and the OSMAC approach) are described.

Theoretical study of the formation of HO by lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases: the reaction mechanism depends on the type of reductant.

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are a unique group of monocopper enzymes that exhibit remarkable ability to catalyze the oxidative cleavage of recalcitrant carbohydrate substrates, such as cellulose and chitin, by utilizing O or HO as the oxygen source. One of the key challenges in understanding the catalytic mechanism of LPMOs lies in deciphering how they activate dioxygen using diverse reductants. To shed light on this intricate process, we conducted in-depth investigations using quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) metadynamics simulations, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Cysteine-Specific F and NIR Dual Labeling of Peptides via Vinyltetrazine Bioorthogonal Conjugation for Molecular Imaging.

Radiolabeled peptides are vital for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, yet the F-labeling peptides remain challenging due to harsh conditions and time-consuming premodification requirements. Herein, we developed a novel vinyltetrazine-mediated bioorthogonal approach for highly efficient F-radiolabeling of a native peptide under mild conditions. This approach enabled radiosynthesis of various tumor-targeting PET tracers, including targeting the neurofibromin receptor (), the integrin αβ (), and the platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (), with a radiochemical yield exceeding 90%.

Simulating fish autonomous swimming behaviours using deep reinforcement learning based on Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks.

The study of fish swimming behaviours and locomotion mechanisms holds significant scientific and engineering value. With the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, a new method combining deep reinforcement learning (DRL) with computational fluid dynamics has emerged and been applied to simulate the fish's adaptive swimming behaviour, where the complex fish behaviour is decoupled to focus on the fish's response to the hydrodynamic field, and the simulation is driven by reward-based objectives to model the fish's swimming behaviour. However, the scale of this cross-disciplinary method is directly affected by the efficiency of the DRL model.

Artificial Intelligence-Empowered Multistep Integrated Radiation Therapy Workflow for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Purpose: To establish an artificial intelligence (AI)-empowered multistep integrated (MSI) radiation therapy (RT) workflow for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and evaluate its feasibility and clinical performance.

Methods And Materials: Patients with NPC scheduled for MSI RT workflow were prospectively enrolled. This workflow integrates RT procedures from computed tomography (CT) scan to beam delivery, all performed with the patient on the treatment couch.

Association of Inflammatory Factors with Cervical Cancer: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization.

Purpose: Persistent human papillomavirus infection is thought to be the main cause of the cervical cancer development along with inflammation. However, the potential mechanisms of action of the inflammatory factors in cervical cancer remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the relationship between inflammatory factor levels and cervical cancer risk using a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR).

Mapping and cloning of pepper fruit color-related genes based on BSA-seq technology.

Fruit color is an important qualitative trait that greatly influences the marketability of peppers. Fruit color can be divided into two categories. Green fruit color denotes commercial maturity, whereas ripe fruit indicates physiological maturity.

Clinical Comparison of Endoscopic Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion and Open Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Treating Lumbar Spondylolisthesis.

Study Design: A retrospective case-control study.

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of endoscopic (Endo) and open posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) in treating lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Background: Endo-PLIF has emerged as a new technique for treating lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Physical and Dosimetric Characterization of Silicone Rubber Bolus for Head Photon-Beam Radiotherapy.

Objective: This study assesses the physical properties of the silicone rubber (SR) bolus, compares its dosimetric characterization with those of gel and thermoset boluses, aiming to evaluate the feasibility and stability of utilizing SR bolus for head photon-beam radiotherapy.

Methods: Three types of boluses (gel, thermoset, and SR) were prepared with same dimensions. Firstly, the physical properties of SR bolus (density, tensile strength and hardness) were assessed pre-irradiation and post-irradiation.

Estimation of mediators in the associations between campus green spaces and students' anxiety: a case study in Nanjing.

Introduction: Although a number of scholars have examined the theoretical pathways between green space (GS) and mental health, few have focused on how campus greenness affects the mental health of Chinese youth.

Methods: Herein, two objective indicators, campus and individual 300-m normalized vegetation index (NDVI) data, were used as independent variables. A questionnaire was used to collect the self-rated anxiety level of students on campuses in Nanjing.

Anion Receptor-manipulated solvation chemistry and electric double layer enables high Zn-Utilization rate and lean Zn metal batteries.

The practical application of aqueous Zn metal batteries (AZMBs) is impeded by inferior reversibility and stability of Zn metal anode (ZMA) originated from side reactions and dendrite growth. Herein, anion receptor l-Proline (LP) is selected to simultaneously manipulate solvation chemistry and electric double layer (EDL) for constructing dendrite-free and stable AZMBs with an ultra-high depth of discharge (DOD of 100 %) and low negative/positive capacity ratio (N/P of 1.1).

Global transcription and metabolic profiles of five tissues in pepper fruits.

Studying the regulatory mechanisms in different tissues of pepper is crucial for understanding organ formation, growth, and development. However, relevant studies are far from sufficient. In the current study, the stipe, calyx, pericarp, placenta, and seed of ripe pepper were sampled, and metabolites were determined by the untargeted metabolomics method.

Discovery of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives targeting TLR4-TLR4∗ homodimerization via AI-powered next-generation screening.

TLR4 signaling is instrumental in orchestrating multiple aspects of innate immunity. Developing small molecule inhibitors targeting the TLR4 pathway holds potential therapeutic promise for TLR4-related disorders. Herein, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered next-generation screening approach, employing HelixVS and HelixDock, was utilized to focus on the TLR4-TLR4∗ (a second copy of TLR4) homodimerization surface, leading to the identification of a potent pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivative, designated as compound 1.

Evaluation of the utility of surgical simulation software in medical postgraduate education.

Background: The use of medical simulation software in medical institutions is growing to address teaching challenges. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of the Touch Surgery app, a free medical simulation software, as a supplement to the teaching methodology of unified surgery for medical students.

Methods: Twenty-three postgraduate students, divided into three groups based on residency training years, and five senior orthopedic surgeons took part in the study.

RIG-I is an intracellular checkpoint that limits CD8 T-cell antitumour immunity.

Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) is a pattern recognition receptor involved in innate immunity, but its role in adaptive immunity, specifically in the context of CD8 T-cell antitumour immunity, remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that RIG-I is upregulated in tumour-infiltrating CD8 T cells, where it functions as an intracellular checkpoint to negatively regulate CD8 T-cell function and limit antitumour immunity. Mechanistically, the upregulation of RIG-I in CD8 T cells is induced by activated T cells, and directly inhibits the AKT/glycolysis signalling pathway.

Key technologies and challenges in online adaptive radiotherapy for lung cancer.

Definitive treatment of lung cancer with radiotherapy is challenging, as respiratory motion and anatomical changes can increase the risk of severe off-target effects during radiotherapy. Online adaptive radiotherapy (ART) is an evolving approach that enables timely modification of a treatment plan during the interfraction of radiotherapy, in response to physiologic or anatomic variations, aiming to improve the dose distribution for precise targeting and delivery in lung cancer patients. The effectiveness of online ART depends on the seamless integration of multiple components: sufficient quality of linear accelerator-integrated imaging guidance, deformable image registration, automatic recontouring, and efficient quality assurance and workflow.

Theoretical Insight into the Fluorescence Spectral Tuning Mechanism: A Case Study of Flavin-Dependent Bacterial Luciferase.

Bioluminescence of bacteria is widely applied in biological imaging, environmental toxicant detection, and many other situations. Understanding the spectral tuning mechanism not only helps explain the diversity of colors observed in nature but also provides principles for bioengineering new color variants for practical applications. In this study, time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) and quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations have been employed to understand the fluorescence spectral tuning mechanism of bacterial luciferase with a focus on the electrostatic effect.

Prompt-and-Transfer: Dynamic Class-aware Enhancement for Few-shot Segmentation.

For more efficient generalization to unseen domains (classes), most Few-shot Segmentation (FSS) would directly exploit pre-trained encoders and only fine-tune the decoder, especially in the current era of large models. However, such fixed feature encoders tend to be class-agnostic, inevitably activating objects that are irrelevant to the target class. In contrast, humans can effortlessly focus on specific objects in the line of sight.

Predictive value of peri-chemotherapy hematological parameters for febrile neutropenia in patients with cancer.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare hematological parameters pre- and early post-chemotherapy, and evaluate their values for predicting febrile neutropenia (FN).

Methods: Patients diagnosed with malignant solid tumors receiving chemotherapy were included. Blood cell counts peri-chemotherapy and clinical information were retrieved from the hospital information system.

Regulator of calcineurin 3 as a novel predictor of diagnosis and prognosis in pan-cancer.

Aim: To assess diagnostic and prognostic value of regulator of calcineurin 3 (RCAN3) in various malignancies.

Methods: RCAN3 expression levels were assessed across pan-cancer data sets including various molecular and immune subtypes. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Kaplan-Meier curves were employed to determine the diagnostic and prognostic value of RCAN3 in pan-cancer, respectively.

Methylation of T and B Lymphocytes in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases.

The role of abnormal epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation, in the pathogenesis of autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) has garnered increasing attention. Lymphocyte dysfunction is a significant contributor to the pathogenesis of ARDs. Methylation is crucial for maintaining normal immune system function, and aberrant methylation can hinder lymphocyte differentiation, resulting in functional abnormalities that disrupt immune tolerance, leading to the excessive expression of inflammatory cytokines, thereby exacerbating the onset and progression of ARDs.