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This paper presents the effect of varying the type of Z‐pin on the delamination bridging performance of unidirectional composite laminates. Carbon and Kevlar Z‐pins were inserted in thick composite laminates using the pre‐hole insertion Z‐pinning process and their bridging performance characterized across the different mode‐mixity range. The bridging response indicated that Kevlar Z‐pin experienced load reduction driven by interfacial friction (Stage III), which was absent in the Carbon Z‐pin. When Mode II dominated the bridging crack, Kevlar Z‐pin showed partial pullout and fiber shear cracking, while the Carbon Z‐pin exhibited clean transverse fracture. Although the bridging load obtained by the Carbon Z‐pin was twice that of Kevlar Z‐pin, the Kevlar Z‐pin provided a higher interlaminar fracture energy. The superior bridging performance of Kevlar Z‐pin is correlated with the enhanced ductility. Moreover, the resin‐rich area was involved in deformation and provided the extra axial load of Z‐pin. Highlights: The comparison of mixed‐mode bridging mechanism between Kevlar Z‐pin and Carbon Z‐pin.Reveal the variation of multi‐directional load and energy consumption with mixed‐mode angle in thick laminates.Detailed scanning electron microscope observation to understand failure characteristics of ductile Z‐pin.Evidence that the extra axial load of Z‐pin provided by resin‐rich area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In this study, we investigated the patient population of Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II) in China, understood the basic situation, prevalence and diagnosis and treatment status of the patients, as well as the economic burden of the patients, and analyzed the influencing factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study focusing on patients with MPS II was conducted in China in 2023. Participants in the study were drawn from the Beijing Zhengyu Mucopolysaccharide Rare Disease Care Center, which is the only non-profit organization in mainland China registered with the civil affairs department that focuses on mucopolysaccharidosis. Data were collected through an online questionnaire, which included basic patient information, disease status, self-assessment of quality of life, diagnosis and treatment, as well as direct and indirect medical costs. The demographic and diagnosis and treatment profile of patients were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Furthermore, univariate and multiple linear regression were used to explore the economic burden and influencing factors of patients with MPS II. Results: The survival data of 145 patients were collected, the majority (98.62%) were male, and 78 were less than or equal to 10 years old. All patients were covered by medical insurance, mainly urban residents (135 cases). In terms of expenses, the 124 patients in the year before the survey incurred a total cost of about 14.7895 million yuan, and the direct economic burden accounted for 87.19%. Univariate analysis showed that age, number of hospitalizations, length of hospital stay, number of outpatient/emergency departments, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) were significantly associated with the economic burden of disease. Multiple regression analysis showed that the number of hospitalizations, days of hospitalization, number of outpatient/emergency departments and HSCT treatment were the main influencing factors. Conclusions: This study found that patients with MPS II were difficult to diagnose and easily misdiagnosed, their physical functions were impaired in many aspects. The existing treatment options are not sufficient in terms of economy and effectiveness, and there is also a lack of corresponding policy guarantees and support, which makes patients and their families have to face huge financial pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work attempts to achieve the enrichment of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in acylglycerols as well as biodiesel production by investigating the performance of various lipases in ethanolysis. The ethanolysis activities of five immobilized lipases in decreasing order were as follows: Lipozyme TL IM, Novozym 40086/Lipozyme RM IM, Novozym 435 and Rhizopus oryzae lipase immobilized on polypropylene (RO PP). EPA could be enriched to a certain content by Lipozyme TL IM, Novozym 40086, Lipozyme RM IM, and RO PP. The enrichment of DHA was achieved well by those four sn‐1,3 regioselective lipases, and DHA contents in acylglycerols were the highest when Lipozyme TL IM and Novozym 40086 were used, reaching 2.87‐fold and 2.81‐fold of the initial content. However, Novozym 435 could not enrich EPA and DHA effectively. Fatty acid ethyl esters produced in this work contained abundant palmitic acid and palmitoleic acid, which could be ideal biodiesel considering their chain length. The competitive factors of five lipases towards DHA were all significantly higher than those towards EPA. When Lipozyme TL IM and Novozym 40086 achieved the maximum DHA contents, their DHA recoveries in acylglycerols reached 91.87% and 89.00%, respectively. The DHA recoveries were all significantly higher than the corresponding EPA recoveries in the reactions catalyzed by five lipases. Moreover, Lipozyme TL IM could be a potential lipase for the separation of EPA and DHA. This study may promote the full use of fish oil and broaden the application of lipases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has a crucial impact on the energy conversion efficiency and the performance of fuel cells, it is urgent to deliver low‐cost efficient ORR catalysts for the aim to scale up the utilization of fuel cells. In this study, three oxamidate copper(II) complexes [Cu2(trans‐L)(H2O)2(ClO4)2]·2H2O (Cuox), [Cu2(cis‐L)(bpy)(ClO4)2]·CH3OH (Cuoxbpy), and [Cu2(cis‐L)(mebpy)(ClO4)](ClO4) (Cuoxmebpy) (L = N,N–bis(2–pyridylmethyl)oxamide, bpy = 2,2′–bipyridine, and mebpy = 4,4′–dimethyl–2,2′–bipyridine) were prepared and characterized. The configuration of L varied from the trans form to the cis form as the bipyridines were introduced to the dicopper complex. The redox properties of three oxamidate copper(II) complexes and their catalytic activities for the ORR were studied in neutral aqueous solutions. The ORR onset potentials by Cuox, Cuoxbpy, and Cuoxmebpy were 0.417, 0.502, and 0.481 versus RHE, respectively. Three complexes homogeneously catalyzed the ORR to predominantly generate H2O2. A bimolecular catalytic pathway was proposed for the ORR mediated by Cuox, whereas a single‐molecular pathway was by Cuoxbpy and Cuoxmebpy. This work demonstrated that oxamidate metal complexes are promising ORR catalyst candidates provided that their electronic structures are appropriately tuned by altering the substituent on the organic ligands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria (GLIM) was established to build a global consensus on the diagnostic criteria for malnutrition. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of the malnutrition diagnosed by GLIM criteria for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to determine the role of the reduced muscle mass defined by CT scans in the GLIM criteria. Methods: This cohort research was conducted on adult cirrhotic patients with HCC. The risk of malnutrition was screened by Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), and malnutrition was diagnosed by GLIM criteria. The third lumbar vertebrae (L3-SMI) were used to represent the muscle mass in GLIM criteria. The variables associated with overall mortality were assessed by multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results: The incidence of malnutrition diagnosed by GLIM criteria was 49.7% (179/360) in patients with HCC. If reduced muscle mass was not included in GLIM criteria, the prevalence of malnutrition was 31.7% (114/360). GLIM-defined malnutrition (HR = 1.979, 95%CI 1.019–3.841, P = 0.044) was independently associated with overall mortality in patients with HCC. However, the GLIM-defined malnutrition (without muscle mass) was not associated with overall mortality (HR = 0.863, 95%CI 0.399–1.867, P = 0.709). Conclusions: Skeletal muscle mass is an integral component of the GLIM criteria for patients with HCC. The malnutrition is common in patients with HCC, and malnourishment is associated with higher overall mortality. GLIM criteria are recommended to assess the nutritional status of hospitalized patients with HCC, which is recommended and can be used as the basis for nutritional interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthraquinones are polycyclic compounds with an unsaturated diketone structure (quinoid moiety). As important secondary metabolites of plants, anthraquinones play an important role in the response of many biological processes and environmental factors. Anthraquinones are common in the human diet and have a variety of biological activities including anticancer, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities that reduce disease risk. The biological activity of anthraquinones depends on the substitution pattern of their hydroxyl groups on the anthraquinone ring structure. However, there is still a lack of systematic summary on the distribution, classification, and biosynthesis of plant anthraquinones. Therefore, this paper systematically reviews the research progress of the distribution, classification, biosynthesis, and regulation of plant anthraquinones. Additionally, we discuss future opportunities in anthraquinone research, including biotechnology, therapeutic products, and dietary anthraquinones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we designed a series of guanidinobenzoic acid ester derivatives on the basis of approved AP drugs, such as nafamostat, gabexate and camostat, and evaluated their inhibitory effects on trypsin and anti-inflammatory activity. Among them, five compounds (6a, 6c–6e, 7j) showed excellent inhibitory effects on trypsin with IC50 values of 0.0756 μM to 0.1227 μM, which are more potent than nafamostat and gabexate. Moreover, compounds 6a, 6b and 6c also showed significant inhibitory potency against the pro-inflammatory molecule NO with IC50 values of 1.618 μM, 2.276 μM, and 3.022 μM, respectively. Consequently, the potential lead compounds simultaneously with anti-trypsin and anti-inflammatory activities were identified, which would profit further structural optimization for the treatment of AP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Not all patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) eligible for systemic chemotherapy after upfront surgery and radiotherapy finally receive it. The information on patients with GBM was retrieved from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database. Patients who underwent upfront surgery or biopsy and external beam radiotherapy between 2010 and 2019 were eligible for systemic chemotherapy. The available patient and tumor characteristics were assessed using multivariable logistic regression and chi-squared test. Out of the 16,682 patients eligible, 92.1% underwent systemic chemotherapy. The characteristics linked to the lowest systemic chemotherapy utilization included tumors of the brain stem/cerebellum (P = 0.01), former years of diagnosis (P = 0.001), ≥ 80 years of age (P < 0.001), Hispanic, Non-Hispanic Asian, Pacific Islander, or Black race (P < 0.001), non-partnered status (P < 0.001), and low median household income (P = 0.006). Primary tumor site, year of diagnosis, age, race, partnered status, and median household income correlated with the omission of systemic chemotherapy in GBM in adult patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metal-matrix composites (MMCs) with biomimetic bricks-and-mortar architectures have been experimentally demonstrated to exhibit excellent strength-ductility match. Here, biomimetic bricks-and-mortar architecture mimicking masonry bonds was introduced in numerical models. By translating perpendicular layers on stack bond model, 1/2 running and running bond models were established. The results reveal that elongation of running bond model is the highest (4.77%), which is ∼ 1.5 times as that of stack type model. The strength of these models is similar (330 ± 1 MPa). However, it is the trade-off between load bearing capacity and fracture of SiC particles. In the stack bond model, over a small junction layer area led to a relatively straight crack path and thus lower elongation. On the contrary, running bond model shows a zigzag main crack. So, the main crack deflects frequently with high energy consumption. Furthermore, crack deflection into matrix cell increases propagation resistance, leading to the highest elongation in the running bond model. Therefore, the biomimetic bricks-and-mortar architecture delays and deflects main crack propagation. These findings have significant implication for the architecture design of advanced composite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although there is a strong correlation between the novel cholesterol-to-lymphocyte ratio (CLR) and tumor survival, its prognostic significance in breast cancer (BC) is unknown. After analyzing the relationship between CLR and the overall survival (OS) of patients with BC, we created a predictive model. Methods: Following retrospective enrollment, 1316 patients with BC were randomized into two cohorts: validation (n = 392) and training (n = 924). Distinct factors within the training dataset were identified for OS by univariate and multivariate Cox analyses; two-tailed P-value < 0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. On this premise, we developed novel signals for survival prediction and utilized the calibration curve, receiver operating characteristic curves, and concordance index (C-index) to validate their efficacy across both datasets. Results: Patients with BC were categorized into two categories with differing prognoses based on the CLR score [hazard ratio = 0.492; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.286–0.846, P = 0.009]. A prediction nomogram was created based on multivariate analysis, which showed that N stage, postoperative pathological categorization, and CLR score were all independently correlated with OS. In the training [C-index = 0.831 (95% CI: 0.788–0.874)] and validation [C-index = 0.775 (95% CI: 0.694–0.856)] cohorts, the nomogram demonstrated favorable performance in predicting OS. In both the training and validation cohorts, it outperformed the traditional staging system [C-index = 0.702 (95% CI: 0.623–0.782)] and [C-index = 0.709 (95% CI: 0.570–0.847)]. The accurate prediction by the signature was further demonstrated by the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves. Conclusions: The novel immunonutritional marker CLR could function as a simplified, cost-effective, easily accessible, non-invasive, and readily promotive prognostic indicator for patients with early-stage BC and demonstrates superior predictive power than the traditional staging system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In flying Ad hoc networks (FANETs), traditional geographic routing protocols such as greedy perimeter stateless routing (GPSR) protocol, usually adopts a periodic Hello mechanism and a greedy forwarding mechanism based on maximum advanced distance. However, the traditional periodic Hello mechanism ignores node mobility, network connectivity, and traffic type, thus causing temporary communication blindness (TCB). Additionally, the traditionally geographic routing protocols choose the next-hop node based on the maximum advanced distance. The greedy forwarding mechanism based on maximum advanced distance towards the destination ignores the impact of network dynamics on links, leading to short link lifetime and frequent link breakage. To address these problems, a novel airborne greedy geographic routing (AGGR) protocol for FANETs is proposed in this paper. It includes an adaptive Hello mechanism and a greedy forwarding mechanism based on the relative motion of nodes. In the adaptive Hello mechanism, the Hello period of working nodes is calculated according to the real-time relative characteristic values between the node and its upstream node, and the Hello period of idle nodes adopts a fixed value according to the movement characteristics relative to all neighbor nodes. In the greedy forwarding mechanism based on the relative motion of nodes, in order to adapt to the high dynamic changes of network topology, the time to enter the communication range of the destination is taken as routing criteria to choose the next-hop node. Moreover, the AGGR protocol is compared with the original GPSR in simulation. The results show that it significantly mitigates the TCB problem and gains significant improvement in network performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite evidence supporting the high correlation of the novel platelet-to-albumin ratio (PAR) with survival in diverse malignancies, its prognostic relevance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains underexplored. This study aimed to examine the link between PAR and overall survival (OS) in NPC and to establish a predictive model based on this biomarker. Methods: We retrospectively assembled a cohort consisting of 858 NPC patients who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Utilizing the maximally selected log-rank method, we ascertained the optimal cut-off point for the PAR. Subsequently, univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were employed to discern factors significantly associated with OS and to construct a predictive nomogram. Further, we subjected the nomogram’s predictive accuracy to rigorous independent validation. Results: The discriminative optimal PAR threshold was determined to be 4.47, effectively stratifying NPC patients into two prognostically distinct subgroups (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.28–0.98, P = 0.042). A predictive nomogram was formulated using the results from multivariate analysis, which revealed age greater than 45 years, T stage, N stage, and PAR score as independent predictors of OS. The nomogram demonstrated a commendable predictive capability for OS, with a C-index of 0.69 (95% CI: 0.64–0.75), surpassing the performance of the conventional staging system, which had a C-index of 0.56 (95% CI: 0.65–0.74). Conclusions: In the context of NPC patients undergoing CCRT, the novel nutritional-inflammatory biomarker PAR emerges as a promising, cost-efficient, easily accessible, non-invasive, and potentially valuable predictor of prognosis. The predictive efficacy of the nomogram incorporating the PAR score exceeded that of the conventional staging approach, thereby indicating its potential as an enhanced prognostic tool in this clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding the mechanisms that mediate the interaction between tumor and immune cells may provide therapeutic benefit to patients with cancer. The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase, ALKBH5 (alkB homolog 5), is overexpressed in non-small cell lung cancer. However, its role in the tumor microenvironment is unknown. Methods: Datasets and tissue samples were used to determine the relationship between ALKBH5 expression and immunotherapy efficacy. Bioinformatic analysis, colorimetric assay to determine m6A RNA methylation, dual luciferase reporter assay, RNA/m6A-modified RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA stability assay, and RNA sequencing were used to investigate the regulatory mechanism of ALKBH5 in non-small cell lung cancer. In vitro and in vivo assays were performed to determine the contribution of ALKBH5 to the development of non-small cell lung cancer. Results: ALKBH5 was upregulated in primary non-small cell lung cancer tissues. ALKBH5 was positively correlated with programmed death-ligand 1 expression and macrophage infiltration and was associated with immunotherapy response. JAK2 was identified as a target of ALKBH5-mediated m6A modification, which activates the JAK2/p-STAT3 pathway to promote non-small cell lung cancer progression. ALKBH5 was found to recruit programmed death-ligand 1-positive tumor-associated macrophages and promote M2 macrophage polarization by inducing the secretion of CCL2 and CXCL10. ALKBH5 and tumor-associated macrophage-secreted IL-6 showed a synergistic effect to activate the JAK2/p-STAT3 pathway in cancer cells. Conclusions: ALKBH5 promotes non-small cell lung cancer progression by regulating cancer and tumor-associated macrophage behavior through the JAK2/p-STAT3 pathway and the expression of CCL2 and CXCL10, respectively. These findings suggest that targeting ALKBH5 is a promising strategy of enhancing the anti-tumor immune response in patients with NSCLC and that identifying ALKBH5 status could facilitate prediction of clinical response to anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Menispermaceae species, as early‐diverging eudicots, can synthesize valuable benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) like bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids (bisBIAs) and sinomenines with a wide range of structural diversity. However, the evolutionary mechanisms responsible for their chemo‐diversity are not well understood. Here, a chromosome‐level genome assembly of Menispermum dauricum is presented and demonstrated the occurrence of two whole genome duplication (WGD) events that are shared by Ranunculales and specific to Menispermum, providing a model for understanding chromosomal evolution in early‐diverging eudicots. The biosynthetic pathway for diverse BIAs in M. dauricum is reconstructed by analyzing the transcriptome and metabolome. Additionally, five catalytic enzymes – one norcoclaurine synthase (NCS) and four cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYP450s) – from M. dauricum are responsible for the formation of the skeleton, hydroxylated modification, and C‐O/C‐C phenol coupling of BIAs. Notably, a novel leaf‐specific MdCYP80G10 enzyme that catalyzes C2′‐C4a phenol coupling of (S)‐reticuline into sinoacutine, the enantiomer of morphinan compounds, with predictable stereospecificity is discovered. Moreover, it is found that Menispermum‐specific CYP80 gene expansion, as well as tissue‐specific expression, has driven BIA diversity in Menispermaceae as compared to other Ranunculales species. This study sheds light on WGD occurrences in early‐diverging eudicots and the evolution of diverse BIA biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium plays a crucial role in plant growth and development, yet little is known about its function in endodormancy regulation. Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa), characterized by compound buds and large flowers, is well-known for its ornamental and medicinal value. To break bud dormancy release is a prerequisite of flowering and forcing culture, particularly during the Spring Festival. In this study, the Ca2+ chelator EGTA and Ca2+ channel blocker LaCl3 were applied, resulting in a significant delay in budburst during both chilling- and gibberellin (GA)- induced dormancy release in a dosage-dependent manner. As expected, the retardation of bud break was recovered by the supplementation of 30 mM CaCl2, indicating a facilitating role of calcium in dormancy release. Accordingly, several calcium-sensor-encoding genes including Calmodulin (CaM) and Ca2+-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) were significantly upregulated by prolonged chilling and exogenous GAs. Ultrastructure observations revealed a decline in starch grains and the reopening of transport corridors following prolonged chilling. Calcium deposits were abundant in the cell walls and intercellular spaces at the early dormant stage but were enriched in the cytosol and nucleus before dormancy release. Additionally, several genes associated with dormancy release, including EBB1, EBB3, SVP, GA20ox, RGL1, BG6, and BG9, were differentially expressed after calcium blocking and recovery treatments, indicating that calcium might partially modulate dormancy release through GA and ABA pathways. Our findings provide novel insights into the mechanism of dormancy release and offer potential benefits for improving and perfecting forcing culture technology in tree peonies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a highly heterogeneous group of mature T‐cell malignancies. The efficacy of current first‐line treatment is dismal, and novel agents are urgently needed to improve patient outcomes. A close association between the cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase‐stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS‐STING) pathway and tumor promotion exists, revealing prospective therapeutic targets. This study, investigates the role of the cGAS‐STING pathway and its underlying mechanisms in PTCL progression. Single‐cell RNA sequencing showes that the cGAS‐STING pathway is highly expressed and closely associated with PTCL proliferation. cGAS inhibition suppresses tumor growth and impaires DNA damage repair. Moreover, Cdc2‐like kinase 1 (CLK1) is critical for residual tumor cell survival after treatment with cGAS inhibitors, and CLK1 suppression enhances sensitivity to cGAS inhibitors. Single‐cell dynamic transcriptomic analysis indicates reduced proliferation‐associated nascent RNAs as the underlying mechanism. In first‐line therapy, chemotherapy‐triggered DNA damage activates the cGAS‐STING pathway, and cGAS inhibitors can synergize with chemotherapeutic agents to kill tumors. The cGAS‐STING pathway is oncogenic in PTCL, whereas targeting cGAS suppresses tumor growth, and CLK1 may be a sensitivity indicator for cGAS inhibitors. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for optimizing therapeutic strategies for PTCL, especially in patients with relapsed/refractory disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the feasibility of utilizing the non-explosive source green seismic exploration technology to detect mineral resources in the deep of complex mountainous areas of western and southern China as well as to provide a feasible detection scheme. Based on seismic illumination analysis and prestack depth-domain migration experiments, a viable active-source seismic detection system was designed for the Zhuxi mining area of Jingdezhen. Geophysical models were established according to the combined drilling profile of L42 and the corresponding petrophysical measurements of rocks based on geological findings, drilling results, and site investigations. Since the single-component p-wave seismometers would be primarily utilized for the subsequent seismic data acquisition, the viscous-acoustic wave equation was selected to simulate the propagation of the seismic wave. Meanwhile, the acoustic-elastic boundary approach (AEA) was used to solve the irregular free-surface problem caused by the rugged Earth's surface. Seismic source-receivers bidirectional illumination analysis and prestack depth-domain reverse time migration experiments were performed on simulated seismic data with 20 dB high SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) and 6 dB low SNR, respectively. The results of this study showed that by adopting a dense exciting-receiving seismic detection system, the eco-friendly non-explosive seismic source technology could reveal the spatial distribution of the main strata underneath the target area and the ore-controlling structures like faults and overthrust nappes. Based on this study, the next step of seismic data acquisition was implemented. The first-hand non-explosive source seismic profiles of the Zhuxi mining area demonstrated that the detection scheme designed was feasible and effective. By constantly improving the technical system, the eco-friendly non-explosive active-source technology would provide a safe and efficient approach, which could be used in the research fields of deep mineral resource prospection, buried faults exploration, urban underground space detection, etc. Finally, the proposed design and demonstration of an active-source seismic detection system based on illumination analysis and migration experiments merits further study and applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, first-principles calculations were used to investigate in detail the structural, electronic, optical, and photocatalytic properties of PtS2/GeC heterostructures. The calculations demonstrate that the PtS2/GeC heterostructure has favorable stability with an inherent type-II (staggered) band alignment and a much smaller indirect bandgap of 0.83 eV than those of 2.59 and 2.80 eV for constructional PtS2 and GeC monolayers, respectively. The GeC layer transfers 0.11 ‖e‖ to the PtS2 layer and leads to a 1.3 eV potential drop, both resulting in a built-in electric field Ein from the GeC side to the PtS2 side. Both the Ein and band edge bending make the direct Z-scheme PtS2/GeC heterostructure a promising photocatalyst with the oxidation and reduction reactions achieved respectively on the PtS2 and GeC layers with high catalytic activity. The PtS2/GeC heterostructure has a higher solar-to-hydrogen (STH) energy conversion efficiency of 56.69% than that of a few previously reported photocatalytic materials. The PtS2/GeC heterostructure's ability to absorb solar light in the visible and infrared spectrum can be significantly enhanced by tensile strain. Therefore, the newly designed direct Z-scheme PtS2/GeC heterostructure is a promising photocatalyst with high STH efficiency for overall water splitting under acidic, alkaline, and neutral conditions and in large-strain regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent works have experimentally proven that metal matrix composites (MMCs) with network architecture present improved strength–ductility match. It is envisaged that the performance of architecturally designed composites is particularly sensitive to reinforcement strength. Here, reinforcing particles with various fracture strengths were introduced in numerical models of composites with network particle distribution. The results revealed that a low particle strength (1 GPa) led to early-stage failure and brittle fracture. Nevertheless, a high particle strength (5 GPa) delayed the failure behavior and led to ductile fracture at the SiC/Al–Al macro-interface areas. Therefore, the ultimate tensile strengths (UTS) of the network SiC/Al composites increased from 290 to 385 MPa, with rising particle strength from 1 to 5 GPa. Based on the composite property, different particle fracture threshold strengths existed for homogeneous (~2.7 GPa) and network (~3.7 GPa) composites. The higher threshold strength in network composites was related to the increased stress concentration induced by network architecture. Unfortunately, the real fracture strength of the commercial SiC particle is 1–2 GPa, implying that it is possible to select a high-strength particle necessary for efficient network architecture design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of lightweight composites with desirable thermo‐mechanical properties is progressively increasing. Phthalonitrile (PN) based composites have shown great potential in this regard. However, the basic thermal properties of PN composites required for engineering design are not yet fully understood. In this work, we investigated the thermal stability, thermal expansion behavior and thermal conductivity of PN composites reinforced with carbon fiber (CF) and high silicon fiberglass (HSF) via combined experimental studies and numerical simulations. The results indicated that CF/PN performs better in thermostability than HSF/PN at temperatures below 500°C. Moreover, the incorporation of CF and HSF lowered the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and thermal insulation of PN. At room temperature, the in‐plane CTE of CF/PN and HSF/PN were 1.97E‐6 and 9.24E‐6°C−1, respectively, while the out‐plane thermal conductivities of CF/PN and HSF/PN were 0.65 and 0.34 W/(m K). It is worth noting that an excessively high fiber volume fraction would lead to poor thermal insulation and lightweight properties of the PN composites, while a low fiber volume fraction would result in poor stiffness and thermal dimensional stability. Determined via TOPSIS model, a fiber volume fraction range of 50%–60% was ideal for both composites with comprehensive optimal properties, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes has become a serious global health problem, and a healthy dietary pattern can help to prevent and treat it early. Higher consumption of whole grains, such as cereals and pseudocereals, is a strategy to mitigate this global epidemic. Buckwheat is a common pseudocereal that is rich in protein, dietary fiber, slowly digestible starch, polyphenols and phytochemical compounds. These components with biological functions have led to increasing attention on the health benefits of buckwheat, specifically its hypoglycemic property. However, buckwheat remains an under-utilized crop. This review aims to provide an overview of the extraction process, the types of bioactive components present in buckwheat, and potential mechanisms of action that could lead to a blood glucose-lowering effect in the human body. The effect of thermal treatments on the functional properties and in vitro digestibility of some components are also discussed. Further, the application of buckwheat in foods and diets in both in vitro and in vivo studies on glycemia is also mentioned. The hypoglycemic effect of buckwheat consumption and the potential for the utilization of buckwheat in functional food products described herein aim to help increase the awareness of its benefits and demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies confirm that aberrant expression of cytokeratin 19 fragment antigen 21-1 (cyfra-21-1) is highly correlated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Herein, a proportional electrochemical immunosensor based upon a methylene blue/cadmium telluride/molybdic sulfide (MB/CdTe/MoS2) nanocomposite was successfully fabricated for detecting tumor marker cyfra-21-1. The result indicates that MB/CdTe/MoS2 modified on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) supplies a large surface area for immobilizing primary antibodies (Ab1), ensuring high selectivity and sensitivity. To further amplify the sensitivity of the biosensor, ferrocenecarboxylic acid (Fc-COOH) linked with amino-functionalized secondary antibodies through amido bond (Ab2-Fc) as the "signal-on" probe and MB-modified with MoS2 with a large specific surface area as the "signal-off" probe increase the number of active sites for integration of Ab2-Fc/Ag/BSA/Ab1/MB/CdTe/MoS2/GCE electrode with the linker cyfra-21-1 (Ag). Meanwhile, CdTe accelerates the electron transfer and enhances the MB current, improving the sensitivity and detection limit. The presence of cyfra-21-1 led to both the decreasing response of MB and increasing current responses of Fc upon the electrode. Based upon this strategy, the determination of cyfra-21-1 was achieved in a linear range from 10 pg/mL to 10,000 ng/mL with the lowest detectable concentration of 10 pg/mL (signal-to-noise ratio of 3). The electrochemical immunosensor performs a sensitive determination of cyfra-21-1, possibly providing a practical strategy for the clinical analysis of lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of new vertebral fractures (NVFs) after vertebral augmentation (VA) procedures is common in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs), leading to painful experiences and financial burdens. We aim to develop a radiomics nomogram for the preoperative prediction of NVFs after VA. Data from center 1 (training set: n = 153; internal validation set: n = 66) and center 2 (external validation set: n = 44) were retrospectively collected. Radiomics features were extracted from MRI images and radiomics scores (radscores) were constructed for each level-specific vertebra based on least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). The radiomics nomogram, integrating radiomics signature with presence of intravertebral cleft and number of previous vertebral fractures, was developed by multivariable logistic regression analysis. The predictive performance of the vertebrae was level-specific based on radscores and was generally superior to clinical variables. RadscoreL2 had the optimal discrimination (AUC ≥ 0.751). The nomogram provided good predictive performance (AUC ≥ 0.834), favorable calibration, and large clinical net benefits in each set. It was used successfully to categorize patients into high- or low-risk subgroups. As a noninvasive preoperative prediction tool, the MRI-based radiomics nomogram holds great promise for individualized prediction of NVFs following VA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recently, there has been a growing focus on the prognostic significance of nutrition-related biomarkers. We attempted to explore the association between a novel albumin-related nutrition marker called "lymphocyte × albumin (LA)" and disease-free survival (DFS) in breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Methods: In total, 711 non-metastatic breast cancer patients who underwent NAC at two medical centers were retrospectively analyzed. We performed least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis as well as multivariate Cox regression analyses to identify the variables associated with DFS and to establish a predictive nomogram. Results: The nomogram incorporated four variables based on the multivariate analysis of DFS in the training cohort: LA, ypN stage, ypT stage, and hormone receptor status. In comparison with the traditional TNM staging system, the nomogram demonstrated superior discrimination, calibration ability, and clinical usefulness in both the training set and internal and external validation sets. Furthermore, patients stratified into different risk groups resulted in significant differences in DFS. Conclusions: LA is an independent prognostic biomarker, and LA-based prognostic nomogram offers a more precise assessment of DFS for breast cancer patients treated with NAC, potentially serving as a valuable tool for personalized prognostic predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three‐dimensional (3D) patterning of fluorescent structures in metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) is useful for fabricating MOF‐based devices for sensing and data storage. This work creates 3D multicolor patterns in an MOF crystal by sequentially printing different substructures with different dye molecules incorporated. Printed multicolor 3D arrays inside MOF crystal are used for 3D optical data storage. Each color dot can represent four‐digit information 0, 1, 2, 3 as compared to the 0,1 by a bit, using three colors plus the blank to convey the information. Through the combination of different initiator molecules of different emission colors, the data storage density is expected to increase further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Zebrafish is a crucial in vivo model for lung cancer research and is widely employed in studies focusing on cancer proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis. It plays a pivotal role in cancer drug development, being used for target validation, compound screening, and personalized therapy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of lung cancer research that uses zebrafish, highlighting the advantages and limitations of this model organism and discussing future directions in the field. Zebrafish is increasingly used as a model organism for cancer research because of its genetic and physiological similarities to humans. Modeling lung cancer (LC) in zebrafish has received significant attention. This review focuses on the insights gained from using zebrafish in LC research. These insights range from investigating the genetic and molecular mechanisms that contribute to the development and progression of LC to identifying potential drug targets, testing the efficacy and toxicity of new therapies, and applying zebrafish for personalized medicine studies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of LC research performed using zebrafish, highlights the advantages and limitations of this model organism, and discusses future directions in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water oxidation reaction (WOR) is a rather sluggish process in the water splitting that hampers the extraction of hydrogen gas from water in a large scale. It is highly desirable to develop low‐cost WOR catalysts to increase the efficacy. Herein two Cu(II) complexes [Cu (DTEL)2]n(ClO4)2n (1) and [Cu(DTE)2(ClO4)2] (2) of two triazolylpyridines, 1‐(2‐hydroxy)‐4‐(2‐pyridyl)1,2,3‐triazole (DTEL) and 1‐(2‐acetoxymethyl)‐4‐(2‐pyridyl)1,2,3‐triazole (DTE), have been synthesized and characterized. The X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that the copper centers of 1 and 2 adopted the octahedral coordination geometry with four N atoms from two DTEL or DTE ligands in the equatorial plane. The two axial sites were weakly ligated by the hydroxyl group of DTEL or perchlorate. Both complexes 1 and 2 were homogenous molecular catalysts boosting the WOR in pH 9.0 phosphate buffer solution with the overpotentials being 568 and 478 mV, rate constants (kcat) of 0.1 and 0.39 s−1, and Faradaic efficiencies of 90% and 93%, respectively. The pendant substituent on the two triazolylpyridine ligands DTEL and DTE apparently influenced the catalysis. A mechanism for the catalytic WOR mediated by 1 and 2 was suggested on the basis of the experimental data. This work illustrated that triazolylpyridines were promising scaffolds for forming metal complexes working as WOR catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: It is estimated that 1.95% and 5.55% of adults in China suffer from subclinical thyroid diseases, which is difficult to diagnose and treat. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the development and prognosis of subclinical thyroid diseases to provide a reference from our single center experience. METHODS: A total of 240 cases from April 2019 to August 2021 in the laboratory information system database of Huanghua Development Boai Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Binary logistic regression was conducted to analyze odds ratio (OR) of subclinical thyroid disease types returning to a normal state. RESULTS: Among the patients hypothyroidism Ia and hyperthyroidism Ia were the most common type with conversion to the normal state (P < 0.001). TSH level of patients with conversion to a normal state was significantly lower than that of those who developed to abnormal disease (P = 0.015). The OR values of hyperthyroidism Ia and hypothyroidism Ia that returned to a normal state compared with hyperthyroidism Ib were 2.659 (1.159 ∼ 6.096, P = 0.021) and 3.138 (1.1.278 ∼ 7.709, P = 0.013), respectively. The OR value of hypothyroidism Ib that returned to normal compared with hyperthyroidism Ib was 0.629 (0.131 ∼ 3.010, P = 0.561). Thyroid hormone levels, age, and gender at first diagnosis were not impact factor for prognosis of subclincal thyroid disease (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Cases with grade hypothyroidism Ia and hyperthyroidism Ia are more likely to revert to normal state than other subclinical thyroid diseases. TSH reference range should be explored for diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covering: up to 2022 Pentacyclic triterpenoids are important natural bioactive substances that are widely present in plants and fungi. They have significant medicinal efficacy, play an important role in reducing blood glucose and protecting the liver, and have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, anti-fatigue, anti-viral, and anti-cancer activities. Pentacyclic triterpenoids are derived from the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway, which generates common precursors of triterpenes and steroids, followed by cyclization with oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) and decoration via cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYP450s) and glycosyltransferases (GTs). Many biosynthetic pathways of triterpenoid saponins have been elucidated by studying their metabolic regulation network through the use of multiomics and identifying their functional genes. Unfortunately, natural resources of pentacyclic triterpenoids are limited due to their low content in plant tissues and the long growth cycle of plants. Based on the understanding of their biosynthetic pathway and transcriptional regulation, plant bioreactors and microbial cell factories are emerging as alternative means for the synthesis of desired triterpenoid saponins. The rapid development of synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and fermentation technology has broadened channels for the accumulation of pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins. In this review, we summarize the classification, distribution, structural characteristics, and bioactivity of pentacyclic triterpenoids. We further discuss the biosynthetic pathways of pentacyclic triterpenoids and involved transcriptional regulation. Moreover, the recent progress and characteristics of heterologous biosynthesis in plants and microbial cell factories are discussed comparatively. Finally, we propose potential strategies to improve the accumulation of triterpenoid saponins, thereby providing a guide for their future biomanufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the deformation and instability of the layered floor of weakly cemented soft rock roadway, taking the mining roadway of Meihuajing Mine as the engineering background, the deformation and instability mechanism of the floor and the control measures of the surrounding rock under different stratum combination conditions are studied by using the methods of field investigation, numerical calculation and field test. The results show that: (1) the layered characteristics of surrounding rock in weakly cemented soft rock roadways are significant, and the combination structure of floor rock strata is complex and changeable. Under the influence of engineering disturbance, the roadway has a tendency of large deformation, especially floor heave. (2) The buckling instability of the layered floor is caused by the layered weakening effect, and the unstable zone, the substable zone and the stable zone are formed successively from the shallow to the deep. With the increase of the layer thickness, the integrity of the layered floor is improved, the layered weakening effect is reduced, and the overall stability of the layered floor is improved. (3) The existence of weak interlayer further degrades the integrity of layered floor, and the progressive failure of floor rock mass layer by layer is more significant under the influence of layered weakening effect. (4) The relatively hard rock stratum in the composite structure plays an important role in controlling the deformation and failure of the floor, playing the role of "local key stratum." (5) Based on the cooperative control countermeasure of roof–rib–floor surrounding rock, the support technology of roof and ribs supported by blots mesh beam cable + floor supported by bolts grouting hardening + full section shotcrete is proposed. The results of numerical calculation and field test show that the support scheme greatly improves the stability of layered floor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the most important cause of death among cardiovascular diseases. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been widely implicated in the regulation of AMI progression. Discrimination antagonizing nonprotein coding RNA (DANCR) alleviated hypoxia‐caused cardiomyocyte damages, and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated the function and mechanism of DANCR in hypoxia‐induced cardiomyocytes and AMI model by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, reactive oxygen species and adenosine triphosphate measurement, and mitochondrial activity determination. Additionally, luciferase reporter assay, immunoblotting, and qRT‐PCR were performed to validate the interactions between DANCR/miR‐509‐5p and miR‐509‐5p/Kruppel‐like factor 13 (KLF13). The role of DANCR was also verified in AMI model by overexpression. Our results showed that DANCR expression was significantly downregulated in hypoxia‐induced cardiomyocytes or AMI model. Overexpression of DANCR significantly alleviated mitochondrial damages, reduced inflammation, and improved cardiac function in the AMI model. Furthermore, we demonstrated that miR‐509‐5p/KLF13 axis mediated the protective effect of DANCR. The current study highlighted the critical role of DANCR in alleviating AMI progression through targeting the miR‐509‐5p/KLF13 signaling axis, suggesting that DANCR may serve as a potential diagnostic marker or therapeutic target for AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naturally occurring fluorescent proteins (FPs) are the most widely used tools for tracking cellular proteins and sensing cellular events. Here, we chemically evolved the self-labeling SNAP-tag into a palette of SNAP-tag mimics of fluorescent proteins (SmFPs) that possess bright, rapidly inducible fluorescence ranging from cyan to infrared. SmFPs are integral chemical-genetic entities based on the same fluorogenic principle as FPs, i.e., induction of fluorescence of non-emitting molecular rotors by conformational locking. We demonstrate the usefulness of these SmFPs in real-time tracking of protein expression, degradation, binding interactions, trafficking, and assembly, and show that these optimally designed SmFPs outperform FPs like GFP in many important ways. We further show that the fluorescence of circularly permuted SmFPs is sensitive to the conformational changes of their fusion partners, and that these fusion partners can be used for the development of single SmFP-based genetically encoded calcium sensors for live cell imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dissolution of karst systems varies greatly under different conditions. To evaluate the effects of environmental conditions, a dynamic dissolution experiment for carbonate rocks was conducted. An experimental device to reveal the dissolution characteristics of carbonate rocks in different environments was designed. This custom-designed device was composed of a water–gas mixing system, an open environment simulation system, a semiclosed environment simulation system, and a closed environment simulation system. The results showed that a change in environmental conditions affected the dissolution of carbonate rocks, which was also the main reason for observed Ca2+ concentration anomalies. Along the flow direction, the pH, EC and dissolution ratio increased. The dissolution rate in the open environment was 1.30 times that in the semiclosed environment and 1.38 times that in the closed environment. In the open environment, the dissolution of rock samples decreased with increasing burial depth, while it increased with increasing burial depth in the semiclosed environment and closed environment. The simulation also revealed that dissolution was strong at the initial stage, and then the dissolution process gradually stabilized and did not show large fluctuations. However, when the saturation index was less than 0, the solution was not saturated, and the carbonate rocks continued to dissolve. A change in carbonate rock environmental conditions affects the migration and transformation of dissolved carbon. The system used in this study can accurately reveal the water‒rock interactions of karst waters in different environments and demonstrate the effect of mechanisms controlling dissolution on water chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease, and its typical characteristics are neuroinflammation and the demyelination of neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). Sterile alpha and TIR motif containing 1 (SARM1) is an essential factor mediating axonal degeneration and SARM1 deletion reduces the neuroinflammation in spinal cord injury. This study aimed to explore the roles of SARM1 and its underlying mechanisms in MS. Methods: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE, a model of MS) model was established. Immunostaining, western blot, electron microscope, and HE staining were used to examine the pathological manifestations such as inflammation, demyelination, and neuronal death in SARM1f/f EAE mice and SARM1Nestin‐CKO EAE mice. In addition, RNA‐seq, real‐time PCR and double‐immunostaining were used to examine the underlying mechanism of SARM1 in EAE mice. Results: SARM1 was upregulated in neurons of the spinal cords of EAE mice. SARM1 knockout in CNS ameliorated EAE with less neuroinflammation, demyelination, and dead neurons. Mechanically, SARM1 knockout resulted in the reduction of insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) in neurons of EAE mice, which might inhibit the neuroinflammation through inhibiting NF‐κB signaling. Finally, activation of NF‐κB partially aggravated the neuroinflammation and demyelination deficits of SARM1Nestin‐CKO EAE mice. Conclusions: These results identified the unknown role of SARM1 in the promotion of neuroinflammation and demyelination and revealed a novel drug target pathway of SARM1/IGFBP2/NF‐κB for MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to provide an updated assessment of the efficacy of optimized enteral nutrition (EN) delivery by implementing the volume-based feeding (VBF) protocol in critically ill patients. Methods: We updated our previous literature retrieval with no language restrictions. The inclusion criteria were:1) Participants: Critically ill patients (Patients who was admitted in ICU; 2) Intervention: The VBF protocol was adopted for EN administration; 3) Comparison: The rate-based feeding (RBF) protocol was adopted for EN administration; 4) Major outcomes: EN nutrition delivery. The exclusion criteria included participants aged < 18 years, duplicated literature, animal and cellular experiments, and studies lacking any of the outcomes mentioned in the inclusion criteria. The databases included MEDLINE (through PubMed), Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Result: Sixteen studies involving a total of 2896 critically ill patients are included in the updated meta-analysis. Compared with the previous meta-analysis, nine new studies were added that included 2205 more patients. The VBF protocol significantly improved energy (MD = 15.41%, 95% CI: [10.68, 20.14], p < 0.00001) and protein (MD = 22.05%, 95% CI: [10.89, 33.22], p = 0.0001) delivery. The patients in the VBF group stayed in the ICU for a shorter time (MD = 0.78, 95% CI: [0.01, 1.56], p = 0.05). The VBF protocol did not increase the risk of death (RR = 1.03, 95% CI: [0.85, 1.24], p = 0.76) or prolong the mechanical ventilation duration (MD = 0.81, 95% CI: [-0.30,1.92], p = 0.15). In addition, the VBF protocol did not affect EN complications, such as diarrhea (RR = 0.91, 95% CI: [0.73, 1.15], p = 0.43), emesis (RR = 1.23, 95% CI: [0.76, 1.99], p = 0.41), feeding intolerance (RR = 1.14, 95% CI: [0.63, 2.09], p = 0.66), and gastric retention (RR = 0.45, 95% CI: [0.16, 1.30], p = 0.14). Conclusion: Our study revealed that the VBF protocol significantly improved calorie and protein delivery in critically ill patients with no additional risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular structure conversion concomitant with mass transfer processes at the electrode–electrolyte interfaces plays a central role in energy electrochemistry. Mass spectrometry, as one of the most intuitive, sensitive techniques, provides the capability to collect transient intermediates and products and uncover reaction mechanisms and kinetics. In situ time-of-flight secondary ion electrochemical mass spectrometry with inherent high mass and spatiotemporal resolution has emerged as a promising strategy for investigating electrochemical processes at the electrode surface. This review illustrates the recent advancements in coupling time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and electrochemistry to visualize and quantify local dynamic electrochemical processes, identify solvated species distribution, and disclose hidden reaction pathways at the molecular level. Moreover, the key challenges in this field are further discussed to promote new applications and discoveries in operando studying the dynamic electrochemical interfaces of advanced energy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bacterial genus Cryobacterium includes at present 14 species that live in cryospheric environments. In this study, we analyzed 101 genomes of Cryobacterium with pure cultures obtained from GenBank. They could be classified into 44 species based on average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis, showing the diversity of Cryobacterium. Among these, 19 strains in our laboratory were isolated from the glacier samples in China. The pairwise ANI values of these 19 strains and known species were <95%, indicating that they represented 19 novel species. The comparative genomic analysis showed significant differences in gene content between the two groups with a maximum growth temperature (Tmax) of =20°C and a Tmax of >20°C. A comprehensive and robust phylogenetic tree, including 14 known species and 19 novel species, was constructed and showed five phylogenetic branches based on 265 concatenated single-copy gene sequences. The Tmax parameter had a strong phylogenetic signal, indicating that the temperature adaptation of Cryobacteriumwas largely through vertical transfer rather than horizontal gene transfer and was affected by selection. Furthermore, using polyphasic taxonomy combined with phylogenomic analysis, we proposed 19 novel species of the genus Cryobacterium by the following 19 names: Cryobacterium serini sp. nov., Cryobacterium lactosi sp. nov., Cryobacterium gelidum sp. nov., Cryobacterium suzukii sp. nov., Cryobacterium fucosi sp. nov., Cryobacterium frigoriphilum sp. nov., Cryobacterium cryoconiti sp. nov., Cryobacterium lyxosi sp. nov., Cryobacterium sinapicolor sp. nov., Cryobacterium sandaracinum sp. nov., Cryobacterium cheniae sp. nov., Cryobacterium shii sp. nov., Cryobacterium glucosi sp. nov., Cryobacterium algoritolerans sp. nov., Cryobacterium mannosilyticum sp. nov., Cryobacterium adonitolivorans sp. nov., Cryobacterium algoricola sp. nov., Cryobacterium tagatosivorans sp. nov., and Cryobacterium glaciale sp. nov. Overall, the taxonomy and genomic analysis can improve our knowledge of phenotypic diversity, genetic diversity, and evolutionary characteristics of Cryobacterium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the association between environmental phenols exposure, including benzophenone-3 (BP3) and triclosan, and all-cause mortality and cancer mortality in adults. A total of 8035 participants were included from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003–2012). Urinary BP3 and triclosan were measured with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The associations between urinary BP3 and triclosan with cancer and all-cause mortality were explored by multivariable logistic regressions and restricted cubic splines. During an average of 7.25-year follow-up, 696 cases (8.7%) of all-cause mortality and 137 cases (1.71%) of cancer mortality occurred. The average levels of BP3 and triclosan were 12.2 and 10.3 ng/mL, respectively. Compared with the lowest quartile, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio of the highest quartile was 0.64 (95% confidence interval: 0.50 to 0.81; P < 0.001) for BP3 and 0.76 (0.61 to 0.94; P = 0.011) for triclosan. However, no significant associations between urinary BP3 and triclosan and cancer mortality were observed. BP3 and triclosan exposure decreased the risk of all-cause mortality while they were not associated with cancer mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-based meat analogs are food products that mimic the appearance, texture, and taste of real meat. The development process requires laborious experimental iterations and expert knowledge to meet consumer expectations. To address these problems, we propose a machine learning (ML)-based framework to predict the textural properties of meat analogs. We introduce the proximate compositions of the raw materials, namely protein, fat, carbohydrate, fibre, ash, and moisture, in percentages and the "targeted moisture contents" of the meat analogs as input features of the ML models, such as Ridge, XGBoost, and MLP, adopting a build-in feature selection mechanism for predicting "Hardness" and "Chewiness". We achieved a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 22.9%, root mean square error (RMSE) of 10.101 for Hardness, MAPE of 14.5%, and RMSE of 6.035 for Chewiness. In addition, carbohydrates, fat and targeted moisture content are found to be the most important factors in determining textural properties. We also investigate multicollinearity among the features, linearity of the designed model, and inconsistent food compositions for validation of the experimental design. Our results have shown that ML is an effective aid in formulating plant-based meat analogs, laying out the groundwork to expediently optimize product development cycles to reduce costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]