Investigating Zcs(3985)Z_{cs}(3985) and Zcs(4000)Z_{cs}(4000) exotic states in Λb→Zcs−p\Lambda_b\to Z^-_{cs}p decays

We study the $Z_{cs}(3985)$ and $Z_{cs}(4000)$ exotic states in the decays of $\Lambda_b$ baryons through a molecular scenario. In the final state interaction, the $\Lambda_b\to \Lambda_c D_s^{(*)-}$ decays are followed by the $\Lambda_c D_s^{(*)-}$ to $Z^-_{cs}p$ rescatterings via exchange of a $D^{(*)}$ meson. We predict a branching fraction of $(3.1^{+1.4}_{-2.6})\times 10^{-4}$ for $\Lambda_b\to Z^-_{cs}p$, which can be measured in the $\Lambda_b\to J/\psi K^{(*)-}p$ decay. This study provides insights into the nature of exotic hadrons and their production mechanisms, and guides future experimental searches for the $Z_{cs}(3985)$ and $Z_{cs}(4000)$.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure

Smart hydrogels with wide visible color tunability

Pigmentary coloration can produce viewing angle-independent uniform colors via light absorption by chromophores. However, due to the limited diversity in the changes of the molecular configuration of chromophores to undergo color change, the existing materials cannot produce a wide range of visible colors with tunable color saturation and transmittance. Herein, we propose a novel strategy to create materials with a wide visible color range and highly tunable color saturation and transmittance. We fabricated a hydrogel with poly (acrylamide-co-dopamine acrylamide) networks swollen with Fe3+-containing glycerol/water in which the covalently crosslinked polyacrylamide backbone with pendant catechols can ensure that the hydrogel maintains a very stable shape. Hydrogels containing adjustable catechol-Fe3+ coordination bonds with flexible light-interacting configuration changes can display a wide range of visible colors based on the complementary color principle. The catechol-Fe3+ complexes can dynamically switch between noncoordinated and mono-, bis- and tris-coordinated states to harvest light energy from a specific wavelength across the whole visible spectrum. Therefore, these hydrogels can be yellow, green, blue, and red, covering the three primary colors. Moreover, color saturation and transmittance can be flexibly manipulated by simply adjusting the Fe3+ content in the hydrogel networks. The versatility of these smart hydrogels has been demonstrated through diverse applications, including optical filters for color regulation and colorimetric sensors for detecting UV light and chemical vapors. This proposed smart hydrogel provides a universal color-switchable platform for the development of multifunctional optical systems such as optical filters, sensors, and detectors

Ideal serum non-ceruloplasmin bound copper prediction for long-term treated patients with Wilson disease: a nomogram model

PurposeThis study aimed to explore the factors associated with the optimal serum non-ceruloplasmin bound copper (NCBC) level and develop a flexible predictive model to guide lifelong therapy in Wilson disease (WD) and delay disease progression.MethodsWe retrospectively collected clinical data from 144 patients hospitalized in the Encephalopathy Center of the first affiliated hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine between May 2012 and April 2023. Independent variables were selected using variate COX and LASSO regressions, followed by multivariate COX regression analysis. A predictive nomogram was constructed and validated using the concordance index (C-index), calibration curves, and clinical decision curve analysis, of which nomogram pictures were utilized for model visualization.ResultsA total of 61 (42.36%) patients were included, with an average treatment duration of 55.0 (range, 28.0, 97.0) months. Multivariate regression analysis identified several independent risk factors for serum NCBC level, including age of diagnosis, clinical classification, laminin liver stiffness measurement, and copper to zinc ratio in 24-h urinary excretion. The C-index indicated moderate discriminative ability (48 months: 0.829, 60 months: 0.811, and 72 months: 0.819). The calibration curves showed good consistency and calibration; clinical decision curve analysis demonstrated clinically beneficial threshold probabilities at different time intervals.ConclusionThe predictive nomogram model can predict serum NCBC level; consequently, we recommend its use in clinical practice to delay disease progression and improve the clinical prognosis of WD

A data analysis method for isochronous mass spectrometry using two time-of-flight detectors at CSRe

The concept of isochronous mass spectrometry (IMS) applying two time-of-flight (TOF) detectors originated many years ago at GSI. However, the corresponding method for data analysis has never been discussed in detail. Recently, two TOF detectors have been installed at CSRe and the new working mode of the ring is under test. In this paper, a data analysis method for this mode is introduced and tested with a series of simulations. The results show that the new IMS method can significantly improve mass resolving power via the additional velocity information of stored ions. This improvement is especially important for nuclides with Lorentz factor $\gamma$-value far away from the transition point $\gamma _t$ of the storage ring CSRe.Comment: published in Chinese Physics C Vol. 39, No. 10 (2015) 10620

The expression of cytoglobin as a prognostic factor in gliomas: a retrospective analysis of 88 patients

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that cytoglobin (Cygb) may function as a tumor suppressor gene. METHODS: We immunohistochemically evaluated the expression of Cygb, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3K), phosphorylated (p)-Akt, Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in 88 patients with 41 high-grade gliomas and 47 low-grade gliomas. Intratumoral microvessel density (IMD) was also determined and associated with clinicopathological factors. RESULTS: Low expression of Cygb was significantly associated with the higher histological grading and tumor recurrence. A significant negative correlation emerged between Cygb expression and PI3K, p-Akt, IL-6, TNFα or VEGF expression. Cygb expression was negatively correlated with IMD. There was a positive correlation between PI3K, p-Akt, IL-6, TNFα and VEGF expression with IMD.High histologic grade, tumor recurrence, decreased Cygb expression, increased PI3K expression, increased p-Akt expression and increased VEGF expression correlated with patients’ overall survival in univariate analysis. However, only histological grading and Cygb expression exhibited a relationship with survival of patients as independent prognostic factors of glioma by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Cygb loss may contribute to tumor recurrence and a worse prognosis in gliomas. Cygb may serve as an independent predictive factor for prognosis of glioma patients

Optimizing vestibular neuritis management with modular strategies

ObjectiveThis study proposes a “modular management” approach for vestibular neuritis (VN) to reduce chronicization and improve patient prognosis. The approach involves multi-factor grading and hierarchical intervention and was found to be more effective than traditional treatment strategies.MethodsThis retrospective analysis compared two groups of VN patients from two medical institutions. The intervention group of 52 patients received “modular management,” while the control group of 51 patients did not receive this kind of management. Analyzed the early treatment strategies, 6-month prognosis, and other indicators of the two groups of patients, compared and analyzed their overall prognosis, and identified the risk factors affecting the chronicization.ResultsThe modular management group had lower dizziness severity, better balance, lower anxiety, and higher video head impulse testing (v-HIT) gain after 6 months of onset. Analysis of factors related to persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) in patients with VN showed positive correlations between the time from onset to diagnosis and PPPD, and Vertigo Symptom Scale (VSS), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), anxiety, and depression. Normalized vestibular rehabilitation was negatively correlated with PPPD, while gender, age, and early steroid use had no significant correlation. The multi-factor logistic regression model correctly classified 93.20% of the study subjects with a sensitivity of 87.50% and specificity of 94.90%.ConclusionThe proposed “modular management” scheme for VN is a comprehensive and dynamic approach that includes health education, assessment, rehabilitation, therapy, evaluation, and prevention. It can significantly improve patient prognosis and reduce chronicization by shifting from simple acute treatment to continuous management

Simultaneous determination of dopamine, uric acid and estriol in maternal urine samples based on the synergetic effect of reduced graphene oxide, silver nanowires and silver nanoparticles in their ternary 3D nanocomposite

A facile and efficient electrochemical biosensing platform based on screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) modified with three-dimensional (3D) nanocomposite consists of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) with the insertion of silver nanowires (AgNWs) followed by the anchoring of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is constructed as RGO/AgNWs/AgNPs/SPCE for the simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA), uric acid (UA) and estriol (EST). The morphology characteristic and surface elemental composition of RGO/AgNWs/AgNPs nanocomposite are investigated by field-emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope. Cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, linear sweep voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry are utilized to explore the electrochemical performances of the constructed electrodes. Due to abundant active sites and excellent electrocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite, the RGO/AgNWs/AgNPs/SPCE sensor exhibits well-resolved oxidation peaks and enhanced oxidation peak currents in the ternary mixture of DA, UA and EST with respective linear response ranges of 0.6 to 50 μM, 1 to 100 μM and 1 to 90 μM and detection limits (S/N = 3) of 0.16 μM, 0.58 μM and 0.58 μM, respectively. Moreover, the constructed biosensor exhibits good selectivity, reproducibility and stability, and excellent performance in determining DA, UA and EST in synthetic urine samples with excellent recovery. The results reveal that the RGO/AgNWs/AgNPs nanocomposite is a promising candidate for advanced electrode material in electrochemical sensing field and possesses great application prospects in further sensing researches