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Introduction: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) is an effective antiviral drug for treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in adults. However, Paxlovid treatment of children, especially those who are under 12 years and with severe underlying diseases, is rare. Case report: A three-year-old COVID-19 patient (weighing 14.5 kg) was infected by the Omicron variant (BA.5.2) after undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The patient had severe bilateral pneumonia along with recurrent fever. The patient was administered 150 mg of nirmatrelvir plus 50 mg of ritonavir twice daily for 5 days, starting 27 days after the initial severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive test. Clinical manifestations and chest computed tomography improved considerably after the treatment. The real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) cycle threshold values increased from 23.92 to 38.40 in the case of ORF 1-ab gene, and from 22.22 to 36.28 in the case of N gene. Only a mild increase in serum urea nitrogen (10.10 mmol/L), alanine transaminase (ALT, 65 IU/L), and aspartate transaminase (AST, 68.5 IU/L) was observed. Conclusions: Paxlovid can effectively inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2 and help in improving the clinical manifestations in pediatric COVID-19 patients. Our study provided novel information on Paxlovid treatment in very young children.

Piezo‐assisted photocatalysis (namely, piezo‐photocatalysis), which utilizes mechanical energy to modulate spatial and energy distribution of photogenerated charge carriers, presents a promising strategy for molecule activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation toward applications such as environmental remediation. However, similarly to photocatalysis, piezo‐photocatalysis also suffers from inferior charge separation and utilization efficiency. Herein, a Z ‐scheme heterojunction composed of single Ag atoms‐anchored polymeric carbon nitride (Ag‐PCN) and SnO 2− x is developed for efficient charge carrier transfer/separation both within the catalyst and between the catalyst and surface oxygen molecules (O 2 ). As revealed by charge dynamics analysis and theoretical simulations, the synergy between the single Ag atoms and the Z ‐scheme heterojunction initiates a cascade electron transfer from SnO 2− x to Ag‐PCN and then to O 2 adsorbed on Ag. With ultrasound irradiation, the polarization field generated within the piezoelectric hybrid further accelerates charge transfer and regulates the O 2 activation pathway. As a result, the Ag‐PCN/SnO 2− x catalyst efficiently activates O 2 into ·O 2 − , ·OH, and H 2 O 2 under co‐excitation of visible light and ultrasound, which are consequently utilized to trigger aerobic degradation of refractory antibiotic pollutants. This work provides a promising strategy to maneuver charge transfer dynamics for efficient piezo‐photocatalysis by integrating single‐atom catalysts (SACs) with Z ‐scheme heterojunction.

This review article delves into the development of electrolytes for flexible zinc-air batteries (FZABs), a critical component driving the advancement of flexible electronics. We started by surveying the current advancements in electrolyte technologies, including solid-state and gel-based types, and their contributions to enhance the flexibility, efficiency, and durability of FZABs. Secondly, we explored the challenges in this domain, focusing on maintaining electrolyte stability under mechanical stress, ensuring compatibility with flexible substrates, optimizing ion conductivity, and under harsh environmental conditions. Furthermore, the key issues regarding interface details between electrolyte and the electrodes are covered as well. We then discussed the future of electrolyte development in FZABs, highlighting potential avenues such as materials development, sustainability, in-situ studies, and battery integration. This review offers an in-depth overview of the advancements, challenges, and potential breakthroughs in creating electrolytes for FZABs over the past five years. It serves as a guide for both researchers and industry professionals in this dynamic area.

Background Dentists with a dentist parent are often assumed to have inherent career advantages. Despite the high prevalence of these “second-generation” dentists, little research has examined whether they are actually happier than others. This study investigated life satisfaction among dentists with a dentist parent, compared to those with a physician parent or non-physician/dentist parents. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Taiwanese dentists, assessing their life satisfaction using the 5-item Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), along with sociodemographic and career-related factors. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with SWLS scores. Results Among 1,170 respondents (mean age = 43.5 years, SD = 12.0; 46.5% female), the prevalence of young dentists with at least one dentist parent increased from 2 to 10% over the past two decades, whereas the prevalence of dentists with a physician parent remained around 10%. Multivariable analysis revealed that dentists with a dentist parent reported lower mean SWLS scores (β = -0.245; p  = 0.015) after accounting for potential confounders. When the items of the SWLS scale were analyzed individually, dentists with a dentist parent had similar current life satisfaction, but lower past life satisfaction (β = -0.541; p  < 0.001) than those without physician/dentist parents. Among dentists who ranked in the top 25% of their class, those with a dentist parent reported the lowest mean SWLS scores. In contrast, dentists with a physician parent did not experience the same decline in life satisfaction observed among second-generation dentists. Conclusion Although the small sample size of second-generation dentists limits the strength of inferences, these findings highlight the growing prevalence of second-generation dentists in Taiwan, their regret over past choices, and the potential challenges unique to this group. Understanding the pressures faced by second-generation dentists may inform strategies to enhance their professional fulfillment and overall well-being.

Osteogenic differentiation from mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) are initiated and regulated by a cascade of signaling events. Either Wnt/β-catenin or estrogen signaling pathway has been shown to play an important role in regulating skeletal development and maintaining adult tissue homeostasis. Here, we investigate the potential crosstalk and synergy of these two signaling pathways in regulating osteogenic differentiation of MPCs. We find that the activation of estrogen receptor (ER) signaling by estradiol (E2) or exogenously expressed ERα in MPCs synergistically enhances Wnt3A-induced early and late osteogenic markers, as well as matrix mineralization. The E2 or ERα-mediated synergy can be effectively blocked by ERα antagonist tamoxifen. E2 stimulation can enhance endochondral ossification of Wnt3A-transduced mouse fetal limb explants. Furthermore, exogenously expressed ERα significantly enhances the maturity and mineralization of Wnt3A-induced subcutaneous and intramuscular ectopic bone formation. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that E2 does not exert any detectable effect on β-catenin/Tcf reporter activity. However, ERα expression is up-regulated within the first 48h in AdWnt3A-transduced MPCs, whereas ERβ expression is significantly inhibited within 24h. Moreover, the key enzyme for the biosynthesis of estrogens aromatase is modulated by Wnt3A in a biphasic manner, up-regulated at 24h but reduced after 48h. Our results demonstrate that, while ER signaling acts synergistically with Wnt3A in promoting osteogenic differentiation, Wnt3A may crosstalk with ER signaling by up-regulating ERα expression and down-regulating ERβ expression in MPCs. Thus, the signaling crosstalk and synergy between these two pathways should be further explored as a potential therapeutic approach to combating bone and skeletal disorders, such as fracture healing and osteoporosis.

Cultivated land risk poses a critical threat to food security, and managing it is crucial for sustainable land use. To effectively manage this risk, it is essential to identify different types of cultivated land risk, understand their development trends, and research hotspots. This review constructs a comprehensive search strategy for subject terms in CiteSpace to analyze 12,581 literature sources related to cultivated land risk. Through tracking hot spots in cultivated land risk research, we have identified two main phases over the past 20 years. The first phase (2002–2015) focused on exploring various types of cultivated land risk, including soil, nitrogen, sewage sludge, organic matter, and carbon sequestration. Three keywords:soil, nitrogen, and sewage sludge were studied extensively during this period, with research on agricultural intensification, transport conservation, all aimed at enhancing the theoretical framework concerning cultivated land risk. The second phase (2015–2022) emphasized in-depth research into the mechanisms behind the generation of cultivated land risk. Key topics included methods and models for cultivated land risk research, source analysis, and source apportionment, as well as potentially toxic element and random forest analyses. This phase saw a shift towards a more comprehensive understanding of cultivated land risk, with a focus on uncovering underlying causes and developing effective mitigation strategies. Our research has identified three pivotal steps aimed at reducing cultivated land risk: 1) Rigorous Land Use Management: Implement stringent land use regulations to safeguard high-quality land resources. 2) Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Curtail the utilization of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, fostering improved soil fertility and minimizing environmental repercussions. 3) Robust Environmental Oversight: Establish a robust monitoring network to consistently track environmental concerns, concurrently encouraging the adoption of eco-friendly farming techniques. This comprehensive review holds substantial theoretical significance in advancing the agenda of sustainable cultivated land management and effectively alleviating the perils linked with land use alterations.

Creatine kinase isoform CK-MB has been widely applied as a biomarker of myocardial injury. While a variety of methods have been used to measure CK-MB activity or mass in clinical laboratories, a CK-MB standard is needed to eliminate between-method bias. Because the in vitro expression of human creatine kinase generates three isoenzymes, CK-MM, CK-MB, and CK-BB, it is important to establish an effective method to purify the isoform CK-MB from the mixture. In this study, we aimed at using tandem affinity purification (TAP) to purify recombinant CK-MB protein and evaluate its value in clinical laboratories. After the optimized sequence coding CK-M and CK-B were synthesized, they were combined with TAP tags (6His and SBP) and inserted into a pRSFDuet vector; then, the constructed 6His-CK-M-SBP-CK-B-pRSF plasmid was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) for expression. After TAP, we obtained purified CK-MB protein. We also did recovery testing using the engineered CK-MB and standard CK-MB (Randox) at different concentrations, and the results suggested that the engineered CK-MB could be used as the reference material. Moreover, the stability study of recombinant CK-MB showed high stability during long-term storage at −80 °C. In conclusion, the TAP-purified recombinant CK-MB protein may be a much better and cheaper standard or reference material for clinical laboratories.

Multi-agent robotic manipulation remains challenging due to the combined demands of coordination, grasp stability, and collision avoidance in shared workspaces. To address these challenges, we propose the Adaptive Dynamic Modality Diffusion Policy (ADM-DP), a framework that integrates vision, tactile, and graph-based (multi-agent pose) modalities for coordinated control. ADM-DP introduces four key innovations. First, an enhanced visual encoder merges RGB and point-cloud features via Feature-wise Linear Modulation (FiLM) modulation to enrich perception. Second, a tactile-guided grasping strategy uses Force-Sensitive Resistor (FSR) feedback to detect insufficient contact and trigger corrective grasp refinement, improving grasp stability. Third, a graph-based collision encoder leverages shared tool center point (TCP) positions of multiple agents as structured kinematic context to maintain spatial awareness and reduce inter-agent interference. Fourth, an Adaptive Modality Attention Mechanism (AMAM) dynamically re-weights modalities according to task context, enabling flexible fusion. For scalability and modularity, a decoupled training paradigm is employed in which agents learn independent policies while sharing spatial information. This maintains low interdependence between agents while retaining collective awareness. Across seven multi-agent tasks, ADM-DP achieves 12-25% performance gains over state-of-the-art baselines. Ablation studies show the greatest improvements in tasks requiring multiple sensory modalities, validating our adaptive fusion strategy and demonstrating its robustness for diverse manipulation scenarios.

With the tremendous advancement of deep learning and communication technology, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) cooperative perception has the potential to address limitations in sensing distant objects and occlusion for a single-agent perception system. V2X cooperative perception systems are software systems characterized by diverse sensor types and cooperative agents, varying fusion schemes, and operation under different communication conditions. Therefore, their complex composition gives rise to numerous operational challenges. Furthermore, when cooperative perception systems produce erroneous predictions, the types of errors and their underlying causes remain insufficiently explored. To bridge this gap, we take an initial step by conducting an empirical study of V2X cooperative perception. To systematically evaluate the impact of cooperative perception on the ego vehicle's perception performance, we identify and analyze six prevalent error patterns in cooperative perception systems. We further conduct a systematic evaluation of the critical components of these systems through our large-scale study and identify the following key findings: (1) The LiDAR-based cooperation configuration exhibits the highest perception performance; (2) Vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication exhibit distinct cooperative perception performance under different fusion schemes; (3) Increased cooperative perception errors may result in a higher frequency of driving violations; (4) Cooperative perception systems are not robust against communication interference when running online. Our results reveal potential risks and vulnerabilities in critical components of cooperative perception systems. We hope that our findings can better promote the design and repair of cooperative perception systems.