Optimized Machine Learning Model for Predicting Compressive Strength of Alkali-Activated Concrete Through Multi-Faceted Comparative Analysis.

Alkali-activated concrete (AAC), produced from industrial by-products like fly ash and slag, offers a promising alternative to traditional Portland cement concrete by significantly reducing carbon emissions. Yet, the inherent variability in AAC formulations presents a challenge for accurately predicting its compressive strength using conventional approaches. To address this, we leverage machine learning (ML) techniques, which enable more precise strength predictions based on a combination of material properties and cement mix design parameters.

Advancements in enzymatic reaction-mediated microbial transformation.

Enzymatic reaction-mediated microbial transformation has emerged as a promising technology with significant potential in various industries. These technologies offer the ability to produce enzymes on a large scale, optimize their functionality, and enable sustainable production processes. By utilizing microbial hosts and manipulating their genetic makeup, enzymes can be synthesized efficiently and tailored to meet specific industrial requirements.

Stimulation of an entorhinal-hippocampal extinction circuit facilitates fear extinction in a post-traumatic stress disorder model.

Effective psychotherapy of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains challenging owing to the fragile nature of fear extinction, for which the ventral hippocampal CA1 (vCA1) region is considered as a central hub. However, neither the core pathway nor the cellular mechanisms involved in implementing extinction are known. Here, we unveil a direct pathway, where layer 2a fan cells in the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) target parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PV-INs) in the vCA1 region to propel low-gamma-band synchronization of the LEC-vCA1 activity during extinction learning.

The CYP3A inducer dexamethasone affects the pharmacokinetics of sunitinib by accelerating its metabolism in rats.

Sunitinib, a novel anti-tumor small molecule targeting VEGFR, is prescribed for advanced RCC and GISTs. Sunitinib is primarily metabolized by the CYP3A enzyme. It is well-known that dexamethasone serves as a potent inducer of this enzyme system.

Up-regulating GABA transporter-3 in the zona incerta prevents surgery-induced memory impairment in mice.

Clinical surgery can lead to severe neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunctions. It has been reported that astrocytes mediate memory formation and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), however, the thalamic mechanism of astrocytes in mediating POCD remains unknown. Here, we report that reactive astrocytes in zona incerta (ZI) mediate surgery-induced recognition memory impairment in male mice.

Comparison of three-dimensional heads-up system versus traditional microscopic system in medical education for vitreoretinal surgeries: a prospective study.

Background: To compare the value and efficiency of the three-dimensional (3D) heads-up surgical system and traditional microscopic (TM) system in teaching and learning vitreoretinal surgeries.

Methods: Twenty ophthalmologists and scrub nurses were recruited as teachers, and 45 junior ophthalmology residents and trainee doctors, trainee nurses, and medical students were recruited as observers. Each teacher and observer were assigned to both a 3D-assisted and TM-assisted vitreoretinal surgery and then asked to complete satisfaction questionnaires for both surgical systems at the end of each surgery.

Central and Peripheral Changes in Retinal Vein Occlusion and Fellow Eyes in Ultra-Widefield Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

Purpose: To explore the central and peripheral retinal and choroidal changes in retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and fellow eyes using ultra-widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (UWF-SS-OCTA).

Methods: Fifteen ischemic central RVO (CRVO), 15 branch RVO (BRVO), and 15 age-matched healthy controls were prospectively recruited. Retinal and choroidal parameters, including retinal vessel flow density (VFD) and vessel linear density (VLD), choroidal vascularity volume (CVV), choroidal vascularity index (CVI), and VFD in the large and medium choroidal vessels (LMCV-VFD), were measured in the central and peripheral regions of the 24 × 20-mm UWF-SS-OCTA images.

Glutamatergic Projection from the Ventral Tegmental Area to the Zona Incerta Regulates Fear Response.

Innate defensive behavior is important for animal survival. The Vglut neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have been demonstrated to play important roles in innate defensive behaviors, but the neural circuit mechanism is still unclear. Here, we find that VTA - zona incerta (ZI) glutamatergic projection is involved in regulating innate fear responses.

Impacts of angiotensin II on retinal artery changes in apolipoprotein E deficient mice.

Aim: To investigate the impacts of angiotensin II (Ang II) on retinal artery changes in apolipoprotein E deficient () mice.

Methods: male mice were infused by minipumps with Ang II at 1000 ng/kg·min (Ang II group) or saline (control group) for 28d. They were underwent ophthalmic fundus examination on day 0, 14, and 28 of infusion.

[Quality of moxa with different leaf-to-moxa ratios based on correlation analysis of thermogravimetric properties, cellulose content, and microscopic characteristics of non-secretory trichomes].

The quality of moxa is a key factor affecting the efficacy of moxibustion. Traditional moxa grades are evaluated by the leaf-to-moxa ratio, but there is a lack of support from scientific data. Scanning electron microscopy(SEM), Image Pro Plus, Van Soest method, and stimultaneous thermal analysis(TGA/DSC) were used to characterize the scientific implication of the combustion differences between moxa with different leaf-to-moxa ratios(processed by crusher).

Abrogation of ATR function preferentially augments cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in PTEN-deficient breast cancer cells.

Targeting replication stress response is currently emerging as new therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment, based on monotherapy and combination approaches. As a key sensor in response to DNA damage, ataxia telangiectasia and rad3-related (ATR) kinase has become a potential therapeutic target as tumor cells are to rely heavily on ATR for survival. The tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) plays a crucial role in maintaining chromosome integrity.

The incidence, risk factors, management and prognosis of postoperative systemic complications after ophthalmic surgery: a retrospective study at a tertiary, academic referral hospital over a decade.

Purpose: To explore the incidence, risk factors, management and prognosis of systemic complications after ophthalmic surgeries.

Methods: A retrospective review of hospitalized patients undergoing ophthalmic surgeries between 2012 and 2022 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital was performed to summarize and analyse the postoperative systemic complications. Multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted to clarify the risk factors of postoperative systemic complications and factors associated with the severity of adverse events.

[Spatial-temporal Changes and Driving Factors of Soil Microbial Communities in a Typical City of North China Plain].

The structure and function of microbial communities are affected by several environmental factors. To clarify the spatial-temporal changes and main influencing factors of soil microbial communities in a typical pharmaceutical city, it is urgent to study the spatial-temporal changes in microbial communities in soils for typical cities. Shijiazhuang City was selected as the study area, and 12 sampling sites were selected.

[Source Apportionment and Source-specific Risk of Typical Antibiotics in Baiyangdian Lake].

The current situation of antibiotic pollution in lakes is critical. At present, most of the previous studies on antibiotics in lakes have focused on the spatiotemporal distribution and risk assessment, while less attention has been paid to the source apportionment. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to determine the concentration of tetracyclines (TCs), sulfonamides (SAs), and quinolones (QNs) in the samples.

[Source Analysis and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in the Groundwater of Shijiazhuang, a Typical City in North China Plain].

Increasing attention has been paid to the heavy metal pollution in groundwater. The source analysis and risk assessment of heavy metals will provide data and method support for the targeted control of heavy metal pollution in groundwater. In this study, 20 sampling sites were selected in Shijiazhuang City.

SGLT2 inhibitors alleviated podocyte damage in lupus nephritis by decreasing inflammation and enhancing autophagy.

Objectives: The protective role of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in renal outcomes has been revealed by large cardiovascular outcome trials among patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on lupus nephritis (LN) and its underlying mechanisms remain unknown.

Methods: We applied empagliflozin treatment to lupus-prone MRL/ mice to explore the renal protective potential of SGLT2 inhibitors.

Clinical features of Cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and efficacy of the current therapy.

Background: Cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) is the most common and sight-threatening opportunistic retinal infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and several controversies remain to be settled. We aimed to summarize the current evidence and clarify the clinical features and prognosis of CMVR in AIDS patients.

Methods: The databases PubMed, EMBASE, and Ovid from inception to April 2022 were searched to identify the relevant studies.

Endogenous Endophthalmitis at a Tertiary Referral Center in China: A Retrospective Study Over Three Decades.

Purpose: To investigate the etiology, pathogens, treatment, and prognosis of endogenous endophthalmitis (EE).

Methods: Patients diagnosed with EE over three decades at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.

Results: A total of 97 eyes from 81 patients were included.

[Spatial-temporal Distribution and Risk Assessment of Quinolones Antibiotics in Soil of Shijiazhuang City].

Due to their importance in human medicine, quinolones (QNs), as a typical class of antibiotics, are considered to be the "highest priority critically important antimicrobials" by the World Health Organization (WHO). In order to clarify the spatial-temporal variation and risk of QNs in soil, 18 representative topsoil samples were respectively collected in September 2020 (autumn) and June 2021 (summer). The contents of QNs antibiotics in soil samples were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), and the ecological risk and resistance risk were calculated using the risk quotient method (RQ).

Chaos generated in a semiconductor microcavity.

The dynamics of chaos in quantum systems has attracted much interest in connection with the fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics. We study the chaotic dynamics of both the excitonic mode and the cavity mode in a microcavity containing a quantum well driven by an external field. We investigate how the chaotic dynamics is influenced by the frequencies of the exciton and the cavity, the coupling constant between the exciton and cavity, the Coulomb interaction between excitons, and the response of the exciton to the cavity and the external field.

Inactivation of biofilms by thymoquinone in combination with nisin.

is one of the most important foodborne pathogens that can persist in leafy green vegetables and subsequently produce biofilms. In this study, the synergistic effect of thymoquinone and nisin in reducing biofilm formation of on lettuce was evaluated, and their anti-virulence and anti-biofilm mechanisms were also investigated. At concentrations ranging from 0.

An inquiry into the treatment of sepsis using plasma exchange therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sepsis is a potentially lethal condition that occurs when the body's response to infection damages tissue and organs. The production of inflammatory mediators typically assists in defending the body against infection; however, an overreaction to inflammation can cause coagulation problems, vascular endothelial damage, and organ hypoperfusion. Blood purification methods, such as plasmapheresis, can effectively remove inflammatory mediators from plasma.