Science Progress最新文献

In contrast to polynomial smooth S-curves and typical sine curves, this article presents a revolutionary curve design technique based on the Fibonacci sequence. This technique removes discontinuities that arise during the transition between acceleration segments by adding several fixed-form smooth transition segments into the original curve while maintaining the piecewise structure of the traditional S-curve. The proposed motion profile aims to improve control stability, positioning accuracy, and current performance, while maintaining the performance advantages of a multisegment S-curve design. This article elaborates on the design principles of the modified motion profile and derives its analytical models for acceleration, jerk, velocity, and displacement. Furthermore, it provides complete mathematical formulas for possible profile variants under different parameter settings, as well as profile type selection criteria based on hardware parameters. To evaluate the feasibility of the proposed approach on real control systems and its advantages in accuracy and current behavior, simulations are conducted. This article uses the proposed modified motion profile and the traditional S-curve as motion commands, comparing the speed and acceleration responses under motor models with different damping ratios to verify its feasibility and performance advantages. Furthermore, we conducted experiments on a brushless DC motor and recorded data through the motor's built-in feedback. The results show that, compared to the traditional S-curve, the proposed modified motion profile improves positioning accuracy and current stability.

ObjectiveEvaluate a low-urapidil protocol (30 µg/kg bolus + 20 µg/kg/h infusion) on oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)-mediated matrix remodeling in a rat renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury model.Methods32 male Wistar rats were randomized into control (CR), sham (SH), I/R, and I/R + Urapidil (UR) groups. The CR group received no treatment, the SH group underwent laparotomy and intraperitoneal normal saline, the I/R group underwent laparotomy with 30-min of aortic clamping and 24 h of reperfusion, and the UR group received urapidil starting at 1 h before 30-min of aortic clamping (ischemia), followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Assessments included serum creatinine/urea, oxidative markers (total antioxidant status [TAS, total oxidant status [TOS]), inflammatory cytokines (tissue necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and MMP-9) via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, renal histopathology (hematoxylin and eosin staining), and immunohistochemistry (H-scores for endothelial nitric oxide synthase [eNOS], caspase-3, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and MMP-9).ResultsI/R significantly increased serum creatinine, urea, TNF-α, IL-1β, and TOS, and depleted TAS, indicating severe injury, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Extensive tubular necrosis, vacuolization, and edema were also observed. Immunohistochemistry revealed elevated levels of eNOS, caspase-3, cytokines, and MMP-9. Urapidil pretreatment effectively normalized serum creatinine/urea, restored TAS, reduced TOS and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) to baseline, and markedly alleviated histopathological damage. Urapidil significantly suppressed I/R-induced elevations in oxidative (eNOS), apoptotic (caspase-3), and inflammatory markers, and MMP-9 expression.ConclusionLow-dose urapidil confers significant protection against renal I/R injury by mitigating oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and MMP-9-mediated matrix degradation. The efficacy at microgram doses highlights its potential as a clinically relevant nephroprotective agent.

ObjectiveColon cancer ranks among the most prevalent malignancies globally. Despite advances in therapy, patients' prognosis remains poor, particularly in advanced stages. Programed cell death (PCD), including over 20 patterns, plays a pivotal role in colon cancer progression. However, a systematic analysis of the PCD regulatory network in colon cancer is lacking.MethodsWe comprehensively analyzed various PCD patterns in colon cancer using bulk transcriptomic and single-cell transcriptomic data from GEO and TCGA databases. Multiple machine learning algorithms were used to identify Key PCD patterns. A novel combined cell death index (CCDI) was constructed using 117 algorithm combinations. Functional enrichment, immune infiltration, nomogram construction, and pseudotime trajectory analyses were also performed.ResultsDifferent PCD patterns significantly impacted colon cancer prognosis. Disulfidptosis and anoikis were consistently identified as critical PCD patterns. The CCDI, based on these genes, outperformed existing models in prognostic prediction. Additionally, disulfidptosis and anoikis scores enriched in endothelial cells (ECs), which exhibited close interactions with other cell types. Six genes (CD36, CLU, FLNA, NOTCH3, TAGLN, TIMP1) were identified as key regulators during ECs phenotypic transition.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the key roles of disulfidptosis and anoikis, and establishes a novel CCDI model with prognostic value in colon cancer. Additionally, it insights into ECs phenotypic transition and their regulatory genes, provides new therapy targets for colon cancer.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of elderly chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients; and the correlation among their biochemical indicators, physical activity, and functional parameters. The findings of this study will hopefully a scientific basis for better understanding the causes and developing the best management methods for CKD in this population.MethodsIn total, 280 elderly patients with CKD participated in this cross-sectional study. All patients underwent a multidimensional assessment of clinical data, physical activity, and functional performance. Patients were stratified by disease severity into two groups: CKD stages 1-3 and stages 4-5. Additionally, they were categorized as sedentary or nonsedentary based on metabolic equivalent of task (MET) levels. Inter-group differences and correlations among the variables were subsequently analyzed.ResultsResearch findings indicated that although male patients predominated in the overall cohort, female patients were more prevalent among those with advanced CKD (stages 4-5) and those reporting a sedentary lifestyle, and these subgroups also demonstrated a higher likelihood of hypertension and anemia. Compared to patients with CKD stages 1-3, those in stages 4-5 had significantly lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), hemoglobin, albumin, and MET values (P < .05), along with higher serum creatinine and Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living (BADL) values (P < .05). Similarly, when compared to nonsedentary patients, those with a sedentary lifestyle exhibited lower eGFR, hemoglobin, and MET levels (P < .05), alongside elevated procalcitonin (PCT) and BADL values (P < .05). Correlation analyses further revealed that renal function was significantly associated with both BADL and MET values in the studied CKD population (P < .05). Our correlation analysis also revealed that renal function in elderly advanced CKD patients is closely associated with levels of PCT and Hb (P < .05). Moreover, among sedentary elderly CKD patients, renal function was correlated not only with PCT and Hb (P < .05), but also with albumin and physical activity levels MET (P < .05).ConclusionsOur study identified a predominance of female patients in advanced CKD stages and among those leading sedentary lifestyles. Furthermore, our findings suggest that renal function may be associated with physical activity and functional performance, with this relationship appearing most pronounced in sedentary individuals. The results also point to a potential interrelationship between renal function, inflammation, and nutritional status in advanced CKD.

This study investigates optical solitons in magneto-optic waveguides while preserving the generalized anti-cubic structure of nonlinear self-phase modulation. A novel ${\varphi }^6$-model expansion technique is proposed, and its application in magneto-optic waveguides is explored. The ${\varphi }^6$ approach provides an accurate and efficient method to solve wave propagation problems in magneto-optic media, enabling improved modeling of light behavior by incorporating the combined effects of electric and magnetic fields within a unified framework. To address the challenges arising from the nonlinear magneto-optic effects on waveguide characteristics, the method yields precise dispersion relations, field distributions, and transmission properties. This technique facilitates the design of magneto-optic waveguides with tailored characteristics for next-generation photonic systems. By offering a reliable and accurate modeling framework, the ${\varphi }^6$ approach contributes to the development of more precise and efficient magneto-optic devices, advancing photonic integration, communication, and sensing technologies.

ObjectiveTo compare long-term survival in early-stage breast cancer patients treated with different radiation therapy modalities.MethodsData was retrospectively derived from SEER database. We compared overall survival (OS), breast cancer specific survival (BCSS) and second primary malignancies (SPM) in early-stage breast cancer patients treated with postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) versus those treated neoadjuvant radiotherapy (NART) and intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) after propensity score matching by 1:1.ResultsA total of 457,166 patients were included in this study. After matching, the 20-year OS of 1441 patients in NART cohort was lower than that in PORT cohort (p < 0.01), particularly in hormone receptor positive patients (p < 0.01). NART were dependent prognostic factors for 20-year OS [Hazard Ratio (HR):1.21, 95%CI: 1.06-1.38, p < 0.01). No significant difference in BCSS was observed between NART and PORT treatments. Additionally, patients undergoing NART had a lower risk of all SPM (p = 0.01) and second solid cancers (p = 0.02) but a comparable risk of second hematological malignancies (p = 0.55) than patients administered PORT. HR-positive was a risk factor for SPM. No OS, BCSS or SPM risk difference were significantly observed in the 2096 pairs of IORT and PORT groups.ConclusionCompared to PORT, NART and IORT don't offer survival advantages for early-stage breast cancer patients. Altering the sequence of radiotherapy requires careful evaluation.

ObjectiveSimultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation has been shown to provide long-term benefits in children suffering from severe-to-profound hearing loss. However, very little research has been conducted on long-term benefits in Mandarin-speaking children. We aimed to (1) evaluate tone perception with simultaneous bilateral cochlear implants (CIs) compared to unilateral CIs; and (2) evaluate early auditory and speech skills.MethodsThe longitudinal study was comprised of 20 participants, 10 with unilateral and 10 with simultaneous bilateral CIs. Participants received a CI at a mean age of 1.3 (SD ± 0.2) years. The Mandarin Early Speech Perception test, auditory thresholds, and influence of environmental factors were measured pre-operatively and after 24 months. Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP), Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR), and LittlEARS Auditory Questionnaire (LEAQ) were measured pre-operatively and after 6, 12, and 24 months.ResultsAfter 24 months of device use, tone perception scores tended to be higher in the bilateral CI group than in the unilateral group, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.058). Over the 24-month follow-up period, CAP, SIR, and LEAQ scores showed significant improvements in both groups (all p < 0.05).ConclusionsTone perception and early auditory and speech skills in Mandarin-speaking children were better with simultaneous bilateral CI implantation compared to unilateral after 24 months of use.

ObjectivesFluid management in critically ill obese patients is challenging due to the risk of fluid overload when using standard weight-based formulas. This study aims to evaluate the association between hydration status and mortality in elderly obese critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI).MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included elderly obese critically ill patients with AKI admitted to a tertiary care ICU between January 2020 and December 2022. AKI was diagnosed according to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Fluid overload was defined as body weight-adjusted fluid balance >10%. The primary outcome was 90-day all-cause mortality. Statistical analyses included Kaplan-Meier survival curves and multivariate Cox regression.ResultsA total of 539 elderly obese critically ill patients with AKI were included, of whom 244 (45.3%) developed fluid overload. During the 90-day follow-up, 209 patients (38.8%) died. Patients with fluid overload had significantly higher 90-day mortality compared to those without fluid overload (50.4% vs. 29.2%, P < 0.01). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a higher mortality risk for fluid-overloaded patients (P < 0.01). Multivariate Cox regression indicated that fluid overload (HR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.24-3.36, P < 0.01) and SOFA score (HR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04-1.22, P < 0.01) were independent predictors of increased mortality.ConclusionsFluid overload is significantly associated with increased 90-day mortality in elderly obese critically ill patients with AKI.

ObjectiveHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a poor prognosis, necessitating novel biomarkers. The role of LSM7 (Like-Sm protein 7), an RNA-binding protein, in HCC remains unclear.MethodsWe employed a multiomics strategy using transcriptomic data from TCGA, GTEx, GEO, and ICGC to evaluate LSM7's expression and prognostic value. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed via STRING, followed by Gene Ontology/KEGG/Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) functional enrichment analysis. The relationship between LSM7 and the immune infiltration landscape was assessed using single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) and the TISCH single-cell database. Drug sensitivity was analyzed using Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer, and structure-based virtual screening was performed on the ZINC library to identify potential LSM7 inhibitors. Key findings were validated in clinical samples and MHCC97H cells and Huh-7 cells using Western blot, IHC, and MTT assays.ResultsLSM7 was significantly overexpressed in HCC, correlating with adverse clinicopathological features (higher histological grade, elevated AFP levels, vascular invasion) and shorter overall survival, identifying it as an independent risk factor. Functionally, LSM7 was implicated in processes such as hormone regulation. Immune analysis revealed that high LSM7 expression was associated with altered immune cell abundance, upregulation of immune checkpoints, and a higher Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion score, suggesting a role in immune evasion. The high-LSM7 group showed increased sensitivity to drugs like sorafenib. Virtual screening identified Velpatasvir as a top LSM7-targeting candidate, with in vitro validation confirming that it inhibits MHCC97H cells and Huh-7 cells proliferation and downregulates LSM7 protein in a concentration- and time-dependent manner.ConclusionsBy integrating multiomics strategy and experimental validation, this study suggests that LSM7 may play a role in HCC progression and influence the tumor immune microenvironment. LSM7 may serve as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target, and Velpatasvir appears to be a candidate agent worthy of further investigation.

ObjectivesMetabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) poses a major global health burden due to risks of cirrhosis and liver cancer; however, the relationship between MAFLD and weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI) remains unclear. Our study aims to clarify this relationship and identify potential clinical predictors for MAFLD.MethodsA population-based cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2010 and 2015-2018. Multivariable logistic regression and Restricted Cubic Splines (RCS) was employed to examine the nonlinear association between WWI and MAFLD. Following this, a subgroup analysis was performed to detect any variations and ensure the robustness of the findings.ResultsThe study included 17,930 participants aged ≥ 18 years, with a mean age of 45.54 years and 48.43% males. The sample was comprised of 44.36% Non-Hispanic White, 20.69% Mexican American, 19.55% Non-Hispanic Black, 8.00% Other Hispanic, and 7.41% Other/Multi-Racial individuals. Among them, 5850 individuals were diagnosed with MAFLD. The study found a statistically significant association between WWI and MAFLD (odds ratio (OR) = 4.35, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 4.08-4.63), which remained significant even after adjusting for all relevant factors (OR = 2.73, 95% CI: 2.48-3.01). The RCS analysis revealed a significant nonlinear relationship between WWI and MAFLD (p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis indicated that WWI remained positively correlated with MAFLD, but no significant interaction was observed (p-interaction > 0.05)ConclusionsWWI is a significant predictor of MAFLD, suggesting its potential as a simple, non-invasive screening tool for the occurrence of MAFLD.