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BackgroundWhen compared with conventional weight loss strategies, bariatric surgery results in substantially greater durable weight loss and rates of disease remission. ObjectiveThe ENGAGE CVD (Effectiveness of Gastric Bypass versus Gastric Sleeve for Cardiovascular Disease) cohort study aimed to provide population-based, comprehensive, rigorous evidence for clinical and policy decision making regarding the choice between gastric bypass and gastric sleeve for overall cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction, risk factor remission, and safety. MethodsThe cohort had 22,095 weight loss surgery patients from a large integrated health care system in Southern California assembled from 2009 to 2016 who were followed up through 2018. Bariatric surgery patients were followed up for the length of their membership in the health care system. Of the patients who had at least five years of follow-up (surgery between 2009 and 2013), 85.86% (13,774/16,043) could contribute to the outcome analyses for the ENGAGE CVD cohort. ResultsPatients in the ENGAGE CVD cohort were 44.6 (SD 11.4) years old, mostly women (17,718/22,095; 80.19%), with 18.94% (4185/22,095) non-Hispanic black and 41.80% (9235/22,095) Hispanic, and had an average BMI of 44.3 (SD 6.9) kg/m2 at the time of surgery. When compared with patients who did not contribute data to the 5-year outcome analysis for the ENGAGE CVD cohort (2269/16,043; 14.14%), patients who contributed data (13,774/16,043; 85.86%) were older (P=.002), more likely to be women (P=.02), more likely to be non-Hispanic white (P

Abstract Objective To understand the prevalence rate of obstructive pulmonary dysfunction in workers exposed to silica dust and analyze its risk factors, so as to provide reference for the formulation of diagnostic criteria for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by occupational dust. Methods Data collection and structured questionnaire were used to collect the data of 2064 workers exposed to silica dust who underwent health examination in Hunan Occupational Disease Prevention and Control Hospital and Yuanling Second People’s Hospital from January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. The prevalence rate of obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction was analyzed and the risk factors were analyzed. Results The prevalence rate of obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction (FEV1/FVC

Abstract Comprehending the phylogeography of invasive organisms enhances our insight into their distribution dynamics, which is instrumental for the development of effective prevention and management strategies. In China, Pomacea canaliculata and Pomacea maculata are the two most widespread and damaging species of the non-native Pomacea spp.. Given this species’ rapid spread throughout country, it is urgent to investigate the genetic diversity and structure of its different geographic populations, a task undertaken in the current study using the COI and ITS1 mitochondrial and ribosomal DNA genes, respectively. The result of this study, based on a nationwide systematic survey, a collection of Pomacea spp., and the identification of cryptic species, showed that there is a degree of genetic diversity and differentiation in P. canaliculata, and that all of its variations are mainly due to differences between individuals within different geographical populations. Indeed, this species contains multiple haplotypes, but none of them form a systematic geographical population structure. Furthermore, the COI gene exhibits higher genetic diversity than the ITS1 gene. Our study further clarifies the invasive pathways and dispersal patterns of P. canaliculata in China to provide a theoretical basis.

Abstract Objective To improve our understanding of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)‐macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). Methods A systematic review was performed, to retrieve all those papers on patients with SLE‐MAS, in individual or aggregated form. The data in each of these medical records were extracted and analyzed to identify the characteristics of SLE‐MAS. Results A total of 86 SLE‐MAS patients were included (25 males and 61 females. The mean (±standard error of the mean) age was 31.21 ± 1.694 years. MAS occurred as the initial presentation of SLE in 47 people (54.65%) and during the course of SLE in 39 (45.35%). A coinfection was reported in 23 (26.74%) patients. The mean Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI‐2K) score was 16.54 ± 0.9462. Overall, 10 patients (11.63%) died. The SLEDAI‐2K score was higher in patients with MAS as an initial manifestation of SLE than in those where MAS occurred during the course of SLE. The proportion of patients receiving steroid pulse therapy was lower in patients with coinfections. The deceased group demonstrated lower platelet and ferritin levels. Multiple regression analysis revealed that age and thrombocytopenia were independent factors associated with poor prognosis. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, a platelet count cutoff value of ≤47 × 109/L was a predictor of poor outcome. Conclusions SLE‐MAS patients demonstrated high lupus activity, and lupus activity was especially higher in patients with MAS as an initial manifestation. Lupus activity was the predominant trigger of lupus MAS. Thrombocytopenia was an independent factor for poor prognosis.

Objective Explainable machine learning (XAI) was introduced in this study to improve the interpretability, explainability and transparency of the modelling results. The survex package in R was used to interpret and compare two survival models – the Cox proportional hazards regression (coxph) model and the random survival forest (rfsrc) model – and to estimate overall survival (OS) and its determinants in heart failure (HF) patients using these models. Methods We selected 1159 HF patients hospitalised at the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University. First, the performance of the two models was investigated using the C-index, the integrated C/D AUC, and the integrated Brier score. Second, a global explanation of the whole cohort was carried out using the time-dependent variable importance and the partial dependence survival profile. Finally, the SurvSHAP(t) and SurvLIME plots and the ceteris paribus survival profile were used to obtain a local explanation for each patient. Results By comparing the C-index, the C/D AUC, and the Brier score, this study showed that the model performance of rfsrc was better than coxph. The global explanation of the whole cohort suggests that the C-reactive protein, lg BNP (brain natriuretic peptide), estimated glomerular filtration rate, albumin, age and blood chloride were significant unfavourable predictors of OS in HF patients in both the cxoph and the rfsrc models. By including individual patients in the model, we can provide a local explanation for each patient, which guides the clinician in individualising the patient's treatment. Conclusion By comparison, we conclude that the model performance of rfsrc is better than that of coxph. These two predictive models, which address not only the whole population but also selected patients, can help clinicians personalise the treatment of each HF patient according to his or her specific situation.

Abstract Integrating CYP2D6 genotyping and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is crucial for guiding individualized atomoxetine therapy in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The aim of this retrospective study was (1) to investigate the link between the efficacy and tolerability of atomoxetine in children with ADHD and plasma atomoxetine concentrations based on their CYP2D6 genotypes; (2) to offer TDM reference range recommendations for atomoxetine based on the CYP2D6 genotypes of children receiving different dosage regimens. This retrospective study covered children and adolescents with ADHD between the ages of 6 and 60% of enrolled children belonged to the CYP2D6 extensive metabolizer (EM), while

Summary: When designing new conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs), major efforts are typically focused on selecting specific linkages and variations of building blocks to control their terminal structure and function. However, the constitutional isomerism of CMPs has seldom been considered so far as a crucial aspect. Herein, we successfully synthesize a pair of isomeric CMPs, named DBP-TEP (with phenanthrenequinone units) and DBQ-TEP (with anthraquinone units). Benefiting from the construction of the extended D-π-A conjugated skeleton, our isomeric CMPs are characterized by low band gaps and high charge transport efficiency, thus remarkably enhancing uranium photoreduction performance. Interestingly, the experiment results show that the adsorption capacity of DBP-TEP is 1.5 times that of DBQ-TEP under light irradiation. Additionally, both experiments in real-life and theoretical calculations prove that the phenanthrenonequinone unit does have a profound effect on the photocatalytic activity, which is predominantly attributed to the stronger electronic push-pull system and higher π-conjugated system in DBP-TEP. Science for society: Rare earth elements are a key component of modern technology. However, the mining of rare earth elements can lead to polluted waters entering the environment. Rare earth mine tailwater discharged from mining and leaching wastewater from improper mine disposal can result in a large amount of residual radionuclide uranium mainly in the form of UVI. To combat this, the reduction of highly environmentally mobile UVI to relatively immobile and low-solubility UIV has recently been recognized as one of the most promising technologies. Our study presents a green and efficient photocatalyst—a material that can absorb light influencing the rate of a chemical reaction—named 2,7-dibromo-9,10-phenanthrenedione (DBP) tetrakis(4-ethynylphenyl)methane (TEP), to extract uranium from rare earth wastewater. This study demonstrates that isomer pairs are key to efficiency: DBP-TEP (with phenanthrenequinone units) has much better photocatalytic performance in extracting uranium than 2,6-dibromoanthraquinone DBQ-TEP (with anthraquinone units).

Abstract Background Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a cystic tumor of the pancreas arising from abnormal papillary proliferation of ductal epithelial cells, and is a precancerous lesion of pancreatic malignancy. This study aimed to evaluate associations between acute pancreatitis (AP) and histologic subtypes of IPMN. Methods In the clinical study, patients with IPMN confirmed by surgical resection specimens at our institute between 2009 and 2021 were eligible for inclusion. Associations and predictive accuracy of AP on the presence of HGD were determined by logistic regressions. In addition, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted through literatures upon search in PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CKNI), and Wanfang database, up to June, 2023. Pooled effects of the associations between AP and HGD and intestinal epithelial subtype subtype, shown as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated using random effects model. Results The retrospective cohort study included 47 patients (32 males, 15 females) diagnosed with IPMN at our center between 2009 and 2021, including 11 cases with AP (median 62 years) and 36 cases (median 64.5 years) without. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of AP in predicting HGD were 78.7%, 57.1%, 82.5%, 36.4%, and 91.7%, respectively. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that AP group had greater odds of presence of HGD (OR: 6.29,95% CI: 1.14–34.57) than non-AP group. Meta-analysis of five case-control studies in the literature included 930 patients and showed that AP-IPMN patients had higher odds for HGD (OR: 2.13, 95% CI 1.38–3.29) and intestinal epithelial subtype (OR: 5.38, 95% CI: 3.50–8.27) compared to non-AP IPMN. Conclusions AP is predictive of malignancy in patients with IPMN.

Objective: To select and use aptamers as molecular recognition elements to construct a biosensor based on the salt effect of gold nanoparticles for the rapid quantitative detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA). Methods: Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were used to truncate the SEA aptamer and predict the results. The simulation results were verified colorimetrically using gold nanoparticles. The optimal SEA aptamer was used as the molecular recognition element. The reaction system was optimized, the relationship between SEA mass concentration and absorbance ratio was explored, and the accuracy, precision and specificity of the developed method were evaluated. Results: An SEA aptamer with short sequence, high affinity, strong specificity and stability was selected. This method was characterized by low limit of detection (LOD) and satisfactory recoveries for spiked samples. Conclusion: Molecular simulation can effectively improve the screening efficiency of aptamers, and the proposed method can be used for rapid detection of SEA.

AIM: To report the clinical prognosis and pathological findings of accidental lens vacuolar changes in eyes with intraoperative exposure to a dispersive ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD). METHODS: Two patients who developed transient lens vacuolar changes during uneventful persistent pupillary membrane (PPM) removal surgery were presented and followed up. This event was speculated to be associated with an intraoperative dispersive OVD DisCoVisc (hyaluronic acid 1.6%-chondroitin sulfate 4.0%) exposure. Then, to provide the pathological basis for our speculation, another four cataract patients were randomly exposed to different OVDs, and their anterior lens capsules were investigated with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: After months, the subcapsular vacuoles in both PPM cases were gradually disappeared without visual deterioration. For the cataract patients, similar lens changes were observed intraoperatively in those exposed to a dispersive DisCoVisc but not a cohesive OVD IVIZ (sodium hyaluronate gel 1.0%). In addition, marked ultrastructural changes, including chromatin condensation, extensive cytoplasmic vacuoles, and obvious intercellular space between lens epithelial cells in the anterior lens capsules of all eyes exposed to DisCoVisc, were observed by TEM. CONCLUSION: The lens vacuolar changes may be associated with a dispersive OVD exposure. Therefore, it is not preferable to use dispersive OVDs in patients with transparent lenses or without the intention of lens extraction. In addition, close follow-ups instead of immediate lens extraction are recommended for the occurrence of similar lens lesions.

Abstract Background High-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies completed by the bioinformatic analysis of the generated data are becoming an important detection technique for virus diagnostics. They have the potential to replace or complement the current PCR-based methods thanks to their improved inclusivity and analytical sensitivity, as well as their overall good repeatability and reproducibility. Cross-contamination is a well-known phenomenon in molecular diagnostics and corresponds to the exchange of genetic material between samples. Cross-contamination management was a key drawback during the development of PCR-based detection and is now adequately monitored in routine diagnostics. HTS technologies are facing similar difficulties due to their very high analytical sensitivity. As a single viral read could be detected in millions of sequencing reads, it is mandatory to fix a detection threshold that will be informed by estimated cross-contamination. Cross-contamination monitoring should therefore be a priority when detecting viruses by HTS technologies. Results We present Cont-ID, a bioinformatic tool designed to check for cross-contamination by analysing the relative abundance of virus sequencing reads identified in sequence metagenomic datasets and their duplication between samples. It can be applied when the samples in a sequencing batch have been processed in parallel in the laboratory and with at least one specific external control called Alien control. Using 273 real datasets, including 68 virus species from different hosts (fruit tree, plant, human) and several library preparation protocols (Ribodepleted total RNA, small RNA and double-stranded RNA), we demonstrated that Cont-ID classifies with high accuracy (91%) viral species detection into (true) infection or (cross) contamination. This classification raises confidence in the detection and facilitates the downstream interpretation and confirmation of the results by prioritising the virus detections that should be confirmed. Conclusions Cross-contamination between samples when detecting viruses using HTS (Illumina technology) can be monitored and highlighted by Cont-ID (provided an alien control is present). Cont-ID is based on a flexible methodology relying on the output of bioinformatics analyses of the sequencing reads and considering the contamination pattern specific to each batch of samples. The Cont-ID method is adaptable so that each laboratory can optimise it before its validation and routine use.

At present, the key technical researches are carried out for the future exploration missions to dense atmosphere planets such as Jupiter. As a necessary aerodynamic decelerator for planetary exploration missions with dense atmosphere, parachutes face several big challenges, such as complex transonic/supersonic unsteady aerodynamic characteristics. Thus, it is necessary to study deeply and make clear the transonic/supersonic unsteady flow mechanisms around the parachute systems and its aerodynamic characteristics; however, these are still unknown to date. In this study, parachute structure systems are designed based on the Galileo exploration mission. Using the parachute models, the numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the complex flow phenomena and unsteady aerodynamics of parachute systems with different diameter ratios of capsule to canopy, under different freestream Mach numbers. As a result, it is found that when a parachute 2-body model with a bigger diameter ratio of capsule to canopy is placed in transonic flows, the wake of the forebody (capsule) is strong, and the shock wave in front of the canopy is weak. When the canopy shock moves upstream, the pressure fluctuation inside the canopy surface exhibits 3 stages of changes: high-frequency large-amplitude, low-frequency small-amplitude, and high-frequency small-amplitude. It is also found that in the supersonic flow cases, the amplitude and frequency of pressure fluctuations inside the canopy increase significantly, especially at Mach 2.0. This is due to the strong interactions between the shedding vortex of the wake and the shock wave in front of the canopy. However, for the parachute model with a small diameter ratio, the important shock waves in front of the canopy is not observed, and high-frequency and small-amplitude pressure variations remain, which is affected directly by the frequency and intensity of wake vortex shedding. In summary, as the Mach number increases, the amplitude and frequency of pressure fluctuations increase, and the average pressure distribution also increases, and the law of its influence becomes more complex.

High-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies have brought tremendous improvements in the ability to detect plant viruses and have great potential for application in virus routine diagnostics. The performance criteria of an HTS test need therefore to be estimated and compared with traditional virus indexing tests before it can be used in routine diagnostics. In this study, 78 Musa accessions previously indexed for viruses by molecular tests and/or electron microscopy were tested individually or in pools using an HTS protocol based on total RNA sequencing. The analytical sensitivity of HTS and RT-PCR was also compared by independent testing on serial dilutions of RNA extracts. In total, 136 libraries were sequenced in five batches, and the sequences were analyzed for virus detection. The external alien control, a wheat sample infected by barley yellow dwarf virus, monitored the contamination burden and determined an adaptative detection threshold. Overall, the HTS test displayed a better analytical sensitivity than the RT-PCR and a better inclusivity than the classical indexing protocol, as distant isolates and new viral species were only detected by the HTS test. The repeatability and reproducibility of virus detection were both 100%, although differences in number of sequencing reads per virus were observed between replicates. The diagnostic sensitivity was very high, but false positive results were observed. Finally, the results also underlined the need for expert judgement in the interpretation of the results. In conclusion, the HTS test with an alien control and completed by expert evaluation fulfilled the criteria of the virus indexing protocol for Musa germplasm. [Graphic: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

AIM: To introduce a new technique for iridoschisis management during phacoemulsification: “capsule drape wrap”. METHODS: “Capsule drape wrap” technique was used for an 80-year-old man with idiopathic iridoschisis in the right eye during phacoemulsification. The inserted flexible nylon iris hooks to hold anterior capsule in place, the margin of the anterior capsule could act as drape wrap, tracking the fibrillary iris strands firmly from free floating and stabilizing the capsular bags simultaneously. RESULTS: The eye with iridoschisis was successfully treated. Iris fibrils remained immobile during the procedure, and despite the severity of iridoschisis, there were no intraoperative complications such as tear of the iris, hyphema, iris prolapse, loss of mydriasis, or rupture of the posterior lens capsule during phacoemulsification. The best-corrected visual acuity was increased by 0.1 (logMAR) 6mo after the surgery. CONCLUSION: “Capsule drape wrap” for iridoschisis is easily manageable, prevents further disruption to the loose iris fibers and ensures the stability of capsule–iris complex simultaneously, consequently minimizing the risk of surgical complications in phacoemulsification.

Background: Trigger finger is a common hand condition in which a finger is unable to fully extend owing to a thickening of the tendon and its sheath, causing the finger to lock in a bent position. Aim: To assess the viability of carrying out trigger finger surgeries in NHS primary care in terms of clinician and patient acceptance, experience, and outcomes; and operational requirements of this service for wider application. Design & setting: A pilot study for a new service in primary care in Leicestershire, UK. Method: A total of 214 trigger finger release surgery procedures were carried out between 22 August 2019 and 25 October 2022 by a single hand surgeon in a single primary care surgery. Data were analysed using information from SystmOne, which is a patient database linked with the NHS. Results: Thirty-two cases out of 214 (15.0%) experienced a wait time of

Hainanmycin sodium is a new type of monobasic acid polyether antibiotics, which has been widely used in chicken, cattle and sheep and other animal feeds, and it is mainly used to prevent coccidiosis and regulate growth metabolism. The color reaction between hainanmycin and derivative can be detected by UV spectrophotometry. The results showed that the derivatives of p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde and vanillin had the maximum UV absorption at 595 nm and 590 nm, respectively, and hainanmycin had the lowest detection limit after vanillin derivatization. When the derivative agent was composed of 4% vanillin (g/100 mL), 20% hydrochloric acid and 80% anhydrous ethanol, the derivative reaction with hainanmycin solution was carried out at 90 ℃ for 5 min at the volume ratio of 4∶6 (V∶V), and the color effect was the best after derivatization. Hainanmycin showed a linear relationship with the absorbance in the concentration range of 5~50 μg / mL, and the R2 (Coefficient of determination) was 0.993. This method could quantify the hainanmycin content in the premix and feed. The limit of quantification was 4.8 mg/kg in feed, and the recoveries of hainanmycin in feed and premix were 74.5%~93.8% and 83.2%~101.3%, respectively. It can be used as an effective method for the detection of hainanmycin in feed and premix.

Focal vibratory stimulation (FVS) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) are promising technologies for sensory rehabilitation after stroke. However, the differences between these techniques in immediate neuromodulatory effects on the poststroke cortex are not yet fully understood. In this research, cortical responses in persons with chronic stroke (n = 15) and unimpaired controls (n = 15) were measured by whole-brain electroencephalography (EEG) when FVS and NMES at different intensities were applied transcutaneously to the forearm muscles. Both FVS and sensory-level NMES induced alpha and beta oscillations in the sensorimotor cortex after stroke, significantly exceeding baseline levels (p < 0.05). These oscillations exhibited bilateral sensory deficiency, early adaptation, and contralesional compensation compared to the control group. FVS resulted in a significantly faster P300 response (p < 0.05) and higher theta oscillation (p < 0.05) compared to NMES. The beta desynchronization over the contralesional frontal–parietal area remained during NMES (p > 0.05), but it was significantly weakened during FVS (p < 0.05) after stroke. The results indicated that both FVS and NMES effectively activated the sensorimotor cortex after stroke. However, FVS was particularly effective in eliciting transient involuntary attention, while NMES primarily fostered the cortical responses of the targeted muscles in the contralesional motor cortex.

Reservoir permeability is an important parameter for reservoir characterization and the estimation of current and future production from hydrocarbon reservoirs. Logging data is an important means of evaluating the continuous permeability curve of the whole well section. Nuclear magnetic resonance logging measurement results are less affected by lithology and have obvious advantages in interpreting permeability. The Coates model, SDR model, and other complex mathematical equations used in NMR logging may achieve a precise approximation of the permeability values. However, the empirical parameters in those models often need to be determined according to the nuclear magnetic resonance experiment, which is time-consuming and expensive. Machine learning, as an efficient data mining method, has been increasingly applied to logging interpretation. XGBoost algorithm is applied to the permeability interpretation of carbonate reservoirs. Based on the actual logging interpretation data, with the proportion of different pore components and the logarithmic mean value of T2 in the NMR logging interpretation results as the input variables, a regression prediction model is established through XGBoost algorithm to predict the permeability curve, and the optimization of various parameters in XGBoost algorithm is discussed. The determination coefficient is utilized to check the overall fitting between measured permeability versus predicted ones. It is found that XGBoost algorithm achieved overall better performance than the traditional models.

The synthesis of ionic olefin linked threedimensional covalent organic frameworks (3D COFs) is challenging because of the difficulties in forming stable carbon-carbon double bonds. Here, the authors report a general synthesis of an ionic sp2 carbon linked COFs and demonstrate selective capture of ReO4 − ions.

Abstract Background Adequate sedation is essential for pediatric patients undergoing 3Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using propofol alone is associated with patient arousing and adverse airway events. This study aimed to assess esketamine vs dexmedetomidine adjunct to propofol sedation for pediatric 3 T MRI. Methods In this randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, 114 pediatric patients aged between 6 months and 8 years were randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, to the esketamine–propofol group or the dexmedetomidine–propofol group. Sedation was provided with esketamine or dexmedetomidine in combination with propofol titration. The primary outcome was the total dose of propofol. Secondary outcomes included propofol infusion dose, adverse events, time to emergence from sedation, and time to discharge from recovery room. Results A total of 111 patients completed this study (56 in the esketamine–propofol group and 55 in the dexmedetomidine–propofol group). All MRI procedures were successfully performed under sedation. The total median (IQR) dose of propofol was significantly lower in the esketamine–propofol group (159.8 [121.7, 245.2] μg/kg/min) than that in the dexmedetomidine–propofol group (219.3 [188.6, 314.8] μg/kg/min) (difference in medians [95% CI] = − 66.9 [− 87.8 to − 43.0] μg/kg/min, P

Abstract The primary function of heat shock transcription factor (HSF) in the heat shock response is to activate the transcription of genes encoding heat shock proteins (HSPs). The phloem-feeding insect Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is an important pest of cotton, vegetables and ornamentals that transmits several plant viruses and causes enormous agricultural losses. In this study, the gene encoding HSF (Bthsf1) was characterized in MED B. tabaci. The full-length cDNA encoded a protein of 652 amino acids with an isoelectric point of 5.55. The BtHSF1 deduced amino acid sequence showed strong similarity to HSF in other insects. Expression analyses using quantitative real-time PCR indicated that Bthsf1 was significantly up-regulated in B. tabaci adults and pupae during thermal stress. Although Bthsf1 was induced by both hot and cold stress, the amplitude of expression was greater in the former. Bthsf1 had distinct, significant differences in expression pattern during different duration of high but not low temperature stress. Oral ingestion of dsBthsf1 repressed the expression of Bthsf1 and four heat shock proteins (Bthsp90, Bthsp70-3, Bthsp20 and Bthsp19.5) in MED B. tabaci during hot and cold stress. In conclusion, our results show that Bthsf1 is differentially expressed during high and low temperature stress and regulates the transcription of multiple hsps in MED B. tabaci.

Uranium is one of the most important strategic resources for the development of the nuclear industry, but its unintended release has created potential environmental and health risks. It is highly desired to explore new methods that enable concurrent uranium monitoring and recovery for environmental protection and sustainable development of the nuclear industry. Here, for the first time, an imidazole fluorescent covalent organic framework (named PyTT-Tp) with ultrastable skeleton and open nanopore channel is synthesized by condensing ammonium acetate, 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol and pyrene-4,5,9,10-tetrone. By precisely tailoring complexing ligands, PyTT-Tp shows an excellent uranium recovery capacity of 941.27 mg g−1 and reached equilibrium within 60 min, which can be attributed to dense selective uranium binding sites on the highly accessible open skeleton. In addition, due to the signal amplification of the pyrene-imidazole skeleton, it has an ultra-low detection limit of 4.92 nM UO22+ and an ultra-fast response time (2 s) suitable for on-site monitoring the uranium content of the extracted water. By modulating target complexing ligands, this approach can be extended to the monitoring and recovery of other strategic nuclides.

The supersonic parachute plays an important role in the descent and landing of Mars missions. Next-generation supersonic parachutes, such as disksail parachutes, are alternatives to disk-gap-band (DGB) parachutes. Disksail parachutes have larger porous gaps and smaller porous seams on the canopy surface than DGB parachutes. To date, the influence mechanism of porous seams or gaps and their locations on the performance of supersonic parachute systems in Martian atmospheric conditions remains unclear. In this study, different canopy models with seams and gaps based on NASA’s supersonic disksail parachutes were designed, and the aerodynamic characteristics of such geometric porosity models were studied numerically. For seam-only models, the drag coefficient of the parachute decreases when the position of the seam is close to the middle of the canopy. When the seam is close to the mouth of the canopy, the pressure difference between the inner and outer surface of the canopy becomes small, reducing the risk of tearing the canopy. For gap-only models, the drag coefficient of the middle gap model is higher, while the lateral force stability of the top gap model is better. The results show that the addition of a seam can improve the drag performance of the top gap model and improve the lateral stability of the canopy with the middle gap. This study provides some theoretical references for designing the porosity of parachutes under different requirements for Mars exploration missions in the future.

This meta-analysis aimed to analyze and compare the efficacy and safety of remifentanil and dexmedetomidine applied respectively for controlled hypotension under general anesthesia. We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, SinoMed, Wanfang, and VIP databases, as well as dissertations and conference papers, to obtain randomized controlled trials comparing remifentanil and dexmedetomidine applied respectively for controlled hypotension before August 23, 2021. The primary outcomes included hemodynamic profiles, surgical field score, and blood loss. Extubation time, sedation and pain score at the PACU, and perioperative adverse events were the secondary outcomes. Nine randomized controlled trials with 543 patients (272 in the dexmedetomidine group and 271 in the remifentanil group) were eventually included. This meta-analysis indicated no significant difference between dexmedetomidine and remifentanil in terms of surgical field score, blood loss, minimum values of mean arterial pressure (MD 0.24 with 95% CI [-1.65, 2.13], P = 0.80, I2 = 66%) and heart rate (MD 0.42 [-1.33, 2.17], P = 0.64, I2 = 40%), sedation scores at the PACU (MD -0.09 [-0.69, 0.50], P = 0.76, I2 = 92%), and incidence of bradycardia (OR 2.24 [0.70, 7.15], P = 0.17, I2 = 0%). Compared with remifentanil, dexmedetomidine as the controlled hypotensive agent showed a lower visual analogue score at the PACU (MD -1.01 [-1.25, -0.77], P

In order to establish a method for the determination of anthocyanins in health foods, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was used for qualitative identification of anthocyanins, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for quantitative detection of anthocyanins. The results showed that the suitable conditions for TLC identification were developing agent: V(formic acid)∶V(water-n)∶V(butanol)= 9.1∶8.4∶32.5, spotting amount: 2 μL. Anthocyanin was detected at 4.361~52.332 μg/mL (R2 =0.999 5). The internal linear relationship is good, with the average sample recovery rate is 98.22% (RSD=1.23%, n=6), and the precision, repeatability and stability are good. Experiments show that the established thin-layer identification method for anthocyanins is stable and feasible.

In this paper, a bidirectional grid-tied ZVS three-phase converter is proposed. The circuit operation principle in both the rectifier and inverter modes was analyzed. The proposed topology could achieve zero-voltage switching in the six main switches and the auxiliary switch both in the rectifier mode and inverter mode. In addition, the reverse recovery current of body diodes in the main switches was also suppressed. Furthermore, in order to realize the ZVS control scheme under the grid-tied bidirectional power flow condition and reduce the number of switchings, a modified carrier-based discontinuous PWM was proposed to fit the bidirectional switching sequence. Finally, a 3 kW prototype was constructed. Some simulation and experimental results are presented to verify the validity of the proposed circuit topology and PWM control scheme.

Remote ischemic perconditioning (RIPerC) could improve neuronal damage and inhibit inflammation and apoptosis. We conducted an in-depth exploration of the protective mechanism of RIPerC in cerebral ischaemia injury. In this study, a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mouse model was built. According to whether to undergo RIPerC treatment and the duration of cerebral infarction, mice were divided into 5 groups: Sham group, MCAO 3.0 h group, MCAO 4.5 h group, MCAO 3.0 h + RIPerC group, and MCAO 4.5 h + RIPerC group. Overexpressed or silenced miR-153-5p was transfected into the cells to analyse the effects of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) treatment on Neuro-2a cell viability, apoptosis, and related gene expressions by performing quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), MTT assay, flow cytometry, and Western blot. Bioinformatics analysis, qRT-PCR, dual-luciferase experiment, and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) were used to screen and verify the miRNA and downstream mRNA-targeted Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). The rescue test further verified the effects of the above target genes and miR-153-5p on the apoptosis of OGD-injured cells, apoptosis-related proteins, and the p65/IkBa pathway. The plasma levels of miR-153-5p in 68 patients with ischaemic stroke were detected within 6 hours of onset, and the patients were followed up for 3 months. We found that, in in vivo studies, RIPerC treatment inhibits cerebral infarction volume and neurological damage, and promotes the expression of miR-153-5p in the MCAO animal model. The expression of miR-153-5p in OGD cells was inhibited, and its upregulation protected Neuro-2a cells. TLR4 was predicted to be the target gene of miR-153-5p and could offset the effect of miR-153-5p mimic on OGD cell protection after up-regulating TLR4. TLR4 overexpression promoted the activation of OGD on the p65/IkBa pathway. Compared with the high plasma miR-153-5p group, the 3-month overall survival rate of patients with ischaemic stroke in the low plasma miR-153-5p group was significantly lower (c2 = 5.095, p = 0.024). In conclusion, RIPerC intervention inhibits the damage caused by cerebral ischaemia partially through the miR-153-5p/TLR4/p65/IkBa signalling pathway.

The Stock Market is a typical complex network composed of investors, stocks, and market information. The abnormal fluctuation of the Stock Market has a strong effect on the economy of a country and even that of the world. Fueled by the herd effect of the increasingly abundant social media, Internet rumors, as an important source of market information and an exogenous financial risk, can lead to the collapse of investor confidence and the further propagation of financial risks, which can damage the financial system and even lead to social unrest. With additional availability of computing techniques, we attempt to uncover the media information effects in the stock market and seek to provide researchers with 1) a theoretical reference for a comprehensive understanding of such a complex network, 2) accurate prediction of future data, and 3) design of efficient and reliable risk intervention models. Based on the data of China’s Stock Market, this study uses machine learning to investigate social media rumors to reveal the interplay of social media rumors and stock market volatility. In this work, we find patterns from social media rumors from financial forums using machine learning, quantify social media rumors based on statistics, and analyze the mechanism of propagation and influence of social media rumors on stock market volatility using econometric models. The empirical results show that rumors play an important information transmission effect on stock market volatility and the constructed Internet Financial Forum Rumor Index is helpful to sense the potential impact of rumors, i.e., a significant lagged negative effect. These findings are of guidance for the optimization of the information environment, and can serve to promote the healthy and stable development of the stock market.

Summary: Background: We aimed to develop a deep learning (DL) model to predict DNA mismatch repair (MMR) status in colorectal cancers (CRC) based on hematoxylin and eosin-stained whole-slide images (WSIs) and assess its clinical applicability. Methods: The DL model was developed and validated through three-fold cross validation using 441 WSIs from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and externally validated using 78 WSIs from the Pathology AI Platform (PAIP), and 355 WSIs from surgical specimens and 341 WSIs from biopsy specimens of the Sun Yet-sun University Cancer Center (SYSUCC). Domain adaption and multiple instance learning (MIL) techniques were adopted for model development. The performance of the models was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). A dual-threshold strategy was also built from the surgical cohorts and validated in the biopsy cohort. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), F1-score, and the percentage of patients avoiding IHC testing were evaluated. Findings: The MIL model achieved an AUROC of 0·8888±0·0357 in the TCGA-validation cohort, 0·8806±0·0232 in the PAIP cohort, 0·8457±0·0233 in the SYSUCC-surgical cohort, and 0·7679±0·0342 in the SYSUCC-biopsy cohort. A dual-threshold triage strategy was used to rule-in and rule-out dMMR patients with remaining uncertain patients recommended for further IHC testing, which kept sensitivity higher than 90% and specificity higher than 95% on deficient MMR patient triage from both the surgical and biopsy specimens, result in more than half of patients avoiding IHC based MMR testing. Interpretation: A DL-based method that could directly predict CRC MMR status from WSIs was successfully developed, and a dual-threshold triage strategy was established to minimize the number of patients for further IHC testing. Funding: The study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82073159, 81871971 and 81700576), the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (No. 2021A1515011792 and No.2022A1515012403) and Medical Scientific Research Foundation of Guangdong Province of China (No. A2020392).

Objective To investigate the effect of Notch signaling pathways on differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells(ESC) into haematopoietic stem or progenitor cells(HSC/HPC). Methods 1)incubate mouse embryoid body cells and divide the embryonic stem cells into five groups as EB group,control group,Jagged-1 group, DAPT group and Jagged-1-DAPT group. 2)detect the phenotype of HSC/HPC by flow cytometry. 3)The expression of Notch signaling pathway, mouse embryonic stem cell phenotype and HSC/HPC phenotype were detected by RT-PCR. Results 1)the number of embryonic stem cells in Jagged-1 group was significantly more than that in control group and Jagged-DAPT group(P＜0.05);2)the number of HSC/HPC in Jagged-1-DAPT group was significantly more than that in control group and in Jagged-1 group(P＜0.05); 3)the expression of Notch1, Notch2 and Notch4 mRNA in Jagged-1 group was significantly higher than that in control group(P＜0.05), 4)the expression of Notch1 and Notch4 mRNA in DAPT group and Jagged-1-DAPT group was lower than that in control group(P＜0.05). Conclusions Jagged-1 activation of Notch signaling pathway potentially inhibits ESC differentiation into HSC/HPC in mice model.

This paper provides the compilations of properties of the quasars newly obtained by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) during the fourth stage (SDSS-IV). The catalog is available on the journal's website. We have measured the main properties of emission lines around C iv , Mg ii , H β , and H α spectral regions. We estimate the quasar redshifts from our fits of narrow [O iii ], broad Mg ii , and broad C iv emission lines and find that the best redshifts included in DR16Q are robust with respect to our measurements. Based on the broad C iv , Mg ii , H β , and/or H α emission lines, we calculate the virial black hole mass with empirical relationships provided by previous works. Systematic biases are found among the different line-based mass estimators.

The spread of epidemics, especially COVID-19, is having a significant impact on the world. If an epidemic is not properly controlled at the beginning, it is likely to spread rapidly and widely through the coexistence relationship between natural and social systems. A university community is a special, micro-self-organized social system that is densely populated. However, university authorities in such an environment seem to be less cautious in the defence of an epidemic. Currently, there is almost no quantitative research on epidemic spreading and response strategies in universities. In this paper, a case study of a university community is considered for a simulation of an infection evolving after an epidemic outbreak based on the method of system dynamics of the three stages. The results show the following: (1) By improving the speed of the initial emergency response, the total number of patients can be effectively controlled. (2) A quarantine policy helps to slow down the evolution of infection. The higher the isolation ratio, the higher the cost; therefore, the isolation ratio should be optimized. (3) It is important to make emergency plans for controlling epidemic spreading and carry out emergency drills and assessments regularly. According to the results of this study, we suggest an emergency management framework for public health events in university communities.

AIM: To study the change in ocular refraction in patients with pediatric cataracts (PCs) after lens extraction. METHODS: A total of 1258 patients who were undergoing cataract extraction with/without intraocular lens (IOL) implantation were recruited during preoperative examinations between Jan 2010 and Oct 2013. Patient ages ranged from 1.5mo to 14y. Follow-ups were conducted at 1wk, 1, and 3mo postoperatively and every 3mo in the first year, then 6mo thereafter. Ocular refraction [evaluated as spherical equivalent (SE)] and yearly myopic shift (YMS) were recorded and statistically analyzed among patients with age at surgery, baseline ocular refraction, gender, postoperative time and laterality (bilateral vs unilateral). RESULTS: By Dec 31st 2015, 1172 participants had been followed for more than 2y. The median follow-up period was 3y. The critical factors affecting the ocular refraction of PC patients were baseline ocular refraction, postoperative time for both aphakic and pseudophakic eyes. YMS grew most rapidly in young childhood and early adolescence. CONCLUSION: After lens surgeries, ocular refraction in PC patients shows an individual difference of change. Further concerns should be raising to monitor the rapid myopic shift at early adolescence of these patients.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is associated with poor prognosis in cardiovascular diseases. However, the predictive value of TRAIL for the short-term outcome and risk stratification of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) remains unknown. Methods: This study prospectively included 151 normotensive patients with acute PE. The study outcome was a composite of 30-day adverse events, defined as PE-related death, shock, mechanical ventilation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and major bleeding. Results: Overall, nine of 151 (6.0%) patients experienced 30-day adverse composite events. Multivariable logistic regression showed that TRAIL was an independent predictor of study outcome (OR 0.19 per SD; 95% CI 0.04–0.90). An ROC curve revealed that TRAIL’s area under the curve (AUC) was 0.83 (95% CI 0.76–0.88). The optimal cut-off value for TRAIL was 18 pg/mL, with a sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio of 89%, 69%, 99%, 15%, 2.87, and 0.16, respectively. Compared with the risk stratification algorithm outlined in the 2019 ESC guidelines, our biomarker-based risk stratification strategy (combining TRAIL and hs-cTnI) has a similar risk classification effect. Conclusion: Reduced plasma TRAIL levels predict short-term adverse events in normotensive patients with acute PE. The combination of the 2019 ESC algorithm and TRAIL aids risk stratification in normotensive patients with acute PE.

In this study, highly-sensitive piezoresistive strain sensors based on gold nanoparticle thin films deposited on a stretchable PDMS substrate by centrifugation were developed to measure arterial pulse waveform. By controlling carbon chain length of surfactants, pH value and particle density of the colloidal solutions, the gauge factors of nanoparticle thin film sensors can be optimized up to 677 in tensile mode and 338 in compressive mode, and the pressure sensitivity up to 350. Low pH and thin nanoparticle films produce positive influences to superior gauge factors. It has been demonstrated that nanoparticle thin film sensors on PDMS substrates were successfully applied to sense arterial pulses in different body positions, including wrist, elbow crease, neck, and chest.

AIM: To investigate the behavioral and psychological disorders and the prevalence of parent ratings of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms among children with bilateral congenital cataracts (CCs). METHODS: This cross-sectional study investigated children with bilateral CC aged 3-8y (CC group) using Conners’ Parent Rating Scale-48 (CPRS-48) from July to December 2016. The abnormal rates of psychological symptoms in CC children and normal vision (NV) children were compared using the Chi-square test. The scores of CC children were compared with those of NV children and the Chinese urban norm using the independent samples t-test and one-sample t-test, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 262 valid questionnaires were collected. The ratio of CC children to NV children was 119:143. The overall rate of psychological symptoms in CC children was 2.28 times higher than that in NV children (46.22% vs 20.28%, Pearson’s χ2=20.062; P

AIM: To evaluate the effect of different lens constant optimization methods on the accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulas for highly myopic eyes. METHODS: This study comprised 108 eyes of 94 consecutive patients with axial length (AL) over 26 mm undergoing phacoemulsification and implantation of a Rayner (Hove, UK) 920H IOL. Formulas were evaluated using the following lens constants: manufacturer’s lens constant, User Group for Laser Interference Biometry (ULIB) constant, and optimized constant for long eyes. Results were compared with Barrett Universal II formula, original Wang-Koch AL adjustment method, and modified Wang-Koch AL adjustment method. The outcomes assessed were mean absolute error (MAE) and percentage of eyes with IOL prediction errors within ±0.25, ±0.50, and ±1.0 diopter (D). The nonparametric method, Friedman test, was used to compare MAE performance among constants. RESULTS: Optimized constants could significantly reduce the MAE of SRK/T, Hoffer Q, and Holladay 1 formulas compared with manufacturer’s lens constant, whereas the percentage of eyes with IOL prediction errors within ±0.25, ±0.50, and ±1.0 D had no statistically significant differences. Optimized lens constant for long eyes alone showed non-significant refractive advantages over the ULIB constant. Barrett Universal II formula and formulas with AL adjustment showed significantly higher accuracy in highly myopic eyes (P

The sharp eyespot, mainly caused by the soil-borne fungus Rhizoctonia cerealis, is a devastating disease endangering production of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Multi-Antimicrobial Extrusion (MATE) family genes are widely distributed in plant species, but little is known about MATE functions in wheat disease resistance. In this study, we identified TaPIMA1, a pathogen-induced MATE gene in wheat, from RNA-seq data. TaPIMA1 expression was induced by Rhizoctonia cerealis and was higher in sharp eyespot-resistant wheat genotypes than in susceptible wheat genotypes. Molecular biology assays showed that TaPIMA1 belonged to the MATE family, and the expressed protein could distribute in the cytoplasm and plasma membrane. Virus-Induced Gene Silencing plus disease assessment indicated that knock-down of TaPIMA1 impaired resistance of wheat to sharp eyespot and down-regulated the expression of defense genes (Defensin, PR10, PR1.2, and Chitinase3). Furthermore, TaPIMA1 was rapidly induced by exogenous H2O2 and jasmonate (JA) treatments, which also promoted the expression of pathogenesis-related genes. These results suggested that TaPIMA1 might positively regulate the defense against R. cerealis by up-regulating the expression of defense-associated genes in H2O2 and JA signal pathways. This study sheds light on the role of MATE transporter in wheat defense to Rhizoctonia cerealis and provides a potential gene for improving wheat resistance against sharp eyespot.

Background: Intraoperative cell salvage (ICS) has been used in more than 1100 published obstetrics cases and can reduce the need for allogeneic transfusion effectively. However, ICS could lead to a life-threatening coagulopathy called salvaged blood syndrome (SBS). SBS was reported in several non-obstetric cases but has rarely been reported in obstetric patients. Cases: We reviewed all 841 cell savage cases that occurred in our hospital prior to October 2018. Here, we present 3 cases of coagulopathy in patients who received ICS after cesarean section. The rate of obstetrical SBS in our hospital was 0.46%. Dicussion: Cesarean section was performed without severe hemorrhage, and we performed the surgical hemostatic procedures as usual. Then, several hours after the surgery and after ICS, bleeding occurred, in which hypofibrinogenemia was more severe than expected based on the amount of postpartum hemorrhage. In addition, other marked changes in coagulation function-related parameters, including a decline in the platelet count and obvious prolongation of the PT and aPTT levels, were also observed. More specific and in-depth studies concerning obstetric SBS are needed.

We proposed a novel sensor based on an ultracompact leaky-guided liquid core fiber Mach–Zehnder interferometer (LLCFMZI) for high modulation of an interference spectrum. The sensor structure is based on a micro-sized hollow-core fiber (HCF) splicing a tilt end face single-mode fiber (SMF) to create a miniature oblique gap for the effective access of different liquids. The liquid core with a relatively lower refractive index (RI) than the cladding can achieve a leaky-mode optical waveguide (LMOW) mechanism, and its volume is only approximately 7.85 pL. In addition, the utilized micro-length HCF can reduce the energy loss of core in the LMOW to obtain an acceptable extinction ratio (>30 dB) with high temperature (T) sensitivity in the interference spectra. Experimental results show that the interference spectra can be highly modulated within the wide measurement range of 1250–1650 nm with a steadily linear response for thermal effect. The measured temperature sensitivities (T-sensitivities) of various liquids of DI water, ethanol, and Cargille-liquid (nD = 1.305) are 0.8869, 4.4754, and 4.8229 nm/°C, and the corresponding measured thermal optics coefficient (TOC) are −4.16 × 10−5, −2.11 × 10−4, and −3.6 × 10−4 °C−1, respectively. Measurement results demonstrate that the used liquids with a higher TOC can obtain better T-sensitivity modulation. The highest experimental sensitivity of the liquid-core filled with Cargille-liquid (nD = 1.40) is up to +13.87 nm/°C with a corresponding TOC of −4.07 × 10−4 °C−1. Furthermore, the experimental and theoretical values are in good agreement according to FSR the measuring scheme that investigates the effectiveness of the proposed LLCFMZI.

Patterns of relative timing between consonants and vowels appear to be conditioned in part by phonological structure, such as syllables, a finding captured naturally by the two-level feedforward model of Articulatory Phonology (AP). In AP, phonological form – gestures and the coordination relations between them – receive an invariant description at the inter-gestural level. The inter-articulator level actuates gestures, receiving activation from the inter-gestural level and resolving competing demands on articulators. Within this architecture, the inter-gestural level is blind to the location of articulators in space. A key prediction is that intergestural timing is stable across variation in the spatial position of articulators. We tested this prediction by conducting an Electromagnetic Articulography (EMA) study of Mandarin speakers producing CV monosyllables, consisting of labial consonants and back vowels in isolation. Across observed variation in the spatial position of the tongue body before each syllable, we investigated whether inter-gestural timing between the lips, for the consonant, and the tongue body, for the vowel, remained stable, as is predicted by feedforward control, or whether timing varied with the spatial position of the tongue at the onset of movement. Results indicated a correlation between the initial position of the tongue gesture for the vowel and C-V timing, indicating that inter-gestural timing is sensitive to the position of the articulators, possibly relying on somatosensory feedback. Implications of these results and possible accounts within the Articulatory Phonology framework are discussed.

Abstract Considering the constraints on model parameters from the latest experimental data, we study the contributions of new gauge boson $$W^\prime $$ W′ predicted by the general 221 models to the radiative leptonic decays of charged B and D mesons. It is found that the largest contributions of $$W^\prime $$ W′ in the non-universal 221 model to the branching fractions occur in the decay modes $$B^{-} \rightarrow \gamma \mu ^{-} \bar{\nu }_\mu $$ B-→γμ-ν¯μ and $$B^{-} \rightarrow \gamma \tau ^{-} \bar{\nu }_\tau $$ B-→γτ-ν¯τ , which can reach to about $$8 \%$$ 8% of the corresponding SM values in the up-quark mixing scenario. In contrast, the relative corrections of $$W^\prime $$ W′ predicted by the un-unified 221 model to the branching fractions are very tiny and identical for all the decay modes.

Verticillium wilt, caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb., is a serious threat to cotton (Gossypium spp.) crop production. To enhance our understanding of the plant’s complex defensive mechanism, we examined colonization patterns and interactions between V. dahliae and two cotton species, the resistant G. barbadense and the susceptible G. hirsutum. Microscopic examinations and grafting experiments showed that the progression of infection was restricted within G. barbadense. At all pre- and postinoculation sampling times, levels of salicylic acid (SA) were also higher in that species than in G. hirsutum. Comparative RNA-Seq analyses indicated that infection induced dramatic changes in the expression of thousands of genes in G. hirsutum, whereas those changes were fewer and weaker in G. barbadense. Investigations of the morphological and biochemical nature of cell-wall barriers demonstrated that depositions of lignin, phenolic compounds, and callose were significantly higher in G. barbadense. To determine the contribution of a known resistance gene to these processes, we silenced GbEDS1 and found that the transformed plants had decreased SA production, which led to the upregulation of PLASMODESMATA-LOCATED PROTEIN (PDLP) 1 and PDLP6. This was followed by a decline in callose deposition in the plasmodesmata, which then led to increased pathogen susceptibility. This comparison between resistant and susceptible species indicated that both physical and chemical mechanisms play important roles in the defenses of cotton against V. dahliae.

"AIM: To compare visual prognoses and postoperative adverse events of congenital cataract surgery performed at different times and using different surgical approaches. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, we recruited congenital cataract patients aged 3mo or younger before cataract surgery. Sixty-one eligible patients were randomly assigned to two groups according to surgical timing: a 3-month-old group and a 6-month-old group. Each eye underwent one of three randomly assigned surgical procedures, as follows: surgery A, lens aspiration (I/A); surgery B, lens aspiration with posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (I/A+PCCC); and surgery C, lens aspiration with posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and anterior vitrectomy (I/A+PCCC+A-Vit). The long-term best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the incidence of complications in the different groups were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 57 participants (114 eyes) with a mean follow-up period of 48.7mo were included in the final analysis. The overall logMAR BCVA in the 6-month-old group was better than that in the 3-month-old group (0.81±0.28 vs 0.96±0.30; P=0.02). The overall logMAR BCVA scores in the surgery B group were lower than the scores in the A and C groups (A: 0.80±0.29, B: 1.02±0.28, and C: 0.84±0.28; P=0.007). A multivariate linear regression revealed no significant relationships between the incidence of complications and long-term BCVA. CONCLUSION: It might be safer and more beneficial for bilateral total congenital cataract patients to undergo surgery at 6mo of age than 3mo. Moreover, with rigorous follow-up and timely intervention, the postoperative complications in these patients are treatable and do not compromise visual outcomes."

Apostasia ramifera S. C. Chen & K. Y. Lang 1986 is a Chinese endemic and endangered orchid. Here, we report the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence and the cp genome features of A. ramifera. The cp genome was 157,518 bp in length with a typical quadripartite structure, which was comprised of one large single-copy region (LSC, 86,353 bp) and one small single-copy region (SSC, 16,445 bp) separated by two inverted repeat regions (IRs, 27,360 bp). The cp genome encoded 133 genes, which included 87 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNAs and eight rRNAs. The average GC content of the genome is 35.8%. The phylogenetic analysis showed that A. ramifera was sister with A. wallichii and then nested in the other Apostasia species.

Abstract Background It is a challenge to reduce the muscular discoordination in the paretic upper limb after stroke in the traditional rehabilitation programs. Method In this study, a neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and robot hybrid system was developed for multi-joint coordinated upper limb physical training. The system could assist the elbow, wrist and fingers to conduct arm reaching out, hand opening/grasping and arm withdrawing by tracking an indicative moving cursor on the screen of a computer, with the support from the joint motors and electrical stimulations on target muscles, under the voluntary intention control by electromyography (EMG). Subjects with chronic stroke (n = 11) were recruited for the investigation on the assistive capability of the NMES-robot and the evaluation of the rehabilitation effectiveness through a 20-session device assisted upper limb training. Results In the evaluation, the movement accuracy measured by the root mean squared error (RMSE) during the tracking was significantly improved with the support from both the robot and NMES, in comparison with those without the assistance from the system (P

Our previous study revealed that intragastric administration of naringin improved remyelination in rats with spinal cord injury and promoted the recovery of neurological function of the injured spinal cord. This study sought to reveal the mechanisms by which naringin improves oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation and maturation, and promotes remyelination. Spinal cord injury was induced in rats by the weight-drop method. Naringin was intragastrically administered daily (20, 40 mg/kg) for 4 weeks after spinal cord injury induction. Behavioral assessment, histopathological staining, immunofluorescence spectroscopy, ultrastructural analysis and biochemical assays were employed. Naringin treatment remarkably mitigated demyelination in the white matter, increased the quality of myelinated nerve fibers and myelin sheath thickness, promoted oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation by upregulating the expression of NKx2.2 and 2′3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase, and inhibited β-catenin expression and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) phosphorylation. These findings indicate that naringin treatment regulates oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation and promotes remyelination after spinal cord injury through the β-catenin/GSK-3β signaling pathway.

Geodorum eulophioides Schltr., is a critically Endangered orchid (IUCN). In this study, we report the first complete chloroplast (cp) genome of G. eulophioides to provide the underlying information for genetic breeding and conservation studies of this species. The cp genome sequence of G. eulophioides is 149,466 bp in length, which contains one large single-copy region (LSC, 85,436 bp), one small single-copy region (SSC, 14,086 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (IRs, 24,972 bp). The cp genome encoded 177 genes, of which 106 were unique genes (78 protein-coding genes, 24 tRNAs, and 4 rRNAs). Phylogenetic analysis showed that G. eulophioides is closely related to the genera Eulophia.