Longitudinal host transcriptional responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults with extremely high viral load.

Current understanding of viral dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 and host responses driving the pathogenic mechanisms in COVID-19 is rapidly evolving. Here, we conducted a longitudinal study to investigate gene expression patterns during acute SARS-CoV-2 illness. Cases included SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals with extremely high viral loads early in their illness, individuals having low SARS-CoV-2 viral loads early in their infection, and individuals testing negative for SARS-CoV-2.

Misalignment tolerance enhancement of vector beams in a free-space optical communication link.

Optical misalignment between transmitter and receiver leads to power loss and mode crosstalk in a mode division multiplexing (MDM) free-space optical (FSO) link. We report both numerical simulations and experimental results on the propagation performance of two typical vector beams, C-point polarization full Poincaré beams (FPB), and V-point polarization cylindrical vector beams (CVB), compared to homogeneous polarization scalar vortex beams (SVB) under optical misalignment. The FSO communication performance under misalignment using different transmit beams is evaluated in terms of power loss, mode crosstalk, power penalty, etc.

640 Gbit/s FSO turbulence-resilient field trial utilizing the cylindrical vector beam.

Free-space optical (FSO) communication has the advantages of large bandwidth and high security and being license-free, making it the preferred solution for addressing the "last kilometer" of information transmission. However, it is susceptible to fluctuations in the received optical power (ROP) due to atmospheric turbulence and pointing errors, resulting in the inevitable free-space optical communication transmission performance degradation. In this work, we experimentally verified the turbulence resistance of the cylindrical vector beam (CVB) over a 3 km long free-space field trial link.

Global, regional, and national trends in gastric cancer burden: 1990-2021 and projections to 2040.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignancy of the digestive system, with significant geographical variation in its disease burden.

Methods: This study used data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021 to analyze three key indicators: incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Initially, a detailed analysis of the GC burden was conducted from global, regional, national, gender, and age perspectives.

Ru-Ph Nanozyme-Based Hydrogels for Tumor Chemodynamic Therapy by Enhancing Enzyme Catalytic Efficiency Through Multiple Pathways.

The discovery of nanozymes has opened new possibilities for tumor therapy. However, their reliance on the tumor microenvironment and limited catalytic efficiency hinder broader applications. In this study, ruthenium-phenanthroline nanoparticles (Ru-Phs) are synthesized by combining ruthenium with phenanthroline and subsequently coloaded with the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) pantoprazole into sodium alginate (ALG) to form a Ru-Phs-PPI-ALG hydrogel for in situ tumor therapy.

Super-hydrophilic and super-lubricating Zwitterionic hydrogel coatings coupled with polyurethane to reduce postoperative dura mater adhesions and infections.

The dura trauma or large defects due to neurosurgical procedures can result in potential complications. Dural replacements have proven effective to reduce the risk of seizures, meningitis, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, cerebral herniation, and infection. Although various artificial dural patches have been developed, addressing iatrogenic infections and cerebral adhesions resulting from patches implantation remains a challenge.

An In Situ UV Cross-Linking Asymmetric Adhesive Hydrogel for Noncompressible Hemostasis and Postoperative Adhesion Prevention.

Noncompressible hemorrhage control is vital for clinical outcome after surgical treatment and prehospital trauma injuries. Meanwhile, wound bleeding and tissue damage could induce postoperative adhesions, leading to a severe threat to the health of patients. Considerable research had been conducted on the development of hemostatic and antiadhesive materials.

Performance assessment of public transport networks: An AHP-ANP approach.

Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods have been extensively employed by researchers in the public transport (PT) sector. While many studies utilize a single MCDM method, employing multiple MCDM methods can achieve more robust results. Furthermore, integrated MCDM methods have the potential to address the weaknesses and limitations inherent in single MCDM method.

Influenza vaccination in patients with acute heart failure (PANDA II): study protocol for a hospital-based, parallel-group, cluster randomized controlled trial in China.

Background: Influenza vaccination confers broad benefits in the elderly and certain high-risk populations, but its effectiveness in patients with acute heart failure (HF) is uncertain. Rates of influenza vaccination are low in China due to poor awareness, cultural misunderstandings, and cost.

Aims: To determine the effectiveness of influenza vaccination in patients with acute HF admitted to hospitals in China.

HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening in China: A multi-center study.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling is a new method for collecting cervical isolated cells, but research been carried out in multi-ethnic and multi-regional areas of China is scarce.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the accuracy and acceptability of HPV self-sampling and analyze the characteristics of HPV infection.

Study Design: Women aged 25-65 years were recruited from 8 provinces in China.

Nevus-associated acral melanoma has lower risk of recurrence and mortality than de novo acral melanoma: A multicenter, retrospective analysis of 482 patients.

Background: It is unknown whether acral melanomas (AMs) associated with pre-existing nevi have similar risk to other AMs.

Objective: To compare risk of recurrence and death between AMs associated with pre-existing nevi and de novo AMs.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study involving patients diagnosed with AMs between February 2011 and November 2022.

Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy for management of chronic fecalith appendicitis.

Background And Aims: Chronic appendicitis is a condition with chronic abdominal pain or mild attacks of appendicitis, seriously affecting the patient's quality of life. Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) has emerged as a promising, non-invasive treatment for acute uncomplicated appendicitis. Here, we aim to assess the safety and efficacy of ERAT for chronic fecalith appendicitis.

Repeat Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy: Technical Difficulty and Risk Factors.

Background And Aims: Repeat peroral endoscopic myotomy (Re-POEM) appeared to be a promising salvage option for patients with persistent/recurrent symptoms after initial POEM, but it may be more technical challenging. Here we aim to evaluate the safety and technical difficulty of Re-POEM.

Methods: Between July 2012 and October 2023, 158 achalasia patients underwent Re-POEM were retrospectively enrolled.

A bio-inspired Janus hydrogel patch facilitates oral ulcer repair by combining prolonged wet adhesion and lubrication.

Oral ulcers, the most common type of mucosal lesion, are both highly prevalent and prone to recurrence. In the persistently moist environment of the oral cavity, current therapeutic patches face challenges such as short adhesion time, disruption by food particles and bacteria, and oral movements. To address these challenges, we develop a Janus patch, named ANSB, inspired by the multi-layered and asymmetric structure of natural mucosa, featuring a long-lasting adhesive layer and a lubricating layer.

The impact of verbal behavior on audience engagement in Chinese talk shows: Based on a novel mediation model.

This study employs the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) model to construct a new mediation framework, examining the impact of Chinese stand-up comedians' language on audience engagement from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. Statistical analysis of data from 415 online viewers of stand-up comedy shows revealed that comedians' humorous language significantly enhanced audience engagement by positively influencing their enjoyment. Based on this, in-depth interviews were conducted with 8 viewers to understand their specific perceptions of different types of humor.

Peripheral Blood Lymphocyte Subsets in Factor VIII Inhibitor-Positive Patients with Severe Hemophilia A: A Case-Control Study.

Introduction And Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate different peripheral lymphocyte subsets in patients with severe hemophilia A (HA) and factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitor production. For this, age-matched cases of 19 FVIII inhibitor-positive (IP), 21 FVIII inhibitor-negative (IN) and 45 healthy controls were selected for study.

Methods: Flow cytometry was used to analyze the peripheral lymphocyte subsets, including T, B, natural killer (NK) and NKT cells.

The DNA methylome of pediatric brain tumors appears shaped by structural variation and predicts survival.

Structural variation heavily influences the molecular landscape of cancer, in part by impacting DNA methylation-mediated transcriptional regulation. Here, using multi-omic datasets involving >2400 pediatric brain and central nervous system tumors of diverse histologies from the Children's Brain Tumor Network, we report hundreds of genes and associated CpG islands (CGIs) for which the nearby presence of somatic structural variant (SV) breakpoints is recurrently associated with altered expression or DNA methylation, respectively, including tumor suppressor genes ATRX and CDKN2A. Altered DNA methylation near enhancers associates with nearby somatic SV breakpoints, including MYC and MYCN.

Structural Optimization Design of Magnetoelectric Thin-Film Antenna for Bandwidth and Radiation Enhancement.

The acoustically actuated nanomechanical magnetoelectric (ME) antennas represent a promising new technology that can significantly reduce antenna size by 1-2 orders of magnitude compared to traditional antennas. However, current ME antennas face challenges such as low antenna gain and narrow operating bandwidth, limiting their engineering applications. In this paper, we enhance the bandwidth and radiation performance of ME antennas through structural optimization, leveraging theoretical analysis and numerical simulations.

Targeting apoptotic pathways for cancer therapy.

Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that is mediated by intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Dysregulation of and resistance to cell death are hallmarks of cancer. For over three decades, the development of therapies to promote treatment of cancer by inducing various cell death modalities, including apoptosis, has been a main goal of clinical oncology.

Innervate Commercial Fabrics with Spirally-Layered Iontronic Fibrous Sensors Toward Dual-Functional Smart Garments.

Electronic fabrics exhibit desirable breathability, wearing comfort, and easy integration with garments. However, surficial deposition of electronically functional materials/compounds onto fabric substrates would consequentially alter their intrinsic properties (e.g.