Graphene/Rh(111) Structure Studied Using In-Situ Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

Scanning tunnel microscopy （STM） is performed to verify if an Rh ＇nails＇ structure is formed accompanying the graphene growing during chemical vapor deposition. A structure of a graphene island in an Rh vacancy island is used as the start. While the graphene island is removed by oxygenation, the variations of the Rh vacancy island are imaged with an in-situ high-temperature STM. By fitting with our model and calculations, we conclude that the best fit is obtained for 0% Rh, i.e., for the complete absence of nails below graphene on Rh（111）. That is, when graphene is formed on Rh（111）, the substrate remains fiat and does not develop a SUPPorting nail structure.

Discontinuous Precipitation Reaction Front of Cellular Recrystallization for a Single-Crystal Superalloy Studied by Electron Microscopy

Combining analytical transmission electron microscopy systematic tilting, scanning transmission electron microscopy mapping and nano-beam electron diffraction operations, we obtain direct experimental proofs on the boundary type, elemental distribution and structure of the cellular reerystallization reaction front for a single- crystal superalloy. It is demonstrated that the cellular recrystallization reaction front usually corresponds to coincidence site lattice boundaries, and a thin layer of γ-forming elements such as Re, Cr, Mo and Co invariably exists in the direct reaction front. Furthermore, the thin layer with γ-forming elements is proved to be γ phase, with the same orientation as the neighboring original matrix.

BASICITY ON ZEOLITE NAX AFTER WATER HANDLING STUDIED BY TPD OF ORGANIC ACID

In this paper the effect of ion-exchange simplified as water handling on basic zeolitewas studied.It was foond that the interaction between chemisorbed water and Na+-O2- couplewould increase the total number of basic sites, while weaken the intensity of each basic sites.Theprocess can be explained by the adsorb model of organic acid on NaX presented before.

Nanoindentation Models of Monolayer Graphene and Graphyne under Point Load Pattern Studied by Molecular Dynamics

Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to study the nanoindentation models of monolayer suspended graphene and graphyne. Fullerenes are selected as indenters. Our results show that Young＇s modulus of monolayer-thick graphyne is almost half of that of graphene, which is estimated to be 0.50 TPa. The mechanical properties of graphene and graphyne are different in the presence of strain. A pre-tension has an important effect on the mechanical properties of a membrane. Both the pre-tension and Young＇s modulus plots demonstrate index behavior. The toughness of graphyne is stronger than that of graphene due to Young＇s modulus magnitude. Young＇s moduli of graphene and graphyne are almost independent of the size ratio of indenter to membrane.

Chiral asymmetry of anti-symmetric coordinates studied by the Raman differential bond polarizability of S-phenylethylamine

The Raman optical activity （ROA） study on S-phenylethylamine is presented by the intensity analyses via bond polarizability and differential bond polarizability. Ample information concerning the physical picture of this chiral system is obtained, and its ROA mechanism is constructed. Especially, we propose that the asymmetric modes and/or the off-diagonal elements of the electronic polarizability tensor are the potential keys to the exploration of ROA.

The guanidine hydrochloride-induced denaturation of CP43 and CP47 studied by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) is a new technique in studying the conformational state of a molecule in recent years. In this work, we reported the first use of THz-TDS to examine the dena- turation of two photosynthesis membrane proteins: CP43 and CP47. THz-TDS was proven to be useful in discriminating the different conformational states of given proteins with similar structure and in monitoring the denaturation process of proteins. Upon treatment with guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl), a 1.8 THz peak appeared for CP47 and free chlorophyll a (Chl a). This peak was deemed to originate from the interaction between Chl a and GuHCl molecules. The Chl a molecules in CP47 interacted with GuHCl more easily than those in CP43.

Pharmacological intervention for chronic phase of spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury is an intractable traumatic injury. The most common hurdles faced during spinal cord injury are failure of axonal regrowth and reconnection to target sites. These also tend to be the most challenging issues in spinal cord injury. As spinal cord injury progresses to the chronic phase, lost motor and sensory functions are not recovered. Several reasons may be attributed to the failure of recovery from chronic spinal cord injury. These include factors that inhibit axonal growth such as activated astrocytes, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, myelin-associated proteins, inflammatory microglia, and fibroblasts that accumulate at lesion sites. Skeletal muscle atrophy due to denervation is another chronic and detrimental spinal cord injury–specific condition. Although several intervention strategies based on multiple outlooks have been attempted for treating spinal cord injury, few approaches have been successful. To treat chronic spinal cord injury, neural cells or tissue substitutes may need to be supplied in the cavity area to enable possible axonal growth. Additionally, stimulating axonal growth activity by extrinsic factors is extremely important and essential for maintaining the remaining host neurons and transplanted neurons. This review focuses on pharmacotherapeutic approaches using small compounds and proteins to enable axonal growth in chronic spinal cord injury. This review presents some of these candidates that have shown promising outcomes in basic research(in vivo animal studies) and clinical trials: AA-NgR(310)ecto-Fc(AXER-204), fasudil, phosphatase and tensin homolog protein antagonist peptide 4, chondroitinase ABC, intracellular sigma peptide,(-)-epigallocatechin gallate, matrine, acteoside, pyrvate kinase M2, diosgenin, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, and fampridine-sustained release. Although the current situation suggests that drug-based therapies to recover function in chronic spinal cord injury are limited, potential candidates have been identified through basic research, and these candidates may be subjects of clinical studies in the future. Moreover, cocktail therapy comprising drugs with varied underlying mechanisms may be effective in treating the refractory status of chronic spinal cord injury.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Chinese military personnel:A cross-sectional,multicenter-based study

BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)infection is a prevalent disease encountered in military internal medicine and recognized as the main cause of dyspepsia,gastritis,and peptic ulcer,which are common diseases in military personnel.Current guidelines in China state all patients with evidence of active infection with H.pylori are offered treatment.However,the prevalence of H.pylori infection and its regional distribution in the military population remain unclear,which hinders effective prevention and treatment strategies.Understanding the prevalence of H.pylori infection in the military population will aid in the development of customized strategies to better manage this infectious disease.AIM To investigate the prevalence of H.pylori infection in the Chinese military population in different geographic areas.METHODS This multicenter,retrospective study included 22421 individuals from five tertiary hospitals located in north,east,southwest,and northwest cities of China.H.pylori infection was identified using the urea breath test,which had been performed between January 2020 and December 2021.RESULTS Of the 22421 military service members,7416(33.1%)were urea breath test-positive.The highest prevalence of H.pylori was in the 30-39 years age group for military personnel,with an infection rate of 34.9%.The majority of infected subjects were younger than 40-years-old,accounting for 70.4%of the infected population.The individuals serviced in Lanzhou and Chengdu showed a higher infection prevalence than those in Beijing,Nanjing,and Guangzhou,with prevalence rates of 44.3%,37.9%,29.0%,31.1%,and 32.3%,respectively.CONCLUSION H.pylori infection remains a common infectious disease among military personnel in China and has a relatively high prevalence rate in northwest China.

Gallbladder carcinoma in the era of artificial intelligence: Early diagnosis for better treatment

Gallbladder carcinoma(GBC)is the most common malignant tumor of biliary tract,with poor prognosis due to its aggressive nature and limited therapeutic options.Early detection of GBC is a major challenge,with most GBCs being detected accidentally during cholecystectomy procedures for gallbladder stones.This letter comments on the recent article by Deqing et al in the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology,which summarized the various current methods used in early diagnosis of GBC,including endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)examination of the gallbladder for high-risk GBC patients,and the use of EUS-guided elasto-graphy,contrast-enhanced EUS,trans-papillary biopsy,natural orifice translu-minal endoscopic surgery,magnifying endoscopy,choledochoscopy,and confocal laser endomicroscopy when necessary for early diagnosis of GBC.However,there is a need for novel methods for early GBC diagnosis,such as the use of artificial intelligence and non-coding RNA biomarkers for improved screening protocols.Additionally,the use of in vitro and animal models may provide critical insights for advancing early detection and treatment strategies of this aggressive tumor.

Cauda equina syndrome with urinary retention as a postoperative complication of lumbar spine surgery:A case report

BACKGROUND Cauda equina syndrome(CES)is characterized by a group of symptoms that may be caused by inflammation,spinal cord compression,venous congestion,or ischemia.This syndrome is commonly an indication for surgical intervention but has not been determined as a postoperative complication following surgery for lumbar spine disease.CASE SUMMARY To report the case of a 54-year-old male patient who had CES following spinal surgery,with no obvious compression lesions found during re-exploration,suggesting that vascular insufficiency may have contributed to the condition.Furthermore,a series of urodynamic studies on bladder recovery patterns in such complications have also been investigated.CONCLUSION Postoperative CES requires urgent imaging and exploration to rule out compression;noncompressive cases,including vascular insufficiency may performed conservative management.

Moment Redistribution Effect of the Continuous Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer-Concrete Composite Slabs Based on Static Loading Experiment

This study aimed to investigate the moment redistribution in continuous glass fiber reinforced polymer(GFRP)-concrete composite slabs caused by concrete cracking and steel bar yielding in the negative bending moment zone.An experimental bending moment redistribution test was conducted on continuous GFRP-concrete composite slabs,and a calculation method based on the conjugate beam method was proposed.The composite slabs were formed by combining GFRP profiles with a concrete layer and supported on steel beams to create two-span continuous composite slab specimens.Two methods,epoxy resin bonding,and stud connection,were used to connect the composite slabs with the steel beams.The experimental findings showed that the specimen connected with epoxy resin exhibited two moments redistribution phenomena during the loading process:concrete cracking and steel bar yielding at the internal support.In contrast,the composite slab connected with steel beams by studs exhibited only one-moment redistribution phenomenon throughout the loading process.As the concrete at the internal support cracked,the bending moment decreased in the internal support section and increased in the midspan section.When the steel bars yielded,the bending moment further decreased in the internal support section and increased in the mid-span section.Since GFRP profiles do not experience cracking,there was no significant decrease in the bending moment of the mid-span section.All test specimens experienced compressive failure of concrete at the mid-span section.Calculation results showed good agreement between the calculated and experimental values of bending moments in the mid-span section and internal support section.The proposed model can effectively predict the moment redistribution behavior of continuous GFRP-concrete composite slabs.

Activin A receptor type 1C single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma risk in Chinese population

BACKGROUND Transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)superfamily plays an important role in tumor progression and metastasis.Activin A receptor type 1C(ACVR1C)is a TGF-βtype I receptor that is involved in tumorigenesis through binding to dif-ferent ligands.AIM To evaluate the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)of ACVR1C and susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)in Chinese Han population.METHODS In this hospital-based cohort study,1043 ESCC patients and 1143 healthy controls were enrolled.Five SNPs(rs4664229,rs4556933,rs77886248,rs77263459,rs6734630)of ACVR1C were assessed by the ligation detection reaction method.Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test,genetic model analysis,stratified analysis,linkage disequi-librium test,and haplotype analysis were conducted.RESULTS Participants carrying ACVR1C rs4556933 GA mutant had significantly decreased risk of ESCC,and those with rs77886248 TA mutant were related with higher risk,especially in older male smokers.In the haplotype analysis,ACVR1C Trs4664229Ars4556933Trs77886248Crs77263459Ars6734630 increased risk of ESCC,while Trs4664229Grs4556933Trs77886248Crs77263459Ars6734630 was associated with lower susceptibility to ESCC.CONCLUSION ACVR1C rs4556933 and rs77886248 SNPs were associated with the susceptibility to ESCC,which could provide a potential target for early diagnosis and treatment of ESCC in Chinese Han population.

Trends of alkaline phosphatase to prealbumin ratio in patients with hepatitis B linked to hepatocellular carcinoma development

BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis B often progresses silently toward hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),a leading cause of mortality worldwide.Early detection of HCC is crucial,yet challenging.AIM To investigate the role of dynamic changes in alkaline phosphatase to prealbumin ratio(APR)in hepatitis B progression to HCC.METHODS Data from 4843 patients with hepatitis B(January 2015 to January 2024)were analyzed.HCC incidence rates in males and females were compared using the log-rank test.Data were evaluated using Kaplan–Meier analysis.The Linear Mixed-Effects Model was applied to track the fluctuation of APR levels over time.Furthermore,Joint Modeling of Longitudinal and Survival data was employed to investigate the temporal relationship between APR and HCC risk.RESULTS The incidence of HCC was higher in males.To ensure the model’s normality assumption,this study applied a logarithmic transformation to APR,yielding ratio.Ratio levels were higher in females(t=5.26,P<0.01).A 1-unit increase in ratio correlated with a 2.005-fold higher risk of HCC in males(95%CI:1.653-2.431)and a 2.273-fold higher risk in females(95%CI:1.620-3.190).CONCLUSION Males are more prone to HCC,while females have higher APR levels.Despite no baseline APR link,rising APR indicates a higher HCC risk.

Cohort study on the treatment of BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer with integrated Chinese and western medicine

BACKGROUND Patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC)have a low incidence rate,poor biological activity,suboptimal response to conventional treatments,and a poor prognosis.In the previous cohort study on mCRC conducted by our team,it was observed that integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment could significantly prolong the overall survival(OS)of patients with colorectal cancer.Therefore,we further explored the survival benefits in the population with BRAF V600E mutant mCRC.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of integrated Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer.METHODS A cohort study was conducted on patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer admitted to Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January 2016 to December 2022.The patients were divided into two cohorts.RESULTS A total of 34 cases were included,with 23 in Chinese-Western medicine cohort(cohort A)and 11 in Western medicine cohort(cohort B).The median overall survival was 19.9 months in cohort A and 14.2 months in cohort B,with a statistically significant difference(P=0.038,hazard ratio=0.46).The 1-3-year survival rates were 95.65%(22/23),39.13%(9/23),and 26.09%(6/23)in cohort A,and 63.64%(7/11),18.18%(2/11),and 9.09%(1/11)in cohort B,respectively.Subgroup analysis showed statistically significant differences in median OS between the two cohorts in the right colon,liver metastasis,chemotherapy,and first-line treatment subgroups(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Integrated Chinese and Western medicine can prolong the survival and reduce the risk of death in patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer,with more pronounced benefits observed in patients with right colon involvement,liver metastasis,combined chemotherapy,and first-line treatment.

Relationship between atomic structure and crystal type studied by artificial neural network

We have used chemical bond parameters and pattern recognition method to investigatethe regularities of the crystal type of alloy phase,and achieved good results.Theparameters used,however,are semi-empirical paramters,which are not very strict fromtheoretical viewpoint.In this letter,we use the numbers describing atomic structure(thenumbers of valence electrons Z1,Z2,the principal quantum numbers of valence electrons n1,

A cross-sectional study of the association between dietary inflammatory index and glaucoma prevalence in a US population

AIM:To assess the relationship between dietary inflammatory index(DII)and prevalence of glaucoma among individuals aged 40y and above in the United States.METHODS:Participants were drawn from 2 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES,2005-2008)for a cross-sectional study.DII was calculated from 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire conducted by experienced researchers and data analyzed in R according to the NHANES user guide,“Stratified Multi-stage Probability Sampling”.The relationship between DII and glaucoma was evaluated by multi-factor logistic regression analysis and the existence of a non-linear association examined by restricted cubic spline(RCS)analysis.RESULTS:A total of 5359 subjects were included and the cross-sectional analysis weighted to represent the US population of 109 million.DII was elevated in glaucoma patients(P<0.001)and smoking and alcohol use contributed to significant differences(P<0.001).DII correlated negatively with Healthy Eating Index(HEI)-2015(Spearman rank correlation coefficient,r=-0.49).RCS analysis showed a linear relationship between DII and glaucoma risk(P of non-linear relationship=0.575).CONCLUSION:An increased DII is strongly associated with high risk of glaucoma and diet-induced inflammation should be controlled to delay glaucoma progression.

Recent progresses of polymer crystallization studied by AFM

The crystallization of polymers has been one of the major topics in polymer physics. Spherulites are common crystalline structures observed in semi-crystalline polymers. Many studies[1-5] have been performed to investigate the detailed structures and formation mechanisms. It is generally accepted that the three-dimensional geometry of spherulites develops from a stack of lamellae. During the growth process, the stacked lamellae splay apart continually and branch occasionally[6.7]. However, there are many unanswered questions. For example, what is a pri-

Elastic constants and softening of acoustic mode in K_2SnCl_6 crystal studied by Brillouin scattering

In this paper we present the Brillouin Scattering measurements of the longitudinal and transverse sound velocities for the hexahalome-atllate K2SnCl6 at room temperature . The elastic constants , refractive index , volume compressibility are determined from the Brillouin line shifts. Furthermore, the sound velocity in the [111] direction is investigated as a function of temperature 252K<T<270K . An acoustic adrupt change of the c11+2c12 mode is observed as the temperature approaches 256K from above, which has been analysed by means of the Pippard relations. The conclusion is that K2SnCl6 undergoes first order phase transition near T=256K. This acoustic anomaly can be interpreted by the nonlinear coupling of the elastic strain field to the fluctuation of the soft-mode coordinate.

Structural stability and magnetism of metastable Ni-Pt intermetallic compounds studied by ab initio calculation

The self-consistent electronic structure calculations were carried out with the accurate frozen-core full-potential projector augmented-wave method on 13 Ni-Pt intermetallic compounds of simple crystalline structures,i.e. A15,D019,D03 and L12 Ni3Pt and NiPt3,and α-NiAs,B1,B2,L2a,and L10 NiPt. The calculations reveal that the L12 Ni3Pt,L10 NiPt and L12 NiPt3 are energetically more stable than their respective competitive structures,indicating that the three structures may be formed in some appropriate conditions. The obtained results match well with the experimental observation or other theory predictions. It is found that there is hybridization between Ni 3d and Pt 5d states,which may significantly affect the structural stability and magnetism of metastable Ni-Pt intermetallic compounds.

Thermal transformation of δ-MnO_2 nanoflowers studied by in-situ TEM

ln-situ transmission electron microscopy in combination with a heating stage has been employed to real-time monitor varia- tions of δ-phase MnO2 nanoflowers in terms of their morphology and crystalline structures upon thermal annealing at elevated temperatures up to -665 ℃. High-temperature annealing drives the diffusion of the small δ-MnO2 nanocrystallites within short distances less than 15 nm and the fusion of the adjacent δ-MnO： nanocrystallites, leading to the formation of larger crystalline domains including highly crystalline nanorods. The annealed nanoflowers remain their overall flower-like morphology while they are converted to α-MnO2. The preferred transformation of the δ-MnO2 to the α-MnO2 can be ascribed to the close lattice spacing of most crystalline lattices between δ-MnO2 and α-MnO2, that might lead to a possible epitaxial growth of ct-MnO2 lattices on the 8-MnO2 lattices during the thermal annealing process.