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Semiconductor devices capable of generating a vortex beam with a specific orbital angular momentum (OAM) order are highly attractive for applications ranging from nanoparticle manipulation, imaging and microscopy to fiber and quantum communications. In this work, an electrically pumped integrated OAM emitter operating at telecom wavelengths is fabricated by monolithically integrating an optical vortex emitter with a distributed feedback laser on the same InGaAsP/InP epitaxial wafer. A single-step dry-etching process is adopted to complete the OAM emitter, equipped with specially designed top gratings. The vortex beam emitted by the integrated device is captured and its OAM mode purity characterized. The integrated OAM emitter eliminates the external laser required by silicon- or silicon-on-insulator-based OAM emitters, thus demonstrating great potential for applications in communication systems and the quantum domain. Orbital-angular-momentum (OAM) beams have great potential for multiplexing signals in optical communication, but creating a compact source is challenging. The authors integrate a chip-scale optical vortex emitter and DFB laser into a single monolithic device for direct electrically pumped production of OAM beams.

Background Chronic inflammation and dysregulated lipid metabolism may contribute to the pathogenesis of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). This study aimed to establish composite serum inflammation/metabolism biomarkers and evaluate their association with total neuroimaging burden in acute ischemic CSVD. Methods This study enrolled a cohort of 328 patients with acute ischemic CSVD who met the predefined selection criteria, were hospitalized in the neurology department between March 2023 and October 2024, and underwent standardized assessments. The total CSVD burden was quantified using the modified Rotterdam criteria. Participants were stratified into the low burden (0–1 point; n = 153) and high burden (2–4 points; n = 175) groups. Composite biomarkers, including the neutrophil-to-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (NHR), monocyte-to-HDL (MHR), lymphocyte-to-HDL (LHR), platelet-to-HDL (PHR) ratios, as well as systemic immune inflammation (SII) and systemic inflammation response (SIRI) indices, were compared. A predictive model was developed using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and multivariable logistic regression analyses, and its discriminatory performance was validated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and bootstrap resampling with 1,000 repetitions. Subgroup analyses (based on age, sex, etc.) were conducted to evaluate the associations between the biomarkers and disease burden. Results The high burden group demonstrated significantly higher values for age, hypertension prevalence, and levels of several composite biomarkers (NHR, LHR, PHR, SIRI, and SII) than the low burden group. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that NHR, PHR, SIRI, and SII were independent risk factors for CSVD burden. ROC analysis showed superior predictive performance for NHR. The combined biomarker model demonstrated a significantly superior predictive value compared with any single biomarker, with an initial area under the ROC curve (AUC) value of 0.816 and a corrected AUC value of 0.803 after internal validation. In the analysis that excluded individuals under 60 years of age, the model maintained robust predictive performance (AUC = 0.828, corrected AUC = 0.808). Subgroup analyses further confirmed that NHR and SII were significantly associated with CSVD severity across all subgroups. Conclusion The findings indicate an association between composite biomarkers and CSVD burden, supporting the likely implication of chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction in disease progression. The combined biomarker panel demonstrated superior performance in identifying acute ischemic CSVD neuroimaging burden, suggesting its potential as a clinical tool for early risk stratification. This approach could facilitate earlier identification of and intervention in high-risk patients, thereby contributing to strategies aimed at reducing the long-term burden of stroke and cognitive impairment.

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) may lead to varying degrees of cognitive impairment, while the inflammatory response plays a significant role in this process. This study aims to examine the relationship between residual inflammation risk (RIR) and the development of post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) in patients with acute ischemic stroke. This prospective cohort study enrolled a total of 172 patients diagnosed with AIS over the study period from January 2024 to December 2024. They were divided into four groups: RIR only [low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) < 2.6 mmol/L and high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) ≥ 2 mg/L], residual cholesterol risk (RCR) only (LDL-C ≥ 2.6 mmol/L and hsCRP < 2 mg/L), both risk or residual cholesterol and inflammatory risk (RCIR) (LDL-C ≥ 2.6 mmol/L and hsCRP ≥ 2 mg/L), and neither risk (LDL-C < 2.6mmol/L and hsCRP < 2 mg/L). PSCI is defined as a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score below 22 at 6 months after stroke. The final analysis included 172 patients who completed the follow-up. The association between RIR and PSCI was analyzed by multivariable logistic regression analyses. Among the 172 enrolled patients, 58 (33.7%) developed PSCI. The proportion of patients with neither risk, RIR, RCR, and RCIR was 23.8% (n=41),18.6% (n=32), 32.0% (n=55) and 25.6% (n=44), respectively. Compared to those without PSCI, patients with PSCI had a higher prevalence of hyperlipidemia ( = 0.026), a greater proportion of RIR ( = 0.015), and higher white blood cell count ( = 0.042) and neutrophil count ( = 0.016). Logistic regression analysis, adjusting for major confounding factors, identified RIR as an independent factor associated with PSCI occurrence (OR 4.496, 95% CI 1.571-17.477, = 0.030; RCIR: OR 7.357, 95% CI 2.081-26.006, = 0.002). This study presents what is, to our knowledge, the first evidence that RIR is associated with PSCI among acute ischemic stroke patients.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1609616.].

The mechanism that lung epithelial cells regulate immune responses during chronic injury still remains unclear. Here, we combined single-cell RNA sequencing with spatial transcriptomics to track epithelial dynamics in silica (SiO 2 )-exposed mouse lungs. By day 56, SiO 2 induced significant epithelial proliferation, followed with a distinct C0 subset emerging as the dominant population. C0 cells co-expressed surfactant genes ( Sftpc , Scgb3a2 ), mesenchymal markers ( Vim , Mmp12 ), and pro-inflammatory cytokines ( Ccl6 , S100a8/a9 ), reflecting a hybrid phenotype. Spatial and cell-cell interaction analyses showed C0 cells engaging macrophages and neutrophils through SPP1-CD44, APP-CD74, and GRN-MARCO signaling, driving immune recruitment and activation. Pseudotime and CytoTRACE analyses indicated that C0 cells represent a late-stage, low-stemness state with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like features. Taken together, these findings reveal a novel, stress-induced epithelial subset that amplifies immune crosstalk and tissue remodeling, offering new perspectives on silica-induced lung injury.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) constitutes a critical component of carbon reservoirs within terrestrial ecosystems. The ramifications of urban land use transitions on SOC dynamics, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions such as Shanghai, remain insufficiently elucidated. This investigation synergizes a predictive land use change model (Logistic-CA-Markov) with an ecosystem service quantification framework (InVEST), aiming to delineate the interplay between SOC variability and Land Use and Land Cover Change (LUCC) under natural development and ecological protection scenarios. Empirical observations from 2010 to 2020 reveal a contraction in Shanghai’s agricultural land of 34,912.76 hectares, juxtaposed with an expansion of urban built-up areas of 36,048.24 hectares. Projections for 2030 under an ecological protection scenario indicate a moderated urban sprawl, reducing built-up area expansion by 13,518 hectares relative to the natural development scenario. Notably, the net carbon sequestration capacity of Shanghai is anticipated to diminish by approximately 0.418 million tons between 2020 and 2030. This trend is observed under both considered scenarios, forecasting a cumulative reduction in SOC stocks exceeding 1 million tons by 2030. The natural development pathway portends a more pronounced and accelerated depletion of SOC reserves. Although ecological conservation measures show the potential to decelerate this loss, they appear insufficient to reverse the ongoing decline in SOC stocks. This study advocates for strategic urban planning interventions focused on constraining the growth of building densities and augmenting the preservation and management of eco-lands. Such measures are imperative for bolstering Shanghai’s carbon sequestration capacity.

Cystatins are associated with neuronal degeneration and nervous system healing. Cystatin C (Cys C) has recently been linked to brain injury and immunological inflammation. This study aimed to determine the relationship between serum Cys C levels and depression following intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Between September 2020 and December 2022, 337 patients with ICH were sequentially recruited and followed up for three months. The post-stroke depression (PSD) and non-PSD groups were separated based on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD). The PSD diagnosis was established based on the DSM-IV criteria. Cys-C levels were documented within twenty-four hours of admission. Three months after ICH, 93 (27.6%) of 337 enrolled patients were diagnosed with depression. The Cys C levels were significantly higher in depressed patients than in nondepressed patients after ICH (1.32 vs 1.01; p<0.001). After adjusting for potential confounding variables, depression after ICH was associated with the highest quartile of Cys C levels (odds ratio (OR) = 3.195, 95% CI: 1.562-6.536; p=0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve predicted that the ideal cut-off for CysC levels as a predictor of depression after ICH would be 0.730, resulting in 84.5% sensitivity and 88.4% specificity, with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.880 (95% CI: 0.843-0.917; p< 0.0001). Increased CysC concentrations were independently related to depression three months after ICH, highlighting that CysC levels at admission may be a potential biomarker for predicting the onset of depression following ICH.

Inflammation is recognized as a pivotal factor in the pathophysiology of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and has the potential to influence the collateral circulation of patients. The objective of this investigation was to explore the link between peripheral regulatory T cells (Tregs), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and the status of collateral circulation. Between September 2023 and May 2024, the study incorporated 117 AIS patients from the neurology department, with 60 identified as having good collateral status (GCS) and 57 with poor collateral status (PCS). Additionally, a control group of 46 healthy individuals was included. Collateral circulation in AIS patients was assessed via computed tomography angiography. The levels of peripheral blood Tregs were quantified through flow cytometry, while IL-2 was measured by ELISA. In this investigation, patients diagnosed with PCS demonstrated reduced Tregs (5.77 ± 1.55%) and IL-2 levels (7.37 ± 2.61 pg/mL) compared to individuals with GCS (7.09 ± 1.32%, 9.95 ± 3.58 pg/mL) and healthy controls (7.17 ± 1.40%,10.33 ± 4.01 pg/mL). Logistic regression analysis identified significant associations between Tregs and IL-2 levels and collateral circulation status ( <0.05), with diminished levels of both being independent predictors of PCS when compared to GCS. A nomogram was developed to forecast risk factors for collateral circulation, further highlighting the potential of plasma Tregs and IL-2 levels as biomarkers in predicting collateral circulation among AIS patients. The diagnostic performance of Tregs and IL-2 was assessed utilizing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for Tregs in differentiating GCS from PCS patients was ascertained to be 0.741 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.652-0.830), while for IL-2, it was 0.710 (95% CI: 0.618-0.803). Moreover, the combined measurement of Tregs and IL-2 resulted in an AUC of 0.779 (95% CI: 0.695-0.863). Plasma levels of peripheral blood Tregs and IL-2 may function as promising biomarkers for the prediction of collateral circulation status, suggesting potential new therapeutic approaches aimed at enhancing cerebral collateral circulation, and providing new therapeutic targets for acute ischemic stroke.

To study the influence of annular trenches on a vibration isolation area, the depth, width, vibration source distance, and central angle of the trench are analysed as research variables, and a contour diagram of the amplitude reduction ratio is drawn based on an outdoor test of the trench. Taking an area with an amplitude reduction ratio less than 0.40 as the evaluation index of the effective vibration isolation area, the effects of the above geometric parameters on the vibration isolation area are analysed. Limited to the test conditions of this paper, the results show that the depth, vibration source distance, and deep width ratio are the important factors affecting the effective vibration isolation area; with the increase of the above parameters, the effective vibration isolation area increases significantly, but the area increase rate decreases gradually. The width has a relatively little effect on the effective vibration isolation area. When the ratio of depth to width is from 7.05 to 9.15, and the width reaches 0.23 times the Rayleigh wavelength, the annular trench can have a good effective vibration isolation area. When the central angle of the trench is less than 90°, a discontinuous effective vibration isolation area will form in the vibration isolation region. The selection of the central angle of the trench is related to the frequency. With the same trench size, the effective vibration isolation area decreases as frequency decreases. In addition, the effect of distance depth ratio on the effective vibration isolation area presents a fluctuation. When the ratio of distance to depth is from 1.21 to 2.05, a good effective vibration isolation area can be obtained and it is reasonable.