Quantum Otto Heat Engine Using Polar Molecules in Pendular States.

Quantum heat engines (QHEs) are established by applying the principles of quantum thermodynamics to small-scale systems, which leverage quantum effects to gain certain advantages. In this study, we investigate the quantum Otto cycle by employing the dipole-dipole coupled polar molecules as the working substance of QHE. Here, the molecules are considered to be trapped within an optical lattice and located in an external electric field.

[Effect of Film Mulching Age and Organic Fertilizer Application on the Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics in the Soil of a Peanut Field].

The large input of mulch film and organic fertilizer have led to increasingly serious microplastic pollution in farmland soil of China. In this study, the microplastic pollution of peanut farmland in Dezhou City, Shandong Province was investigated. The effects of different mulching years (0, 3, 5, and 8 years) and organic fertilizer application on the abundance, particle size, color, and shape of microplastics in farmland soil were analyzed.

PKM2 is a Novel Osteoporosis-Associated Protein in Chinese.

Unlabelled:                        Purpose:Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) and high risk of osteoporotic fracture (OF). Peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) can differentiate into osteoclasts to resorb bone. This study was to identify PBM-expressed proteins significant for osteoporosis in Chinese Han elderly population (>65 years), and focused on two phenotypes of osteoporosis: low BMD and OF.

Telomere Length Is a Driving Hallmark for Aging-Related Biochemical Hallmarks: Evidence From the Shared Genetic Effect and Causal Inference.

Telomere shortening is an important sign and driving factor of aging, but its association mechanisms and causal effects with other aging-related biochemical hallmarks are largely unknown. This study first performed comprehensive genetic analyses (eg, shared genetic analysis, pleiotropic analysis, and gene enrichment analysis) to detect the underlying molecular mechanisms for the associations between telomere length (TL) and aging-related biochemical hallmarks. Then, further bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses investigated the causal effects between TL and other biochemical hallmarks.

Iodine-doped TiO nanotube coatings: a technique for enhancing the antimicrobial properties of titanium surfaces against Staphylococcus aureus.

Background: Implant-related infections are a challenging complication of orthopedic surgery, primarily due to the formation of bacterial biofilms on the implant surface. An antibacterial coating for titanium implants was developed to provide novel insights into the prevention and treatment of implant-related infections.

Methods: Titanium plates were coated with TiO nanotubes by anodization, and iodine was doped onto the coating via electrophoretic deposition.

Nomogram based on clinical and preoperative CT features for predicting the early recurrence of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma: a multicenter study.

Purpose: To establish and validate a multiparameter prediction model for early recurrence after radical resection in patients diagnosed with combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC).

Materials And Methods: This study reviewed the clinical characteristics and preoperative CT images of 143 cHCC-CC patients who underwent radical resection from three institutions. A total of 110 patients from institution 1 were randomly divided into training set (n = 78) and testing set (n = 32) in the ratio of 7-3.

Analysis of a Yp11.2 region deletion in a Chinese female with Turner syndrome: A case report.

In recent years, an increasing number of abnormal DNA genotypes caused by chromosomal abnormalities have been revealed in cases of individual identification and sex-typing analysis, especially analyses of the amelogenin and short tandem repeat (STR) loci on the sex chromosomes. Here, we report a 17-year-old female with Turner syndrome typed as male due to the presence of the amelogenin Y allele. The Y-STR haplotype showed allele dropout of three Y-STR loci (DYS549, DYS392 and DYS448).

Application of human data to predict hamstring tendon autograft diameter in Zhuang population.

Background: To explore the value of human data from the Zhuang population via predicting the diameter of the hamstring tendon autograft in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and determining the feasibility of preoperative ultrasound for prediction.

Methods: In total, 24 Zhuang patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with a 4-strand semitendinosus and gracilis tendon autograft (4 S-STG) were enrolled in this study. Before the operation, the affected semitendinosus tendon (ST) was examined by ultrasonography, and its length, diameter, cross-sectional area, and circumference were measured.

Dietary isoleucine affects muscle fatty acid and amino acid profiles through regulating lipid metabolism and autophagy in hybrid catfish ( ♀ × ♂).

The present study explored the impacts of Ile on muscle fatty acid and amino acid profiles, lipid metabolism, and autophagy in hybrid catfish. Seven isonitrogenous (387.8 g/kg protein) semi-purified diets were formulated to contain 5.

Predicting autologous hamstring graft diameter and finding reliable measurement levels in the Zhuang population using preoperative ultrasonography.

To evaluate the feasibility of using ultrasonography to preoperatively predict the autologous hamstring graft diameter for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in the Zhuang population and determine a reliable measurement level using ultrasound. Twenty-four Zhuang patients who were scheduled for ACL reconstruction using four-strand semitendinosus tendon (ST) and gracilis tendon (G) (4S-STG) autografts were included in this study. Ultrasonographic examinations of the ST and the G on the damaged side were conducted before the operation.

Characteristics of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus in pregnancy and its association with pregnancy outcomes: a retrospective comparative cohort study.

Background: Disease situations are more aggressive in patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) than in those with adult-onset SLE (aSLE). However, information on pregnant women with cSLE and its association with pregnancy outcomes is limited. This study aimed to compare pregnancies in patients with cSLE vs.

The importance of fecal nucleic acid detection in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Pooled data from 2352 hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with viral RNA in feces across 46 studies were analyzed and the pooled prevalence of fecal RNA was 46.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.383-0.

Tripartite motif 16 ameliorates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by promoting the degradation of phospho-TAK1.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related hepatocellular carcinoma and liver disorders have become the leading causes for the need of liver transplantation in developed countries. Lipotoxicity plays a central role in NASH progression by causing endoplasmic reticulum stress and disrupting protein homeostasis. To identify key molecules that mitigate the detrimental consequences of lipotoxicity, we performed integrative multiomics analysis and identified the E3 ligase tripartite motif 16 (TRIM16) as a candidate molecule.

Detection and analysis of null alleles of amelogenin in gender identification.

In this study, we located eight samples with null alleles of amelogenin out of 10,750 cases, and discussed the influence in gender identification and forensic personal identification. Amelogenin was detected and retested by several autosomal STR kits and sex chromosomal STR kits, and the causes were analyzed by chromosome karyotype analysis and Y chromosome microdeletion detection if necessary. Suspected AMEL-X loss was observed in five samples, but no abnormality was detected in the X-STR loci.

The efficacy of Schroth exercises combined with the Chêneau brace for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a retrospective controlled study.

Purpose: We aimed to determine the global effects of the Chêneau brace combined with Schroth exercises on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods: We analyzed 192 patients with AIS who underwent the Chêneau brace treatment alone or combined with Schroth best practice (SBP) from June 2013 to October 2019. There were 138 patients in the Brace group and 54 patients in the Brace + SBP group.

Interparticle Spacing Effect among Quantum Dots with High-Pressure Regulation.

In this paper, we explore whether interparticle spacing affects steady-state and transient-state optical properties by comparing close-packed CdSe/ZnS-quantum dots (QDs) and CdSe/ZnS-QDs dispersed in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). High-pressure is an effective physical means to adjust the interparticle spacing of QDs, which may artificially expand the application of QDs further. The results under high-pressure indicate that it is the reduced interparticle spacing rather than the enhanced quantum confinement effect with volume compression that has a stronger effect on exciton relaxation of CdSe/ZnS-QDs.

Clinical significance of CCNE2 protein and mRNA expression in thyroid cancer tissues.

Purpose: Thyroid carcinoma (TC) is the most common endocrinal malignancy worldwide. Cyclin E2 (CCNE2), a member of the cyclin family, acts as a regulatory subunit of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). It controls the transition of quiescent cells into the cell cycle, regulates the G1/S transition, promotes DNA replication, and activates CDK2.

Immunohistochemical basigin expression level in thyroid cancer tissues.

Background: Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine malignancy; basigin (also known as BSG) plays a crucial role in tumor cell invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. This study was designed to identify the change of BSG expression in TC and its possible potential mechanism.

Methods: The BSG expression levels in TC were demonstrated using data collected from in-house immunohistochemical (IHC), RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq), microarrays, and literatures.

Effects of 5-aminosalicylates or thiopurines on the progression of low-grade dysplasia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Although 5-aminosalicylates and thiopurines may have an antineoplastic effect on colorectal neoplasia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), their impact on the progression of low-grade dysplasia (LGD) in IBD is uncertain. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate whether 5-aminosalicylates or thiopurines can protect against the progression of LGD in patients with IBD.

Methods: Systematic searches of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases, and major conference proceedings were conducted to identify all eligible studies through March 2020.

Glial-derived neurotrophic factor regulates enteric mast cells and ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced experimental colitis.

Background & Aims: Although interactions between enteric glial cells (EGCs) and enteric mast cells have been demonstrated to play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the exact mechanisms by which EGCs regulate enteric mast cells are still unknown. The aims of this study were to investigate whether glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), which has been confirmed to be produced mostly by EGCs, might regulate enteric mast cells and ameliorate dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis.

Methods: Recombinant adenoviral vectors encoding GDNF (Ad-GDNF) were administered intracolonically in experimental colitis induced by DSS.

Selenium-enriched Bifidobacterium longum protected alcohol and high fat diet induced hepatic injury in mice.

The objective of this study was to verify the protective effect of Bifidobacterium longum (BL) and the synergistical effect of Selenium and BL on alcohol plus high fat diet (HFD) induced hepatic injury in mice. We also want to explore the mechanism of Selenium-enriched Bifidobacterium longum (SeBL). C57BL/6 mice were treated with alcohol plus HFD with or without different dosage of BL or SeBL for 4 weeks.

Distribution, contents and health risk assessment of heavy metal(loid)s in fish from different water bodies in Northeast China.

This study aimed at investigating the accumulation and potential risks of eight metal(loid)s in fish from natural and culturing water samples in Northeast China. Chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) contents in 16 fish species (155 samples) and sediments of their habitats were analyzed. In general, the concentrations of these eight metal(loid)s in most fish samples are lower than the guideline levels and legal limits, and the Pb and Hg level in 0.

Influence of Collective Esophageal Speech Training on Self-efficacy in Chinese Laryngectomees: A Pretest-posttest Group Study.

Total laryngectomy affects the speaking functions of many patients. Speech deprivation has great impacts on the quality of life of patients, especially on self-efficacy. Learning esophageal speech represents a way to help laryngectomees speak again.