Search Results (277)

Lithology identification is a critical technology for geological resource exploration and engineering safety assessment. However, traditional methods suffer from insufficient feature representation and low classification accuracy due to challenges such as weathering, vegetation cover, and spectral overlap in complex sedimentary rock regions. This study proposes a hierarchical multi-feature random forest algorithm based on Feature-Preserved Compressive Sampling (FPCS). Using 3D laser point cloud data from the Manas River outcrop in the southern margin of the Junggar Basin as the test area, we integrate graph signal processing and multi-scale feature fusion to construct a high-precision lithology identification model. The FPCS method establishes a geologically adaptive graph model constrained by geodesic distance and gradient-sensitive weighting, employing a three-tier graph filter bank (low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass) to extract macroscopic morphology, interface gradients, and microscopic fracture features of rock layers. A dynamic gated fusion mechanism optimizes multi-level feature weights, significantly improving identification accuracy in lithological transition zones. Experimental results on five million test samples demonstrate an overall accuracy (OA) of 95.6% and a mean accuracy (mAcc) of 94.3%, representing improvements of 36.1% and 20.5%, respectively, over the PointNet model. These findings confirm the robust engineering applicability of the FPCS-based hierarchical multi-feature approach for point cloud lithology identification. Full article

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic condition with an increasing prevalence worldwide and a significant improvement in life expectancy in the last decades. T1D confers an increased risk of cardiovascular events, driven by elevated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and qualitative lipoprotein abnormalities, such as dysfunctional HDL and smaller, denser LDL-C. Lipid-lowering outcome trials have overwhelmingly focused on type 2 diabetes or the general population, resulting in very limited T1D-specific evidence. Recommendations from major medical associations (ADA, ESC/EAS, ACC/AHA, ISPAD) create additional ambiguity regarding the treatment of dyslipidemia in T1D. This review synthesizes the available evidence on dyslipidemia management in T1D, including published observational cohorts, randomized controlled trials, and international guideline recommendations from January 2000 to June 2025. LDL-C remains the primary modifiable risk factor. Each 1 mmol/L increase is associated with 35–50% greater cardiovascular (CV) risk in T1D cohorts. Statin therapy reduces CV risk by up to 25% in patients with diabetes; however, evidence remains limited in patients with T1D. Ezetimibe provides an additional 18% LDL-C lowering and a 14% event reduction in mixed-diabetes trials, while PCSK9 inhibitors offer a potent 40–60% LDL-C reduction and an 18% MACE reduction. The uptake of statins in eligible adults with T1D remains below 50%. Statins remain the cornerstone of dyslipidemia management in T1D, with emerging evidence supporting ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors. The heterogeneity across international guidelines and the scarcity of T1D-specific outcome data underscore the need for targeted research and evidence-based strategies. Full article

Honeybees are vital pollinators with functional differentiation as a key survival strategy. The Chinese honeybee (Apis cerana cerana) exhibits exceptional nectar foraging in complex terrains, yet how alternative splicing (AS) and polyadenylation (APA) regulate its labor division remains unclear. Here, we applied PacBio full-length transcriptome sequencing to annotate worker bee transcriptomes across three developmental stages (Ac3d, Ac10d, Ac21d), calibrating the third-generation sequencing data with second-generation sequencing to enhance transcriptome annotation accuracy. We identified 17,961 isoforms and 1922 APA genes, finding that alternative first exon was the major type of AS, while APA enhances transcriptomic diversity via dual polyadenylation sites in most genes. Functional analyses revealed AS enrichment in growth signaling (Vg6, CYP15A1) and immune pathways (PTPRR), whereas APA regulated growth signaling (Vg6), energy metabolism (Acsl1, AcceFE), and oxidative stress (PTPRR, PPO2). Validation by PCR and 3′RACE confirmed stage-specific AS/APA events in key genes. These findings significantly enhance the A. cerana cerana reference genome annotation and provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of AS and APA regulation underlying honeybee development and functional transitions. Full article

Cotton fiber initiation determines the fiber yield, yet the genetic basis underlying lint and fuzz initiation has still not been fully uncovered. Here, map-based cloning was carried out to identify the fiberless mutant genes derived from a cross between Gossypium hirsutum acc. WT and a natural fiberless mutant, fbl_SHZ. The 12:3:1 segregation ratio in F₂ populations (including 1848 and 3100 individuals that were developed in 2016 and 2018, respectively) revealed dominant epistasis, with the fuzz gene exerting dominance over the lint gene. Genetic linkage analysis revealed that GhMYB25like_A12 controls fuzz fiber initiation, while both GhMYB25like_A12 and GhMYB25like_D12 regulate lint fiber development. Sequencing analyses showed that the fbl_SHZ mutant exhibited a K104M mutation in the R2R3 domain of GhMYB25like_A12 and a transposable element insertion in GhMYB25like_D12, leading to fiberless seeds. Knockout of GhMYB25like_A12 produced fuzzless seeds, knockout of GhMYB25like_D12 led to no obvious change in seeds, and knockout of both (GhMYB25like_A12&D12) resulted in fiberless seeds. The 12:3:1 ratio reappeared in the F₂ population developed from the GhMYB25like_A12&D12 mutated plants as female and Jin668 as the male, which further confirmed the genetic interaction observed in fbl_SHZ. RNA-seq analysis revealed that GhMYB25like regulates cotton fiber initiation through multiple pathways, especially fatty acid metabolism. This study elucidates the key genes and their genetic interaction mechanisms governing cotton fiber initiation, providing a theoretical foundation for genetic improvement of cotton fiber traits. Full article

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of tartary buckwheat flavonoids (TBF) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25-OHD) on fatty liver syndrome (FLS) in laying hens. A total of 450 35-wk-old Lohmann laying hens were selected and randomly divided into five groups, with six replicates per treatment and 15 laying hens in each replicate. The control group was fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet. The FLS group was fed a high- energy–low-protein (HELP) diet, and the other three experimental groups were fed HELP diets supplemented with 60 mg/kg TBF, 69 μg/kg 25-OHD, and 60 mg/kg TBF plus 69 μg/kg 25-OHD, respectively. The experiment lasted 8 weeks. The results demonstrated that feeding laying hens with a HELP diet led to a significant accumulation of fat in their livers, liver enlargement and yellowing, as well as a decline in liver antioxidant capacity and an aggravation of inflammation. TBF alone, 25-OHD alone, and their combination had no effect on the laying performance of laying hens fed with a HELP diet. However, 25-OHD significantly enhanced the albumin content, eggshell strength, and eggshell thickness of eggs (p < 0.05). Compared with the HELP group, TBF, 25-OHD, or their combination reduced serum LDL-C and TG (p < 0.05). The combined treatment further lowered serum NEFA and MDA, enhanced liver SOD activity (p < 0.05), and unlike TBF alone (which reduced hepatic TG) or 25-OHD alone (which decreased liver index), reduced both liver index and hepatic TG (p < 0.05). Liver gene expression analysis showed that combined TBF and 25-OHD significantly inhibited the expression of fat synthesis-related genes (ACC, FAS, GPAT1, ChREBP1, LXRα, SREBP-1C, SREBP-2, FABP) as well as inflammation-related genes (IL-6, TNF-α, NF-κB, TLR4) (p < 0.05). At the phylum level of the cecal microbiota, TBF increased the abundance of Bacteroidota (p < 0.05), and combined TBF and 25-OHD tended to increase the abundance of Firmicutes_D. At the genus level, TBF increased the abundance of Phocaeicola_A (p < 0.05). Furthermore, TBF, 25-OHD, or their combination reduced the abundance of Faecalibacterium (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that combined TBF and 25-OHD mitigates FLS in laying hens potentially through remodeling gut microbiota and maintaining lipid metabolic homeostasis. Full article

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex and heterogeneous condition characterized by emotional instability, impulsivity, and impaired regulation of interpersonal relationships. This narrative review integrates findings from recent neuroimaging, neurochemical, and treatment studies to identify core neurobiological mechanisms and highlight translational potential. Evidence from 112 studies published up to 2025 is synthesized, encompassing structural MRI, resting-state and task-based functional MRI, EEG, PET, and emerging machine learning applications. Consistent disruptions are observed across the prefrontal–amygdala circuitry, the default mode network (DMN), and mentalization-related regions. BPD shows a dominant and stable pattern of hyperconnectivity in the precuneus. Transdiagnostic comparisons with PTSD and cocaine use disorder (CUD) suggest partial overlap in DMN dysregulation, though BPD-specific traits emerge in network topology. Machine learning models achieve a classification accuracy of 70–88% and may support the tracking of early treatment responses. Longitudinal fMRI studies indicate that psychodynamic therapy facilitates the progressive normalization of dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) activity and reductions in alexithymia. We discuss the role of phenotypic heterogeneity (internalizing versus externalizing profiles), the potential of neuromodulation guided by biomarkers, and the need for standardized imaging protocols. Limitations include small sample sizes, a lack of effective connectivity analyses, and minimal multicenter cohort representation. Future research should focus on constructing multimodal biomarker panels that integrate functional connectivity, epigenetics, and computational phenotyping. This review supports the use of a precision psychiatry approach for BPD by aligning neuroscience with scalable clinical tools. Full article

Background: Acute complicated cholecystitis (ACC) is associated with prolonged hospitalization, increased morbidity, and higher mortality. However, objective imaging-based criteria to guide early clinical decision-making remain limited. This study aimed to develop a predictive scoring system integrating clinical characteristics, laboratory biomarkers, and computed tomography (CT) findings to facilitate the early identification of ACC in the emergency department (ED). Methods: We conducted a retrospective study at an urban tertiary care center in Taiwan, screening 729 patients who presented to the ED with suspected cholecystitis between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2020. Eligible patients included adults (≥18 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of acute cholecystitis based on the Tokyo Guidelines 2018 (TG18) and who were subsequently admitted for further management. Exclusion criteria included (a) the absence of contrast-enhanced CT imaging, (b) no hospital admission, (c) alternative final diagnosis, and (d) incomplete clinical data. A total of 390 patients met the inclusion criteria. Demographic data, laboratory results, and CT imaging features were analyzed. Logistic regression and decision tree analyses were used to construct predictive models. Results: Among the 390 included patients, 170 had mild, 170 had moderate, and 50 had severe cholecystitis. Key predictors of ACC included gangrenous changes, gallbladder wall attenuation > 80 Hounsfield units, CRP > 3 mg/dL, and WBC > 11,000/μL. A novel scoring system incorporating these variables demonstrated good diagnostic performance, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.775 and an optimal cutoff score of ≥2 points. Decision tree analysis similarly identified these four predictors as critical determinants in stratifying disease severity. Conclusions: This CT- and biomarker-based scoring system, alongside a decision tree model, provides a practical and robust tool for the early identification of complicated cholecystitis in the ED. Its implementation may enhance diagnostic accuracy and support timely clinical intervention. Full article

Background: The rapid advancement of radiomics and artificial intelligence (AI) technology has provided novel tools for the diagnosis of esophageal cancer. This study innovatively combines muscle imaging features with conventional esophageal imaging features to construct deep learning diagnostic models. Methods: This retrospective study included 1066 patients undergoing radical esophagectomy. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) images covering esophageal, stomach, and muscle (bilateral iliopsoas and erector spinae) regions were segmented automatically with manual adjustments. Diagnostic models were developed using deep learning (2D and 3D neural networks) and traditional machine learning (11 algorithms with PyRadiomics-derived features). Multimodal features underwent Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for dimension reduction and were fused for final analysis. Results: Comparative analysis of 1066 patients’ CT imaging revealed the muscle-based model outperformed the esophageal plus stomach model in predicting N2 staging (0.63 ± 0.11 vs. 0.52 ± 0.11, p = 0.03). Subsequently, multimodal fusion models were established for predicting pathological subtypes, T staging, and N staging. The logistic regression (LR) fusion model showed optimal performance in predicting pathological subtypes, achieving accuracy (ACC) of 0.919 in the training set and 0.884 in the validation set. For predicting T staging, the support vector machine (SVM) model demonstrated the highest accuracy, with training and validation accuracies of 0.909 and 0.907, respectively. The multilayer perceptron (MLP) fusion model achieved the best performance among all models tested for N staging prediction, although the accuracy remained moderate (ACC = 0.704 in the training set and 0.685 in the validation set), indicating potential for further optimization. Fusion models significantly outperformed single-modality models. Conclusions: Based on CT imaging data from 1066 patients, this study systematically constructed predictive models for pathological subtypes, T staging, and N staging of esophageal cancer. Comparative analysis of models using esophageal, esophageal plus stomach, and muscle modalities demonstrated that muscle imaging features contribute to diagnostic accuracy. Multimodal fusion models consistently showed superior performance. Full article

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis. Mitotane, the only FDA-approved treatment for ACC, targets adrenocortical cells and reduces cortisol levels. Although it remains the cornerstone of systemic therapy, its overall impact on long-term outcomes is still a matter of ongoing clinical debate. Drug repurposing is a cost-effective way to identify new therapies, and defactinib, currently in clinical trials as part of combination therapies for various solid tumours, may enhance ACC treatment. We aimed to assess its efficacy in combination with mitotane. We tested the combination of mitotane and defactinib in H295R, SW13, and mitotane-sensitive and -resistant HAC15 cells, using functional assays, transcriptomic profiling, 2D and 3D cultures, bioprinted tissues, and xenografts. We assessed drug interactions with NMR and toxicity in vivo, as mitotane and defactinib have never been previously administered together. Genomic data from 228 human ACC and 158 normal adrenal samples were also analysed. Transcriptomic analysis revealed dysregulation of focal adhesion along with mitotane-related pathways. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signalling was enhanced in ACC compared to normal adrenal glands, with PTK2 (encoding FAK) upregulated in 44% of tumour samples due to copy number alterations. High FAK signature scores correlated with worse survival outcomes. FAK inhibition by defactinib, both alone and in combination with mitotane, showed effective anti-tumour activity in vitro. No toxicity or drug—drug interactions were observed in vivo. Combination treatment significantly reduced tumour volume and the number of macrometastases compared to those in the mitotane and control groups, with defactinib-treated tumours showing increased necrosis in xenografts. Defactinib combined with conventionally used mitotane shows promise as a novel combination therapy for ACC and warrants further investigation. Full article

We combine corrected Gaia DR3 astrometry with non-conservative MESA modelling to retrace the evolution of the FS-CMa binary MWC 728. The revised parallax sets the distance at $d=1.2\pm 0.1$ kpc, leading—after Monte-Carlo error propagation—to luminosities of $log{(L/L_{\odot })}_{\mathrm{acc}}=2.6\pm 0.1$ and $log{(L/L_{\odot })}_{\mathrm{don}}=1.5\pm 0.1$, corresponding to the accretor and donor, respectively. A fiducial binary track that starts with $M_{\mathrm{don}}=3.6\pm 0.1M_{\odot }$, $M_{\mathrm{acc}}=1.8\pm 0.1M_{\odot }$, and $P_0=21.0\pm 0.2$ d reproduces the observations provided the Roche-lobe overflow, which is moderately non-conservative: only $39\%$ of the transferred mass is retained by the accretor, while the remainder leaves the system via (i) a fast isotropic wind from the donor ($\alpha =0.01$), (ii) isotropic re-emission near the accretor ($\beta =0.45$), and (iii) outflow into a circumbinary torus ($\delta =0.15$, lever arm $\gamma =1.3$). These channels remove sufficient angular momentum to expand the orbit to the observed $P_{\mathrm{obs}}=27.5\pm 0.1$ d while sustaining the dusty circumbinary outflow. At $t\simeq 223$ Myr, the model matches every current observable: $M_{\mathrm{don}}=1.30\pm 0.05M_{\odot }$, $M_{\mathrm{acc}}=2.67\pm 0.05M_{\odot }$, mass ratio $q=2.0\pm 0.1$, and an ongoing transfer rate of $\dot{M}\simeq (1\pm 0.3)\times {10}^{-6}{M}_{\odot }{\mathrm{yr}}^{-1}$. MWC 728 thus serves as a benchmark intermediate-mass binary for testing how non-conservative outflows regulate angular-momentum loss and orbital growth. Full article

Rhododendron purdomii Rehder & E. H. Wilson (Ericaceae) is a threatened ornamental and medicinal shrub or small tree species primarily distributed in the Qinling-Daba Mountains of Central China. To facilitate its conservation and utilization, the complete chloroplast genome of Rh. purdomii was sequenced, assembled, and characterized. The cp genome exhibited a typical quadripartite structure with a total length of 208,062 bp, comprising a large single copy (LSC) region of 110,618 bp, a small single copy (SSC) region of 2606 bp, and two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 47,419 bp each. The overall GC content was 35.81%. The genome contained 146 genes, including 96 protein-coding genes, 42 transfer RNA genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA genes. Structure analysis identified 67,354 codons, 96 long repetitive sequences, and 171 simple sequence repeats. Comparative genomic analysis across Rhododendron species revealed hypervariable coding regions (accD, rps9) and non-coding regions (trnK-UUU-ycf3, trnI-CAU-rpoB, trnT-GGU-accD, rpoA-psbL, rpl20-trnC-GCA, trnI-CAU-rrn16, and trnI-CAU-rps16), which may serve as potential molecular markers for genetic identification. Phylogenetic reconstruction confirmed the monophyly of Rhododendron species and highlighted a close relationship between Rh. purdomii and Rh. henanense subsp. lingbaoense. These results provide essential genomic resources for advancing taxonomic, evolutionary, conservation, and breeding studies of Rh. purdomii and other species within the genus Rhododendron. Full article

Salvia, a medicinally and economically important genus, is widely used in traditional medicine, agriculture, and horticulture. This study compares the chloroplast genomes of eight East Asian Salvia species to assess genetic diversity, structural features, and evolutionary relationships. Complete chloroplast genomes were sequenced, annotated, and analyzed for gene content, codon usage, and repetitive sequences. Phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed using Maximum Likelihood, Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian inference. The genomes exhibited a conserved quadripartite structure (151,081–152,678 bp, GC content 37.9–38.1%), containing 114 unique genes with consistent arrangement. Codon usage favored A/T endings, with leucine (Leu) most frequent and cysteine (Cys) least. We identified 281 long sequence repeats (LSRs) and 345 simple sequence repeats (SSRs), mostly in non-coding regions. Comparative analysis revealed five hypervariable regions (trnH-psbA, rbcL-accD, petA-psbJ, rpl32-trnL, ycf1) as potential molecular markers. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the monophyly of East Asian Salvia, dividing them into five clades, with Sect. Sonchifoliae basal. While G1, G3, and G8 were monophyletic, G5 and G6 were paraphyletic, and the G7-G8 relationship challenged traditional classifications. The genomic evidence provides crucial insights for resolving long-standing taxonomic uncertainties and refining the classification system of Salvia. These findings suggest a complex evolutionary history involving hybridization and incomplete lineage sorting, providing valuable genomic insights for Salvia phylogeny, taxonomy, and conservation. Full article

Background: Previous syntheses on the neural effects of alcohol have been restricted to tasks assessing craving, cognitive control, and reward processing. Despite extensive research, a comprehensive synthesis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) findings on alcohol use disorder (AUD) remains lacking. This study aimed to identify consistent brain activation alterations across all cognitive and emotional tasks administered to individuals with AUD while distinguishing between short-term and long-term abstinence and using activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis. Sub-analyses on task types were performed. Methods: A systematic review identified 67 fMRI studies on participants with an AUD. Results: The meta-analysis revealed significant alterations in brain activity, including both hypo- and hyperactivation in the left putamen across all AUD participants. These alterations were observed more frequently during decision-making and reward tasks. Short-term abstinent individuals exhibited hypoactivation in the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG), corresponding to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. In contrast, long-term abstinent individuals displayed hypoactivation in the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). This meta-analysis highlights critical neural alterations in AUD, particularly in regions associated with reward processing (putamen), executive functions (MFG and SFG), and attentional salience (dACC). Putamen changes were predominantly observed during short-term abstinence and in decision-making, as well as reward processing tasks. dACC and SFG hypoactivation were specific to long-term abstinence, while MFG hypoactivation was specific to short-term abstinence. Conclusions: These findings support prior research indicating a motivational imbalance and persistent executive dysfunctions in AUD. Standardizing consumption metrics and expanding task diversity in future research is essential to further refine our understanding of the neural effects of AUD. Full article

Global climate change has led to an increased frequency of extreme weather events, with flooding caused by heavy rainfall posing a significant threat to plant growth and survival. Styrax japonicus, a species of ecological and economic importance, exhibits stronger flooding tolerance compared to its congener Styrax tonkinensis. Endogenous hormonal systems in plants are indispensable for integrating growth dynamics, developmental transitions, and ecological stress perception-transduction pathways. To investigate the response of S. japonicus to flooding stress at both hormonal and molecular levels, this study utilized annual seedlings of S. japonicus as experimental material. Two levels of flooding stress, waterlogging and submergence, were applied to examine the variations in endogenous hormone levels in S. japonicus roots under different stress conditions and durations. Combined with transcriptome sequencing, critical genes associated with hormone-mediated signaling and biosynthetic processes were identified. The results showed that the content of the ethylene precursor ACC exhibited a trend of “increase–decrease–increase”, with an earlier decline under submergence compared to waterlogging stress by approximately 10 days. Abscisic acid content sharply decreased at 5 d, followed by an initial increase and subsequent decrease, with higher ABA levels observed under waterlogging stress than under submergence. GA content significantly decreased after 10 d in both stress conditions. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that the most prominently enriched pathway for DEGs was plant hormone signal transduction under both waterlogging and submergence stress, with 314 and 370 DEGs identified, respectively. Analysis of common genes indicated their association with ethylene, ABA, auxin, and BRs. After further investigation of DEGs in the ethylene and ABA biosynthesis process, we identified key enzyme genes encoding ACS, ACO, and NCED, which are critical for their biosynthesis. Full article

Background: Self-controlled motor imagery combined with assistive devices is promising for enhancing neurorehabilitation. This study developed a soft, Flexible Exoskeleton (flexEXO) for finger movements and investigated whether self-controlled motor tasks facilitate stronger cortical activation than externally controlled conditions. Methods: Twenty-one healthy participants performed grasping tasks under four conditions: Self-Controlled Motion (SCC), Other-Controlled Motion (OCC), Self-Controlled Imagery Only (SCIOC), and Other-Controlled Imagery Only (OCIOC). EEG data were recorded, focusing on event-related desynchronization (ERD) in the μ and β bands during imagery and motion and event-related synchronization (ERS) in the β band during feedback. Source localization was performed using eLORETA. Results: Higher μERD and βERD were observed during self-controlled tasks, particularly in the primary motor cortex and supplementary motor area. Externally controlled tasks showed enhanced activation in the inferior parietal lobule and secondary somatosensory cortex. βERS did not differ significantly across conditions. Source localization revealed that self-controlled tasks engaged motor planning and error-monitoring regions more robustly. Conclusions: The flexEXO device and the comparison of brain activity under different conditions provide insights into the neural mechanisms of motor control and have implications for neurorehabilitation. Full article