Real-world efficacy and safety of universal 8-week glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in patients with chronic hepatitis C with early chronic kidney disease or pre-end-stage renal disease: Insights from a nationwide hepatisis C virus registry in Taiwan.

An 8-week regimen of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir is recommended for treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). In alignment with the Taiwanese government's objective to eliminate hepatitis C by 2025, this study aimed to provide real-world evidence on the use of this regimen in treatment-naïve patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) by using data from the Taiwan Association for the Study of the Liver HCV Registry (TACR). CKD was defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 mL/min/1.

One-stop endovenous laser ablation leads to superior outcomes for varicose veins and iliac vein compression.

To retrospectivly investigate the short-term clinical outcomes of one-stop and two-staged endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) procedures for treatment of varicose veins (VVs) and iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS). In this study, 424 patients were treated for VVs and IVCS from June 2017 to June 2020, 91 underwent one-stop stent angioplasty (SA) and EVLA, 132 underwent two-staged SA and EVLA, 104 underwent one-stop balloon angioplasty (BA) and EVLA, and 97 underwent two-staged BA and EVLA. Clinical outcomes and complications were recorded at 3 and 12 months post-intervention.

Computational exploration of the self-aggregation mechanisms of phenol-soluble modulins β1 and β2 in Staphylococcus aureus biofilms.

The formation of functional bacterial amyloids by phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) in Staphylococcus aureus is a critical component of biofilm-associated infections, providing robust protective barriers against antimicrobial agents and immune defenses. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms of PSM self-assembly within the biofilm matrix is essential for developing strategies to disrupt biofilm integrity and combat biofilm-related infections. In this study, we analyzed the self-assembly dynamics of PSM-β1 and PSM-β2 by examining their folding and dimerization through long-timescale atomistic discrete molecular dynamics simulations.

The regulatory module BnamiR827-BnaA09.NLA1-BnaPHT1s modulates phosphate homeostasis, pollen viability and seed yield in Brassica napus.

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for the growth and yield of crops. However, there is limited understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of phosphate (Pi) homeostasis, and its impact on growth, development, and yield-related traits in Brassica napus. Here, we identified four NITROGEN LIMITATION ADAPATATION1 (BnaNLA1) genes in B.

Geminal Aminocyanation Enabled by Ylide Mediated Rearrangement.

Herein, we describe experimental and computational studies to understand the features of oxycyanopyridinium ylides generated in situ from oxy-cyanopyridines and rhodium carbene. This chemistry has enabled the concomitant formation of both C-N and C-C bonds, providing a complementary approach for cyanation reactions. Density functional theory calculations indicate the sequential metal-bound ylide formation, rhodium-associated five-membered transition state, and 1,4-cyano group relocation.

Large-size PVG-based waveguide simulation and uniformity optimization for AR-HUD.

Polarization volume grating (PVG), a kind of diffractive optical element, is applied widely for augmented reality (AR) near-eye display (NED) lately. However, PVG-based AR head-up display (AR-HUD) requires a large-size exit pupil and uniform efficiency, and there is presently no systematic simulation method for this type of application. Here, we introduce a unique simulation analysis method via the large-size PVG-based waveguide technology for AR-HUD.

A probable ancient nearshore zone in southern Utopia on Mars unveiled from observations at the Zhurong landing area.

The Chinese Mars rover Zhurong successfully landed in southern Utopia Planitia on Mars in May 2021. Previous research suggested a Hesperian ocean may have existed in the northern lowland on Mars. Recent research observed water-related features at the Zhurong landing site from in situ data.

Molecular Chain Rearrangement of Natural Cellulose-Based Artificial Interphase for Ultra-Stable Zn Metal Anodes.

The unstable electrolyte-anode interface, plagued by parasitic side reactions and uncontrollable dendrite growth, severely hampers the practical implementation of aqueous zinc-ion batteries. To address these challenges, we developed a regenerated cellulose-based artificial interphase with synergistically optimized structure and surface chemistry on the Zn anode (RC@Zn), using a facile molecular chain rearrangement strategy. This RC interphase features a drastically increased amorphous region and more exposed active hydroxyl groups, facilitating rapid Zn diffusion and homogeneous Zn interface distribution, thereby enabling dendrite-free Zn deposition.

NEK4 modulates circadian fluctuations of emotional behaviors and synaptogenesis in male mice.

GWASs have linked the 3p21.1 locus, which is associated with the expression levels of NEK4, to bipolar disorder. Here, we use integrative analyses of GWAS statistics and eQTL annotations to establish that elevated NEK4 expression in the hippocampus is associated with an increased risk of bipolar disorder.

Transcription factor AtNAC002 positively regulates Cu toxicity tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for plant growth and development, but environmental Cu pollution has become increasingly severe, adversely affecting both ecosystems and crop productivity. In this study, we identified the AtNAC002 gene as a positive regulator of Cu toxicity in Arabidopsis thaliana. We found that AtNAC002 expression was induced by Cu excess, and the atnac002 mutant was Cu-sensitive, accumulating more Cu than the wild-type.

Diffuse skin erythematous plaque as a manifestation of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: A case report.

Epithelioid hemangioma (EHE) is a rarely malignant tumor originating from the vascular endothelium. Morphological manifestations and immunohistochemical staining results are key to diagnosing EHE. Herein, we present a case of cutaneous involment in a recurrence of EHE.

Broadband spectral cyan emission phosphor for full-spectrum LED caused by interstitial site occupation.

The phosphor with a highly condensed, rigid framework structure and a single crystallographic site often exhibit symmetrical narrow-band emission. It is challenging to achieve broadband emission by doping Eu ions in similar structures. Here, we propose to control the occupation and quenching concentration of Eu ions in a single-site matrix ScSiO to increase efficiency and precise regulation of luminescence spectra substantially.

Isolation and Identification of Highly Sb-Resistant Rhodotorula glutinis Strain J5 and its Mechanism of Resistance to Sb(III).

Sb-resistant strains can detoxify antimony through metabolic mechanisms such as oxidation and affect the migration, transformation, and ultimate fate of antimony in the environment. In this study, a strain of Sb-resistant fungi, Rhodotorula glutinis sp. Strain J5, was isolated from Xikuangshan mine and its growth characteristics, gene expression differences, and functional annotation under Sb(III) stress were further investigated to reveal the mechanism of resistance to Sb(III).

Evaluation of Bonding Behavior between Engineered Geopolymer Composites with Hybrid PE/PVA Fibers and Concrete Substrate.

Engineered geopolymer composites (EGCs) exhibit excellent tensile ductility and crack control ability, making them promising for concrete structure repair. However, their widespread use is limited by high costs of reinforcement fiber and a lack of an EGC-concrete interface bonding mechanism. This study investigated a hybrid PE/PVA fiber-reinforced EGC using domestically produced unoiled PVA fibers to replace commonly used PE fibers.

Weighted Attribute-Based Proxy Re-Encryption Scheme with Distributed Multi-Authority Attributes.

Existing attribute-based proxy re-encryption schemes suffer from issues like complex access policies, large ciphertext storage space consumption, and an excessive authority of the authorization center, leading to weak security and controllability of data sharing in cloud storage. This study proposes a Weighted Attribute Authority Multi-Authority Proxy Re-Encryption (WAMA-PRE) scheme that introduces attribute weights to elevate the expression of access policies from binary to multi-valued, simplifying policies and reducing ciphertext storage space. Simultaneously, the multiple attribute authorities and the authorization center construct a joint key, reducing reliance on a single authorization center.

Influence of Epoxy Resin Interlayer Interfaces on Electrical Tree Growth and Breakdown Characteristics.

The solid-solid insulation interface structure is a typical interface in extra-high-voltage power equipment, in which the multilayer epoxy resin material is a key component in the insulation structure of the power equipment, and the study of its interface characteristics is the most important. In this paper, epoxy-epoxy cross-linking interface specimens were prepared through experiments, and the degree of cross-linking between the interfaces was analyzed by changing the ratio of the curing agent and adding hydroxyl-terminated liquid nitrile rubber (HTBN) particles; it can be concluded that there exists a weak cross-linking reaction between the interfaces. The electrical tree measurement and alternating current (AC) breakdown test platform were set up, and three different cases of no interface, the electric field direction parallel to the interface, and the electric field direction perpendicular to the interface were tested, through which it was concluded that the existence of the interface inhibited the development of the electrical tree.

Development of a Preoperative Prediction Model Based on Spectral CT to Evaluate Axillary Lymph Node With Macrometastases in Clinical T1/2N0 Invasive Breast Cancer.

Objectives: To develop a prediction model based on spectral computed tomography (CT) to evaluate axillary lymph node (ALN) with macrometastases in clinical T1/2N0 invasive breast cancer.

Methods: A total of 217 clinical T1/2N0 invasive breast cancer patients who underwent spectral CT scans were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into a training cohort (n = 151) and validation cohort (n = 66). These patients were classified into ALN nonmacrometastases (stage pN0 or pN0 [i+] or pN1mi) and ALN macrometastases (stage pN1-3) subgroups.

EEGGAN-Net: enhancing EEG signal classification through data augmentation.

Background: Emerging brain-computer interface (BCI) technology holds promising potential to enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Nevertheless, the constrained accuracy of electroencephalography (EEG) signal classification poses numerous hurdles in real-world applications.

Methods: In response to this predicament, we introduce a novel EEG signal classification model termed EEGGAN-Net, leveraging a data augmentation framework.

Unlocking the potential of persimmons: A comprehensive review on emerging technologies for post-harvest challenges, processing innovations, and prospective applications.

Persimmons are widely acknowledged as a valuable source of both medicinal and nutritional components, providing a diverse spectrum of nutrients and phytochemicals. Despite these benefits, biases against persimmons persists due to their characteristic astringent flavor that sets them apart from other fruits. Although several studies have explored various aspects of persimmons, a comprehensive review that addresses post-harvest challenges, processing innovations, and potential applications is notably absent in the literature.

Removal of Sb(V) from complex wastewater of Sb(V) and aniline aerofloat using FeO-CeO absorbent enhanced by HO: Efficiency and mechanism.

Effective elimination of heavy metals from complex wastewater is of great significance for industrial wastewater treatment. Herein, bimetallic adsorbent FeO-CeO was prepared, and HO was added to enhance Sb(V) adsorption by FeO-CeO in complex wastewater of Sb(V) and aniline aerofloat (AAF) for the first time. FeO-CeO showed good adsorption performance and could be rapidly separated by external magnetic field.