Efficient Second Harmonic Generation via Plasmonic-Photonic Mode Matching in Hybrid Waveguide.

Hybrid nonlinear plasmonic waveguides, characterized by a small mode area and large nonlinear susceptibility, present an intriguing and practical platform for the minimization of nonlinear photonic devices. Nevertheless, the intrinsic Ohmic loss associated with surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) and modal dispersion imposes constraints on the effective interaction length and, consequently, the ultimate efficiency of nonlinear processes. In this study, we demonstrate an efficient second harmonic generation (SHG) within a hybrid plasmonic waveguide by leveraging SPP-like modes at the fundamental wave and photonic-like modes at the SHG under phase matching conditions.

Deciphering transcription activity of mammalian early embryos unveils on/off of zygotic genome activation by protein translation/degradation.

Quantification of transcription activities in mammalian preimplantation embryos is challenging due to a huge amount of maternally stored transcripts and paucity of research materials. Here, we investigate genome-wide transcription activities of mouse and human preimplantation embryos by quantifying elongating RNA polymerase II. Two transcriptional waves are identified in early mouse embryos, with summits at the 2-cell and 8-cell stages.

The relationship between different ventricular rate control levels and cardiac remodeling in early persistent atrial fibrillation: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent cardiac arrhythmia, with ventricular rate control being a critical therapeutic target. However, the optimal range for ventricular rate control remains unclear. Additionally, the relationship between different levels of ventricular rate control and cardiac remodeling in patients with atrial fibrillation remains unclear.

Synergistic machine learning models utilizing ferroptosis-related genes for improved neuroblastoma outcome prediction.

Background: Neuroblastoma (NB) is a highly heterogeneous and common pediatric malignancy with a poor prognosis. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent cell death pathway, may play a crucial role in NB tumor progression and immune response. This study aimed to investigate ferroptosis in NB to identify potential therapeutic targets and develop predictive models for prognosis and recurrence.

Exploring potential key genes and pathways associatedwith hepatocellular carcinoma prognosis through bioinformatics analysis, followed by experimental validation.

Background: Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (LIHC) is a prevalent and aggressive liver cancer with limited therapeutic options. Identifying key genes involved in LIHC can enhance our understanding of its molecular mechanisms and aid in the development of targeted therapies. This study aims to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and key hub genes in LIHC using bioinformatics approaches and experimental validation.

Selective G6PDH inactivation for Helicobacter pylori eradication with transformed polysulfide.

Alternative treatment for the highly prevalent Helicobacter pylori infection is imperative due to rising antibiotic resistance. We unexpectedly discovered that the anti-H. pylori component in garlic is hydrogen polysulfide (HS, n⩾2), not organic polysulfides.

Short-term efficacy and safety of upadacitinib combined with 308 excimer light versus upadacitinib alone and 308 excimer light alone in patients with progressing facial vitiligo.

Patients with progressing facial vitiligo who had been treated with upadacitinib, 308 nm excimer light and upadacitinib combined with 308 nm excimer light were selected for retrospective analysis and comparison of their efficacy and safety. Efficacy was evaluated using the Vitiligo Area Severity Index (VASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) at baseline, after 8 weeks, and after 20 weeks. The progression of skin lesions was monitored through reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), while adverse reactions were documented.

Perovskite-Based Smart Eyeglasses as Noncontact Human-Computer Interaction.

More than 70% of human information comes from vision. The eye is one of the most attractive sensing sites to collect biological parameters. However, it is urgent to develop a cost-effective and easy-to-use approach to monitor eyeball information in a minimally invasive way instead of current smart contact lenses or camera-based eyeglasses.

Revealing the CO adsorption blocking mechanism in flexible low-silica small-pore zeolites three-dimensional electron diffraction.

Low-silica small-pore zeolites are essential for CO selective adsorption; however, some Na-form flexible types exhibit negligible performance. Advanced three-dimensional electron diffraction elucidated the blocking mechanism: Na ions in elliptical 8-rings hinder CO diffusion. Structural insights guided the design of K-form types with wider 8-rings, achieving enhanced CO adsorption.

The JAK1/3 Inhibitor Tofacitinib Regulates Th Cell Profiles and Humoral Immune Responses in Myasthenia Gravis.

Introduction/aims: Tofacitinib, a first-generation Janus kinase (JAK) 1/3 inhibitor, is commonly used for treating ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, its role in myasthenia gravis (MG) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of tofacitinib on experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with MG.

Male sex determination maintains proteostasis and extends lifespan of daf-18/PTEN deficient C. elegans.

Although females typically have a survival advantage, those with PTEN functional abnormalities face a higher risk of developing tumors than males. However, the differences in how each sex responds to PTEN dysfunction have rarely been studied. We use Caenorhabditis elegans to investigate how male and hermaphrodite worms respond to dysfunction of the PTEN homolog daf-18.

Assessing the Risks of Potential Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistance Genes Among Heterogeneous Habitats in a Temperate Estuary Wetland: a Meta-analysis.

Temperate estuary wetlands act as natural filters for microbiological contamination and have a profound impact on "One Health." However, knowledge of microbiological ecology security across the different habitats in temperate estuarine wetlands remains limited. This study employed meta-analysis to explore the characteristics of bacterial communities, potential pathogens, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) across three heterogeneous habitats (water, soil, and sediment) within the Liaohe Estuary landscape.

Calycosin‑7‑O‑β‑D‑glucoside downregulates mitophagy by mitigating mitochondrial fission to protect HT22 cells from oxygen‑glucose deprivation/reperfusion‑induced injury.

Calycosin‑7‑O‑β‑D‑glucoside (CG), a major active ingredient of Astragali Radix, exerts neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia; however, whether the effects of CG are associated with mitochondrial protection remains unclear. The present study explored the role of CG in improving mitochondrial function in a HT22 cell model of oxygen‑glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R). The Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and western blotting were performed to investigate the effects of CG on mitochondrial function.

Coupling SAR and optical remote sensing data for soil moisture retrieval over dense vegetation covered areas.

Soil moisture is a key parameter for the exchange of substance and energy at the land-air interface, timely and accurate acquisition of soil moisture is of great significance for drought monitoring, water resource management, and crop yield estimation. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is sensitive to soil moisture, but the effects of vegetation on SAR signals poses challenges for soil moisture retrieval in areas covered with vegetation. In this study, based on Sentinel-1 SAR and Sentinel-2 optical remote sensing data, a coupling approach was employed to retrieval surface soil moisture over dense vegetated areas.

Real-world effectiveness and safety of oral azvudine versus nirmatrelvir‒ritonavir (Paxlovid) in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study.

Azvudine and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) were widely used to treat patients with COVID-19 in China during the Omicron wave. However, the efficacy and safety of azvudine versus Paxlovid are poorly established. This study included 40,876 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 from eleven hospitals in Henan and Xinjiang Provinces, China.

A longitudinal analysis of physical exercise in shaping language learners' emotional well-being: a comparative analysis between L1 and L2 students.

Background: Students' psychological wellness is one of the key elements that improve their well-being and shape their academic progress in the realm of language learning. Among various strategies, physical exercise emerges as an effective approach, allowing learners to manage their emotions considerably.

Methods: Employing a quasi-experimental research design, this study examines the impact of a three-month physical running exercise intervention on emotional regulation behaviors among L1 (Arabic language) and L2 (English as a foreign language learning) students.

Decoction reduces mitochondrial autophagy in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts in hypoxic culture by inhibiting the BNIP3-PI3K/Akt pathway.

Objectives: To investigate the role of the BNIP3-PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in mediating the inhibitory effect of Decoction (BYHWT) on mitochondrial autophagy in human synovial fibroblasts from rheumatoid arthritis patients (FLS-RA) cultured under a hypoxic condition.

Methods: Forty normal Wistar rats were randomized into two groups (=20) for daily gavage of BYHWT or distilled water for 7 days to prepare BYHWT-medicated or control sera. FLS-RA were cultured in routine condition or exposed to hypoxia (10% O) for 24 h wigh subsequent treatment with IL-1β, followed by treatment with diluted BYHWT-medicated serum (5%, 10% and 20%) or control serum.

Safety and Efficacy of Anlotinib-based Regimen in Patients with Unresectable or Metastatic Bone and Soft-tissue Sarcomas: A Retrospective Institutional Study.

Background: Anlotinib has demonstrated durable clinical benefits in patients with unresectable or metastatic bone and soft-tissue sarcomas.

Methods: 92 patients treated with chemotherapy combined with or without anlotinib were collected and analyzed. The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were analyzed.

Advancing COVID-19 Treatment: The Role of Non-covalent Inhibitors Unveiled by Integrated Machine Learning and Network Pharmacology.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated rapid advancements in therapeutic discovery. This study presents an integrated approach combining machine learning (ML) and network pharmacology to identify potential non-covalent inhibitors against pivotal proteins in COVID-19 pathogenesis, specifically B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR).

Method: Employing a dataset of 13,107 compounds, ML algorithms such as k-Nearest Neighbors (kNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and Naïve Bayes (NB) were utilized for screening and predicting active inhibitors based on molecular features.

Structure Characterization and Antioxidant Properties of a Triple Helix Galactoglucomannan from the Fruiting Bodies of Russula virescens (Agaricomycetes).

RVP, a water-soluble triple-helix galactoglucomannan, was successfully extracted from the fruiting body of Russula virescens using an alkali extraction method. Physicochemical properties analysis showed that the protein content of RVP was low (0.95%).

Development of a LASSO machine learning algorithm-based model for postoperative delirium prediction in hepatectomy patients.

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop and validate a clinically applicable nomogram for predicting the risk of delirium following hepatectomy.

Methods: We applied the LASSO regression model to identify the independent risk factors associated with POD. Subsequently, we utilized R software to develop and validate a nomogram model capable of accurately predicting the incidence of POD.