Search

Introduction: This study examined the interplay between perceived feedback (PF), subjective wellbeing (SWB), and students’ sense of belonging to school (SBS). School belonging is a key factor for decisions regarding academic studies, and is usually impacted by PF. The current study explored whether SWB mediates the established relationship between PF and SBS. Method: This was achieved by applying a mediation model to PISA 2018 data from 12,058 students in four areas of China. Results: Perceived feedback positively affected students’ SBS (β  =  0.26, p  <  0.01); and that SWB partially mediated this relationship between PF and SBS (β  =  0.47, p  <  0.01). Discussion: The findings of this study have the potential to contribute to the existing literature on educational psychology and well-being. By shedding light on the mediating role of SWB, the research offers practical implications for educators and policymakers seeking to enhance students’ school belonging and other implications for their academic success. Further research can contribute to this promising area, by focusing on subjective wellbeing and its impact on a range of decisions being made by students during a critical phase of their personal and academic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Excessive saturated fatty acids (SFAs) are known to be detrimental to human health. Although the majority of research and dietary guidelines have focused on the intake of SFAs, there has been limited attention to the relationship between circulating SFA levels and hormonal regulation, such as that of thyroid hormones. Methods: To explore potential associations, we conducted an investigation with 579 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2012. Subgroup analyses and multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate the relationships between eleven distinct SFA concentrations and various thyroid parameters. Results: For 579 adults, subgroup analysis of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) revealed significant differences in nine specific SFAs and the total SFA levels (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, multivariable linear regression analysis identified positive correlations between certain SFAs and various parameters, including TSH, total triiodothyronine (TT3), free triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), thyroglobulin (Tg), the ratio of FT3 to free thyroxine (FT4) (FT3/FT4), and the thyrotroph T4 resistance index (TT4RI). Conversely, negative correlations were observed between certain SFAs and total thyroxine (TT4), FT4, the ratio of FT3/TT3, and the thyroid feedback quantilebased index (TFQI) (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings collectively suggest associations between SFAs and thyroid parameters, highlighting the need for future studies to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Testosterone deficiency in humans can be caused by depressive symptoms; however, the causes of this deficiency are incompletely understood. This study demonstrates that male mice with depression-like symptoms due to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) show reduced serum testosterone levels and disrupted sexual behaviors. However, the observed testosterone reductions were not caused by apoptosis of Leydig cells. Oil red O staining revealed that lipid droplets were dramatically decreased in Leydig cells, suggesting that defects in cholesterol uptake might be related to testosterone deficiency in depression-like mice. To investigate the potential mechanism, lipid homeostasis was examined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The results revealed that higher levels of sphingomyelins (SM 8:0;2O/28:1, 18:0;2O/22:2, 33:0;3O, 33:1;2O) were linked to decreased cholesterol levels. Further investigation indicated that testosterone biosynthesis from cholesterol in Leydig cells was impaired by the downregulation of Ldlr, Srb1, Lhr, and P450scc. Elevated levels of interferon signaling-associated pathways in depression-like mice testes may also contribute to decreased testosterone levels. Taken together, these findings provide a novel understanding of male reproductive problems under psychological stress and suggest that cholesterol uptake might be a causal factor in reduced testosterone production in depression-like mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroptosis is a novel form of programmed cell death, which is different from apoptosis, pyroptosis and autophagy in morphology and biochemistry. Ferroptosis is characterized by condensed mitochondrial membrane densities, vanished of mitochondria crista and outer membrane rupture in morphology, and the accumulation of intracellular iron, lipid peroxidation (LPO), decrease of GSH and inhibition of GPX4 in biochemistry. Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and Herpes simplex virus (HSV) are both common neurotropic viruses that can cause neurological disorders, such as severe encephalitis. JEV and HSV have been demonstrated to be able to induce ferroptosis. This process is closely related to the inhibition of the GSH-GPX4 system, ACSL4 phosphorylation, and Nrf2 ubiquitination. In this review, we summarized the mechanisms by which JEV and HSV induced ferroptosis in the current study. In addition, we found a strong relationship between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and ferroptosis, and we therefore speculated that sustained ER stress might be a prerequisite for ferroptosis in JEV and HSV-induced diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, a series of K+-intercalated quasi-1D vanadium-based nano-ribbons (KxV2O5 NRs) were synthesized via a facile solvothermal method. The solvation and reductive effects of vanadium oxide precursors (V2O5 powder) on the crystallization and growth of KxV2O5 NRs were studied. Besides, post-heat treatment was performed to improve the crystallinity of KxV2O5 NRs. These KxV2O5 NRs were adopted as active cathodes for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs), whose K+ storage properties were systematically evaluated using various electrochemical methods. The relationship among the morphology, crystallinity, working voltage window and electrochemical reversible K+ storage performance of KxV2O5 NRs was studied and established. Results reveal that KxV2O5-HG, which was prepared via a solvothermal reaction involving a solvation process (using H2O2) and a proper reducing condition (proper dose of glucose) with V2O5 powder as the raw material, would be more beneficial for the reversible storage of K+ when used as the cathode for PIBs compared to other contrast samples. In addition, the enhanced crystallinity and slightly broadened working voltage window of KxV2O5-HG could hinder its long-term cycling stability upon repeated K+ insertions/extractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kuiyang-ST2000 is a deep-towed multichannel seismic system that provides high-resolution exploration of sub-seabed geological formations. Due to the uncertainty of the sound speed at full ocean depth, the travel-time positioning of sea surface reflected waves still has flaws in positioning arrays. This research reveals that the average sound speed of seawater selected for computing the array position only affects the vertical displacement of the arrays. thus, a polynomial fitting method is proposed to position the arrays. Because the nonuniform mass distribution complicates the array shape, first, the weight of the digital transmission unit is balanced by one designed floater so that the array shape becomes a simple convex curve during towing conditions. Afterward, one general sound speed is used to calculate the initial array position; then, the polynomial fitting method is used to tune the sound speed so that the seismic source and hydrophones are on the same convex curve. Finally, an accurate array position is calculated by the proposed positioning method, and the submarine shallow strata are imaged at a high resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Da Vinci Surgical System (DVSS) has the advantages of minimal invasion, rapid recovery, safety, and reliability. Although the DVSS has been widely used in various abdominal surgeries, descriptions of its use in robotassisted retroperitoneal tumor resection (RRTR) are limited to case reports; large-sample systematic studies are lacking. The present study was performed to analyze the data of RRTR in our center, summarize our experience, and provide a reference for other retroperitoneal tumor centers. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 105 patients who underwent RRTR at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2015 to December 2022. Logistic univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors affecting RRTR. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to find the cut-off value, which was then included in the logistic multivariate analysis for verification. Results: Among the 105 patients, 87 successfully underwent RRTR (DVSS group) and 18 underwent conversion to open surgery (conversion group). There was no significant difference in sex, age, body mass index, history of abdominal surgery, or tumor location between the two groups (P > 0.05). The maximum tumor diameter [odds ratio (OR), 1.041; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.015-1.067; P = 0.002] and pathological property (OR, 8.646; 95% CI, 2.370-31.544; P = 0.001) were independent risk factors for conversion to open surgery. Further analysis confirmed that the success rate of RRTR was higher for tumors with a maximum diameter of ≤64 mm and benign tumors. Based on our experience and statistical results, we believe that retroperitoneal tumors that meet the following criteria have a higher success rate of DVSS resection: maximum tumor diameter of ≤64 mm, benign tumors, the tumor has relatively clear boundary, no obvious invasion of surrounding tissues and organs, and no need for combined organ resection. Conclusions: RRTR is safe and effective in the treatment of RPT, and the clinical prognosis is similar to that of open surgery. The success rate of RRTR in patients with appropriate surgical indications for this procedure is higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Rare study of the non-coding and regulatory regions of the genome limits our ability to decode the mechanisms of fatty liver hemorrhage syndrome (FLHS) in chickens. Methods: Herein, we constructed the high-fat diet-induced FLHS chicken model to investigate the genome-wide active enhancers and transcriptome by H3K27ac target chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) profiles of normal and FLHS liver tissues. Concurrently, an integrative analysis combining ChIP-seq with RNA-Seq and a comparative analysis with chicken FLHS, rat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and human NAFLD at the transcriptome level revealed the enhancer and super enhancer target genes and conservative genes involved in metabolic processes. Results: In total, 56 and 199 peak-genes were identified in upregulated peak-genes positively regulated by H3K27ac (Cor (peak-gene correlation) ≥0.5 and log2(FoldChange) ≥1) (PP) and downregulated peak-genes positively regulated by H3K27ac (Cor (peak-gene correlation) ≥0.5 and log2(FoldChange)≤-1) (PN), respectively; then we screened key regulatory targets mainly distributing in lipid metabolism (PCK1, APOA4, APOA1, INHBE) and apoptosis (KIT, NTRK2) together with MAPK and PPAR signaling pathway in FLHS. Intriguingly, PCK1 was also significantly covered in up-regulated super-enhancers (SEs), which further implied the vital role of PCK1 during the development of FLHS. Conclusion: Together, our studies have identified potential therapeutic biomarkers of PCK1 and elucidated novel insights into the pathogenesis of FLHS, especially for the epigenetic perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of nitrogen deposition resulting in species loss in terrestrial ecosystems has been demonstrated in several experiments. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), as major nutrients required for plant growth, exhibit ecological stoichiometric coupling in many ecosystems. The increased availability of nitrogen can exacerbate the ecological effects of phosphorus. To reveal the ecological effects of phosphorus under nitrogen-limiting and non-limiting conditions, we conducted a controlled N-P interaction experiment over 5 years in the Hulunbuir meadow steppe, where two nitrogen addition levels were implemented: 0 g N·m-2·a-1 (nitrogen-limiting condition) and 10 g N·m-2·a-1 (nitrogen-non-limiting condition), together with six levels of phosphorus addition (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 g P·m-2·a-1). The results showed that nitrogen addition (under nitrogen-non-limiting conditions) significantly decreased species diversity in the steppe community, which was exacerbated under phosphorus addition. Under nitrogen-limiting conditions, phosphorus addition had no marked impact on species diversity compared to the control; however, there were substantial differences between different levels of phosphorus addition, exhibiting a unimodal change. Under both experimental nitrogen conditions, the addition of 6 g P·m-2·a-1 was the threshold for affecting the community species diversity. Nitrogen addition reduced the relative biomass of legumes, bunch grasses, and forbs, but substantially increased the relative biomass of rhizomatous grasses. In contrast, phosphorus addition only markedly affected the relative biomass of forbs and rhizomatous grasses, with the former showing a unimodal pattern of first increasing and then decreasing with increasing phosphorus addition level, and the latter exhibiting the opposite pattern. The different responses of rhizomatous grasses and other functional groups to nitrogen and phosphorus addition were observed to have a regulatory effect on the changes in grassland community structure. Phosphorus addition may increase the risk of nitrogen deposition-induced species loss. Both nitrogen and phosphorus addition lead to soil acidification and an increase in the dominance of the already-dominant species, and the consequent species loss in the forb functional group represents the main mechanism for the reduction in community species diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer stem cells (CSCs), accounting for only a minor cell proportion (< 1%) within tumors, have profound implications in tumor initiation, metastasis, recurrence, and treatment resistance due to their inherent ability of selfrenewal, multi-lineage differentiation, and tumor-initiating potential. In recent years, accumulating studies indicate that CSCs and tumor immune microenvironment act reciprocally in driving tumor progression and diminishing the efficacy of cancer therapies. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), pivotal mediators of intercellular communications, build indispensable biological connections between CSCs and immune cells. By transferring bioactive molecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, EVs can exert mutual influence on both CSCs and immune cells. This interaction plays a significant role in reshaping the tumor immune microenvironment, creating conditions favorable for the sustenance and propagation of CSCs. Deciphering the intricate interplay between CSCs and immune cells would provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of CSCs being more susceptible to immune escape. This review will highlight the EV-mediated communications between CSCs and each immune cell lineage in the tumor microenvironment and explore potential therapeutic opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the effect of monobutyrin (MB) on the gut microbiota and intestinal health of weaned mice. MB was administered via gavage to 21-day-old weaned mice. Samples of small intestinal and ileal contents were collected on day 1, day 7, and day 21 postadministration. Seven days of MB administration enhanced the mucin layer and morphological structure of the intestine and the integrity of the intestinal brush border. Both MB and sodium butyrate (SB) accelerated tight junction development. Compared to SB, MB modulated intestinal T cells in a distinct manner. MB increased the ratio of Treg cells in the small intestine upon the cessation of weaning. After 21 days of MB administration, enhancement of the villus structure of the ileum was observed. MB increased the proportion of Th17 cells in the ileum. MB facilitated the transition of the small intestinal microbiota toward an adult microbial community structure and enhanced the complexity of the microbial community structure. An increase in Th17 cells enhanced intestinal barrier function. The regulatory effect of MB on Th17 cells may occur through the intestinal microbiota. Therefore, MB can potentially be used to promote intestinal barrier function, especially for weaning animals, with promising application prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effects of feeding largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) with diets containing different doses of astaxanthin (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. The results showed that the values of weight gain significantly increased from 620.32 ± 50.38% to 826.14 ± 33.49% as dietary astaxanthin levels increased from 0 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg. When the astaxanthin level exceeded 150mg/kg, the weight gain rate showed a downward trend, but there was no significant difference among of the 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg groups. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were also improved by adding astaxanthin to diets (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, adding astaxanthin to the feed increased the length and thickness of intestinal villus and muscle layer thickness (P < 0.05). The astaxanthin supplementation increased the expression of the NF-E2-related factor (Nrf2) gene and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the expression of apoptosis genes Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 (P < 0.05), indicating that it has a good antioxidant ability. Furthermore, adding astaxanthin increased the content of non-specific immune markers and decreased the expression levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin-15 (IL-15) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α). Moreover, fish fed diets with astaxanthin exhibited lower blood cortisol levels (P < 0.05). The proportions of C20:4n6 (ARA) and C20:5n3 (EPA) in the liver decreased with increasing dietary astaxanthin levels. Based on WGR and SGR values, the optimal addition level of astaxanthin in largemouth bass feed is 134.8 mg/kg - 135.75 mg/ kg. In summary, the appropriate dietary astaxanthin enhanced the antioxidant capacity and immune response of largemouth bass and had a positive effect on its intestinal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the issue of chattering that occurs during the estimation of the rotor position in the permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance motor using the conventional sliding mode observer (SMO), the saturation function is used in this paper instead of the original sign function to reduce its jittering effect; to solve the problem of phase delay caused by the low-pass filter (LPF), the adaptive law is implemented as a substitute for the LPF. This allows for a smoother back electromotive force and eliminates the need for position compensation caused by phase delay; finally, the phase-locked-loop (PLL) technique is used to extract more accurate rotor position information. A 3 kW permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance motor is taken as the control object, and a simulation model of the control system is established. The results show that the improved saturation function adaptive SMO has higher level of accuracy in estimating rotor position information than the conventional SMO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fruits of Amomum tsao-ko (Cao-Guo) were documented in Chinese Pharmacopoeia for the treatment of abdominal pain, vomiting, and plague. In our previous study, a series of diarylheptanes and flavonoids with α-glucosidase and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitory activity have been reported from the middle-polarity part of A. tsao-ko, whereas the antidiabetic potency of the low-polarity constituents is still unclear. In this study, three new hydroxytetradecenals, (2E, 4E, 8Z, 11Z)-6R-hydroxytetradeca-2,4,8,11-tetraenal (1), (2E, 4E, 8Z)-6R-hydroxytetradeca-2,4,8-trienal (2) and (2E, 4E)-6R-hydroxytetradeca-2,4-dienal (3) were obtained from the volatile oils of A. tsao-ko. The structures of compounds 1–3 were determined using spectroscopic data involving 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-resolution mass spectra (HRMS), and specific rotation ([α]D). Their hypoglycemic activity was evaluated against glycogen phosphorylase (GPa) and PTP1B. Compounds 1 and 2 displayed moderate activity against PTP1B with inhibition rates of 33.8%−50.3% at 100 and 200 µM. Moreover, compound 1 exhibited an obvious inhibitory effect on GPa (IC50 = 31.7 µM), whereas compound 2 was inactive. This study demonstrates hydroxytetradecenals as the characteristic components of A. tsao-ko with therapeutic potential in diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present photocatalysts for the synchronous cleanup of pharmaceuticals and heavy metals have several drawbacks, including inadequate reactive sites, inefficient electron-hole disassociation, and insufficient oxidation and reduction power. In this research, we sought to address these issues by using a facile solvothermal-photoreduction route to develop an innovative plasmonic S-scheme heterojunction, Au/MIL-101(Fe)/BiOBr. The screened-out Au/MIL-101(Fe)/BiOBr (AMB-2) works in a durable and high-performance manner for both Cr(VI) and norfloxacin (NOR) eradication under visible light, manifesting up to 53.3 and 2 times greater Cr(VI) and NOR abatement rates, respectively, than BiOBr. Remarkably, AMB-2's ability to remove Cr(VI) in a Cr(VI)-NOR coexistence system is appreciably better than in a sole-Cr(VI) environment; the synergy among Cr(VI), NOR, and AMB-2 results in the better utilization of photo-induced carriers, yielding a desirable capacity for decontaminating Cr(VI) and NOR synchronously. The integration of MOF-based S-scheme heterojunctions and a plasmonic effect contributes to markedly reinforced photocatalytic ability by increasing the number of active sites, augmenting the visible-light absorbance, boosting the efficient disassociation and redistribution of powerful photo-carriers, and elevating the generation of reactive substances. We provide details of the photocatalytic mechanism, NOR decomposition process, and bio-toxicity of the intermediates. This synergistic strategy of modifying S-scheme heterojunctions with a noble metal opens new horizons for devising excellent MOF-based photosystems with a plasmonic effect for environment purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondria constantly fuse and divide for mitochondrial inheritance and functions. Here, we identified a distinct type of naturally occurring fission, tail-autotomy fission, wherein a tail-like thin tubule protrudes from the mitochondrial body and disconnects, resembling autotomy. Next, utilizing an optogenetic mitochondria-specific mechanostimulator, we revealed that mechanical tensile force drives tail-autotomy fission. This force-induced fission involves DRP1/MFF and endoplasmic reticulum tubule wrapping. It redistributes mitochondrial DNA, producing mitochondrial fragments with or without mitochondrial DNA for different fates. Moreover, tensile force can decouple outer and inner mitochondrial membranes, pulling out matrix-excluded tubule segments. Subsequent tail-autotomy fission separates the matrix-excluded tubule segments into matrix-excluded mitochondrial-derived vesicles (MDVs) which recruit Parkin and LC3B, indicating the unique role of tail-autotomy fission in segregating only outer membrane components for mitophagy. Sustained force promotes fission and MDV biogenesis more effectively than transient one. Our results uncover a mechanistically and functionally distinct type of fission and unveil the role of tensile forces in modulating fission and MDV biogenesis for quality control, underscoring the heterogeneity of fission and mechanoregulation of mitochondrial dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sect. Chrysantha Chang, belonging to the Camellia genus, is one of the rare and precious ornamental plants distinguished by a distinctive array of yellow-toned petals. However, the variation mechanisms of petal color in Sect. Chrysantha Chang remains largely unclear. Methods: We conducted an integrated analysis of metabolome and transcriptome to reveal petal coloration mechanism in three species, which have different yellow tones petals, including C. chuongtsoensis (CZ, golden yellow), C. achrysantha (ZD, light yellow), and C. parvipetala (XB, milk white). Results: A total of 356 flavonoid metabolites were detected, and 295 differential metabolites were screened. The contents of 74 differential metabolites showed an upward trend and 19 metabolites showed a downward trend, among which 11 metabolites were annotated to the KEGG pathway database. We speculated that 10 metabolites were closely related to the deepening of the yellowness. Transcriptome analysis indicated that there were 2,948, 14,018 and 13,366 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CZ vs. ZD, CZ vs. XB and ZD vs. XB, respectively. Six key structural genes (CcCHI, CcFLS, CcDFR1, CcDFR2, CcDFR3, and CcCYP75B1) and five candidate transcription factors (MYB22, MYB28, MYB17, EREBP9, and EREBP13) were involved in the regulation of flavonoid metabolites. The findings indicate that flavonoid compounds influence the color intensity of yellow-toned petals in Sect. Chrysantha Chang. Our results provide a new perspective on the molecular mechanisms underlying flower color variation and present potential candidate genes for Camellia breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Clinical and prognostic features of Anti-MDA5-Positive Dermatomyositis (MDA5+ DM) are diverse. This study aimed to examine the peripheral immune cell profiles of patients with MDA5+ DM, identify disease endotypes related to the heterogeneous manifestations and prognosis, and guide individualized therapy regimen. Methods: This inpatient cohort included 123 patients with MDA5+ DM. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis was used to derive disease endotypes from the circulating immune cell profiles on admission. Clinical symptoms, laboratory test results, inpatient treatments, and disease outcomes were then analyzed among the identified endotypes. Results: Three disease endotypes in MDA5+ DM were identified from peripheral immune cell profiles. Endotype1 had the highest percentages of CD4+ T cells and monocytes, and the lowest percentage of neutrophils; Endotype2 had the highest percentage of B cells; Endotype3 had the highest percentage of CD8+ T cells and NK cells. Clinical and prognostic heterogeneity of the endotypes were revealed. Endotype1 had the lowest 3-month mortality with the high incidence of periungual capillary changes. Endotype2 and Endotype3 had higher prevalence of rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RPILD) and mortality at 3 months than Endotype1. Meanwhile, Endotype3 had higher pneumocystis jiroveci and CMV viremia cases with significantly elevated of activated CD8+ T cells and multiple cytokines than Endotype1. Conclusion: Clustering analysis of peripheral immune cell profiles identified three different endotypes in MDA5+ dermatomyositis. Endotpye2 and 3 showed higher RPILD, 3-month mortality, pneumocystis jiroveci and CMV viremia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), a novel and systematic inflammatory biomarker that is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), has not received much attention. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between SII and CKD in the United States (U.S.) population. Methods: Our study ultimately included a nationally representative sample of 10,787 adults who participated in the 2007-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Weighted multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the correlation between SII and CKD, and a restricted cubic spline (RCS) model was subsequently used to explore the non-linear relationship between SII and CKD. Subgroup analyses were performed to further the effects of other covariates on the relationship between SII and CKD. Results: Following confounder adjustment, a higher SII was related to the incidence of CKD (OR =1.36; 95% CI, 1.07-1.73; p =0.01), as validated by multivariable logistic regression. The RCS curve revealed a non-linear positive correlation between SII/1000 and CKD incidence (p for non-linear =0.0206). Additionally, subgroup analysis confirmed a stronger correlation for male participants (OR =2.628; 95% CI, 1.829-3.776) than for female participants (OR =1.733; 95% CI, 1.379-2.178) (p for interaction =0.046). Conclusions: SII is positively associated with the incidence of CKD among U.S. adults, especially in males. However, further studies are needed to confirm our findings and explore the causal factors that can contribute to the prevention and treatment of CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aberrant lysine lactylation (Kla) is associated with various diseases which are caused by excessive glycolysis metabolism. However, the regulatory molecules and downstream protein targets of Kla remain largely unclear. Here, we observed a global Kla abundance profile in colorectal cancer (CRC) that negatively correlates with prognosis. Among lactylated proteins detected in CRC, lactylation of eEF1A2K408 resulted in boosted translation elongation and enhanced protein synthesis which contributed to tumorigenesis. By screening eEF1A2 interacting proteins, we identified that KAT8, a lysine acetyltransferase that acted as a pan-Kla writer, was responsible for installing Kla on many protein substrates involving in diverse biological processes. Deletion of KAT8 inhibited CRC tumor growth, especially in a high-lactic tumor microenvironment. Therefore, the KAT8-eEF1A2 Kla axis is utilized to meet increased translational requirements for oncogenic adaptation. As a lactyltransferase, KAT8 may represent a potential therapeutic target for CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tumor vaccines have become crucial in cancer immunotherapy, but, only a limited number of phase III clinical trials have demonstrated clinical efficacy. The crux of this issue is the inability of tumor vaccines to effectively harmonize the tumor microenvironment with its intricate interplay. One factor that can hinder the effectiveness of vaccines is the natural immunosuppressive element present in the tumor microenvironment. This element can lead to low rates of T-cell response specific to antigens and the development of acquired resistance. Conversely, anticancer vaccines alter the tumor microenvironment in conflicting manners, inducing both immune activation and immunological evasion. Hence, comprehending the correlation between tumor vaccines and the tumor microenvironment would establish a foundation for forthcoming tumor treatment. Objective: Our review explores the realm of research pertaining to tumor vaccinations and the tumor microenvironment. Our objective is to investigate the correlation between tumor vaccines and the tumor microenvironment within this domain. We then focus our review on the dominant international paradigms in this research field and visually illustrates the historical progression and emergent patterns observed in the past. Methods: From January 1, 1999 to February 7, 2023, 1420 articles on the interplay between tumor vaccines and the tumor microenvironment were published, according to The Clarivate Web of Science (WOS) database used in our review. A bibliometric review was designed for this collection and consisted of an evaluation. The evaluation encompassed various discernible attributes, including the year of publication, the journals in which the articles were published, the authors involved, the affiliated institutions, the geographical locations of the institutions, the references cited, and the keywords employed. Results: Between the years 1999 and 2022, publications saw a significant increase, from 3 to 265 annually. With 72 papers published, Frontiers in Immunology had the most manuscripts published. The Cancer Research publication garnered the highest number of citations, amounting to 2874 citations. The United States exerts significant dominance in the subject, with the National Cancer Institute being recognized as a prominent institution in terms of both productivity and influence. Furthermore, Elizabeth M. Jaffee was recognized as the field's most prolific and influential author with 24 publications and 1,756 citations. The co-occurrence cluster analysis was conducted on the top 197 keywords, resulting in the identification of five distinct clusters. The most recent high-frequency keywords, namely immune therapy, dendritic cell, tumor microenvironment, cancer, and vaccine, signify the emerging frontiers in the interaction between tumor vaccines and the tumor microenvironment. Conclusion: Our review uncovers insights into contemporary trends, global patterns of collaboration, fundamental knowledge, research areas of high interest, and emerging frontiers in the field of TME-targeted vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review examines advances in the metabolites, pharmacological research, and therapeutic applications of the medicinal fruit of Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. Brucea javanica (BJ) is derived from the fruit of the Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. There are nearly 200 metabolites present in BJ, and due to the diversity of its metabolites, BJ has a wide range of pharmacological effects. The traditional pharmacological effects of BJ include anti-dysentery, anti-malaria, etc. The research investigating the contemporary pharmacological impacts of BJ mainly focuses on its anti-tumor properties. In the article, the strong monomeric metabolites among these pharmacological effects were preliminarily screened. Regarding the pharmacological mechanism of action, current research has initially explored BJ's pharmacological agent and molecular signaling pathways. However, a comprehensive system has yet to be established. BJ preparations have been utilized in clinical settings and have demonstrated effectiveness. Nevertheless, clinical research is primarily limited to observational studies, and there is a need for higher-quality research evidence to support its clinical application. There are still many difficulties and obstacles in studying BJ. However, it is indisputable that BJ is a botanical drugs with significant potential for application, and it is expected to have broader global usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maire yew (Taxus mairei), an evergreen conifer, has high ornamental and medicinal value. The arils of this species has three different colors. However, the variation mechanisms of arils color formation remains unclear. Here, the gene expression and metabolite concentration were profiled for red (RTM), yellow (YTM), and purple (PTM) arils in different developmental stages. A total of 266 flavonoids and 35 carotenoids were identified. The predominant pigments identified in YTM were epiafzelechin, lutein, and β-Cryptoxanthin, while malvidin-3,5-di-O-glucoside and apigenin played crucial roles in PTM. And significant differential expression was observed among the HCT, DFR, LAR, ANS, crtB, NCED, and CCoAOMT genes across different color arils. During the maturation of yellow arils, the upregulation of HCT was strongly correlated with the accumulation of epiafzelechin. The diminished expression of DFR, LAR, and ANS seemed to inhibit the production of delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside. The decrease in crtB expression and concurrent increase in NCED expression potentially regulate the heightened accumulation of lutein. Meanwhile, the accumulation of β-cryptoxanthin appeared seemed to be positively influenced by NCED. As aril turning purple, the decreased expression of CCoAOMT seemed to facilitate the synthesis of apigenin. The substantial upregulation of DFR promoted the production of malvidin-3,5-di-O-glucoside. Additionally, the overexpression of MYBs may plays the important role in regulating the formation of different colored arils. In total, 14 genes were selected for qRT-PCR validation, the results indicated the reliability of the transcriptome sequences data. Our findings could provide valuable insight into the molecular breeding, development, and application of Maire yew resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The calibrator in immunoassay plays an essential role in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Presently, the most well-studied biomarkers for AD diagnosis are three phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau): p-Tau231, p-Tau217, and p-Tau181. Glycogen synthase-3beta (GSK3β)-phosphorated Tau-441 is the most commonly used calibrator for p-Tau immunoassays. However, the batch-tobatch inconsistency issue of the commonly used GSK3β-phosphorylated Tau-441 limits its clinical application. Methods: We have successfully generated and characterized 61 Tau monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with distinct epitopes by using the hybridoma technique and employed them as capture or detection antibodies for p-Tau immunoassays. Through chemical synthesis, we synthesized calibrators, which are three peptides including capture and detection antibody epitopes, for application in immunoassays that detect p-Tau231, p-Tau217, and p-Tau181. The novel calibrators were applied to Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Single-molecule array (Simoa) platforms to validate their applicability and establish a range of p-Tau immunoassays. Results: By employing the hybridoma technique, 49 mAbs recognizing Tau (1-22), nine mAbs targeting p-Tau231, one mAb targeting p-Tau217, and two mAbs targeting p-Tau181 were developed. Peptides, including recognition epitopes of capture and detection antibodies, were synthesized. These peptides were used as calibrators to develop 60 immunoassays on the ELISA platform, of which six highly sensitive immunoassays were selected and applied to the ultrasensitive Simoa platform. Remarkably, the LODs were 2.5, 2.4, 31.1, 32.9, 46.9, and 52.1 pg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: Three novel p-Tau calibrators were successfully generated and validated, which solved the batch-to-batch inconsistency issue of GSK3β-phosphorylated Tau-441. The novel calibrators exhibit the potential to promote the standardization of clinical AD diagnostic calibrators. Furthermore, we established a series of highly sensitive and specific immunoassays on the Simoa platform based on novel calibrators, which moved a steady step forward in p-Tau immunoassay application for AD diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some groups such as carboxyl, phosphate, and hydroxyl on the surface of adsorbents were considered very vital to recovery rare earth elements (REEs) from wastewater by adsorption, and the main adsorption groups vary with the vary of pH value. The adsorption performance and the groups of Serratia marcescens adsorption yttrium (Y(III)) at pH 2.0, 3.5, and 5.5 were studied in the present study. The adsorption capacity of Serratia marcescens for Y(III) increased from 26.83 mg/g to 69.19 mg/g with the increase of pH from 2.0 to 5.5. Field emission transmission electron microscope (FETEM) confirmed that Y(III) was adsorbed on the Serratia marcescens cell surface, and the adsorption amount increased with the increases of the pH value. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results confirmed carboxylate and hydroxy groups mainly complexation with Y(III) at pH 2.0. Y(III) was captured on the Serratia marcescens surface under the combined actions of carboxylate and hydroxy and amine groups at pH 3.5 and 5.5, and amine became main adsorption groups at higher pH. The results showed amine, carboxylate, and hydroxy should be the groups of Serratia marcescens adsorption for yttrium. The results provided theory foundation for the preparation of high efficiency adsorbents by enhancing the adsorption groups of adsorbents surface through directive chemical modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Metastatic lymph node 64 (MLN64) is often co-amplified with ERBB2 (HER2) and plays a role in the progression of breast and prostate cancer. The present study explored the expression of MLN64 in clinical gastric cancer in association with the ERBB family and its impact on drug resistance in patients. Materials and Methods: Two independent gastric cancer cohorts (n=324; n=87) were used to explore the expression profile of MLN64 in conjunction with ERBB family members in clinical gastric cancer and its association with neoadjuvant chemotherapy responses. Gastric cancer AGS and HCG27 cells with MLN64 knockdown were generated to determine the function of MLN64 in cell behavioural changes. Results: Gastric tumor tissues expressed significantly higher levels of MLN64 compared with normal tissues (p<0.01); however, MLN64 alone was a weak prognostic indicator. An integrated coexpression of MLN64, ERBB4, and NRG4 was a significant factor in assessing overall survival in both cohorts. MLN64 was a profound indicator of patient response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In vitro studies indicated a significant contribution of MLN64 to the response of gastric cancer cells to chemodrugs and Her-2 inhibitors. MLN64 knockdown also contributed to the adhesion and migration and suggested a possible mechanism mediated by the interaction between MLN64 and ERBBs. Conclusion: MLN64 is an indicator of patient response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in gastric cancer. Together with the expression pattern of ERBB4, MLN64 is a poor prognostic factor for patients with gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction We aimed to evaluated the effect of premixed insulin (Ins), premixed insulin combined with metformin (Ins+Met) or mulberry twig alkaloids(Ins+SZ-A) on blood glucose fluctuations in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) using continuous glucose monitors (CGM). Methods Thirty patients with T2DM and poor blood glucose control using drugs were evaluated for eligibility during the screening period. Subsequently, their original hypoglycemic drugs were discontinued during the lead-in period, and after receiving Ins intensive treatment for 2 weeks, they were randomly assigned to receive either Ins, Ins+Met, or Ins+SZ-A treatment for the following 12 weeks. The main efficacy endpoint comprised changes in their CGM indicators changes (mean blood glucose level [MBG], standard deviation of blood glucose [SDBG], mean amplitude of glycemic excursions [MAGE], postprandial glucose excursions [PPGE], the largest amplitude of glycemic excursions [LAGE], mean of daily difference [MODD], time in range between 3.9--10.0 mmol/L [TIR] and area under the curve for each meal [AUCpp]) during the screening, lead-in, and after 12-week treatment period. Changes in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), 1-h postprandial blood glucose (1h-PBG), 2-h postprandial blood glucose (2h-PBG), fasting blood lipids and postprandial blood lipids were also measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment Results The CGM indicators of the three groups during the lead-in period all showed significant improvements compared to the screening period (P<0.05). Compared with those in the lead-in period, all of the CGM indicators improved in the the Ins+Met and Ins+SZ-A groups after 12 weeks of treatment (P<0.05), except for MODD. After 12-week treatment, compared with the Ins group, Ins+Met and Ins+SZ-A groups showed improved MBG, SDBG, TIR, breakfast AUCpp,lunch AUCpp, HbA1c, FBG, 1h-PBG, fasting blood lipid and postprandial blood lipid indicators (P<0.05). Further, the LAGE, PPGE, MAGE, dinner AUCpp and 2h-PBG levels of the Ins+SZ-A group were significantly lower than those of the Ins+Met and Ins groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Our findings highlight the efficacy of combination therapy (Ins+SZ-A or Ins+Met) in improving blood glucose fluctuations, as well as blood glucose and lipid levels. Ins+SZ-A reduces postprandial blood glucose fluctuations more than Ins+Met and Ins groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The job shop scheduling problem (JSSP) is a classical combinatorial optimization problem that exists widely in diverse scenarios of manufacturing systems. It is a well-known NP-hard problem, when the number of jobs increases, the difficulty of solving the problem exponentially increases. Therefore, a major challenge is to increase the solving efficiency of current algorithms. Modifying the neighborhood structure of the solutions can effectively improve the local search ability and efficiency. In this paper, a genetic Tabu search algorithm with neighborhood clipping (GTS_NC) is proposed for solving JSSP. A neighborhood solution clipping method is developed and embedded into Tabu search to improve the efficiency of the local search by clipping the search actions of unimproved neighborhood solutions. Moreover, a feasible neighborhood solution determination method is put forward, which can accurately distinguish feasible neighborhood solutions from infeasible ones. Both of the methods are based on the domain knowledge of JSSP. The proposed algorithmis compared with several competitive algorithms on benchmark instances. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve superior results compared to other competitive algorithms. According to the numerical results of the experiments, it is verified that the neighborhood solution clipping method can accurately identify the unimproved solutions and reduces the computational time by at least 28%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Job shop scheduling (JS) is an important technology for modern manufacturing. Flexible job shop scheduling (FJS) is critical in JS, and it has been widely employed in many industries, including aerospace and energy. FJS enables any machine from a certain set to handle an operation, and this is an NP-hard problem. Furthermore, due to the requirements in real-world cases, multi-objective FJS is increasingly widespread, thus increasing the challenge of solving the FJS problems. As a result, it is necessary to develop a novel method to address this challenge. To achieve this goal, a novel collaborative evolutionary algorithm with two-population based on Pareto optimality is proposed for FJS, which improves the solutions of FJS by interacting in each generation. In addition, several experimental results have demonstrated that the proposed method is promising and effective for multi-objective FJS, which has discovered some new Pareto solutions in the well-known benchmark problems, and some solutions can dominate the solutions of some other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visual working memory (VWM) is a limited dynamic memory system where people temporarily store and process visual information. Previous research showed that real-world objects do not have a fixed capacity compared to simple ones. In konkle's study, they found that the conceptual information and perception information of real-world objects had different effects on visual long-term memory (VLTM) capacity. VLTM capacity was more dependent on conceptual information than the perceptual distinctiveness of real-world objects. However, we did not know how the intrinsic attribute of real-world objects affects VWM capacity yet. In the current research, we set five experiments to explore the comparative effects of conceptual vs. perceptual information of real-world objects in VWM capacity. Our results suggested that VWM capacity was more dependent on the perceptual distinctiveness of real-world objects than on conceptual structure. These data provide evidence that VWM capacity for real-world objects depends more on perceptual information than on conceptual structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies showed that electric fields could change the boiling point and vapor pressure of the vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) state of pure substances and mixtures. This is an important feature in controlling the separation of mixtures. In this paper, based on the principle of phase equilibrium, together with the formulas of chemical potential including the effect of electric field and the dielectric pressure, the Raoult's law was extended to include the effect of electric field to describe VLE of a mixture under an external electric field. The effects of electric field on VLE can be calculated by combining the extended Raoult's law and the Dalton's law of partial pressure, and then, the effect of electric field on the relative volatility can also be calculated. Numerical calculations showed that the effects of an electric field on VLE depend on both the magnitude and the direction of the electric field, and the effects become obvious until the field strength is greater than 10 7 V/m. When the direction of the electric field is parallel to the gas–liquid interface, the vapor pressure decreases; the equilibrium temperature, the mole fractions of the volatile component, and the relative volatility increase. While, when the direction of the electric field is perpendicular to the gas–liquid interface, the opposite changes in these properties appear. The shifting of the equilibrium curves caused by the electric field indicates that the electric field can cause the vapor–liquid phase transition and change the amount of the phase material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The musculoskeletal toxicity of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is receiving increasing attention with clinical experience. Nevertheless, the absence of a systematic investigation into the musculoskeletal toxicity profile of ICIs currently results in the under-recognition of associated adverse events. Further and more comprehensive investigations are warranted to delineate the musculoskeletal toxicity profile of ICIs and characterize these adverse events. Material and methods: The present study employed the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database to collect adverse events between January 2010 and March 2021. We utilized both the reporting odds ratio and the Bayesian confidence propagation neural network algorithms to identify suspected musculoskeletal adverse events induced by ICIs. Subsequently, the clinical characteristics and comorbidities of the major musculoskeletal adverse events were analyzed. The risk of causing these events with combination therapy versus monotherapy was compared using logistic regression model and Ω shrinkage measure model. Results: The musculoskeletal toxicity induced by ICIs primarily involves muscle tissue, including neuromuscular junctions, fascia, tendons, and tendon sheaths, as well as joints, spine, and bones, including cartilage. The toxicity profile of PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors varies, wherein the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab exhibits a heightened overall risk of inducing musculoskeletal adverse events. The major ICIs-induce musculoskeletal adverse events, encompassing conditions such as myositis, neuromyopathy (including myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy), arthritis, fractures, myelitis, spinal stenosis, Sjogren's syndrome, fasciitis, tenosynovitis, rhabdomyolysis, rheumatoid myalgia, and chondrocalcinosis. Our study provides clinical characteristics and comorbidities of the major ICIs-induced musculoskeletal adverse events. Furthermore, the combination therapy of nivolumab and ipilimumab does not result in a statistically significant escalation of the risk associated with the major musculoskeletal adverse events. Conclusion: Immune checkpoint inhibitors administration triggers a range of musculoskeletal adverse events, warranting the optimization of their management during clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to analyze the factors contributing to the limited availability of short-term financial products in Hong Kong. Firstly, it examines the characteristics of the Hong Kong market, including its level of financial industry development and the operating models of financial institutions. This examination serves as a foundation for further analysis. Secondly, the study explores the demand and supply dynamics of short-term financial products in the Hong Kong market. Investigating the preferences and demands of Hong Kong residents and analyzing the product offerings of financial institutions it reveals the insufficient supply of short-term financial products at present. Lastly, the paper analyzes the underlying reasons for this phenomenon. From the perspective of financial institutions, the scarcity of short-term financial products in Hong Kong is primarily attributed to the prevalent traditional long-term investment mentality and model deeply embedded in the market. Additionally, regulatory policies impose certain constraints on the innovation and development of short-term financial products. Consequently, the paper proposes recommendations, including the need for financial institutions to give attention to residents' demand for short-term financial products and for the government and regulatory bodies to implement measures that encourage innovation and development in this area. Through a comprehensive analysis, this paper provides insights into the factors contributing to the limited availability of short-term financial products in Hong Kong and offers recommendations to stimulate market growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]