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As two important greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, CO2 and N2O have been paid much attention to their environmental effects. As a large agricultural and population country in the world, agricultural soil is an important source of greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, unreasonable agricultural measures will make the soil structure deteriorate and lead to the increase of saline-alkali cultivated land area. Therefore, the comprehensive utilization of saline-alkali land has practical significance for agricultural production and ecological environment safety in our country. In this study, the 11th Regiment of Alar City of the First Division of Xinjiang carried out field tests on saline-alkali cultivated land, and improved the saline-alkali cultivated land with desulfurized gypsum and aeolian sand. Six treatments were set up (blank treatment (CK) desulfurized gypsum 15 t/ha (LH), desulfurized gypsum 30 t/ha (LA), desulfurized gypsum 15 t/hamixed application (FL), Aeolian sand 15 t/ha (FH), and Aeolian sand 30 t/ha (FA)). The effects of different treatments on CO2 and N2O emission fluxes in cotton-pepper soil were observed. The results show that: (1) In the growth stage of cotton-pepper, compared with CK, soil moisture increased, and soil ammonium nitrogen decreased; The conductivity increases with the increase of desulphurized gypsum and the decrease of aeolian sand. The results showed that LA treatment had the best water retention effect and FA treatment had the best salt reduction effect. (2) Compared with CK, the cumulative CO2 emission fluxes of cotton soil under different treatments were CK > LH > FL > FH > LA > FA treatment, and those of pepper soil were CK > FL > LH > FH > FA > LA treatment. Among them, the inhibition effect of cumulative soil CO2 emission under LA and FA treatment reached a significant level. (3) Compared with CK, the cumulative N2O emission fluxes of LH, LA, FL, FH and FA treated soil in cotton field were CK > LA > LH > FH > FL > FA, and that of pepper soil was CK > FA > LH > LA > FL > FH. Among them, the inhibition effect of aeolian sand (FA and FH) on soil N2O cumulative emission reached a significant level. (4) Compared with CK, LH, LA, FL, FH and FA treatments reduced the comprehensive greenhouse effect of cotton field and pepper crops by inhibiting soil CO2 emission fluxes, among which FA treatment had the lowest comprehensive greenhouse effect. Therefore, the effects of different treatments on physicochemical properties and gas emissions of saline-alkali soil were comprehensively analyzed, and FA treatment had the best effect on inhibiting CO2 and N2O emissions and improving soil physicochemical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postoperative patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) confront not only physiological challenges but also psychological and social adaptation issues. It is imperative to enhance psycho-social adjustment (PSA) levels and further improve the quality of life among this population. However, research on PSA levels in postoperative HCC patients is lacking, and investigations into its associations with psychological resilience, social support, and fear of progression (FoP) remain unexplored currently. Objectives: This study aims to: (1) investigate the current status of PSA and analyze its influencing factors among postoperative HCC patients; (2) explore the interrelationships among psychological resilience, social support, FoP and PSA based on the Chronic Illness Adaptation Model employing a structural equation model. Methods: Convenience sampling methods were employed to recruit participants from the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery at a tertiary hospital in Xi'an, Shaanxi, China, and a total of 399 patients completed the surveys. The survey instruments included a general information questionnaire, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), and Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale Self-report (PAIS-SR). Data entry was conducted using Epidata 3.1 with dual verification, followed by statistical analyses performed using SPSS 27.0 and Amos 28.0. Results: The structural equation model revealed two paths. In Path 1 (psychological resilience → FoP → PSA), the direct effect was -0.383 (95% CI [-0.589, -0.112]), with an indirect effect of -0.075 (95% CI [-0.170, -0.018]). In Path 2 (social support → FoP → PSA), the direct effect was -0.297 (95% CI [-0.587, -0.063]), with an indirect effect of -0.069 (95% CI [-0.156, -0.019]). Conclusion: Postoperative patients with primary HCC exhibit lower levels of PSA. Higher levels of psychological resilience and social support correspond to elevated PSA levels. Conversely, advanced age, greater financial burden, and increased FoP are associated with lower PSA levels. FoP serves as a partial mediator between psychological resilience and PSA, as well as between social support and PSA. Future research would benefit from longitudinal designs to elucidate the developmental trajectories and causal links among these variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As two important greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, CO2 and N2O have been paid much attention to their environmental effects. As a large agricultural and population country in the world, agricultural soil is an important source of greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, unreasonable agricultural measures will make the soil structure deteriorate and lead to the increase of saline-alkali cultivated land area. Therefore, the comprehensive utilization of saline-alkali land has practical significance for agricultural production and ecological environment safety in our country. In this study, the 11th Regiment of Alar City of the First Division of Xinjiang carried out field tests on saline-alkali cultivated land, and improved the saline-alkali cultivated land with desulfurized gypsum and aeolian sand. Six treatments were set up (blank treatment (CK) desulfurized gypsum 15 t/ha (LH), desulfurized gypsum 30 t/ha (LA), desulfurized gypsum 15 t/hamixed application (FL), Aeolian sand 15 t/ha (FH), and Aeolian sand 30 t/ha (FA)). The effects of different treatments on CO2 and N2O emission fluxes in cotton-pepper soil were observed. The results show that: (1) In the growth stage of cotton-pepper, compared with CK, soil moisture increased, and soil ammonium nitrogen decreased; The conductivity increases with the increase of desulphurized gypsum and the decrease of aeolian sand. The results showed that LA treatment had the best water retention effect and FA treatment had the best salt reduction effect. (2) Compared with CK, the cumulative CO2 emission fluxes of cotton soil under different treatments were CK > LH > FL > FH > LA > FA treatment, and those of pepper soil were CK > FL > LH > FH > FA > LA treatment. Among them, the inhibition effect of cumulative soil CO2 emission under LA and FA treatment reached a significant level. (3) Compared with CK, the cumulative N2O emission fluxes of LH, LA, FL, FH and FA treated soil in cotton field were CK > LA > LH > FH > FL > FA, and that of pepper soil was CK > FA > LH > LA > FL > FH. Among them, the inhibition effect of aeolian sand (FA and FH) on soil N2O cumulative emission reached a significant level. (4) Compared with CK, LH, LA, FL, FH and FA treatments reduced the comprehensive greenhouse effect of cotton field and pepper crops by inhibiting soil CO2 emission fluxes, among which FA treatment had the lowest comprehensive greenhouse effect. Therefore, the effects of different treatments on physicochemical properties and gas emissions of saline-alkali soil were comprehensively analyzed, and FA treatment had the best effect on inhibiting CO2 and N2O emissions and improving soil physicochemical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The various analytical indices of coal are important criteria for evaluating the quality of commercial coal. Coals of different qualities exhibit different physical and chemical characteristics in their utilization. In the case of multiple coal types, the spectral characteristics of different coals may overlap within certain wavelength ranges, or be affected by interference or noise from other coal types, leading to low accuracy in coal quality prediction. Rapid and accurate coal quality testing is of great significance for improving industrial production efficiency and enhancing corporate profitability. This study employs near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) combined techniques to explore the accuracy and feasibility of predicting coal quality based on coal type classification models. In terms of classification algorithms, coal samples are identified and classified using Support Vector Machine (SVM) based on fusion spectra. Regarding the modeling approach, Partial Least Squares (PLS) is utilized to establish both an overall model for all coal samples and individual classification models corresponding to each coal type. The results show that the precision, accuracy, recall, and F1 score of this classification algorithm reached 96.49%, 97.50%, 95.83%, and 96.41%, respectively. The determination coefficients (R2) for the classification model's predictions of ash, volatile matter, and sulfur in coal quality indicators reached 0.992, which represents improvements of 1.85%, 5.31%, and 10.10% over the overall model. The root mean square errors of prediction (RMSEP) for these indicators were 0.062, 0.080, and 0.008, showing reductions of 0.24%, 0.68%, and 0.05% compared to the overall model. It indicates that the method of first identifying the coal type and then predicting coal quality indicators using the corresponding classification model can significantly improve the accuracy of coal quality detection in complex coal type scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methanol is being activelPTy investigated as a promising C1 reagent to replace conventional C1 reagents in organic synthesis, due to its properties of being economical, abundant, nontoxic and sustainably producible. However, because of the high enthalpy of dehydrogenation, it has not been reported frequently. Herein, we report that Pt single atoms (Pt1) and Pt clusters (Ptn) are cooperatively loaded on α-MoC to achieve the conversion of various of unsaturated N-containing compounds into value-added N-methylation compounds simply in methanol aqueous solution, successfully avoiding the use of external hydrogen or any additives. The synergy between coexisting Pt1 and Ptn on Pt1+n/α-MoC is identified as necessary to realize the tandem conversion with superior activity and selectivity. Pt1/α-MoC is the active site for in situ hydrogen production from aqueous phase methanol reforming, and Ptn/α-MoC is responsible for the successive hydrogenation and methylation. The partially positive Ptnδ+ species are crucial for the reductive N-methylation reaction, as the strong coordination of N-containing compounds to Pt particles (Ptn) significantly inhibits the catalytic activity. Experimental and DFT results further show that, unlike the traditional hydrogen-borrowing mechanism of methanol via the intermediate formaldehyde, formic acid is found to be a potent intermediate and agent for N-methylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effect of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) on tacrolimus blood concentrations in renal transplant recipients with different CYP3A5 genotypes. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included renal transplant recipients receiving tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive therapy with or without CCBs in combination. Patients were divided into combination and control groups based on whether or not they were combined with CCBs, and then further analyzed according to the type of CCBs (nifedipine/amlodipine/felodipine). Propensity score matching was conducted for the combination and the control groups using SPSS 22.0 software to reduce the impact of confounding factors. The effect of different CCBs on tacrolimus blood concentrations was evaluated, and subgroup analysis was performed according to the patients' CYP3A5 genotypes to explore the role of CYP3A5 genotypes in drug-drug interactions between tacrolimus and CCBs. Results: A total of 164 patients combined with CCBs were included in the combination groups. After propensity score matching, 83 patients with nifedipine were matched 1:1 with the control group, 63 patients with felodipine were matched 1:2 with 126 controls, and 18 patients with amlodipine were matched 1:3 with 54 controls. Compared with the controls, the three CCBs increased the dose-adjusted trough concentration (C0/D) levels of tacrolimus by 41.61%-45.57% (P < 0.001). For both CYP3A5 expressers (CYP3A5*1*1 or CYP3A5*1*3) and non-expressers (CYP3A5*3*3), there were significant differences in tacrolimus C0/D between patients using felodipine/nifedipine and those without CCBs (P < 0.001). However, among CYP3A5 nonexpressers, C0/D values of tacrolimus were significantly higher in patients combined with amlodipine compared to the controls (P = 0.001), while for CYP3A5 expressers, the difference in tacrolimus C0/D values between patients with amlodipine and without was not statistically significant (P = 0.065). Conclusion: CCBs (felodipine/nifedipine/amlodipine) can affect tacrolimus blood concentration levels by inhibiting its metabolism. The CYP3A5 genotype may play a role in the drug interaction between tacrolimus and amlodipine. Therefore, genetic testing for tacrolimus and therapeutic drug monitoring are needed when renal transplant recipients are concurrently using CCBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qilian orogenic belt (QOB) located in the northeast margin of the Tibetan Plateau is featured by remarkable crustal thrusting and shortening, providing a key natural example to understand the lithospheric deformation of the Tibetan Plateau. Two types of continental collision are observed in the QOB: lithosphere subduction beneath Southern Qilian and crust underthrusting of Alxa terrain along the North Border Thrust (NBT). Deep seismic reflection profiles reveal complex stress field evolution, including compressional deformation in the lower crust, extensional deformation in the upper crust, and detachment deformation in the middle crust. In this study, we use 2D numerical modeling to investigate the dynamics of these two different collision types and the evolution of Qilian uplift. Model results suggest three patterns of continental collision, i.e., crust underthrusting follows lithosphere subduction, lithosphere subduction and the failed underthrusting/subduction. The key factors that may influence model evolution, including crustal rheology, convergence direction and rate, are systematically investigated. Our model results are further compared to observations, suggesting that lower convergence rate and crust underthrusting along NBT likely control the uplift and crust stress stratification of the QOB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal gangue is applicable to roadbed filling and base course of road engineering after breaking up, thus producing a large number of coal gangue sand. The in-situ stacking mode has caused serious damage to the ecological environment because it occupies extensive land resources. Reasonable disposal of coal gangue sand has important significance to the ecological environment. ATB-25 gradation was adopted to discuss the pavement performance of asphalt mixture prepared by replacing machine-made sand completely with coal gangue sand. Five test groups of non-mixture, fullmixture, full-mixture + 0.3% anti-rut agent, full-mixture + 0.4% anti-rut agent, and full-mixture + 0.5% anti-rut agent were designed. The Marshall stability test, Marshall residual stability test, freeze-thaw splitting test, and high-temperature rutting test under 60 °C were carried out. The effects of fine aggregate type and anti-rut agent content on the pavement performance of asphalt mixture were studied. The action mechanism of anti-rut agent on the coal gangue sand-asphalt mixture (CGS) was analyzed in combination with pavement performance test results. According to test results, the fine aggregate type can influence the performance of asphalt mixture, and the optimal asphalt content (OAC) of the CGS is increased significantly. The Marshall stability (MS) increases from 7.80 kN to 8.87 kN. After the machine-made sand is completely replaced by gangue sand, the water damage resistance and high-temperature deformation resistance of asphalt mixture decline significantly. With the increase in anti-rut agent content, the high-temperature deformation resistance of asphalt mixture increases gradually, but the water damage resistance of the mixture is not improved effectively. When the anti-rut agent content is 0.3%, the water stability of the asphalt mixture is damaged the least while assuring hightemperature stability. After mixing with the anti-rut agent, fine aggregates in the mixture will form group particles centered at anti-rut agent particles, which increases the interlocking forces among mineral aggregates, thus improving the high-temperature stability of the mixture. The research results will provide theoretical reference to application of CGS in road engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the impact of cervical conization combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy versus radical trachelectomy on treatment outcomes and patient safety in early-stage cervical cancer. Clinical data of 100 patients with early-stage cervical cancer treated at The First Hospital of Yulin City between January 2021 and January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different treatment methods, patients were divided into two groups: an experimental group (50 cases) receiving cervical conization (loop electrosurgical excision procedure, LEEP) combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and a control group (50 cases) undergoing radical trachelectomy. Efficacy and safety were compared between the two surgical approaches. The overall efficacy rate was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p = 0.046). Additionally, the experimental group exhibited shorter surgical time, reduced hospitalization duration, and quicker return to first flatus compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The difference in postoperative complications rates between the two groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Recurrence rates at six months and one year post-surgery did not significantly differ between the groups (p > 0.05). However, after three years, the experimental group had a significantly lower recurrence rate compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The combination of LEEP with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage cervical cancer demonstrates superior therapeutic efficacy, shorter surgical duration, and lower long-term recurrence rates compared to radical trachelectomy. This approach extends patient survival with a favorable safety profile, supporting its clinical adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Fuqi Guben Gao (FQGBG) is a botanical drug formulation composed of FuZi (FZ; Aconitum carmichaelii Debeaux [Ranunculaceae; Aconiti radix cocta]), Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L. [Solanaceae; Lycii fructus]), and Cinnamon (Neolitsea cassia (L.) Kosterm. [Lauraceae; Cinnamomi cortex]). It has been used to clinically treat nocturia caused by kidney-yang deficiency syndrome (KYDS) for over 30 years and warms kidney yang. However, the pharmacological mechanism and the safety of FQGBG in humans require further exploration and evaluation. Methods: We investigated the efficacy of FQGBG in reducing urination and improving immune organ damage in two kinds of KYDS model rats (hydrocortisone-induced model and natural aging model), and evaluated the safety of different oral FQGBG doses through pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters, metabonomics, and occurrence of adverse reactions in healthy Chinese participants in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose clinical trial. Forty-two participants were allocated to six cohorts with FQGBG doses of 12.5, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 g. The PKs of FQGBG in plasma were determined using a fully validated LC-MS/MS method. Results: FQGBG significantly and rapidly improved the symptoms of increased urination in both two KYDS model rats and significantly resisted the adrenal atrophy in hydrocortisone-induced KYDS model rats. No apparent increase in adverse events was observed with dose escalation. Major adverse drug reactions included toothache, thirst, heat sensation, gum pain, diarrhea, abdominal distension, T-wave changes, and elevated creatinine levels. The PK results showed a higher exposure level of benzoylhypaconine (BHA) than benzoylmesaconine (BMA) and a shorter half-life of BMA than BHA. Toxic diester alkaloids, aconitine, mesaconitine, and hypaconitine were below the lower quantitative limit. Drug-induced metabolite markers primarily included lysophosphatidylcholines, fatty acids, phenylalanine, and arginine metabolites; no safety-related metabolite changes were observed. Conclusion: Under the investigated dosing regimen, FQGBG was safe. The efficacy mechanism of FQGBG in treating nocturia caused by KYDS may be related to the improvement of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis function and increased energy metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common reproductive-endocrine disorder with wide-ranging metabolic implications, including obesity. RNA editing, a post-transcriptional modification, can finetune protein function and introduce heterogeneity. However, the role of RNA editing and its impact on adipose tissue function in PCOS remain poorly understood. Methods: This study aimed to comprehensively analyze RNA-editing events in abdominal and subcutaneous adipose tissue of PCOS patients and healthy controls using high-throughput whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and RNA sequencing. Results: Our results revealed that PCOS patients exhibited more RNA-editing sites, with adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing being prevalent. The expression of ADAR genes, responsible for A-to-I editing, was also higher in PCOS. Aberrant RNA-editing sites in PCOS adipose tissue was enriched in immune responses, and interleukin-12 biosynthetic process. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) signaling, Notch signaling, terminal uridylyl transferase 4 (TUT4), hook microtubule tethering protein 3 (HOOK3), and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) were identified to be of significant differences. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in PCOS adipose tissue were enriched in immune responses compared with controls, and the DEGs between subcutaneous and abdominal adipose tissue were also enriched in immune responses suggesting the important role of subcutaneous adipose tissue. Furthermore, we identified the correlations between RNA editing levels and RNA expression levels of specific genes, such as ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT1) in inflammation pathways and ATM, TUT4, and YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA-binding protein C2 (YTHDC2) in oocyte development pathway. Conclusions: These findings suggest that RNA-editing dysregulation in PCOS adipose tissue may contribute to inflammatory dysregulations. Understanding the interplay between RNA editing and adipose tissue function may unveil potential therapeutic targets for PCOS management. However, further research and validation are required to fully elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There is a strong relationship between the content of beneficial fatty acids in milk and milk fat metabolic activity in the mammary gland. To improve milk quality, it is therefore necessary to study fatty acid metabolism in bovine mammary gland tissue. In adipose tissue, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), the core transcription factor, regulates the fatty acid metabolism gene network and determines fatty acid deposition. However, its regulatory effects on mammary gland fatty acid metabolism during lactation have rarely been reported. Methods: Transcriptome sequencing was performed during the prelactation period and the peak lactation period to examine mRNA expression. The significant upregulation of PPARG drew our attention and led us to conduct further research. Results: According to bioinformatics prediction, dual-luciferase reporter system detection, real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, miR-130a and miR-130b could directly target PPARG and inhibit its expression. Furthermore, triglyceride and oil red O staining proved that miR-130a and miR-130b inhibited milk fat metabolism in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs), while PPARG promoted this metabolism. In addition, we also found that the coexpression of miR-130a and miR-130b significantly enhanced their ability to regulate milk fat metabolism. Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings indicated that miR-130a and miR-130b could target and repress PPARG and that they also have a functional superposition effect. miR-130a and miR-130b seem to synergistically regulate lipid catabolism via the control of PPARG in BMECs. In the long-term, these findings might be helpful in developing practical means to improve high-quality milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suaeda glauca Bunge produces dimorphic seeds on the same plant, with brown seeds displaying non-dormant characteristics and black seeds exhibiting intermediate physiological dormancy traits. Previous studies have shown that black seeds have a very low germination rate under natural conditions, but exogenous GA3 effectively enhanced the germination rate of black seeds. However, the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of GA3 on S. glauca black seeds are still unclear. In this study, transcriptomic profiles of seeds at different germination stages with and without GA3 treatment were analyzed and compared, and the TTF, H2O2, O2–, starch, and soluble sugar contents of the corresponding seed samples were determined. The results indicated that exogenous GA3 treatment significantly increased seed vigor, H2O2, and O2– contents but decreased starch and soluble sugar contents of S. glauca black seeds during seed dormancy release. RNA-seq results showed that a total of 1136 DEGs were identified in three comparison groups and were involved mainly in plant hormone signal transduction, diterpenoid biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and carbohydrate metabolism pathway. Among them, the DEGs related to diterpenoid biosynthesis (SgGA3ox1, SgKAO and SgGA2ox8) and ABA signal transduction (SgPP2Cs) could play important roles during seed dormancy release. Most genes involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were activated under GA3 treatment conditions, especially many SgPER genes encoding peroxidase. In addition, exogenous GA3 treatment also significantly enhanced the expression of genes involved in flavonoid synthesis, which might be beneficial to seed dormancy release. In accordance with the decline in starch and soluble sugar contents, 15 genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism were significantly up-regulated during GA3-induced dormancy release, such as SgBAM, SgHXK2, and SgAGLU, etc. In a word, exogenous GA3 effectively increased the germination rate and seed vigor of S. glauca black seeds by mediating the metabolic process or signal transduction of plant hormones, phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis, and carbohydrate metabolism processes. Our results provide novel insights into the transcriptional regulation mechanism of exogenous GA3 on the dormancy release of S. glauca black seeds. The candidate genes identified in this study may be further studied and used to enrich our knowledge of seed dormancy and germination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropomorphism, the attribution of human-like qualities (e.g., mental states) to nonhuman entities, is a universal but variable psychological experience. Adults with professionally diagnosed autism or high levels of subclinical autistic traits consistently show greater tendencies to anthropomorphize, which has been hypothesized to reflect 1) a compensatory mechanism for lack of social connectedness and 2) a persistence of childhood anthropomorphism into adulthood. Here, we directly tested these hypotheses in a general population sample consisting of both adults (N=685, 17-58 years old) and early adolescents (N=145, 12-14 years old) using the refined 9-item Anthropomorphism Questionnaire (AnthQ9), which measures both present and childhood anthropomorphic tendencies. We found that adults with heightened autistic traits reported increased present anthropomorphism (e.g., tend more to perceive computers as having minds), which held even after controlling for social connectedness. In contrast, adolescents with heightened autistic traits did not show increased present anthropomorphism, but rather reported reduced childhood anthropomorphism (e.g., less likely to perceive toys as having feelings) after controlling for social connectedness. We also found evidence that the present and childhood subscales of the AnthQ9 may tap into fundamentally different aspects of anthropomorphism. The results suggest that increased anthropomorphic tendencies in adults with heightened autistic traits cannot be explained solely by increased sociality motivation, but may be due to delayed development of anthropomorphism, although alternative possibilities of measurement problems cannot be ruled out. Implications for the measurement of anthropomorphism and its relation with theory of mind were also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) by renewable electricity to produce multicarbon chemicals, such as ethylene (C2H4), continues to be a challenge because of insufficient Faradaic efficiency, low production rates, and complex mechanistic pathways. Here, we report that the rate-determining steps (RDS) on common copper (Cu) surfaces diverge in CO2 electroreduction, leading to distinct catalytic performances. Through a combination of experimental and computational studies, we reveal that C--C bond-making is the RDS on Cu(100), whereas the protonation of *CO with adsorbed water becomes rate-limiting on Cu(111) with a higher energy barrier. On an oxide-derived Cu(100)-dominant Cu catalyst, we reach a high C2H4 Faradaic efficiency of 72%, partial current density of 359 mA cm-2, and long-term stability exceeding 100 h at 500 mA cm-2, greatly outperforming its Cu(111)-rich counterpart. We further demonstrate constant C2H4 selectivity of >60% over 70 h in a membrane electrode assembly electrolyzer with a full-cell energy efficiency of 23.4%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the past half-century, although numerous interventions for obesity have arisen, the condition’s prevalence has relentlessly escalated annually. Obesity represents a substantial public health challenge, especially due to its robust correlation with co-morbidities, such as colorectal cancer (CRC), which often thrives in an inflammatory tumor milieu. Of note, individuals with obesity commonly present with calcium and vitamin D insufficiencies. Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels, a subclass within the broader TRP family, function as critical calcium transporters in calcium-mediated signaling pathways. However, the exact role of TRPC channels in both obesity and CRC pathogenesis remains poorly understood. This study set out to elucidate the part played by TRPC channels in obesity and CRC development using a mouse model lacking all seven TRPC proteins (TRPC HeptaKO mice). Relative to wildtype counterparts, TRPC HeptaKO mice manifested severe obesity, evidenced by significantly heightened body weights, augmented weights of epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) and inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT), increased hepatic lipid deposition, and raised serum levels of total cholesterol (T-CHO) and lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Moreover, TRPC deficiency was accompanied by an decrease in thermogenic molecules like PGC1-α and UCP1, alongside a upsurge in inflammatory factors within adipose tissue. Mechanistically, it was revealed that pro-inflammatory factors originating from inflammatory macrophages in adipose tissue triggered lipid accumulation and exacerbated obesity-related phenotypes. Intriguingly, considering the wellestablished connection between obesity and disrupted gut microbiota balance, substantial changes in the gut microbiota composition were detected in TRPC HeptaKO mice, contributing to CRC development. This study provides valuable insights into the role and underlying mechanisms of TRPC deficiency in obesity and its related complication, CRC. Our findings offer a theoretical foundation for the prevention of adverse effects associated with TRPC inhibitors, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies for obesity and CRC prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) poses a significant challenge to global public health. Despite extensive research, conclusive evidence regarding the association between gut microbes and the risk of AN and BN remains elusive. Mendelian randomization (MR) methods offer a promising avenue for elucidating potential causal relationships. Materials and methods: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) datasets of AN and BN were retrieved from the OpenGWAS database for analysis. Independent single nucleotide polymorphisms closely associated with 196 gut bacterial taxa from the MiBioGen consortium were identified as instrumental variables. MR analysis was conducted utilizing R software, with outlier exclusion performed using the MR-PRESSO method. Causal effect estimation was undertaken employing four methods, including Inverse variance weighted. Sensitivity analysis, heterogeneity analysis, horizontal multivariate analysis, and assessment of causal directionality were carried out to assess the robustness of the findings. Results: A total of 196 bacterial taxa spanning six taxonomic levels were subjected to analysis. Nine taxa demonstrating potential causal relationships with AN were identified. Among these, five taxa, including Peptostreptococcaceae, were implicated as exerting a causal effect on AN risk, while four taxa, including Gammaproteobacteria, were associated with a reduced risk of AN. Similarly, nine taxa exhibiting potential causal relationships with BN were identified. Of these, six taxa, including Clostridiales, were identified as risk factors for increased BN risk, while three taxa, including Oxalobacteraceae, were deemed protective factors. Lachnospiraceae emerged as a common influence on both AN and BN, albeit with opposing effects. No evidence of heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy was detected for significant estimates. Conclusion: Through MR analysis, we revealed the potential causal role of 18 intestinal bacterial taxa in AN and BN, including Lachnospiraceae. It provides new insights into the mechanistic basis and intervention targets of gut microbiotamediated AN and BN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a cell proliferation regulator involved in wide biological processes in plants, GRF-INTERACTING FACTOR (GIF) controls different tissues development. However, whether GIF participates in fruit development remains unclear. According to transcriptome data, we identified PbGIF1 was highly expressed during fruit development in cytokinins induced parthenocarpy pear. In the present study, the biofunction of PbGIF1 was initially verified. Overexpression of PbGIF1 promoted fruit size of transgenic tomato. The size of flesh fruit was not affected by cell expansion but the cell proliferation was promoted by overexpressing PbGIF1. The accelerated cell proliferation process was also observed in PbGIF1-overexpressed transgenic pear fruit calli. The transcriptional regulation of cytokinins on PbGIF1 was further confirmed by exogenous CPPU treatments in pear fruitlets. To investigate the underlying mechanism, the cytokinins-responded factor, PbRR1, was further focused on. The results of Yeast-one-hybrid assay suggested that PbRR1 can bind to the promoter sequence of PbGIF1. The transcriptional activation of PbRR1 on PbGIF1 was also confirmed by Dual-Luciferase assays. Taken together, the results showed that cytokinins control pear fruit development via the transcriptional activation of PbGIF1 by PbRR1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incessant mutations of viruses, variable immune responses, and likely emergence of new viral threats necessitate multiple approaches to novel antiviral therapeutics. Furthermore, the new antiviral agents should have broad-spectrum activity and be environmentally stable. Here, we show that biocompatible tapered CuS nanoparticles (NPs) efficiently agglutinate coronaviruses with binding affinity dependent on the chirality of surface ligands and particle shape. Z-penicillamine-stabilized NPs with left-handed curved apexes display half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) as low as 0.66 pM (1.4 ng/mL) and 0.57 pM (1.2 ng/mL) for pseudo-type SARS-CoV-2 viruses and wild-type Wuhan-1 SARS-CoV-2 viruses, respectively, which are about 1,100 times lower than those for antibodies (0.73 nM). Benefiting from strong NPs-protein interactions, the same particles are also effective against other strains of coronaviruses, such as HCoV-HKU1, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, and SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants with IC50 values below 10 pM (21.8 ng/mL). Considering rapid response to outbreaks, exposure to elevated temperatures causes no change in the antiviral activity of NPs while anti-bodies are completely deactivated. Testing in mice indicates that the chirality-optimized NPs can serve as thermally stable analogs of antiviral biologics complementing the current spectrum of treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with typical and clay loess, sandy loess has a higher sand content and poor geotechnical engineering properties, and it easily causes geological disasters. Sandy loess reinforced with a mixture of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) + polyacrylamide (PAM) was proposed to improve the structural stability of sandy loess and reveal the curing mechanism of cellulose curing agents. The variations in the shear strength of sandy loess before and after reinforcement were analyzed through a direct shear test. The effects of the concentration of the CMC + PAM curing agent on the shear strength of sandy loess were examined. Subsequently, the soil mass before and after the reinforcement were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Xray diffraction to reveal the micromechanism of sandy loess reinforced by the CMC + PAM curing agent. Results showed that with the increase in curing agent concentration, the shear strength of sandy loess increased considerably and gradually stabilized. When the CMC + PAM curing agent was added to natural sandy loess, the abundant hydrophilic groups in CMC and PAM bonded and adsorbed the sand particles in the soil through intermolecular forces. Large aggregates were formed after compact inlaying in the face-to-face contact mode. The porosity of sandy loess decreased, and its structural stability improved. These research conclusions can provide theoretical references for sandy loess reinforcement by cellulose curing agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the effects of recombinant FSH alfa (rFSH-alfa), rFSH-beta, highly purified human menopausal gonadotropin (HP-hMG) and urinary FSH (uFSH) in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome who have undertaken the GnRH antagonist protocol during IVF/ICSI treatment. Method: A single-center retrospective cohort study including women with PCOS who received the GnRH antagonist protocol from January 2019 to July 2022 was conducted. Patients were divided into rFSH-alfa group, HP-hMG group, uFSH group, and rFSH-beta group, and the number of oocytes retrieved, clinical pregnancy rate of the fresh cycle (primary outcomes), embryo quality, and severe OHSS rate (secondary outcomes) were compared. Results: No statistical differences were found among the four groups in fresh cycle clinical pregnancy rate (p=0.426), nor in the subgroup analyses. The HPhMG group had a smaller number of oocytes retrieved and a higher high-quality D3 embryo rate than the three FSH groups (p<0.05). No statistical differences were found among the four groups in the severe OHSS rate (p=0.083). Conclusion: For women with PCOS undergoing the GnRH antagonist protocol, the clinical pregnancy rates of fresh IVF/ICSI-ET cycle are similar for all four types of Gn. With a lower risk of OHSS and a similar number of high-quality and available embryos, HP-hMG may have an advantage in the PCOS population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White-feather broiler chickens are the dominant species in global poultry meat production. Yet there is growing concern about their health, quality, and growth efficiency. While feed additives, often antibiotics or synthetic chemicals, are used to maintain the health of the animals, drug resistance limits their use. Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers., a traditional Chinese herb with antibiotic-like benefits but without the risk of drug resistance, has not yet been explored as an additive to broiler diets. In the present study, broilers of the AA+ hybrid strain were randomly divided into three groups of 16: a control group (regular feed), a low-dose group (1.25 g/kg added L. cubeba extract), and a high-dose group (2.50 g/kg added L. cubeba extract). After 35 days, we found that the extract had no effect on growth. However, gut flora analysis revealed that both doses of the extract had a positive influence on amino acid content and minor unsaturated fatty acids, thus improving the flavor and nutritional value of the meat. These findings suggest that L. cubeba extract, at either dose, could serve as a sustainable alternative to antibiotics, thus reducing the risk of drug resistance while improving meat quality, nutrition, and flavor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, different Mn content doped potassium sodium niobate (KNMN) coatings were prepared by plasma spraying technology, and the effects of different Mn content doping on the microstructure and electrical properties of the coatings were investigated. The results showed that the mechanical and electrical properties of the coatings showed a trend of increasing and then decreasing with the increase of Mn doping content, and the best mechanical and electrical properties of the coatings were obtained when the Mn doping content was 2 mol%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Educational inequalities in suicide have become increasingly prominent over the past decade. Elucidating modifiable risk factors that serve as intermediaries in the impact of low educational attainment on suicide has the potential to reduce health disparities. Aims To examine the risk factors that mediate the relationship between educational attainment and suicide attempts and quantify their contributions to the mediation effect. Methods We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) analysis to estimate the causal effect of educational attainment on suicide attempts, utilising genome-wide association study summary statistics from the Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH; 6024 cases and 44 240 controls) and FinnGen (8978 cases and 368 299 controls). We systematically evaluated 42 putative mediators within the causal pathway connecting reduced educational attainment to suicide attempts and employed two-step and multivariable MR to quantify the proportion of the mediated effect. Results In the combined analysis of iPSYCH and FinnGen, each standard deviation (SD) decrease in genetically predicted educational attainment (equating to 3.4 years of education) was associated with a 105% higher risk of suicide attempts (odds ratio (OR): 2.05; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.81 to 2.31). Of the 42 risk factors analysed, the two-step MR identified five factors that mediated the association between educational attainment and suicide attempts. The respective proportions of mediation were 47% (95% CI: 29% to 66%) for smoking behaviour, 36% (95% CI: 0% to 84%) for chronic pain, 49% (95% CI: 36% to 61%) for depression, 35% (95% CI: 12% to 59%) for anxiety and 26% (95% CI: 18% to 34%) for insomnia. Multivariable MR implicated these five mediators collectively, accounting for 68% (95% CI: 40% to 96%) of the total effect. Conclusions This study identified smoking, chronic pain and mental disorders as primary intervention targets for attenuating suicide risk attributable to lower educational levels in the European population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical synthesis of valuable chemicals and feedstocks through carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction in acidic electrolytes can surmount the considerable CO2 loss in alkaline and neutral conditions. However, achieving high productivity, while operating steadily in acidic electrolytes, remains a big challenge owing to the severe competing hydrogen evolution reaction. Here, we show that vertically grown bismuth nanosheets on a gas-diffusion layer can create numerous cavities as electrolyte reservoirs, which confine in situ–generated hydroxide and potassium ions and limit inward proton diffusion, producing locally alkaline environments. Based on this design, we achieve formic acid Faradaic efficiency of 96.3% and partial current density of 471 mA cm−2 at pH 2. When operated in a slim continuous-flow electrolyzer, the system exhibits a full-cell formic acid energy efficiency of 40% and a single pass carbon efficiency of 79% and performs steadily over 50 h. We further demonstrate the production of pure formic acid aqueous solution with a concentration of 4.2 weight %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abiotic stresses, such as high salinity, pose a significant threat to plant growth and development, reducing crop yield and quality. Calcineurin B-like (CBL) proteins serve as crucial calcium sensors in plant responses to diverse environmental stresses. However, the CBL family in sweet cherry has not been identified at the genome-wide level, and the regulatory role of CBL proteins in cherry plants’ salt response is unclear. Here, we identified 10 CBL family genes (PavCBLs) from the Prunus avium genome and cloned seven of them. We comprehensively analyzed PavCBL genes for collinearity, phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, and conserved motifs. Expression analysis revealed significant induction of transcription under abiotic stress, with PavCBL4 displaying the most substantial expression change. Additionally, we identified PavCBL4 as a PavSOS2 (Salt Overly Sensitive 2)-interacting protein through Y2H and Split-LUC assays. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that PavCBL4 is present in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Functional assessment of PavCBL4 in the PavCBL4-overexpressing transgenic ‘Gisela 6’ plants showed its positive role in enhancing salt tolerance in cherry plants. Measurements of Na+ content and antioxidant enzyme activity under salt stress indicated that PavCBL4 functions positively by inhibiting Na+ accumulation and promoting ROS scavenging in response to salt stress. These findings lay the groundwork for a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying PavCBL-mediated salt tolerance in sweet cherry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), a common form of thyroid autoimmunity, is strongly associated with deteriorating clinical status and impaired quality of life. The escalating global prevalence, coupled with the complexity of disease mechanisms, necessitates a comprehensive, bibliometric analysis to elucidate the trajectory, hotspots, and future trends in HT research. Objective: This study aims to illuminate the development, hotspots, and future directions in HT research through systematic analysis of publications, institutions, authors, journals, references, and keywords. Particular emphasis is placed on novel treatment strategies for HT and its complications, highlighting the potential role of genetic profiling and immunomodulatory therapies. Methods: We retrieved 8,726 relevant documents from the Web of Science Core Collection database spanning from 1 January 1990 to 7 March 2023. Following the selection of document type, 7,624 articles were included for bibliometric analysis using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and R software. Results: The temporal evolution of HT research is categorized into three distinct phases: exploration (1990-1999), rapid development (1999-2000), and steady growth (2000-present). Notably, the United States, China, Italy, and Japan collectively contributed over half (54.77%) of global publications. Among the top 10 research institutions, four were from Italy (4/10), followed by China (2/10) and the United States (2/10). Recent hotspots, such as the roles of gut microbiota, genetic profiling, and nutritional factors in HT management, the diagnostic dilemmas between HT and Grave's disease, as well as the challenges in managing HT complicated by papillary thyroid carcinoma and type 1 diabetes mellitus, are discussed. Conclusion: Although North America and Europe have a considerable academic impact, institutions from emerging countries like China are demonstrating promising potential in HT research. Future studies are anticipated to delve deeper into the differential diagnosis of HT and Grave's disease, the intricate relationship between gut microbiota and HT pathogenesis, clinical management of HT with papillary thyroid carcinoma or type 1 diabetes, and the beneficial effects of dietary modifications and micronutrients supplementation in HT. Furthermore, the advent of genetic profiling and advanced immunotherapies for managing HT offers promising avenues for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuropathic pain (NP) is pain caused by damage to the somatosensory system. It is a common progressive neurodegenerative disease that usually presents with clinical features such as spontaneous pain, touch-evoked pain, nociceptive hyperalgesia, and sensory abnormalities. Due to the complexity of the mechanism, NP often persists. In addition to the traditionally recognized mechanisms of peripheral nerve damage and central sensitization, excessive iron accumulation, oxidative stress, neuronal inflammation, and lipid peroxidation damage are distinctive features of NP in pathophysiology. However, the mechanisms linking these pathological features to NP are not fully understood. The complexity of the pathogenesis of NP greatly limits the development of therapeutic approaches for NP. Ferroptosis is a novel form of cell death discovered in recent years, in which cell death is usually accompanied by massive iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Ferroptosis-inducing factors can affect glutathione peroxidase directly or indirectly through different pathways, leading to decreased antioxidant capacity and accumulation of lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells, ultimately leading to oxidative cell death. It has been shown that ferroptosis is closely related to the pathophysiological process of many neurological disorders such as NP. Possible mechanisms involved are changes in intracellular iron ion levels, alteration of glutamate excitability, and the onset of oxidative stress. However, the functional changes and specific molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis during this process still need to be further explored. How to intervene in the development of NP by regulating cellular ferroptosis has become a hot issue in etiological research and treatment. In this review, we systematically summarize the recent progress of ferroptosis research in NP, to provide a reference for further understanding of its pathogenesis and propose new targets for treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As important regulators of alternative splicing (AS) events, serine/arginine (SR)-rich proteins play indispensable roles in the growth and development of organisms. Until now, the study of SR genes has been lacking in plants. In the current study, we performed genome-wide analysis on the SR gene family in rice. A total of 24 OsSR genes were phylogenetically classified into seven groups, corresponding to seven subfamilies. The OsSR genes' structures, distribution of conserved domains, and protein tertiary structure of OsSR were conserved within each subfamily. The synteny analysis revealed that segmental duplication events were critical for the expansion of OsSR gene family. Moreover, interspecific synteny revealed the distribution of orthologous SR gene pairs between rice and Arabidopsis, sorghum, wheat, and maize. Among all OsSR genes, 14 genes exhibited NAGNAG acceptors, and only four OsSR genes had AS events on the NAGNAG acceptors. Furthermore, the distinct tissue-specific expression patterns of OsSR genes showed that these genes may function in different developmental stages in rice. The AS patterns on the same OsSR gene were variable among the root, stem, leaf, and grains at different filling stages, and some isoforms could only be detected in one or a few of tested tissues. Meanwhile, our results showed that the expression of some OsSR genes changed dramatically under ABA, GA, salt, drought, cold or heat treatment, which were related to the wide distribution of corresponding cis-elements in their promoter regions, suggesting their specific roles in stress and hormone response. This research facilitates our understanding of SR gene family in rice and provides clues for further exploration of the function of OsSR genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Background: Liver metastasis (LM) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in CRC patients, whereas the associated mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, it is urgently needed to deeply explore novel metastasis accelerators and therapeutic targets of LM-CRC. Methods: The bulk RNA sequencing data and clinicopathological information of CRC patients were enrolled from the TCGA and GEO databases. The single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets of CRC were collected from and analyzed in the Tumor Immune Single-cell Hub (TISCH) database. The infiltration levels of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and macrophages in CRC tissues were estimated by multiple immune deconvolution algorithms. The prognostic values of genes were identified by the Kaplan-Meier curve with a log-rank test. GSEA analysis was carried out to annotate the significantly enriched gene sets. The biological functions of cells were experimentally verified. Results: In the present study, hundreds of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were selected in LM-CRC compared to primary CRC, and these DEGs were significantly associated with the regulation of endopeptidase activity, blood coagulation, and metabolic processes. Then, SPP1, CAV1, ANGPTL2, and COLEC11 were identified as the characteristic DEGs of LM-CRC, and higher expression levels of SPP1 and ANGPTL2 were significantly associated with worse clinical outcomes of CRC patients. In addition, ANGPTL2 and SPP1 mainly distributed in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of CRC tissues. Subsequent scRNA-seq analysis demonstrated that ANGPTL2 and SPP1 were markedly enriched in the CAFs and macrophages of CRC tissues, respectively. Moreover, we identified the significantly enriched gene sets in LM-CRC, especially those in the SPP1+macrophages and ANGPTL2+CAFs, such as the HALLMARK_EPITHELIAL_MESENCHYMAL_ TRANSITION and the HALLMARK_COMPLEMENT. Finally, our in vitro experiments proved that ANGPTL2+CAFs and SPP1+macrophages promote the metastasis of CRC cells. Conclusion: Our study selected four characteristic genes of LM-CRC and identified ANGPTL2+CAFs and SPP1+macrophages subtypes as metastasis accelerators of CRC which provided a potential therapeutic target for LM-CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sandy loess is a kind of loess with a loose structure and, high sand content, and has negative effects on the overall stability of soil. To improve the stability of sand-sandy loess, this study proposed a chemically solidified sand-sandy loess by mixing two kinds of cellulose curing agents. Through direct shear test and triaxial compression test of sand-tests on the sandy loess soil before and after curing, the shear strength of sand-loess before and after curing was analysed, and the effects of the curing form and the ratio of mixed curing agents on the physical and mechanical properties of sandloess soil were discussed. Next, the erosion resistance simulation test on solidified sand loess soil was carried out by using an indoor model test, and the simulation results were compared with the test results. On this basis, the main factors affecting the performance of solidified sand loess were analysed. Results show that, the curing effect of mixed curing agents is obviously superior to that of a single curing agent, and the shear strength of sandy loess increases with the concentration of the curing agent. With the increase of the curing soil's liquid-solid ratio of curing soil, the erosion quantity decreases gradually and reaches the minimum when the liquid-solid ratio is 1:2 and the slope is 30°, showing the best erosion resistance. The obtained conclusions provide some references to in determining the slope curing mode of sandy loess in practical engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to investigate the predictive factors and efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine Shengji Ointment in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers in the elderly population, with the intent of formulating an effective predictive model for deep diabetic foot ulcer healing. The importance of this research lies in its provision of new perspectives and tools for addressing the severe health impact of diabetic foot ulcers in the elderly population, considering the complexity and diversity of its treatment methods. Methods: The study includes 180 elderly patients with Wagner grade 3-4 diabetic foot ulcers that involve the tendon or fascia. The dependent variable is the initiation time of granulation tissue development. Independent variables encompass demographic information, a treatment strategy including Shengji Ointment, pre-treatment trauma assessment data, routine blood count, and biochemical index test results. Lasso regression is employed for variable selection, and Cox regression is utilized for the construction of a prediction model. A nomogram is generated to authenticate the model. Results: The Chinese Medicine treatment approach, ulcer location, creatinine levels, BMI, and haemoglobin levels are identified as independent predictors of granulation tissue development in diabetic foot ulcers. The combined treatment of Chinese herbal Shengji ointment and bromelain positively influenced granulation tissue development. The location of plantar ulcers, impaired renal functionality, obesity, and anaemia are established as independent risk factors that might influence the speed and probability of ulcer healing. The area under the time-dependent ROC curve fluctuates between 0.7 and 0.8, demonstrating substantial discrimination and calibration of the model. Conclusion: The study ascertains that a combined treatment strategy incorporating Shengji Ointment demonstrates greater effectiveness than the use of cleansing gel debridement alone in facilitating the healing of Wagner grade 3 or higher diabetic foot ulcers. Furthermore, the predictive model developed in this research serves as a valuable tool in evaluating the efficacy of Chinese Medicine treatments like Shengji Ointment for diabetic foot ulcers in the elderly. It aids clinicians in effectively assessing and adjusting treatment strategies, thereby proving its significant application value in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucagon is the principal glucose-elevating hormone that forms the first-line defence against hypoglycaemia. Along with insulin, glucagon also plays a key role in maintaining systemic glucose homeostasis. The cells that secrete glucagon, pancreatic a-cells, are electrically excitable cells and use electrical activity to couple its hormone secretion to changes in ambient glucose levels. Exactly how glucose regulates a-cells has been a topic of debate for decades but it is clear that electrical signals generated by the cells play an important role in glucagon secretory response. Decades of studies have already revealed the key players involved in the generation of these electrical signals and possible mechanisms controlling them to tune glucagon release. This has offered the opportunity to fully understand the enigmatic a-cell physiology. In this review, we describe the current knowledge on cellular electrophysiology and factors regulating excitability, glucose sensing, and glucagon secretion. We also discuss a-cell pathophysiology and the perspective of addressing glucagon secretory defects in diabetes for developing better diabetes treatment, which bears the hope of eliminating hypoglycaemia as a clinical problem in diabetes care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fenneropenaeus chinensis is an important fishery species in China. Hatchery-reared seeds have been released into the wild for improvement of shrimp productivity. Jinzhou bay is the major natural habitat and we used this location to temporally monitor the genetic effects of release of hatchery stocks on local F. chinensis populations across five years. A set of 13 microsatellite markers were used to evaluate genetic patterns across 2015, 2016 and 2019. We observed a significant Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium across all stocks. The inbreeding coefficient (Fis) was positive (0.121-0.131) for all stocks. A loss of genetic diversity was detected in the 2019 stock and significant differences were observed for number of different alleles, number of effective alleles, allelic richness and unbiased expected heterozygosity in the 2019 stock (P < 0.05). The highest pairwise relatedness and the lowest observed heterozygosity were also observed in 2019 stock. Moreover, a small but significant genetic differentiation was detected between the 2019 stock and the stocks of the previous two years. Given the continuously large scale of artificial enhancements in this area, these data may indicate that releases of hatchery-reared F. chinensis individuals may be associated with inbreeding and potentially the reduction in genetic diversity of the F. chinensis population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Folic acid, a water-soluble vitamin B nutrient, plays an important role not only in maintaining a healthy pregnancy but also in offspring brain development and function, however, it remains unclear whether maternal folic acid (FA) supplementation associated with the risk of different postnatal neurodevelopmental outcomes. Here, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the impact of maternal FA supplementation on a wide range of postnatal neurodevelopmental outcomes which include intellectual development, risk of autistic traits, ADHD, behavior, language, and psychomotor problems, using studies extracted from the following databases, including MeDLiNe, web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, eMBASe, and Psychinfo. Thirty-two cohort studies and seven case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. in the present study, we found that prenatal FA supplementation had a positive impact on offspring's neurodevelopmental outcomes, including improved intellectual development and reduced risk of autism traits, ADHD, behavioral, and language problems. we also found that FA over-supplementation was not associated with an improvement in offspring's brain development, and may have a negative impact on offspring's neurodevelopmental outcomes. This study proved the first panoramic review on the relationship of FA supplementation with offspring's neurodevelopment. Further studies focusing on different dosages and periods of FA supplementation are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a perennial flowering plant species. Its main components have tumor-prevention, immune systemenhancement, and anti-inflammation effects. Network pharmacology is a powerful approach that is being applied increasingly to research of herbal medicines. Herb identification, study of compound targets, network construction, and network analysis have been used to elucidate how herbal medicines work. However, the interaction of bioactive substances from asparagus with the targets involved in multiple myeloma (MM) has not been elucidated. We explored the mechanism of action of asparagus in MM through network pharmacology and experimental verification. Methods: The active ingredients and corresponding targets of asparagus were acquired from the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology database, followed by identification of MM-related target genes using GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man databases, which were matched with the potential targets of asparagus. Potential targets were identified and a target network of traditional Chinese medicine was constructed. The STRING database and Cytoscape were utilized to create protein--protein interaction (PPI) networks and further screening of core targets. Results: The intersection of target genes and core target genes of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway was enriched, the top-five core target genes were selected, and the binding affinity of corresponding compounds to the top-five core targets was analyzed using molecular docking. Network pharmacology identified nine active components of asparagus from databases based on oral bioavailability and drug similarity, and predicted 157 potential targets related to asparagus. Enrichment analyses showed that "steroid receptor activity" and the "PI3K/AKT signaling pathway" were the most enriched biological process and signaling pathway, respectively. According to the top-10 core genes and targets of the PPI pathway, AKT1, interleukin (IL)-6, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)A, MYC, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were selected for molecular docking. The latter showed that five core targets of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway could bind to quercetin, among which EGFR, IL-6, and MYC showed strong docking, and the diosgenin ligand could bind to VEGFA. Cell experiments showed that asparagus, through the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway, inhibited the proliferation and migration of MM cells, and caused retardation and apoptosis of MM cells in the G0/G1 phase. Discussion: In this study, the anti-cancer activity of asparagus against MM was demonstrated using network pharmacology, and potential pharmacological mechanisms were inferred using in vitro experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]