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Thermal management becomes increasingly important as we decrease device size and increase computing power. Engineering materials with high thermal conductivity, such as boron arsenide (BAs), is hard because it is essential to avoid defects and impurities during synthesis, which would stop heat flow. Three different research groups have synthesized BAs with a thermal conductivity around 1000 watts per meter-kelvin: Kang et al. , Li et al. , and Tian et al. succeeded in synthesizing high-purity BAs with conductivities half that of diamond but more than double that of conventional metals (see the Perspective by Dames). The advance validates the search for high-thermal-conductivity materials and provides a new material that may be more easily integrated into semiconducting devices. Science , this issue p. 575 , p. 579 , p. 582 ; see also p. 549 Boron arsenide has an ultrahigh thermal conductivity, making it competitive with diamond for thermal management applications. The high density of heat generated in power electronics and optoelectronic devices is a critical bottleneck in their application. New materials with high thermal conductivity are needed to effectively dissipate heat and thereby enable enhanced performance of power controls, solid-state lighting, communication, and security systems. We report the experimental discovery of high thermal conductivity at room temperature in cubic boron arsenide (BAs) grown through a modified chemical vapor transport technique. The thermal conductivity of BAs, 1000 ± 90 watts per meter per kelvin meter-kelvin, is higher than that of silicon carbide by a factor of 3 and is surpassed only by diamond and the basal-plane value of graphite. This work shows that BAs represents a class of ultrahigh–thermal conductivity materials predicted by a recent theory, and that it may constitute a useful thermal management material for high–power density electronic devices.

Background/Aims: Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a type of RNA that is widely expressed in human cells, have essential roles in the development and progression of cancer. CircRNAs contain microRNA (miRNA) binding sites and can function as miRNA sponges to regulate gene expression by removing the inhibitory effect of an miRNA on its target gene. Methods: We used the bioinformatics software TargetScan and miRanda to predict circRNA-miRNA and miRNAi-Mrna interactions. Rate of inhibiting of proliferation was measured using a WST-8 cell proliferation assay. Clone formation ability was assessed with a clone formation inhibition test. Cell invasion and migration capacity was evaluated by performing a Transwell assay. Relative gene expression was assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and relative protein expression levels were determined with western blotting. circRNA and miRNA interaction was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA-pull down assays. Results: In the present study, the miRNA hsa-miR-21-5p was a target of circRNA-ACAP2, and T lymphoma invasion and metastasis protein 1 (Tiam1) was identified as a target gene of hsa-miR-21-5p. CircRNA-ACAP2 and Tiam1 were shown to be highly expressed in colon cancer tissue and colon cancer SW480 cells, but miR-21-5p was expressed at a low level. SW480 cell proliferation was suppressed when the expression of circRNA-ACAP2 and Tiam1 was decreased and the expression of miR-21-5p was increased in vivo and in vitro. SW480 cell migration and invasion were also inhibited under the same circumstance. The circRNA-ACAP2 interaction regulated the expression of miR-21-5p, and miR-21-5p regulated the expression of Tiam1. Down-regulation of circRNA-ACAP2 promoted miR-21-5p expression, which further suppressed the transcription and translation of Tiam1. Conclusion: The present study shows that the circRNA-ACAP2/hsa-miR-21-5p/Tiam1 regulatory feedback circuit could affect the proliferation, migration, and invasion of colon cancer SW480 cells. This was probably due to the fact that circRNA-ACAP2 could act as a miRNA sponge to regulate Tiam1 expression by removing the inhibitory effect of miR-21-5p on Tiam1 expression. The results from this study have revealed new insights into the pathogenicity of colon cancer and may provide novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of colon cancer.

Ferroptosis is a novel form of programmed cell death, and it is characterized by iron-dependent oxidative damage, lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species accumulation. Notable studies have revealed that ferroptosis plays vital roles in tumor occurrence and that abundant ferroptosis in cells can inhibit tumor progression. Recently, some noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs, have been shown to be involved in biological processes of ferroptosis, thus affecting cancer growth. However, the definite regulatory mechanism of this phenomenon is still unclear. To clarify this issue, increasing studies have focused on the regulatory roles of ncRNAs in the initiation and development of ferroptosis and the role of ferroptosis in progression of various cancers, such as lung, liver, and breast cancers. In this review, we systematically summarized the relationship between ferroptosis-associated ncRNAs and cancer progression. Moreover, additional evidence is needed to identify the role of ferroptosis-related ncRNAs in cancer progression. This review will help us to understand the roles of ncRNAs in ferroptosis and cancer progression and may provide new ideas for exploring novel diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for cancer in the future.

With the deep integration of artificial intelligence and big data, intelligent optimization algorithms have become key tools for solving many complex problems. However, as problem scale and complexity grow rapidly, the performance of traditional algorithms often faces significant challenges. The Teaching Learning Based Optimization algorithm has attracted widespread attention for its simple structure, few parameters, and high solution efficiency, and has been successfully applied across various engineering and scientific fields. Nevertheless, when dealing with high-dimensional, multimodal global optimization problems and real-world applications, the standard Teaching Learning Based Optimization still exhibits certain limitations, such as reduced accuracy of the optimal solution due to insufficient initial population diversity, and difficulty in escaping local optima caused by premature convergence. To address these issues, this paper proposes an Improved Teaching Learning Based Optimization algorithm. The improved ITLBO upgrades original TLBO from three perspectives: first, a population interaction strategy combining chaotic disturbance and Gaussian mutation is designed to enrich initial population diversity; second, bipolar cooperative search utilizing dynamic weighting of optimal and worst individuals balances global exploration and local exploitation to avoid premature convergence; third, oscillatory random mapping learning with sinusoidal oscillation factor periodically perturbs individuals to continuously replenish population diversity in iterations. Numerical results show that the proposed method exhibits superior convergence performance and stability on classical global optimization benchmarks. Furthermore, the algorithm is applied to practical cloud resource scheduling problems, and experimental outcomes verify that ITLBO improves solution accuracy by approximately one order of magnitude over original TLBO and reduces small-scale cloud scheduling cost by 12% while achieving preferable robustness.

This study aimed to identify factors influencing the success of a trial of labor after cesarean section (TOLAC) and to evaluate associated maternal and neonatal outcomes. A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from women with a prior cesarean section who underwent TOLAC at Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital in Southeast China between January 2016 and January 2018. Of the 1179 women who attempted TOLAC, 1038 achieved vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) while 141 experienced unsuccessful trials. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were compared between the successful and unsuccessful TOLAC groups using the -test for normally distributed data, non-parametric tests for non-normally distributed data, and the χ2 test, corrected chi-square test, or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables, as appropriate. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with successful TOLAC, with the results expressed as Odds Ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that maternal height (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.05-1.14), abdominal circumference (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.91-0.98), ultrasound-estimated fetal weight (OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.99-1.00), and history of vaginal delivery (OR = 9.62, 95% CI = 2.33-39.67) were independently associated with successful TOLAC. No significant differences were observed between the successful and unsuccessful TOLAC groups in terms of neonatal asphyxia, postpartum hemorrhage, placental abruption, or bladder injury. Maternal height, abdominal circumference, ultrasound-estimated fetal weight, and history of vaginal delivery were identified as influential factors for VBAC success. Clinical evaluation of these factors may enhance the selection criteria for TOLAC candidates, potentially increasing VBAC rates and reducing cesarean section rates overall.

Nephrolithiasis is a common non-obstetric cause of abdominal pain during pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate various treatment approaches for nephrolithiasis during pregnancy, identify the associated risk factors, and evaluate perinatal outcomes. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical treatment of 208 patients diagnosed with nephrolithiasis during pregnancy, admitted to Fujian Maternal and Child Health Hospital, China, between January 2020 and December 2023. Data on maternal demographic characteristics were extracted to analyze the risk factors associated with nephrolithiasis in pregnancy and to explore correlations with specific treatment modalities through Chi-squared test, Fisher's exact probability method, and univariate logistic regression analysis. The study included 208 patients, of whom 130 were managed with observation, 46 patients received symptomatic treatment with appropriate medications, and 32 patients underwent surgical intervention, specifically ureteral stent placement. Statistical analysis identified that the timing of symptom onset, presence of clinical symptoms, dilatation of ureter, location of dilation, stone size, and abnormalities in routine urine tests were significant risk factors influencing treatment modalities for nephrolithiasis in pregnancy. A statistically significant difference was observed in treatment modalities among patients with nephrolithiasis complicated by hypertensive disorders. In contrast, patients with combined hyperglycemic disorders exhibited no statistically significant difference among the different treatment modalities. Effective and timely management of nephrolithiasis in pregnancy, guided by patient-specific clinical characteristics, is essential for optimizing maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Objective To investigate the dynamic variation of D-dimer and to evaluate the efficacy and accuracy of D-dimer level in patients with thoracolumbar fractures caused by high-energy injuries. Methods A total of 121 patients with thoracolumbar fractures caused by high-energy injuries were retrospectively identified and included in this study. There were 83 males and 38 females, with an average age of 48.6 ± 11.2 years. All patients were treated with either screw fixation surgery or decompression fixation surgery. The D-dimer levels were measured 1 day before surgery and on the first, third, and fifth days after surgery. The dynamic variation of D-dimer and the effects of risk factors on D-dimer levels were analysed. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed and the appropriate D-dimer cut-off level was determined for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) screening. Results Due to a trough on the third day, D-dimer levels grew in an unsustainable manner following surgery (P < 0.001). Patients with the operation time >120 min (P = 0.009) and those with an American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) score A-C (P < 0.001) had higher D-dimer levels. The area under the curve of D-dimer was the greatest on the third day. Applying stratified cut-off values did not change the sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value in the group with an operation time >120 min, and ASIA score A-C group. Conclusions D-dimer levels elevated with fluctuation in patients with thoracolumbar fractures caused by high-energy injuries after surgery. Both operation time and ASIA score had an impact on D-dimer levels. Regarding DVT diagnoses, the diagnostic value of D-dimer was highest on the third day postoperatively, and stratified cut-off values by these two factors did not show better diagnostic efficacy compared with a collective one.

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients before and after transurethral resection (TUR) in China. Clinical data from 165 male patients with NMIBC who received adjuvant intravesical chemotherapy after TUR in Neijiang First People's Hospital (Neijiang, China) between January 2010 and June 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The sexual function of these patients was evaluated before and 1.5 years after initial TUR by the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5). An age-specific subanalysis was performed among the patients: <45 years old (Group 1, n = 19) and ≥45 years old (Group 2, n = 146). Before and 1.5 years after TUR, the incidence rates of ED in Group 1 were 15.8% and 52.6%, and those in Group 2 were 54.1% and 61.0%, respectively. The difference between groups was statistically significant at the preoperative stage (15.8% vs 54.1%, P = 0.002) but not at the postoperative stage (52.6% vs 61.0%, P = 0.562). Compared with the preoperative stage, the incidence of ED at the postoperative stage was increased significantly in Group 1 (15.8% vs 52.6%, P = 0.017) but not in Group 2 (54.1% vs 61.0%, P = 0.345). In conclusion, the incidence of ED increased in male NMIBC patients under the age of 45 years after TUR in China. These patients should be offered professional counseling during the follow-up period.

Background Pain is one of the most common and distressing symptoms suffered by patients with progression of bone cancer; however, the mechanisms responsible for hyperalgesia are not well understood. The purpose of our current study was to determine contributions of the sensory signaling pathways of inflammatory tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 and downstream transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) to neuropathic pain induced by bone cancer. We further determined whether influencing these pathways can improve bone cancer pain. Methods Breast sarcocarcinoma Walker 256 cells were implanted into the tibia bone cavity of rats to induce mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. ELISA and western blot analysis were used to examine (1) the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in dorsal root ganglion and (2) protein expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 receptors (TNFR1 and IL-6R) and TRPA1 as well as intracellular signals (p38-MAPK and JNK). Results Tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 were elevated in the dorsal root ganglion of bone cancer rats, and expression of TNFR1, IL-6R, and TRPA1 was upregulated. In addition, inhibition of TNFR1 and IL-6R alleviated mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in bone cancer rats, accompanied with downregulated TRPA1 and p38-MAPK and JNK. Conclusions We revealed specific signaling pathways leading to neuropathic pain during the development of bone cancer, including tumor necrosis factor-α-TRPA1 and interleukin-6-TRPA1 signal pathways. Overall, our data suggest that blocking these signals is beneficial to alleviate bone cancer pain.

Copper is an essential trace element required for numerous enzymatic processes in the brain, including mitochondrial metabolism, antioxidant defense, and gene expression regulation. Recent studies have further implicated copper in a newly defined form of regulated cell death termed cuproptosis, providing a mechanistic framework for copper-dependent cytotoxicity. Increasing evidence indicates that copper dyshomeostasis is a common feature of major neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where it is associated with protein misfolding, redox imbalance, and neuronal vulnerability. Nevertheless, the mechanistic link between copper dysregulation and neuronal cell death remains incompletely defined. In this review, we systematically summarize the molecular mechanisms governing copper homeostasis and intracellular copper trafficking, while providing a timely, updated, and in-depth overview of the mechanistic basis and emerging biology of cuproptosis. We further comprehensively evaluate the current evidence linking copper dysregulation and cuproptosis-related pathways to neurodegenerative diseases, with particular emphasis on distinguishing mechanistic causation from pathological correlation. Importantly, we discuss current therapeutic strategies and emerging clinical efforts targeting copper metabolism, while highlighting the major challenges in defining the pathological significance and mechanistic contribution of cuproptosis in neurodegenerative diseases. Collectively, this review provides an updated framework for understanding the pathological significance and translational potential of cuproptosis in neurodegenerative diseases.