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Psoriasis is a chronic skin inflammation influenced by dysregulated skin microbiota, with the role of microbiota in psoriasis gaining increasing prominence. Bacterial extracellular vesicles (bEVs) serve as crucial regulators in the interaction between hosts and microbiota. However, the mechanism underlying the therapeutic potential of bEVs from commensal bacteria in psoriasis remains unclear. Here, we investigated the therapeutic role of Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes)-derived extracellular vesicles (CA-EVs) in psoriasis treatment. To prolong the active duration of CA-EVs, we encapsulated them in gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) to fabricate hydrogel microspheres (CA-EVs@GHM) with sustained release properties. As GelMA degraded, CA-EVs were gradually released, maintaining a high concentration in mouse skin even 96 h post-treatment. In human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT), CA-EVs@GHM enhanced resistance to Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), promoted proliferation and migration of HaCaT cells exposed to S. aureus , and significantly reduced the expression of inflammatory genes such as interleukin (IL)-6 and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8). In vivo , CA-EVs@GHM, more potent than CA-EVs alone, markedly attenuated proinflammatory gene expression, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), Il6, Il17a, Il22 and Il23a in imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like mice, and restored skin barrier function. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that CA-EVs@GHM might provide therapeutic effects against psoriasis by restoring microbiota diversity on the back skin of mice, reducing Staphylococcus colonization, and augmenting lipid metabolism. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis showed that CA-EVs@GHM prevented the conversion of type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) to type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3) in psoriasis-like mouse skin, reducing the pathogenic ILC3 population and suppressing the secretion of IL-17 and IL-22. In summary, our findings demonstrate that the long-term sustained release of CA-EVs alleviated psoriasis symptoms by controlling the transformation of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) subgroups and restoring skin microbiota homeostasis, thus offering a promising therapy for psoriasis treatment. Cutibacterium acnes , which is reduced in psoriasis skin, has been reported to promote skin homeostasis by regulating immune balance. Compared to live bacteria, bacterial extracellular vesicles (bEVs) are less prone to toxicity and safety concerns. bEVs play a pivotal role in maintaining bacterial homeostasis and modulating the immune system. However,bEVs without sustained release materials are unable to function continuously in chronic diseases. Therefore, we utilized hydrogel microspheres to encapsulate Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes)-derived extracellular vesicles (CA-EVs), enabling long term sustained release. Our findings indicate that, CA-EVs loaded gelatin methacrylate hydrogel microspheres (CA-EVs@GHM) showed superior therapeutic effects in treating psoriasis compared to CA-EVs. CA-EVs@GHM exhibited a more significant regulation of pathological type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3) and skin microbiota, providing a promising approach for microbiota-derived extracellular vesicle therapy in the treatment of skin inflammation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steel slag has been investigated as a potential aggregate for pavement-wearing courses in road engineering. The volume stability, resistance to high and low temperatures, and water stability for asphalt mixtures containing steel slag have been widely studied. As for the skid resistance, previous studies have primarily focused on the initial performance. The relationship between the steel slag's appearance morphology and skid resistance during the wearing process remains to be further explored. It is essential to undertake a comparative study on the long-term skid resistance of steel slag and conventional aggregates to address the differences. This research picked two steel slags and two types of conventional aggregates (granite and limestone) as research samples. The chosen aggregate samples underwent various degrees of wear treatment with the Los Angeles abrasion machine, and their angularity was examined utilizing an aggregate image measurement system (AIMS). Based on the polishing pre-treatment, the micro-texture of the aggregates was observed with the assistance of a laser confocal microscope, and its correlation with skid resistance was determined. British pendulum number (BPN) tests were also conducted and analyzed at various polishing durations. The results show that steel slag has a low abrasion rate and higher initial angularity and abrasion resistance compared to natural stones. The micro-texture analysis demonstrates that steel slags have a coarser roughness, more contact points, and more durable abrasion resistance. Additionally, the fluctuations in BPN further prove that steel slag has superior initial and sustained skid resistance. Overall, steel slag can be a promising alternative for pavement-wearing course aggregate due to its superior long-term skid resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newly synthesized chemicals are being introduced into the environment without undergoing proper toxicological evaluation, particularly in terms of their effects on the vulnerable neurodevelopment. Thus, it is important to carefully assess the developmental neurotoxicity of these novel environmental contaminants using methods that are closely relevant to human physiology. This study comparatively evaluated the potential developmental neurotoxicity of 19 prevalent environmental chemicals including neonicotinoids (NEOs), organophosphate esters (OPEs), and synthetic phenolic antioxidants (SPAs) at environment-relevant doses (100 nM and 1 μM), using three commonly employed in vitro neurotoxicity models: human neural stem cells (NSCs), as well as the SK-N-SH and PC12 cell lines. Our results showed that NSCs were more sensitive than SK-N-SH and PC12 cell lines. Among all the chemicals tested, the two NEOs imidaclothiz (IMZ) and cycloxaprid (CYC), as well as the OPE tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP), generated the most noticeable perturbation by impairing NSC maintenance and neuronal differentiation, as well as promoting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process, likely via activating NF-κB signaling. Our data indicate that novel NEOs and OPEs, particularly IMZ, CYC, and TDCIPP, may not be safe alternatives as they can affect NSC maintenance and differentiation, potentially leading to neural tube defects and neuronal differentiation dysplasia in fetuses. [Display omitted] • The developmental neurotoxicity of 19 emerging environmental chemicals was assessed. • Neural stem cells were more sensitive to the chemicals than the SK-N-SH and PC12 cell lines. • Among the chemicals tested, IMZ, CYC, and TDCIPP exhibited the most adverse effects. • IMZ, CYC, and TDCIPP impaired NSC maintenance and differentiation, likely via NF-κB. • This study provides valuable insights for the safe use of emerging environmental chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) - cadmium (Cd) complex pollution has been identified as a form of persistent soil pollution in south China, exerting detrimental impacts on the indigenous soil bacterial communities. Hence, it is worthwhile to investigate whether and how bacterial populations alter in response to these pollutants. In this study, Escherichia coli was used as a model bacterium. Results showed that PCP exposure caused bacterial cell membrane permeability changes, intracellular ROS elevation, and DNA fragmentation, and triggered apoptosis-like cell death at low exposure concentration and necrosis at high exposure concentration. Cd exposure caused severe oxidative damage and cell necrosis in the tested bacterial strain. The co-exposure to PCP and Cd elevated the ROS level, stimulated the bacterial caspase activity, and induced DNA fragmentation, thereby leading to an apoptosis-like cell death. In conclusion, PCP-Cd complex pollution can cause bacterial population to decrease through apoptosis-like cell death pathway. However, it is worth noting that the subpopulation survives under the complex pollution stress. [Display omitted] • PCP exposure triggered bacterial apoptosis-like cell death and necrosis. • Cd exposure caused severe bacterial oxidative damage and cell necrosis. • The co-exposure caused bacterial oxidative stress and apoptosis-like cell death. • Bacterial cell membrane depolarization can be a potential ultrasensitive indicator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gelatin-polysaccharide interactions have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their profound effects on the properties (rheology and structure) of various food products. This study investigates the interaction between Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) and gelatin, focusing on the impact of different concentrations LBP (0–2.0%, w/v) on gelation behavior, water mobility, and gelatin structure. The results show that the addition of LBP initially increases and then decreases the gel strength and hardness of the gelatin. Incorporating LBP into gelatin leads to decreased brightness, gelling temperature (T g), gelation rate (k gel), immobile water content, and residue, while increasing the redness, yellowness, bound and free water content, and thermal stability. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffractometer (XRD), cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (Cryo-SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses provide evidence for the existence of hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interactions, and ionic bond interactions between LBP and gelatin, in addition to covalent bonds formed through the Maillard reaction. Moreover, LBP induces changes in the structure of gelatin, including alterations in secondary structure, crystalline structure, and microstructure. AFM observations further indicate that LBP promotes the formation of gelatin aggregates. These findings present promising avenues for the application of LBP-gelatin composite gels as novel materials in the food industries. [Display omitted] • Gelation behaviors and structural changes reveal LBP-gelatin interaction. • LBP-induced changes in gelatin's water mobility. • Incorporation of LBP enhances thermal stability of gelatin. • Modification of gelatin structure by LBP confirmed by FTIR, XRD, Cryo-SEM, and AFM. • LBP-gelatin interaction: Hydrogen bonds, electrostatic and ionic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In previous temperature field reconstructions, the inherent delays introduced by acoustic sensors were often overlooked in the actual measurement of acoustic signals.In this paper, we propose a Spatio-Temporal Feature Extraction (STFE) method that takes into account this delay information to achieve more accurate temperature field reconstruction. • No one has done time-series prediction in the highly dynamic and nonlinear background of temperature field before, especially the location of each path is different, it is more difficult to do time-series prediction with time in different dimensions, and this paper contributes to the time-series prediction in this aspect. • The problem of time resolution of the reconstructed image of the temperature field has been solved after reconstructing the measured time-of -flight (TOF) and, at the same time, a great contribution has been made to both the accuracy and the overall error of the reconstruction of the position of the temperature field. The temperature distribution within a furnace chamber is a key parameter reflecting the combustion condition of the boiler, and acoustic tomography provides an accurate quantitative reconstruction of the temperature distribution within the chamber's overlay. However, during the measurement process of acoustic tomography, the inherent latency in ultrasonic sensor data acquisition is a challenge for the real-time detection of the temperature field. When using ultrasonic sensors to measure the time-of-flight (TOF) of acoustic waves in the furnace chamber, the temperature properties of the chamber are recorded at different time points due to the sequential nature of signal transmission and reception, and the propagation paths of the recordings are different at different moments due to the different installation locations of the sensors, so utilizing this temporal information to reconstruct the temperature field is a complex challenge. The aim of this study is to accurately reconstruct the temperature field at each moment by utilizing the TOF of different attributes. To this end, a sophisticated multi-dimensional time series analytical framework is proposed to elucidate the temperature field dynamics informed by TOF variations by extracting its temporal and spatial features, respectively, to more accurately simulate the evolution process in real engineering. Firstly, the graph structure of each acoustic wave propagation path is established. Spatial correlations are derived from Pearson correlation analysis to form the "equivalent path" matrix. Subsequently, non-negative matrix decomposition is employed to determine the weight of each position. Concurrently, the TOF matrix is utilized to extract temporal features and calculate the time weights corresponding to different temperature field conditions. These two coefficient matrices are reorganized to reconstruct the real-time temperature field for a specific frame. The reconstruction not only precisely delineates the temperature field's variations during the measurement process but also significantly improves the fidelity of reconstruction. Specifically, the position reconstruction accuracy improves by over 4%, with an overall accuracy enhancement exceeding 2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coverage search is widely applied in the maritime military and civilian fields. To improve search efficiency and detection accuracy, we propose an effective and rapid multi-autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) coverage path planning (ER-MCPP) algorithm using side-scan sonar (SSS). First, the given search region was optimized and modeled using grid decomposition. Next, a Voronoi diagram was used to divide and allocate the regions according to the initial position of the AUV. Subsequently, based on the idea of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), a coverage search algorithm for a single AUV was proposed, including a path planning method combining improved lawn mower and outward-spiral methods, an integrated navigation method based on Kalman filtering, and a path tracking method considering ocean currents. In addition, we proposed a fault-tolerant control method. When an AUV fails unexpectedly, the other AUVs can accomplish a coverage search for the region through cooperation. Simulation experiments were performed using the MATLAB software. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is valid. Compared with other methods, our algorithm has better robustness, finds targets more rapidly, and has a higher search efficiency. The practicality of the proposed algorithm is verified through field tests. • The environmental modeling method optimizes arbitrary polygonal regions. • The probabilistic model paves the way for target detection. • The Voronoi diagram method provides optimal region allocation. • The PNT method ensures search efficiency and detection accuracy. • The fault-tolerant strategy improves system robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The progression from naive through formative to primed in vitro pluripotent stem cell states recapitulates epiblast development in vivo during the peri-implantation period of mouse embryo development. Activation of the de novo DNA methyltransferases and reorganization of transcriptional and epigenetic landscapes are key events that occur during these pluripotent state transitions. However, the upstream regulators that coordinate these events are relatively underexplored. Here, using Zfp281 knockout mouse and degron knockin cell models, we identify the direct transcriptional activation of Dnmt3a/3b by ZFP281 in pluripotent stem cells. Chromatin co-occupancy of ZFP281 and DNA hydroxylase TET1, which is dependent on the formation of R-loops in ZFP281-targeted gene promoters, undergoes a "high-low-high" bimodal pattern regulating dynamic DNA methylation and gene expression during the naive-formative-primed transitions. ZFP281 also safeguards DNA methylation in maintaining primed pluripotency. Our study demonstrates a previously unappreciated role for ZFP281 in coordinating DNMT3A/3B and TET1 functions to promote pluripotent state transitions. [Display omitted] • ZFP281 activates Dnmt3a/3b in pluripotent stem cells in vitro and epiblast in vivo • ZFP281 and TET1 undergo bimodal chromatin occupancy in pluripotent state transitions • ZFP281 and TET1 chromatin binding depends on the formation of R-loops at promoters • ZFP281 is necessary for the establishment and maintenance of primed pluripotency The naive, formative, and primed pluripotent states and their interconversions recapitulate the pluripotency continuum during early development. Huang et al. investigate the transcriptional programs and identify an essential role for ZFP281 in coordinating DNMT3A/3B and TET1 to establish the DNA methylation and gene expression programs during the pluripotent state transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study investigated fatigue behavior of CWGs using CWTs to lower the cost of fatigue tests. • The comparative tests demonstrated that it was reasonable to investigate the fatigue behavior of a CWG using a CWT. • Fatigue tests were carried out on CWT specimens with two different waveform radii of R30 and R60. • Fatigue behaviour of CWT specimens were investigated based on hot spot stress concept to consider the stress concentration. • S-N curve was recommended for calculating the fatigue strength of the CWG based on the hot spot stress range. Fatigue of steel corrugated-web girders (CWGs) is a new research topic. This study uses trapezoidal corrugated-web T-section members (CWTs) to lower the cost of fatigue tests when investigating the fatigue behavior of a trapezoidal CWG. First, static tests were conducted, and the CWG under a bending moment and CWT under an axial force were compared, which verified that the flanges had the same stress distribution characteristics under equivalent loads. This demonstrates that it is suitable to investigate the fatigue behavior of a CWG using a CWT. Second, fatigue tests were performed on trapezoidal CWT specimens with two different waveform radii, R30 and R60, and their hot spot stress concentration factors at the fatigue critical location of CWG (the intersection between a parallel fold and an inclined fold of a web) were obtained, which reached 1.63 and 1.54, respectively. Of the 18 CWT specimens that experienced fatigue failure, 72 % of the initial cracks occurred at point S, indicating that this location was the most susceptible to fatigue cracking. The same S-N curve (log 10 N = 12.928-3log 10 Δ σ hs) could be applied in calculating the fatigue strengths of CWTs with different wave radii (R30 and R60) when the hot spot stress range that considered the stress concentration factor (SCF) was used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]