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Mitochondrial complex activity controls a multitude of physiological processes by regulating the cellular metabolism. Current methods for evaluating mitochondrial complex activity mainly focus on single metabolic reactions within mitochondria. These methods often require fresh samples in large quantities for mitochondria purification or intact mitochondrial membranes for real-time monitoring. Confronting these limitations, we shifted the analytical perspective toward interactive metabolic networks at the whole-cell level to reflect mitochondrial complex activity. To this end, we compiled a panel of mitochondrial respiratory chain-mapped metabolites (MRCMs), whose perturbations theoretically provide an overall reflection on mitochondrial complex activity. By introducing N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine and N-methyl-p-phenylenediamine as a pair of mass spectrometry probes, an ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method with high sensitivity (LLOQ as low as 0.2 fmol) was developed to obtain accurate quantitative data of MRCMs. Machine learning was then combined to capture the relationship between MRCMs and mitochondrial complex activity. Using Complex I as a proof-of-concept, we identified NADH, alanine, and phosphoenolpyruvate as metabolites associated with Complex I activity based on the whole-cell level. The effectiveness of using their concentrations to reflect Complex I activity was further validated in external data sets. Hence, by capturing the relationship between metabolites and mitochondrial complex activity at the whole-cell level, this study explores a novel analytical paradigm for the interrogation of mitochondrial complex activity, offering a favorable complement to existing methods particularly when sample quantities, type, and treatment timeliness pose challenges. More importantly, it shifts the focus from individual metabolic reactions within mitochondria to a more comprehensive view of an interactive metabolic network, which should serve as a promising direction for future research into the functional architecture between mitochondrial complexes and metabolites.

Here, we report an intermolecular carboacylation of terminal alkynes with tertiary and secondary alkyltrifluoroborates as well as acyl chlorides via photoredox/nickel dual catalysis, affording a varity of stereodefined trisubstituted enones in good to excellent yields and Estereoselectivity, through a radical relay process. This redox-neutral protocol exhibits excellent functional group tolerance, exclusive regio- and stereoselectivity, and broad compatibility with various acyl chlorides and alkyltrifluoroborates.

Fast charging of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is now a critical challenge for the development of electric vehicles (EVs). The difficulty of achieving fast-charging LIBs arises from the sluggish Li-ion transport in both electrolytes and electrode materials and the sluggish charge transfer processes across the electrode–electrolyte interphases (EEIs). To overcome these obstacles, it is important to fully understand the transport mechanism of Li+in electrode materials, electrolytes, and EEIs. Spectroscopic techniques are useful tools to detect the structural changes and reveal the mass transport mechanism during the cycling of the batteries, which are helpful to guide the design of novel electrode materials and electrolytes as well as optimal interphases for fast-charging batteries. In this paper, recent advancements in the application of spectroscopic techniques for the development of fast-charging LIBs are reviewed. We focus on the key roles of spectroscopic techniques in revealing the reasons for improved fast-charging capabilities of LIBs, including their application in the fields of electrolyte engineering, interphase modification, Li-plating detection, and composition/structure optimization. Moreover, the application of electrospectroscopic techniques in exploring the interfacial reactions of the electrodes is also discussed. Finally, some perspectives and research directions for improving spectroscopic techniques to advance the development of fast-charging LIBs are provided.

The hypersecretion of cytokines triggers life-threatening systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), leading to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and mortality. Although both coagulopathy and necroptosis have been identified as important factors in the pathogenesis of SIRS, the specific cell types that undergo necroptosis and the interrelationships between coagulopathy and necroptosis remain unclear. In this study, we utilized visualization analysis via intravital microscopy to demonstrate that both anticoagulant heparin and nonanticoagulant heparin (NAH) pretreatment protect mice against TNF-α-induced mortality in SIRS. Moreover, the deletion of Mlklor Ripk3resulted in decreased coagulation and reduced mortality in TNF-α-induced SIRS. These findings suggest that necroptosis plays a key role upstream of coagulation in SIRS-related mortality. Furthermore, using a genetic lineage tracing mouse model (Tie2-Cre;Rosa26-tdT), we tracked endothelial cells (ECs) and verified that EC necroptosis is responsible for the vascular damage observed in TNF-α-treated mice. Importantly, Mlkldeletion in vascular ECs in mice had a similar protective effect against lethal SIRS by blocking EC necroptosis to protect the integrity of the endothelium. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that RIPK3–MLKL-dependent necroptosis disrupted vascular integrity, resulting in coagulopathy and multiorgan failure, eventually leading to mortality in SIRS patients. These results highlight the importance of targeting vascular EC necroptosis for the development of effective treatments for SIRS patients.

With shaped reward functions, reinforcement learning (RL) has recently been successfully applied to several robot control tasks. However, designing a task-relevant and well-performing reward function takes time and effort. Still, if RL can train an agent to complete a task in a sparse reward environment, it is an effective way to address the difficulty of reward function design, but it is still a significant challenge. To address this issue, the pioneering hindsight experience replay (HER) method dramatically enhances the probability of acquiring skills in sparse reward environments by transforming unsuccessful experiences into helpful training samples. However, HER still requires a lengthy training period. In this article, we propose a new technique based on HER termed adaptive HER with goal-amended curiosity module (AHEGC) for further enhancing sample and exploration efficiency. Specifically, an adaptive adjustment strategy of hindsight experience (HE) sampling rate and reward weights is developed to enhance sample efficiency. Furthermore, we introduce a curiosity mechanism to encourage more efficient exploration of the environment and propose a goal-amended (GA) curiosity module as a solution to the problem of over-seeking novelty caused by the curiosity introduced. We conducted experiments on six demanding robot control tasks with binary rewards, including Fetch and Hand environments. The results show that the proposed method outperforms existing methods regarding learning ability and convergence speed.

Climate change intensifies fire smoke, emitting hazardous air pollutants that impact human health. However, the global influence of climate change on fire-induced health impacts remains unquantified. Here we used three well-tested fire–vegetation models in combination with a chemical transport model and health risk assessment framework to attribute global human mortality from fire fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions to climate change. Of the 46,401 (1960s) to 98,748 (2010s) annual fire PM2.5mortalities, 669 (1.2%, 1960s) to 12,566 (12.8%, 2010s) were attributed to climate change. The most substantial influence of climate change on fire mortality occurred in South America, Australia and Europe, coinciding with decreased relative humidity and in boreal forests with increased air temperature. Increasing relative humidity lowered fire mortality in other regions, such as South Asia. Our study highlights the role of climate change in fire mortality, aiding public health authorities in spatial targeting adaptation measures for sensitive fire-prone areas.

Fire behaviour is changing in many regions worldwide. However, nonlinear interactions between fire weather, fuel, land use, management and ignitions have impeded formal attribution of global burned area changes. Here, we demonstrate that climate change increasingly explains regional burned area patterns, using an ensemble of global fire models. The simulations show that climate change increased global burned area by 15.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) [13.1–18.7]) for 2003–2019 and increased the probability of experiencing months with above-average global burned area by 22% (95% CI [18–26]). In contrast, other human forcings contributed to lowering burned area by 19.1% (95% CI [21.9–15.8]) over the same period. Moreover, the contribution of climate change to burned area increased by 0.22% (95% CI [0.22–0.24]) per year globally, with the largest increase in central Australia. Our results highlight the importance of immediate, drastic and sustained GHG emission reductions along with landscape and fire management strategies to stabilize fire impacts on lives, livelihoods and ecosystems.

An electrochemical cyclization/spirocyclization hydroarylation via reductive dearomatization of a series of nonactivated arenes including N-substituted indoles, indole-3-carboxamide derivatives, and iodo-substituted benzamides is described. This protocol boasts high atom efficiency, broad substrate applicability, and excellent selectivity. Utilizing a simple undivided cell, various nonactivated arenes undergo cyclization/spirocyclization through the intramolecular addition of aryl radicals to an aromatic ring, yielding 50 indolines, spirocyclizative hydroarylation products, and phenanthridinones.

Ce-based composite oxides were used for catalyzing the methyl N-phenyl carbamate (MPC) synthesis from aniline and dimethyl carbonate. Among them, CuO–CeO2exhibited the best catalytic performance. Characterization results showed that the second metal (Cu, Zn, Mn, Co, and Zr) can be doped into the CeO2lattice and led to strong interactions, modifying the content of Ce3+, oxygen vacancy, and acidity of the catalyst. Notably, Ce3+, oxygen vacancies, and weak Lewis acid sites are beneficial to MPC synthesis. Additionally, CuO–CeO2–M, prepared by mechanical mixing, exhibited better catalytic activity than CuO–CeO2–C prepared by co-precipitation. This was due to the preparation method affecting the interaction between CuO and CeO2. CuO primarily interacted with CeO2through interfacial contact in CuO–CeO2–C, whereas the interaction in CuO–CeO2–M involves both this interfacial contact effect and the presence of solid solution structures, thereby influencing the content of Ce3+, oxygen vacancy, and acidity.

The use of directed energy deposition-arc (DED-arc) to manufacture duplex stainless steel (DSS) shows great potential for marine propeller applications. However, this process can result in excessive austenite and anisotropic tensile properties in DSS deposits due to significant heat input and accumulation. Variable polarity cold metal transfer (VP-CMT) has lower heat input and can regulate the heat distribution on the filler wire and deposition layer. This is an effective way to reduce heat accumulation. The impact of energy arrangement based on this method on DSS deposit is not yet fully understood. This study uses the DED-arc powered by VP-CMT process to deposit DSS components with various electrode positive (EP) and electrode negative (EN) ratios. Effects of EP/EN on the microstructure and tensile properties of DSS walls are investigated accordingly. Results reveal that the DSS buildup wall consists of ferrite and austenite, and a distinct structure is formed along the deposition direction, with an alternating arrangement of the as-deposited zone and reheated zone. A 〈001〉 preferred orientation is observed in the ferrite column grain, and more austenite is formed in the reheated zone. Decreasing EP/EN reduces heat input per unit length and thermal accumulation of DED-arc process, leading to lower austenite content and smaller reheated zone, and more pronounced epitaxial growth of ferrite grain. These microstructure differences lead to greater anisotropy in tensile properties.

Chitinases play an important role in the molting process of insects and are potential targets for the development of green insecticides. Based on the feature that the +1/+2 sites in OfChtI, OfChtII, and OfChi-h have tryptophan residues in mismatch-parallel position, a strategy to introduce indole scaffold into chitinase inhibitors was proposed, and multitarget chitinase inhibitors containing N-methylcarbamoylguanidinyl and indole scaffold were successfully synthesized. The inhibitory activity showed that compound 8uexhibited significant inhibitory activity against OfChtI, OfChtII, and OfChi-h, with IC50values of 0.7, 0.79, and 0.58 μM, and Kivalues of 0.05 ± 0.005, 0.065 ± 0.004, and 0.025 ± 0.006 μM, respectively. In vivoinsecticidal activity showed that compounds 8aand 8gexhibited excellent insecticidal activity against Plutella xylostellaand Mythimna separata, with LC50values of 0.79 and 9.17 mg/L against P. xylostella, respectively, and 3.58 and 83.09 mg/L against M. separata, respectively, making them the most potent chitinase inhibitors with in vivoinsecticidal activity discovered to date. The inhibition mechanism and binding free energy results suggested that N-methylcarbamoylguanidinyl binds to the −1 catalytic site, while additional interactions acquired by π–π stacking and hydrophobic interactions of the indole scaffold with tryptophan increase the binding affinity of the targets to chitinases. This work provides a new direction for the development of chitinase inhibitors with compounds 8aand 8gpotentially serving as promising candidates for pesticide development.

To quantify the burden of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and related metabolic disorders in premenopausal women.

Macroaggregate organic carbon (Macro-OC) accumulation in paddy soils is of great significance in promoting multiple agroecosystem services. However, the effects of different fertilization practices on Macro-OC accumulation in paddy soils at the regional scale have not been comprehensively investigated. Here, we conducted long-term fertilization field experiments at four sites, Taoyuan, Wangcheng, Jinxian, and Suzhou, in the subtropical area of China to reveal the effects of inorganic and organic-inorganic (OIF) fertilization on Macro-OC accumulation and its relationships with important microbial traits (the abundance ratio of GH48:cbhIgenes and the richness of keystone bacterial taxa) in paddy soils. The results showed that long-term fertilization (particularly OIF) significantly increased the content of Macro-OC, which mainly consisted of particulate organic carbon (C). Organic-inorganic fertilization decreased the percentage of O-alkyl C but increased the percentages of alkyl, aromatic, and phenolic C. Organic-inorganic fertilization promoted the abundance of the bacterial cellulose-degrading gene GH48retrieved from macroaggregates. The orders Anaerolineales, Bacillales, and Clostridiales were identified as keystone bacterial taxa in macroaggregates and were significantly correlated with the physical fraction and chemical structure of Macro-OC. Structural equation modeling revealed that fertilization-induced changes in soil pH and C:N ratio affected the richness of Anaerolineales, Bacillales, and Clostridiales, which was strongly associated with the increase of percentages of aromatic and phenolic C and further facilitated Macro-OC accumulation. Together, these results suggested that OIF promoted Macro-OC accumulation associated with key bacterial populations in paddy soils. The results provide an important basis for boosting soil C accrual in the subtropical rice-growing areas.

sp3-Carbon nanothreads (sp3-CNTh) have attracted broad attention due to their one-dimensional diamond-based structure and predicted excellent mechanical and electrical properties. The quality of CNTh is significantly affected by defects and disorders, and the synthesis of ordered CNTh is still very challenging. Here, we successfully synthesized an orderly stacked fused-ring CNTh from azulene, with an obvious color change from blue to orange. At 1.2 GPa, azulene underwent a phase transition, as identified by in situ spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Above 15 GPa, azulene reacted irreversibly, forming an orderly stacked CNTh, confirmed by XRD and transmission electron microscopy. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance of CNTh revealed the presence of both sp2- and sp3-C. Our study reported an orderly stacked fused-ring CNTh and elucidated its formation through a high-pressure chemical reaction of azulene, which gives new insights into the pressure-induced polymerization of aromatics and is of benefit for designing and synthesizing new CNThs.

Realizing topological transformation through supramolecular fusion is particularly challenging, as the self-assembly of disparate components often results in the orthogonal assembly of building blocks into distinct structures rather than the formation of a heteroleptic architecture. This study introduces a topological transformation, transitioning from a figure-eight knot (41knot) to a Solomon link (412link) through a supramolecular fusion process. By employing two structurally similar amino acid ligands (L1and L3) of varying lengths as bridge ligands, we obtained figure-eight knot 1and a molecular tweezer-like compound 3when individually complexed with binuclear Cp*Rh acceptor B1. Our results revealed that subtle modifications to bridge ligands can lead to dramatic changes in their structures and recognition properties. Moreover, we successfully achieved the targeted formation of a heteroleptic Solomon link 4by blending figure-eight knot 1and compound 3in a 1:1 ratio without the need for templates. This procedure effortlessly converted the 41knot into a 412link, thus marking a significant advancement in the topological transformation. This work not only marks the construction of the first heteroleptic Solomon link comprising two distinct metallamacrocycles but also demonstrates a process of supramolecular fusion-based topological transformation involving three distinct topological structures.

A novel ratiometric fluorescent assay was proposed for protamine and heparin based on blue‐emitting N,P‐doped carbon dots (N,P‐CDs) and green‐emitting Eosin Y. The N,P‐CDs were prepared using arginine as carbon and nitrogen sources according to hydrothermal method with favorable luminescence intensity, photostability, and good reproducibility. And the N,P‐CDs were used as internal reference fluorescence molecules. The anionic Eosin Y was used as fluorescence signal molecule. Protamine with positive group could interact with Eosin Y through electrostatic effect, leading to the fluorescence quenching of Eosin Y. Upon the addition of heparin, heparin was combined with protamine with stronger affinity through electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds, which preventing the bonding of protamine with Eosin Y and obvious fluorescence emissions of Eosin Y at 538 nm could be observed. Meanwhile, the fluorescence signal of N,P‐CDs at 420 nm remained stable during the whole process. A good linear range between the fluorescence emission intensity ratio of I538/I420was obtained for protamine from 0.01 to 40 μg/mL with a low detection limit of 5.6 ng/mL, and heparin from 0 to 35 μg/mL with a low detection limit of 2.5 ng/mL. Moreover, the method was further applied to detection of heparin with satisfactory results in fetal bovine serum samples. A novel ratiometric fluorescent strategy was proposed for sensitive detection of protamine and heparin based on N,P‐doped CDs and Eosin Y.

In order to rapidly and accurately detect ipomeamarone using hyperspectral image technology sweet potato inoculated with Ceratocystis fimbriata(that can infect sweet potato with black spot disease, leading to the generation of ipomeamarone) was used as the research object, methods of hyperspectral characterization information extraction and robust model construction for ipomeamarone content were explored. After eliminating the effects of noisy signals and offsetting baseline, hyperspectral characterization information of ipomeamarone was extracted by the successive projection algorithm (SPA) and the competitive adaptive reweighted sampling algorithm (CARS), 26 and 48 optimal characteristic wavelengths were extracted, respectively; Based on the extracted characteristic wavelengths, back propagation neural network (BPNN), least squares support vector machine (LSSVM), radial basis function neural network(RBFNN), partial least squares regression(PLSR)and extreme learning machine (ELM) prediction models were established, respectively. The performance of prediction models was compared and the results showed that the LSSVM model based on characterization information extracted by CARS (CARS-LSSVM) was optimal, with a R2of 0.968 and a RMSE of 0.2678. the content change and distribution of ipomeamarone in sweet potato samples were clearly illustrated in pseudo-color plots based on the prediction results of the CARS-LSSVM mode. Simultaneously electron microscope scanning (SEM) was performed for the sweet potato samples, the SEM results showed that the texture of sweet potato was varied with the development of black spot disease. The research provided a new method for the detection of ipomeamarone; and provided a basis for the early prevention and control of sweet potato black spot disease.

This article investigates an underwater single capacitive coupled simultaneous wireless power and data transfer (USCC-SWPDT) system, aiming to extend the operational range and communication capability in submerged environments. Traditional inductive methods face limitations due to seawater's eddy current loss, which the USCC-SWPDT system addresses, thereby enabling power and bidirectional data transmission over 1 m. The system represents a marked improvement in range and capability compared to its inductive counterparts. First, the working principle of wireless power transfer by a single capacitive coupled mechanism is explained. Second, the transfer properties of the power and data channels are analyzed in detail by employing the two-port network theory. Next, the crosstalk and misalignment characteristics of the power and data channels are investigated. Finally, an experimental prototype with a separation distance of 1 m, transmission power of 300 W, and bidirectional data rate of 500 kb/s verifies the feasibility of the USCC-SWPDT system. By comparing the bit error rate of communication system in differential phase shift keying modulation mode at different transfer power and different data rates, the USCC-SWPDT system proposed in this article can achieve simultaneous wireless power and data transfer in seawater at 1 m level.

The global challenges related to climate change and carbon emissions are constantly escalating. It is important to explore the factors that affect carbon emissions in countries rich in natural resources. However, the nexus among natural resources, e-government, green technology innovation, and carbon emissions has not yet been demonstrated. Therefore, this study explores the impact of the above three dependent variables on carbon emissions using data from five resource-rich SCO countries spanning from 2000 to 2022. This study further controls the quality of the institution and GDP. Unlike existing studies, it introduces an innovative interaction term between e-government and green technology innovation. The cross-sectional enhanced distributed hysteresis (CS-ARDL) method was employed for the analysis. The findings indicate that natural resources and GDP positively contribute to carbon emissions, while institutional quality and the interaction between green technology innovation and e-government have a negative impact. In the short run, green technology innovation has a non-significant impact on carbon emissions, while e-government has a positive impact. However, in the long run, both green technology innovation and e-government have a negative impact on carbon emissions. These findings suggest that promoting the simultaneous development of e-government and green technology innovation can help reduce carbon emissions. The paper is of great significance for further promoting the construction of e-government. In addition, the paper is of great reference value for policymakers in launching carbon reduction policies.

Glucose and lipid metabolism dysregulation in skeletal muscle contributes to the development of metabolic disorders. The efficacy of fucoxanthin in alleviating lipid metabolic disorders in skeletal muscle remains poorly understood. In this study, we systematically investigated the impact of fucoxanthin on mitigating lipid deposition and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle employing palmitic acid-induced lipid deposition in C2C12 cells and ob/obmice. Fucoxanthin significantly alleviated PA-induced skeletal muscle lipid deposition and insulin resistance. In addition, fucoxanthin prominently upregulated the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes (Pparαand Cpt-1), promoting fatty acid β-oxidation metabolism. Additionally, fucoxanthin significantly increased the expression of Pgc-1αand Tfam, elevated the mtDNA/nDNA ratio, and reduced ROS levels. Further, we identified pyruvate kinase muscle isozyme 1 (PKM1) as a high-affinity protein for fucoxanthin by drug affinity-responsive target stability and LC–MS and confirmed their robust interaction by CETSA, microscale thermophoresis, and circular dichroism. Supplementation with pyruvate, the product of PKM1, significantly attenuated the beneficial effects of fucoxanthin on lipid deposition and insulin resistance. Mechanistically, fucoxanthin reduced glucose glycolysis rate and enhanced mitochondrial biosynthesis and fatty acid β-oxidation through inhibiting PKM1 activity, thereby alleviating lipid metabolic stress. These findings present a novel clinical strategy for treating metabolic diseases using fucoxanthin.

Loss of HMGB1 can inhibit the autophagy, migration, and invasion of placental trophoblast cells by inhibiting the ERK signaling pathway.Graphical Abstract

Trichogramma, a genus of egg parasitoid wasps, are widely used as biological control agents and serve as model organisms in parasitoid research. Despite their significance, the understanding of RNA interference (RNAi) in Trichogramma remains very limited. We identified RNAi-associated genes by bioinformatic approaches and experimentally assessed the feasibility of gene knockdown via RNAi for gene functional studies, as well as the susceptibility of T. dendrolimi to envionmental RNAi (dsRNAs targeting 12 genes ). We found that Trichogramma genomes contain a complete set of genes in the RNAi pathway and exhibit extensive gene expansion of dsRNase, which may influence RNAi efficiency by degrading dsRNA. We demonstrated successful RNAi through pupal microinjection in T. dendrolimi Matsumura, providing a technical approach for future gene functional studies. In addition, we observed no evidence of susceptibility to environmental RNAi in either T. dendrolimi adults or larvae. This low environmental RNAi sensitivity in Trichogramma could suggest a reduced risk of RNAi-based pest management strategies affecting nontarget Trichogramma populations. Overall, this study presents a technical approach for conducting gene functional studies in Trichogramma and provides a foundation for evaluating the nontarget effects of RNAi-based pest control strategies on Trichogramma.

AbstractObjective:Head-up tilt test (HUTT) is an important tool in the diagnosis of pediatric vasovagal syncope. This research will explore the relationship between syncopal symptoms and HUTT modes in pediatric vasovagal syncope.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 2513 children aged 3–18 years, who were diagnosed with vasovagal syncope, from Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2021 due to unexplained syncope or pre-syncope. The average age was 11.76 ± 2.83 years, including 1124 males and 1389 females. The patients were divided into the basic head-up tilt test (BHUT) group (596 patients) and the sublingual nitroglycerine head-up tilt test (SNHUT) group (1917 patients) according to the mode of positive HUTT at the time of confirmed pediatric vasovagal syncope.Results:(1) Baseline characteristics: Age, height, weight, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and composition ratio of syncope at baseline status were higher in the BHUT group than in the SNHUT group (all P< 0.05). (2) Univariate analysis: Age, height, weight, HR, SBP, DBP, and syncope were potential risk factors for BHUT positive (all P< 0.05). (3) Multivariate analysis: syncope was an independent risk factor for BHUT positive, with a probability increase of 121% compared to pre-syncope (P<0.001).Conclusion:The probability of BHUT positivity was significantly higher than SNHUT in pediatric vasovagal syncope with previous syncopal episodes.

Study design: Cross-sectional study. Objectives: To study the relationship between the structural changes in the cervical spinal cord (C2/3 level) and the sensorimotor function of children with traumatic thoracolumbar spinal cord injury (TLSCI) and to discover objective imaging biomarkers to evaluate its functional status. Setting: Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Brain Informatics, China. Methods: 30 children (age range 5–13 years) with TLSCI and 11 typically developing (TD) children (age range 6–12 years) were recruited in this study. Based on whether there is preserved motor function below the neurological level of injury (NLI), the children with TLSCI are divided into the AIS A/B group (motor complete) and the AIS C/D group (motor incomplete). A Siemens Verio 3.0 T MR scanner was used to acquire 3D high-resolution anatomic scans covering the head and upper cervical spinal cord. Morphologic parameters of the spinal cord at the C2/3 level, including cross-sectional area (CSA), anterior-posterior width (APW), and left-right width (LRW) were obtained using the spinal cord toolbox (SCT; https://www.nitrc.org/projects/sct). Correlation analyses were performed to compare the morphologic spinal cord parameters and clinical scores determined by the International Standard for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injuries (ISNCSCI) examination. Results: CSA and LRW in the AIS A/B group were significantly lower than those in the TD group and the AIS C/D group. LRW was the most sensitive imaging biomarker to differentiate the AIS A/B group from the AIS C/D group. Both CSA and APW were positively correlated with ISNCSCI sensory scores. Conclusions: Quantitative measurement of the morphologic spinal cord parameters of the cervical spinal cord can be used as an objective imaging biomarker to evaluate the neurological function of children with TLSCI. Cervical spinal cord atrophy in children after TLSCI was correlated with clinical grading; CSA and APW can reflect sensory function. Meanwhile, LRW has the potential to be an objective imaging biomarker for evaluating motor function preservation.

Caries is a destructive condition caused by bacterial infection that affects the hard tissues of the teeth, significantly reducing the quality of life for individuals. Photothermal therapy (PTT) offers a noninvasive and painless treatment for caries, but the use of unsafe laser irradiance limits its application. To address this challenge, we prepared nanoparticles of silver ion-doped Prussian blue (AgPB), which was encased within cationic guar gum (CG) to form the antibacterial PTT hydrogel CG-AgPB with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 34.4%. When exposed to an 808 nm laser at a power density of 0.4 W/cm2, the hydrogel readily reached a temperature of over 50 °C in just 3 min, synchronized by the discharge of Ag+ions from the interstitial sites of AgPB crystals, resulting in broad-spectrum and synergistic antibacterial activities (>99%) against individual oral pathogens (Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus mutans, and Streptococcus sobrinus) and pathogen-induced biofilms. In vivo, CG-AgPB-mediated PTT demonstrated a capability to profoundly reduce the terminal number of cariogenic bacteria to below 1% in a rat model of caries. Given the outstanding biocompatibility, injectability, and flushability, this CG-AgPB hydrogel may hold promise as a next-generation oral hygiene adjunct for caries management in a clinical setting.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, encodes several accessory proteins that have been shown to play crucial roles in regulating the innate immune response. However, their expressions in infected cells and immunogenicity in infected humans and mice are still not fully understood. This study utilized various techniques such as luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS), immunofluorescence ​assay (IFA), and western ​blot (WB) to detect accessory protein-specific antibodies in sera of COVID-19 patients. Specific antibodies to proteins 3a, 3b, 7b, 8 and 9c can be detected by LIPS, but only protein 3a antibody was detected by IFA or WB. Antibodies against proteins 3a and 7b were only detected in ICU patients, which may serve as a marker for predicting disease progression. Further, we investigated the expression of accessory proteins in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells and identified the expressions of proteins 3a, 6, 7a, 8, and 9b. We also analyzed their ability to induce antibodies in immunized mice and found that only proteins 3a, 6, 7a, 8, 9b and 9c were able to induce measurable antibody productions, but these antibodies lacked neutralizing activities and did not protect mice from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our findings validate the expression of SARS-CoV-2 accessory proteins and elucidate their humoral immune response, providing a basis for protein detection assays and their role in pathogenesis.