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Assessing bladder function is pivotal in urological health, with bladder volume a critical indicator. Traditional devices, hindered by high costs and cumbersome sizes, are being increasingly supplemented by portable alternatives; however, these alternatives often fall short in measurement accuracy. Addressing this gap, this study introduces a novel A-mode ultrasound-based bladder volume estimation algorithm optimized for portable devices, combining efficient, precise volume estimation with enhanced usability. Through the innovative application of a wavelet energy ratio adaptive denoising method, the algorithm significantly improves the signal-to-noise ratio, preserving critical signal details amidst device and environmental noise. Ultrasonic echoes were employed to acquire positional information on the anterior and posterior walls of the bladder at several points, with an ellipsoid fitted to these points using the least squares method for bladder volume estimation. Ultimately, a simulation experiment was conducted on an underwater porcine bladder. The experimental results indicate that the bladder volume estimation error of the algorithm is approximately 8.3%. This study offers a viable solution to enhance the accuracy and usability of portable devices for urological health monitoring, demonstrating significant potential for clinical application.

Nowadays, the attraction to talents has become increasingly prodominent in determing the future development prospect of cities. How to quantify the attractiveness of cities to talents is an important issue in evaluating the comprehensive competitiveness of cities. This paper takes Xi’an and other emerging first-tier cities in China as the main research object, and classifies the indicators that affect the attractiveness of urban talents into five specific categories. A set of evaluation models are constructed by using entropy weight method, information entropy method and TOPSIS algorithm. The different indicators that measure the level of urban development are normalized and weighted to obtain the attractiveness index of urban talents to describe the attractiveness of talents in cities with similar development levels. To prove the rationality of the model, we apply this evaluation model to different cities and test its stability.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a leading cause of infectious blindness. Current treatments for HSV-1 do not eliminate the virus from the site of infection or latent reservoirs in the trigeminal ganglia. Here, we target HSV-1 genomes directly using mRNA-carrying lentiviral particles that simultaneously deliver SpCas9 mRNA and viral-gene-targeting guide RNAs (designated HSV-1-erasing lentiviral particles, termed HELP). We show that HELP efficiently blocks HSV-1 replication and the occurrence of herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK) in three different infection models. HELP was capable of eliminating the viral reservoir via retrograde transport from corneas to trigeminal ganglia. Additionally, HELP inhibited viral replication in human-derived corneas without causing off-target effects, as determined by whole-genome sequencing. These results support the potential clinical utility of HELP for treating refractory HSK. CRISPR–Cas9 eliminates herpes simplex virus both in the corneal infection site and in the viral reservoir of the trigeminal ganglia.

Ureidopyrimidone (UPy) is an important building block for constructing functional supramolecular polymers and soft materials based on their characteristic quadruple hydrogen bonds. While the evidence from the single-crystal X-ray diffraction data for the existence of linear hydrogen bonding has still been absent up to now. To obtain the crystals of UPy-containing molecules with high quality, enhanced rigidity and crystallinity are expected. Herein, an inorganic Anderson–Evans type cluster [Mn(OH)6Mo6O18]3−, which can provide suitable stiffness and charge, is used as a linker to covalently anchor two UPy units. The prepared organic–inorganic polyanion with three negative charges has a linear architecture, which is prone to form an infinite one-dimensional structure based on the supramolecular forces. The results indicate that the combination models of UPy units can be conveniently modulated by organic counter cations with different sizes, and therefore three unreported models are observed under various conditions. The present study gives a unique understanding of the intermolecular interactions in UPy-based supramolecular polymers and also provides a simple tuning method, which benefits the construction of functional materials and the adjustment of their properties.

Radar target detection (RTD) is one of the most significant techniques in radar systems, which has been widely used in the field of military and civilian. Although radar signal processing has been revolutionized since the introduction of deep learning, applying deep learning in RTD is considered as a novel concept. In this paper, we propose a model for multitask target detection based on convolutional neural network (CNN), which works directly with radar echo data and eliminates the need for time-consuming radar signal processing. The proposed detection method exploits time and frequency information simultaneously; therefore, the target can be detected and located in multi-dimensional space of range, velocity, azimuth and elevation. Due to the lack of labeled radar complex data, we construct a radar echo dataset with multiple signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for RTD. Then, the CNN-based model is evaluated on the dataset. The experimental results demonstrated that the CNN-based detector has better detection performance and measuring accuracy in range, velocity, azimuth and elevation and more robust to noise in comparison with traditional radar signal processing approaches and other state-of-the-art methods.

Human pluripotent stem-cell-derived islets (hPSC-islets) are a promising cell resource for diabetes treatment 1 , 2 . However, this therapeutic strategy has not been systematically assessed in large animal models physiologically similar to humans, such as non-human primates 3 . In this study, we generated islets from human chemically induced pluripotent stem cells (hCiPSC-islets) and show that a one-dose intraportal infusion of hCiPSC-islets into diabetic non-human primates effectively restored endogenous insulin secretion and improved glycemic control. Fasting and average pre-prandial blood glucose levels significantly decreased in all recipients, accompanied by meal or glucose-responsive C-peptide release and overall increase in body weight. Notably, in the four long-term follow-up macaques, average hemoglobin A1c dropped by over 2% compared with peak values, whereas the average exogenous insulin requirement reduced by 49% 15 weeks after transplantation. Collectively, our findings show the feasibility of hPSC-islets for diabetic treatment in a preclinical context, marking a substantial step forward in clinical translation of hPSC-islets. Improved glycemic control after transplantation of human pluripotent stem-cell-derived islets for diabetes treatment in non-human primates.

Background Due to the ageing population and evolving lifestyles occurring in China, middle-aged and elderly populations have become high-risk groups for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to analyse the incidence characteristics of CVD in these populations and develop a prediction model by using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Methods We used follow-up data from the CHARLS to analyse CVD incidence in the Chinese middle-aged and elderly population over a time span of 9 years. Five machine learning (ML) algorithms were employed for risk prediction. Data preprocessing included missing value imputation via random forest. Feature selection was performed using the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (Lasso CV) method with cross-validation prior to model training. The application of the synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE) to address class imbalance. Model performance was evaluated via analyses including the area under the ROC curve (AUC), precision, recall, F1 score, and SHAP plots for interpretability. Results In accordance with the exclusion criteria, 12,580, 12,061, 11,545, and 11,619 participants were enrolled in four follow-up rounds. The cumulative incidence (CI) of CVD at 2, 4, 7, and 9 years was 2.846%, 8.971%, 17.869% and 20.518%,, respectively. Significant differences in CVD incidence were observed across gender, age, ethnicity, and region, with higher rates observed in females and in the northeast region. Ultimately, 8,080 participants and 24 features were analysed for CVD risk prediction. Five ML models were built based on these features. Although the LGB model achieves an AUC of 0.818, indicating strong overall performance, its F1 score and recall rate are relatively low, at 0.509 and 43.1%, respectively. Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) analyses revealed the importance of key features, such as night sleep duration, TG levels, and waist circumference, in predicting outcomes, and highlighted the nonlinear relationships between these features and CVD risk. Conclusions Gender, age, ethnicity, and region are significant factors influencing CVD incidence. Although the LGB model demonstrates good overall performance, its low F1 score and recall rate reveal limitations in identifying high-risk cardiovascular disease patients.

The product investigated herein is the dried rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. [Asteraceae] (Baizhu), which is also known as Dongbaizhu, Wuzhu, Yuzhu, Zhezhu, and Zhongzhu, among others. It invigorates the spleen , replenishes qi , and removes dampness , diuresis, and hidroschesis, and impacts fetal safety. It is often used for the treatment of diseases such as spleen function deficiency, abdominal distension, diarrhea, sputum, vertigo, edema, fever, and sweating and also aids cessation of minimal vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. In this study, research pertaining to the ethnopharmacology, application, phytochemistry, analytical methods, quality control, processing, pharmacology, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics of Baizhu has been reviewed. Relevant information and data reported for Baizhu were collected from CNKI, VIP, PubMed, Web of Science, scientific databases, Chinese Medicinal Material Encyclopedia, Chinese herbal medicine classics, Chinese medicine dictionary, doctoral and master’s theses, and so on. Baizhu demonstrates diuretic, antidiuretic, anti-inflammatory effects and antitumor function and aids regulation of gastrointestinal function, hypoglycemic effect, analgesic action, protection on the liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats, inhibition of aromatase, treatment of bone disease, strengthening myocardial contraction ability, detoxification and cholagogic effect, fall hematic fat action, such as the treatment of acute renal injury, and so on. It also can be an anticoagulant, improve the nervous system disease, affect the immune system, and regulate uterine smooth muscle, antioxidation, antiaging, and antibacterial effect. Sesquiterpenoids, triterpenoids, polyacetylenes, phenylpropanoids, coumarins, flavonoids, flavonoid glycosides, steroids, benzoquinones, polysaccharides, and other compounds were isolated from Baizhu. Among them, sesquiterpenoids, polysaccharides, and polyacetylenes are the main components of Baizhu. Baizhu exhibits a wide range of pharmacological effects and constitutes a considerable proportion of the composition of many proprietary crude drugs. It mainly affects the endocrine, nervous, and urinary systems. The presented information suggests that we should focus on the development of new drugs related to Baizhu, including specific components, to achieve a greater therapeutic potential that can be considered to further explore the information related to Baizhu.

At present, the pathogenesis of depression is not fully understood, and nearly half of depression patients experience no obvious effects during treatment. This study aimed to establish a depression mouse model to explore the possible role of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of depression, and observe the effects of Xiaoyaosan on PEBP1-GPX4-mediated ferroptosis in the hippocampus. Forty-eight male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group, CUMS group, Xiaoyaosan group and fluoxetine group, and the model was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for a successive 6 weeks. The medication procedure was performed from the 4th to the 6th week of modeling. The behavioral evaluations were measured to evaluate depressive-like behaviors. The expressions of GPX4, FTH1, ACSL4 and COX2 were detected as ferroptosis-related indicators. Then, the total iron and ferrous content in the hippocampus were measured. The levels of PEBP1 and ERK1/2 were observed, and the expressions of GFAP and IBA1 were also detected to measure the functions of astrocytes and microglia in the hippocampus. Eight herbs of Xiaoyaosan had 133 active ingredients which could regulate the 43 ferroptosis-related genes in depression. After 6 weeks of modeling, the data showed that mice in the CUMS group had obvious depressive-like behaviors, and medication with Xiaoyaosan or fluoxetine could significantly improve the behavioral changes. The expressions of GPX4, FTH1, ACSL4, COX2, PEBP1, ERK1/2, GFAP and IBA1 changed in the CUMS group mice, while the total iron and ferrous content also changed. Xiaoyaosan and fluoxetine had obvious curative effects that could significantly alleviate the above changes in the hippocampus. Our results revealed that the activation of ferroptosis might exist in the hippocampi of CUMS-induced mice. The PEBP1-GPX4-mediated ferroptosis could be involved in the antidepressant mechanism of Xiaoyaosan. It also implied that ferroptosis could become a new target for research into the depression mechanism and antidepressant drugs.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is a central regulator of the fibrinolytic system and is increasingly recognized for its pivotal roles in a broad spectrum of physiological and pathological processes. In addition to its classical function in fibrinolysis, accumulating evidence highlights the involvement of PAI-1 in cellular senescence, differentiation, fibrosis, thrombosis, and tumorigenesis. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in understanding the multifaceted biological functions of PAI-1, with a particular emphasis on its dual regulatory roles in cellular differentiation and senescence. Through manual curation and analysis of the literature, we constructed a PAI-1-centered signaling network associated with differentiation and further integrated this framework with known senescence-related pathways. This integrative approach aims to elucidate the crosstalk between differentiation and senescence mediated by PAI-1. By providing an in-depth overview of PAI-1 functions across various experimental models, this review offers a theoretical foundation for exploring its potential as a therapeutic target and presents novel perspectives for the development of intervention strategies for complex chronic diseases.