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There is an increasing attention on oxidative derivatives of triglycerides, a group of potential thermal processing induced food toxicants, which are formed during the thermal processing of food lipids. This review aims to summarize current knowledge about their formation mechanisms, detection approaches, and toxicology impacts. Oxidative derivatives of triglycerides are generated through the oxidation, cyclization, polymerization, and hydrolysis of triglycerides under high-temperature and abundant oxygen. The analytical techniques, including GC, HPSEC, MS, 1H-NMR were discussed in analyzing these components. In addition, their toxic effects on human health, including effects on the liver, intestines, cardiovascular system, immune system, and metabolism were elucidated. Information in this review could be used to improve the understanding of oxidative derivatives of triglycerides and ultimately improve academic and industrial strategies for eliminating these compounds in thermal processing food systems.

This paper introduces Cladopus yangjiangensis, a newly identified species that enriches our understanding of the diversity of the Podostemaceae in East Asia. Distinctive in its morphological traits, this species is characterized by the region’s longest flowering shoots and exhibits a high number of elongated leaves per cluster, along with relatively slender roots. Phylogenetic analyses using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference methods on plastome and matK sequences confirm C. yangjiangensis as a distinct species. It forms a clade with C. fukienensis, its closest relative, together branching off from C. austrosinensis. The plastome of C. yangjiangensis is 132,818 bp in length, comprising two inverted repeat regions of 20,881 bp, which are separated by large and small single-copy regions of 78,713 and 12,343 bp, respectively. Genetic analysis reveals the extensive loss of the ycf1 and ycf2 genes in the chloroplast genome, a trait common to the Podostemaceae, suggesting adaptations to environmental conditions or gene transfers to nuclear or mitochondrial genomes. This study improves the clarity of phylogenetic relationships in previous studies and underscores the importance of continued taxonomic and phylogenetic research.

Single-molecule junctions, integrating individual molecules as active components between electrodes, serve as fundamental building blocks for advanced electronic and sensing technologies. The application of ionic liquids in single-molecule junctions represents a cutting-edge and rapidly evolving field of research at the intersection of nanoscience, materials chemistry, and electronics. This review explores recent advances where ionic liquids function as electrolytes, dielectric layers, and structural elements within single-molecule junctions, reshaping charge transport, redox reactions, and molecular behaviors in these nanoscale systems. We comprehensively dissect fundamental concepts, techniques, and modulation mechanisms, elucidating the roles of ionic liquids as gates, electrochemical controllers, and interface components in single-molecule junctions. Encompassing applications from functional device construction to unraveling intricate chemical reactions, this review maps the diverse applications of ionic liquids in single-molecule junctions. Moreover, we propose critical future research topics in this field, including catalysis involving ionic liquids at the single-molecule level, functionalizing single-molecule devices using ionic liquids, and probing the structure and interactions of ionic liquids. These endeavors aim to drive technological breakthroughs in nanotechnology, energy, and quantum research.

Abstract Delta-like Ligand 3 (DLL3) targeting therapies are promising in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) treatment. However, DLL3 expression in SCLC and other neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) is heterogeneous and not well characterized. We describe the landscape of DLL3 at the mRNA and protein levels across SCLC, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), and non-small cell lung cancer. Additionally, we explore its expression in extra-pulmonary NEN (EP-NEN) using a standardized DLL3 IHC assay. DLL3 expression is enriched in SCLC, LCNEC along with combined histology lung cancers. Moreover, we find a wide range of DLL3 expression in high-grade EP-NEN. We describe heterogenous DLL3 expression not only in SCLC but also in different NEN types. This comprehensive characterization of DLL3 can help guide future clinical trial design targeting DLL3 in NEN including LCNEC and EP-NEN that are lacking standard of care treatment options.

In response to the current challenges of low cutting efficiency and poor surface quality in processing single-crystal silicon, this article proposes the utilization of the micro-discharge abrasive cutting (MDAC) method for processing single-crystal silicon. A comprehensive comparison is conducted among the processing characteristics of the new cutting method and fixed abrasive wire sawing (FAWS) and wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM), including cutting efficiency, surface morphology, subsurface damage, surface roughness, wire saw wear, elemental spectrum analysis, and kerf width. Besides, two material removal modes at different feed rates are discussed. The results indicate that compared with WEDM, MDAC has the advantages of minimal subsurface damage, low surface roughness, low residual elements, and small kerf width. MDAC has higher cutting efficiency and shallower scratch depth than FAWS. However, compared with WEDM and FAWS, MDAC results in more significant wire saw wear and leaves a small amount of residual nickel on the silicon surface. In MDAC, the discharge occurs first. When the discharge energy within the pulse width is sufficient to remove the material within the current pulse cycle, the material is completely removed by the discharge action, the discharge products remain on the surface of the silicon wafer. When the discharge energy is insufficient to remove the material within the current pulse cycle, the silicon ingot is removed under the combined action of discharge and grinding, the diamond on wire saw surface will remove most of the discharge products.

Abstract The interaction between the shock wave and boundary layer of transonic wings can trigger periodic self-excited oscillations, resulting in transonic buffet. Buffet severely restricts the flight envelope of civil aircraft and is directly related to their aerodynamic performance and safety. Developing efficient and reliable techniques for buffet onset prediction is crucial for the advancement of civil aircraft. In this study, utilizing a comprehensive database of supercritical airfoils generated through numerical simulations, a convolutional neural network (CNN) model is firstly developed to perform buffet classification based on the flow fields. After that, employing explainable machine learning techniques, including Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM), random forest algorithms, and statistical analysis, the research investigates the correlations between supervised CNN features and key physical characteristics related with the separation region, shock wave, leading edge suction peak, and post-shock loading. Finally, physical buffet onset metric is established with good generalization and accuracy, providing valuable guidance for engineering design in civil aircraft.

Abstract Excessive intake of red meat may cause damage to colorectal tissue but not cause significant damage to the small intestine. However, the underlying mechanism is not clear. In this study, the effect of myoglobin extracted from red meat was explored on the intestinal barrier function of the mice, and its potential mechanism was elucidated through cell culture experiments. Exclusively high‐dose myoglobin (3.39%, equivalent to 450 g red meat per day for human) resulted in marked intestinal permeability with increased levels of serum endotoxin, diamine oxidase, and d‐lactate but reduced the mRNA levels of tight junction proteins and mucin 2 in the duodenal and colonic tissues. The diet also increased free iron and heme levels in the duodenal and colonic tissues, leading to higher level of oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Metabolomic analysis of colonic contents showed that exclusively high‐dose myoglobin altered the relative content of indole and its derivatives, phenolic compounds, and 5‐hydroxy‐l‐tryptophan by regulating tryptophan metabolism and kynurenine cycle and destroying intestinal homeostasis. The very high myoglobin hydrolysate induced oxidative stress and apoptosis more seriously in HT29 cells than in INT407 cells, which could be the main reason for more severe colon injury. Nevertheless, normal low‐dose intake (0.38% myoglobin, equivalent to 50 g per day for human) did not show the above‐mentioned harmful effects. The findings provided a risk assessment for the dosage of red meat intake and new insights into the relationship between red meat intake and intestinal health.

Abstract The main aim of this study was to explore the correlation between the platelet/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (PHR) and cognitive function in elderly individuals from the United States. This investigation leveraged data encompassing 2299 participants, all aged 60 years and above, from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted from 2011 to 2014. Inclusion criteria were based on the availability of complete datasets for PHR and cognitive function assessments. The analytical approach incorporated multivariate logistic regression to discern the association between PHR and cognitive function. Additionally, the study employed restricted cubic splines (RCS) to explore potential non-linear relationships and subgroup analyses to identify variations in the observed associations across different demographic and clinical subgroups. In the fully adjusted model, an increment of 10 units in PHR was associated with a decline of 0.014 in cognitive scores (β=-0.014, 95% CI: -0.025, -0.002; P

Automatic crop interpretation can provide important reference information for national agricultural decision-making. However, due to the diverse characteristics and complex spatial relationship of crops, remote sensing images taken from a bird's eye view are insufficient in vertical features of crops, making it difficult to interpret crop types and locations accurately. The similar features and blurred edges between different crops make it difficult to extract crop boundaries accurately. Due to the high memory and computational costs, most of the deep learning-based models face efficiency limitations in real-scenario crop interpretation. To address the abovementioned issues, this article proposes a novel lightweight neural network, namely the CropNet, for crop interpretation. Aiming at the problem of feature similarity among different categories of crops, this article designs a global-local path aggregation (GLPA) mechanism, which uses shallow and deep neural networks to extract global detail information and local high-level information to enhance feature discrimination. An edge context feature enhancement module (ECFEM) is proposed to enhance edge and context feature extraction to address the problem of ambiguous crop edges. Finally, a feature fusion module based on an attention mechanism is used to automatically weigh different feature channels to enhance the crop semantics. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the CropNet proposed in this article, we constructed several sets of comparison experiments comparing it with state-of-the-art deep learning models on a manually labeled vehicle-view crop image dataset. The experimental results show that CropNet has better semantic segmentation results with fewer model parameters and lower computational costs.

Abstract Background Reversible splenial lesion syndrome (RESLES) is known as a neuro-imaging syndrome with recurrent but reversible lesion of the corpus callosum, characterized by nonspecific but usually mild encephalopathies and specific imaging manifestations.There are few published reports in the field of oncology. Case presentation A 33-year-old female with right breast cancer and with no particular family history was admitted to hospital with high fever and severe headache, after receiving adjuvant radiotherapy. Blood routine test upon admission suggested neutropenia, considering myelosuppression associated with radiotherapy. There were no definite findings of common pathogenic microorganism, and no imaging indication of certain infectious sites other than a likely reversible corpus callosum syndrome suggested by brain MRI, which was relieved after systemic antibiotic therapy and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor injection. Conclusions Reversible splenial lesion syndrome is a kind of clinical-imaging syndrome with multiple clinical manifestations and etiologies. This breast cancer patient after postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy develops a complication of RESLES that rings an alarm bell to the oncologists not to easily recognize the corpus callosum lesion as infarction or metastasis. Meanwhile, the potential pathogenic mechanisms need to be explored further.

Abstract Deep learning enhances earthquake monitoring capabilities by mining seismic waveforms directly. However, current neural networks, trained within specific areas, face challenges in generalizing to diverse regions. Here, we employ a data recombination method to create generalized earthquakes occurring at any location with arbitrary station distributions for neural network training. The trained models can then be applied universally with different monitoring setups for earthquake detection and parameter evaluation from continuous seismic waveform streams. This allows real-time Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) to be initiated at the very early stages of an occurring earthquake. When applied to substantial earthquake sequences across Japan and California (US), our models reliably report most earthquake locations and magnitudes within 4 seconds of the initial P-wave arrival, with mean errors of 2.6-7.3 km and 0.05-0.32, respectively. The generalized neural networks facilitate global applications of real-time EEW, eliminating complex empirical configurations typically required by traditional methods.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify facilitators and barriers to parent-child communication in pediatric palliative care, providing insights for medical professionals developing targeted interventions to enhance parent-child communication and improve its effectiveness. Methods: Whittemore and Knafl’s integrative review method was employed to guide a systematic search for literature in six databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library). Peer-reviewer articles published in the English language from inception to December 2023. All of the identified studies were screened, extracted, and analyzed independently by two researchers. Results: Twenty-four articles were included. The findings of the relevant studies were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes were identified as facilitators: legacy-making, resilience training programs, guidance from the healthcare team, and positive communication. Seven themes were identified as barriers: denial, being unprepared and evasive, mutual protection, being overwhelmed by painful emotions and overloaded with information, incorrect views of medical professionals and parents, negative communication, and cultural context. Conclusions: Parents and professionals should avoid myths about protecting the child and encourage open communication that respects the child’s wishes. The specialized pediatric palliative care team should carefully monitor parent-child communication, determine if any obstacles exist, and design more interventions to enhance it.

Abstract Background Terniopsis yongtaiensis, a member of the Podostemaceae family, is an aquatic flowering plant displaying remarkable adaptive traits that enable survival in submerged, turbulent habitats. Despite the progressive expansion of chloroplast genomic information within this family, mitochondrial genome sequences have yet to be reported. Results In current study, the mitochondrial genome of the T. yongtaiensis was characterized by a circular genome of 426,928 bp encoding 31 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 18 tRNAs, and 3 rRNA genes. Our comprehensive analysis focused on gene content, repeat sequences, RNA editing processes, intracellular gene transfer, phylogeny, and codon usage bias. Numerous repeat sequences were identified, including 130 simple sequence repeats, 22 tandem repeats, and 220 dispersed repeats. Phylogenetic analysis positioned T. yongtaiensis (Podostemaceae) within the Malpighiales order, showing a close relationship with the Calophyllaceae family, which was consistent with the APG IV classification. A comparative analysis with nine other Malpighiales species revealed both variable and conserved regions, providing insights into the genomic evolution within this order. Notably, the GC content of T. yongtaiensis was distinctively lower compared to other Malpighilales, primarily due to variations in non-coding regions and specific protein-coding genes, particularly the nad genes. Remarkably, the number of RNA editing sites was low (276), distributed unevenly across 27 PCGs. The dN/dS analysis showed only the ccmB gene of T. yongtaiensis was positively selected, which plays a crucial role in cytochrome c biosynthesis. Additionally, there were 13 gene-containing homologous regions between the mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes of T. yongtaiensis, suggesting the gene transfer events between these organellar genomes. Conclusions This study assembled and annotated the first mitochondrial genome of the Podostemaceae family. The comparison results of mitochondrial gene composition, GC content, and RNA editing sites provided novel insights into the adaptive traits and genetic reprogramming of this aquatic eudicot group and offered a foundation for future research on the genomic evolution and adaptive mechanisms of Podostemaceae and related plant families in the Malpighiales order.

Abstract Background Intermediate cells are present in the early stages of human prostate development and adenocarcinoma. While primary cells isolated from benign human prostate tissues or tumors exhibit an intermediate phenotype in vitro, they cannot form tumors in vivo unless genetically modified. It is unclear about the stem cell properties and tumorigenicity of intermediate cells. Methods We developed a customized medium to culture primary human intermediate prostate cells, which were transplanted into male immunodeficient NCG mice to examine tumorigenicity in vivo. We treated the cells with different concentrations of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and enzalutamide in vitro and surgically castrated the mice after cell transplantation in vivo. Immunostaining, qRT-PCR, RNA sequencing, and western blotting were performed to characterize the cells in tissues and 2D and 3D cultures. Results We found intermediate cells expressing AR+PSA+CK8+CK5+ in the luminal compartment of human prostate adenocarcinoma by immunostaining. We cultured the primary intermediate cells in vitro, which expressed luminal (AR+PSA+CK8+CK18+), basal (CK5+P63+), intermediate (IVL+), and stem cell (CK4+CK13+PSCA+SOX2+) markers. These cells resisted castration in vitro by upregulating the expression of AR, PSA, and proliferation markers KI67 and PCNA. The intermediate cells had high tumorigenicity in vivo, forming tumors in immunodeficient NCG mice in a month without any genetic modification or co-transplantation with embryonic urogenital sinus mesenchyme (UGSM) cells. We named these cells human castration-resistant intermediate prostate cancer stem cells or CriPCSCs and defined the xenograft model as patient primary cell-derived xenograft (PrDX). Human CriPCSCs resisted castration in vitro and in vivo by upregulating AR expression. Furthermore, human CriPCSCs differentiated into amplifying adenocarcinoma cells of luminal phenotype in PrDX tumors in vivo, which can dedifferentiate into CriPCSCs in vitro. Conclusions Our study identified and established methods for culturing human CriPCSCs, which had high tumorigenicity in vivo without any genetic modification or UGSM co-transplantation. Human CriPCSCs differentiated into amplifying adenocarcinoma cells of luminal phenotype in the fast-growing tumors in vivo, which hold the potential to dedifferentiate into intermediate stem cells. These cells resisted castration by upregulating AR expression. The human CriPCSC and PrDX methods hold significant potential for advancing prostate cancer research and precision medicine.

Rhopalosiphum maidis Fitch, 1856 is widespread in tropical and temperate regions. R. maidis can spread viral diseases in maize and harm various important crops. In the present study, we report the first complete mitochondrial genome of R. maidis. The circular genome is found to be 17,021 bp in length, includes a standard set of 22 transfer RNAs, two ribosomal RNAs, 13 protein-coding genes, and two non-coding control regions. The base composition is 84.32% AT and 15.79% GC. The phylogenetic tree of the 17 Aphidini families constructed based on the nucleotide sequences of complete mitochondrial genomes strongly supports the conclusion that R. maidis is closely related to R. rufiabdominalis.

【Objective】The study was carried out to establish a technical system suitable for tissue culture and rapid propagation of Pholidota chinensis Lindl.【Method】With the whole plant of P. chinensis Lindl as test material, the growth of explants was studied, the best explant and culture medium were selected, and the culture conditions such as seed germination and seedling proliferation were optimized.【Result】The best explant for tissue culture of P. chinensis Lindl. was the seed, and its roots, rhizomes and pseudobulbs did not germinate, but the seeds could germinate. The optimum culture formula of P. chinensis Lindl. was 1/2MS + 6-BA 1.5 mg/L + NAA 0.8 mg/L+6-KT 0.1 mg/L and the protocorm of P. chinensis Lindl. turned green under this condition. The organic matter selection of strong seedlings was conducted by adding banana puree (50 g/L), mashed potato (50 g/L) and coconut water (50 mL/L) to the basal medium, and it was found that the overall growth of P. chinensis Lindl. in the medium with banana puree was good and uniform with many pseudobulbs, and the plant height and leaf length were better than those of the P. chinensis Lindl. with mashed potato or coconut water added to the medium. Finally, 50 g/L banana puree was selected as the best organic matter added to the medium in the subsequent experiment. The best culture formula for the optimization of strong seedlings was 1/2MS + 50 g/L banana puree + 6-BA 0.5 mg/L + NAA 0.5 mg/L + 6-KT 0.3 mg/ L. Under this condition, the P. chinensis Lindl. grew well and the plant height was better. The best medium formula for rooting of strong seedlings was MS + 50 g/L banana puree + IBA 0.5 mg/L + NAA 0.5 mg/L. Under this condition, there were more pseudobulbs and more aerial roots on the seedlings.【Conclusion】To establish a technical system suitable for tissue culture and rapid propagation of P.chinensis Lindl. seeds, the best formula for the germination culture of P. chinensis Lindl. seeds is 1/2MS + 6-BA 1.5 mg/L + NAA 0.8 mg/L+6-KT 0.1 mg/L; the optimum culture formula for the optimization of strong seedlings is 1/2MS + 50 g/L banana puree + 6-BA 0.5 mg/L + NAA 0.5 mg/L + 6-KT 0.3 mg/L; the best medium formula for rooting is MS + 50 g/L banana puree + IBA 0.5 mg/L + NAA 0.5 mg/L. The study results lay a foundation for the resource conservation and utilization of P. chinensis Lindl. and its large-scale production.

We used the quantile vector autoregressive (QVAR) dynamic connectedness framework to examine whether leading stock markets in America and Europe would have any impact on major stock markets in Asia.1 More precisely, we analyzed systematically the stock market connectedness in 15 countries, namely Germany, the UK, the USA, and 12 Asian countries, which include five major ASEAN countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand from 1996 to 2023. The findings indicated that Hong Kong and Singaporean stocks were major transmitters of financial shocks at the extreme low price market condition, while Germany and UK were minor transmitters. By contrast, the USA could be considered the major transmitter of financial shock during the extreme high market price returns condition. In the normal market condition, these three countries in Europe and America are important transmitters of financial shock. More interestingly, the empirical findings indicated the centrality of Singapore in the stock market connectedness in Asia. 1 The authors are grateful to Professor David Gabauer who makes available the R codes for all calculations in this paper.

Abstract In 2022, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration has reported the first observations of Sagittarius A*(SgrA*). Applying the EHT observational results, we find out constraints on non-singular Hayward parameter of regular dark energy black hole. Considering these constraints and different thin disk accretion, we present a detailed investigation into influence of different dark energy and Hayward parameters on shadows from non-singular Hayward black holes. In the first second-order attenuation function model, corresponding shadow radius and peak for observed intensity from direct image decrease with increasing dark energy parameter and Hayward parameter. However, for the lensing ring and photon ring, corresponding peak become bigger as dark energy parameter increase in case of fixed Hayward parameter. In the second third-order attenuation function model, significantly different from model 1, above two rings completely overlay on the direct image, resulting in two distinct peaks in the observed intensity. As increase of Hayward and dark energy parameters, the difference between the two peaks decreases, and shadows and observed intensity decrease. In the final inverse trigonometric function attenuation model, the result shows corresponding lensing ring as well as photon ring can be distinguished within the superposition region, and the superposition region becomes larger. With the increase of the dark energy parameter, the shadow radius exhibits a decreasing trend, while observed intensity increases. However, with the increase of the Hayward parameter, both decreases. Compared with the first two models, the shadow radius becomes smaller, but the observed intensity becomes larger, making the bright ring wider and brighter. Therefore, different accretion models and non-singular Hayward parameters can give rise to interesting and distinguish characteristic for the black hole shadow and rings.

Abstract Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease worldwide. Osteocalcin plays an important role in energy metabolism. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of action of chemically synthesized osteocalcin (csOCN) in ameliorating NAFLD. We demonstrated for the first time that csOCN attenuates lipid accumulation in the liver and hepatocytes by modulating CD36 protein expression. In addition, we found that the expression of p-AMPK, FOXO1 and BCL6 decreased and the expression of CD36 increased after OA/PA induction compared to the control group, and these effects were reversed by the addition of csOCN. In contrast, the therapeutic effect of csOCN was inhibited by the addition of AMPK inhibitors and BCL6 inhibitors. This finding suggested that csOCN regulates CD36 expression via the AMPK-FOXO1/BCL6 axis. In NAFLD mice, oral administration of csOCN also activated the AMPK pathway and reduced CD36 expression. Molecular docking revealed that osteocalcin has a docking site with CD36. Compared to oleic acid and palmitic acid, osteocalcin bound more strongly to CD36. Laser confocal microscopy results showed that osteocalcin colocalized with CD36 at the cell membrane. In conclusion, we demonstrated the regulatory role of csOCN in fatty acid uptake pathways for the first time; it regulates CD36 expression via the AMPK-FOXO1/BCL6 axis to reduce fatty acid uptake, and it affects fatty acid transport by may directly binding to CD36. There are indications that csOCN has potential as a CD36-targeted drug for the treatment of NAFLD.

Abstract Background With the fast pace of modern life, people have less time for meals, but few studies have examined the association between the habit of fast eating and metabolic diseases. Objective Combining the results of the current study and the prior ones, we aimed to investigate the possible relationship between fast eating and the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Methods This is a sub-analysis of a multicenter cross-sectional study of 1965 participants investigated the association between fast eating and MASLD in Chinese. Fast eating was defined as meal time less than five minutes and participants were divided into three categories based on their self-reported frequency of fast eating: ≤1 time/month, ≤1 time/week and ≥2 times/week. We further conducted a literature search for available studies published before November, 2023 as well as a meta-analysis to investigate the association between fast eating and MASLD. Results The proportion of MASLD was 59.3%, 50.5%, and 46.2% in participants with fast eating ≥2 times/week, ≤1 time/week and ≤1 time/month, respectively (P for trend

Abstract Objective To develop a machine learning-based risk prediction model for postoperative parastomal hernia (PSH) in colorectal cancer patients undergoing permanent colostomy, assisting nurses in identifying high-risk groups and devising preventive care strategies. Methods A case-control study was conducted on 495 colorectal cancer patients who underwent permanent colostomy at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from June 2017 to June 2023, with a 1-year follow-up period. Patients were categorized into PSH and non-PSH groups based on PSH occurrence within 1-year post-operation. Data were split into training (70%) and testing (30%) sets. Variable selection was performed using Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression, and binary classification prediction models were established using Logistic Regression (LR), Support Vector Classification (SVC), K Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Random Forest (RF), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XgBoost). The binary classification label denoted 1 for PSH occurrence and 0 for no PSH occurrence. Parameters were optimized via 5-fold cross-validation. Model performance was evaluated using Area Under Curve (AUC), specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and F1-score. Clinical utility was evaluated using decision curve analysis (DCA), model explanation was enhanced using shapley additive explanation (SHAP), and model visualization was achieved using a nomogram. Results The incidence of PSH within 1 year was 29.1% (144 patients). Among the models tested, the RF model demonstrated the highest discrimination capability with an AUC of 0.888 (95% CI: 0.881–0.935), along with superior specificity, accuracy, sensitivity, and F1 score. It also showed the highest clinical net benefit on the DCA curve. SHAP analysis identified the top 10 influential variables associated with PSH risk: body mass index (BMI), operation duration, history and status of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), prealbumin, tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging, stoma site, thickness of rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM), C-reactive protein CRP, american society of anesthesiologists physical status classification (ASA), and stoma diameter. These insights from SHAP plots illustrated how these factors influence individual PSH outcomes. The nomogram was used for model visualization. Conclusion The Random Forest model demonstrated robust predictive performance and clinical relevance in forecasting colonic PSH. This model aids in early identification of high-risk patients and guides preventive care.

Abstract Due to high computation complexity, traditional design methods for LLC converter usually consider limited kinds of performance, and the process for searching the optimal parameter scheme is discrete, which might cause the missing of real optimal solution. In order to solve these problems, a multi‐objectives optimization design method for the LLC converter is proposed in this paper. According to the numerical calculation method, a closed parameter space for resonant parameters is established under the constraints of operation mode, switching frequency, zero voltage switching (ZVS), and voltage stress of resonant capacitor. Besides, the root‐mean‐square (RMS) value of resonant current and secondary current, as well as the core loss of the transformer, are selected as the optimization objectives. Non‐dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA‐II) is utilized to deal with these multi‐objective formulations. In order to reduce the computation complexity, a data‐driven method, called adaptive polynomial approximation (APA), is selected to obtain the explicit expressions of the parameter space and the optimization objectives. Then, by substituting this simplified surrogate model into the NSGA‐II algorithm, the optimal parameter scheme is obtained. The comprehensive comparison analysis is performed, and a 400 W/48 V experimental prototype was built to verify the theoretical analysis, which shows that the proposed method features the highest efficiency of 95%.

Abstract Background Myopia is one of the most common eye diseases in children and adolescents worldwide, and scleral remodeling plays a role in myopia progression. However, the identity of the initiating factors and signaling pathways that induce myopia-associated scleral remodeling is still unclear. This study aimed to identify biomarkers of scleral remodeling to elucidate the pathogenesis of myopia. Methods The gene expression omnibus (GEO) and comparative toxicogenomics database (CTD) mining were used to identify the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network related to scleral remodeling in myopia. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), Western blot, immunofluorescence, H&E staining, Masson staining, and flow cytometry were used to detect the changes in the FOXO signaling pathway, fibrosis, apoptosis, cell cycle, and other related factors in scleral remodeling. Results miR-15b-5p/miR-379-3p can regulate the FOXO signaling pathway. Confirmatory studies confirmed that the axial length of the eye was significantly increased, the scleral thickness was thinner, the levels of miR-15b-5p, miR-379-3p, PTEN, p-PTEN, FOXO3a, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor 1B (CDKN1B) were increased, and the levels of IGF1R were decreased in Len-induced myopia (LIM) group. CDK2, cyclin D1 (CCND1), and cell cycle block assessed by flow cytometry indicated G1/S cell cycle arrest in myopic sclera. The increase in BAX level and the decrease in BCL-2 level indicated enhanced apoptosis of the myopic sclera. In addition, we found that the levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), collagen type 1 (COL-1), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were decreased, suggesting scleral remodeling occurred in myopia. Conclusions miR-15b-5p/miR-379-3p can regulate the scleral cell cycle and apoptosis through the IGF1R/PTEN/FOXO signaling pathway, thereby promoting scleral remodeling in myopia progression. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background Sheep manure and mushroom residue are common agricultural waste which threaten environment but rich in mineral elements and organic matter. Even though fermentation and adding it to soil for crop growth is a commonly used approach, there are concerns about how efficient the fermentation process is and whether the microbial community remains safe for both the crops and those working in agriculture. We have discovered a composite microbial agent, previously known as CMA, that demonstrates significant efficacy in the fermentation of mushroom residue and sheep manure. Despite its high activity, the impact of this microbial agent on soil nutrient release, soil microbial composition, and plant growth remains still uncertain. Results After fermenting sheep manure and mushroom residue with Bacillus CMA, this study investigated the fermentation products mixed with vermiculite and perlite for the cultivation of tomato. The results demonstrate that the composite substrate align closely within the ideal range for seedling substrates. Notably, compounded with CMA compost products and vermiculite in a 2:1 ratio, yields the most favorable growth for tomato, which may be attributed to the increased nutrient release and most favorable microbial conditions. Moreover, it significantly decreased the abundance of pathogenic bacteria harmful to human and animal health, thereby reducing the risk to individuals engaged in field labor, and mitigating the threat of plant pathogenic bacteria. Conclusions Sheep manure and mushroom residue fermentation with CMA added significantly promoted tomatoes growth and reduced the risk of diseases in crops, animals, and people. These findings hold significant implications also for the reuse of agricultural biowaste and residues, besides the crop growth and safety of humans and animals in agricultural environments. Graphical Abstract

Abstract How to raise the bridge barrier with a concrete base height of only 51 cm to SS level of protection is not yet studied. In order to effectively retrofit an existing concrete barrier design to meet new crash testing criteria, the structural dimensions and concrete strength of the existing bridge barrier were investigated, and finite element simulation analysis was carried out, and simulation suggested the existing barrier was insufficient. Based on the structural dimension design principles of bridge barriers, the existing structure of bridge barrier was designed after adding lightweight and high-strength B750HL material crossbeams and posts on top of the concrete base, and the bearing capacity of the bridge barrier was calculated based on the yield line theory. Then, a finite element simulation analysis model was established to study and analyze the blocking, guiding, and cushioning functions of the improved design of bridge barrier. Finally, full-scale-vehicle crash tests were conducted with the SS-level small car, bus, and tractor-van trailer for this bridge barrier design scheme. This paper is the world’s first to use B750HL steel as the material for the crossbeam and post of a bridge barrier with a concrete base height of only 51 cm. According to the research results, the B750HL bridge barrier, which was designed based on the calculation of structural dimension design and yield line theory, effectively reduces the increased constant load on the bridge deck caused by the extra crossbeams and posts. At the same time, it can reduce material costs and save engineering costs. After being verified by finite element simulation crash tests and full-scale-vehicle crash tests, the protective capacity of the B750HL bridge barrier was proven to meet the SS-level evaluation requirements of the Standard for Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Barriers (JTG B05-01-2013). The research findings of this paper is that the finite element simulation crash tests can effectively simulate full-scale-vehicle crash test, and the finite element simulation crash tests is reliable. If the safety performance of the barrier in the finite element simulation crash tests meets the requirements, the probability of passing the full-scale-vehicle crash test is higher. Therefore, a design scheme is proposed for the B750HL bridge barrier to improve hybrid bridge barriers at a height of 51 cm or more based on various design methods.

Abstract Background Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of breast cancer that is negative for oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, is highly malignant and aggressive, lacks of corresponding targeted therapy, and has a relatively poor prognosis. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of TNBC development and formulating effective treatment strategies for inducing cell death are still urgent tasks in the treatment of TNBC. Research has shown that uncarboxylated osteocalcin can promote the proliferation of prostate cancer, lung adenocarcinoma and TNBC cells, but the mechanism by which GluOC affects TNBC growth and metastasis needs further study. Methods MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were used for in vitro cell analysis. Key target molecules or pathways were identified by RNA sequencing, and migration ability was detected by scratch assays, Transwell assays, cell adhesion assays and western blot analysis. Fluorescence staining, colony detection, qRT‒PCR and flow cytometry were used to detect apoptosis, oxidative stress, the cell cycle and the stemness of cancer cells, and a xenotransplantation model in BALB/C nude mice was used for in vivo analysis. Results This study demonstrated that GluOC facilitates the migration of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells through the ROCK1/MYPT1/MLC2 signalling pathway and promotes the proliferation of TNBC cells via the ROCK1/JAK2/PIK3CA/AKT signalling pathway. Experiments in nude mice demonstrated that GluOC promoted tumour cell proliferation and metastasis in tumour-bearing mice, which further clarified the molecular mechanism of TNBC growth and invasion. Conclusion Our findings highlight the importance of GluOC in driving TNBC progression and its association with poor patient outcomes. This study clarifies the functional effects of GluOC on TNBC growth, providing insight into the molecular basis of TNBC and potentially providing new ideas for developing targeted therapies to improve patient outcomes.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) affects approximately one in five individuals with psoriasis. Early identification of patients with psoriasis at risk of developing PsA is crucial to prevent poor prognosis. We established a derivation cohort comprising 1,661 patients with psoriasis from 49 hospitals. Clinical and demographic variables ascertained at hospital admission were screened using the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator and logistic regression to construct a prediction model and a new web-based calculator. Ultimately, six significant independent predictors were identified: history of unexplained swollen joints (odds ratio [OR]: 5.814, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 3.304–10.117; p< 0.001), history of arthritis (OR: 3.543, 95% CI: 1.982–6.246; p< 0.001), history of unexplained swollen and painful fingers or toes (OR: 2.707, 95% CI: 1.463–4.915; p = 0.001), nail involvement (OR: 1.907, 95% CI: 1.235–2.912; p = 0.003), hyperlipidemia (OR: 4.265, 95% CI: 0.921–15.493; p = 0.042), and prolonged topical use of glucocorticosteroids (OR: 1.581, 95% CI: 1.052–2.384, p = 0.028). The web-based calculator derived from this model can assist clinicians in promptly determining the probability of developing PsA in patients with psoriasis, thereby facilitating improved clinical decision-making.

Objective The relationship between vitiligo and cardiovascular diseases remains controversial. This study aimed to systematically review the evidence comparing cardiovascular disease risk factors between patients with vitiligo and controls and to perform a meta-analysis of the results.Data sources A comprehensive database search was performed for all studies in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register databases from inception to November, 2023. The main keywords used were vitiligo, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, C-reactive protein, and homocysteine.Study selection Only observational studies and no randomized controlled trials were included. Of the 1269 studies initially selected, the full texts of 108 were assessed for eligibility, and 74 were ultimately included in the analysis.Data extraction and synthesis Three reviewers independently extracted the following data: study design, number and characteristics of participants, inclusion indicators, and disease duration. A meta-analysis of the single-group rates was performed for the diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity groups. Random-effects or fixed-effects models were used to calculate the sample-size weighted averages for the indicators included in the studies.Main outcomes and measures The primary outcomes were co-morbidity analysis and co-morbidity rates of vitiligo with metabolic syndrome, obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Secondary outcomes were factors associated with vitiligo and cardiovascular disease.Results This meta-analysis concluded that comorbidities in patients with vitiligo included metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, with comorbidity rates of 28.3%, 6.0%, 38.5%, 43.0%, and 15.8%, respectively. Simultaneously, we showed that the vitiligo group differed significantly from the control group in the following aspects: fasting blood glucose, insulin, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, homocysteine, C-reactive protein, smoking, and alcohol consumption. However, no significant differences were observed between the vitiligo and control groups in terms of waist circumference, body mass index, or phospholipid levels.Limitations The vast majority of the studies were from Eastern countries; therefore, extrapolation of these results to Western populations is questionable. The significant heterogeneity may be due to different protocols, doses, durations, center settings, population registries, etc., which severely compromise the validity of the results.Conclusion This study summarized not only the factors associated with, but also those not associated with, cardiovascular disease in patients with vitiligo. This study provides a foundation for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease in patients with vitiligo.

Background Indigo naturalis is effective against psoriasis. Indigo, indirubin and tryptanthrin, the main active components of indigo naturalis, have anti-inflammatory properties.Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of indigo naturalis and its active components in the treatment of psoriasis.Methods Seven databases were searched for studies of indigo naturalis and its active components for the treatment of psoriasis.Results The findings demonstrated a higher response rate in the Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) formula groups than in the control group for Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 60 (PASI60) (Rate difference [RD] = 0.22, p

This study was conducted to investigate the hydrostatic stability of a steel slag porous asphalt mixture (SSPA) under freeze-thaw cycles in seasonal frozen soil areas and thereafter, compare its (SSPA) characteristic properties and advantages with a traditional porous asphalt pavement. In the study, the freeze-thaw stability of SSPA was tested through multiple freeze-thaw cycle splitting, scattering loss, and trabecular bending tests under various cyclic temperature water immersion conditions including quantitatively analyzing the SSPA volumetric changes. In addition, the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) tests were used to analyze the microscopic damage mechanism of SSPA after being subjected to various cyclic temperature water immersion conditions. The corresponding test results indicated that: (a) the long-term freeze-thaw cycles had significant adverse effects on the hydrostatic stability, physical/mechanical properties, and volume stability of SSPA; and (b) when the melting temperature was increased, both the hydrostatic stability and mass gain/loss ratio of SSPA decreased whilst the void ratio increased. On the other hand, the SEM and EDS results showed that an increase in the number of freeze-thaw cycles or melting temperature led to a corresponding increase in the width of the steel slag-asphalt transition zone. This resulted in a weakening of the mechanical connection and anchorage between steel slag and asphalt, as well as the destruction of their adhesion bond. However, the short-term freeze-thaw cycles had little effect on the hydrostatic stability of SSPA because the steel slag-asphalt interfacial strength was enhanced by short-term freeze-thaw cycles.

Tumor-derived exosomes bind to organ resident cells, activating S100 molecules during the remodeling of the local immune microenvironment. However, little is known regarding how organ resident cell S100A10 mediates cancer metastatic progression. Here, we provided evidence that S100A10 plays an important role in regulating the lung immune microenvironment and cancer metastasis. S100A10-deficient mice reduced cancer metastasis in the lung. Furthermore, the activation of S100A10 within lung fibroblasts via tumor-derived exosomes increased the expression of CXCL1 and CXCL8 chemokines, accompanied by the myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) recruitment. S100A10 inhibitors such as 1-Substituted-4-Aroyl-3-hydroxy-5-Phenyl-1 H-5-pyrrol-2(5 H)-ones inhibit lung metastasis in vivo. Our findings highlight the crucial role of S100A10 in driving MDSC recruitment in order to remodel the lung immune microenvironment and provide potential therapeutic targets to block cancer metastasis to the lung.

The application of machine learning in crop yield prediction has gained considerable traction, yet uncertainties persist regarding the impact of the yield trends on these predictions and the differences between the detrending methods. In our study, we utilized extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) to scrutinize the effects of no trend processing (NTP), input year as a feature (IYF), input average yield as a feature (IAYF), input linear yield as a feature (ILYF), and the global detrending method (GDT) on the yield prediction of maize and soybean in the Midwestern United States. Based on our findings, compared with that of NTP, the incorporation of the yield trend as a predictor in XGBoost significantly improved the accuracy and reduced the uncertainty of the yield prediction. Notably, GDT emerged as a standout performer, significantly reducing the average yield prediction error by 0.091 t/ha for soybean and 0.158 t/ha for maize with respect to NTP, and concurrently improving the determination coefficient (R2) by 20.6% and 19.6% for soybean and maize, respectively. Compared with IYF, IAYF, and ILYF, GDT showed substantial improvements ranging from 3.8% to 12.7% in R2 for soybean and 3.6% to 12.7% for maize. The SHapley Additive ExPlanations (SHAP) framework showed that the enhanced vegetation index (EVI), particularly during the soybean podding and maize dough formation stages, played a crucial role in understanding the variations in interannual yield variability. These findings confirmed the importance of GDT in crop yield prediction via machine learning and could be used to facilitate future advancements in machine learning applications for yield forecasting.

Studies on the distribution characteristics and environmental relevance of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in waterbird feathers are scarce. In the present study, the concentrations of twenty-three PFAS in the remiges, coverts, body, down, and tail feathers of three common species of Ardeidae (little egret, grey heron, and Chinese pond-heron) in Poyang Lake were investigated. The total PFAS concentrations in the pinna and scapus were 38 – 42 ng/g dry weight (dw) and 21 – 38 ng/g dw, respectively; long-chain C9–14 perfluorocarboxylic acids were abundant in all feathers. Most PFAS accumulated in the pinna; however, perfluorohexane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonamide were predominant in the scapus. The PFAS concentrations were higher in the tail and flight feathers than in the cover and body feathers. Furthermore, the concentrations of PFAS in waterbird feathers were comparable with those in fish and higher than those in benthic invertebrates, all of which originated from Poyang Lake. The PFAS profiles in feathers were significantly and positively correlated with those in fish (r > 0.71) and benthos (r > 0.43). These results suggest that waterbird feather is a suitable biomonitor of PFAS contamination in regional freshwater ecosystems.

Continuous tobacco monocropping has caused soil degradation and yield reduction in China. Intercropping, as a specific and efficient cropping pattern, is highly associated with the enhancement of soil quality and land-use efficiency. Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)- Isatis (Isatis tinctoria L.) intercropping can significantly alleviate pests and diseases, and improve soil potential and fertility in tobacco fields. In this study, comparative analysis of three different tobacco-Isatis intercropping (B2, B3, B4) and tobacco monocropping (B1) on the soil nutrients, enzyme activities, and microbial community were conducted. B2, B3, and B4 importantly increased the contents of organic matter, available potassium, and available phosphorus content of the soil by 17.38%, 7.76%, and 2.78%, respectively. Moreover, B2 enhanced the activities of sucrase, urease, and catalase of soil by 2.35 times, 3.16 times, and 4.47 times, respectively, and B3 enhanced the activities of sucrase, urease, and catalase of soil by 2.74 times, 3.22 times, and 3.11 times, respectively. The intercropping pattern also optimized the structure of the soil microbial community. The relative abundances of Acidobacteriota, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadota, Planctomycetota, Nitrospirota, and Verrucomicrobiota in B3 and B4 were higher than those in B1. Positive links in soil bacterial correlation networks accounted for 47%, and soil bacteria formed a highly interactive and complex network. And compared with the B1, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were lower abundance in B2 and B4, Ascomycota were lower abundance in B3 and Mortierellomycota were lower abundance in B2 and B3. Compared with monocropping, the chemical composition of tobacco leaves was harmoniously improved and the total production value of tobacco fields was significantly higher. The content of reducing sugar, total sugar, nicotine, potassium, and two-sugar ratio of leaves were increased after intercropping. The proportion of top-grade tobacco leaves after roasting in B2, B3, and B4 treatments were increased by 8.19%, 16.74%, and 27.32%, respectively. The study constructs insights into microbial community interactions at in tobacco/Isatis intercropping systems, and may facilitate the further development of tobacco/Isatis intercropping systems.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been found in toilet paper in Europe, the United States, and Africa; however, their presence in Chinese household paper has not been investigated. In this study, 21 legacy and 30 emerging PFASs were analyzed in tissue and toilet paper from China, including 48 samples of different origins and materials. Median concentrations of chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonates (Cl-PFESAs), hexafluoropropylene oxide homologs (HFPOs), and p-perfluorous nonenoxybenzenesulfonate (OBS) were 0.32, 0.19, and 0.10 ng/g dry weight (dw), respectively. The detection frequencies (DFs) of Cl-PFESAs and OBS both were greater than 96%, followed by hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TrA, DF: 85%). Notably, the level of HFPO-TrA in one sample was as high as 540 ng/g dw, indicating a potential environmental risk to humans. In addition, the concentrations of Cl-PFESAs in toilet paper were significantly higher than that in tissue (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in the concentrations of PFASs in tissue and toilet paper from different materials and origins. This suggests that PFASs, particularly emerging PFASs, are widely detected in tissue and toilet paper products across China, and their presence is a potential source of landfill contamination and human exposure.

ABSTRACT A peltate‐leaved new species, Oreocharis scutifolia Z. Xie & H. H. Kong, endemic to the Dry–Hot Valley of the Jinsha River Basin, Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated here. It is similar to O. cordatula (Craib) Pellegr. and O. aurantiaca Baill. in floral characters but differs in its peltate leaf blades, which are unique in the genus (and only occur in one population of O. henryana Oliv., but its flowers are smaller, campanulate, and deep purple). Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on transcriptome data confirmed its systematic position to be sister group with O. henryana, O. cordatula, O. minor Pellegr., and O. aurantiaca Baill. (LPP = 1), and well apart from the remaining members of the genus. The new species O. scutifolia is assessed as “Critically Endangered” following the IUCN categories and criteria, due to its small and single population, thus making it face serious threats from human disturbance, invasive plants, shrinking habitat, and decreasing habitat quality.

BackgroundPatients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) often exhibit characteristic clinical manifestations, particularly neuropsychiatric symptoms. Previous studies have shown that white matter hyperintensity (WMH) is strongly associated with AD progression, as well as neuropsychiatric symptoms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and neuropsychological characteristics of AD patients with WMH.MethodsThis retrospective study involved 104 18-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission computed tomography (18FDG-PET-CT)-defined AD patients treated at Tianjin Huanhu Hospital from January 2010 to December 2022. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provided semi-quantitative data on brain structure and WMH. Collect and analyze patient clinical data. Neuropsychological assessments were used to evaluate cognitive function and psychobehavioral traits.ResultsAmong the 104 patients, 66 were in the WMH group (63.5%) and 38 in the non-white matter hyperintensity (non-WMH) group (36.5%). There were no significant differences in gender, age, age of onset, education, BMI, smoking, drinking, diabetes, coronary heart disease, dementia family history, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) between the two groups. The WMH group showed higher rates of hypertension, homocysteine (Hcy) levels, NPI, and CDR scores as compared to the non-WMH group (p

Elevated ammonia levels in aquaculture systems could reduce fish growth and survival rates and produce a range of physiological problems. Ammonia toxicity in aquatic environments was regulated by various factors. Feeding was usually reported to help in the detoxification of fish, thereby increasing their capacity to tolerate ammonia nitrogen. However, the impact of different feeding amounts on fish in relation to ammonia exposure stress remains to be determined. To determine how feeding levels affected fish's responses to different ammonia nitrogen concentrations, two acute toxicity experiments were conducted with Carassius auratus gibelio, the major strain of gibel carp in aquaculture systems in China. In Test I, fed Carassius auratus gibelio (3 % body weight) showed a higher survival rate under a specific ammonia exposure stress. 96-h LC50 of NH3-N to 3 %F gibel carp was 1.1 times greater than that for NF (no feeding). In Test II, all fed groups (2 %F and 4 %F) under low and high ammonia stress exhibited improved ammonia detoxification, evidenced by higher liver GSase, GDH, and glutamine concentrations compared with the NF treatment. Muscle glycogen levels in feeding treatments were higher than those in NF, indicating that fed fish have more energy for ammonia detoxification. While compared with low ammonia treatment (2.70 mg L−1 TAN; NH3 0.06 mg L−1), fish exposed to high ammonia levels (26.03 mg L−1 TAN; NH3 0.57 mg L−1) demonstrated a decrease in food consumption, severe histopathological alterations in their liver, gill, and kidney, and decreased GSase, GDH, and glutamine production in the liver and brain. The results partly supported our hypothesis and suggested that increasing feeding enhances gibel carp's tolerance to ammonia nitrogen. The highest detoxification metabolism was observed under low ammonia stress. While excessive ammonia exposure could inhibit feeding and damage the detoxification organs of fish, and thus reduce the detoxification metabolism of gibel carp.

Abstract Pelodiscus sinensis meat is a nutritional food and tonic with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities. To identify the bioactive substances responsible, several bioinformatics methods were integrated to enable a virtual screening for bioactive peptides in proteins identified within a water-soluble protein fraction of Pelodiscus sinensis meat by Shotgun proteomics. The peptides were generated from the identified proteins by in silico proteolysis using six proteases. A comparison of the numbers of proteins suitable for digestion with each enzyme and the iBAQ (intensity-based absolute quantification) values for these proteins revealed that bromelain and papain were the most suitable proteases for this sample. Next, the water solubility, toxicity, and ADMET (absorption/distribution/metabolism/excretion/toxicity) properties of these peptides were evaluated in silico. Finally, a novel ACE inhibitory peptide IEWEF with an IC50 value of 41.33 µM was identified. The activity of the synthesized peptide was verified in vitro, and it was shown to be a non-competitive ACE inhibitor. Molecular docking revealed that IEWEF could tightly bind to C-ACE, and N-ACE with energies less than 0 kJ mol−1, and the peptide IEWEF can form hydrogen bonds with C-ACE and N-ACE respectively. These results provide evidence that bioactive peptides in the water-soluble protein fraction account for (at least) some of the ACE inhibitory activities observed in Pelodiscus sinensis meat. Furthermore, our research provides a workflow for the efficient identification of novel ACE inhibitory peptides from complex protein mixtures.

Abstract Background The American Heart Association recently introduced a new model for cardiovascular health (CVH) known as Life’s Essential 8 (LE8). The impact of LE8 on hypertensive individuals is currently unclear. In our study, we investigated the correlation between comprehensive and individual CVH indicators as defined by LE8, and the mortality rates in hypertension patients. Methods We analyzed a total of 8,448 hypertensive individuals aged ≥ 20 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2016. These participants were nonpregnant and noninstitutionalized. We identified their mortality by linking their data to the National Death Index until December 31, 2019. The overall cardiovascular health (CVH) was assessed using the LE8 score, which ranged from 0 to 100. Additionally, we evaluated the scores for each component of diet, physical activity, tobacco/nicotine exposure, sleep duration, body mass index, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure. The CVH were categorized into low (0–49), moderate (50–79), and high (80–100) CVH. Results Over an average follow-up period of 7.41 years, 1,482 (17.54%) of the participants died, among which 472 deaths were attributed to CVD. When compared to adults with lower total CVH scores, those with elevated total CVH scores displayed a 37% reduced risk of mortality from all causes (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.45–0.88). In relation to CVD-specific mortality, the corresponding aHRs for moderate and high total CVH scores were 0.76 (0.60–0.97) and 0.54 (0.31–0.94), respectively. Furthermore, after adjusting for potential confounders, it was observed that higher scores on the LE8 index were associated with a reduced risk of both all-cause mortality (aHR for every 10-score increase, 0.91; 95% CI = 0.86–0.96) and CVD-specific mortality (aHR for every 10-score increase, 0.82; 95% CI = 0.75–0.90). Notably, a linear dose–response relationship was observed in this association. Similar patterns were identified in the relationship between health behavior and both all-cause and CVD-specific mortality. Conclusions Achieving a higher CVH score, as per the new LE8 guidelines, has been found to be associated with a reduced risk of mortality from all causes and specifically from CVD in patients with hypertension. Therefore, public health and healthcare initiatives that focus on promoting higher CVH scores could potentially yield significant benefits in terms of reducing mortality rates among individuals with hypertension.

Multifractal features of the pore structures of coal reservoirs control the transport and sustainable production of coalbed methane (CBM), which directly determines the efficiency of CBM extraction and is of great importance for CBM extraction. In order to investigate the multifractal characteristics of the pore structures of medium-high rank coals and their evolutionary trends during coalification, the medium-high rank coal samples from production mines in the Qinshui coal field were collected to investigate the evolution of the multiple fractal characteristics of medium-high rank coals macropores (> 50 nm), mesopores (2−50 nm) and micropores (< 2 nm) during coalification and their influencing factors by using multifractal theories and integrating the mercury intrusion porosimetry, low temperature nitrogen gas adsorption and low temperature carbon dioxide adsorption experiments, respectively. The results show that the generalized dimensional spectrum (Dq−q) and the multifractal singular spectrum (f(α)−α) of macro-, meso- and micropores of medium-high rank coals both satisfy the multifractal characteristics, which implies that the macro-, meso- and micropores of medium-high rank coals all exhibit multifractal behavior. Compared with macropores and mesopores, micropores have stronger non-homogeneity and lower pore connectivity exhibiting larger α0 and ∆D values and smaller H values. Coalification promotes the aggregation of macromolecules in coal, which changes the coal reservoir type from macropores dominant reservoir and macropores-micropores coexisting reservoir to micropores dominant reservoir, and the pore size distribution of different scales in coal tends to be homogenized, leading to the improvement of pore structure homogeneity and pore connectivity in medium-high rank coal reservoirs. Macropore and micropore volume fractions have positive and negative effects on pore structure heterogeneity in their respective pore size ranges, while mesopore volume fraction is not an effective constraint on mesopore pore size distribution heterogeneity. The vitrinite and inertinite groups show opposite effects on the heterogeneity of pore size distribution, with a positive correlation between V/I and H values and a negative correlation with α0. Vitrinite-rich coals develop more micropores and thus showing stronger pore structure homogeneity and better pore connectivity.

Abstract Background The Chinese pig breed Bamei faces numerous challenges, such as antibiotic abuse, feed shortages, weaning stress, low immunity and disease resistance after weaning. Probiotic-fermented feed is an ideal profile that can improve the intestinal microbiota, promote the digestion and absorption of nutrients, and improve immunity. However, the combined effect of long-term intake of probiotic-fermented feeds on the intestinal microbiota, intestinal metabolic profiles, and immunity in pigs is not well understood. Here, we investigated the effects of feeding basal feed, Lactiplantibacillus-fermented feed, Bacillus subtilis-fermented feed, mixed-fermented feed, and antibiotic-added feed for 100 days on the gut microbiota, immunity, and metabolism of Bamei pigs after feeding five different fermented feeds by using 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing, enzyme-linked immunoassay, and untargeted metabolomics, respectively. Results 16S rDNA sequencing revealed that after the piglets were fed five different feeds for 50 days, the structure of the intestinal microbiota of the Bamei pigs was significantly altered, and feeding the mixed Lactiplantibacillus (L.) plantarum and Bacillus (B.) subtilis-fermented feed not only increased the α-diversity of the intestinal microbiota and the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, but also suppressed the growth of the conditional pathogens, Clostridium and Streptococcus. The Sobs and Shannon indices were significantly lower (p

Abstract As an autoimmune disease, up to 73% of patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) have a combination of extrahepatic autoimmune diseases (EHAIDs); however, the causal relationship between PBC and EHAIDs is unclear. The genome-wide association analyses provided 14 GWAS data for PBC and EHAIDs, and bidirectional, two-sample MR analyses were performed to examine the relationship between PBC and EHAIDs. The analysis using MR provides a strong and meaningful estimation of the bidirectional correlation between PBC and 7 EHAIDs: rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome, systemic sclerosis, autoimmune hypothyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis of its types. In addition, PBC increases the risk of autoimmune thyroid diseases such as autoimmune hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease, as well as multiple sclerosis and psoriasis. Additionally, PBC is identified as a risk factor for Crohn's disease and Celiac disease. Based on genetic evidence, there may be connections between PBC and specific EHAIDs: not all coexisting EHAIDs induce PBC, and vice versa. This underscores the significance of prioritizing PBC in clinical practice. Additionally, if any liver function abnormalities are observed during treatment or with EHAIDs, it is crucial to consider the possibility of comorbid PBC.

Abstract Background Epigenetic modifications of histones play important roles in the response of eukaryotic organisms to environmental stress. However, many histone acetyltransferases (HATs), which are responsible for histone acetylation, and their roles in mediating the tick response to cold stress have yet to be identified. In the present study, HATs were molecularly characterized and their associations with the cold response of the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis explored. Methods HATs were characterized by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on published genome sequences, followed by multiple bioinformatic analyses. The differential expression of genes in H. longicornis under different cold treatment conditions was evaluated using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). RNA interference was used to explore the association of HATs with the cold response of H. longicornis. Results Two HAT genes were identified in H. longicornis (Hl), a GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase (henceforth HlGNAT) and a type B histone acetyltransferase (henceforth HlHAT-B), which are respectively 960 base pairs (bp) and 1239 bp in length. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that HlGNAT and HlHAT-B are unstable hydrophilic proteins characterized by the presence of the acetyltransferase 16 domain and Hat1_N domain, respectively. RT-qPCR revealed that the expression of HlGNAT and HlHAT-B decreased after 3 days of cold treatment, but gradually increased with a longer period of cold treatment. The mortality rate following knockdown of HlGNAT or HlHAT-B by RNA interference, which was confirmed by RT-qPCR, significantly increased (P

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore the diagnostic implications of ubiquitination-related gene signatures in Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we first collected 161 samples from the GEO database (including 87 in the AD group and 74 in the normal group). Subsequently, through differential expression analysis and the iUUCD 2.0 database, we obtained 3450 Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) and 806 Ubiquitin-related genes (UbRGs). After taking the intersection, we obtained 128 UbR-DEGs. Secondly, by conducting GO and KEGG enrichment analysis on these 128 UbR-DEGs, we identified the main molecular functions and biological pathways related to AD. Furthermore, through the utilization of GSEA analysis, we have gained insight into the enrichment of functions and pathways within both the AD and normal groups. Further, using lasso regression analysis and cross-validation techniques, we identified 22 characteristic genes associated with AD. Subsequently, we constructed a logistic regression model and optimized it, resulting in the identification of 6 RUbR-DEGs: KLHL21, WDR82, DTX3L, UBTD2, CISH, and ATXN3L. In addition, the ROC result showed that the diagnostic model we built has excellent accuracy and reliability in identifying AD patients. Finally, we constructed a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA (competing endogenous RNA, ceRNA) regulatory network for AD based on six RUbR-DEGs, further elucidating the interaction between UbRGs and lncRNA, miRNA. In conclusion, our findings will contribute to further understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of AD and provide a new perspective for AD risk prediction, early diagnosis and targeted therapy in the population.

Abstract Background The objective was to investigate the efficacy of different doses of levothyroxine therapy among pregnant women exhibiting high-normal thyroid stimulating hormone levels and positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies throughout the first half of pregnancy. Methods Pregnant women exhibiting high-normal thyroid stimulating hormone levels and thyroid peroxidase antibodies positivity throughout the initial half of pregnancy were selected from January 2021 to September 2023. Based on the different doses of levothyroxine, the pregnant women were categorized into the nonintervention group (G0, 122 women), 25 µg levothyroxine intervention group (G25, 69 women), and 50 µg levothyroxine intervention group (G50, 58 women). Serum parameters, gastrointestinal symptoms, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared after the intervention among the three groups. Results After the intervention, in the G25 and G50 groups, the thyroid stimulating hormone, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein levels were notably less in contrast to those in the G0 group (P

Lewis base additives typically undergo interactions with SnI2 to achieve effective defect passivation in lead-free perovskite films. In this work, the thiophene ring in 2-thiophenethylammonium chloride (TEACl) has coordination interactions with Sn2+ and the -NH3+ therein forms hydrogen bonds with I-. This facilitates the deposition of homogeneous and dense films with fewer defects during crystallization process. Otherwise, 2-pyridinethylammonium chloride (AEPCl) gives poorly perovskite films with high defect density because of the overly strong interaction with SnI2. As a result, the average photoluminescence life time of TEACl-passivated perovskite film was substantially increased to 22.04 ns, compared with the control film (5.15 ns) and the AEPCl-passivated film (3.55 ns). Ultimately, the target solar cell with TEACl passivation presented a power conversion efficiency of 13.24% and excellent shelf-stand stability with a 90% retaining of initial efficiency after 2000 h of aging in N2 atmosphere. This work sheds new light on the structural tailoring of Lewis base passivators for efficient defect passivation in lead-free tin halide perovskites.

Abstract Corneal epithelial ingrowth (EI) is a rare but significant complication following Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) surgery. During the procedure, the opaque bubble layer (OBL) formation may create microchannels that disrupt Bowman's layer, providing a pathway for epithelial cells to migrate into the corneal stroma. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms behind EI development and proposed preventive strategies. We analyzed four cases of EI post‐SMILE surgery, utilizing anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS‐OCT) and corneal tomography for diagnosis. Preventive measures, including careful anesthetic application and precise suction cone positioning, were employed to minimize OBL formation. Here, we show that subflap debris removal surgery led to significant clinical improvement, with no EI recurrence observed. Our findings suggest that the microchannels created by OBL during surgery may play a crucial role in EI development, challenging previous assumptions that EI is primarily due to trauma at the flap edges. This underscores the importance of precise surgical technique and effective postoperative management. Further research, including clinical studies and advanced imaging, is needed to confirm this proposed mechanism and improve outcomes in refractive surgery. The study highlights the necessity for ongoing advancements in surgical protocols and technology to prevent and manage EI effectively.

A novel goose astrovirus (GAstV) has broken out across China in recent years, causing widespread damage to the poultry industry. In goslings infected with GAstV, the leading cause of death is visceral gout. However, our understanding of the mechanism of gout formation in GAstV infection is largely inadequate. The aim of this study was to examine the pathogenicity of a GAstV strain and explore the molecular mechanisms of visceral gout caused by viral infection in goslings. The virulent GAstV strain HR2105/1 was effectively isolated from the visceral tissue of goslings in gout-affected areas. The whole genome of the HR2105/1 strain was sequenced and analyzed. Subsequently, we established a gosling gout models with experimental GAstV infection. Finally, we conducted a study on the mechanism of GAstV induced acute kidney injury. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete genome sequence showed that it was closely related to the strain circulating in China since 2016, and it was grouped within the GAstV-1 cluster. The clinical signs were reproduced by experimental infection of healthy goslings with the isolated strain and were found to be similar to those reported in clinical cases. Moreover, the virus exhibits strong renal tropism. Infection with the GAstV strain HR2105/1 was found to cause acute kidney injury, as evidenced by increased levels of uric acid and creatinine as well as severe pathological damage. Mechanistic experiments with Masson and Picrosirius Red staining revealed fibrosis in renal tissues after GAstV infection. Furthermore, TUNEL staining revealed that GAstV infection triggered renal cell apoptosis. Additionally, RT-qPCR revealed that GAstV infection caused an excessive inflammatory response by upregulating the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β, and iNOS in renal tissues. Overall, our findings demonstrate that GAstV infection causes renal damage by inducing renal cell apoptosis, fibrosis, and excessive inflammatory response, which subsequently leads to hyperuricemia and lethal visceral gout formation. This is the first systematic study on the etiology of lethal gout in goslings caused by GAstV infection, and we believe that the findings can guide vaccine development and therapeutic targets for GAstV-associated renal diseases.