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Recurrent epidemics of respiratory infections have drawn attention from the academic community and the general public in recent years. Aircraft plays a pivotal role in facilitating the cross-regional transmission of pathogens. In this study, we initially utilized an Airbus A320 model for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, subsequently validating the model's efficacy in characterizing cabin airflow patterns through comparison with empirical data. Building upon this validated framework, we investigate the transport dynamics of droplets of varying sizes under three air supply velocities. The Euler-Lagrangian method is employed to meticulously track key parameters associated with droplet transport, enabling a comprehensive analysis of particle behavior within the cabin environment. This study integrates acquired data into a novel PCR (Personal Contamination Rate) equation to assess individual contamination rates. Numerical simulations demonstrate that increasing air supply velocity leads to enhanced stability in the movement of larger particles compared to smaller ones. Results show that the number of potential infections in the cabin decreases by 51.8% at the highest air supply velocity compared to the base air supply velocity, and the total exposure risk rate reduced by 26.4%. Thus, optimizing air supply velocity within a specific range effectively reduces the potential infection area. In contrast to previous research, this study provides a more comprehensive analysis of droplet movement dynamics across various particle sizes. We introduce an improved method for calculating the breathing zone, thereby enhancing droplet counting accuracy. These findings have significant implications for improving non-pharmacological public health interventions and optimizing cabin ventilation system design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choledochal cysts (CCs) are an important risk factor for cholangiocarcinoma, though their etiology remains debated. Given the vital role of bile fluid in digestive processes within the biliary system, examining such mechanisms from the perspective of bile fluid dynamics may offer additional insights for clinical use. This study utilized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based patient-specific scans for detailed reconstruction and further employed the computational fluid dynamic method to assess the physiological functions of each system, including refilling and emptying processes. The impact of bile rheological property was also examined. Key biomechanical parameters—pressure and wall shear stress (WSS)—were displayed on a two-dimensional plane via surface mapping for enhanced visualization and comparative analysis. Outcomes demonstrated a significant reduction in bile flow velocity in CCs patients due to common bile duct's anatomical features and bile's shear-thinning, non-Newtonian nature, with a notable increase in pressure drop observed. In healthy biliary systems, WSS variations were minimal; however, in CCs patients, extreme WSS differences were found, with the highest WSS in the segmental bile duct and the lowest in the dilatation area, presenting a magnitude difference of approximately 1000. CCs one showed WSS levels 100–250 times higher than healthy ones in the common bile duct. Bile rheological properties substantially affect pressure and WSS patterns, particularly WSS, where pathological bile caused a tenfold increase in WSS compared to healthy bile. The findings aimed to enhance the understanding of biliary fluid mechanics in CCs and offer insights into selected fluidic variables for future microfluidic chip experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural killer (NK) cell is a valuable tool for immunotherapy in cancer treatment, both the cultured cell line NK92 and primary NK cells are widely studied and used in research and clinical trials. Clinical observations witnessed the improvement of patients' NK cells in terms of cell counts and cytotoxic activity upon dasatinib treatment, an approved drug for chronic myeloid leukaemia and Ph+ acute lymphocytic leukaemia. Several studies supported the clinical observations, yet others argued a detrimental effect of dasatinib on NK cells. Due to the complex conditions in different studies, the definite influence of dasatinib on NK92 and primary NK cells remains to be settled. Here, we used a well‐defined in vitro system to evaluate the effects of dasatinib on NK92 cells and peripheral blood (PB)‐NK cells. By co‐culturing NK cells with dasatinib to test the cell counts and target cell‐killing activities, we surprisingly found that the chemical influenced oppositely on these two types of NK cells. While dasatinib suppressed NK92 cell proliferation and cytotoxic activity, it improved PB‐NK‐killing tumour cells. RNA sequencing analysis further supported this finding, uncovering several proliferating and cytotoxic pathways responding invertedly between them. Our results highlighted an intrinsic difference between NK92 and PB‐NK cells and may build clues to understand how dasatinib interacts with NK cells in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro cell culturing witnessed its applications in scientific research and industrial activities. Attempts to shorten the doubling time of cultured cells have never ceased. In plants, auxin is applied to promote plant growth, the synthetic derivative 1‐Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) is a good example. Despite the auxin's naturally occurring receptors are not present in mammalian cells, studies suggested they may affect cell culturing. Yet the effects and mechanisms are still unclear. Here, an up to 2‐fold increase in the yield of in vitro cultured human cells is observed. Different types of human cell lines and primary cells are tested and found that NAA is effective in all the cells tested. The PI staining followed by FACS suggested that NAA do not affect the cell cycling. Apoptosis‐specific dye staining analysis implicated that NAA rescued cell death. Further bulk RNA sequencing is done and it is identified that the lipid metabolism‐engaging and anti‐apoptosis gene, ANGPTL4, is enhanced in expression upon NAA treatment. Studies on ANGPTL4 knockout cells indicated that ANGPTL4 is required for NAA‐mediated response. Thus, the data identified a beneficial role of NAA in human cell culturing and highlighted its potency in in vitro cell culturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The novel coronavirus nucleic acid results are the core indicators of illness monitoring. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between immunological features and positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid by analyzing the clinical and immunological features in nonsevere COVID-19 cases. Methods. Data from nonsevere COVID-19 patients admitted to Haihe Hospital from May 2020 to June 2021 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Results. (1) A total of 122 cases were reviewed in the present study, including 38 mild and 84 moderate cases. The average age of mild cases was significantly different from moderate cases (P < 0.001). Eight patients complained of hyposmia and it was more frequent in mild cases (P < 0.001). The nucleic acid positive duration (NPD) of nonsevere novel coronavirus was 20.49 (confidence interval (CI) 17.50–3.49) days. (2) The levels of specific IgM and IgG for COVID-19 were higher in mild cases than in moderate cases (P = 0.023 and P = 0.047 , respectively). (3) The correlation analysis with antibodies and T-cell subtypes showed that the lymphocyte (LYM) count, T cells, CD4+T cells, and CD8+T cells had a linear correlation with NPD. (4) Among the 93 patients monitored, 62 COVID-19 cases presented a progressive rise of specific IgM and IgG. The daily increase rates of IgM and IgG were 38.42% (CI 28.22–48.61%) and 24.90% (CI 0.23–29.58%), respectively. Conclusion. The levels and daily increase rates of specific IgM and IgG against the virus can vary between cases. The NPD presented a linear correlation with the LYM, T cells, CD4+T cells, and CD8+T cells. Hence, more attention should be paid to these indicators in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With airborne transmissions found as one of the major transmission routes of SARS-CoV-2, its transmission in airliner cabin environments drew special attention due to high number of imported cases and in-cabin transmissions. This study numerically investigated the transmission of COVID-19 by cough-induced particles in a cabin section of Boeing 737 model. One passenger was coughing in each case, while cough particles with measured size distributions were released during coughs and were tracked using the Lagrangian framework. Outcomes revealed that cough flow released by passengers could develop rapidly into a strong turbulent cough jet, breaking up the local airflow field. The released cough particles were largely dominated by the cough jet within 5 s, especially the first 1.5 s. Deposition of particles under 100 µm were relatively delayed when released from a window-seat location. Small particles (under 50 µm) released by a window-seat passenger were more likely to spread widely in the studied cabin section, which could lead to the highest exposure risks to nearby passengers. Also, due to ventilation design and seating arrangement, cough particles released by the middle-seat passenger were found easily trapped in his/her own local environment. Cough particles released from aisle-seat passengers had the least exposure risk to adjacent passengers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important to investigate the firing activities of neurons, and previous experimental works have shown that fractional-order neuronal models depict the firing rate of neurons more verifiably. In this study, a modified fractional-order Hindmarsh–Rose neuronal model is proposed, and the dynamics and firing activities are investigated. Some novel phenomenon can be found. First, by analyzing numerically and theoretically, the Hopf bifurcation is found to occur when the external direct current stimulus is chosen appropriately. The effects of fractional-order on the bifurcation are also studied. Second, when injecting a direct current stimulus, compared with the integer-order model, the system has more varying dynamic behaviors and firing pattern transitions. Under different external current stimulus, periodic firing patterns and chaotic firing patterns occur when fractional-order changes, but the regions of chaotic firing patterns are different. In other words, the transition mode of periodic firing and chaotic firing induced by fractional-order is different under different external current stimulus. The two-dimensional colored diagram of firing patterns is also investigated. Finally, when injecting periodic current stimulus, regular/irregular bursting, multiple spiking, regular\irregular square wave bursting, and mixed firing mods are found by setting the appropriate fractional-order, amplitude, and frequency of the external current stimulus. Some firing patterns cannot be found in integer-order models. When the amplitude is chosen at appropriate values, the region of frequency when the system displays the mixed firing modes decreases with increasing fractional-order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report here U‐Pb age and in situ Hf isotopic results for detrital and magmatic zircons from one conglomerate and four tuffite samples from the Late Triassic Nadigangri Formation across the North Qiangtang depression, Tibet. Coupled with previously published data in the region, this paper proposes new insights into the geochronological framework for the Nadigangri Formation. The deposition ages of tuffite from top to bottom in the Woruo Mountain, Quem Co and Dongqu River, are 203 Ma, 226 Ma, 221.5 Ma and 221.1 Ma, respectively. The detrital zircons yield a younger cluster of ages of 201.5–225 Ma from the conglomerate of the Quem Co Formation. The Late Triassic Nadigangri Formation defines a temporal range approximately between 201 and 225 Ma (Norian‐Rhaetian), including three predominant groups of 220–225 Ma, 210–217 Ma and 201–205 Ma, which correspond with the three main rifting episodes of initial rifting, further rifting and final rifting. Positive εHf(t) value and low model ages in younger detrital zircons suggests a juvenile character. However, the Hf isotopes of magmatic zircons display the presence of reworked ancient crust with 1.1–1.8 Ga. These results provide strong constraints not only on the temporal range of the Late Triassic Nadigangri Formation, but also on the onset of the Qiangtang Mesozoic rift basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyaniline (PAn)-coated conductive paper was prepared by in-situ polymerization of aniline and a two-step process. XPS results confirmed that the bond between PAn and cellulose existed in the form of hydrogen bonding. The mild treatment did not result in the oxidation and degradation of cellulose. Decreased bonding strength of conductive paper was attributed to the coverage of hydroxyl groups on pulp fibers by PAn. For the PAn-coated paper about one in every three nitrogen atoms was doped with p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA). The quinoid imine nitrogens of the PAn molecular chain were preferentially doped. Pulp fibers seemed to be favorable for the doping of PAn with PTSA. The surface resistivity sharply decreased at least two orders of magnitude with a very small increase in the amount of PAn coated (from 3.6% to 4.2%). A continuous conductive network was formed and the surface resistivity was lowest when the amount of PAn coated reached 30.1%. The upper and lower threshold values were around 4% and 30%, respectively. SEM study showed that the shape of the PAn coated on pulp fibers was spherical with a diameter from 100 to 200 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies on the synchronization behaviors of neuronal networks were constructed by integer-order neuronal models. In contrast, this paper proposes that the above topics of symmetrical neuronal networks are constructed by fractional-order Hindmarsh–Rose (HR) models under electromagnetic radiation. They are then investigated numerically. From the research results, several novel phenomena and conclusions can be drawn. First, for the two symmetrical coupled neuronal models, the synchronization degree is influenced by the fractional-order q and the feedback gain parameter k 1 . In addition, the fractional-order or the parameter k 1 can induce the synchronization transitions of bursting synchronization, perfect synchronization and phase synchronization. For perfect synchronization, the synchronization transitions of chaotic synchronization and periodic synchronization induced by q or parameter k 1 are also observed. In particular, when the fractional-order is small, such as 0.6, the synchronization transitions are more complex. Then, for a symmetrical ring neuronal network under electromagnetic radiation, with the change in the memory-conductance parameter β of the electromagnetic radiation, k 1 and q , compared with the fractional-order HR model's ring neuronal network without electromagnetic radiation, the synchronization behaviors are more complex. According to the simulation results, the influence of k 1 and q can be summarized into three cases: β > 0.02 , − 0.06 < β < 0.02 and β < − 0.06 . The influence rules and some interesting phenomena are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nucleic acid-mediated interferon signaling plays a pivotal role in defense against microorganisms, especially during viral infection. Receptors sensing exogenous nucleic acid molecules are localized in the cytosol and endosomes. Cytosolic sensors, including cGAS, RIG-I, and MDA5, and endosome-anchored receptors are toll-like receptors (TLR3, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9). These TLRs share the same domain architecture and have similar structures, facing the interior of endosomes so their binding to nucleic acids of invading pathogens via endocytosis is possible. The correct function of these receptors is crucial for cell homeostasis and effective response against pathogen invasion. A variety of endogenous mechanisms modulates their activities. Nevertheless, naturally occurring mutations lead to aberrant TLR-mediated interferon (IFN) signaling. Furthermore, certain pathogens require a more robust defense against control. Thus, manipulating these TLR activities has a profound impact. High-throughput virtual screening followed by experimental validation led to the discovery of numerous chemicals that can change these TLR-mediated IFN signaling activities. Many of them are unique in selectivity, while others regulate more than one TLR due to commonalities in these receptors. We summarized these nucleic acid-sensing TLR-mediated IFN signaling pathways and the corresponding chemicals activating or deactivating their signaling. [Display omitted] • Endosomal TLRs recognize nucleic acids to activate IFN signaling. • Manipulating endosomal TLRs' activities by chemicals have practical benefits. • Chemicals exert different mechanisms to regulate TLRs' activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We designed a rotary biosensor as a damping effector, with the rotation of the F0F1-ATPase driven by Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) synthesis being indicated by the fluorescence intensity and a damping effect force being induced by the binding of an RNA molecule to its probe on the rotary biosensor. We found that the damping effect could contribute to the resonance phenomenon and energy transfer process of our rotary biosensor in the liquid phase. This result indicates that the ability of the rotary motor to operate in the vibration harmonic mode depends on the environmental conditions and mechanism in that a few molecules of the rotary biosensor could induce all of the sensor molecules to fluoresce together. These findings contribute to the theory study of the ATPase motor and future development of biosensors for ultrasensitive detection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Respiratory disease including interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) and lung cancer is a group of devastating diseases that linked with increased morbidity and healthcare burden. However, respiratory diseases cannot be fully explained by the alternation of genetic information. Genetic studies described that epigenetic mechanisms also participate to transmit genetic information. Recently, many studies demonstrated the role of altered epigenetic modification in the pathogenesis of lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis. Due to lacking effective medication, the underlying pathophysiological processes and causal relationships of lung diseases with epigenetic mechanisms still need to be better understood. Our present review provided a systematic revision of current knowledge concerning diverse epigenetic aberrations in major lung diseases, with special emphasis on DNA methylation, histone modifications, lncRNAs profiles, telomere patterns, as well as chromatin-remodelling complexes. We believed that a new target therapy for lung disease based on findings of the involved epigenetic pathway is a promising future direction., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Li, Feng and Peng.)

Objective: The organizing pneumonia (OP) pattern is the second most common finding in anti-synthase antibody syndrome (ASS), and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) is the most common finding. This study analysed the OP score changes by semiquantitative and quantitative analysis methods and the correlation between the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) indexes and the pulmonary function test parameters (PFTs) in ASS patients., Methods: Data from ASS-OP patients admitted to the respiratory department of Ping Jin Hospital from October 2014 to June 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and analysed., Results: Fourteen ASS-OP patients were recruited for this study. (1) In method-1, the consolidation (CO) score and the mean lung attenuation (MA) of poorly aerated and fibrosis lung fields (MA fibrosis ) (r=0.56, P=0.04), the ground-glass opacity (GGO) score and the MA of non-aerated lung fields (MA nonaerated ) (r=-0.64, P=0.01), and the CO plus the GGO (CG) score and the MA nonaerated (r=-0.59, P=0.03) of the lung fields had liner correlations. In method-2, the GGO score to the MA nonaerated (r=-0.58, P=0.03), and the CG (r=-0.68, P=0.01) score to the MA nonaerated had liner correlations. The FVC% (r=0.68, P=0.01) and FEV 1 % (r=0.64, P=0.01) to the MA fibrosis had good linear correlations. (2) Compared to the values before treatment, the CO pattern score, volume and weight percentages of the extracted whole lung volume with attenuation values of the nonaerated area (V nonated %, W nonaerated %), the volume of poorly aerated and fibrosis lung tissue (V fibrosis %, W fibrosis %), the weight percentages of normal aerated lung (W normal %), and the MA fibrosis exhibited significant differences during the 3-6 month follow-up period., Conclusion: The GGO and CO scored by the semiquantitative or quantitative analysis methods was similar. The HRCT quantitative analysis parameters showed a good correlation with the PFTs in ASS-OP patients, can provide an accurate OP pattern interpretation, and may be used as a monitoring and therapeutic indicator for ASS-OP patients., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

The conventional hemagglutinin (HA)- and neuraminidase (NA)-based influenza vaccines need to be updated most years and are ineffective if the glycoprotein HA of the vaccine strains is a mismatch with that of the epidemic strain. Universal vaccines targeting conserved viral components might provide cross-protection and thus complement and improve conventional vaccines. In this study, we generated DNA plasmids and recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing the conserved proteins nucleoprotein (NP), polymerase basic 1 (PB1), and matrix 1 (M1) from influenza virus strain A/Beijing/30/95 (H3N2). BALB/c mice were immunized intramuscularly with a single vaccine based on NP, PB1, or M1 alone or a combination vaccine based on all three antigens and were then challenged with lethal doses of the heterologous influenza virus strain A/PR/8/34 (H1N1). Vaccines based on NP, PB1, and M1 provided complete or partial protection against challenge with 1.7 50% lethal dose (LD50) of PR8 in mice. Of the three antigens, NP-based vaccines induced protection against 5 LD50 and 10 LD50 and thus exhibited the greatest protective effect. Universal influenza vaccines based on the combination of NP, PB1, and M1 induced a strong immune response and thus might be an alternative approach to addressing future influenza virus pandemics., (Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.)

Objective: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is defined as a specific form of chronic, progressive fibrosing interstitial pneumonia with unknown cause. We analyzed the changed rate of pulmonary function and arterial blood gas in IPF patients, and evaluated their influence of changed rate to IPF prognosis., Methods: 81 patients with IPF were recruited successfully, they were followed-up at 6 and 12 months. Dyspnea score and respiratory assessment parameters including FVC, FEV1, TLC, SaO2, PA-aO2, and DLCO were evaluated at their 6 and 12 months follow-up. The changed value and changed rate of above parameters were calculated, and their treatment effects were divided into 3 subgroup: improved, stable and deteriorated group. Statistical analysis was performed between groups for survival and hazards regression analysis., Results: 55 of 81 patients were follow-up at 12 months. Dyspnea score and its changed rate, the changed value of FEV1%, FVC%, TLC%, DLCO%, and PaO2, SaO2, PA-aO2 were prognosis effect factors in IPF patients in 6 and 12 months group. The survival analysis of dyspnea scores, FVC%, TLC%, DLCO%, PaO2, SaO2 and PA-aO2 at K-M were all statistical significant (P < 0.05) in improved, stable and deteriorated group., Conclusion: FVC% changed rate, dyspnea score changed rate and PaO2 changed rate were IPF patient prognosis associated factors in 6 months group; and FVC% changed rate, DLCO% changed rate and TLC% changed rate were prognosis associated factors for IPF patient in 12 months group.