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AbstractZhachong-13 pills (ZC-13), as a traditional prescription of Mongolian medicine, are often used in the clinical practice of Mongolian hospitals for the treatment of stroke and rheumatic arthritis. In this experiment, UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS was used to explore the chemical composition of ZC-13. The results showed that 315 compounds were identified or inferred, including 56 alkaloids, 77 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones, 61 flavonoids, 31 tannins, 8 coumarins, 16 lignans, 21 terpenoids, 5 amino acids, 19 organic acids, and 21 other components. In addition, the pharmacological activities related to anti-cerebral ischemia of these components were summarized. This result laid a foundation for further study on the pharmacodynamic material basis of ZC-13 and provided a scientific basis for the formulation of ZC-13 quality specifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Microbial infection and colonization are frequently associated with disease progression and poor clinical outcomes in bronchiectasis. Identification of pathogen spectrum is crucial for precision treatment at exacerbation of bronchiectasis. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study in patients with bronchiectasis exacerbation onset and stable state. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for conventional microbiological tests (CMTs) and metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing (mNGS). Bronchiectasis patients were monitored for documenting the time to the next exacerbation during longitudinal follow-up. Results: We recruited 168 eligible participants in the exacerbation cohorts, and 38 bronchiectasis patients at stable state at longitudinal follow-up. 141 bronchiectasis patients at exacerbation onset had definite or probable pathogens via combining CMTs with mNGS reports. We identified that Pseudomonas aeruginosa, non-tuberculous mycobacteria, Haemophilus influenzae, Nocardia spp, and Staphylococcus aureus were the top 5 pathogens with a higher detection rate in our cohorts via combination of CMTs and mNGS analysis. We also observed strong correlations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae, non-tuberculous mycobacteria with disease severity, including the disease duration, Bronchiectasis Severity Index, and lung function. Moreover, the adjusted pathogenic index of potential pathogenic microorganism negatively correlated (r = -0.7280, p < 0.001) with the time to the next exacerbation in bronchiectasis. Conclusion: We have revealed the pathogenic microbial spectrum in lower airways and the negative correlation of PPM colonization with the time to the next exacerbation in bronchiectasis. These results suggested that pathogens contribute to the progression of bronchiectasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study an unconstrained l2,p minimization and its associated iteratively reweighted least squares algorithm (UBIRLS) for recovering block sparse signals. Wang et al. [Y. Wang, J. Wang and Z. Xu, On recovery of block-sparse signals via mixed l2/lq (0 < q ≤ 1) norm minimization, EURASIP J. Adv. Signal Process. 2013(76) (2013) 76] have used numerical experiments to show the remarkable performance of UBIRLS algorithm for recovering a block sparse signal, but no theoretical analysis such as convergence and convergence rate analysis of UBIRLS algorithm was given. We focus on providing convergence and convergence rate analysis of UBIRLS algorithm for block sparse recovery problem. First, the convergence of UBIRLS is proved strictly. Second, based on the block restricted isometry property (block RIP) of linear measurement matrix A, we give the error bound analysis of the UBIRLS algorithm. Lastly, we also characterize the local convergence behavior of the UBIRLS algorithm. The simplicity of UBIRLS algorithm, along with the theoretical guarantees provided in this paper, will make a compelling case for its adoption as a standard tool for block sparse recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disease prevention and control are a crucial aspect of fishery management, as they ensure the sustainability of aquacultural systems. With a specific focus on Shandong Province, China, this study outlines the occurrence of diseases in aquatic organisms. It summarizes dynamics that drive disease prevention and control and supports technology, work mode, and emergency prevention and control. In addition, this study also delves into the role of epidemic prevention and control institutions, the upgrading of the social service of disease prevention systems, and insufficient technical support for new species and models. Overall, the findings outlined in this study are intended to achieve the following aims: enhance organizational management of disease prevention and control, standardize the implementation of social services, improve research into prevention and control technologies, and highlight the importance of information technology in disease prevention and control. Based on practical aquaculture production, our aim is to comprehensively analyze the situation of the construction of a disease prevention and control system, strengthen guidance on epidemic prevention technologies, establish a robust animal epidemic prevention system, and propose development strategies, serving as a reference for competent authorities to enhance the disease prevention and control of aquatic organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The production of succinic acid (SA) from biomass has attracted worldwide interest. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is preferred for SA production due to its strong tolerance to low pH conditions, ease of genetic manipulation, and extensive application in industrial processes. However, when compared with bacterial producers, the SA titers and productivities achieved by engineered S. cerevisiae strains were relatively low. To develop efficient SA-producing strains, it's necessary to clearly understand how S. cerevisiae cells respond to SA. Results: In this study, we cultivated five S. cerevisiae strains with different genetic backgrounds under different concentrations of SA. Among them, KF7 and NBRC1958 demonstrated high tolerance to SA, whereas NBRC2018 displayed the least tolerance. Therefore, these three strains were chosen to study how S. cerevisiae responds to SA. Under a concentration of 20 g/L SA, only a few differentially expressed genes were observed in three strains. At the higher concentration of 60 g/L SA, the response mechanisms of the three strains diverged notably. For KF7, genes involved in the glyoxylate cycle were significantly downregulated, whereas genes involved in gluconeogenesis, the pentose phosphate pathway, protein folding, and meiosis were significantly upregulated. For NBRC1958, genes related to the biosynthesis of vitamin B6, thiamin, and purine were significantly downregulated, whereas genes related to protein folding, toxin efflux, and cell wall remodeling were significantly upregulated. For NBRC2018, there was a significant upregulation of genes connected to the pentose phosphate pathway, gluconeogenesis, fatty acid utilization, and protein folding, except for the small heat shock protein gene HSP26. Overexpression of HSP26 and HSP42 notably enhanced the cell growth of NBRC1958 both in the presence and absence of SA. Conclusions: The inherent activities of small heat shock proteins, the levels of acetyl-CoA and the strains' potential capacity to consume SA all seem to affect the responses and tolerances of S. cerevisiae strains to SA. These factors should be taken into consideration when choosing host strains for SA production. This study provides a theoretical basis and identifies potential host strains for the development of robust and efficient SA-producing strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of synaptic formation, neurons must not only adhere to specific principles when selecting synaptic partners but also possess mechanisms to avoid undesirable connections. Yet, the strategies employed to prevent unwarranted associations have remained largely unknown. In our study, we have identified the pivotal role of combinatorial clustered protocadherin gamma (γ-PCDH) expression in orchestrating synaptic connectivity in the mouse neocortex. Through 5' end single-cell sequencing, we unveiled the intricate combinatorial expression patterns of γ-PCDH variable isoforms within neocortical neurons. Furthermore, our whole-cell patch-clamp recordings demonstrated that as the similarity in this combinatorial pattern among neurons increased, their synaptic connectivity decreased. Our findings elucidate a sophisticated molecular mechanism governing the construction of neural networks in the mouse neocortex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin ulceration syndrome is among the most harmful diseases in sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus). The annual loss due to this disease is more than 1 billion dollars, which seriously affected the healthy and sustainable development of A. japonicus. In this paper, animals were divided into 4 experimental groups: a control group given basic feed, experimental groups with 1% Lactobacillus, 1% Bacillus, 1% mixture with 0.5% Lactobacillus and 0.5% Bacillus added to the basic feed. After feeding for 60 days, the samples were taken to analyze the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, and immune indexes of A. japonicus. Furthermore, the resistance to the skin ulceration syndrome of A. japonicus was analyzed. The results showed that the probiotics promoted the growth performance of A. japonicus, the weight gain rate of the control group was 120.08±12.07%, the weight gain rate of the Lactobacillus group was 152.11±10.06%, the weight gain rate of the Bacillus group was 148.03±9.88%, and the weight gain rate of the mixed bacteria group was as high as 210.11±19.41%. The digestive enzyme activities in the intestinal tract of A. japonicus increased significantly in the probiotic-added groups, and the mixed bacteria were more effective in enhancing the digestive enzyme activities than single Bacillus and Lactobacillus. In addition, the probiotics could significantly increase the phagocytosis rate of the body cavity cells of A. japonicus. The phagocytic rate of Lactobacillus and Bacillus subtilis was comparable; the mixed probiotics were significantly higher than those of single probiotics, and this phagocytic rate gradually increased over time. After Vibrio splendidus and Pseudoalteromonas infection, the mortality rate of A. japonicus in the probiotic-added group was reduced, which indicated that probiotics could improve the immunity of A. japonicus, and the ability to resist the infection of Vibrio splendidus and Pseudoalteromonas was enhanced. Bacillus exhibits superior antimicrobial ability compared to Lactobacillus, and the mixed strain displays the most effective antimicrobial properties. This study provided a scientific basis for effectively preventing and controlling skin ulceration syndrome in the aquaculture of A. japonicus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non‐Negative Matrix Factorization (NMF) is a widely used dimension reduction method that factorizes a non‐negative data matrix into two lower dimensional non‐negative matrices: one is the basis or feature matrix which consists of the variables and the other is the coefficients matrix which is the projections of data points to the new basis. The features can be interpreted as sub‐structures of the data. The number of sub‐structures in the feature matrix is also called the rank. This parameter controls the model complexity and is the only tuning parameter for the NMF model. An appropriate rank will extract the key latent features while minimizing the noise from the original data. However due to the large amount of optimization error always present in the NMF computation, the rank selection has been a difficult problem. We develop a novel rank selection method based on hypothesis testing, using a deconvolved bootstrap distribution to assess the significance level accurately. Through simulations, we compare our method with a rank selection method based on hypothesis testing using bootstrap distribution without deconvolution and a method based on cross‐validation; we demonstrate that our method is not only accurate at estimating the true ranks for NMF, especially when the features are hard to distinguish, but also efficient at computation. When applied to real microbiome data (eg, OTU data and functional metagenomic data), our method also shows the ability to extract interpretable subcommunities in the data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine explores the potential of GPRC5D as a therapeutic target in EGFR-wild and immuno-cold non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The researchers found that GPRC5D was highly expressed in NSCLC, particularly in the EGFR-wild/immuno-cold subtype. They also discovered that GPRC5D was associated with immuno-cold features and low response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy in NSCLC. The study suggests that targeting GPRC5D could be a novel therapeutic strategy for this refractory subtype of NSCLC. [Extracted from the article]

This study further investigates the effect of potential on the corrosion resistance, the self-healing performance and the durability of CrN/Cr-coated SS316L bipolar plates with artificial defects (CR-316) in simulated cathodic HT-PEFC environments by means of electrochemical methods. The self-healing ability initiated by oxygen is relatively weak and needs the assistance of the cathode working potential for sealing. In some cases, the defects have spread over large parts of the bipolar plate. The influence of the potential on the corrosion resistance of the bare 316L and CR-316 specimens in the simulated cathodic HT-PEFC environments were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Moreover, the durability of the CR-316 specimens was examined under the various potential cycles in the simulated cathodic environment of HT-PEFC and O2 atmosphere. After 5000 CV cycles in the potential range of 0.4–1.0 V vs. RHE, the CR-316 specimens could maintain the integrity and good corrosion resistance against the hot phosphoric acid. The results demonstrate the superior performance of CR-316 and make it a prime candidate as a non-precious coating for metallic bipolar plates on the cathode side of HT-PEFCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It has been acknowledged that the tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) plays a critical role in determining therapeutic responses and clinical outcomes in breast cancer (BrCa). Thus, the identification of the TIME features is essential for guiding therapy and prognostic assessment for BrCa. Methods: The heterogeneous cellular composition of the TIME in BrCa by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Two subtype-special genes upregulated in the tumour-rich subtype and the immune-infiltrating subtype were extracted, respectively. The CRABP2/CD69 signature was established based on CRABP2 and CD69 expression, and its predictive values for the clinical outcome and the neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAT) responses were validated in multiple cohorts. Moreover, the oncogenic role of CRABP2 was explored in BrCa cells. Results: Based on the heterogeneous cellular composition of the TIME in BrCa, the BrCa samples could be divided into the tumour-rich subtype and the immune-infiltrating subtype, which exhibited distinct prognosis and chemotherapeutic responses. Next, we extracted CRABP2 as the biomarker for the tumour-rich subtype and CD69 as the biomarker for the immune-infiltrating subtype. Based on the CRABP2/CD69 signature, BrCa samples were re-divided into three subtypes, and the CRABP2highCD69low subtype exhibited the worst prognosis and the lowest chemotherapeutic response, while the CRABP2lowCD69high subtype showed the opposite results. Furthermore, CARBP2 functioned as a novel oncogene in BrCa, which promoted tumour cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and CRABP2 inhibition triggered the activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Conclusion: The CRABP2/CD69 signature is significantly associated with the TIME features and could effectively predict the clinical outcome. Also, CRABP2 is determined to be a novel oncogene, which could be a therapeutic target in BrCa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic HBV infection is always accompanied by differences in the balance between regulatory T cells (Tregs) and T-helper 17 (Th17) cells in infection phases. IL-21 plays an important role in the progression of chronic HBV infection. Thus, the aim of our study was to investigate the role of the regulatory function of IL-21 in maintaining the balance between Tregs and Th17 cells in chronic HBV infection. Methods: Twenty-five chronic HBV-infected patients in the immune-tolerant (IT) phase and 23 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients were recruited in this study. Cytokines production was measured by ELISA. The mRNA expression levels were determined by qPCR. CD4+T cells were stimulated with or without IL-21. Tregs and Th17 cells were measured by flow cytometry. pSTAT3 and STAT3 expression was assessed by Western blotting. Results: The concentration of IL-21 in the serum of CHB were significantly higher than that in the serum from IT patients, and IL-21 and IL-21R levels in the PBMCs from CHB were higher than those from IT patients. IL-21 promoted Th17 cells differentiation and function but inhibited Treg cells differentiation and function by activating STAT3 signaling pathways, upregulating RORγt expression, downregulating Foxp3 expression, by increasing IL-17and IL-22 secretion, and decreasing TGF-β secretion in chronic HBV infection. The proportion of Tregs and TGF-β concentrations in CHB was significantly lower than that in IT patients. Furthermore, the percentage of Th17 cells and the IL-17 concentration in CHB was markedly higher than that in IT patients, causing a reduction in the Tregs/Th17 ratio in CHB patients. Conclusions: Our results suggest that IL-21 may contribute to inflammation in chronic HBV infection by modulating the balance between Treg and Th17 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ever‐increasing demand for data storage and neuromorphic computing calls for innovative, high‐density solutions, such as resistive random‐access memory (RRAM). However, the integration of resistive switching and rectification at the nanoscale remains a formidable challenge. In this study, we introduce a bistable [2]catenane‐based supramolecular junction that simultaneously functions as a resistive switch and a diode. All supramolecular junctions are highly stable and reproducible over thousands of resistive switching cycles, because the nano‐confinement of two mechanically interlocked rings can stabilize the radical states of pyridinium moieties under ambient conditions. The successful realization of supramolecular junctions in functionality with a thickness of approximately 2 nm presents a promising avenue for the development of molecule‐scale based RRAM for a better solution to high density and energy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ever‐increasing demand for data storage and neuromorphic computing calls for innovative, high‐density solutions, such as resistive random‐access memory (RRAM). However, the integration of resistive switching and rectification at the nanoscale remains a formidable challenge. In this study, we introduce a bistable [2]catenane‐based supramolecular junction that simultaneously functions as a resistive switch and a diode. All supramolecular junctions are highly stable and reproducible over thousands of resistive switching cycles, because the nano‐confinement of two mechanically interlocked rings can stabilize the radical states of pyridinium moieties under ambient conditions. The successful realization of supramolecular junctions in functionality with a thickness of approximately 2 nm presents a promising avenue for the development of molecule‐scale based RRAM for a better solution to high density and energy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This correction notice is related to a journal article titled "Identification of five hub genes as monitoring biomarkers for breast cancer metastasis in silico." The authors of the article, Yun Cai, Jie Mei, and Zhuang Xiao, should be considered co-first authors. The correction addresses an error in the original article, where Figures 6B and 6C were repeated. The correct figure has been included in the updated version of the article. The article discusses the diagnostic value of five hub genes in identifying normal and breast cancer tissues, showing that these genes have excellent diagnostic efficiency for breast cancer and adjacent tissues. The publisher, Springer Nature, remains neutral regarding jurisdictional claims and institutional affiliations. [Extracted from the article]

In oil and gas engineering, non-Newtonian fluids are universal. Thus, studies on the seepage laws of non-Newtonian power-law fluids are of great importance and significance. In this paper, we introduced the definition of elastic coefficient based on the establishing elastic outer boundary conditions. We then set up a homogeneous well test model for non-Newtonian power-law fluids under elastic outer boundary conditions, considering wellbore reservoir and skin effect. The Laplace space solution of the bottom hole pressure was obtained using the similar structure method, and the double logarithmic characteristic curve was drawn using the Stehfest numerical inversion technique. Furthermore, the main parameters affecting the characteristic curve were analyzed. The experimental results showed that the early phase of the homogeneous well test curve can be affected by the wellbore storage coefficient. In addition, the mid-term seepage is greatly influenced by the power-law flow exponent and the skin factor, while the elastic coefficient predominantly acts on the later phase of fluid flow. We concluded that the introduction of the elastic outer boundary expands the traditional fixed form of ideal outer boundary conditions, enabling a more general representation of the seepage model. This approach provides a more effective theoretical basis for further exploration of the seepage law of the reservoir. Meanwhile, we simplify the calculation process of the solution model by the use of the similar structure method of the solution and point out a new research direction for solving the more complex seepage model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this report, we first conducted pan-cancer analysis to detect the expression of GPRC5D, the results showed that GPRC5D was highest expressed in NSCLC among all cancer types in addition to testicular germ cell tumor and esophageal cancer (Fig. To further validated these findings, we examined GPRC5D expression in the previous EGFR-wild NSCLC cohort [[3]], and the results exhibited that GPRC5D was highly expressed in EGFR-wild/immuno-cold tumors (Fig. In the GSE126044 cohort, GPRC5D was highly expressed in tumors from non-responders, and the predictive value of GPRC5D was even higher than PD-L1 (Fig. Thus, targeting GPRC5D could be a novel therapeutic target in EGFR-wild and immuno-cold NSCLC, and further research should highlight the importance of GPRC5D in this type of refractory NSCLC. [Extracted from the article]

The present work studies the immunomodulatory potential of nervonic acid (NA) on the growth and proliferation of murine RAW264.7 macrophages. The immunomodulatory effects of NA were assessed through the evaluation of nitric oxide (NO) levels, cytokine secretion, phagocytic activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway of RAW264.7 macrophages. The methodology used included a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) technique, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), neutral red phagocytosis test, flow cytometry, western blotting, and immunofluorescence, respectively. Obtained outcomes pointed to NA as a potential promoter of the production of NO, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and ROS in RAW264.7 cells. Meanwhile, the expression of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 mRNA was upregulated. Besides, the expression of TLR4 protein and the phosphorylation level of NF-κB were increased in RAW264.7 cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner when compared against the control. As a conclusion, NA can activate the NF-κB signaling pathway through the TLR4 signaling pathway, which has immunomodulatory potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bladder cancer (BLCA) represents a highly heterogeneous disease characterized by distinct histological, molecular, and clinical features, whose tumorigenesis and progression require aberrant metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells. However, current studies have not expounded systematically and comprehensively on the metabolic heterogeneity of BLCA. Methods: The UCSC XENA portal was searched to obtain the expression profiles and clinical annotations of BLCA patients in the TCGA cohort. A total of 1,640 metabolic-related genes were downloaded from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. Then, consensus clustering was performed to divide the BLCA patients into two metabolic subtypes according to the expression of metabolic-related genes. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to measure the prognostic values of the metabolic subtypes. Subsequently, comparing the immune-related characteristics between the two metabolic subtypes to describe the immunological difference. Then, the Scissor algorithm was applied to link the metabolic phenotypes and single-cell transcriptome datasets to determine the biomarkers associated with metabolic subtypes and prognosis. Finally, the clinical cohort included 63 BLCA and 16 para-cancerous samples was used to validate the prognostic value and immunological correlation of the biomarker. Results: BLCA patients were classified into two heterogeneous metabolic-related subtypes (MRSs) with distinct features: MRS1, the subtype with no active metabolic characteristics but an immune infiltration microenvironment; and MRS2, the lipogenic subtype with upregulated lipid metabolism. These two subtypes had distinct prognoses, molecular subtypes distributions, and activations of therapy-related pathways. MRS1 BLCAs preferred to be immuno-suppressive and up-regulated immune checkpoints expression, suggesting the well-therapeutic response of MRS1 patients to immunotherapy. Based on the Scissor algorithm, we found that S100A7 both specifically up-regulated in the MRS1 phenotype and MRS1-tumor cells, and positively correlated with immunological characteristics. In addition, in the clinical cohort included 63 BLCA and 16 para-cancerous samples, S100A7 was obviously associated with poor prognosis and enhanced PD-L1 expression. Conclusions: The metabolic subtype with S100A7 high expression recognizes the immuno-suppressive tumor microenvironment and predicts well therapeutic response of immunotherapy in BLCA. The study provides new insights into the prognostic and therapeutic value of metabolic heterogeneity in BLCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radix Astragali is one of the most famous and frequently used health food supplements and herbal medicines. Among more than 227 components of Radix Astragali, Astragaloside IV (AG IV) is famous functional compound and is commonly used as a quality marker for Radix Astragali. However, the relatively low content of AG IV in Radix Astragali (< 0.04%, w/w) severely limits its application. The purpose of this study is to improve the biotransformation of AG IV and its bioaccessibility during in vitro digestion by Poria cocos solid fermenting Radix Astragali. The optimum fermentation conditions were as follows: Inoculation amount 8 mL; fermentation time 10 d; fermentation humidity 90%. Through fermentation, the content of AG IV was increased from 384.73 to 1986.49 μg/g by 5.16-fold. After in vitro digestion, the contents of genistin, calycosin, formononetin, AG IV, Astragaloside II (AG II) and total flavonoids in fermented Radix Astragali (FRA) of enteric phase II (ENTII) were 34.52 μg/g, 207.32 μg/g, 56.76 μg/g, 2331.46 μg/g, 788.31 μg/g, 3.37 mg/g, which were 2.08-fold, 2.51-fold, 1.05-fold, 8.62-fold, 3.22-fold and 1.50-fold higher than those of control, respectively. The Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of FRA showed rough surface and porous structure. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging rate of FRA were higher than those of control. These results showed that the Poria cocos solid fermentation could increase the content of the AG IV in Radix Astragali and improve the bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity of Radix Astragali, which is providing new ideas for future development and utilization of Radix Astragali. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Density functional theory calculations have been utilized to investigate the synergistic effect of palladium(0) and copper(I) catalyzed selective formation of allylated indole from (2‐alkynyl)‐phenylisocyanate and allyl methyl carbonate. The main competing reaction yielding the N‐allyl carbamate was also considered. Calculated results indicate that using the Pd(0)‐complex alone, the generation of indole is kinetically much less favored than producing the N‐allyl carbamate compound. However, the co‐addition of Cu(I) catalyst can considerably decrease the barrier for the intramolecular cyclization step, leading to the formation of the indole product. Analysis of the cyclization process suggests that Cu(I) complex can act as a Lewis acid to activate the linear alkyne group via a π‐coordination manner prior to the formation of a 5‐membered ring transition state toward indole formation. Altogether, the mechanistic insights revealed in the present study aim at a better understanding of the mechanism and the factors governing the selectivity in synergistic Pd/Cu catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Femoral neck fractures are serious consequence of osteoporosis (OP), numbers of people are working on the micro—mechanisms of femoral neck fractures. This study aims to investigate the role and weight of microscopic properties on femoral neck maximum load (Lmax), funding the indicator which effects Lmax most. Methods: A total of 115 patients were recruited from January 2018 to December 2020. Femoral neck samples were collected during the total hip replacement surgery. Femoral neck Lmax, micro—structure, micro—mechanical properties, micro—chemical composition were all measured and analyzed. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify significant factors that affected the femoral neck Lmax. Results: The Lmax, cortical bone mineral density (cBMD), cortical bone thickness (Ct. Th), elastic modulus, hardness and collagen cross—linking ratio were all significantly decreased, whereas other parameters were significantly increased during the progression of OP (P < 0.05). In micro—mechanical properties, elastic modulus has the strongest correlation with Lmax (P < 0.05). The cBMD has the strongest association with Lmax in micro—structure (P < 0.05). In micro—chemical composition, crystal size has the strongest correlation with Lmax (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that elastic modulus was most strongly related to Lmax (β = 0.920, P = 0.000). Conclusions: Compared with other parameters, elastic modulus has the greatest influence on Lmax. Evaluation of microscopic parameters on femoral neck cortical bone can clarify the effects of microscopic properties on Lmax, providing a theoretical basis for the femoral neck OP and fragility fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In large areas of the ocean, iron concentrations are insufficient to promote phytoplankton growth. Numerous studies have been conducted to characterize the effect of iron on algae and how algae cope with fluctuating iron concentrations. Fertilization experiments in low-iron areas resulted primarily in diatom-dominated algal blooms, leading to laboratory studies on diatoms comparing low- and high-iron conditions. Here, we focus on the short-term temporal response following iron addition to an iron-starved open ocean diatom, Thalassiosira oceanica. We employed the NanoString platform and analyzed a high-resolution time series on 54 transcripts encoding proteins involved in photosynthesis, N-linked glycosylation, iron transport, as well as transcription factors. Nine transcripts were iron-responsive, with an immediate response to the addition of iron. The fastest response observed was the decrease in transcript levels of proteins involved in iron uptake, followed by an increase in transcript levels of iron-containing enzymes and a simultaneous decrease in the transcript levels of their iron-free replacement enzymes. The transcription inhibitor actinomycin D was used to understand the underlying mechanisms of the decrease of the iron-responsive transcripts and to determine their half-lives. Here, Mn-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), plastocyanin (PETE), ferredoxin (PETF) and cellular repressor of EA1-stimulated genes (CREGx2) revealed longer than average half-lives. Four iron-responsive transcripts showed statistically significant differences in their decay rates between the iron-recovery samples and the actD treatment. These differences suggest regulatory mechanisms influencing gene transcription and mRNA stability. Overall, our study contributes towards a detailed understanding of diatom cell biology in the context of iron fertilization response and provides important observations to assess oceanic diatom responses following sudden changes in iron concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Radial heterostructures with titanium dioxide (TiO 2) nanowire as core and NTU-9 as shell are synthesized via a surfactant-free approach based on the favorable bonding of linkers with TiO 2 nanowire. Relative to the traditional growth strategy of surface modification, the thin NTU-9 shell with ordered arrangement of two-dimensional networks is uniformly formed on the sidewalls of TiO 2 nanowire through the orientational growth process. Using the core–shell nanowire arrays as photoanodes, wide-range light absorption and high charge carrier separation efficiency are achieved due to the conjugation of NTU-9, leading to enhanced water oxidation performance in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Under appropriately low applied potentials, the photogenerated holes are preferable to accumulate at TiO 2 /NTU-9/electrolyte three-phase interface and thus the long-range ordered NTU-9 shell can also serve as a size-exclusion filter to improve selectivity toward molecules of different sizes. Consequently, the TiO 2 /NTU-9 core–shell nanowire array exhibits an augmented and selective PEC response for small size molecules (e.g., H 2 O 2 ) at a very low potential (–0.25 V vs Ag/AgCl), outperforming the pure TiO 2 nanowire array and the counterpart with a grain-boundary-rich NTU-9 shell that is prepared by pretreatment of the TiO 2 nanowires with PVP functionalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs) are important for transcatheter valve replacement. Current commercial BHVs on the market are basically porcine or bovine pericardium (BP) crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (GA). Simply applying GA to BHVs can enhance mechanical stability, but cannot alleviate in vivo calcification. In this work, we developed a two-step decellularization (TSD) strategy to modify this biomacromolecular network, in which BP was post-treated, as the second step of decellularization, with a mild biosurfactant n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside in a mixture of isopropanol and phosphate-buffered saline after the first step of traditional decellularization and GA cross-linking. The TSD-treated BP exhibited not only low cytotoxicity and excellent mechanical properties in vitro, but also low immune responses and significant anticalcification in vivo. After 60 days of subcutaneous implantation in the back of Wistar rats, the calcium content was, as quantified with an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer, only 1.1 µg/mg compared to 138.6 µg/mg in the control group without the post-treatment. In addition, collagen fibrils were observed with field emitting scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the morphology and composition of the calcified sites resulting from in vivo biomineralization were studied with SEM with energy dispersive spectroscopy and also X-ray diffraction. This study proposes a facile yet effective anticalcification strategy for the modification of the bovine pericardial bioprosthetic heart valve, a natural biomacromolecular network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To report three cases of autoimmune cerebellar ataxia related to anti-delta/notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor (Tr/DNER) antibodies. Case presentation: Patients with unknown cerebellar ataxia were screened with autoimmune cerebellar ataxia (ACA)-related antibody panel. The anti-Tr antibody was positive in three female patients in whom the onset ages were 43 years, 35 years and 43 years old. The antibody titres of serum and cerebrospinal fluid were all 1:32. Cerebral ataxia was the most prominent presentation. Mild cerebellar atrophy was found in one of the patients. Immunotherapy was effective in all three patients. Conclusion: The Tr antibody is associated with autoimmune ataxia, and it has been suggested that the anti-Tr antibody should be tested in patients with cerebellar ataxia who are negative for routine ACA antibodies. Early immunotherapy may improve patient prognoses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigate atom–dimer scattering within the framework of hyperspherical coordinates. The coupled-channel Schrödinger equation is solved using the R-matrix propagation technique combined with the smooth variable discretization method. In the matching procedure, the asymptotic wave functions are expressed in the rotated Jacobi coordinates. We apply this approach to the elastic scattering 3 He(T ↑ ) + 4 He 2 and H ↑ +LiH ↑ processes for testing. The convergence of the scattering length as a function of the propagation distance is studied. We find that the method is reliable and can provide considerable savings over previous propagators, so it is suitable for solving the atom–dimer scattering problem for important quantities such as the phase shift, cross section and scattering length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is known as a tumor suppressor and lowly expressed in most cancers. The expression pattern and role of ACE2 in breast cancer (BC) have not been deeply elucidated. Methods: A systematic pan-cancer analysis was conducted to assess the expression pattern and immunological role of ACE2 based on RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The correlation of ACE2 expression and immunological characteristics in the BC tumor microenvironment (TME) was evaluated. The role of ACE2 in predicting the response to therapeutic options was estimated. Moreover, the pharmacodynamic effect of angiotensin-(1–7) (Ang-1–7), the product of ACE2, on chemotherapy and immunotherapy was evaluated on the BALB/c mouse BC model. In addition, the plasma samples from BC patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy were collected and subjected to the correlation analysis of the expression level of Ang-1–7 and the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Results: ACE2 was lowly expressed in BC tissues compared with that in adjacent tissues. Interestingly, ACE2 was shown the highest correlation with immunomodulators, tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs), cancer immunity cycles, immune checkpoints, and tumor mutation burden (TMB) in BC. In addition, a high level of ACE2 indicated a low response to endocrine therapy and a high response to chemotherapy, anti-ERBB therapy, antiangiogenic therapy and immunotherapy. In the mouse model, Ang-1–7 sensitized mouse BC to the chemotherapy and anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, which revealed its significant anti-tumor effect. Moreover, a high plasma level of Ang-1–7 was associated with a better response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusions: ACE2 identifies immuno-hot tumors in BC, and its enzymatic product Ang-1–7 sensitizes BC to the chemotherapy and immunotherapy by remodeling the TME. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a heterogeneous disease, and its demarcation contributes to various therapeutic outcomes. However, a small subset of tumors shows different molecular features that are in contradiction with pathological classification. Unsupervised clustering was performed to subtype NSCLC using the transcriptome data from the TCGA database. Next, immune microenvironment features of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), lung squamous carcinoma (LUSC), and lung adenoid squamous carcinoma (LASC) were characterized. In addition, diagnostic biomarkers to demarcate LASC among LUSC were screened using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and validated by the in-house cohort. LASC was identified as a novel subtype with adenoid transcriptomic features in LUSC, which exhibited the most immuno-escaped phenotype among all NSCLC subtypes. In addition, FOLR1 was identified as a biomarker for LASC discrimination using the WGCNA analysis, and its diagnostic value was validated by the in-house cohort. Moreover, FOLR1 was related to immuno-escaped tumors in LUSC but not in LUAD. Overall, we proposed a novel typing strategy in NSCLC and identified FOLR1 as a biomarker for LASC discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adopting an approach that differs from practices in other countries, China has made many achievements in reducing poverty for people with disabilities using two successful types of policies and a unique political mobilization mechanism. However, inconsistencies between the policies and their implementation in the Chinese policy environment has produced new exclusionary effects, hindering the process of social integration for people with disabilities. These obstacles need to be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A general and efficient procedure for p-toluenesulfonic acid-catalyzed iodination of isoquinolin-1(2H)-ones with N-iodosuccinimide at room temperature is described. This method provides an alternative way of constructing C–I bonds, affords various 4-iodoisoquinolin-1(2H)-ones in moderate to good yields, and shows a broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Femoral neck fractures are the worst consequence of osteoporosis (OP), and its early prevention and treatment have become a public health problem. This study aims to investigate the relationship of bone-related biomarkers, femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) and maximum load (Lmax), selecting the indicator which can reflect femoral neck bone loss and reduced bone strength.Methods: A total of 108 patients were recruited from January 2017 to December 2019. Venous blood samples were collected from patients before total hip replacement, and femoral neck samples were collected during the surgery. Femoral neck BMD, femoral neck Lmax, bone-related markers (serum levels of bone turnover markers, protein expression of type I collagen (COL-I) and osteopontin (OPN) in femoral neck) were all measured and analyzed.Results: The expression of COL-I in femoral neck were significantly decreased, whereas other markers were all significantly increased with the decreasing of femoral neck BMD and Lmax (P < 0.05). Among them, serum C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) levels and OPN expression of femoral neck were increased in osteopenia. In multiple linear regression analysis, CTX and OPN were both negatively correlated with femoral neck BMD and Lmax, and they were independent factors of femoral neck BMD and Lmax, whereas COL-I was independent factor affecting Lmax (P < 0.05). Besides, CTX was negatively correlated with COL-I (β = -0.275, P = 0.012) and positively correlated with OPN (β = 0.295, P = 0.003).Conclusions: Compared with other indicators, serum CTX was more sensitive to differences in bone mass and bone strength of femoral neck, and could be considered as surrogate marker for OPN and COL-I.Early measurement of CTX could facilitate the diagnosis of osteopenia and provide a theoretical basis for delaying the occurrence of femoral neck OP and fragility fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new Erythrina alkaloids and five known E. alkaloids were isolated from a 95% ethanol extract of the stems of Erythrina corallodendron L. Their chemical structures were elucidated by UV, IR, HRESIMS, NMR and X-ray. Furthermore, the analgesic activities of E. alkaloids 1, 2 and 6 were evaluated by using an acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice, and their writhing inhibition rates were 67.9%, 64.6% and 70.3% at doses of 20 mg/kg, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An edible polysaccharide film with high tensile strength and biodegradability was prepared by freeze–thaw treatment with sodium alginate (SA) and hyaluronic acid (HA) and cross‐linking with calcium lactate. The SA/HA ratio, the calcium concentration, the number of freeze–thaw cycles, and the calcification time all have significant effects on the tensile strength of SA/HA films. An increase in tensile strength was obtained due to the reaction of 3% calcium lactate with 60% SA. Compared with the control group, the tensile strength of the SA/HA films developed in this study increased by 214% from 3.188 to 10.02 MPa. The compatibility of films was evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; the absorption peaks of SA and sodium hyaluronate had shifted to a wavelength of 3,403 ~ 3,411 cm−1 after freeze–thaw treatment, and a strong interaction occurred at a wavelength of 1,328 cm−1. In addition, the swelling and solubility of the SA/HA film decreased by half during the freeze–thaw period. Further, scanning electron microscopy showed that the cross sections of the films were uniform and compact after two freeze–thaw treatments. SA/HA films that exhibited increased tensile strength and that had the potential to overcome the poor water vapor barrier problems traditionally experienced with these films were developed in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer contributed to poor clinical prognosis. Accumulating evidence revealed that the dysregulation of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) was associated with breast cancer progression. However, the role of lncRNA DLG5-AS1 in breast cancer has not been established. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of DLG5-AS1 in the development of breast cancer. We found that the expression of DLG5-AS1 was significantly upregulated in breast cancer tissues and cell lines. DLG5-AS1 interference markedly restrained AU565 cell proliferation, invasion, the expression of apoptosis related (caspase3 and caspase8) and Wnt/β-catenin pathway related proteins (wnt5a, β-Catenin and c-Myc), as well as promoted cell apoptosis, whereas DLG5-AS1 overexpression showed an opposite effects. In addition, DLG5-AS1 could directly bind with miR-519 b-3p. We also found that enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a direct target of miR-519 b-3p, and DLG5-AS1 upregulated EZH2 expression by inhibiting the expression of miR-519 b-3p. EZH2 restrained secreted frizzled related protein 1 (SFRP1) expression through inducing H3 histone methylation in its promoter. MiR-519 b-3p overexpression or SFRP1 knockdown memorably reversed the effects of DLG5-AS1 overexpression on cell functions and Wnt/β-Catenin pathway related protein expression. Finally, in vivo experiments demonstrated that silencing of DLG5-AS1 inhibited xenograft tumor development in mice. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that DLG5-AS1 facilitated cell proliferation and invasion by promoting EZH2-mediated transcriptional silencing of SFRP1 in breast cancer. [Display omitted] • DLG5-AS1 interference inhibits AU565 cell proliferation and invasion. • DLG5-AS1 promotes EZH2 expression by adsorbing miR-519 b-3p. • EZH2 inhibits SFRP1 by inducing H3 histone methylation in its promoter. • DLG5-AS1 hinders SFRP1-mediated Wnt signaling inactivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This review synthesizes the advancements in the application of metabolomics within the research of liver cirrhosis (LC) over the past five years, underscoring its pivotal role in the diagnosis, prognostic assessment, and therapeutic evaluation of LC. • As an integral component of systems biology, metabolomics offers novel perspectives and methodologies for elucidating the pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic strategies of LC. • By delving into the progress of metabolomic technologies and the evolution of bioinformatics, the review anticipates innovative advancements in the early detection and intervention of LC. Liver cirrhosis (LC) represents a significant hepatic disorder that persistently commands the attention of the scientific community, especially concerning its pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches. Metabolomics, the comprehensive profiling of an organism's metabolome, has been increasingly applied in the research of cirrhosis over the past decade. This review summarizes the recent advancements and applications of metabolomics within the context of LC research, in recent five years. It highlights the role of metabolomics in the diagnosis of LC, the assessment of prognostic markers, and the evaluation of therapeutic outcomes. The discussion focuses on the potential and challenges of metabolomics in LC research, including the evolution of analytical technologies, advancements in bioinformatics, and the challenges impeding clinical implementation. Additionally, the review anticipates the forthcoming developments in metabolomics related to LC research, with the objective of facilitating innovative approaches for early detection and intervention in LC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing aging population and high prevalence of chronic illnesses, there is an increasing demand for palliative care. In the US state of Indiana, an estimated 6.3 million people are living with one or more chronic illnesses, a large proportion of them reside in rural areas where there is limited access to palliative care leading to major healthcare inequities and disparities. This study aims to identify common barriers and facilitators to access palliative care services in rural areas of Indiana from the perspectives of healthcare providers including clinicians, educators, and community stakeholders. Using a community-based participatory approach, a purposive sample of palliative care providers (n = 15) in rural areas of Indiana was obtained. Penchansky and Thomas (1981) theoretical framework of access was used to guide the study. A semi-structured individual in-depth interview guide was used to collect the data. All the interviews were conducted online, audio-recorded, and transcribed. Barriers to palliative care include: misconceptions about palliative care as an underrecognized specialty; lack of trained palliative care providers; late involvement of inpatient palliative care and community hospice services; inadequate palliative care education and training; financial barriers, attitudes and beliefs around PC; and geographical barriers. Facilitators to palliative care include financial gains supporting palliative care growth, enhanced nurses' role in identifying patients with palliative care needs and creating awareness and informing the community about palliative care. Robust education and awareness, enhancing advanced practice nurses' roles, increasing funding and resources are essential to improve the access of palliative care services in the rural communities of Indiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cancer-inhibiting role of mesenchyme homeobox 2 (MEOX2) has been observed in several malignancies. However, the association between MEOX2 and breast carcinoma has not been addressed. This research focused on investigating the possible relevance of MEOX2 in breast carcinoma. Initial expression analysis by TCGA data uncovered low levels of MEOX2 in breast carcinoma. We then confirmed that MEOX2 was poorly expressed in clinical tumor specimens of breast carcinoma by real-time quantitative PCR and immunoblotting assays. Moreover, low levels of MEOX2 in breast carcinoma patients were found to be correlated with reduced overall survival. A series of cellular function assays showed that the forced expression of MEOX2 had anticancer effects, including the inhibition of cell proliferation, the induction of G0-G1 phase arrest, the restraint of metastatic potential, and the enhancement of chemosensitivity. Further analysis revealed that MEOX2 negatively modulated the phosphatidyl-inositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) pathways. Reactivation of AKT by a chemical activator reversed MEOX2-mediated anticancer effects. An in vivo xenograft assay validated the anticancer function of MEOX2 in breast carcinoma. Taken together, these data show that MEOX2 exerts a cancer-inhibiting role in breast carcinoma by affecting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and ERK1/2 pathways. This work suggests MEOX2 as a new contributor for breast carcinoma progression, which may be a candidate target for anticancer therapy development. [Display omitted] • MEOX2 level is decreased in breast carcinoma. • MEOX2 has a cancer-inhibiting function in breast carcinoma. • MEOX2 modulates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and ERK1/2 pathways. • MEOX2 regulates breast carcinoma by PI3K/AKT/mTOR and ERK1/2 pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD), mainly Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), are common organ-specific autoimmune diseases characterized by circulating antibodies and lymphocyte infiltration. Follicular helper T (Tfh) cell dysregulation is involved in the development of autoimmune pathologies. We aimed to explore the role of intrathyroidal and circulating Tfh cells in patients with GD and HT. Methods. Ultrasound-guided thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was conducted in 35 patients with GD, 40 patients with HT, and 22 patients with nonautoimmune thyroid disease (nAITD). Peripheral blood samples were also obtained from 40 patients with GD, 40 patients with HT, and 40 healthy controls. The frequencies of intrathyroidal and circulating Tfh cells from FNA and peripheral blood samples were assessed by flow cytometry. Additionally, the correlations between the frequencies of the Tfh cells and the levels of autoantibodies and hormones or disease duration were analyzed. Results. The frequency of intrathyroidal CD4+CXCR5+ICOShigh Tfh cells was higher in HT patients than in GD patients. Significant correlations were identified between the percentages of circulating and intrathyroidal Tfh cells and the serum concentrations of thyroid autoantibodies, especially thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), in AITD. Intrathyroidal CD4+CXCR5+ICOShigh Tfh cells were positively correlated with free triiodothyronine (FT3) in HT patients but negatively correlated with FT3 in GD patients. In addition, HT patients with a longer disease duration had an increased frequency of intrathyroidal CD4+CXCR5+ICOShigh and CD4+CXCR5+PD-1+ Tfh cells. In contrast, in the GD patients, a longer disease duration did not affect the frequency of intrathyroidal CD4+CXCR5+ICOShigh but was associated with a lower frequency of CD4+CXCR5+PD-1+ Tfh cells. Conclusions. Our data suggest that intrathyroidal Tfh cells might play a role in the pathogenesis of AITD and they are potential immunobiomarkers for AITD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD), mainly Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), are common organ-specific autoimmune diseases characterized by circulating antibodies and lymphocyte infiltration. Follicular helper T (Tfh) cell dysregulation is involved in the development of autoimmune pathologies. We aimed to explore the role of intrathyroidal and circulating Tfh cells in patients with GD and HT.Methods: Ultrasound-guided thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was conducted in 35 patients with GD, 40 patients with HT, and 22 patients with nonautoimmune thyroid disease (nAITD). Peripheral blood samples were also obtained from 40 patients with GD, 40 patients with HT, and 40 healthy controls. The frequencies of intrathyroidal and circulating Tfh cells from FNA and peripheral blood samples were assessed by flow cytometry. Additionally, the correlations between the frequencies of the Tfh cells and the levels of autoantibodies and hormones or disease duration were analyzed.Results: The frequency of intrathyroidal CD4+CXCR5+ICOShigh Tfh cells was higher in HT patients than in GD patients. Significant correlations were identified between the percentages of circulating and intrathyroidal Tfh cells and the serum concentrations of thyroid autoantibodies, especially thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), in AITD. Intrathyroidal CD4+CXCR5+ICOShigh Tfh cells were positively correlated with free triiodothyronine (FT3) in HT patients but negatively correlated with FT3 in GD patients. In addition, HT patients with a longer disease duration had an increased frequency of intrathyroidal CD4+CXCR5+ICOShigh and CD4+CXCR5+PD-1+ Tfh cells. In contrast, in the GD patients, a longer disease duration did not affect the frequency of intrathyroidal CD4+CXCR5+ICOShigh but was associated with a lower frequency of CD4+CXCR5+PD-1+ Tfh cells.Conclusions: Our data suggest that intrathyroidal Tfh cells might play a role in the pathogenesis of AITD and they are potential immunobiomarkers for AITD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As mobile devices become more and more popular, mobile traffic demands are increasing exponentially. To deal with such challenge, caching at small cell base stations (SBSs) is one of the most effective techniques for reducing the transmission delay of mobile applications. However, due to the limitation of the SBS storages, the improvement of reducing transmission delay is limited in small cell networks. In this paper, we propose a novel cooperative caching framework in a small cell network in which SBSs are grouped into disjoint clusters and cooperate through backhaul links to make use of SBS storages. A backhaul-based cooperative caching (BCC) scheme is introduced, and the problem for content placement is formulated to minimize the average download delay in small cell networks. Then, we show that the problem is equivalent to the maximization of a monotone submodular function subject to matroid constraints and propose a low-complexity greedy strategy with 1/2 performance guarantee. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme achieves lower download delay and better cache hit rate than other schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD), mainly Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), are common organ-specific autoimmune diseases characterized by circulating antibodies and lymphocyte infiltration. Follicular helper T (Tfh) cell dysregulation is involved in the development of autoimmune pathologies. We aimed to explore the role of intrathyroidal and circulating Tfh cells in patients with GD and HT. Methods. Ultrasound-guided thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was conducted in 35 patients with GD, 40 patients with HT, and 22 patients with nonautoimmune thyroid disease (nAITD). Peripheral blood samples were also obtained from 40 patients with GD, 40 patients with HT, and 40 healthy controls. The frequencies of intrathyroidal and circulating Tfh cells from FNA and peripheral blood samples were assessed by flow cytometry. Additionally, the correlations between the frequencies of the Tfh cells and the levels of autoantibodies and hormones or disease duration were analyzed. Results. The frequency of intrathyroidal CD4+CXCR5+ICOShigh Tfh cells was higher in HT patients than in GD patients. Significant correlations were identified between the percentages of circulating and intrathyroidal Tfh cells and the serum concentrations of thyroid autoantibodies, especially thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), in AITD. Intrathyroidal CD4+CXCR5+ICOShigh Tfh cells were positively correlated with free triiodothyronine (FT3) in HT patients but negatively correlated with FT3 in GD patients. In addition, HT patients with a longer disease duration had an increased frequency of intrathyroidal CD4+CXCR5+ICOShigh and CD4+CXCR5+PD-1+ Tfh cells. In contrast, in the GD patients, a longer disease duration did not affect the frequency of intrathyroidal CD4+CXCR5+ICOShigh but was associated with a lower frequency of CD4+CXCR5+PD-1+ Tfh cells. Conclusions. Our data suggest that intrathyroidal Tfh cells might play a role in the pathogenesis of AITD and they are potential immunobiomarkers for AITD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shandong and Fujian are two important provinces regarding the development of the seaweed industry, which shared three-fourths of the national seaweed yield in the year 2020. The present study has analyzed the overall situation of the seaweed industry in Shandong and Fujian provinces by comparing annual output, farming area, and species structure. The current status of Laminaria japonica cultivation in two provinces is also compared to the production process, industrial organization, progress, and innovation. On this foundation, the following development strategies are proposed for the seaweed industry in Shandong Province: (1) change the mindset based on the present industrial basis, (2) retain and transform innovative achievements, (3) enhance the services of associations and organizations and (4) construct brands based on current market share. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 1980s, Shandong Province took the lead in establishing breakthrough industrialized seedling raising and breeding technologies for Apostichopus japonicus and successfully led the 'fifth wave of mariculture' in China. In 2008, the experiment of 'raising sea cucumber from north to south' proved successful, and sea cucumber culture gradually radiated and extended to Fujian, Jiangsu, Guangdong, and Zhejiang Provinces in southern China. The total output of sea cucumber culture in Shandong Province accounts for more than 70% of the market in China, and the sea cucumber industry is now a pillar of the fishery economy in Shandong Province. This paper systematically introduces the development status of the sea cucumber breeding industry in Shandong Province in recent ten years, summarizes the current problems and challenges, and puts forwards development suggestions; this guidance has significance for the healthy and sustainable development of the sea cucumber breeding industry in both Shandong Province and the whole country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sheath blight (ShB) is one of the most common diseases in rice that significantly affects yield production. However, the underlying mechanisms of rice defense remain largely unknown. Our previous transcriptome analysis identified that infection with Rhizoctonia solani significantly induced the expression level of SWEET2a , a member of the SWEET sugar transporter. The sweet2a genome-editing mutants were less susceptible to ShB. Further yeast-one hybrid, ChIP, and transient assays demonstrated that WRKY53 binds to the SWEET2a promoter to activate its expression. WRKY53 is a key brassinosteroid (BR) signaling transcription factor. Similar to the BR receptor gene BRI1 and biosynthetic gene D2 mutants, the WRKY53 mutant and overexpressor were less and more susceptible to ShB compared to wild-type, respectively. Inoculation with R. solani induced expression of BRI1 , D2, and WRKY53 , but inhibited MPK6 (a BR-signaling regulator) activity. Also, MPK6 is known to phosphorylate WRKY53 to enhance its transcription activation activity. Transient assay results indicated that co-expression of MPK6 and WRKY53 enhanced WRKY53 trans-activation activity to SWEET2a. Furthermore, expression of WRKY53 SD (the active phosphorylated forms of WRKY53) but not WRKY53 SA (the inactive phosphorylated forms of WRKY53), enhanced WRKY53-mediated activation of SWEET2a compared to expression of WRKY53 alone. Taken together, our analyses showed that R. solani infection may activate BR signaling to induce SWEET2a expression via WRKY53 through negative regulation of ShB resistance in rice. • SWEET2a negatively regulates rice resistance to sheath blight disease (ShB). • WRKY53 directly activates SWEET2a. • R. solani infection activates BR signaling but inhibited MPK6 activity. • MPK6 phosphorylates WRKY53 to enhance WRKY53 transcription activation activity against SWEET2a. • WRKY53- SWEET2a is a novel signaling pathway that regulates rice defense to ShB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A metal-free and oxidant-free procedure for the sulfonylation of Baylis–Hillman acetates with sulfonyl hydrazides under the irradiation of visible light and open-air conditions at room temperature is described. This transformation has high yields (up to 92%), excellent stereoselectivity, broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, and mild reaction conditions. Moreover, mechanistic studies indicate that a sulfonyl radical pathway is involved in this reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the theoretical properties of iteratively reweighted least squares algorithm for noisy block sparse recovery problem (BIRLS for short). Li et al. used numerical experiments to show the remarkable performance of BIRLS algorithm for recovering a block sparse signal in noiseless measurement case, but no convergence analysis was given. In this paper, we focus on providing convergence, convergence rate and stability analysis of BIRLS algorithm for block sparse recovery in the presence of noise. The convergence of BIRLS is proved strictly. Furthermore, when the linear measurement matrix A satisfies the block restricted isometry property (abbreviated as block RIP), we show that BIRLS algorithm is stable and give the error analysis of BIRLS algorithm. We also characterize the convergence rate of the BIRLS algorithm, which implies global linear convergence for p = 1 and local super-linear convergence for 0 < p < 1. The simplicity of BIRLS algorithm, along with the theoretical guarantees provided in this paper, make a compelling case for its adoption as a standard tool for block sparse recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tadehaginoside, an active ingredient isolated from Tadehagi triquetrum (Linn.) Ohashi (Leguminosae), exhibited various biological activities. However, the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution which affect tadehaginoside's therapeutic actions and application remain elusive. To clarify the metabolism of tadehaginoside in vivo. The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of tadehaginoside and its metabolite p-hydroxycinnamic acid (HYD) were investigated using LC-MS/MS. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined in 10 Sprague-Dawley rats divided into two groups, the intravenous group (5 mg/kg) and the oral group (25 mg/kg). For the tissue-distribution study, 20 rats were intravenously given tadehaginoside (5 mg/kg) before the experiment (n = 4). Biological samples were collected before drug administration (control group) and after drug administration. The linearity, accuracy, precision, stability, recovery and matrix effect of the method were well-validated and the results satisfied the requirements of biological sample measurement. Treatment with tadehaginoside via intragastric and intravenous administration, the calculated Cmax in rats was 6.01 ± 2.14 ng/mL and 109.77 ± 4.29 ng/mL, and Tmax was 0.025 ± 0.08 h and 0.08 h, respectively. The results indicated that the quick absorption of tadehaginoside was observed following intravenous administration, and tadehaginoside in plasma of rats with intragastric administration showed relatively low concentration may be due to the formation of its metabolite. Tissue-distribution study indicated that kidney and spleen were the major distribution organs for tadehaginoside in rats and there was no long-term accumulation in most tissues. These results could provide clues for exploring the bioactivity of tadehaginoside based on its pharmacokinetic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We herein described a nickel-catalyzed cyclization of N-(o-ethynylaryl)acrylamides for the selective synthesis of dihydrocyclobuta[c]quinolin-3-ones and benzo[b]azocin-2-ones. The two varied products could be easily obtained by tuning the reaction temperature. This reaction features easy temperature-control, high efficiency, and gram-scale synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Au/TiO2-based systems with the right combination of electronic configuration, structural dynamics, and stability have recently attracted wide attention in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting for hydrogen generation. Here, we used the masking effect of Au nanoparticles that were dewetted from sputtered Au thin films to fabricate TiO2 nanowire arrays with restricted planar coalescence on flat nucleation layers. The well-spaced vertically aligned TiO2 nanowires allowed for effective coating of another Au thin film by sputtering. A further thermal dewetting process led to a uniform distribution of Au nanoparticles along the nanowire surface. When this sample was used as a photoanode for PEC water splitting, significantly increased photocurrent density and improved PEC activity toward water oxidation were achieved. Systematic electrochemical and PEC characterization demonstrated that the dual functions of the dewetted Au nanoparticles in regulation and surface passivation of TiO2 nanowires were indispensable for the efficient generation, transfer, and separation of photogenerated charge carriers and the consequential boosted PEC water oxidation performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]