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Silicon is an essential element for enhancing the yield, quality and lodging resistance of rice, which are mainly applied through a base application or foliar application during critical growth stages in current practice. The effect of foliar application of water-soluble silicon fertilizer at different growth stages on rice yield, quality and lodging resistance were studied to screen the optimal spraying period that enhances both high yield and lodging resistance. The experiment used “Nanjing9108 and Nanjing5718” as test materials; three treatment combinations were established, corresponding to the following spraying periods: tillering stage + elongation stage (Si1), tillering stage + elongation stage + grain-filling stage (Si2), elongation stage + grain-filling stage (Si3). Applying with plain water served as the control (CK). The results showed that a foliar application of silicon fertilizer significantly increased rice yields, with the Si2 treatment yielding the best results, increasing the yields of the NJ9108 and NJ5718 by 4.82–5.70% and 4.02–5.29%, respectively, over the two-year period. Foliar silicon fertilization significantly enhanced stem wall thickness and shortened the length of the basal internodes, thereby enhancing the lodging resistance of rice. The lodging resistance of the second basal internodes by 5.52–7.79% for NJ9108 and 4.80–7.15% by NJ5718, while that of the third basal internodes increased by 3.42–4.97% and 5.67–6.76%, respectively. In addition, silicon application treatments exhibited enhanced N uptake at maturity with increases of 6.19–13.56% and 5.37–13.86%, respectively. N use efficiency increased with the number of silicon applications. Silicon application during the grain-filling stage effectively delayed leaf senescence, providing sustained photosynthesis to support dry matter accumulation during the mid-to-late growth stages and further facilitating nitrogen transport and utilization. In summary, the synergistic application of silicon fertilizer during the tillering, elongation, and grain-filling stages is the most effective strategy for achieving the dual objectives of high yield and lodging resistance.

Migrasomes are organelles that play important roles in cell communication, development, angiogenesis, and other cellular processes. It is crucial for investigators to collect migrasomes from both in vitro and in vivo sources. Traditionally, trypsin-EDTA has been used to harvest migrasomes from in vitro-cultured cells. However, our work demonstrated that treatment with trypsin-EDTA might cause the disappearance of migrasomes, thus reducing the efficiency of migrasome harvesting. By employing a low concentration of NP-40, we could fracture the retraction fibers between the migrasome and the cell body. Through the treatment of low-concentration NP-40 followed by trypsin-EDTA, we developed a new method for harvesting migrasomes, considerably increasing the harvesting efficiency. Our work provides new insights into the fundamental barriers that remain in the investigation of migrasomes.

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a leading cause of severe maternal and neonatal complications, yet its risk pathways remain incompletely understood. We aimed to evaluate the association between the number of prior caesarean sections (CS) and adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in PAS, and to quantify the mediating role of placenta previa (PP) in this relationship. Based on a retrospective cohort of 231 patients with PAS (61 with no prior CS, 124 with one CS, and 46 with ≥2 CS), we performed multivariate logistic regression to assess associations between CS history and pregnancy outcomes and conducted mediation analysis to estimate the proportion of the CS effect mediated by PP. Patients with ≥2 prior CS had significantly higher rates of second-trimester surgical abortion, percreta, and higher PAS severity scores. While PP, embolisation, blood transfusion, and prolonged hospitalisation were more common in women with any CS history, their frequencies did not increase proportionally with the number of CS. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that a higher number of prior CS was independently associated with increased risks of invasive PAS, massive intraoperative haemorrhage and transfusion, and preterm delivery. Mediation analysis showed that PP contributed to 8.62% of the association between CS history and invasive PAS, 16.93% for transfusion, 32.83% for preterm birth, and 11.40% for neonatal intensive care unit admission. A higher number of previous CS procedures in our sample was associated with higher risks of several adverse maternal outcomes in PAS. Neonatal outcomes, however, were not significantly influenced by the number of prior CS procedures and were more strongly affected by the gestational age at delivery. These relationships were partially mediated by PP, highlighting its important, but incomplete role in the pathway linking prior CS to PAS-related complications.

To explore alterations in tears and ocular surface throughout Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK), thereby offering valuable insights for clinical intervention. This study was conducted on 84 patients (84 eyes) with CED and received DMEK who visited the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University from April 2022 to January 2024. All patients were evaluated preoperatively and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, with 31 patients (31 eyes) post-24 months above. This cohort was then compared against a normal control of 21 individuals (21 eyes). Main clinical outcomes included lipid layer thickness (LLT), blink counts and partial blink rate (PBR) measured by Lipiview interferometer, in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) was used to detect the density of epithelial wing cells, leukocytes, subbasal dendritic cells (DCs) and endothelial cells. Compared with normal control, LLT was decreased at 6 months (P = 0.053); total blink counts were significantly higher at 36 months (P < 0.05) after DMEK, while LLT was significantly lower (P < 0.05). Utilizing IVCM, an increased leukocytes density was identified in CED patients, which correlated positively with Log MAR visual acuity (r = 0.261, P = 0.04) and inversely with epithelial wing cells density (r = -0.319, P = 0.009). Leukocytes density decreased to comparable level at postoperative 3 months (P = 0.11). Subbasal DCs density was still higher at 6 months postoperatively (P < 0.05), while there was no difference at 12 months after DMEK (P > 0.05). Abnormalities of LLT can occur at different stages after DMEK. Besides, the immune reaction on cornea is still active within 6 months after DMEK.

Many researchers have noticed that there is an increasing trend of Bielschowsky acquired comitant esotropia (ACE) in recent years related to excessive near work, but the exact pathogenesis and treatment methods have not been reported yet. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the clinical features of this ACE in adults and to evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin (BTX) injections in these patients.BACKGROUNDMany researchers have noticed that there is an increasing trend of Bielschowsky acquired comitant esotropia (ACE) in recent years related to excessive near work, but the exact pathogenesis and treatment methods have not been reported yet. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the clinical features of this ACE in adults and to evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin (BTX) injections in these patients.This was a prospective consecutive case series of 47 patients with Bielschowsky ACE. BTX was injected bilaterally into the medial rectus muscle of 45 patients, and twenty-seven of them (27/45) completed 10 months of follow-up after their last injection. Angle of deviation, fusion, stereopsis, subjective assessment of diplopia were documented before and after BTX treatment, and repeated measures data were compared by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test or Analysis of variance. The relationship between BTX dosage and corrected esotropia was explored by the Regression analysis. Meanwhile, possible risk factors for ACE including time spent on near work, refraction error, patients' personality, glasses wearing habits and duration of symptoms were recorded and analyzed with General Linear Models.METHODSThis was a prospective consecutive case series of 47 patients with Bielschowsky ACE. BTX was injected bilaterally into the medial rectus muscle of 45 patients, and twenty-seven of them (27/45) completed 10 months of follow-up after their last injection. Angle of deviation, fusion, stereopsis, subjective assessment of diplopia were documented before and after BTX treatment, and repeated measures data were compared by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test or Analysis of variance. The relationship between BTX dosage and corrected esotropia was explored by the Regression analysis. Meanwhile, possible risk factors for ACE including time spent on near work, refraction error, patients' personality, glasses wearing habits and duration of symptoms were recorded and analyzed with General Linear Models.The patients aged 32.32 ± 10.96 (range 15-53) years spent 8.34 ± 2.38 h on near work each day, and most myope habitually removed their glasses at near. Their chief complaint was distance diplopia, with more significant esotropia at distance (around 20 PD) than at near. This series of patients also exhibited perfectionist tendencies. However, most patients achieved orthophoria after BTX treatment, only with a mild residual esotropia (+ 3.96 ± 5.79 PD), which left them asymptomatic most of the time.RESULTSThe patients aged 32.32 ± 10.96 (range 15-53) years spent 8.34 ± 2.38 h on near work each day, and most myope habitually removed their glasses at near. Their chief complaint was distance diplopia, with more significant esotropia at distance (around 20 PD) than at near. This series of patients also exhibited perfectionist tendencies. However, most patients achieved orthophoria after BTX treatment, only with a mild residual esotropia (+ 3.96 ± 5.79 PD), which left them asymptomatic most of the time.This group of ACE patients was characterized by diplopia with more significant esotropia at distance. Besides excessive near-work, habitually removing myopic glasses and perfectionist tendencies may also contribute to this type of ACE. Fortunately, bilateral BTX injection safely and effectively reduced the esotropia with complete resolution of symptoms, especially for those treated at an early stage.CONCLUSIONThis group of ACE patients was characterized by diplopia with more significant esotropia at distance. Besides excessive near-work, habitually removing myopic glasses and perfectionist tendencies may also contribute to this type of ACE. Fortunately, bilateral BTX injection safely and effectively reduced the esotropia with complete resolution of symptoms, especially for those treated at an early stage.

IntroductionResveratrol is an immune modulator that can reduce M1 macrophage polarization in vitro . Reducing macrophage recruitment and M1 polarization can prevent corneal allograft rejection (CGR). In this study, rat corneal allograft rejection models were established to explore the effects of resveratrol on CGR and macrophages and the underlying mechanisms after corneal transplantation.MethodsCorneal allograft models were established, and 100 mg/kg resveratrol was injected intraperitoneally. The corneal allografts were assessed clinically using the Holland rejection scoring system, anterior segment photography, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Corneal macrophages, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and corneal lymphatic vessels were detected using hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunofluorescence staining, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Dendritic cells (DCs) in cervical lymph nodes were explored using flow cytometry. RNA sequencing experiments were conducted to identify the mechanisms through which resveratrol affected CGR. The results were verified using Simple Western analysis. Pro-inflammatory cytokines by macrophages in vitro were measured using qRT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.ResultsResveratrol significantly prolonged the survival of corneal grafts and reduced graft edema and central corneal thickness. Corneal macrophage recruitment and M1 macrophage polarization decreased significantly after corneal transplantation in the resveratrol group. Resveratrol also reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines in corneal grafts and suppressed the early generation of cornea lymphatic vessels and the recruitment of cornea inflammatory cells 14 days after surgery. Resveratrol decreased the proportion of DCs in ipsilateral cervical lymph nodes. The effect of resveratrol on CGR was related to the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase-B (PI3K/Akt) pathway. Resveratrol reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines by M1 macrophages in vitro .ConclusionOur findings suggest that resveratrol can reduce corneal macrophage recruitment and M1 macrophage polarization after corneal transplantation in rats and prevent CGR. The PI3K/Akt pathway may be an important mechanism that warrants further research.

Background Many researchers have noticed that there is an increasing trend of Bielschowsky acquired comitant esotropia (ACE) in recent years related to excessive near work, but the exact pathogenesis and treatment methods have not been reported yet. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the clinical features of this ACE in adults and to evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin (BTX) injections in these patients. Methods This was a prospective consecutive case series of 47 patients with Bielschowsky ACE. BTX was injected bilaterally into the medial rectus muscle of 45 patients, and twenty-seven of them (27/45) completed 10 months of follow-up after their last injection. Angle of deviation, fusion, stereopsis, subjective assessment of diplopia were documented before and after BTX treatment, and repeated measures data were compared by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test or Analysis of variance. The relationship between BTX dosage and corrected esotropia was explored by the Regression analysis. Meanwhile, possible risk factors for ACE including time spent on near work, refraction error, patients’ personality, glasses wearing habits and duration of symptoms were recorded and analyzed with General Linear Models. Results The patients aged 32.32 ± 10.96 (range 15–53) years spent 8.34 ± 2.38 h on near work each day, and most myope habitually removed their glasses at near. Their chief complaint was distance diplopia, with more significant esotropia at distance (around 20 PD) than at near. This series of patients also exhibited perfectionist tendencies. However, most patients achieved orthophoria after BTX treatment, only with a mild residual esotropia (+ 3.96 ± 5.79 PD), which left them asymptomatic most of the time. Conclusion This group of ACE patients was characterized by diplopia with more significant esotropia at distance. Besides excessive near-work, habitually removing myopic glasses and perfectionist tendencies may also contribute to this type of ACE. Fortunately, bilateral BTX injection safely and effectively reduced the esotropia with complete resolution of symptoms, especially for those treated at an early stage.

Acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) is widely used in transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS). In this study, PSAs with different monomer proportion were synthesized, the effects of soft monomer/hard monomer ratio on the diffusion of drug molecules were investigated by Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection (ATR-FTIR) measurement and molecular dynamics simulation. The accuracy of the diffusion coefficient was confirmed by the consistency of the results from the above two methods. Based on the characterization of diffusion behavior, the diffusion mechanism was revealed. Three dominant factors, which affect the diffusion behavior: the wriggling of the polymer chain, the free volume and the drug-PSA interaction, were discussed. The wriggling of the polymer chain and the free volume of PSA are positive to the diffusion process while drug-PSA interaction is negative. Through the synergy of the three factors, the diffusion rate of drug molecules in PSA can be controlled by adjusting the proportion of soft monomer and hard monomer.

Monocrystalline silicon is the core material of solar cells and integrated circuits and its quality have a direct impact on device performance. The Continuous Czochralski method is a very well know technique which can grow large-sized monocrystalline silicon, with uniform axial resistivity distribution and higher growth efficiency. However, there are still some flaws such as unstable melt flow, temperature fluctuations, and high oxygen content. A two-dimensional axisymmetric global quasi steady numerical model is proposed by Fluent software for Continuous Czochralski growth of monocrystalline silicon. Two types of heat shields are designed (SHS and IHS), and the effects of changes in heat shields on heater power, argon velocity, crystal thermal stress, oxygen impurity concentration, melt/crystal interface, melt temperature and flow fields are studied. The results show that the IHS increases the velocity of argon above the melt free surfaces about 56.3%, weaken the reflux phenomenon. The technique helps to save the heater power by 2.7%, decrease the oxygen concentration on melt-crystal interface by 10.2% and smooth the melt/crystal interface, ultimately reducing crystal production costs and improving crystal quality.

Many heterogeneous information network (HIN)-based recommendation methods leverage the semantic and structural features of metapath to improve the recommendation performance. However, the existing HIN-based recommendation methods using metapath still suffer from two challenges: (1) HINs in industrial recommendation scenarios usually have a very large scale and contain much redundant or noisy structural information, which may damage the efficiency and effectiveness of the recommendation model. (2) HINs include rich metapath semantic information that may be noisy and irrelevant to downstream tasks. To address the above two challenges, we propose a metapath-guided dual semantic-aware filtering for HIN-based recommendation from two perspectives: intra-metapath and inter-metapath (called MFGRec). Our model first develops a neighbor filtering method within metapath-guided attribute networks to generate tailored metapath-guided attribute networks for filtering irrelative or noise neighbors of intra-metapath. Moreover, our model designs a semantic-aware filtering-based fusion method using a novel adaptive multi-head sparse attention mechanism to automatically discard the irrelative metapath-guided attribute networks for each user-item interaction pair and assign personalized weight to the selected valuable networks for distinguishing the semantic differences of inter-metapath. In general, MFGRec filters a large amount of noise and irrelevant information from intra-metapath and inter-metapath perspectives, which significantly improves the scalability and accuracy of the recommendation framework. Furthermore, experimental results on three publicly accessible datasets and nine baselines demonstrate that our model achieves higher accuracy of recommendation and lower runtime costs compared with existing state-of-the-art methods.