Superconductivity and high hardness in scandium-borides under pressure.

Exploration of new superconducting or superhard transition-metal borides has attracted extensive interest in the past few decades. In this study, we conducted comprehensive theoretical investigations in the scandium-boron binary system by employing a structural search method based upon first-principles density functional theory. Among the six predicted superconducting scandium-borides, ScB (3̄) has the highest superconducting transition temperature = 12.

Emergent superconductivity driven by Van Hove singularity in a Janus MoPS monolayer.

Two-dimensional (2D) Janus structures with the breaking of out-of-plane mirror symmetry can induce many interesting physical phenomena, and have attracted widespread attention. Herein, we propose a MoPS monolayer with mirror asymmetry, identified by first-principles structural search calculations, which demonstrates high thermodynamic and dynamic stability. Our findings reveal that Mo 4d-orbitals dominate the metallicity, significantly enhancing the density of states near the Fermi level due to Van Hove singularities (VHSs), leading to the existence of phonon-mediated superconductivity.

Effect of Nutritional Intervention on Chemotherapy Tolerance and Quality of Life in Patients with Colorectal Cancer Undergoing Postoperative Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Study.

This study explored the effect of symptom-based individualized nutritional intervention on chemotherapy tolerance and quality of life (QOL) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) undergoing postoperative chemotherapy. Postoperative patients with CRC ( = 88) were randomly assigned to the control group (CG,  = 45) and intervention group (IG,  = 43) receiving conventional diet counseling and symptom-based individualized nutritional intervention, respectively, and chemotherapy tolerance, adverse effects, and QOL were compared. Participants in the IG exhibited better nutritional status at the last chemotherapy cycle, with lower Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (2.

Xalnesiran with or without an Immunomodulator in Chronic Hepatitis B.

Background: Xalnesiran, a small interfering RNA molecule that targets a conserved region of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome and silences multiple HBV transcripts, may have efficacy, with or without an immunomodulator, in patients with chronic HBV infection.

Methods: We conducted a phase 2, multicenter, randomized, controlled, adaptive, open-label platform trial that included the evaluation of 48 weeks of treatment with xalnesiran at a dose of 100 mg (group 1), xalnesiran at a dose of 200 mg (group 2), xalnesiran at a dose of 200 mg plus 150 mg of ruzotolimod (group 3), xalnesiran at a dose of 200 mg plus 180 μg of pegylated interferon alfa-2a (group 4), or a nucleoside or nucleotide analogue (NA) alone (group 5) in participants with chronic HBV infection who had virologic suppression with NA therapy. The primary efficacy end point was hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss (HBsAg level, <0.

Estimating forest aboveground carbon sink based on landsat time series and its response to climate change.

Accurately estimating forest carbon sink and exploring their climate-driven mechanisms are critical to achieving carbon neutrality and sustainable development. Fewer studies have used machine learning-based dynamic models to estimate forest carbon sink. The climate-driven mechanisms in Shangri-La have yet to be explored.

The association between the polymorphism of RAR related orphan receptor beta and the clinical manifestations of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) affects a substantial proportion of the Asian population and is influenced by various genetic risk factors. The (), a regulator of the circadian rhythm, has been implicated in certain neoplasms. Accordingly, this study investigated the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms and clinical manifestations of OSCC.

Orthogonal and multiplexable genetic perturbations with an engineered prime editor and a diverse RNA array.

Programmable and modular systems capable of orthogonal genomic and transcriptomic perturbations are crucial for biological research and treating human genetic diseases. Here, we present the minimal versatile genetic perturbation technology (mvGPT), a flexible toolkit designed for simultaneous and orthogonal gene editing, activation, and repression in human cells. The mvGPT combines an engineered compact prime editor (PE), a fusion activator MS2-p65-HSF1 (MPH), and a drive-and-process multiplex array that produces RNAs tailored to different types of genetic perturbation.

Determining the Optimal Age for Extracranial-Intracranial Bypass Surgery: A Post Hoc Analysis of the CMOSS Randomized Trial.

Background: Previous trials have failed to demonstrate the benefits of extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery for patients with carotid or middle cerebral artery occlusion. However, little evidence has focused on the effect of age on prognosis. This study aimed to explore whether EC-IC bypass surgery can provide greater benefits than medical therapy alone in specific age groups.

Biallelic variants in the cause mitochondrial respiratory complex assembly defects associated with Leigh syndrome in probands.

Background: Variants in have been reported to be associated with Leigh syndrome. However, further expansion of the -phenotype and variants spectrum of -related Leigh syndrome are still required.

Methods: Two patients diagnosed with Leigh syndrome were recruited, and whole-exome sequencing was performed to identify the genetic variants responsible for the abnormal gait, dystonia, and bilateral basal ganglia lesions, followed by validation using Sanger sequencing.

Alcohol-associated hepatitis trends before and following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic across two distinct cohorts in the United States and Hong Kong.

Background & Aims: Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) burden has been rising globally, fueled by increases in high-risk alcohol use following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We evaluated trends in annual incidence of alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) before and following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic across two geographically distinct populations in the USA and Hong Kong.

Methods: Using US national Veterans Affairs (VA) data and Hong Kong territory-wide data, trends in annual incidence of AH were evaluated from 2000 to 2023.

Molecular Hydride Superconductor BiH with up to 91 K at 170 GPa.

In pursuit of high- hydride superconductors, the molecular hydrides have attracted less attention because the hydrogen quasimolecules are usually inactive for superconductivity. Here, we report on the successful synthesis of a novel bismuth hydride superconductor 2/-BiH at pressures around 170-180 GPa. Its structure comprises bismuth atoms and elongated hydrogen molecules with a H-H bond length of 0.

Integrating Whole Genome and Transcriptome Sequencing to Characterize the Genetic Architecture of Isoform Variation and its Implications for Health and Disease.

We created a comprehensive whole blood splice variation quantitative trait locus (sQTL) resource by analyzing isoform expression ratio (isoform-to-gene) in Framingham Heart Study (FHS) participants (discovery: n=2,622; validation: n=1,094) with whole genome (WGS) and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) data. External replication was conducted using WGS and RNA-seq from the Jackson Heart Study (JHS, n=1,020). We identified over 3.

Pressure aging: An effective process to liberate the power of high-pressure materials research.

High pressure can create extreme conditions that enable the formation of novel materials and the discovery of new phenomena. However, the ability to preserve the desirable characteristics of materials obtained under high pressure has remained an elusive challenge, as the pressure-induced changes are typically reversible, except for the pressure-induced chemical reactions such as polymerization of hydrocarbons. Here, we propose the concept of "pressure aging" (PA) that enables the permanent locking-in of high-pressure structures and their associated enhanced properties in functional materials.

DMD mutations in pediatric patients with phenotypes of Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are common X-inherited neuromuscular diseases. The genetic diagnosis has been used as the diagnostic choice for DMD/BMD. The study subjects consisted of 37 patients from Southwest China.

Superconductivity in an infinite-layer nickelate superlattice.

Recent observations of superconductivity in infinite-layer nickelates offer insights into high-temperature superconductivity mechanisms. However, defects and dislocations in doped films complicate the realization of superconductivity, limiting current research to superconducting nickelate heterostructures. The lack of research on superconductivity in superlattices composed of ultrathin nickelates severely impedes not only the exploration of the interface effect on superconductivity, but also the utilization of heterostructure engineering for exploring higher superconducting temperature T.

sp. nov. and sp. nov., two species isolated from fermentation cellar-producing sauce-flavour Chinese baijiu.

is an important microbial component in pit mud due to its ability to produce alcohol and short-chain fatty acids. This study presents the characterization and taxonomy of two Gram-stain-positive, strictly anaerobic, rod-shaped mesophilic bacterial strains, designated MT-113 and MT-5, isolated from pit mud in a fermentation cellar used for producing sauce-flavour Chinese baijiu. Phylogenetic analysis based on genome and 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains MT-113 and MT-5 indicates their affiliation with the genus (Cluster I of the Clostridia), with FW431 and WLY-B-L2 as the closest related species.

Association of a COL1A1 gene haplotype with pathologic myopia in a Northern Chinese Han population.

To investigate the relationship between COL1A1 variations and the susceptibility to pathologic myopia (PM) among the general population in Northern China, we included 525 PM patients and 1105 non-myopic controls. All PM patients underwent comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations. DNA was extracted from peripheral venous blood samples and genotyped using the MassArray System.

Effects of Extracted Pulse Proteins on Lipid Targets for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Many clinical practice guidelines recommend dietary pulses for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The impact of extracted pulse proteins remains unclear. We therefore conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of the effect of extracted pulse proteins on therapeutic lipid targets.

Belimumab safety in adult and paediatric Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A Phase 4, multicentre, observational study.

Objective: Although belimumab has been widely used in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) globally, real-world safety data among Chinese patients are limited, particularly for children. This study assessed the safety and tolerability of belimumab in adult and paediatric patients with SLE in China in real-world clinical practice.

Methods: This Phase 4, multicentre, prospective, observational study enrolled patients prescribed intravenous belimumab by their physicians in tertiary hospitals, independent of a clinical study, during routine clinical visits between May 2021 and May 2022.

Macrophage LRRK2 hyperactivity impairs autophagy and induces Paneth cell dysfunction.

polymorphisms (G2019S/N2081D) that increase susceptibility to Parkinson's disease and Crohn's disease (CD) lead to LRRK2 kinase hyperactivity and suppress autophagy. This connection suggests that LRRK2 kinase inhibition, a therapeutic strategy being explored for Parkinson's disease, may also benefit patients with CD. Paneth cell homeostasis is tightly regulated by autophagy, and their dysfunction is a precursor to gut inflammation in CD.

Superconductivity and nematic order in a new titanium-based kagome metal CsTiBi without charge density wave order.

The cascade of correlated topological quantum states in the newly discovered vanadium-based kagome superconductors, AVSb (A = K, Rb, and Cs), with a Z topological band structure has sparked immense interest. Here, we report the discovery of superconductivity and electronic nematic order in high-quality single-crystals of a new titanium-based kagome metal, CsTiBi, that preserves the translation symmetry, in stark contrast to the charge density wave superconductor AVSb. Transport and magnetic susceptibility measurements show superconductivity with an onset superconducting transition temperature T of approximately 4.

Correlations between the long noncoding RNA MEG3 and clinical characteristics for diabetic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background And Aims: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that leads to systemic inflammation. Maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is a tumor suppressor that is involved in inflammation regulation. The current study investigated the association between DKD and the prevalence of the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MEG3.

[Analysis of RhC Antigen Weak Expression Combined with Mimicking Autoanti-Ce and Homologous Anti-Jkb Causing Mismatch].

Objective: To investigate the reasons for the weak expression of gene in a patient whose mimicking anti-Ce combined with anti-Jkb caused cross-matching non-combination.

Methods: ABO, Rh, and Kidd blood group antigens were identified by test tube method and capillary centrifugation. Antibody screening and antibody specificity identification were performed using saline, polybrene and antiglobulin in tri-media association with multispectral cells.