Facile fabrication of transparent and stretchable cellulose ionic gel paper for sustainable use in multifunctional sensors and optoelectronic devices.

Although transparent paper derived from cellulose has been successfully demonstrated as an inexpensive, renewable and biodegradable substrate used for flexible electronics, the inherently stiff characteristic and intrinsic poor conductivity of the cellulose paper inevitably hinders its application in stretchable electronic devices. Herein, we report a new avenue for construction of highly stretchable, transparent, and ionic conductive cellulose gel paper via glycerol inducing plasticizing and CaCl initiating chelating, a facile casting and drying strategy. The renewable carboxymethyl cellulose is employed for its intrinsically abundant carboxyl groups for crosslinking with Ca via ionic coordination bonds, benefiting the improvement of various performances.

Construction and evaluation of a prognostic model for cervical cancer based on dynamic hematological and clinical features.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the prognostic significance of dynamic hematological and clinical characteristics and to construct nomograms to predict overall survival (OS) in patients with cervical carcinoma who underwent radical radiotherapy.

Methods: The study analyzed patients with cervical cancer who underwent radical radiotherapy at The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital between January 2015 and June 2022 and were staged as IB1 to IVA according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2018 staging system. We identified predictive factors through univariate and multivariate cox regression analyses.

Extended eigenvalue calibration method for Mueller matrix polarimetry with four photoelastic modulators.

The Mueller matrix polarimeter with four photoelastic modulator (4-PEM MMP), known for its high-speed and high-precision measurement capabilities, holds great potential in material characterization and nanoscale measurements. We propose an extended eigenvalue calibration method (eECM) to the 4-PEM MMP by introducing two temporal basis vectors to project the continuously modulated light intensity into a time-independent projection matrix, which can then be acquired by a nonlinear regression method. The eECM enables complete calibration of system parameters of the 4-PEM MMP in a model-free manner without any approximation, including the parameters associated with each PEM and the alignment errors in the azimuths of all the polarization elements.

A data-driven state identification method for intelligent control of the joint station export system.

As a necessary part of intelligent control of a joint station, the automatic identification of abnormal conditions and automatic adjustment of operation schemes need to judge the running state of the system. In this paper, a combination of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Gray Wolf Optimizer (GWO) is proposed to optimize the Backpropagation Neural Network (BP) model (PSO-GWO-BP) and a pressure drop prediction model for the joint station export system is established using PSO-GWO-BP. Compared with the traditional hydraulic calculation modified (THCM) models and other machine learning algorithms, the PSO-GWO-BP model has significant advantages in prediction accuracy.

3D Culture System for Human Adrenal Glands That Uses a Sequential Processing Medium to Facilitate Cortical-Medullary Cell Development.

Background: The human adrenal gland is composed of the cortex and the medulla, which contain different function cells. The aim of this study was to build a 3D culture system for human adrenal glands.

Methods: Human fetal adrenal tissues were digested into a cell suspension culture and processed in three-phase 3D cultures.

A Chemically Defined Culture for Tooth Reconstitution.

It is known for decades that dental epithelium and mesenchyme can reconstitute and regenerate a functional tooth. However, the mechanism of tooth reconstitution remains largely unknown due to the lack of an efficient in vitro model. Here, a chemically defined culture system is established that supports tooth reconstitution, further development with normal anatomy, and prompt response to chemical interference in key developmental signaling pathways, termed as toothoids.

Positive Social Mentalities and Quality of Spiritual Living in Old Age: Roles of Social Participation and Life Meaning.

Quality of spiritual living (QSL) in old age is closely related to the health and well-being of older adults. It is necessary to explore the psychosocial factors and mechanisms that affect the QSL of older adults. The researchers investigated 512 older Chinese people using the positive social mentalities scale, social participation scale, sense of life meaning scale, and spiritual living self-assessment questionnaire.

Enhancing melanoma therapy by modulating the immunosuppressive microenvironment with an MMP-2 sensitive and nHA/GNE co-encapsulated hydrogel.

The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, such as lactic acid and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) overexpression, has been well confirmed to be adverse for tumor therapy. In current study, a tumor microenvironment modulatory hydrogel was successfully developed to treat melanoma by taking advantage of the synergistic effects of nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) with well-documented selective anti-tumor action, lactate dehydrogenase A inhibitor (R)-GNE-140 (GNE), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) sensitive peptide. The hydrogel was acquired by the reaction of 4-arm-polyethylene glycol-maleic anhydride (4-arm-PEG-MAL) and MMP-2 sensitive peptide (CC-14), in which nHA and GNE were co-encapsulated physically.

Decoding 11-oxygenated androgen synthesis: insights from enzyme gene expression and LC-MS/MS quantification.

Background: Adrenal-origin and peripheral tissue-transformed 11-oxygenated androgens are recognized as significant androgens. However, our current understanding of the synthesis of 11-oxygenated androgens, including the organs and cell types involved, remains limited.

Methods: We performed comprehensive analyses on an extensive dataset of normal human tissues, which included bulk RNA data from 30 tissues, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA) data from 16 tissues and proteomics data from 29 tissues, to characterize the expression profiles of enzyme-encoding genes.

A universal solvent-replacement strategy to convert alginate hydrogels into mechanically strong and transparent alginate eutectogels for sensitive strain sensors.

Eutectogels based on natural polymers have attracted significant attention as an alternative to easily dehydrated hydrogels and expensive ionogels in the development of flexible strain sensors. The feasibility of employing eutectogels derived from pure natural polymers could be greatly enhanced if their mechanical properties satisfy the requirements of applications. Herein, alginate eutectogels (AEs) with high mechanical properties (tensile strain 217 % and strength 2.

A robust and biodegradable hydroxyapatite/poly(lactide--ε-caprolactone) electrospun membrane for dura repair.

Typically occurring after trauma or neurosurgery treatments, dura mater defect and the ensuing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage could lead to a number of serious complications and even patient's death. Although numerous natural and synthetic dura mater substitutes have been reported, none of them have been able to fulfill the essential properties, such as anti-adhesion, leakage blockage, and pro-dura rebuilding. In this study, we devised and prepared a series of robust and biodegradable hydroxyapatite/poly(lactide--ε-caprolactone) (HA/PLCL) membranes for dura repair an electrospinning technique.

Nano-hydroxyapatite promotes cell apoptosis by co-activating endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondria damage to inhibit glioma growth.

Despite a growing body of studies demonstrating the specific anti-tumor effect of nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA), the underlying mechanism remained unclear. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria are two key players in intracellular Ca homeostasis and both require Ca to participate. Moreover, the ER-mitochondria interplay coordinates the maintenance of cellular Ca homeostasis to prevent any negative consequences from excess of Ca, hence there needs in-depth study of n-HA effect on them.

Human-like adrenal features in Chinese tree shrews revealed by multi-omics analysis of adrenal cell populations and steroid synthesis.

The Chinese tree shrew ( ) has emerged as a promising model for investigating adrenal steroid synthesis, but it is unclear whether the same cells produce steroid hormones and whether their production is regulated in the same way as in humans. Here, we comprehensively mapped the cell types and pathways of steroid metabolism in the adrenal gland of Chinese tree shrews using single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptome analysis, mass spectrometry, and immunohistochemistry. We compared the transcriptomes of various adrenal cell types across tree shrews, humans, macaques, and mice.

Ion-selective response of visible light photoswitchable indole-hemithioindigo: toward chemical sensing of fluoride and hydroxide.

The chemical sensing of hydrophilic anions such as F and OH is of significant importance but also presents considerable challenges. Herein, the thermal to isomerization of a visible-light-responsive photoswitch (HTI-In) is utilized to address this challenge for the first time. The isomerization of HTI-In is dependent on the concentration of F and OH, and exhibits excellent selectivity toward F and OH over other common anions and cations.

Immunometabolic features of natural killer cells are associated with infection outcomes in critical illness.

Immunosuppression increases the risk of nosocomial infection in patients with chronic critical illness. This exploratory study aimed to determine the immunometabolic signature associated with nosocomial infection during chronic critical illness. We prospectively recruited patients who were admitted to the respiratory care center and who had received mechanical ventilator support for more than 10 days in the intensive care unit.

A Mobile Applet for Assessing Medication Adherence and Managing Adverse Drug Reactions Among Patients With Cancer: Usability and Utility Study.

Background: Medication adherence and the management of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are crucial to the efficacy of antitumor drugs. A WeChat applet, also known as a "Mini Program," is similar to the app but has marked advantages. The development and use of a WeChat applet makes follow-up convenient for patients with cancer.

Frequency properties of channeled spectropolarimetry: an information theory perspective.

Channeled spectropolarimetry (CSP) has emerged as a notable technique due to its unique capacity to instantaneously measure either the polarization state of light or the Mueller matrix of a sample over a broad spectral range. Leveraging the quasi-linear relation between phase retardances of thick birefringent retarders and wavenumber, the target signal undergoes wavelength encoding. For the first time, we present a theoretical framework for the general CSP from a perspective of information theory.

A High-Fat Diet Increases the Characteristics of Gut Microbial Composition and the Intestinal Damage Associated with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing annually, and emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiota plays a causative role in the development of NAFLD. However, the role of gut microbiota in the development of NAFLD remains unclear and warrants further investigation. Thus, C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD), and we found that the HFD significantly induced obesity and increased the accumulation of intrahepatic lipids, along with alterations in serum biochemical parameters.

Which news topics drive economic prosperity in China?

Precise and real-time measurements of economic prosperity are vital to a country's economic system. This study aims to identify news topics that promoted economic prosperity in China from 2011-2021. By extracting economic topics from news text data, we construct a news coincidence index with comprehensive information and strong timeliness and reveal the trend of topic contribution.

Genome-wide analysis of circRNA regulation during spleen development of Chinese indigenous breed Meishan pigs.

Background: Numerous circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been recently identified in porcine tissues and cell types. Nevertheless, their significance in porcine spleen development is yet unelucidated. Herein, we reported an extensive overlook of circRNA expression profile during spleen development in Meishan pigs.

Follicular development and ovary aging: single-cell studies.

Follicular development is a critical process in reproductive biology that determines the number of oocytes and interacts with various cells within the follicle (such as oocytes, granulosa cells, cumulus cells and theca cells, etc.), and plays a vital role in fertility and reproductive health due to the dogma of a limited number of oogonia. Dysregulation of follicular development can lead to infertility problems and other reproductive disorders.

Proton-Coupled Photochromic Hemithioindigo: Toward Photoactivated Chemical Sensing and Imaging.

We report photoswitchable fluorescent hemithioindigos (HTIs) where the metastable E isomers were stabilized by the proton-bridged intramolecular hydrogen bond. Titration experiments and computational analysis indicated that the E isomers were much more basic than the Z isomers, which enabled photoactivated colorimetric and fluorescent pH response in solvents and polypropylene films. The HTIs exhibited reversibly switchable fluorescence with the Z isomers being the most fluorescent.

Multi-spectral snapshot diffraction-based overlay metrology.

Diffraction-based overlay (DBO) metrology has been successfully introduced to deal with the tighter overlay control in modern semiconductor manufacturing. Moreover, DBO metrology typically needs to be performed at multiple wavelengths to achieve accurate and robust measurement in the presence of overlay target deformations. In this Letter, we outline a proposal for multi-spectral DBO metrology based on the linear relation between the overlay errors and the combinations of off-diagonal-block Mueller matrix elements ΔM = M - ( - 1)M (i = 1, 2; j = 3, 4) associated with the zeroth-order diffraction of overlay target gratings.

Screening and Identification of a Prognostic Model of Ovarian Cancer by Combination of Transcriptomic and Proteomic Data.

The integration of transcriptome and proteome analysis can lead to the discovery of a myriad of biological insights into ovarian cancer. Proteome, clinical, and transcriptome data about ovarian cancer were downloaded from TCGA's database. A LASSO-Cox regression was used to uncover prognostic-related proteins and develop a new protein prognostic signature for patients with ovarian cancer to predict their prognosis.