Intranasal acupuncture for allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: To evaluate the efficacy of intranasal acupuncture as a treatment for allergic rhinitis (AR) through a comprehensive review.

Methods: Comprehensive searches were performed in both Chinese (CNKI, VIP, CBM, and Wanfang) and English databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) to gather randomized controlled trials available from the inception of the database until August 2024. The primary outcomes considered were the effectiveness rate, visual analog scale score, total nasal symptom scores, total nonnasal symptom scores, Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality-of-Life Questionnaire score, adverse effects, and follow-up observations.

The Porous SilMA Hydrogel Scaffolds Carrying Dual-Sensitive Paclitaxel Nanoparticles Promote Neuronal Differentiation for Spinal Cord Injury Repair.

Background: In the intricate pathological milieu post-spinal cord injury (SCI), neural stem cells (NSCs) frequently differentiate into astrocytes rather than neurons, significantly limiting nerve repair. Hence, the utilization of biocompatible hydrogel scaffolds in conjunction with exogenous factors to foster the differentiation of NSCs into neurons has the potential for SCI repair.

Methods: In this study, we engineered a 3D-printed porous SilMA hydrogel scaffold (SM) supplemented with pH-/temperature-responsive paclitaxel nanoparticles (PTX-NPs).

Generation of true quantum random numbers with on-demand probability distributions via single-photon quantum walks.

Random numbers are at the heart of diverse fields, ranging from simulations of stochastic processes to classical and quantum cryptography. The requirement for true randomness in these applications has motivated various proposals for generating random numbers based on the inherent randomness of quantum systems. The generation of true random numbers with arbitrarily defined probability distributions is highly desirable for applications, but it is very challenging.

New genetic insights into immunotherapy outcomes in gastric cancer via single-cell RNA sequencing and random forest model.

Objective: The high mortality rate of gastric cancer, traditionally managed through surgery, underscores the urgent need for advanced therapeutic strategies. Despite advancements in treatment modalities, outcomes remain suboptimal, necessitating the identification of novel biomarkers to predict sensitivity to immunotherapy. This study focuses on utilizing single-cell sequencing for gene identification and developing a random forest model to predict immunotherapy sensitivity in gastric cancer patients.

In vivo SPECT imaging of Tc-99m radiolabeled exosomes from human umbilical-cord derived mesenchymal stem cells in small animals.

Extracellular vesicles derived from human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSC-EVs) have been postulated to have therapeutic potential for various diseases. However, the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of these vesicles are still unclear. For a better understanding of the in vivo properties of UCMSC-EVs, in the present study, these vesicles were first radiolabeled with Technetium-99m (Tc-UCMSC-EVs) and evaluated using in vivo single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging and biodistribution experiments.

Quantum ghost imaging of a vector field.

Quantum ghost image technique utilizing position or momentum correlations between entangled photons can realize nonlocal reconstruction of the image of an object. In this work, based on polarization entanglement, we experimentally demonstrate quantum ghost imaging of vector images by using a geometric phase object. We also provide a corresponding theoretical analysis.

Optimum placement of distributed generation resources, capacitors and charging stations with a developed competitive algorithm.

This study presents a novel approach for the optimal placement of distributed generation (DG) resources, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and shunt capacitors (SC) in power distribution systems. The primary objective is to improve power efficiency and voltage profiles while considering practical and nonlinear constraints. The proposed model combines competitive search optimization (CSO) with fuzzy and chaotic theory to develop an efficient and effective solution.

Research Progress on Router Devices for the OAM Optical Communication.

Vortex beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) provide a new degree of freedom for light waves in addition to the traditional degrees of freedom, such as intensity, phase, frequency, time, and polarization. Due to the theoretically unlimited orthogonal states, the physical dimension of OAM is capable of addressing the problem of low information capacity. With the advancement of the OAM optical communication technology, OAM router devices (OAM-RDs) have played a key role in significantly improving the flexibility and practicability of communication systems.

Correlation Attention Registration Based on Deep Learning from Histopathology to MRI of Prostate.

Deep learning offers a promising methodology for the registration of prostate cancer images from histopathology to MRI. We explored how to effectively leverage key information from images to achieve improved end-to-end registration. We developed an approach based on a correlation attention registration framework to register segmentation labels of histopathology onto MRI.

Vision transformers motivating superior OAM mode recognition in optical communications.

Orbital angular momentum (OAM) has recently obtained tremendous research interest in free-space optical communications (FSO). During signal transmission within the free-space link, atmospheric turbulence (AT) poses a significant challenge as it diminishes the signal strength and introduce intermodal crosstalk, significantly reducing OAM mode detection accuracy. This issue directly impacts the performance of OAM-based communication systems and leads to a reduction in received information.

Strain engineering on electronic structure, effective mass and charge carrier mobility in monolayer YBr.

In recent years, two-dimensional materials have significant prospects for applications in nanoelectronic devices due to their unique physical properties. In this paper, the strain effect on the electronic structure, effective mass, and charge carrier mobility of monolayer yttrium bromide (YBr) is systematically investigated using first-principles calculation based on density functional theory. It is found that the monolayer YBrundergoes energy band gap reduction under the increasing compressive strain.

From materials to clinical use: advances in 3D-printed scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering.

Osteoarthritis caused by articular cartilage defects is a particularly common orthopedic disease that can involve the entire joint, causing great pain to its sufferers. A global patient population of approximately 250 million people has an increasing demand for new therapies with excellent results, and tissue engineering scaffolds have been proposed as a potential strategy for the repair and reconstruction of cartilage defects. The precise control and high flexibility of 3D printing provide a platform for subversive innovation.

Electronic Configuration Tuning of Centrally Extended Non-Fullerene Acceptors Enabling Organic Solar Cells with Efficiency Approaching 19 .

In the molecular optimizations of non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs), extending the central core can tune the energy levels, reduce nonradiative energy loss, enhance the intramolecular (donor-acceptor and acceptor-acceptor) packing, facilitate the charge transport, and improve device performance. In this study, a new strategy was employed to synthesize acceptors featuring conjugation-extended electron-deficient cores. Among these, the acceptor CH-BBQ, embedded with benzobisthiadiazole, exhibited an optimal fibrillar network morphology, enhanced crystallinity, and improved charge generation/transport in blend films, leading to a power conversion efficiency of 18.

pH/Temperature Responsive Curcumin-Loaded Micelle Nanoparticles Promote Functional Repair after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats via Modulation of Inflammation.

Background: The formation of an inhibitory inflammatory microenvironment after spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a great challenge for nerve regeneration. The poor local microenvironment exacerbates nerve cell death; therefore, the reconstruction of a favorable microenvironment through small-molecule drugs is a promising strategy for promoting nerve regeneration.

Methods: In the present study, we synthesized curcumin-loaded micelle nanoparticles (Cur-NPs) to increase curcumin bioavailability and analyzed the physical and chemical properties of Cur-NPs by characterization experiments.

3D collagen porous scaffold carrying PLGA-PTX/SDF-1α recruits and promotes neural stem cell differentiation for spinal cord injury repair.

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), one of the major factors of disability, can cause irreversible motor and sensory impairment. There are no effective therapeutic drugs and technologies available in domestic or foreign countries currently. Neural stem cells (NSCs), with the potential for multidirectional differentiation, are a potential treatment for SCI.

Extending Se substitution to the limit: from 5S to 5Se in high-efficiency non-fullerene acceptors.

Based on the newly synthesized seleno[3,2-]selenophene unit, two near-infrared non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) of 4Se and 5Se are constructed by replacing four or all sulfurs with selenium in high-efficiency Y-series NFAs. Consequently, binary devices based on 4Se and 5Se afford PCEs of 15.17% and 15.

Sonoactivated Cascade Fenton Reaction Enhanced by Synergistic Modulation of Electron-Hole Separation for Improved Tumor Therapy.

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) is an emerging targeted treatment technique for tumors via the generation of highly cytotoxic hydroxyl radical (·OH) governed by tumor microenvironment-assisted Fenton reaction. Despite high effectiveness, it faces limitations like low reaction efficiency and limited endogenous H O , compromising its therapeutic efficacy. This study reports a novel platform with enhanced CDT performance by in situ sono-activated cascade Fenton reaction.

Generating an M × N spot array with a dual-period hybrid Dammann grating fabricated using maskless projection lithography.

The Dammann grating (DG), which redistributes a collimated laser beam into a spot array with a uniform intensity, is a widely adopted approach for profile measurement. Conventional DGs for dense spot projection are binary phase gratings with precisely designed groove structures, which suffer from low efficiency, poor uniformity, and a hard-to-fabricate fine feature size when utilized for a large field of view (FOV). Here, we propose a new, to the best of our knowledge, hybrid DG architecture consisting of two different grating periods which effectively generates an engineering M × N spot array with a non-complex structural design.

Fast-growing cyanobacterial chassis for synthetic biology application.

Carbon neutrality by 2050 has become one of the most urgent challenges the world faces today. To address the issue, it is necessary to develop and promote new technologies related with CO recycling. Cyanobacteria are the only prokaryotes performing oxygenic photosynthesis, capable of fixing CO into biomass under sunlight and serving as one of the most important primary producers on earth.

Ultralow-power all-optical switching via a chiral Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

It is a challenge for all-optical switching to simultaneous achieve ultralow power consumption, broad bandwidth and high extinction ratio. We experimentally demonstrate an ultralow-power all-optical switching by exploiting chiral interaction between light and optically active material in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. We achieve switching extinction ratio of 20.

Graded-Three-Dimensional Cell-Encapsulating Hydrogel as a Potential Biologic Scaffold for Disc Tissue Engineering.

Background: Intervertebral disk (IVD) degeneration, which can cause lower back pain, is a major predisposing factor for disability and can be managed through multiple approaches. However, there is no satisfactory strategy currently available to reconstruct and recover the natural properties of IVDs after degeneration. As tissue engineering develops, scaffolds with embedded cell cultures have proved critical for the successful regeneration of IVDs.

Central Unit Fluorination of Non-Fullerene Acceptors Enables Highly Efficient Organic Solar Cells with Over 18 % Efficiency.

Halogenation of terminal of acceptors has been shown to give dramatic improvements in power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of organic solar cells (OSCs). Similar significant results could be expected from the halogenation of the central units of state-of-the-art Y-series acceptors. Herein, a pair of acceptors, termed CH6 and CH4, featuring a conjugation-extended phenazine central unit with and without fluorination, have been synthesized.

Electrospun nanofibrous membrane for biomedical application.

Electrospinning is a simple, cost-effective, flexible, and feasible continuous micro-nano polymer fiber preparation technology that has attracted extensive scientific and industrial interest over the past few decades, owing to its versatility and ability to manufacture highly tunable nanofiber networks. Nanofiber membrane materials prepared using electrospinning have excellent properties suitable for biomedical applications, such as a high specific surface area, strong plasticity, and the ability to manipulate their nanofiber components to obtain the desired properties and functions. With the increasing popularity of nanomaterials in this century, electrospun nanofiber membranes are gradually becoming widely used in various medical fields.