Second harmonic and sum frequency generation in silicon nitride microring on thin-film lithium niobate.

We demonstrate significant second harmonic generation (SHG) and sum frequency generation (SFG) on a thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) platform by loading a silicon nitride (SiN) microring resonator, which avoids the dry etching of lithium niobate. By optimizing SiN-loaded TFLN waveguide geometry, the phase-matching conditions between the fundamental pump laser and the SHG/SFG signals are designed. Combining with enhancement by the microring resonator, remarkable SHG and SFG signals with conversion efficiencies of 16.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a systemic and generalized arteriomegaly in mice and humans.

Although the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains largely unclear, evidence is accumulating to suggest the systemic nature of this disease. Here, we comprehensively assessed the whole aortic tree with its major branches based on computed tomography angiography (CTA) in AAA patients compared to ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (ATAA) patients and nonaneurysmal controls, as well as in an original mouse model of AAA in Lkb1;Myh11-Cre/ERT2 mice. The morphology and dimensions of the whole aorta (at different levels) and its major branches were compared among 47 AAA patients, 47 ATAA patients, and 46 nonaneurysmal controls based on CTA images.

A WRKY transcription factor confers broad-spectrum resistance to biotic stresses and yield stability in rice.

Plants are subject to attack by diverse pests and pathogens. Few genes conferring broad-spectrum resistance to both insects and pathogens have been identified. Because of the growth-defense tradeoff, it is often challenging to balance biotic stress resistance and yield for crops.

SENP3 Drives Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Development by Regulating Ferroptosis via De-SUMOylation of CTH.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a high-risk inflammatory disorder. SENP3, a SUMO2/3-specific protease, is closely involved in the development of cancer. In this study, the aim is to explore the role of SENP3 in macrophages in AAA.

Decreased serum calcium levels predict severe complications after initial diagnosis in patients with acute type B aortic dissection: A retrospective cohort study.

This study sought to investigate the temporal variations in serum calcium concentrations among patients with acute type B aortic dissection (ATBAD) following initial diagnosis, document the incidence of severe complications, and evaluate their potential associations. In this retrospective analysis, we examined 42 consecutive patients diagnosed with ATBAD at Zhejiang Hospital between April 2019 and April 2024. Serum-ionized calcium levels were measured at admission and 24 hours post-admission.

Research Progress on the GP3 Protein of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a highly contagious immunosuppressive disease caused by the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) that is characterized by a highly variable gene sequence and a high rate of recombination, thereby contributing to difficulties in the clinical prevention and control of this virus. Glycosylated protein 3 (GP3) is the most glycosylated protein in PRRSV, and is closely associated with the composition of PRRSV virus particles, infection, and immune evasion. This review summarizes the structural features, genetic evolutionary patterns, glycosylation of GP3 and its interactions with other PRRSV and host proteins, associations with PRRSV infection and virulence, and immunomodulatory roles.

Surface-Modification Strategy to Produce Highly Anticorrosive TiCT MXene-Based Polymer Composite Coatings: A Mini-Review.

MXenes are a group of novel two-dimensional (2D) materials with merits such as large specific surface area, abundant surface-functional groups, high chemical activity, excellent mechanical properties, high hydrophilicity, and good compatibility with various polymers. In recent years, many novel high-performance organic anticorrosion coatings using MXenes as nanofillers have been reported and have attracted widespread attention. As the first successfully prepared MXene material, TiCT is the most extensively studied and typical member of the MXene family.

Unveiling prognostic value of JAK/STAT signaling pathway related genes in colorectal cancer: a study of Mendelian randomization analysis.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks among the frequently occurring malignant neoplasms affecting the gastrointestinal tract. This study aimed to explore JAK-STAT signaling pathway related genes in CRC and establish a new prognostic model.

Methods: The data set used in this study is from a public database.

Topological Spin States in 3D Coupled Electromagnetic Fields.

Topological defects are nonsmooth field configurations with singularities that widely exist in physics and multidisciplinary areas. Here, we introduce near-field polarization evolution and the resulting topological spin states in a system of silicon-based coupled waveguides. The topological spin structures originate from 3D evanescent field coupling that transforms the trivial transverse spin into the topological spin states in a 2D plane.

Inhibition of microRNA-139-5p Improves Fibroblasts Viability and Enhances Wound Repair in Diabetic Rats Through AP-1 (c-Fos/c-Jun).

Introductions: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are notoriously difficult to heal, however, its underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. MicroRNA-139-5p participates in various biological processes, including cancer and vascular endothelial injury, while its role in diabetic wound healing has not been reported.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin and a 1.

Transdermal patch based on pressure-sensitive adhesive: the importance of adhesion for efficient drug delivery.

Introduction: Transdermal patches offer a unique advantage by providing extended therapeutic benefits while maintaining stable plasma drug concentration. The efficacy and safety of patches depend significantly on their ability to adhere to the skin, a feature influenced by various external and internal factors.

Areas Covered: The review primarily focuses on the fundamental aspects of adhesion in transdermal patches, including basic information about the skin, the underlying principles of adhesion, drug delivery, and adhesion characteristics of pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs), adhesion issues, impact factors, strategies to improve patch adhesion, and relevant molecular mechanisms.

Biochemical strategy-based hybrid hydrogel dressing-mediated in situ synthesis of selenoproteins for DFU immunity-microbiota homeostasis regulation.

Chronic consequences of diabetes that are most commonly encountered are diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), driven by microbiota-immune system dyshomeostasis, eventually leading to delayed wound healing. Available therapies, such as systemic or topical administration of anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial agents, are limited due to antibiotic resistance and immune dysfunction. Herein, a hybrid hydrogel dressing is developed as the artificial bioadhesive barrier at wound sites to maintain microbial and immunological homeostasis locally and have potent anti-inflammatory effects.

Chronic restraint stress affects the diurnal rhythms of gut microbial composition and metabolism in a mouse model of depression.

Background: Depression is a common mental disorder accompanied by gut microbiota dysbiosis, which disturbs the metabolism of the host. While diurnal oscillation of the intestinal microbiota is involved in regulating host metabolism, the characteristics of the intestinal microbial circadian rhythm in depression remain unknown. Our aim was to investigate the microbial circadian oscillation signature and related metabolic pathways in a mouse model with depression-like behaviours.

Risk factors associated with pain and pain relief in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Background: Abdominal pain is one of the most prominent symptoms in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) and can manifest intermittently or persistently. The mechanism of pain is not yet clear, and no effective treatment is currently available. This study aimed to explore the risk factors for pain in patients with CP, which may provide new insights for developing effective pain control modalities.

Bivalent OX40 Aptamer and CpG as Dual Agonists for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment by harnessing the body's immune system to recognize and attack tumors. Over the past 25 years, the use of blocking antibodies has fundamentally transformed the landscape of cancer therapy. However, despite extensive research, agonist antibodies targeting costimulatory receptors such as ICOS, GITR, OX40, CD27, and 4-1BB have consistently underperformed in clinical trials over the past 15 years, failing to meet the anticipated success.

Metagenomics: a new frontier for routine pathology testing of gastrointestinal pathogens.

Background: Accurate and comprehensive identification of enteropathogens, causing infectious gastroenteritis, is essential for optimal patient treatment and effective isolation processes in health care systems. Traditional diagnostic techniques are well established and optimised in low-cost formats. However, thorough testing for a wider range of causal agents is time consuming and remains limited to a subset of pathogenic organisms.

Phoenixin's influence on HPG axis and inflammation in elite ice hockey athletes: A cross-sectional analysis.

The neuropeptide phoenixin (PNX) may be involved in regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and inflammatory responses. This study aims to investigate the role of PNX in the regulation of HPG axis function in ice hockey players and its impact on body composition. This cross-sectional study included 65 male ice hockey players aged 18-22, divided into untrained, non-elite athlete, and elite athlete groups.

Study on Quantitative Adjustment of CD Bias and Profile Angle in the Wet Etching of Cu-Based Stacked Electrode.

The electrodes of thin film transistors (TFTs) have evolved from conventional single Cu layers to multi-layered structures formed by Cu and other metals or alloys. Different etching rates of various metals and galvanic corrosion between distinct metals may cause etching defects such as rough or uneven cross-sectional surfaces of stacked electrodes. Therefore, the etching of stacked electrodes faces new challenges.

Ubiquitination of OsCSN5 by OsPUB45 activates immunity by modulating the OsCUL3a-OsNPR1 module.

The COP9 signalosome (CSN) is a highly conserved protein complex in eukaryotes, with CSN5 serving as its critical catalytic subunit. However, the role of CSN5 in plant immunity is largely unexplored. Here, we found that suppression of in rice enhances resistance against the fungal pathogen and the bacterial pathogen pv.

High-throughput computational screening of auxetic two-dimensional metal dichalcogenides and dihalides.

Auxetic materials hold tremendous potential for many advanced applications, but candidates are quite scarce, especially at two dimensions. Here, we focus on two-dimensional (2D) metal dichalcogenides and dihalides with the chemical formula MX2 by screening structures sharing the P4̄m2 space group among 330 MX2 compounds from the computational 2D materials database. Via high-throughput first-principles computations, 25 stable MX2 (M = Mg, Ca, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ge, Cd, Sn; X = F, Cl, Br, I, O, S, Se) systems with in-plane negative Poisson's ratios (NPRs) are successfully identified.

Interspecific competition and survival pressures in endangered Barringtonia racemosa populations of Mainland China.

This study evaluates the growth, survival pressures, and community dynamics of Barringtonia racemosa (L.) Spreng. populations in Jiulong Mountain and Suixi County, Guangdong Province.

Optical centroid ellipses beyond polarization ellipses.

Polarization ellipses are well-known as the result of coherent superposition of photonic spin states. As orbital counterparts, in this Letter, we introduce centroid ellipses that are geometrically mapped from optical orbital angular momentum (OAM) superpositions on a modal Poincaré sphere (PS) by coaxial interference. Different from not easily observable polarization ellipses, these centroid ellipses can be directly observed from dynamical interferograms with broken rotational symmetry.

Causal associations of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs), which include gestational hypertension (GH) and preeclampsia (PE), are the primary causes of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent studies have found a correlation between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and HDPs, but the causality of this association remains to be identified. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the causal relationship between MASLD and HDPs through Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.