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Purpose Lateral humeral condyle fracture (HLCF) is a common pediatric elbow injury. For minimally displaced fractures (≤ 2 mm), the optimal management strategy remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of conservative treatment for this specific subtype. Methods A systematic search of multiple databases was conducted to compare conservative and surgical management of minimally displaced (≤ 2 mm) pediatric HLCF. The primary outcome was fracture healing, defined by the absence of secondary displacement during follow-up. Secondary outcomes included elbow joint function, periarticular hyperplasia, and malunion. Results Twelve studies involving 1,022 children met inclusion criteria. Secondary displacement occurred in 18.4% of conservatively treated patients compared with 5.4% of surgically treated patients, indicating a higher risk of treatment failure with non‑operative management. Among fractures that ultimately healed, no significant differences were observed between conservative and surgical groups in elbow function, periarticular hyperplasia, or malunion. Conclusions Even minimally displaced (≤ 2 mm) pediatric HLCFs may demonstrate mechanical instability during follow‑up. Conservative treatment should therefore be undertaken with caution, and close radiographic monitoring is essential to detect early displacement. Treatment decisions should integrate displacement magnitude, fracture stability, imaging findings, follow‑up reliability, and family preference.

The further identification of fault types for single line-to-ground faults (SLGFs) in distribution networks is conducive to determining the cause of grounding faults and formulating targeted measures for hidden danger treatment and fault prevention. For the six types of SLGFs generated in the actual power grid, this paper deeply studies their fault characteristics. Firstly, the classification criterion of fault transition resistance is derived by the generation mechanism of fault zero sequence voltage (ZSV). At the same time, by comparing and analyzing the same and different characteristics between faults, three criteria for fault classification are obtained. Based on the above four criteria, a multilevel and multicriteria fault classification method is proposed to judge six types of SLGFs. Then, the proposed method is verified by various fault state simulations of the distribution network model with a balanced topology and unbalanced topology. The engineering application of the method is demonstrated by the verification of actual power grid data. Finally, noise and data loss interference test results show the robustness of the method.

Background Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a severe complication following pediatric femoral neck fractures (PFNFs). Identifying risk factors for AVN is critical for guiding timely treatment and follow-up. However, prior studies report inconsistent associations. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify risk factors associated with AVN after PFNFs. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library through April 30, 2025. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association between potential risk factors and AVN. Leave-one-out sensitivity analyses, meta-regression, and subgroup analyses were performed. Results Thirty-four studies comprising 1332 pediatric patients (1340 fractures) were included. Older age (≥ 12 years; RR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.09–1.82), Delbet type I/II fractures (RR = 1.96, 95% CI 1.60–2.39), initial displacement (RR = 2.98, 95% CI 2.04–4.35), and poor reduction quality (RR = 2.43, 95% CI 1.46–4.05) were significantly associated with increased AVN risk. Gender, injury mechanism, time to reduction, and reduction method showed no overall association. Meta-regression identified follow-up duration as a significant moderator. Subgroup analyses of long-term follow-up (≥ 5 years) revealed that delayed reduction increased AVN risk (RR = 2.63, 95% CI 1.35–5.11), while closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF) reduced risk compared to open reduction (RR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.24–0.65). Subgroup differences between long-term and short-term follow-up were both statistical significant. Conclusions Older age, Delbet type I/II classification, initial displacement, and poor reduction quality are significant predictors of AVN following PFNFs. Early reduction and CRIF may provide superior long-term outcomes. Further high-quality prospective studies with extended follow-up are needed to confirm these findings.

• MicroRNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in plants and animals. However, little information is known about the action mechanism and function of fungal microRNA-like RNAs (milRNAs). • In this study, combining deep sequencing, molecular and histological assays, milRNAs and their targets in the phytopathogenic fungus Valsa mali were isolated and identified. A critical milRNA, Vm-milR16, was identified to adaptively regulate the expression of virulence genes. • Fourteen isolated milRNAs showed high expression abundance. Based on the assessment of a pathogenicity function of these milRNAs, Vm-milR16 was found to be a critical milRNA in V. mali by regulating sucrose non-fermenting 1 (VmSNF1), 4,5-DOPA dioxygenase extradiol (VmDODA), and a hypothetical protein (VmHy1). During V. mali infection, Vm-milR16 is downregulated, while its targets are upregulated. Overexpression of Vm-milR16, but not mutated Vm-milR16, significantly reduces the expression of targets and virulence of V. mali. Furthermore, deletion of VmSNF1, VmDODA and VmHy1 significantly reduce virulence of V. mali. All three targets seem to be essential for oxidative stress response and VmSNF1 is required for expression of pectinase genes during V. mali–host interaction. • Our results demonstrate Vm-milRNAs contributing to the infection of V. mali on apple trees by adaptively regulating virulence genes.

Background Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and vertebral endplate Modic changes (MCs) are common lumbar degenerative phenotypes related to low back pain (LBP). Dyslipidemia has been linked to LBP but its associations with IDD and MCs have not been fully elucidated. The present study aimed to address the possible link between dyslipidemia, IDD and MCs in the Chinese population. Methods 1035 citizens were enrolled in the study. The levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) were collected. IDD was evaluated based on the Pfirrmann grading system and subjects with an average grade ≥ 3 were defined as having degeneration. MCs were classified into typical types 1, 2 and 3. Covariables, including age, sex, BMI and fasting plasma glucose, were included for the adjustment of the logistic analyses. Results The degeneration group included 446 subjects while the nondegeneration group included 589 subjects. The degeneration group had significant higher levels of TC and LDL-C ( p  < 0.001) whereas TG and HDL-C were not significantly different between the two groups. TC and LDL-C concentrations were significantly positively correlated with average IDD grades ( p  < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that high TC (≥ 6.2 mmol/L, adjusted OR = 1.775, 95% CI = 1.209–2.606) and high LDL-C (≥ 4.1 mmol/L, adjusted OR = 1.818, 95% CI = 1.123–2.943) were independent risk factors for IDD. Type 1 MC presented in 84 (8.12%) subjects, type 2 MC presented in 244 (23.57%) subjects, type 3 MC presented in 27 (2.61%) subjects and no MC was observed in the remaining 680 (65.70%) subjects. The type 2 MC group demonstrated a higher level of TC, but the association between serum lipids and MCs could not be confirmed in further multivariate logistic regression. Conclusions High TC (≥ 6.2 mmol/L) and LDL-C (≥ 4.1 mmol/L) concentrations were independent risk factors for IDD for citizens in China. However, the association between dyslipidemia and MCs could not be determined. The effect of excess serum cholesterol may be critical for IDD and cholesterol lowering treatment may provide new opportunities in the management of lumbar disc degeneration.

Low temperature severely limits tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production, yet the molecular mechanisms governing cold tolerance—particularly those involving COLD1 and GPA1—remain incompletely defined. To address this, processing tomato lines overexpressing COLD1 or GPA1 were generated and evaluated for seedling-stage cold tolerance, with a focus on the expression of key genes such as SlICE1, SlCBF1, and SlCOR518 to elucidate the molecular pathways conferring enhanced cold tolerance. Under cold stress conditions (4 °C for 5 days), physiological and biochemical responses were compared between wild-type and transgenic lines. The results demonstrated that COLD1-overexpressing lines exhibited markedly greater cold tolerance than both wild-type and GPA1-overexpressing lines, notably displaying reduced wilting and membrane injury. At 4 °C, the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase in COLD1-overexpressing lines were 122%, 67.4%, and 97.4% higher than those in the wild type, and 44.7%, 21.0%, and 20.6% higher than in GPA1-overexpressing lines, respectively. Furthermore, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide levels were 33.4% and 40.6% lower in COLD1-overexpressing lines compared to the wild type, and 17.8% and 24.0% lower compared to GPA1-overexpressing lines, respectively. Osmolyte accumulation was more pronounced in COLD1 lines, with soluble sugar and proline levels 95.4% and 66.2% higher than in the wild type, and 30.9% and 23.6% higher than in GPA1 lines, respectively. Importantly, changes in key gene expression indicated that both transgenic lines enhance cold tolerance by modulating the ICE1-CBF-COR pathway. Collectively, these findings highlight the superior contribution of COLD1 to cold tolerance in tomato seedlings and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying cold adaptation.

Tibet is an area in China with a high incidence of stroke, typically attributed to hypobaric hypoxia. The present study aimed to observe the neuronal injury of ischemic stroke after hypobaric hypoxia and explore the mechanism by which N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and its downstream pathways are involved. This study employed a hypobaric chamber to imitate high altitude at 4000 m. After hypoxia, the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was used to mimic ischemic stroke. Behavioral tests and measurements of infarct area were used to observe neuronal injuries. The expression of NMDAR, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and phosphorylated CaMKII (Threonine 286) (P-CaMKII) was tested by western blot, and hematological tests were used to count the number of red blood cells (RBCs) and hemoglobin. Compared with the plain+MCAO group, the neurological deficit scores and infarct area of rats in the 4000 m + MCAO group were all decreased, and the protein expression of NMDAR, CaMKII and P-CaMKII was reduced. Compared with the plain group, the numbers of RBCs, hemoglobin and hematocrit were increased in the 4000 m group; compared with the 4000 m groups, the three indexes were increased in the 4000 m + MCAO groups. The neuronal injuries after hypoxia were not more serious than those in rats enduring ischemia and reperfusion in plain. The underlying mechanisms were related to the decreased expression of NMDAR and CaMKII; furthermore, the increased numbers of RBCs and hemoglobin may be crucial mechanisms for the incidence and development of ischemic stroke at high altitude.

To study the effect of saturation on the freeze-thaw damage of fractured rocks in cold regions, five prefabricated oval double-hole red sandstones with different saturations were prepared. Three-dimensional images of rock fractures were obtained by CT technology. The freeze-thaw damage mechanism and critical saturation of the red sandstone were explored through the fracture propagation evolution and quantitative characterization of the pore structure. The experimental results show that the pore size distribution can reflect the complex pore structure. Pores can be divided according to their sizes: small pores, mesopores, and macropores; mesopores account for the largest proportion and more than 70% of the total, and the proportion of mesopores in high-saturation sandstone (90% or 100%) increases under the action of freeze-thaw cycle. This is also accompanied by a small increase in the proportion of macropores. An 80% critical saturation of the sandstone was obtained. In addition, prefabricated cracks make the ice separation mechanism more likely to occur. The low-saturation sandstone mainly damaged the fracture area during freeze-thaw cycles, while the prefabricated cracks provided a good seepage channel for high-saturation sandstone. The corresponding rock bridge area eventually demonstrated a connectivity trend. This study more realistically reflects the freeze-thaw damage of actual rock masses in cold regions and provides a theoretical basis for the prediction of rock mass engineering disasters in cold regions.

Advanced manufacturing technologies have imposed higher demands on the strength, hardness, and high-temperature stability of materials, such as cutting tools, molds, and wear-resistant parts. Metal matrix composites with excellent comprehensive properties are expected to meet these demands. High-entropy alloys (HEAs), composed of unique multi-principle elements, offer high strength, hardness, and excellent high-temperature stability, superior to traditional cemented carbides in some cases. Here, the AlCoCrFeNi2.1 HEA reinforced by TiB2 was fabricated by an innovative alliance of mechanical alloying (MA) and spark plasma sintering (SPS). It was found that tuning the milling time and content of the reinforced phase could effectively realize the uniform distribution of the TiB2 reinforcement phase in the matrix. The AlCoCrFeNi2.1 with 5 vol.%TiB2 after MA for 2 h resulted in the particle refinement of TiB2 and the uniform distribution of TiB2 in the matrix. And the bulk sintered at 1150 °C exhibited an excellent combination of a compressive yield strength of 1510 MPa, a compressive strength of 2500 MPa, and a high hardness of 780 HV. The analysis of different strengthening mechanisms suggests that the fine grain strengthening and precipitation strengthening make the HEA composite possess excellent compressive yield strength and fracture strength.

Glucokinase (GK) is an important enzyme for regulating blood glucose levels and a potentially attractive target for diabetes of the young type 2 and persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy. To characterize the conformational transition of GK from the closed state to the superopen state, a series of conventional molecular dynamics (MD) and target MD (TMD) simulations were performed on both the wild-type enzyme and its mutants. Two 10-ns conventional MD simulations showed that, although the allosteric site of GK is ≈ 20 Å away from the active site, the activator is able to enhance the activity of the enzyme through conformational restriction. Fourteen TMD simulations on GK and five of its mutants revealed a reliably conformational transition pathway. The overall conformational transition includes three stages, and three likely stable intermediate states were identified by free energy scanning for the snapshots throughout the pathway. The conformational transition feature revealed by our TMD simulations rationalized several important mutagenesis and kinetic data. Remarkably, the TMD simulations predicted that Y61S, 1159A, A201R, V203E, and V452S mutations, which have not been investigated so far, may facilitate the opening process of GK. These predictions also have been verified by mutagenesis and kinetic analyses in this study. These observations are beneficial to understanding the mechanism of GK regulation and designing the compounds for treating metabolic diseases.