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Neurodegenerative diseases pose a significant health burden globally, with limited treatment options available. Among the various cell types involved in the pathogenesis of these disorders, microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, play a pivotal role. Dysregulated microglial activation contributes to neuroinflammation and neuronal damage, making them an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have emerged as powerful tools for delivering therapeutic genes to specific cell types in the central nervous system with remarkable precision and safety. In the current review, we discuss the strategies employed to achieve selective transduction of microglia, including the use of cell-specific promoters, engineered capsids, and microRNA (miRNA) strategies. Additionally, we address the challenges and future directions in the development of AAV-based therapies targeting microglia. Overall, AAV-mediated targeting of microglia holds promise as a novel therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases, offering the potential to modify disease progression and improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the sintering temperature of liquid-phase sintered conductive SiC ceramics, the SiC nanopowder with Sc2O3 additives was intentionally oxidized by heat treatment in air to enhance the SiO2 content coated on SiC surfaces moderately. Taking advantage of the lower eutectic temperature (1660 °C) between SiO2 and Sc2O3, conductive SiC ceramics were successfully sintered at 1700 °C. The effects of sintering temperature (1700–1900 °C), holding time (1–10 min), and additive content (1–7 wt.%) on microstructural, mechanical, and electrical properties were systematically investigated. The phase composition of as-received SiC ceramics contained Sc–Si–O–C–N and doped β-SiC, without apparent phase transformation of β-SiC to α-SiC. The Vickers hardness, elastic modulus, and fracture toughness of SiC ceramics varied within the ranges of 18.08–22.29 GPa, 269.12–391.16 GPa, and 4.09–7.86 MPa m1/2, respectively. The electrical resistivity of conductive SiC ceramics obtained under different process conditions varied in a small range (1–10 Ω cm). Meanwhile, the low-temperature sintering, phase formation, and evolution mechanisms of electrical properties were discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Base editors (BEs) are a recent generation of genome editing tools that couple a cytidine or adenosine deaminase activity to a catalytically impaired Cas9 moiety (nCas9) to enable specific base conversions at the targeted genomic loci. Given their strong application potential, BEs are under active developments toward greater levels of efficiency and safety. Here, a previously overlooked nCas9‐centric strategy is explored for enhancement of BE. Based on a cytosine BE (CBE), 20 point mutations associated with nCas9‐target interaction are tested. Subsequently, from the initial positive X‐to‐arginine hits, combinatorial modifications are applied to establish further enhanced CBE variants (1.1–1.3). Parallel nCas9 modifications in other versions of CBEs including A3A‐Y130F‐BE4max, YEE‐BE4max, CGBE, and split‐AncBE4max, as well as in the context of two adenine BEs (ABE), likewise enhance their respective activities. The same strategy also substantially improves the efficiencies of high‐fidelity nCas9/BEs. Further evidence confirms that the stabilization of nCas9‐substrate interactions underlies the enhanced BE activities. In support of their translational potential, the engineered CBE and ABE variants respectively enable 82% and 25% higher rates of editing than the controls in primary human T‐cells. This study thus demonstrates a highly adaptable strategy for enhancing BE, and for optimizing other forms of Cas9‐derived tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to compare the restraint performance of two child restraint systems (CRSs) used on airplanes—a rear-facing child seat (RFCS) and the child aviation restraint system (CARES)—for 1.5-year-old children, along with their compatibility with different types of aircraft seats. 16 g longitudinal dynamic tests were conducted on two types of aircraft seats with CRSs. Results indicate poor compatibility of CARES with Type A seats, significantly increasing the risk of head, neck, and abdominal injuries, with Nij exceeding the acceptable limit. In contrast, CARES exhibited good compatibility with Type B seats and effectively protected children. RFCS tests demonstrated effective injury risk reduction on both types of seats. It can be found that the performance of CARES depends on restraint status and seat dimensions; RFCSs provide adequate protection for 1.5-year-olds. Optimal protection can be achieved with smaller restrain angles of CRS and using thinner seat cushions. Compared to CARES, RFCSs better adapt to various aircraft seat structures, offering superior child protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cluster synchronization in synthetic networks of coupled chaotic oscillators is investigated. It is found that despite the asymmetric nature of the network structure, a subset of the oscillators can be synchronized as a cluster while the other oscillators remain desynchronized. Interestingly, with the increase in the coupling strength, the cluster is expanding gradually by recruiting the desynchronized oscillators one by one. This new synchronization phenomenon, which is named "scalable synchronization cluster," is explored theoretically by the method of eigenvector-based analysis, and it is revealed that the scalability of the cluster is attributed to the unique feature of the eigenvectors of the network coupling matrix. The transient dynamics of the cluster in response to random perturbations are also studied, and it is shown that in restoring to the synchronization state, oscillators inside the cluster are stabilized in sequence, illustrating again the hierarchy of the oscillators. The findings shed new light on the collective behaviors of networked chaotic oscillators and are helpful for the design of real-world networks where scalable synchronization clusters are concerned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Radiation‐induced brain injury is a neurological condition resulting from radiotherapy for malignant tumors, with its underlying pathogenesis still not fully understood. Current hypotheses suggest that immune cells, particularly the excessive activation of microglia in the central nervous system and the migration of peripheral immune cells into the brain, play a critical role in initiating and progressing the injury. This review aimed to summarize the latest advances in the cellular and molecular mechanisms and the therapeutic potential of microglia in radiation‐induced brain injury. Methods: This article critically examines recent developments in understanding the role of microglia activation in radiation‐induced brain injury. It elucidates associated mechanisms and explores novel research pathways and therapeutic options for managing this condition. Results: Post‐irradiation, activated microglia release numerous inflammatory factors, exacerbating neuroinflammation and facilitating the onset and progression of radiation‐induced damage. Therefore, controlling microglial activation and suppressing the secretion of related inflammatory factors is crucial for preventing radiation‐induced brain injury. While microglial activation is a primary factor in neuroinflammation, the precise mechanisms by which radiation prompts this activation remain elusive. Multiple signaling pathways likely contribute to microglial activation and the progression of radiation‐induced brain injury. Conclusions: The intricate microenvironment and molecular mechanisms associated with radiation‐induced brain injury underscore the crucial roles of immune cells in its onset and progression. By investigating the interplay among microglia, neurons, astrocytes, and peripheral immune cells, potential strategies emerge to mitigate microglial activation, reduce the release of inflammatory agents, and impede the entry of peripheral immune cells into the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of the collision accidents between Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and people on the ground increase in recent years. It is necessary to clarify human injury characteristics brought by the impact of UAV and promote its management. This study focuses on head and neck injury risk resulted from the impact of the UAV with a relatively large mass, and the difference brought by the UAV with a small mass. First, the model of the Y3-dummy (Hybrid III 50th) is developed. Second, simulations are conducted to analyse head and neck injury characteristics from Y3's impact under different velocities, angles, and locations. With increasing the impact velocity, HIC and Nij increase with an exponential function and a power function, respectively. When the vertical impact velocity exceeds 5 m/s, both head and neck have a high probability of injury, while for the horizontal impact, the corresponding velocity is 9 m/s. As the impact angle increases, the changes of HIC satisfy the form of the sum of two exponential functions, and Nij changes in the form of the sum of a power function and a quadratic polynomial function. When the impact angle is close to 0°, the head injury risk is relatively high, while for 58°, the neck is more likely to be injury. The injuries induced by the top of mainframe and the front of the long arm are more serious. Finally, the differences in head and neck injury characteristics under different velocities and locations for UAVs with different masses are compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineering accident investigations are systematic inquiries into the facts and causes of engineering accidents. The aims of an engineering accident investigation include identifying significant truths about an accident, learning lessons to prevent similar future accidents, and authoritatively communicating the investigative results to the stakeholders. An important normative dimension along which an engineering accident investigation can be evaluated is its degree of success in fulfilling these aims. In this paper, I propose criteria for evaluating the degree of success of an engineering accident investigation using a question-centered framework, and then argue for the relevance of this proposal to the actual engineering practice. The basic idea of my proposal is that an engineering accident investigation is successful to the extent that (1) questions that should arise in the investigation do arise, and (2) questions that arise—especially the more significant ones—are resolved satisfactorily by the end of the investigation. The first part of this paper unpacks my proposal by analyzing the following three concepts and illustrating them using examples from the TWA Flight 800 accident investigation: The (satisfactory) resolution of questions, the significance of questions, and the arising of questions. The second part of this paper argues for the relevance of my proposal to the practitioners and stakeholders of engineering accident investigations. First, I argue that my proposal is sensitive to the aims of the investigators and stakeholders regarding engineering accident investigations, and that it helps them navigate competing and conflicting aims. Second, I go beyond the TWA 800 case study and argue that my proposal explains the strengths and limitations of different types of accident causation models used in investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increase of BDS-3 in-orbit time, the number of the new signal ground stations has been gradually enlarged. So we analysed the time series characteristics of B1C&B2a from various perspectives. The two components of the new signal were solved separately, and the sequence continuity of L1X-L5X was found to be poor. The experimental results showed that the ambiguity resolution and position capability of the new signal individually were inferior to those of the old signal; but theconvergence speed and positioning accuracy of BDS(B1C&B2a)+GPS are improved by 26.8% and 44%, respectively, compared with the old signal of fused. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species interactions such as facilitation and competition play a crucial role in driving species range shifts. However, density dependence as a key feature of these processes has received little attention in both empirical and modelling studies. Herein, we used a novel, individual‐based treeline model informed by rich in situ observations to quantify the contribution of density‐dependent species interactions to alpine treeline dynamics, an iconic biome boundary recognized as an indicator of global warming. We found that competition and facilitation dominate in dense versus sparse vegetation scenarios respectively. The optimal balance between these two effects was identified at an intermediate vegetation thickness where the treeline elevation was the highest. Furthermore, treeline shift rates decreased sharply with vegetation thickness and the associated transition from positive to negative species interactions. We thus postulate that vegetation density must be considered when modelling species range dynamics to avoid inadequate predictions of its responses to climate warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cathodic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of a luminol (or its analogues)-dissolved oxygen (O2) system is an ideal alternative to ECL of the traditional luminol–hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) system, which can efficiently avoid the self-decomposition of H2O2 at room temperature. However, the mechanism for the generation of cathodic ECL by the luminol (or its analogues)–O2 system is still ambiguous. Herein, we report the study of cathodic ECL generation by the L012–O2 system at a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The types of reactive oxygen species (ROS) involved generated during ECL reactions were verified. A possible reaction mechanism for the system was proposed and the rate constants of related reactions were estimated. Furthermore, several intermediates of L012 involved in the proposed pathways were validated by electrochemistry-coupled mass spectrometry. Finally, the cathodic ECL system was successfully used for measuring the antioxidant capacity of commercial juice with Trolox as a standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endogenous essential metal ions play an important role in many life processes, especially in tumor development and immune response. The approval of various metallodrugs for tumor therapy brings more attention to the antitumor effect of metal ions. With the deepening understanding of the regulation mechanisms of metal ion homeostasis in vivo, breaking intracellular metal ion homeostasis becomes a new means to inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells and activate antitumor immune response. Diverse nanomedicines with the loading of small molecular ion regulators or metal ions have been developed to disrupt metal ion homeostasis in tumor cells, with higher safety and efficiency than free small molecular ion regulators or metal compounds. This comprehensive review focuses on the latest progress of various intracellular metal ion homeostasis regulation‐based nanomedicines in tumor therapy including calcium ion (Ca2+), ferrous ion (Fe2+), cuprous ion (Cu+), managanese ion (Mn2+), and zinc ion (Zn2+). The physiological functions and homeostasis regulation processes of ions are summarized to guide the design of metal ion regulation‐based nanomedicines. Then the antitumor mechanisms of various ions‐based nanomedicines and some efficient synergistic therapies are highlighted. Finally, the challenges and future developments of ion regulation‐based antitumor therapy are also discussed, hoping to provide a reference for finding more effective metal ions and synergistic therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To investigate the role of FOXO1 in STAT3 activation and mitochondrial quality control in the diabetic heart. Methods: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg · kg−1 streptozotocin (STZ), while type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was induced in rats with a high‐fat diet through intraperitoneal injection of 35 mg · kg−1 STZ. Primary neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes and H9c2 cells were exposed to low glucose (5.5 mM) or high glucose (HG; 30 mM) with or without treatment with the FOXO1 inhibitor AS1842856 (1 μM) for 24 hours. In addition, the diabetic db/db mice (aged 8 weeks) and sex‐ and age‐matched non‐diabetic db/+ mice were treated with vehicle or AS1842856 by oral gavage for 15 days at a dose of 5 mg · kg−1 · d−1. Results: Rats with T1DM or T2DM had excessive cardiac FOXO1 activation, accompanied by decreased STAT3 activation. Immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation analysis showed colocalization and association of FOXO1 and STAT3 under basal conditions in isolated cardiomyocytes. Selective inhibition of FOXO1 activation by AS1842856 or FOXO1 siRNA transfection improved STAT3 activation, mitophagy and mitochondrial fusion, and decreased mitochondrial fission in isolated cardiomyocytes exposed to HG. Transfection with STAT3 siRNA further reduced mitophagy, mitochondrial fusion and increased mitochondrial fission in HG‐treated cardiomyocytes. AS1842856 alleviated cardiac dysfunction, pathological damage and improved STAT3 activation, mitophagy and mitochondrial dynamics in diabetic db/db mice. Additionally, AS1842856 improved mitochondrial function indicated by increased mitochondrial membrane potential and adenosine triphosphate production and decreased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production in isolated cardiomyocytes exposed to HG. Conclusions: Excessive FOXO1 activation during diabetes reduces STAT3 activation, with subsequent impairment of mitochondrial quality, ultimately promoting the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: Substantial advancements have been made in our comprehension of vegetative desiccation tolerance in resurrection plants, and further research is still warranted to elucidate the mechanisms governing distinct cellular adaptations. Resurrection plants are commonly referred to as a small group of extremophile vascular plants that exhibit vegetative desiccation tolerance (VDT), meaning that their vegetative tissues can survive extreme drought stress (> 90% water loss) and subsequently recover rapidly upon rehydration. In contrast to most vascular plants, which typically employ water-saving strategies to resist partial water loss and optimize water absorption and utilization to a limited extent under moderate drought stress, ultimately succumbing to cell death when confronted with severe and extreme drought conditions, resurrection plants have evolved unique mechanisms of VDT, enabling them to maintain viability even in the absence of water for extended periods, permitting them to rejuvenate without harm upon water contact. Understanding the mechanisms associated with VDT in resurrection plants holds the promise of expanding our understanding of how plants adapt to exceedingly arid environments, a phenomenon increasingly prevalent due to global warming. This review offers an updated and comprehensive overview of recent advances in VDT within resurrection plants, with particular emphasis on elucidating the metabolic and cellular adaptations during desiccation, including the intricate processes of cell wall folding and the prevention of cell death. Furthermore, this review highlights existing unanswered questions in the field, suggests potential avenues for further research to gain deeper insights into the remarkable VDT adaptations observed in resurrection plants, and highlights the potential application of VDT-derived techniques in crop breeding to enhance tolerance to extreme drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multi-material active structure is a mechanical system made of passive and active materials with the ability to alter its configuration, form, or properties in response to changes in the environment. Active structures have been investigated to design lightweight structures and structures with the ability to “smartly” alter their shapes and/or internal forces. Recently, the potential of active structures to reduce environmental impact, i.e., reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, has been investigated. It has been verified that, compared to passive structures, active structures can not only use less material but also consume less energy and cause less GHG emissions during their service life, and thus have a significant potential to be applied as environment-friendly mechanical structures. This study aims to develop a general topology optimization (TO) approach to design novel multi-material active structural systems to reduce environmental impact. The approach is based on the density-based TO scheme. Passive and active materials are considered in the TO process and are required to be optimally distributed according to the optimization objective and constraints. The energy consumption or GHG emissions caused by the structure during its service life are treated as the objective function to be minimized under multiple displacement requirements. Typical examples are carried out to verify the developed approach. Results show that the topology optimized active structures may not only achieve significant weight savings but also less energy consumption and GHG emissions compared to equivalent topology optimized passive structures, which indicates that the developed approach has the potential to be applied to design novel structural systems with lighter weight, larger span, and with less environmental impact compared to conventional passive structural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circadian rhythm involved with physiology has been reported to affect pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics. We hypothesized that circadian variations in physiology disturb anesthesia and eventually affect recovery after anesthesia. A retrospective cohort study initially included 107,406 patients (1 June 2016–6 June 2021). Patients were classified into morning or afternoon surgery groups. The primary outcome was daytime variation in PACU (post-anesthesia care unit) recovery time and Steward score. Inverse probability weighting (IPW) approach based on propensity score and univariable/multivariable linear regression were used to estimate this outcome. Of 28,074 patients, 13,418 (48%) patients underwent morning surgeries, and 14,656 (52%) patients underwent afternoon surgeries. LOWESS curves and IPW illustrated daytime variation in PACU recovery time and Steward score. Before adjustment, compared to morning surgery group, afternoon surgery group had less PACU recovery time (median [interquartile range], 57 [46, 70] vs. 54 [43, 66], p < 0.001) and a higher Steward score (5.62 [5.61, 5.63] vs. 5.66 [5.65, 5.67], p < 0.001). After adjustment, compared to morning surgery group, afternoon surgery group had less PACU recovery time (58 [46, 70] vs. 54 [43, 66], p < 0.001). In multivariable linear regression, morning surgery is statistically associated with an increased PACU recovery time (coefficient, −3.20; 95% confidence interval, −3.55 to −2.86). Among non-cardiac surgeries, daytime variation might affect recovery after general anesthesia. These findings indicate that the timing of surgery improves recovery after general anesthesia, with afternoon surgery providing protection. In this retrospective cohort study of 28,074 participants, the afternoon surgery group has a higher Steward score than the morning surgery group. In multivariable linear regression, morning surgery is statistically associated with an increased PACU recovery time. Among non-cardiac surgeries, daytime variation affects the recovery after general anesthesia, with afternoon surgery providing protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cold and hypoxic environment of the Tibetan Plateau was a major challenge for its prehistoric human occupants. The earliest known hominin occupation (or visitation) of the Tibetan Plateau was at ~200 ka, in the middle Pleistocene, and these hominins must have had survival strategies for this harsh environment. We report the discovery of 5 handprints and 17 footprints on the travertine near the outlet of the Quesang hot spring, a well-documented archeological site with well-studied hominin hand and footprints on the Tibetan Plateau. Based on ichnological analysis and U-Th dating, we found that these intentional and unintentional traces were impressed during the early to middle Holocene. Combined with the 19 previously-dated hand and footprints from around the hot spring, we conclude that this site was attractive to ancient humans who made repeated visits over a long period. The strengthened monsoon in the early and middle Holocene may have promoted the expansion of prehistoric human activity onto the central Tibetan Plateau. The frequent human activities near the Quesang hot spring imply that the widespread hot springs on the Tibetan Plateau provided resources that facilitated human survival in this cold and dry plateau region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potentially toxic elements from geothermal springs can cause significant pollution of the surrounding environment and pose potential risk to the ecosystem. The fate of potentially toxic elements in the water–soil–plant system in the Yangbajain geothermal field on the Tibetan Plateau, China was investigated to assess their impact on the eco-environment. The concentrations of Be, F, As, and Tl were highly elevated in the headwaters of the Yangbajain geothermal springs, and their concentrations in the local surface water impacted by the geothermal springs reached 8.1 μg/L (Be), 23.9 mg/L (F), 3.83 mg/L (As), and 8.4 μg/L (Tl), respectively, far exceeding the corresponding thresholds for surface and drinking water. The absence of As–Fe co-precipitation, undersaturated F−, and weak adsorption on minerals at high geothermal spring pH may be responsible for the As- and F-rich drainage, which caused pollution of local river. As concentrations in the leaves of Orinus thoroldii (Stapf ex Hemsl.) Bor were up to 42.7 μg/g (dry weight basis), which is an order of magnitude higher than the allowable limit in animal feeds. The locally farmed yaks are exposed to the excessive amount of F and As with high exposure risk through water-drinking and grass-feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Thermonuclear Experiment Reactor (ITER) Thermal shield (TS) serves as a cryogenic heat exchanger to maintain the thermal stability of the ITER superconducting magnet coil, which is critical to the control of the plasma during the operation of the ITER device. The TS is composed of long-length 316L stainless steel (SS) and copper as brazed joints. In this case, a feasible fabrication design for the CCS TS is presented, accomplished by three kinds of joining processes (vacuum brazing, friction stir weld, and TIG weld). In the reliable fabrication design, the brazing quality of the as-brazed long-distance 316L SS and copper joints plays a critical role in the thermal conductivity performance of the ITER thermal shield. Therefore, a high-quality vacuum brazing process of long-length SS/Cu joints applied in a low-temperature superconductor magnet system was first studied. The macro metallography analysis demonstrates the braze ratio of the samples is 100%, and no crack or defect is observed in the samples. The microstructural characterization reveals the brazing seams are composed of silver-based Ag-rich eutectic. The micro-shear test indicates that the shear strength of the 316L tube and copper joint is 205 MPa, with the fracture position located on the copper side; this zone will be the most vulnerable zone of the joints. In addition, the SEM results illustrated that the shear fracture morphology displayed a ductile fracture feature. The test results demonstrated that the highly precise depth drilling employed in this paper ensured a good control of the brazing clearance, resulting in a 100% braze ratio for the long-length SS/Cu joints. Therefore, it can be concluded that the brazing process can be applied in the ITER TS for the good thermal conductivity performance of long-length SS/Cu-brazing joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to study the effect of STING-IFN-I pathway on incision induced postoperative pain in rats and its possible mechanisms. Methods: The pain thresholds were evaluated by measuring the mechanical withdrawal threshold and the thermal withdrawal latency. The satellite glial cell and macrophage of DRG were analyzed. The expression of STING, IFN-a, P-P65, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in DRG was evaluated. Results: The activation of STING-IFN-I pathway can reduce the mechanical hyperalgesia, thermal hyperalgesia, down-regulate the expression of P-P65, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, and inhibit the activation of satellite glial cell and macrophage in DRG. Conclusions: The activation of STING-IFN-I pathway can alleviate incision induced acute postoperative pain by inhibiting the activation of satellite glial cell and macrophage, which reducing the corresponding neuroinflammation in DRG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study develops stability conditions for general tensegrity regarding the three stability criteria (e.g., prestress stability, general stability, and super stability) based on an energy approach. The coupling relations of specific nodal degrees of freedom caused by the rigid bodies are described by a set of constraint functions and incorporated into the potential energy function by the Lagrangian multiplier method. Stiffness matrices of general tensegrity systems are derived from the augmented potential energy function. It shows that the stability of general tensegrity can be evaluated through the stiffness matrices expressed in the constrained motion space generated by the constraint functions. Elegant formulations are developed for the evaluation of the three types of stability conditions for general tensegrity systems. Moreover, it turns out that the formulations developed in this study will degenerate into those for the stability analysis of classic tensegrity if no rigid bodies exist in the system, which indicates that the proposed approach is a general framework for the stability analysis of any type of tensegrity systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a ZnO microcavity, the exciton-polariton effect with ultralarge Rabi splitting (can be as large as several hundreds of millielectron volts) may dominate the optical properties at the energies near the band edge. Due to the light-matter coupling, the renormalized energy states, i.e., the exciton-polariton states are expected to show very different dynamical behavior compared to the free exciton state. In this work, we used a femtosecond laser to pump a high-quality ZnO whispering gallery microcavity at room temperature. In the time-resolved photoluminescence measurements, we observed that both the fast and slow decay rates of the exciton-polaritons are faster than that of the free exciton due to the strong coupling between excitons and photons in a microcavity. The decay time constants are found to depend on the exciton-photon energy detuning (δ = E p h o t o n − E e x c i t o n ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contemporary carbon balance over the Tibetan Plateau is highly uncertain with a ten-fold difference between various estimates. In a warming world, the potential exists for a large carbon release from its permafrost which could compromise China's 2060 carbon-neutral goal. Here, we used a satellite- and inventory-based approach, ecosystem models, and atmospheric inversions to estimate that the carbon sink was 33.12–37.84 TgC yr−1 during 2000–2015. The carbon sink induced by climate change and increasing CO2 levels largely overcompensated for a livestock grazing-induced carbon source of 0.38 TgC yr−1. By 2060, the carbon sink is projected to increase by 38.3–74.5% under moderate to high emissions scenarios, with the enhanced vegetation carbon uptake outweighing the warming-induced permafrost carbon release. The restoration of degraded grassland could sequestrate an additional 9.06 TgC yr−1, leading to a total carbon sink of 57.78–70.52 TgC yr−1. We conclude that the Tibetan Plateau's ecosystems absorbed two-and-a-half times the amount of its cumulative fossil CO2 emissions during 2000–2015 and that their carbon sinks will almost double in strength in the future, helping to achieve China's pledge to become carbon neutral by 2060. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to the heterogeneity of the phenotype of Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) patients, some patients may have rare clinical complications such as biliary obstruction and ultra-high bilirubinemia. Case presentation: A 8-y-old boy presented to the emergency with complaints of anemia for 6 years and worsened abdominal pain and scleral yellowing of the skin for 2 days. Physical examination showed tenderness in the middle and upper abdomen and splenomegaly. Abdominal CT revealed biliary obstruction. Genetic analysis revealed a de novo mutation in the gene ANK1, HS with biliary obstruction was diagnosed. The surgery of bile duct exploration and T-tube drainage, and splenectomy were performed successively. This patient was followed up for 13 months after splenectomy, and his condition was stable. Conclusion: The diagnosis of HS is not clinically difficult, and once a patient with HS is diagnosed, regular follow-up management and standardized treatment are required. Genetic testing is also needed to screen for other genetic disorders that may co-exist in patients with HS who do not have a good efficacy or who have a long-term chronic onset of jaundice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation carbon sequestration, usually expressed by net primary production (NPP), is an important ecosystem service (ES) to mitigate global warming. Multiple soil and water conservation projects (SWCPs) have been implemented to restore disturbed ecosystems on the Loess Plateau (LP), as one of the most eroded areas in the world. However, responses of NPP to the conservation projects are unclear due to trade‐offs between NPP and other ESs. Herein, we quantified NPP and other key ESs (i.e., water yield, soil conservation, and crop production) and the spatio‐temporal trade‐offs among them, using RS/GIS techniques and ecosystem modelling in the Yanhe basin of the LP from 1990 to 2020. Furthermore, the structural equation model was used to quantify the impact of ecological restoration projects and programmes such as check dams, terraces, and the Grain‐for‐Green (GFG) on NPP. As shown by our results, NPP reached 457 t ha−1 in 2020, which was twice what it was in 1990. Moreover, we found increasing trade‐offs between NPP and other ESs at sub‐basin scale. Specifically, 63% of NPP changes were explained by ESs and SWCPs. The combined action of check dams and GFG can promote NPP and balance trade‐offs between NPP and other ESs, while terracing decreases NPP indirectly according to its specific soil and climate conditions. Overall, the main findings provide a better understanding of the interacting processes of multi‐projects that influence vegetation carbon sequestration and the sustainable utilization of ESs in hill and gully regions of the LP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geothermal springs are known to contain a variety of potentially hazardous elements (PHEs), which may threaten human health. Their release on Earth's surface is largely dependent on the retention by the sediments at the spring outflux. In this study, the hot spring waters and the sediments at the corresponding sites were collected from the Nagqu geothermal field on the Tibetan Plateau. The water geochemistry and sediment mineralogy were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The association of PHEs with minerals was analyzed. The results indicate that while the concentrations of PHEs were highly elevated, Be, As, and Tl in some hot springs exceeded the criteria for class III groundwater in China by up to 2, 2, and 19 times, respectively. Cs occurred at relatively high levels, up to 776 μg/L. As, Co, Se, Tl, and U in the hot spring waters were probably captured by iron sulfide minerals in the sediments, while Be and Cs were strongly retained by the carbonate minerals. The releases of V and Cr were apparently regulated by the clay minerals. Overall, the mobility of PHEs from the geothermal springs is controlled by the deposition of minerals at the spring vents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Measurement of the Chinese burden of disease with disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) requires disability weight (DW) that quantify health losses for all non-fatal consequences of disease and injury. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2013 DW study indicates that it is limited by lack of geographic variation in DW data and by the current measurement methodology. We aim to estimate DW for a set of health states from major diseases in the Wuhan population. Methods: We conducted the DW measurement study for 206 health states through a household survey with computer-assisted face-to-face interviews and a web-based survey. Based on GBD 2013 DW study, paired comparison (PC) and Population health equivalence (PHE) method was used and different PC/PHE questions were randomly assigned to each respondent. In statistical analysis, the PC data was analyzed by probit regression. The probit regression results will be anchored by results from the PHE data analyzed by interval regression on the DW scale units between 0 (no loss of health) and 1 (loss equivalent to death). Results: A total of 2610 and 3140 individuals were included in the household and web-based survey, respectively. The results from the total pooled data showed health state "mild anemia" (DW = 0.005, 95% UI 0.000–0.027) or "allergic rhinitis (hay fever)" (0.005, 95% UI 0.000–0.029) had the lowest DW and "heroin and other opioid dependence, severe" had the highest DW (0.699, 95% UI 0.579–0.827). A high correlation coefficient (Pearson's r = 0.876; P < 0.001) for DWs of same health states was observed between Wuhan's survey and GBD 2013 DW survey. Health states referred to mental symptom, fatigue, and the residual category of other physical symptoms were statistically significantly associated with a lower Wuhan's DWs than the GBD's DWs. Health states with disfigurement and substance use symptom had a higher DW in Wuhan population than the GBD 2013 study. Conclusions: This set of DWs could be used to calculate local diseases burden for health policy-decision in Wuhan population. The DW differences between the GBD's survey and Wuhan's survey suggest that there might be some contextual or culture factors influencing assessment on the severity of diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory pain is difficult to treat clinically, but electroacupuncture (EA) has been demonstrated to be effective in alleviating inflammatory pain. Programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and its downstream signal, Src homology region two domain-containing phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) have a critical role in relieving inflammatory pain. However, whether the PD-L1/PD-1-SHP-1 pathway mediates the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of EA in inflammatory pain remains unclear. Here, we observed that EA reversed the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced hyperalgesia. EA reduced the expression of IL-6, iNOS, and NF-κB pathway in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) on day 7 after CFA injection but had no effect on the expression of IL-6, iNOS, and NF-κB PP65 on day 21 after CFA injection. Moreover, EA upregulated the protein levels of the PD-L1/PD-1-SHP-1 pathway on day 7 and day 21 after CFA injection. Furthermore, EA upregulated PD-L1 expression in calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)+ but not in isohaemagglutinin B4 (IB4)+ and NF200+ neurons on day 7 and day 21 after CFA injection. Intrathecal injection of the PD-L1/PD-1 inhibitor BMS-1 (50 or 100 µg) blocked the EA-induced analgesic effect, significantly increased IL-6 and iNOS levels, and reduced the levels of PD-L1/PD-1-SHP-1. BMS-1 (50 or 100 µg) significantly reduced the expression of PD-L1 in IB4+, CGRP+, and NF200+ neurons. Our results show that EA's anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects are associated with activating the PD-L1/PD-1-SHP-1 pathway and suppressing its regulated neuroinflammation. This study provides a new potential therapeutic target for treating inflammatory pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an urgent need to link grazing exclusion policy and the resulting benefits for fence layout management. However, policy implementation intensity and benefits are rarely considered together. Here, combining the changes in the rate of the livestock and fenced area, we constructed a grazing prohibition intensity (GPI) index that reflected the intensity of policy implementation. We also quantified ecosystem service benefits (ESBs), including net primary productivity (NPP) and soil conservation by the different models. Then, a new perspective in combination with ESBs and GPI was used to assess whether a fence layout is appropriate using the four–quadrant model and how to optimize a potentially unreasonable fence layout based on seven drivers. We found that the NPP and soil conservation service notably increased by 59% and 87%, respectively, in the total fenced area, after the implementation of the grazing exclusion program. The high values of ESBs and GPI were concentrated in the eastern and central‐eastern regions of the northern Tibet, respectively. Moreover, the potentially unreasonable fence layout accounted for 10% of the total fenced area, and was focused on meadow areas with a high human footprint. The area proportion of reasonable fence layout coupling ESBs and GPI increased by 20% compared with ESBs individually. Finally, an optimal potential unreasonable fence layout might reduce the mismatch between the ESB and GPI by considering countermeasures such as attention to the potential unreasonable fence layout, setting a target for supplying carbon sinks and soil and water conservation quantities and reducing the human footprint. Our study indicates the necessity of linking ESBs and GPI for fence layout management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfur-passivated InSb nanowires (S-InSb NWs) with a single-crystalline structure were synthesized via a chemical vapor deposition process, where S plays the role of a growth catalyst as well as a surface passivator. Studies revealed that the prepared S-InSb NWs displayed typical n-type semiconductor behavior with a maximum field-effect mobility of 823.62 cm2 V–1 s–1 at room temperature. The S-InSb NW-based photodetector was characterized as possessing stable negative photoresponse properties toward incident infrared light, and the corresponding responsivity and external quantum efficiency were calculated to be 123.46 A/W and 14,400%, respectively, for 1.06 μm light and 120.99 A/W and 9680%, respectively, for 1.55 μm light. These values are higher than those for other reported photodetectors based on InSb nanosheets. Through the analysis of excited electron states in the band structure during light irradiation, the negative photoresponse was identified as stemming from the photogating effect of the Sb–S layer on the S-InSb NW surface. These outstanding transport and optoelectronic performances empower S-InSb NWs with technological potential to be used in next-generation infrared quantum devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein we report the study of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) generation by tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium (Ru(bpy)32+) and five tertiary amine coreactants. The ECL distance and lifetime of coreactant radical cations were measured by ECL self‐interference spectroscopy. And the reactivity of coreactants was quantitatively evaluated in terms of integrated ECL intensity. By statistical analysis of ECL images of single Ru(bpy)32+‐labeled microbeads, we propose that ECL distance and reactivity of coreactant codetermine the emission intensity and thus the sensitivity of immunoassay. 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl)‐2,2′,2′′‐nitrilotriethanol (BIS‐TRIS) can well balance ECL distance‐reactivity trade‐off and enhance the sensitivity by 236 % compared with tri‐n‐propylamine (TPrA) in the bead‐based immunoassay of carcinoembryonic antigen. The study brings an insightful understanding of ECL generation in bead‐based immunoassay and a way of maximizing the analytical sensitivity from the aspect of coreactant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein we report the study of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) generation by tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium (Ru(bpy)32+) and five tertiary amine coreactants. The ECL distance and lifetime of coreactant radical cations were measured by ECL self‐interference spectroscopy. And the reactivity of coreactants was quantitatively evaluated in terms of integrated ECL intensity. By statistical analysis of ECL images of single Ru(bpy)32+‐labeled microbeads, we propose that ECL distance and reactivity of coreactant codetermine the emission intensity and thus the sensitivity of immunoassay. 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl)‐2,2′,2′′‐nitrilotriethanol (BIS‐TRIS) can well balance ECL distance‐reactivity trade‐off and enhance the sensitivity by 236 % compared with tri‐n‐propylamine (TPrA) in the bead‐based immunoassay of carcinoembryonic antigen. The study brings an insightful understanding of ECL generation in bead‐based immunoassay and a way of maximizing the analytical sensitivity from the aspect of coreactant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic resistance is one of the most significant issues encountered in global health. There is an urgent demand for the development of a new generation of antibiotic agents combating the emergence of drug resistance. In this article, we reported the design of lipidated dendrimeric γ-AApeptides as a new class of antimicrobial agents. These AApeptides showed excellent potency and broad-spectrum activity against both Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The mechanistic studies revealed that the dendrimeric AApeptides could kill bacteria rapidly through the permeabilization of bacterial membranes, analogous to host-defense peptides (HDPs). These dendrimers also did not induce antibiotic resistance readily. The easy access to the synthesis, together with their potent and broad-spectrum activity, make these lipidated dendrimeric γ-AApeptides a new generation of antibacterial agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper documents the patterns and correlates of retirement in China using a nationally representative survey, the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. After documenting stark differences in retirement ages between urban and rural residents, the paper shows that China's urban residents retire earlier than workers in many Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries and that rural residents continue to work until advanced ages. Differences in access to generous pensions and economic resources explain much of the urban–rural difference in retirement rates. The paper suggests that reducing disincentives created by China's Urban Employee Pension system, improving health status, providing childcare and elder care support may all facilitate longer working lives. Given spouse preferences for joint retirement, creating incentives for women to retire later may facilitate longer working lives for both men and women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell–matrix adhesions play an essential role in mediating and regulating many biological processes. The adhesion receptors, typically transmembrane integrins, provide dynamic correlations between intracellular environments and extracellular matrixes (ECMs) by bi-directional signaling. In-depth investigations of cell–matrix adhesion and integrin-mediated cell adhesive force are of great significance in biology and medicine. The emergence of advanced imaging techniques and principles has facilitated the understanding of the molecular composition and structure dynamics of cell–matrix adhesions, especially the label-free imaging methods that can be used to study living cell dynamics without immunofluorescence staining. This highlight article aims to give an overview of recent developments in imaging cell–matrix adhesions in a label-free manner. Electrochemiluminescence microscopy (ECLM) and surface plasmon resonance microscopy (SPRM) are briefly introduced and their applications in imaging analysis of cell–matrix adhesions are summarized. Then we highlight the advances in mapping cell–matrix adhesion force based on molecular tension probes and fluorescence microscopy (collectively termed as MTFM). The biomaterials including polyethylene glycol (PEG), peptides and DNA for constructing tension probes in MTFM are summarized. Finally, the outlook and perspectives on the further developments of cell–matrix adhesion imaging are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) with a high incidence frequently occur in elderly surgical patients closely associated with prolonged anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity. The neuromorphopathological underpinnings of anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity have remained elusive. Methods: Prolonged anesthesia with sevoflurane was used to establish the sevoflurane-induced neurotoxicity (SIN) animal model. Morris water maze, elevated plus maze, and open field test were employed to track SIN rats' cognitive behavior and anxiety-like behaviors. We investigated the neuropathological basis of SIN through techniques such as transcriptomic, electrophysiology, molecular biology, scanning electron microscope, Golgi staining, TUNEL assay, and morphological analysis. Our work further clarifies the pathological mechanism of SIN by depleting microglia, inhibiting neuroinflammation, and C1q neutralization. Results: This study shows that prolonged anesthesia triggers activation of the NF-κB inflammatory pathway, neuroinflammation, inhibition of neuronal excitability, cognitive dysfunction, and anxiety-like behaviors. RNA sequencing found that genes of different types of synapses were downregulated after prolonged anesthesia. Microglial migration, activation, and phagocytosis were enhanced. Microglial morphological alterations were also observed. C1qa, the initiator of the complement cascade, and C3 were increased, and C1qa tagging synapses were also elevated. Then, we found that the "Eat Me" complement pathway mediated microglial synaptic engulfment in the hippocampus after prolonged anesthesia. Afterward, synapses were remarkably lost in the hippocampus. Furthermore, dendritic spines were reduced, and their genes were also downregulated. Depleting microglia ameliorated the activation of neuroinflammation and complement and rescued synaptic loss, cognitive dysfunction, and anxiety-like behaviors. When neuroinflammatory inhibition or C1q neutralization occurred, complement was also decreased, and synaptic elimination was interrupted. Conclusions: These findings illustrated that prolonged anesthesia triggered neuroinflammation and complement-mediated microglial synaptic engulfment that pathologically caused synaptic elimination in SIN. We have demonstrated the neuromorphopathological underpinnings of SIN, which have direct therapeutic relevance for PND patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous cables are widespread in various fields, and mechanical analysis is an important issue in their application. The structural responses of frictional continuous cable systems under external loads are related to the load path. The influence of load path has seldom been considered in the existing analysis methods. This paper proposes a novel approach for the mechanical analysis of continuous cable systems considering the influence of load path. The constitutive relation of the frictional continuous cables was derived, in which the sliding amount parameters were eliminated. The computational frameworks for both definite and indefinite load path cases were proposed. For a definite load path, the structural responses can be uniquely determined by successively trials and modifications of the nodal sliding state. For an indefinite load path, a formula of all the possible structural responses was derived, and the ranges of the structural responses can be obtained. All computations in the approach were converted to matrix operations. The effectiveness and practicability of the proposed approach were demonstrated by two typical numerical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition, vaccinators refused vaccinations for some older people with underlying health conditions due to the lack of clear definitions of COVID-19 vaccine contraindications. Therefore, before initiating vaccine promotion campaigns, it is necessary to build public trust by clarifying vaccine side effect issues and scientifically explaining the contraindications related to COVID-19 vaccines. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the pivotal role of vaccination in averting life-threatening illnesses among older adults. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) with a high incidence frequently occur in elderly surgical patients closely associated with prolonged anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity. The neuromorphopathological underpinnings of anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity have remained elusive. Methods: Prolonged anesthesia with sevoflurane was used to establish the sevoflurane-induced neurotoxicity (SIN) animal model. Morris water maze, elevated plus maze, and open field test were employed to track SIN rats' cognitive behavior and anxiety-like behaviors. We investigated the neuropathological basis of SIN through techniques such as transcriptomic, electrophysiology, molecular biology, scanning electron microscope, Golgi staining, TUNEL assay, and morphological analysis. Our work further clarifies the pathological mechanism of SIN by depleting microglia, inhibiting neuroinflammation, and C1q neutralization. Results: This study shows that prolonged anesthesia triggers activation of the NF-κB inflammatory pathway, neuroinflammation, inhibition of neuronal excitability, cognitive dysfunction, and anxiety-like behaviors. RNA sequencing found that genes of different types of synapses were downregulated after prolonged anesthesia. Microglial migration, activation, and phagocytosis were enhanced. Microglial morphological alterations were also observed. C1qa, the initiator of the complement cascade, and C3 were increased, and C1qa tagging synapses were also elevated. Then, we found that the "Eat Me" complement pathway mediated microglial synaptic engulfment in the hippocampus after prolonged anesthesia. Afterward, synapses were remarkably lost in the hippocampus. Furthermore, dendritic spines were reduced, and their genes were also downregulated. Depleting microglia ameliorated the activation of neuroinflammation and complement and rescued synaptic loss, cognitive dysfunction, and anxiety-like behaviors. When neuroinflammatory inhibition or C1q neutralization occurred, complement was also decreased, and synaptic elimination was interrupted. Conclusions: These findings illustrated that prolonged anesthesia triggered neuroinflammation and complement-mediated microglial synaptic engulfment that pathologically caused synaptic elimination in SIN. We have demonstrated the neuromorphopathological underpinnings of SIN, which have direct therapeutic relevance for PND patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The susceptibility of different individuals to anesthetics varies widely, and sevoflurane is no exception. We hypothesized that polymorphisms in genes involved in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics may explain this variation. A total of 151 individuals undergoing otorhinolaryngology surgery were included. The influence of genetic polymorphisms on sevoflurane sensitivity were investigated through SNaPshot technology. Individuals carrying KCNK2 rs6686529 G > C, MTRR rs3733784 TT, rs2307116 GG, or rs1801394 AA polymorphisms had a higher sensitivity to the sedative effect of sevoflurane than those without those polymorphisms. The univariate linear regression analysis indicated that MTRR rs3733784 TT, rs2307116 GG, and rs1801394 AA were potentially significant predictors of higher sensitivity to the sedative effect of sevoflurane. Moreover, CYP2E1 rs3813867 G > C and rs2031920 C > T, GABRG1 rs279858 T > C, KCNK3 rs1275988 CC, GRIN2B rs1806201 GG, MTRR rs2307116 G > A, and rs1801394 A > G were associated with a higher sensitivity to the cardiovascular effect of sevoflurane. Our results suggested that 9 single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes involved in metabolizing enzymes, transport proteins, target proteins of sevoflurane and folate metabolism may help to explain individual differences in the susceptibility to the sedative or cardiovascular effect of sevoflurane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Previous studies showed that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and PPARγ coactivator1 family (PPARGC1A and PPARGC1B) gene single nucleotide variants (SNVs)were strongly associated with cancer susceptibility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of PPARγ, PPARGC1A, and PPARGC1B variants with the risk of gastric cancer (GC). Patients and methods: We performed a case-control study of 490 GC cases and 1,476 healthy controls from eastern China. PPARγ rs1801282 C > G, rs3856806 C > T, PPARGC1A rs2970847 C > T, rs8192678 C > T and PPARGC1B rs7732671 G > C, rs17572019 G > A SNVs were selected to investigate the association between these SNVs and GC susceptibility. Genotypes of the SNVs were assessed by multiplex fluorescent PCR using a custom-by-design 48-Plex SNPscantm Kit. Results: The PPARγ rs1801282 SNV was associated with a decreased risk for GC (GC vs. CC: odds ratio (OR) = 0.62, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.42–0.93, adjusted P = 0.019; GC + GG vs. GG: OR = 0.63 95%CI = 0.42–0.93, adjusted P = 0.019; respectively). In addition, stratified analysis revealed that the PPARγ rs1801282 SNV was correlated with the risk of GC in subgroups of age ≥ 61, no smoking, and no alcohol consuming. We also confirmed that the PPARγ rs3856806 C > T SNV promoted the risk of GC in women. The PPARGC1A rs8192678 TT genotype decreased the susceptibility of GC in men. The PPARGC1A rs2970847 C > T SNV decreased the susceptibility of GC in the subgroup of BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2. The PPARGC1B rs7732671 G > C and rs17572019 G > A SNVs promoted the risk of GC in the subgroup of BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2. Conclusion: This study indicates that the PPARγ, PPARGC1A, and PPARGC1B SNVs may be associated with the susceptibility of GC in eastern Chinese population. Future studies with larger populations, detailed H. pylori infection status for subgroup analysis, and functional study are needed to further clarify the relationship between these SNVs and GC risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The third generation of China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3) began to provide global service at the end of 2018, and the completion of BDS was announced in July 2020, which includes GEO (Geostationary Earth Orbit), IGSO (Inclined Geosynchronous orbit), and MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) satellites. The resulting BDS orbits vary due to the inconsistent alignment strategies used by different analysis centers. Therefore, it is necessary to study the method of determining the BDS-3 orbit products combined from different analysis centers. In this research, the accuracy of the combined orbits for BDS-3 and other GNSS systems is evaluated and analyzed. To verify the reliability of the orbit combination method proposed in this paper, the GPS orbit is first selected for verification. Compared to the analysis centers, the mean Signal in Space User Ranging Error (SISURE) for GPS combined orbits is significantly reduced, and the mean SISURE of combined orbits for Block IIF, Block IIR, and Block III is 4.15 mm, 5.43 mm, and 5.63 mm, respectively. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the orbit combination method in this research. Besides, the accuracy of the combined orbits is improved by the ERP correction, and the mean RMS of the without Earth rotation Parameters (ERP) correction orbits and with ERP correction orbits is 4.78 mm and 4.53 mm, respectively. This demonstrates that orbit consistency corrections should be considered when performing orbit combinations. Compared to the GFZ orbits, the accuracy of the combined orbits has improved for GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS is 8.2%, 9.9%, 9.9%, and 5.5%, respectively. It shows that the orbit combination method improves the orbital accuracy compared to the individual analysis center orbits. The mean RMS of the combined orbits for GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS MEO, and BDS IGSO is 1.7 cm, 2.61 cm, 2.52 cm, 2.59 cm, and 4.90 cm, respectively. The results demonstrate that the accuracy of the combined orbit for the BDS-3 MEO satellite is already similar to other systems; an orbit combination also available for the BDS-3 satellite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circulating monocytes are precursors of both tissue macrophages and dendritic cells, and they can infiltrate the central nervous system (CNS) where they transform into bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMDMs). BMDMs play essential roles in various CNS diseases, thus modulating BMDMs might be a way to treat these disorders because there are currently no efficient therapeutic methods available for most of these neurological diseases. Moreover, BMDMs can serve as promising gene delivery vehicles following bone marrow transplantation for otherwise incurable genetic CNS diseases. Understanding the distinct roles that BMDMs play in CNS diseases and their potential as gene delivery vehicles may provide new insights and opportunities for using BMDMs as therapeutic targets or delivery vehicles. This review attempts to comprehensively summarize the neurological diseases that might be treated by modulating BMDMs or by delivering gene therapies via BMDMs after bone marrow transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The cerebellum is involved in hyperactivity, fear, and anxiety disorders that could be induced by whole-brain irradiation (WBI). However, whether cerebellar irradiation alone (CIA) could induce these disorders is unknown. We investigated the effect of CIA in an animal model. Methods: Eleven-day-old rat pups underwent a single 3-Gy dose of either WBI (n = 28) or CIA (n = 20), while 34 rat pups were sham-irradiated (controls). Cell death was evaluated in the subgranular zone of the hippocampus by counting pyknotic cells after haematoxylin/eosin staining at 6 h after irradiation for 10, 8, and 9 pups, respectively. Behavioural changes were evaluated via open-field test at 6 weeks for 18, 12, and 25 pups, respectively. Unpaired two-tailed t-test and one-way and two-way repeated ANOVA were used. Results: Massive cell death in cerebellar external granular layer was detected at 6 h after CIA (1,419 ± 211 mm, mean ± S.E.M. versus controls (68 ± 12 mm) (p < 0.001)), while no significant difference between CIA (1,419 ± 211 mm) versus WBI (1,433 ± 107 mm) (p = 0.955) was found. At open-field behavioural test, running distance, activity, wall distance, middle zone visit times, and duration were higher for WBI versus controls (p < 0.010), but no difference between CIA and controls was found (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Although the cerebellum is involved in hyperactivity, fear, and anxiety disorders, CIA did not induce these disorders, indicating that WBI-induced cerebellar injury does not directly cause these behavioural abnormalities after WBI. Thus, targeting the cerebellum alone may not be enough to rescue or reduce these behavioural abnormalities after WBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Branchio-Oto-Renal (BOR) Syndrome is a rare autosomal disorder with a wide variety of clinical manifestations and a high degree of heterogeneity. Typical clinical manifestations of BOR syndrome include deafness, preauricular fistula, abnormal gill slits, and renal malformations. However, atypical phenotypes such as congenital hip dysplasia, congenital heart anomaly or facial nerve paresis are rare in BOR syndrome, and this might be easily misdiagnosed with other congenital disorders.Case Presentation: We report a 5-month-old boy of BOR syndrome with "congenital heart defects and proteinuria" as clinical features. Initially, as this case mainly presented with symptoms of recurrent respiratory infections and was found to be with congenital heart disease and proteinuria at the local hospital, but he only was diagnosed with congenital heart disease combined with pulmonary infection and anti-infective and supportive treatment was given. Subsequently, during the physical examination at our hospital, left side preauricular pit and branchial fistulae on the right neck were found. Subsequent evaluation of auditory brainstem response and distortion product otoacoustic emission were revealed sensorineural hearing impairment. Results of renal ultrasonography showed small kidneys. Genetic analysis revealed a microdeletion at chromosome 8q13.2-q13.3 encompassing EYA1 gene, this patient was finally diagnosed with BOR syndrome. Then, this patient received transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus closure and hearing aid treatment. Proteinuria, renal function and hearing ability are monitoring by nephrologist and otologist. The patient is currently being followed up until 3 months after discharge and his condition is stable.Conclusion: Careful physical examination, detailed history and the implementation of diagnostic laboratory tests can reduce the incidence of misdiagnosis. Genetic sequencing analysis of patients is a key guide to the differential diagnosis of BOR syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are sex differences in the severity, mechanisms, and outcomes of neonatal hypoxia–ischemia (HI) brain injury, and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) may play a critical role in this discrepancy. Based on previous findings that AIF overexpression aggravates neonatal HI brain injury, we further investigated potential sex differences in the severity and molecular mechanisms underlying the injury using mice that overexpress AIF from homozygous transgenes. We found that the male sex significantly aggravated AIF-driven brain damage, as indicated by the injury volume in the gray matter (2.25 times greater in males) and by the lost volume of subcortical white matter (1.71 greater in males) after HI. As compared to females, male mice exhibited more severe brain injury, correlating with reduced antioxidant capacities, more pronounced protein carbonylation and nitration, and increased neuronal cell death. Under physiological conditions (without HI), the doublecortin-positive area in the dentate gyrus of females was 1.15 times larger than in males, indicating that AIF upregulation effectively promoted neurogenesis in females in the long term. We also found that AIF stimulated carbohydrate metabolism in young males. Altogether, these findings corroborate earlier studies and further demonstrate that AIF is involved in oxidative stress, which contributes to the sex-specific differences observed in neonatal HI brain injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ionospheric delay is one of the important error sources in the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data processing. With the rapid construction and development of GNSS, the abundant satellite resources have brought new opportunities for ionospheric monitoring. To further investigate the performances and abilities of Galileo and BDS in ionosphere modeling, we study the ionosphere modeling based on the 15th order spherical harmonic function, and 364 stations around the world are selected for global ionospheric modeling of GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BDS systems under ionospheric quiet and active conditions, respectively. The results show that the average biases of the ionospheric models built by GPS, GLONASS and Galileo are relatively small, which are within 2 Total Electron Content Unit (TECU) as compared to the Center for Orbit Determination in Europe (CODE) global ionospheric map (GIM), while the average biases of the models built by BDS are between 6 and 8 TECU during the ionospheric quiet and active days, respectively. In addition, in order to analyze the modeling performances before and after using BDS geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites, BDS is divided into two groups, in which one group contains medium earth orbit (MEO), inclined geosynchronous orbit (IGSO) and GEO satellites; and the other group contains only MEO and IGSO satellites. The results show that the influence of GEO satellites on ionospheric modeling is less than 1 TECU. Due to the distribution of the stations, the 0-value region in the ionospheric model is mainly distributed in the mid and high-latitude regions of the southern hemisphere. Since the ionospheric parameters are lumped with the Differential Code Bias (DCB), we also estimate the DCB parameters and analyze their performances. The DCB estimated in ionosphere modeling shows strong stability, with the average biases of GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BDS under 0.25 ns, 0.25 ns, 0.2 ns and 0.42 ns, respectively. We also estimate other DCB types of the four GNSS systems. The results show that the DCB is stable and shows consistency with Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) DCB products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]