High Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Vitamin D Deficiency Among Chinese Hospital Staff: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: To determine the current status of vitamin D status and the associated factors for its deficiency among Chinese hospital staff. Methods: The physical examination data of 2509 hospital staff members was analyzed alongside that of 1507 patients who visited the hospital during the corresponding period of the examination. Serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) were measured in the participants. The hospital staff also completed surveys about general information, laboratory examination, and occupational characteristics. Results: The median vitamin D status (serum 25(OH)D concentration) of the participants was 9.0 ng/mL, ranging from 6.5 to 44.7 ng/mL, and the prevalence of deficiency (<12.3 ng/mL) was 81.47% (2044/2509). The multivariable logistic regression revealed that nurses (OR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.09-2.19, p = 0.015), BMI below 18 (OR = 2.39, 95% CI 1.02-5.58, p = 0.045) associated with higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. In the contrast, age above 30 (OR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.53-0.91, p = 0.009) and a high level of uric acid (OR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.41-0.78, p = 0.001) associated with lower prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was higher among the hospital staff (81.47%) compared to the patients who visited the hospital during the same time period (65.69%). A substantial disparity was observed in the propensity score matching dataset (69.14% vs 79.94%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Hospital staff are a high-risk group for vitamin D deficiency. Paying attention to vitamin D status and supplementation of this vitamin are pertinent aspects of hospital staff health care. Outdoor activities, vitamin D supplementation, and foods rich in vitamin D should be advocated.

Deciphering the role of female reproductive tract microbiome in reproductive health: a review.

Relevant studies increasingly indicate that female reproductive health is confronted with substantial challenges. Emerging research has revealed that the microbiome interacts with the anatomy, histology, and immunity of the female reproductive tract, which are the cornerstone of maintaining female reproductive health and preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes. Currently, the precise mechanisms underlying their interaction and impact on physiological functions of the reproductive tract remain elusive, constituting a prominent area of investigation within the field of female reproductive tract microecology. From this new perspective, we explore the mechanisms of interactions between the microbiome and the anatomy, histology, and immunity of the female reproductive tract, factors that affect the composition of the microbiome in the female reproductive tract, as well as personalized medicine approaches in managing female reproductive tract health based on the microbiome. This study highlights the pivotal role of the female reproductive tract microbiome in maintaining reproductive health and influencing the occurrence of reproductive tract diseases. These findings support the exploration of innovative approaches for the prevention, monitoring and treatment of female reproductive tract diseases based on the microbiome.

Correlation Between Illness Uncertainty in Caregivers of Patients with Liver Cancer, Their Coping Styles, and Quality of Life.

Objective: This study explores the correlation between coping style, quality of life, and illness uncertainty in the family caregivers of patients with liver cancer. Methods: Employing convenience sampling, 210 family caregivers of patients with liver cancer who met the admission criteria were selected from a grade A infectious disease hospital in Beijing between January and December 2022. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, Caregiver Quality of Life, and the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale for Family Members. This study analysed the correlations between coping styles, quality of life, and illness uncertainty in these caregivers. Results: The study found that family caregivers of patients with liver cancer had average scores for illness uncertainty (83.44 ± 11.86), coping style (33.19 ± 9.79; both positive [23.02 ± 6.81] and negative [10.17 ± 5.05]), and quality of life (169.53 ± 32.46). A negative association was observed between illness uncertainty in these caregivers and positive coping style (r = -0.207, p = 0.003), physical status (r = -0.182, p = 0.008), psychological status (r = -0.200, p = 0.004), and social adaptation (r = -0.229, p = 0.001). Conclusion: The study concludes that illness uncertainty in family caregivers of patients with liver cancer is at a moderate level. Furthermore, there is a notable correlation between illness uncertainty, coping style, and quality of life in these caregivers.

Chemical Constituents of the Fruits of Cornus officinalis and Evaluation of Their Neuroprotective Activity.

The phytochemical investigation of the fruits of Cornus officinalis yielded a new phenolic acid derivative, neophenolic acid A (1), and a novel flavonoid glycoside, (2R)-naringenin-7-O-ß-(6″-galloyl-glucopyranoside) (2a), along with six known flavonoid glycosides (2b - 7). Their structures were determined by 1D, 2D NMR and HRESIMS data. The absolute configuration of 1 was established by ECD analysis. Compounds 1 - 7 were evaluated for their neuroprotective activities against corticosterone (CORT)-induced injury in PC-12 cells. Compounds 1, 2a, 2b, 5, and 6 exhibited neuroprotective activities against CORT-induced neurotoxicity in PC-12 cells. The underlying mechanism study suggested that compounds 1, 2a, 2b, 5, and 6 were able to attenuate CORT-induced apoptosis and damage, increase the levels of MMP and decrease Ca2+ inward flow in PC-12 cells.

Associations of MSK1 Methylation and Executive Function With Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents With Major Depressive Disorder: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective: Adolescent suicide is a major public health problem, and risk of suicide is higher among those with major depressive disorder (MDD), which may be linked to alterations in mitogen- and stress-activated kinase 1 (MSK1) and to defects in executive function. Here, we aimed to investigate the potential impacts of executive function and MSK1 methylation on suicidal ideation in adolescents with MDD.Methods: The study enrolled 66 drug-naive adolescents who were experiencing their first episode of MDD from February 2019 until October 2020. After 6 weeks of receiving antidepressant treatment, 65 participants remained in the study. Suicidal ideation and depressive severity were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, while executive function was evaluated using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. MSK1 methylation was measured using bisulfite DNA analysis.Results: Among the 66 adolescents with MDD, 43 (65.15%) reported suicidal ideation, while 23 (34.85%) did not. Individuals with suicidal ideation had worse executive function and higher MSK1 methylation than those without suicidal ideation. The MSK1 methylation percentage may predict suicidal ideation in adolescents with MDD (odds ratio [OR] 1.227, 95% CI [1.031 to 1.461]). Improvement in executive function was significantly associated with reduced suicidal ideation during antidepressant treatment (ß = -0.200, 95% CI [-0.877 to -0.085]).Conclusions: Our results strengthen the evidence for a link among MSK1 methylation, executive function, and suicidal ideation in adolescent MDD.Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry identifier: ChiCTR2000033402.

Novel insights into RB1 in prostate cancer lineage plasticity and drug resistance.

Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy among men in the world, posing a serious threat to men's health and lives. RB1 is the first human tumor suppressor gene to be described, and it is closely associated with the development, progression, and suppression of a variety of tumors. It was found that the loss of RB1 is an early event in prostate cancer development and is closely related to prostate cancer development, progression and treatment resistance. This paper reviews the current status of research on the relationship between RB1 and prostate cancer from three aspects: RB1 and prostate cell lineage plasticity; biological behavior; and therapeutic resistance. Providing a novel perspective for developing new therapeutic strategies for RB1-loss prostate cancer.

Comparative analysis and prediction of avian influenza in Shangrao city, China from 2016 to 2022.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vaccination, COVID-19 pandemic and migration of migratory birds on the avian influenza positivity rate in Shangrao City and to predict the future avian influenza positivity rate. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect nucleic acids of avian influenza A viruses. 1795 samples were collected between 2016 and 2022, of which 1086 were positive. In addition, there were seven human cases of avian influenza. The results showed that the positivity rate of H9 subtype in Shangrao City was higher than usual during the COVID-19 pandemic and migratory birds. Predictions suggest that the H9 subtype positivity rate in Shangrao City will be on the rise in the future. In recent years, the H5 positivity rate has gradually increased. Migratory birds and the COVID-19 pandemic have led to an increase in H9 subtype positivity. Therefore, the prevention and control of them should be strengthened.

Gestodene causes masculinization of the western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis): Insights from ovary metabolomics.

Gestodene (GES) is a common synthetic progesterone frequently detected in aquatic environments. Chronic exposure to GES can cause masculinization of a variety of fish; however, whether metabolism is closely related to the masculinization has yet to be explored. Hence, the ovary metabolome of adult female western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) after exposing to GES (0.0, 5.0, 50.0, and 500.0 ng/L) for 40 days was analyzed by using high-performance liquid chromatography ionization with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-QTOF-MS). The results showed that GES increased the levels of cysteine, taurine, ophthalmic acid and cAMP while decreased methionine, these metabolites changes may owing to the oxidative stress of the ovaries; while taurcholic acid and uric acid were decreased along with induced oocyte apopotosis. Steroids hormone metabolism was also significantly affected, with progesterone and cortisol being the most affected. Enzyme-linked immunoassay results showed that estradiol levels were decreased while testosterone levels were increased with GES exposure. In addition, correlation analysis showed that the differential metabolites of some amino acids (e.g. leucine) were strongly correlated with the levels of steroids hormones secreted by the pituitary gland. The results of this study suggest that GES affects ovarian metabolism via the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes, impair antioxidant capacity, induce apoptosis in the ovary of G. affinis, and finally caused masculinization.

Allantoin Derived From Dioscorea opposita Thunb Ameliorates Cyclophosphamide-Induced Premature Ovarian Failure in Female Rats by Attenuating Apoptosis, Autophagy and Pyroptosis.

Background and objectives Cyclophosphamide (CP) is widely used as a chemotherapy drug for the treatment of malignant tumors and autoimmune diseases, but it has strong toxic and side effects and can cause permanent damage to the ovaries, which affects women's quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the anti-premature ovarian failure protective effect of allantoin isolated from Dioscorea opposita Thunb. Methods Firstly, 75 mg/kg CP was injected into rats to establish an in vivo model of premature ovarian failure (POF). The POF rats were divided into the normal control group (NC), premature ovarian failure group (POF), and POF group treated with allantoin (ALL I 140 mg/kg and ALL II 70 mg/kg, daily 21 days). It investigated the estrous cycles, hormone levels, apoptosis rate, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitophagy, and protein marker (Bax, Bcl2, LC3B, L-1ß, caspase-1 and NLRP3). Results The results indicated that allantoin alleviated cyclophosphamide-induced premature ovarian failure in female rats, decreased the anoestrum, increased the level of estradiol (E2), and decreased the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), decreased apoptosis rate, MMP, mitophagy and ROS in ovarian granulosa cells of POF rats, down-regulated L-1ß, caspase-1, LC3B-II/LC3B-I in ovarian tissue, and up-regulated the Bcl2 and NLRP3. Conclusions Our study revealed the ovarian-protective effect of allantoin in CP-induced premature ovarian failure for the first time, the effect was achieved through attenuation of the apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis. The study underlines the potential clinical application of allantoin as a protectant agent for premature ovarian failure.

Analysis of Resistance Gene Diversity in the Intestinal Microbiome of Broilers from Two Types of Broiler Farms in Hebei Province, China.

The crucial reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) within the chicken intestinal microbiome poses a serious threat to both animal and human health. In China, the overuse of antibiotics has significantly contributed to the proliferation of ARGs in the chicken intestinal microbiome, which is a serious concern. However, there has been relatively little research on the diversity of resistance genes in the chicken intestinal microbiome since the implementation of the National Pilot Work Program for Action to Reduce the Use of Veterinary Antimicrobial Drugs in China. The objective of this study was to analyze the diversity of antibiotic resistance genes carried by the chicken intestinal microbiome in both standard farms (SFs), which implement antibiotic reduction and passed national acceptance, and nonstandard farms (NSFs), which do not implement antibiotic reductions, in Hebei Province. Fresh fecal samples of broiler chickens were collected from SFs (n = 4) and NSF (n = 1) and analyzed using high-throughput qPCR technology. Our findings revealed that all five farms exhibited a wide range of highly abundant ARGs, with a total of 201 ARGs and 7 MGEs detected in all fecal samples. The dominant ARGs identified conferred resistance to aminoglycosides, macrolide-lincosamide-streptomycin B (MLSB), and tetracycline antibiotics. Cellular protection mechanisms were found to be the primary resistance mechanism for these ARGs. The analysis of the co-occurrence network demonstrated a significant positive correlation between the abundance of MGEs and ARGs. The SF samples showed a significantly lower relative abundance of certain ARGs than the NSF samples (p < 0.05). The results of this study show that the abundance of ARGs demonstrated a downward trend after the implementation of the National Pilot Work Program for Action to Reduce the Usage of Veterinary Antimicrobial Drugs in Hebei Province, China.

Resveratrol suppresses NSCLC cell growth, invasion and migration by mediating Wnt/ß-catenin pathway via downregulating SIX4 and SPHK2.

Resveratrol (RSV) has been found to have a cancer-suppressing effect in a variety of cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Studies have shown that sine oculis homeobox 4 (SIX4) and sphingosine kinase 2 (SPHK2) are tumour promoters of NSCLC. However, whether RSV regulates SIX4 and SPHK2 to mediate NSCLC cell functions remains unclear. NSCLC cell functions were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, flow cytometry, transwell assay and wound healing assay. Protein expression levels were detected by western blot. SIX4 and SPHK2 mRNA levels in NSCLC tumour tissues were examined using quantitative real-time PCR. In addition, mice xenograft models were built to explore the impact of RSV on NSCLC tumour growth. RSV inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion and migration, while facilitated apoptosis. SIX4 and SPHK2 were up-regulated in NSCLC tissues and cells, and their expression was reduced by RSV. Knockdown of SIX4 and SPHK2 suppressed NSCLC cell growth, invasion and migration, and the regulation of RSV on NSCLC cell functions could be reversed by SIX4 and SPHK2 overexpression. RSV inactivated Wnt/ß-catenin pathway via decreasing SIX4 and SPHK2 levels. In animal experiments, RSV reduced NSCLC tumour growth in vivo. RSV repressed NSCLC malignant process by decreasing SIX4 and SPHK2 levels to restrain the activity of Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

Development of a Clinicopathological-Radiomics Model for Predicting Progression and Recurrence in Meningioma Patients.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Tumor progression and recurrence（P/R）after surgical resection are common in meningioma patients and can indicate poor prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the values of clinicopathological information and preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics in predicting P/R and progression-free survival (PFS) in meningioma patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 169 patients with pathologically confirmed meningioma were included in this study, 54 of whom experienced P/R. Clinicopathological information, including age, gender, Simpson grading, World Health Organization (WHO) grading, Ki-67 index, and radiotherapy history, as well as preoperative traditional radiographic findings and radiomics features for each MRI modality (T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and enhanced T1-weighted images) were initially extracted. After feature selection, the optimal performance was estimated among the models established using different feature sets. Finally, Cox survival analysis was further used to predict PFS. RESULTS: Ki-67 index, Simpson grading, WHO grading, and radiotherapy history were found to be independent predictors for P/R in the multivariate regression analysis. This clinicopathological model had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.865 and 0.817 in the training and testing sets, respectively. The performance of the combined radiomics model reached 0.85 and 0.84, respectively. A clinicopathological-radiomics model was then established, which significantly improved the prediction of meningioma P/R (AUC = 0.93 and 0.88, respectively). Finally, the risk ratio was estimated for each selected feature, and the C-index of 0.749 was obtained. CONCLUSION: Radiomics signatures of preoperative MRI have the ability to predict meningioma at the risk of P/R. By integrating clinicopathological information, the best performance was achieved.

15.26Gb/s Si-substrate GaN high-speed visible light photodetector with super-lattice structure.

In this paper, we studied a series of high-speed photodetectors (PD) with different super-lattice interlayer periods and the scale of the effective area to examine their communication performance. The mini-PDs are designed with a single 1 mm × 1 mm effective area. The mini-PDs have three different super-lattice (SL) periods in the interlayer: 8, 15, and 32. The micro-PD sample has multiple 50um by 50um photosensitive areas that form a 4 × 4 receiver array, which shares a common N electrode. Its SL period is 26. The experiment shows that mini-PDs have the advantages such as better tolerance to beam spot deviation, larger field of view (FoV), higher responsibility, and wider peak width in spectral response. But micro-LED samples outperform the others in communication capacity and wavelength selectivity. The 8, 15, and 32 SL mini-PD samples achieve 6.6, 7.3, and 8.8 Gb/s data rates, respectively. The micro-PD gains the maximum data rate of 14.38Gb/s without applying waveform level post-equalization, and 15.26Gb/s after using an NN-based post-equalizer. This experiment shows that with proper DSP, GaN-based PD would be suitable for high-speed VLC systems, especially for the short wavelength spectrum in visible light.

Analysis of the effect of PCR testing and antigen testing on controlling the transmission for Omicron based on different scenarios.

After the policy adjustment, China no longer carries out COVID-19 PCR testing for all people, and antigen testing has become the main way to detect and manage infectious sources. We developed a dynamic model to evaluate and compare the effects between PCR and antigen testing for controlling the pandemic. Due to the increase of contact degree, the peak reduction effect of PCR testing in population is lower than that of antigen testing. Even if it was only 20% of people isolated at home after antigen testing, the peak of the epidemic could be reduced by 9.46%. If the proportion of antigen testing is further increased to 80%, the peak of the pandemic can be reduced by 31.41%. Antigen testing performed better effects in school (reduction proportion 29.27%) and community (29.34%) than in workplace (27.75%). Therefore, we recommend that antigen testing in the population should be encouraged during the pandemic, and home isolation of infected persons should be advocated, especially in crowded places. To improve the availability of antigen, the testing proportion should be further enhanced.

Metabolic changes and potential biomarkers in "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum"-infected potato psyllids: implications for psyllid-pathogen interactions.

Psyllid yellows, vein-greening (VG), and zebra chip (ZC) diseases, which are primarily transmitted by potato psyllid (PoP) carrying Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), have caused significant losses in solanaceous crop production worldwide. Pathogens interact with their vectors at the organic and cellular levels, while the potential changes that may occur at the biochemical level are less well reported. In this study, the impact of CLso on the metabolism of PoP and the identification of biomarkers from infected psyllids were examined. Using ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) analysis, metabolomic changes in CLso-infected psyllids were compared to uninfected ones. A total of 34 metabolites were identified as potential biomarkers of CLso infection, which were primarily related to amino acid, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism. The significant increase in glycerophospholipids is thought to be associated with CLso evading the insect vector's immune defense. Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MALDI-MSI) was used to map the spatial distribution of these biomarkers, revealing that 15-keto-Prostaglandin E2 and alpha-D-Glucose were highly expressed in the abdomen of uninfected psyllids but down-regulated in infected psyllids. It is speculated that this down-regulation may be due to CLso evading surveillance by immune suppression in the PoP midgut. Overall, valuable biochemical information was provided, a theoretical basis for a better understanding of psyllid-pathogen interactions was offered, and the findings may aid in breaking the transmission cycle of these diseases.

Can antimony contamination in soil undermine the ecological contributions of earthworms?

As antimony (Sb) has been increasingly used in manufacturing industries (e.g., alloy, polymer and electronics industries), Sb contamination in the soil environment becomes widely reported and has drawn growing attention due to the toxicity of Sb to living organisms. Whether soil-dwelling organisms can tolerate Sb toxicity and maintain their ecological functions remains poorly understood. Using a cosmopolitan, ecologically important earthworm species (Eisenia fetida) as an ideal model organism, we examine the effects of Sb on the physiological, molecular and behavioural responses of earthworms to different levels of Sb contamination in soil (0, 10, 50, 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg). We found that earthworms could tolerate heavy Sb contamination (100 mg/kg) by boosting their antioxidant defence (POD and GST) and immune systems (ACP) so that their body weight and survival rate were sustained (c.f. control). However, these systems were compromised under extreme Sb contamination (500 mg/kg), leading to mortality. As such, earthworms exhibited avoidance behaviour to escape from the Sb-contaminated soil, implying the loss of their ecological contributions to the environment (e.g., increase in soil aeration and maintenance of soil structure). By measuring various types of biomarkers along a concentration gradient, this study provides a mechanistic understanding of how earthworms resist or succumb to Sb toxicity. Since extreme Sb contamination in soil (>100 mg/kg) is rarely found in nature, we are optimistic that the health and performance of earthworms are not influenced by Sb in most circumstances, but regular monitoring of Sb in soil is recommended to ensure the integrity and functioning of soil environment. Further studies are recommended to evaluate the long-term impact of Sb in the soil ecosystem through bioaccumulation and trophic transfer among soil-dwelling organisms.

Evaluation of Recovery Efficacy of Inspiratory Muscle Training After Lobectomy Based on Computed Tomography 3D Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Progressive resistance inspiratory muscle training is the principle of inspiratory air-flow resistance loading training to restore diaphragm function, increase alveolar compliance, and further improve respiratory function. However, there is a lack of research on the effectiveness of progressive resistance inspiratory training in post-lobectomy rehabilitation and the accurate assessment of lung volumes. METHODS: In this study, 79 subjects diagnosed with lung cancer and undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy were retrospectively analyzed. The subjects were divided into a control group (n = 40) and an observation group (n =39) according to the different training modalities. The control group received conventional respiratory training. The observation group received progressive resistance inspiratory muscle training based on conventional breathing training. The primary outcome indicators were the following: lung function and lung volume. The secondary outcome indicators were the following: the number of postoperative hospital days, duration of drain retention, and incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications. RESULTS: Baseline data on age, sex, body mass index, smoking history, education level, underlying disease, type of pathology, lung cancer stages, surgical site, preoperative lung volume, and preoperative lung function were not statistically different between the 2 groups (P > .05). The subjects in the observation group had median (interquartile range [IQR]) lung volumes at 1 month after surgery (3.22 [3.12-3.37] L vs 3.14 [2.95-3.24] L; P = .031), median (IQR) FEV1 (2.11 [1.96-2.21] L vs 2.01 [1.81-2.12] L; P = .031), and mean ± SD peak expiratory flow (5.07 ± 0.62 L/s vs 4.66 ± 0.64 L/s; P = .005) were higher than those in the control group. The median (IQR) postoperative hospital stays (5 [4-5] d vs 5 [4-6] d; P = .030) and the median (IQR) chest drain retention times were shorter in the observation group versus the control group (74 [72-96] h vs 96 [84-96] h; P = .02). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative atelectasis (5.1% vs 10.0%; P = .41) and pneumonia (7.7% vs 12.5%; P = .48). CONCLUSIONS: Progressive resistance inspiratory muscle training was effective in improving lung volume and lung function, and in reducing the length of hospital stay and chest drain closure time after lobectomy.

A 100-member ensemble simulations of global historical (1951-2010) wave heights.

The d4PDF-WaveHs dataset represents the first single model initial-condition large ensemble of historical significant ocean wave height (Hs) at a global scale. It was produced using an advanced statistical model with predictors derived from Japan's d4PDF ensemble of historical simulations of sea level pressure. d4PDF-WaveHs provides 100 realizations of Hs for the period 1951-2010 (hence 6,000 years of data) on a 1° × 1° lat.-long. grid. Technical comparison of model skill against modern reanalysis and other historical wave datasets was undertaken at global and regional scales. d4PDF-WaveHs provides unique data to understand better the poorly known role of internal climate variability in ocean wave climate, which can be used to estimate better trend signals. It also provides a better sampling of extreme events. Overall, this is crucial to properly assess wave-driven impacts, such as extreme sea levels on low-lying populated coastal areas. This dataset may be of interest to a variety of researchers, engineers and stakeholders in the fields of climate science, oceanography, coastal management, offshore engineering, and energy resource development.

Advances in combined application of dental stem cells and small-molecule drugs in regenerative medicine.

Teeth are a kind of masticatory organs of special histological origin, unique to vertebrates, playing an important role in chewing, esthetics, and auxiliary pronunciation. In the past decades, with the development of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, the studies of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) gradually attracted the interest of researchers. Accordingly, several types of MSCs have been successively isolated in teeth or teeth-related tissues, including dental pulp stem cells, periodontal ligament stem cells, stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth, dental follicle stem cells, stem cells from apical papilla and gingival mesenchymal stem cells. These dental stem cells (DSCs) are easily accessible, possess excellent stem cell characteristics, such as high proliferation rates and profound immunomodulatory properties. Small-molecule drugs are widely used and show great advantages in clinical practice. As research progressed, small-molecule drugs are found to have various complex effects on the characteristics of DSCs, especially the enhancement of biological characteristics of DSCs, which has gradually become a hot issue in the field of DSCs research. This review summarizes the background, current status, existing problems, future research directions, and prospects of the combination of DSCs with three common small-molecule drugs: aspirin, metformin, and berberine.

Improving the osseointegration and soft tissue sealing of zirconia ceramics by the incorporation of akermanite via sol infiltration for dental implants.

Zirconia ceramics are promising dental implant materials due to their high-grade biocompatibility, high mechanical strength, and distinctive aesthetic appearance. Nevertheless, zirconia ceramics are bio-inert with a lack of osseointegration and soft tissue sealing, which limits dental implant applications. As such, the fabrication of zirconia ceramics with high mechanical strength, excellent osseointegration and soft tissue sealing performance remains a great challenge in the dental restoration field. In this article, a novel zirconia ceramic with akermanite (AKT) modification by the negative pressure infiltration method is presented. The effects of AKT sol infiltration at different times on the morphology, phase composition, mechanical properties, bioactivity, osseointegration and soft tissue sealing of the modified zirconia ceramics have been systematically investigated. The modified zirconia ceramics feature excellent mechanical properties and significantly improved surface roughness, hydrophilia, and apatite mineralization ability as compared with unmodified zirconia ceramics. Furthermore, cell-culture experiment results indicated that the surface modification of zirconia ceramics could promote adhesion, spreading, migration, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of mouse bone marrow stromal stem cells (mBMSCs), as well as the early adhesion, spreading, proliferation and fibroblast differentiation of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) in vitro. The prepared bioactive zirconia distinctively enhanced the alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity, osteogenesis-related gene expression of mBMSCs and fibroblast-related-gene expression of HGFs. The in vivo evaluation confirmed that 15-TZP ceramics could promote bone-implant osseointegration to the greatest extent as compared with pure zirconia ceramics. To conclude, our research has shown that AKT-modified zirconia ceramics can achieve bone integration and soft tissue sealing, indicating that they have a lot of potential for application as a novel dental implant material in the clinical setting.