An opponent striatal circuit for distributional reinforcement learning.

Machine learning research has achieved large performance gains on a wide range of tasks by expanding the learning target from mean rewards to entire probability distributions of rewards-an approach known as distributional reinforcement learning (RL). The mesolimbic dopamine system is thought to underlie RL in the mammalian brain by updating a representation of mean value in the striatum, but little is known about whether, where and how neurons in this circuit encode information about higher-order moments of reward distributions. Here, to fill this gap, we used high-density probes (Neuropixels) to record striatal activity from mice performing a classical conditioning task in which reward mean, reward variance and stimulus identity were independently manipulated.

Functional Complete Revascularization as Determined by an Optimized Scoring System After Revascularization: A Post Hoc Analysis from Multi-Center PANDA III Trial.

Functional complete revascularization (CR) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as determined by classic residual functional SYNTAX score (c-rFSS) has been associated with improved prognosis. In this study, the c-rFSS algorithm is optimized for a novel modified rFSS (m-rFSS) and prognostic implications of this novel scoring is determined. The m-rFSS algorithm is updated for 2 clinical scenarios, i.

Ethnic Minority Disparities in the Epidemiology of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in a Representative Area of China.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the differences in clinical features and lifestyle between Han and ethnic minority populations in Guangdong Province, China and their impacts on the ever-growing burden of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

Methods: In this cross-sectional investigation in Guangdong Province, China, one of the most densely populated areas with imbalanced development, multistage stratified random sampling was used. Demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle data of participants were collected.

Research on Stability of Removal Function in Figuring Process of Mandrel of X-Ray-Focusing Mirror with Variable Curvature.

Over the past 30 years, researchers have developed X-ray-focusing telescopes by employing the principle of total reflection in thin metal films. The Wolter-I focusing mirror with variable-curvature surfaces demands high precision. However, there has been limited investigation into the removal mechanisms for variable-curvature X-ray mandrels, which are crucial for achieving the desired surface roughness and form accuracy, especially in reducing mid-spatial frequency (MSF) errors.

Optimal Definition and Risk Stratification in Prediabetes With Stable Coronary Heart Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: The optimal definition and risk stratification approach to identify high-risk patients with prediabetes and stable coronary heart disease has not been well studied to date. The objective of the current study is to compare the prognostic value of different definitions of prediabetes, and to explore the role of "very-high-risk" (VHR) criteria according to the 2018 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology cholesterol guideline in the risk stratification of patients with prediabetes and stable coronary heart disease.

Methods And Results: This prospective large-cohort study enrolled a total of 7930 patients with stable coronary heart disease.

Fabricating High-Efficiency Sb(S,Se) Solar Cells by Novel Additive-Assisted Longitudinal Component Engineering.

Antimony selenosulfide (Sb(S,Se)) solar cells have achieved an efficiency of over 10.0%. However, the uncontrollable hydrothermal process makes preparing high-quality Sb(S,Se) thin films a bottleneck for efficient Sb(S,Se) solar cell.

Evaluation of normal and abnormal fetal renal microvascular flow characteristics of three-dimensional MV-flow imaging.

Objective: To evaluate the applicability of three-dimensional MV-Flow imaging for prenatal renal diagnosis.

Method: This prospective study included normal and abnormal kidneys ranging from 20 to 40 weeks gestation between April and July 2023. All participants underwent conventional ultrasound and three-dimensional MV-Flow examinations.

Efficacy and safety of PARPis combined with an ICIs for advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer: a single-arm meta-analysis.

Although the intervention for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients has improved and survival time has increased, the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs) and PARP inhibitors (Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase inhibitors, PARPis) is still controversial. Previous studies revealed that the combined use of ICIs and PARPis led to increased antitumor activity. However, most of these combined regimens are nonrandomized controlled trials with small sample sizes.

Delaying Renal Aging: Metformin Holds Promise as a Potential Treatment.

Given the rapid aging of the population, age-related diseases have become an excessive burden on global health care. The kidney, a crucial metabolic organ, ages relatively quickly. While the aging process itself does not directly cause kidney damage, the physiological changes that accompany it can impair the kidney's capacity for self-repair.

Exploring the Mechanism of Shen Qi Gui Oral Liquid against Chemotherapy-Induced Myelosuppression in Cancer Patients Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking.

Background: Shen Qi Gui oral liquid (SQG) may be beneficial for chemotherapyinduced myelosuppression (CIM). However, the underlying mechanism of CIM treated with SQG is still lacking.

Methods: A total of 27 blood samples from cancer patients were selected to perform RNA-seq to obtain the Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs).

Effect of Ibuprofen as an Albumin Binder on Melanoma-Targeting Properties of Lu-Labeled Ibuprofen-Conjugated Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Peptides.

The purpose of this study was to examine how the introduction of ibuprofen (IBU) affected tumor-targeting and biodistribution properties of Lu-labeled IBU-conjugated alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone peptides. The IBU was used as an albumin binder and conjugated to the DOTA-Lys moiety without or with a linker to yield DOTA-Lys(IBU)-GG-Nle-CycMSH {1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid-Lys(IBU)-Gly-Gly-Nle-c[Asp-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-CONH}, DOTA-Lys(Asp-IBU)-GGNle-CycMSH, DOTA-Lys(Asn-IBU)-GGNle-CycMSH, and DOTA-Lys(Dab-IBU)-GGNle-CycMSH peptides. Their melanocortin-receptor 1 (MC1R) binding affinities were determined on B16/F10 melanoma cells first.

Early warning and proactive control strategies for power blackouts caused by gas network malfunctions.

There is growing consensus that gas-fired generators will play a crucial role during the transition to net-zero energy systems, both as an alternative to coal-fired generators and as a flexibility service provider for power systems. However, malfunctions of gas networks have caused several large-scale power blackouts. The transition from coal and oil to gas fuels significantly increases the interdependence between gas networks and electric power systems, raising the risks of more frequent and widespread power blackouts due to the malfunction of gas networks.

High stress hyperglycemia ratio predicts adverse clinical outcome in patients with coronary three-vessel disease: a large-scale cohort study.

Background: Coronary three-vessel disease (CTVD) accounts for one-third of the overall incidence of coronary artery disease, with heightened mortality rates compared to single-vessel lesions, including common trunk lesions. Dysregulated glucose metabolism exacerbates atherosclerosis and increases cardiovascular risk. The stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) is proposed as an indicator of glucose metabolism status but its association with cardiovascular outcomes in CTVD patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unclear.

MRI radiomics nomogram integrating postoperative adjuvant treatments in recurrence risk prediction for patients with early-stage cervical cancer.

Background And Purpose: Adjuvant treatments are valuable to decrease the recurrence rate and improve survival for early-stage cervical cancer patients (ESCC), Therefore, recurrence risk evaluation is critical for the choice of postoperative treatment. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based radiomics nomogram integrating postoperative adjuvant treatments was constructed and validated externally to improve the recurrence risk prediction for ESCC.

Material And Methods: 212 ESCC patients underwent surgery and adjuvant treatments from three centers were enrolled and divided into the training, internal validation, and external validation cohorts.

Intestinal metabolite xylulose inhibits colorectal cancer by inducing apoptosis through the MAPK signalling pathway.

Background: The intestinal metabolites are involved in the initiation, progression and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). They are a potential source of agents for cancer therapy. Our previous study identified altered faecal metabolites between CRC patients and healthy volunteers.

Norepinephrine may promote the progression of related colorectal cancer via quorum sensing signalling.

is closely correlated with tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to investigate the effects of host norepinephrine on the carcinogenicity of in CRC and reveal the underlying mechanism. The results revealed that both norepinephrine and bacterial quorum sensing (QS) molecule auto-inducer-2 (AI-2) were positively associated with the progression of related CRC ( < 0.

Optimization of ultrasonic conditions for improving the characteristics of corn starch-glycyrrhiza polysaccharide composite to prepare enhanced quality lycopene inclusion complex.

In this study, based on response surface optimization of ultrasound pre-treatment conditions for encapsulating lycopene, the corn starch-glycyrrhiza polysaccharide composite (US-CS-GP) was used to prepare a novel lycopene inclusion complex (US-CS-GP-Lyc). Ultrasound treatment (575 W, 25 kHz) at 35 °C for 25 min significantly enhanced the rheological and starch properties of US-CS-GP, facilitating the preparation of US-CS-GP-Lyc with an encapsulation efficiency of 76.12 ± 1.

The Norepinephrine-QseC Axis Aggravates F. nucleatum-associated Colitis Through Interkingdom Signaling.

Aims: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with F. nucleatum, and chronic stress can increase the risk of aggravation. However, whether norepinephrine (NE) can enhance the pathogenicity of F.

An Efficient 3D-Printed Gravity Mixer for Lab-on-a-CD Applications.

We introduced a new, highly efficient, and uncomplicated mixing device for centrifugal microfluidic platforms, called the gravity mixer. The gravity mixer featured a slope channel that can precisely and sequentially control micro-volume liquids using centrifugal, capillary, and gravitational forces to achieve the desired mixing effect. By adjusting the angular velocity, micro-volumes of liquids in the slope channel of the gravity mixer could be precisely controlled across a wide range.

Association of serum uric acid with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in chronic kidney disease stages 3-5.

Background And Aims: The role of serum uric acid (SUA) in the prognosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is inconclusive. To explore the association of SUA level with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in patients with CKD.

Methods And Results: Leveraging data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) and linked national death records up to December 31 2019, we explored the association of SUA with all-cause and CVD mortality using weighted cox proportional hazards regression models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models in patients with CKD stages 3-5.

Evodiamine Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Growth via RTKs Mediated PI3K/AKT/p53 Signaling Pathway.

To investigate the inhibitory effect of EVO on colorectal cancer (CRC) growth and further explore the potential mechanism involving the RTKs-mediated PI3K/AKT/p53 signaling pathway. Firstly, the inhibitory effect of EVO on CRC cells was detected by cell viability assay and colony formation assay. The effects of EVO on spatial migration and invasion capacity of cells were detected by Transwell assay.

Tuning d-orbitals to control spin-orbit coupling in terminated MXenes.

Theory and experiment have revealed that spin-orbit coupling (SOC) strongly depends on the relativistic effect in topological insulators (TIs), while the influence of orbitals is always ignored. Herein, we provide a direct way of controlling effective SOC with the help of orbital effects, reducing the dependence on elements. Taking 5d WCO and 4d MoCO MXenes as a specific example, we predict that by decreasing the hybridization strength of W atoms with C or O atoms in 2D WCO, the nontrivial bandgaps at the -point are directly enhanced.

(-)-Asarinin alleviates gastric precancerous lesions by promoting mitochondrial ROS accumulation and inhibiting the STAT3 signaling pathway.

Background: (-)-Asarinin (Asarinin) is the primary component in the extract of the herb Asarum sieboldii Miq. It possesses various functions, including pain relief, anti-viral and anti-tuberculous bacilli effects, and inhibition of tumor growth. Gastric precancerous lesion (GPL) is a common but potentially carcinogenic chronic gastrointestinal disease, and its progression can lead to gastric dysfunction and cancer development.

Ultrathin, Transferred Layers of Silicon Oxynitrides as Tunable Biofluid Barriers for Bioresorbable Electronic Systems.

Bio/ecoresorbable electronic systems create unique opportunities in implantable medical devices that serve a need over a finite time period and then disappear naturally to eliminate the need for extraction surgeries. A critical challenge in the development of this type of technology is in materials that can serve as thin, stable barriers to surrounding ground water or biofluids, yet ultimately dissolve completely to benign end products. This paper describes a class of inorganic material (silicon oxynitride, SiON) that can be formed in thin films by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition for this purpose.

Effect of subcritical water temperature on the chain conformation and immune activity of ginger polysaccharides.

In this study, the ginger polysaccharides extracted from hot water (HW-G) were modified with subcritical water (SW-G) to effectively regulate their immune activity, and the relationship between polysaccharide chain conformation and immune activity at different subcritical water temperatures was investigated. The results indicated that, compared with HW-G, the xylose and mannose were degraded at high temperatures. The molecular weight of ginger polysaccharide decreased from 1.