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Metastasis-associated recurrence is the major cause of poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. In this study, we report that expression of choroideremia-like (CHML) is increased in HCC, associated with poor survival, early recurrence and more satellite nodules in HCC patients. CHML promotes migration, invasion and metastasis of HCC cells, in a Rab14-dependent manner. Mechanism study reveals that CHML facilitates constant recycling of Rab14 by escorting Rab14 to the membrane. Furthermore, we identify several metastasis regulators as cargoes carried by Rab14-positive vesicles, including Mucin13 and CD44, which may contribute to metastasis-promoting effects of CHML. Altogether, our data establish CHML as a potential promoter of HCC metastasis, and the CHML-Rab14 axis may be a promising therapeutic target for HCC. Metastasis-associated recurrence is a major cause of poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, the authors show that expression of choroideremia-like (CHML) is elevated and associates with poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma, and mechanistically CHML promotes metastasis in a Rab14-dependent manner.

In the pursuit of scalable and energy-efficient neuromorphic devices, recent research has unveiled a novel category of spiking oscillators, termed “thermal neuristors.” These devices function via thermal interactions among neighboring vanadium dioxide resistive memories, emulating biological neuronal behavior. Here, we show that the collective dynamical behavior of networks of these neurons showcases a rich phase structure, tunable by adjusting the thermal coupling and input voltage. Notably, we identify phases exhibiting long-range order that, however, does not arise from criticality, but rather from the time non-local response of the system. In addition, we show that these thermal neuristor arrays achieve high accuracy in image recognition and time series prediction through reservoir computing, without leveraging long-range order. Our findings highlight a crucial aspect of neuromorphic computing with possible implications on the functioning of the brain: criticality may not be necessary for the efficient performance of neuromorphic systems in certain computational tasks. Thermal neuristors based on VO 2 have been suggested for neuromorphic computing. Here, authors show that neuristor arrays exhibit long-range order without criticality, revealing that it is not necessary for effective information processing in such systems, and challenging the critical brain hypothesis.

Magnesium sulfate has been widely detected on the surface of Mars. The occurrence of magnesium sulfate and mixed cationic sulfates preserves clues regarding the sedimentary environment, hydrological processes, and climate history of ancient Mars. In this study, seven magnesium sulfate double salts were synthesized in the laboratory using a high-temperature solid phase reaction or slow evaporation of aqueous solutions. The samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction to confirm their phase and homogeneity. Subsequently, the Raman, mid-infrared spectra, and visible near-infrared spectra of these samples were collected and analyzed. Our results showed that the spectra of the analyzed magnesium sulfate double salts exhibited distinctive spectral features. These laboratory results may provide new insights for the identification of various magnesium sulfate double salts on Mars during the interpretation of in situ data collected by Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC), SuperCam, and the ExoMars Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS). In addition, the MIR and VNIR spectra features obtained in this study provide an improved reference and spectra library for decipherment of data sourced from the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES), Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS), and Mars Mineralogical Spectrometer (MMS).

Background Fostering empathy has been continuously emphasized in the global medical education. Empathy is crucial to enhance patient-physician relationships, and is associated with medical students’ academic and clinical performance. However, empathy level of medical students in China and related influencing factors are not clear. Methods This was a cross-sectional study among medical students in 11 universities. We used the Jefferson Scale of Empathy Student-version of Chinese version to measure empathy level of medical students. Factors associated with empathy were identified by the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Based on the variables identified above, the nomogram was established to predict high empathy probability of medical students. Receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration plot and decision curve analysis were used to evaluate the discrimination, calibration and educational utility of the model. Results We received 10,901 samples, but a total of 10,576 samples could be used for further analysis (effective response rate of 97.02%). The mean empathy score of undergraduate medical students was 67.38 (standard deviation = 9.39). Six variables including gender, university category, only child or not, self-perception doctor-patient relationship in hospitals, interest of medicine, Kolb learning style showed statistical significance with empathy of medical students ( P  < 0.05). Then, the nomogram was established based on six variables. The validation suggested the nomogram model was well calibrated and had good utility in education, as well as area under the curve of model prediction was 0.65. Conclusions We identify factors influencing empathy of undergraduate medical students. Moreover, increasing manifest and hidden curriculums on cultivating empathy of medical students may be needed among medical universities or schools in China.

Background Medical school learning environment (MSLE) is highly related to medical students’ academic performance. However, the grade point average (GPA) rankings have not been studied together with MSLE. We aim to figure out the relationship between GPA rankings and MSLE. Methods We gathered data from 12 medical schools in mainland China, employing the Johns Hopkins Learning Environment Scale (JHLES) to assess students' subjective perceptions of MSLE. Subsequently, we performed a cross-sectional study examining GPA rankings and JHLES scores. We conducted Pearson’s Chi-square test and Welch’s analysis of variance (ANOVA) with GPA rankings as the exposure variable and JHLES score as the outcome variable. Furthermore, we conducted a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Additionally, we developed a nomogram to forecast the outcome of JHLES and evaluated the model's accuracy and performance. Results In Pearson’s Chi-square test and Welch's ANOVA. We found a statistically significant difference ( p  < 0.001) between GPA rankings and JHLES scores. Specifically, students with higher GPA rankings might have a significantly higher proportion of high JHLES scores than those with lower GPA rankings. Through a multivariate logistic regression analysis involving seven variables, including GPA rankings, we took the group whose GPA ranked in the top 20—50% of the population as our reference benchmark. We obtained the odds ratio (OR) values for all GPA groups, along with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) and corresponding p-values. Notably, a nomogram containing seven variables was constructed. Diagnosed by decision curve analysis (DCA), a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, and a calibration curve plot, the nomogram was considered accordant (AUC = 0.627) and accurate. Conclusion GPA ranking is an independent predictor of MSLE. Students with higher GPA rankings are more likely to have higher JHLES scores, which in turn indicates higher satisfaction with the learning environment.

Background Medical school learning environment (MSLE) has a holistic impact on students’ psychosomatic health, academic achievements, and personal development. Students in different grades perceive MSLE in different ways. Thus, it is essential to investigate the specific role of student’s grade in the perception of MSLE. Methods Using the Johns Hopkins Learning Environment Scale (JHLES) as a quantification instrument for the perception level of MSLE, 10,901 medical students in 12 universities in China were categorized into low or high JHLES group according to their questionnaires. We investigated the relationship between student’s grade and JHLES category by univariate analysis employing Pearson Chi-square test and Welch’s ANOVA. Then multivariable logistic regression analysis confirmed the predictive efficacy of student’s grade. A nomogram concerning the prediction of low JHLES score probability in medical students was also constructed. Results A significant difference between two JHLES categories among students in different grades was observed ( p  < 0.001), with the proportion of the high JHLES group dominating in grade 1, 5, and the graduate subgroups ( p  < 0.001). The mean JHLES score declined especially in the third and fourth graders compared to freshmen ( p  < 0.001), while the mean score among the fifth graders had a remarkable rebound from the third graders ( p  < 0.001). Most imperatively, identified by multivariable logistic regression analysis, students in grade 3 (OR = 1.470, 95% CI = 1.265–1.709, p  < 0.001) and 4 (OR = 1.578, 95% CI = 1.326–1.878, p  < 0.001) perceived more negatively than freshmen. The constructed nomogram provided a promising prediction model for student’s low JHLES score probability, with accuracy, accordance, and discrimination (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.627). Conclusion The student’s grade was a significant influencing factor in medical students’ perception of MSLE. The perceptions among the third and fourth graders got worse, probably due to the worrying changes in various aspects of MSLE during that period. The relevant and appropriate interventions to improve medical students’ perceptions are urgently needed.

Background Studies exploring influencing factors of emotional engagement among medical students are scarce. Thus, we aimed to identify influencing factors of medical students’ emotional engagement. Methods We carried out a multi-center cross-sectional study among 10,901 medical students from 11 universities in China. The Chinese version of Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student version (UWES-S) was used to evaluate emotional engagement level of medical students. The predictors related to engagement level were determined by the logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, we constructed a nomogram to predict emotional engagement level of medical students. Results A total of 10,576 sample were included in this study. The mean emotional engagement score was 74.61(± 16.21). In the multivariate logistic regression model, we found that males showed higher engagement level compared with females [odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)): 1.263 (1.147, 1.392), P  < 0.001]. Medical students from the second batches of medical universities had higher engagement level and from “Project 985” universities had lower engagement level compared with 211 project universities [OR (95%CI): 1.376 (1.093, 1.733), P  = 0.007; OR (95%CI): 0.682 (0.535, 0.868), P  = 0.002]. Medical students in grade 4 and grade 2 presented lower engagement level compared with in grade 1 [OR (95%CI): 0.860 (0.752, 0.983), P  = 0.027; OR (95%CI): 0.861 (0.757, 0.980), P  = 0.023]. Medical students lived in provincial capital cities had higher engagement level compared with in country [OR (95%CI): 1.176 (1.022, 1.354), P  = 0.024]. Compared with eight-year emotional duration, medical students in other emotional duration (three-year and four-year) had lower engagement level [OR (95%CI): 0.762 (0.628, 0.924), P  = 0.006]. Medical students’ engagement level increased with increases of grade point average and interest in studying medicine. Medical students learned by converging style showed lower engagement level [OR (95%CI): 0.827 (0.722, 0.946), P  = 0.006] compared with accommodating style. The model showed good discriminative ability (area under curve = 0.778), calibrating ability and clinical utility. Conclusions We identified influencing factors of medical students’ emotional engagement and developed a nomogram to predict medical students’ emotional engagement level, providing reference and convenience for educators to assess and improve emotional engagement level of medical students. It is crucial for educators to pay more attention to emotional engagement of medical students and adopt effective strategies to improve their engagement level.

Abstract In the pursuit of scalable and energy-efficient neuromorphic devices, recent research has unveiled a novel category of spiking oscillators, termed “thermal neuristors.” These devices function via thermal interactions among neighboring vanadium dioxide resistive memories, emulating biological neuronal behavior. Here, we show that the collective dynamical behavior of networks of these neurons showcases a rich phase structure, tunable by adjusting the thermal coupling and input voltage. Notably, we identify phases exhibiting long-range order that, however, does not arise from criticality, but rather from the time non-local response of the system. In addition, we show that these thermal neuristor arrays achieve high accuracy in image recognition and time series prediction through reservoir computing, without leveraging long-range order. Our findings highlight a crucial aspect of neuromorphic computing with possible implications on the functioning of the brain: criticality may not be necessary for the efficient performance of neuromorphic systems in certain computational tasks.

The Vastitas Borealis Formation is a Hesperian-aged sedimentary unit that mainly covers the Martian northern plains. Its environment of formation is uncertain but may be related to an ancient Martian ocean, outflow channel deposits, compaction and drainage activities, or subsurface ice-related processes. Here we investigate the geological evolution of the Vastitas Borealis Formation using geochemical and mineralogical data acquired by the Mars Surface Composition Detector on board the Zhurong rover at the Tianwen-1 landing site. We find that the fine-grained soil is very similar to the ubiquitous surface dust at other landing sites on Mars but mixed with calcium-rich and magnesium-poor local materials. These materials are mostly igneous minerals mixed with allophane and imogolite/opal and appear to have a low degree of chemical alteration. We suggest that these deposits likely formed by alteration of extensive volcaniclastic soils in limited or ephemeral water under cold conditions, which largely supports the hypotheses of a frozen ocean and sublimation.

The first example of metallic bismuth encapsulated into a mesoporous metal-organic framework of the type MIL-101(Cr) matrix is presented. Bi(III)-impregnated MIL-101(Cr) (Bi(III)/MIL-101(Cr)) was dropped onto a conductive carbon cloth electrode (CCE). Then, bismuth was generated by electrochemical reduction of the Bi(III)/MIL-101(Cr) supported on CCE (Bi/MIL-101(Cr)/CCE). The resulting Bi/MIL-101(Cr)/CCE display impressive performance in terms of peak currents for the ions Cd(II) and Pb(II) when compared to the single-component counterparts. Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) enabled sensing of the two ions over linear working range of 0.1 to 30 μg L −1 and 30 to 90 μg L −1 . The parameters are refined before the detection of two metal ions, including the amount of bismuth in MIL-101(Cr), optimum pH (5.0), deposition potential (−1.2 V) and deposition time (600 s). The respective detection limits are 60 and 70 ng L −1 (at S/ N  = 3). This is strikingly lower than the guideline values of domestic water given by the WHO which are 3 μg L −1 for Cd(II) and 10 μg L −1 for Pb(II). The Bi/MIL-101(Cr) onto CCE is fairly specific for Cd(II) (at around −0.76 V) and Pb(II) (at around −0.54 V), well reproducible and has excellent recovery in real water analysis. Graphical abstract Schematic illustration of the preparation of a Bi(III)/MIL-101(Cr) metal-organic framework, its deposition on a carbon cloth electrode (CCE), and its application for detection of Cd(II) and Pb(II) by differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry (DPASV).