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Land subsidence is a widespread geo-hazard, and it can be effectively monitored with the Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technique. Assessing land subsidence plays a significant role in ensuring safety and enhancing disaster prevention. It requires not only focusing on the extent or rate of deformation but also evaluating the susceptibility and risk of subsidence. In this article, we propose a new comprehensive subsidence susceptibility and risk assessment strategy by integrating InSAR observation and hybrid machine learning models, which is first and successfully employed over Xi'an area. In this study, four machine learning models are compared to determine the optimal model, and found that the Random Forest (RF) performs the best in predicting InSAR-derived spatial deformation (Root Mean Square Error = 3.53 mm) and susceptibility (Area Under the Curve = 0.97). Also, the authenticity and reliability of the susceptibility results from RF model are improved by further Isotonic regression calibration processes. Then, subsidence risk map is obtained from the hazard and vulnerability assessment using the Analytic Hierarchy Process by combining multiple conditional factors. Remarkably, the results revealed that regions with the very high and high risk level of subsidence are 12.33 $\text{km}^{2}$ and correspond to 1.34$\%$ of the total. It further found that the groundwater level and its changes are the domain factors in Xi'an from machine learning method. This work provides an integrated assessment approach for subsidence from a new perspective, and the findings can serve as theoretical support for early warning and disaster prevention.

Abstract Pyoderma, commonly known as impetigo, is a bacterial skin infection causing pus formation, prevalent globally, especially in resource-poor areas. It affects both children and adults, including those with conditions like diabetes. Despite its significant impact and economic burden, research on its global epidemiology is limited. This study aims to address this gap by analyzing pyoderma trends from 1990 to 2019 using GBD data. The study aims to analyze global trends in pyoderma epidemiology from 1990 to 2019 using GBD data. Specifically, it investigates Age-Standardized Incidence Rate (ASIR), Mortality Rate (ASMR), and Disability-Adjusted Life Years Rate (ASDR) across 204 countries. Additionally, it provides insights into demographic and socioeconomic factors influencing pyoderma prevalence. Furthermore, it forecasts pyoderma’s development trends for the next decade to inform public health strategies. Data were sourced from the GBD 2019 database, comprising various sources such as censuses, surveys, and registries. Estimates for pyoderma incidence, mortality, and DALYs, along with their 95% uncertainty intervals (UI), were retrieved. The Sociodemographic Index (SDI) was used to assess socioeconomic status, and statistical calculations were performed using the WHO Health Equity Assessment Toolkit and R software (v4.3.2). From 1990 to 2019, the Age-Standardized Incidence Rate (ASIR) and Age-Standardized Mortality Rate (ASMR) of impetigo increased, while the Age-Standardized Disability-Adjusted Life Years Rate (ASDR) declined. Significant global geographical heterogeneity persists, closely associated with the Sociodemographic Index (SDI). Children under 5 and the elderly are particularly at risk, with lower SDI nations bearing higher burdens. Population growth and aging contribute to this rise, with disparities in impetigo trends persisting among countries and regions with varying SDI levels, expected to continue until 2030. Pyoderma exhibits significant heterogeneity across age, gender, and geography, with pronounced disparities evident in underdeveloped regions or countries. Therefore, prioritizing policy formulation and implementing tailored prevention and treatment strategies for high-risk populations are imperative to alleviate the disease burden effectively. Such targeted approaches are crucial in addressing the global impact of pyoderma.

Abstract Objective Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a motor neuron disorder encompassing 5q and non-5q forms, causing muscle weakness and atrophy due to spinal cord cell degeneration. Understanding its genetic basis is crucial for genetic counseling and personalized treatment options. Methods This study retrospectively analyzed families of patients suspected of SMA at our institution from February 2006 to March 2024. Various molecular techniques, including multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification analysis, long-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with nested PCR, Sanger sequencing, and whole-exome sequencing were employed to establish a thorough genetic variant profile in 680 Chinese pedigrees with clinically suspected SMA. Results Out of 680 families suspected of having SMA, 675 exhibited mutations in the SMN1 gene, while three families were linked to mutations in the IGHMBP2 gene. One family exhibited a genetic variation in the NEB gene, and another family exhibited a variation in the SCO2 gene. Among the families with mutations in the SMN1 gene, 645 families exhibited either E7‒E8 or E7 homozygous deletion. Some families displayed E7‒8 heterozygous deletions along with other mutations, such as E1 or E1‒6 heterozygote deletion and point mutations. Furthermore, one family demonstrated a compound-heterozygous double mutation, while another carried a type “2 + 0” mutation alongside a point mutation. Conclusions This study comprehensively analyzed the genetics of suspected familial SMA cases in the Chinese population, providing insights into the molecular genetic mechanisms of SMA and the utility of various detection techniques. The findings revealed important implications for genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, and targeted therapies in clinical practice.

ABSTRACT Objective Plate fixation is the preferred method for treating forearm shaft fractures. However, it remains controversial regarding the necessity of implant removal after bone union. This review aims to assess refracture risk after plate removal. Methods We searched various data sources, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. A total of 6749 papers were identified, of which 23 studies were eligible for final quantitative syntheses. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were conducted to reduce heterogeneity and make the results more reliable. Results The total risk difference (RD) was 0.06 (0.04–0.09), indicating that the difference was significant. In the “Reasons for Removal” subgroup analysis, the RD of the “No Symptom” subgroup was 0.07 (95% CI = 0.04–0.11), while the RD of the “Symptoms” subgroup was 0.04 (95% CI = −0.02 to 0.10). In the “Plate Type” subgroup analysis, the RD of the “LCP” subgroup was 0.07 (95% CI = 0.02–0.13), while the RD of the “DCP” subgroup was 0.07 (95% CI = 0.01–0.13). After omitting each study one by one, the RDs were all significant. Conclusions Plate retention is significantly associated with a lower rate of refracture than plate removal. Consequently, it is not recommended to remove implants, especially for patients without implant‐related symptoms, but more reliable evidence is still needed. Trial Registration The review was registered on PROSPERO and the registration ID is CRD42023424743, and a protocol was not prepared

Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can lead to persistent symptoms, sequelae, and other medical complications that may last for weeks or months after recovery. The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence and risk factors of long COVID-19 persisting for 2 years in Hainan Province, China, to aid in its recognition, prevention, and treatment. Between July and August 2022, 960 individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in Hainan, China, were recruited. An epidemiological questionnaire was conducted via phone interviews to assess participants’ recovery status after 2 years. Among the participants, 120 patients (12.5%) experienced at least one long COVID-19 complication. The most common symptoms were cough (33.3%, 40/120), followed by fatigue (25.9%, 31/120), hair loss (23.3%, 28/120), and dizziness (20.8%, 25/120). Independent risk factors included age over 65, moderate to severe infection, chronic diseases, irregular diet, late sleeping, anxiety, and fewer than 2 vaccinations (p

Abstract Background Paragangliomas are rare neoplasms arising from extra-adrenal chromaffin cells, with mediastinal paragangliomas representing an exceptionally rare subset. This report details the surgical management of a complex mediastinal paraganglioma case, presenting with refractory hypertension and invasion of critical surrounding structures. A comprehensive review of the current literature is included to underscore existing cases, enhance clinical awareness, and share our insights and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of this challenging condition. Case presentation A 16-year-old female presented with recurrent headaches and persistent hypertension lasting over one year. Based on clinical findings and imaging studies, she was preliminarily diagnosed with a mediastinal paraganglioma. The patient underwent comprehensive preoperative management, including oral α- and β-adrenergic blockade, preoperative arterial embolization, and intravenous fluid volume expansion, to optimize endocrine control. Thoracoscopic resection of the mediastinal mass was initially attempted; however, the procedure became complex due to the high risk of uncontrolled hemorrhage and invasion of adjacent vital structures. Following the preoperative surgical plan, the incision was converted to a lateral thoracotomy, and cardiopulmonary bypass was initiated. Meticulous dissection enabled the complete removal of the tumor along with the affected posterior wall of the left atrium, followed by reconstruction of the left atrium and the right pulmonary vein. The surgery was successfully completed, and follow-up assessments showed no signs of tumor recurrence or metastasis. Conclusions Functional mediastinal paraganglioma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor, with complete surgical resection being the gold standard treatment. Stringent perioperative management is crucial to mitigate the risk of cardiovascular complications associated with functional tumors. Lifelong surveillance is recommended to detect potential recurrence or metastasis. Effective collaboration within a multidisciplinary team is essential for ensuring accurate diagnosis and delivering optimal, individualized care.

Abstract The NOD‑like receptor protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is critical in inflammatory responses and may be a valuable prognostic biomarker in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We aimed to investigate the association between NLRP3 inflammasome levels and short-term outcomes in patients with ACS. We enrolled 295 patients with ACS who were monitored for 6 months for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). The NLRP3 inflammasome was quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, with the Gensini score used to assess disease severity. A Cox regression model evaluated whether NLRP3 inflammasome levels were independent predictors of MACEs. Spearman correlation analysis demonstrated a significant positive correlation between NLRP3 inflammasome levels and the Gensini score (r = 0.55, p

Abstract Bacteria, fungi, archaea, and viruses are reflective organisms that indicate soil health. Investigating the impact of crude oil pollution on the community structure and interactions among bacteria, fungi, archaea, and viruses in Calamagrostis epigejos soil can provide theoretical support for remediating crude oil pollution in Calamagrostis epigejos ecosystems. In this study, Calamagrostis epigejos was selected as the research subject and subjected to different levels of crude oil addition (0 kg/hm2, 10 kg/hm2, 40 kg/hm2). Metagenomic sequencing technology was employed to analyze the community structure and diversity of soil bacteria, fungi, archaea, and viruses. Additionally, molecular ecological network analysis was integrated to explore species interactions and ecosystem stability within these microbial communities. The functional profiles of soil microorganisms were elucidated based on data from the KEGG database. Results demonstrated a significant increase in petroleum hydrocarbon content, polyphenol oxidase activity, hydrogen peroxide enzyme activity, and acid phosphatase activity upon crude oil addition, while β-glucosidase content, fiber disaccharide hydrolase content, and tiller number decreased (P

Abstract In this paper, a dual-parameter liquid level and refractive index (R.I.) sensor is fabricated using three pieces of bare polymer optical fibers (POFs), which can independently and simultaneously sense the liquid level and R.I. The proposed sensor design utilizes the twisted coupling technique, in which two optical fibers are twisted and coupled with macro-bending. The liquid level measurement depends on the coupling loss, where the light is transmitted to emission fiber (EF) and twisted with coupled acceptor fiber (AF). The proposed liquid level sensor can measure depths up to 125 mm with a sensitivity of 8.03 nW/mm. Moreover, R.I. sensing depends on the twisted coupled macro-bending (TCMB) technique, where the EF generates bend loss and the AF couples the loss, where the coupled power varies due to the transformation in R.I. of coupling medium. The R.I. sensor revealing a notable sensitivity of -2663%/RIU and an impressive resolution of 3.754 × 10−4 in the different NaCl-saturated liquids featuring R.I. range extending from 1.333 to 1.361. The experimental findings indicate the sensor exhibits excellent stability and reliability. The sensor’s straightforward, comprehensive, and cost-effective design enables its application in chemical, petroleum, and other industries.

Abstract It remains unclear whether the benefits of adhering to a healthy lifestyle outweigh the effects of high genetic risk on cognitive decline. We examined the association of combined lifestyle factors and genetic risk with changes in cognitive function and six specific dimensions of cognition among older adults from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (1998–2018, n = 18,811, a subset of 6301 participants with genetic information). Compared to participants with an unfavorable lifestyle, those with a favorable lifestyle showed a 46.81% slower rate of cognitive decline, with similar results across most cognitive domains. High genetic risk was associated with a 12.5% faster rate of cognitive decline. Individuals with a high genetic risk and a favorable lifestyle have slower cognitive decline than those with a low genetic risk and an unfavorable lifestyle. These data suggest that the benefits of a favorable lifestyle outweigh genetic factors, and therefore that adhering to a favorable lifestyle may offset the genetic risk for accelerated cognitive decline.

Abstract Purpose We used knowledge discovery from radiomics of T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (T1C) for assessing relapse risk in patients with high-grade meningiomas (HGMs). Methods 279 features were extracted from each ROI including 9 histogram features, 220 Gy-level co-occurrence matrix features, 20 Gy-level run-length matrix features, 5 auto-regressive model features, 20 wavelets transform features and 5 absolute gradient statistics features. The datasets were randomly divided into two groups, the training set (~ 70%) and the test set (~ 30%). Combinations of data preprocessing methods, including normalization (Min-Max, Z-score, Mean), dimensionality reduction (Pearson Correlation Coefficients (PCC)), feature selector (max-Number, cluster) and ten-fold cross-validation were analyzed for their prediction performance. Kaplan–Meier curve, Cox proportional hazards regression model were used and concordance index (C-index), integrated Brier score (IBS) were selected. Model performance was assessed using the C-index. Results WHO grade, age, gender, histogram (Mean, Perc.90%, Perc.99%), Gray-level co-occurrence matrix (S(3, -3)DifVarnc, S(5, 5)Correlat, S(1, 0)SumEntrp, S(2, -2)InvDfMom), Teta1, WavEnLL_s-2 and GrVariance were identified as the significant recurrence factors. The pipeline using Mean_PCC_Cluster_10 of T1C yielded the highest efficiency with an IBS of 0.170, 0.188, 0.208 and C-index of 0.709, 0.705, 0.602 in the train, test and validation sets, respectively. The pipeline using MinMax_PCC_Cluster_19 of T2WI yielded the highest efficiency with an IBS of 0.189, 0.175, 0.185 and C-index of 0.783, 0.66, 0.649 in the train, test and validation sets. The pipeline using MinMax_PCC_Cluster_13 of T2WI + T1C yielded the highest efficiency with an IBS of 0.152, 0.164, 0.191 and C-index of 0.701, 0.656, 0.593 in the train, test and validation sets, respectively. Conclusion Knowledge discovery from MRI radiomic features can slightly help predict recurrence risk in HGMs. T2WI or T1C yielded better efficiency than T2WI + T1C. The parameters with the best power were Mean, Perc.99%, WavEnLL_s-2, Teta1 and GrVariance.

Surface Electromyographic (sEMG) signals contain motor-related information and therefore can be used for human-machine interaction (HMI). Deep learning plays an important role in extracting motor-related information from sEMG signals. However, most studies prioritize model accuracy without sufficient consideration of model efficiency, including the model size, power consumption, and the computational speed of the model. This leads to impractical power consumption, heat dissipation levels and processing time in wearable computation scenarios. Here, we propose an efficient Transformer method that employs the EMSA (Efficient Multiple Self-Attention) and pruning mechanism to improve efficiency and accuracy concurrently, when estimating finger joint angles from sEMG signals. The proposed method does not only achieve state-of-the-art accuracy but can also be deployed on wearable devices to satisfy real-time applications. We applied the proposed model on the Ninapro DB2-dataset to estimate finger joint angles during grasping tasks. RNN series models, Convolution series models, and Transformer series models were used as reference models for comparison. In addition to common model accuracy, the deployment performance of the models was tested on microprocessors, such as Intel CPU i5, Apple M1, and Raspberry Pi 4B. When tested on 38 subjects of the Ninapro DB2, the proposed model resulted in a correlation coefficient of $0.82~\pm ~0.04$ , root mean squared error (RMSE) of $10.77~\pm ~1.48$ , and normalized RMSE of $0.11~\pm ~0.01$ , which were all similar to the results achieved by the state-of-the-art (SOTA) reference methods. Further, the computational time of the proposed methods was 65.99 ms on the Raspberry Pi 4B, which outperformed all the RNN series models and the Transformer series models. The model size and the power (the minimum size and power are 0.39 MB and 2.28 w) consumption of the proposed model also outperformed that of all reference Transformer methods. These experimental results indicate that our model can maintain the accuracy of the SOTA methods while significantly improving efficiency, thus being a promising approach for real-life applications in wearable devices.

Abstract Pancreatic diseases pose considerable health challenges due to their complex etiology and limited therapeutic options. Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), highly expressed in pancreatic tissue, participates in numerous physiological processes and signaling pathways, indicating its potential relevance in these diseases. Despite this, UCP2’s role in acute pancreatitis (AP) remains underexplored, and its functions in chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic steatosis are largely unknown. Additionally, the mechanisms connecting various pancreatic diseases are intricate and not yet fully elucidated. Given UCP2’s diverse functionality, broad expression in pancreatic tissue, and the distinct pathophysiological features of pancreatic diseases, this review offers a comprehensive analysis of current findings on UCP2’s involvement in these conditions. We discuss recent insights into UCP2’s complex regulatory mechanisms, propose that UCP2 may serve as a central regulatory factor in pancreatic disease progression, and hypothesize that UCP2 dysfunction could significantly contribute to disease pathogenesis. Understanding UCP2’s role and mechanisms in pancreatic diseases may pave the way for innovative therapeutic and diagnostic approaches. Graphical Abstracts

Abstract Metastasis is the major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mortality. But the effective biomarkers for HCC metastasis remain underexplored. Here we integrated GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) and TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) datasets to screen candidate genes for hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis, a consensus metastasis-derived prognostic signature (MDPS) was constructed by machine learning. Based on the risk scores, HCC patients were stratified into high-risk and low-risk groups. Comprehensive analyses were conducted to investigate various aspects including survival outcomes, clinical characteristics, immune cell infiltration, as well as in vitro experiments. Together, we develop a comprehensive machine learning-based program for constructing a consensus MDPS including four genes (SPP1, TYMS, HMMR and MYCN). Our findings revealed that four genes could serve as efficient prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in HCC. In addition, in vitro experiments showed that HMMR overregulation exacerbated tumor progression, including proliferation, migration and invasion.

Abstract Introduction This study protocol specifies the primary research line and theoretical framework of the 2023 Survey of the Psychology and Behavior of the Chinese Population. It aims to establish a consistent database of Chinese residents' psychological and behavioral surveys through multi‐center and large‐sample cross‐sectional surveys to provide robust data support for developing research in related fields. It will track the public's physical and psychological health more comprehensively and systematically. Methods The study was conducted from June 20, 2023 to August 31, 2023, using stratified and quota sampling methods. A total of 150 cities across 800 communities/villages were surveyed, selected from China (Despite extensive coordination, we have been unable to contact our counterparts in the Taiwan region of China to obtain relevant statistical data). The questionnaires were distributed to the public one‐on‐one and face‐to‐face by trained surveyors. The questionnaires included basic information about the individual, personal health status, basic information about the family, the social environment in which the individual lives, psychological condition scales, behavioral level scales, other scales, and attitudes towards topical social issues. Supervisors conducted quality control during the distribution process and returned questionnaires, logically checked and cleaned for data analysis. Discussion Data collection has been finished, and scientific outputs based on this data will support the development of health promotion strategies in China and globally. In the aftermath of the pandemic, it will guide policymakers and healthcare organizations to improve their existing policies and services to maximize the physical and mental health of the Chinese population. Trial Registration This study was filed in the National Health Security Information Platform (Record No.: MR‐37‐23‐017876) and officially registered in the China Clinical Trials Registry (Registration No.: ChiCTR2300072573).

Doubled haploid (DH) technology is an efficient method used in commercial maize breeding. Chromosome doubling is a vital step of DH technology; however, the underlying processes regulating chromosome doubling of haploid is still not well understood, which is key to optimize the technology. In this study, the immature haploid embryos of the maize inbred line Zheng58 treated with amiprophos-methyl (APM) or colchicine were used to analyze transcriptomic and metabolomic changes, 75 and 60 differential expressed metabolites (DEMs) were identified between control treatment, respectively. Most differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to artificial chromosome doubling were down regulated; these were mainly involved in mitosis process. Both DEMs and DEGs co-expression analyses showed that, compared to controls, zeatin biosynthesis and cofactor and vitamin metabolism were significantly enriched in both APM and colchicine treatments. In a parallel experiment, exogenous vitamins including thiamine, nicotinic acid, vitamin B6, or trans-zeatin were added to colchicine treatment; there were synergistic effects between vitamins or zeatin and colchicine in haploid artificial chromosome doubling. These results provide novel insights in exploring the molecular responses to antimitotic reagents at both the transcriptomic and metabolomic levels. In addition, the application efficiency of haploid breeding will be greatly improved by the key factors for artificial chromosome doubling.

The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has increased markedly as the world population has aged. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported as novel regulators in diverse pathophysiological conditions. Here, we performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and observed that the lncRNA Zeb1os1 (zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1, opposite strand 1), which is known as ZEB1-AS1 (zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 antisense 1) in humans, was upregulated in the aged mice hearts, senescent cardiomyocytes, and human blood from elderly individuals. The human blood ZEB1-AS1 level was positively relevant to human age but negatively relevant to peak E to peak A (E/A). Silencing Zeb1os1 ameliorated diastolic dysfunction and cardiac senescence in aged mice. On the other hand, Zeb1os1 overexpression triggered cardiac dysfunction resembling that observed in aged mice. Mechanistically, we provide compelling evidence that Zeb1os1 interacts with the transient receptor potential mucolipin 1 (TRPML1) for ubiquitination (UB)-mediated degradation. This process inhibits lysosomal Ca2+ efflux, impairing lysosome function. In addition, the functional domain of Zeb1os1, which contains the key nucleotides responsible for the pro-senescence property of full-length Zeb1os1 in cardiomyocytes. Together, these data suggest that Zeb1os1 is a potential target for ameliorating lysosomal dysfunction and aging-related cardiac impairment.

Abstract Background Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with functional and structural alterations beyond the nigrostriatal dopamine projection. However, the structural-functional (SC-FC) coupling changes in combination with subcortical regions at the network level are rarely investigated in PD. Methods SC-FC coupling networks were systematically constructed using the structural connectivity obtained by diffusion tensor imaging and the functional connectivity obtained by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in 53 PD and 72 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). Then, we explored how SC-FC coupling varied within and between several well-defined functional domains. Results Results showed that the SC-FC coupling in patients with PD was globally reduced in comparison with HCs. Specifically, regional SC-FC decoupled in the inferior parietal lobule, occipitotemporal cortex, motor cortex, and higher-order association cortex in patients with PD. Moreover, PD showed intranetwork SC-FC decoupling in the visual network (VIS), limbic and higher-order association networks. Furthermore, internetwork decoupling mainly linked to the VIS, the somatomotor network (SOM), the dorsal attention network, and the default mode network, was observed, increased internetwork coupling was found between the subcortical network and the SOM in PD (all p

Abstract Background Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a neurodegenerative ocular disease. This study investigated the role of ferroptosis-related genes and their interaction with immune cell infiltration in AMD. Methods We screened differential expression genes (DEGs) of AMD from data sets in Gene Expression Omnibus. We identified ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (ferroDEGs) by intersecting DEGs with ferroptosis-related genes. Protein–protein interactions network and Cytoscape were used for screening hub genes. Next, we analyzed immune cell infiltration using CIBERSORT and examined the crosstalk between hub ferroDEGs and immune cell infiltration. Hub genes expression in each cell cluster and the proportions of different cell clusters between AMD and normal samples were examined using single-cell data. The hub ferroDEG expressions were verified in cell and mouse models using RT–qPCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence assay. The roles of ANXA1 in ferroptosis and its crosstalk with microglia were investigated. Results We identified hub ferroDEGs that include six genes (ANXA1, DKK1, CD44, VIM, TGFB2, DUSP1). Functional analysis of those hub ferroDEGs was found to be correlated with leukocyte migration and chemotaxis, macrophage migration, and gliogenesis. The high-risk ferroptosis group exhibited elevated levels of CD8+ T cells, activated NK cells, and M2 macrophages. Single-cell sequencing data revealed a high degree of cell heterogeneity in macular degeneration and the monocytes proportion in the macular area was higher in AMD samples. Moreover, we observed elevated mRNA and protein levels of CD44, ANXA1 (P

Abstract Mitochondria are pivotal in cellular energy metabolism and have garnered significant attention for their roles in cancer progression and therapy resistance. Despite this, the functional diversity of mitochondria across various cancer types remains inadequately characterized. This study seeks to fill this knowledge gap by introducing and validating MitoScore—a novel metric designed to quantitatively assess mitochondrial function across a wide array of cancers. Our investigation evaluates the capacity of MitoScore not only to distinguish between tumor and adjacent normal tissues but also to serve as a predictive marker for clinical outcomes. We analyzed gene expression data from 24 cancer types and corresponding normal tissues using the TCGA database. MitoScore was calculated by summing the normalized expression levels of six mitochondrial genes known to be consistently altered across multiple cancers. Differential gene expression was assessed using DESeq2, with a focus on identifying significant changes in mitochondrial function. MitoScore’s associations with tumor proliferation, hypoxia, aneuploidy, and clinical outcomes were evaluated using Spearman’s correlation, linear regression, and Kaplan–Meier survival analyses. MitoScore was significantly higher in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues across most cancer types (p

Abstract. This study delves into the integration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) sentiment therapy with modern medical interventions in treating infertility, aiming to enhance the therapeutic outcomes for patients. It posits that infertility encompasses not only physical factors but also significant psychological and emotional dimensions. The synthesis of TCM sentiment therapy and contemporary reproductive medicine signifies a paradigm shift in comprehending the interactions among health, emotions, psychology, and physiology. By analyzing the diagnostic and treatment methods of TCM, this study elucidates how sentiment can enhance modern treatments, thereby promoting a more holistic, patient-centered approach to infertility care. Furthermore, it underscores the necessity of fostering a comprehensive understanding of health and disease within medical education.

Abstract Incipient ferroelectricity bridges traditional dielectrics and true ferroelectrics, enabling advanced electronic and memory devices. Firstly, we report incipient ferroelectricity in freestanding SrTiO3 nanomembranes integrated with monolayer MoS2 to create multifunctional devices, demonstrating stable ferroelectric order at low temperatures for cryogenic memory devices. Our observation includes ultra-fast polarization switching (~10 ns), low switching voltage (

Abstract To ensure the reliable transmission with increased spectral efficiency of the small information block, this article proposes the novel distributed generalized Reed‐Solomon coded differential spatial modulation (DGRSC‐DSM) scheme in the relay cooperation manner. Two different generalized Reed‐Solomon (GRS) codes with identical lengths are deployed at the source and relay, respectively, where the relay utilizes the subcode of the GRS code, which can construct an ultimate code having a unique algebraic structure at the destination. In addition, the Global search algorithm (Algorithm 1) is developed to obtain an optimal selection mode at the relay, resulting in the final code with an optimal code weight enumeration. Since the complexity of this algorithm is extremely high, the low‐complexity Parity‐position local search algorithm (Algorithm 2) is then proposed to get the suboptimal mode. Monte‐Carlo results indicate that there is a minimal disparity in performance between the two proposed algorithms that both effectively enhance the system performance. Moreover, based on the optimized final code and the special construction of GRS code, the novel Smart‐joint decoding algorithm is first presented at the destination which can fully exploit two‐way information data and further lower the bit error rate (BER) of the DGRSC‐DSM scheme. Also, the analytical union bound of the proposed scheme is formulated over the quasi‐static Rayleigh fading channel, which illustrates a tight fit at the high signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) regions.

Abstract Background The immunogenicity of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is significantly enhanced after transplantation or differentiation, and these cells can be recognized and cleared by recipient immune cells. Graft rejection has become a major obstacle to improving the therapeutic effect of allogeneic MSCs or, after their differentiation, transplantation in the treatment of diabetes and other diseases. Solving this problem is helpful for prolonging the time that cells play a role in the recipient body and for significantly improving the clinical therapeutic effect. Methods In this study, canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) were used as seed cells, and gene editing technology was used to knock out the B2M gene in these cells and cooperate with the overexpression of the PD-L1 gene. Gene-edited ADSCs (GeADSCs), whose biological characteristics and safety are not different from those of normal canine ADSCs, have been obtained. Results The immunogenicity of GeADSCs is reduced, the immune escape ability of GeADSCs is enhanced, and GeADSCs can remain in the body for a longer time. Using the optimized induction program, the efficiency of the differentiation of GeADSCs into new islet β-cells was increased, and the maturity of the new islet β-cells was increased. The immunogenicity of new islet β-cells decreased, and their immune escape ability was enhanced after the cells were transplanted into diabetic dogs (the graft site was prevascularized by the implantation of a scaffold to form a vascularized pouch). The number of infiltrating immune cells and the content of immune factors were decreased at the graft site. Conclusions New islet β-cell transplantation, which has low immunogenicity, can reverse diabetes in dogs, and the therapeutic effect of cell transplantation is significantly enhanced. This study provides a new method for prolonging the survival and functional time of cells in transplant recipients and significantly improving the clinical therapeutic effect.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the feasibility of intraoperative human papillomavirus (IOP-HPV) testing for the prediction of postoperative treatment failure in patients with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) undergoing loop electrosurgical excisional procedure (LEEP). Methods A total of 114 women diagnosed with HSIL by biopsy and/or endocervical curettage who underwent LEEP were included in a prospective cohort study. IOP-HPV testing was performed immediately after the procedure. Patients were followed up for 24 months. Logistic regression was used to analyse the factors influencing the residual or recurrent lesions. Further stratified analyses were performed to investigate the differences in prognosis of IOP-HPV positivity in patients of different age and menopausal status. Results 1. Of the 114 patients, 6 (5.26%) were pathologically upgraded to cervical cancer, and 21 (18.42%) were lost to follow-up. Recurrence or residual HSIL lesions occurred in 9.20% (8/87) of cases. Of the 8 women who developed post-treatment HSIL, 7 (26.92%) were positive for IOP-HPV, and only 1 (1.64%) was negative for IOP-HPV (

Abstract While defects are undesirable for the reliability of electronic devices, particularly in scaled microelectronics, they have proven beneficial in numerous quantum and energy-harvesting applications. However, their potential for new computational paradigms, such as neuromorphic and brain-inspired computing, remains largely untapped. In this study, we harness defects in aggressively scaled field-effect transistors based on two-dimensional semiconductors to accelerate a stochastic inference engine that offers remarkable noise resilience. We use atomistic imaging, density functional theory calculations, device modeling, and low-temperature transport experiments to offer comprehensive insight into point defects in WSe2 FETs and their impact on random telegraph noise. We then use random telegraph noise to construct a stochastic encoder and demonstrate enhanced inference accuracy for noise-inflicted medical-MNIST images compared to a deterministic encoder, utilizing a pre-trained spiking neural network. Our investigation underscores the importance of leveraging intrinsic point defects in 2D materials as opportunities for neuromorphic computing.

ABSTRACT: Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) offers many advantages for the fast and sensitive detection of specific compounds, metal ions or pathogens in foods, motivating to its increasing utilization in food safety. SERS-tags, typically constructed using signal enhanced substrate, Raman reporter molecules, a biocompatible protective layer and a specific recognition element, provide a powerful tool for the analysis of food hazards. This article reviews recent progress in the development of SERS-tags for food safety assessment covering SERS-tags with characteristic peaks in the “fingerprint” region (800–1 800 cm–1) and the “biological-silent” region (1 800–2 800 cm–1). Following a brief description of SERS substrates, the design, synthesis and applications of SERS-tag are explored in detail. The application of SERS-tags technology for the detection of microorganisms, pesticides and antibiotics are then investigated. Finally, the prospects of using SERS-tag in real-world food safety analysis are critically discussed.

Lipids and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are essential contributors to meat flavor. However, no studies to date have comprehensively explored the lipids and VOCs in raw pork from Ningxiang (NX) pigs and their hybrid breed Berkshire × Ningxiang (BN) pigs. This study aimed to identify the lipids and VOCs and reveal the crucial lipids for characteristic flavor formation. Samples were collected from the longissimus dorsi muscle of six NX and BN 8-month-old pigs each. The intramuscular fat (IMF) content of NX pork was 5.43%, almost twice that of BN pork (p 1, p

In this paper, a novel as-cast CrFeNiAl0.35Si0.1Ti0.1 high entropy alloy (HEA) with micron-to-nano hierarchical heterostructure was designed, and its microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance have been systematically investigated. It is found that, this novel HEA exhibits well-dispersed L21 phase with various sizes from micron-scale to nano-scale in the BCC matrix, while nano-sized BCC lamellas could also emerge in the L21 phase with large diameter. Moreover, this HEA exhibits not only excellent corrosion resistance in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution that close to super-stainless steels, but also high mechanical properties combining yield strength of 1712 ± 56 MPa, compressive plasticity of 21.2% ± 0.5% and hardness of ∼560 Hv. Such outstanding comprehensive properties for this HEA are possibly resulted from the complex hierarchical BCC-L21-BCC heterostructure with stable passive film and low diversity in work function between different phases. This work provides a novel route in the development of high-performance corrosion-resistant HEAs for structural and coating applications.

Intestinal immune homeostasis plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of food allergy. However, the association between intestinal microenvironment factors and food allergy severity is not well studied. In this study, we established a gluten allergy (GA) BALB/c mouse model and revealed the intestinal luminal factor-mediated alterations in phenotypes and endotypes of GA, combined with untargeted metabolomic profiling of the colonic contents. Our results showed that gluten sensitization induced severe allergic responses in BALB/c mice, characterized by exacerbated clinical allergic and diarrheal symptoms, increased histamine, elevated gluten-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG2a levels, and increased mast cell degranulation. In response to GA, T-cell balance was disrupted, with aberrant production of interleukin (IL)-4, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-10, and IL-2 in the spleen. GA led to a disrupted intestinal microenvironment homeostasis, including increased pH and water content, impaired intestinal antioxidant capacity and epithelial barrier function, decreased short-chain fatty acid production, and microbial dysbiosis, which was strongly correlated with GA severity. By metabolomic profiling, we found 29 differential expressed metabolites (DEMs) associated with GA, with 9 down-regulated and 20 up-regulated. A total of 11 out of all DEMs were classified into dipeptides, and 10 of them were up-regulated in the GA mice. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that most of the DEMs were enriched into the bile secretion metabolic route.

Abstract. Background:. Substantial progress in air pollution control has brought considerable health benefits in China, but little is known about the spatio-temporal trends of economic burden from air pollution. This study aimed to explore their spatio-temporal features of disease burden from air pollution in China to provide policy recommendations for efficiently reducing the air pollution and related disease burden in an era of a growing economy. Methods:. Using the Global Burden of Disease method and willingness to pay method, we estimated fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and/or ozone (O3) related premature mortality and its economic burden across China, and explored their spatio-temporal trends between 2005 and 2017. Results:. In 2017, we estimated that the premature mortality and economic burden related to the two pollutants were RMB 0.94 million (68.49 per 100,000) and 1170.31 billion yuan (1.41% of the national gross domestic product [GDP]), respectively. From 2005 to 2017, the total premature mortality was decreasing with the air quality improvement, but the economic burden was increasing along with the economic growth. And the economic growth has contributed more to the growth of economic costs than the economic burden decrease brought by the air quality improvement. The premature mortality and economic burden from O3 in the total loss from the two pollutants was substantially lower than that of PM2.5, but it was rapidly growing. The O3-contribution was highest in the Yangtze River Delta region, the Fen-Wei Plain region, and some western regions. The proportion of economic burden from PM2.5 and O3 to GDP significantly declined from 2005 to 2017 and showed a decreasing trend pattern from northeast to southwest. Conclusion:. The disease burden from O3 is lower than that of PM2.5, the O3-contribution has a significantly increasing trend with the growth of economy and O3 concentration.

Abstract Background Thyroid surgeries are intricate operations that carry the risk of damaging the parathyroid glands, which can result in hypocalcemia and potential long-term hypoparathyroidism. Innovative surgical techniques including Intraoperative Nanocarbon Staining (INS), aim to enhance the preservation of parathyroid glands. This study assesses the effectiveness of INS combined with parathyroid autotransplantation in reducing postoperative complications and preserving parathyroid function. Methods This retrospective cohort study assessed patients aged ≥ 18 who underwent thyroid surgery at a tertiary care hospital from January 2017 to December 2022. We compared the incidence of postoperative parathyroid injury, recovery rates of parathyroid function, and the incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism between groups. Data on patient demographics, diagnosis, surgical details, parathyroid hormone levels, and calcium levels were collected and analyzed using chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regression. Results The study included 198 patients, with 101 in the intervention group and 97 in the control group. Baseline characteristics such as sex ratio, age, BMI, and preoperative calcium levels showed no significant differences between groups. The intervention group demonstrated a significantly shorter duration of intravenous calcium supplementation (median 2 vs. 3 days, p

Abstract This study addresses the challenges in the early diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) by exploring the potential role of the deubiquitinating enzyme USP14. By analyzing the GSE141549 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, using bioinformatics methods and three machine learning algorithms (LASSO, Random Forest, and Support Vector Machine), the key feature gene USP14 was identified. The results indicated that USP14 is significantly upregulated in DIE and exhibits good predictive value (AUC = 0.786). Further analysis revealed the important role of USP14 in muscle function, cellular growth factor response, and maintenance of chromosome structure, and its close association with various immune cell functions. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the high expression of USP14 in DIE tissues. This study provides a new molecular target for the early diagnosis of DIE, which holds significant clinical implications and potential application value.

Compared with the global average, the incidence rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in China is higher, particularly in the southern regions where the mortality rate has remained persistently high. Nimotuzumab, a targeted therapy that acts on the epidermal growth factor receptor, has prompted continuous progress in NPC treatment. The combination of nimotuzumab with traditional radiotherapy and chemotherapy can enhance treatment efficacy, reduce adverse reactions, and improve patients’ quality of life. This article summarizes current research findings from this perspective to provide diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for NPC treatment.

Abstract Background The prognostic significance of the hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width (Hb/RDW) ratio in patients undergoing pacemaker implantation (PMI) remains uncertain. Our study aimed to explore the prospective relationship between the Hb/RDW ratio and the risk of major cardiovascular events (MCEs) in Chinese patients with PMI. Methods A total of 595 patients with permanent PMI were enrolled. Patients were divided into the high-Hb/RDW (≥ 9.1 g/L per percent) and the low-Hb/RDW (

Abstract Microvascular obstruction (MVO) is linked with adverse clinical outcome in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, therefore, early prediction of MVO with non-invasive peripheral microcirculation is crucial in facilitating optimal treatment. Current study aims to analyze the significance of opisthenar microvessel area (OMA, measured using optical coherence tomography, OCT) in predicting coronary stenosis (Gensini score, GS) and short-term cardiac recovery of ACS patients and the results were compared to those of arterial stiffness parameters (Pulse Wave Velocity, PWV; Ankle-Brachial Index; ABI). Results showed that cardiac functional parameters (e.g. ejection fraction, EF; fractional shortening, FS) and OMA were higher in normal/low risk (GS 0–≤ 20, n = 69) compared to medium/high risk patients (GS > 20, n = 44, P

Abstract This investigation seeks to scrutinize the relationships between body composition metrics and the clinical outcomes observed in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). A comprehensive exploration was conducted across three prominent online databases: Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library. This endeavor spanned the entirety of each database up to the cutoff date of September 29, 2023. To evaluate the quality of the included studies, the Newcastle-Ottawa scale was employed. This comprehensive analysis included a total of 26 articles with a combined patient cohort of 4398 individuals. The results demonstrated that CCA patients with low skeletal muscle index (SMI) had significantly inferior OS (HR: 1.93, p

Abstract The fundamental leucine zipper (bZIP) genes play a crucial role as transcriptional coactivators in plants. Pseudoroegneria libanotica served as the maternal contributor to several species within the tribe Triticeae (Poaceae), exhibiting commendable resilience to various stressors. Consequently, bZIP genes of Pseudoroegneria libanotica response to abiotic stresses was important for further understanding of stress tolerance studies in Triticeae. A total of 108 PsebZIPs were identified in this study, and they were divided into 10 subgroups. PsebZIPs were found to be extensively involved in the biological activities within P. libanotica. The RNA-seq results revealed differential responses of PsebZIPs to drought stress in both aerial and root tissues. PsebZIP44 and PsebZIP46 were regarded as potential genes capable of responding to abiotic stress, and their varying degrees of responsiveness to drought, salinity, heavy metals, heat, and oxidative stress have been demonstrated in yeast. Homologous proteins with intact bZIP gene structures of PsebZIP44 or PsebZIP46 have not been identified in wheat. The current investigation not only provides a fundamental basis for further probing into the biological functions of PsebZIPs within P. libanotica but also reveals previously undiscovered potential genes with the ability to respond to abiotic stress. They could contribute to improving the genetic constitution of Triticeae crops, including wheat.

Abstract Cochlear implants (CI) are one of the most successful treatments available to enable individuals with severe to profound hearing loss to regain access to the world of sound. This is accomplished through the electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve using electrodes implanted inside the cochlea. The use of subjective user feedback makes the process of fitting these devices much more challenging in cases where users are not able to actively or accurately report their experience (e.g. pediatrics), making an objective measurement that reflects the accuracy or effectiveness of a program quite attractive. We recorded one objective measure, the electrically-stimulated cortical auditory evoked potential (eCAEP), non-invasively using the CI in response to a simulated speech sound in seven adult participants and compared it to their eCAEP recorded using a scalp EEG set-up. The eCAEPs recorded with CI electrodes were comparable to scalp recorded eCAEPs (grand mean cross-correlation of r = 0.83, individual mean cross-correlations ranged from 0.13 to 0.70). Evoked potential peaks P1, N1 and P2 showed no significant latency difference based on if the eCAEP was recorded on the scalp or using the CI. The eCAEP waveforms recorded via the CI appear to converge in a distinct P1-N1-P2 waveform by as early as 130 sweeps. In conclusion, in this study we show the feasibility of recording the eCAEP directly through the CI system, which could potentially be used to guide CI fitting and track auditory cortex development in response to CI use.

Abstract Ecosystem gross primary productivity (GPP) is the largest carbon flux between the atmosphere and biosphere and is strongly influenced by soil moisture. However, the response and acclimation of GPP to soil moisture remain poorly understood, leading to large uncertainties in characterizing the impact of soil moisture on GPP in Earth system models. Here we analyze the GPP-soil moisture response curves at 143 sites from the global FLUXNET. We find that GPP at 108 sites exhibits hump-shaped response curves with increasing soil moisture, and an apparent optimum soil moisture ( $${{\rm{SM}}}^{{\rm{GPP}}}_{{\rm{opt}}}$$ SM opt GPP , at which GPP reaches the maximum) exists widely with large variability among sites and biomes around the globe. Variation in $${{\rm{SM}}}^{{\rm{GPP}}}_{{\rm{opt}}}$$ SM opt GPP is mostly explained by local water availability, with drier ecosystems having lower $${{\rm{SM}}}^{{\rm{GPP}}}_{{\rm{opt}}}$$ SM opt GPP than wetter ecosystems, reflecting the water acclimation of $${{\rm{SM}}}^{{\rm{GPP}}}_{{\rm{opt}}}$$ SM opt GPP . This acclimation is further supported by a field experiment that only manipulates water and keeps other factors constant, which shows a downward shift in $${{\rm{SM}}}^{{\rm{GPP}}}_{{\rm{opt}}}$$ SM opt GPP after long-term water deficit, and thus a lower soil water requirement to maximize GPP. These results provide compelling evidence for the widespread $${{\rm{SM}}}^{{\rm{GPP}}}_{{\rm{opt}}}$$ SM opt GPP and its acclimation, shedding new light on understanding and predicting carbon-climate feedbacks.

Abstract Background Renal fibrosis is a key process in the progression from acute kidney injury (AKI) to chronic kidney disease (CKD), while the intricate mechanisms of renal fibrosis remain obscure. While the signal-transducing adaptor protein 2 (STAP2) was well-studied for its notable function in inflammation and immune-related disorders, its specific implication in renal fibrosis remains unclear. This study assessed the mechanism by which STAP2 could promote the progression of renal fibrosis. Methods The expression level of STAP2 in fibrotic human samples, murine fibrosis models, and cellular fibrosis models was measured, respectively. Subsequently, immunoprecipitation (IP), mass spectrometry, and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) were employed to identify HSP27 as an interacting protein and the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. STAP2 was thereafter knocked down or overexpressed in both in vivo and in vitro models to assess the expression levels of pathway-related and fibrosis-related proteins. Finally, the important role of STAP2 in the fibrosis process in animal models induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and cisplatin was validated. Results Functionally, in vivo assays demonstrated that the genetic knockout of STAP2 could remarkably mitigate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), diminish inflammatory cell infiltration, and reduce collagen deposition in mice with renal fibrosis. Conversely, in vitro assays employing STAP2-overexpressing cell models exacerbated the expression levels of fibrosis markers. The outcomes uncovered a potential mechanism by which STAP2 could modulate renal fibrosis through its impact on the expression level of phosphorylated HSP27, as well as modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Conclusions This comprehensive investigation delineated the noticeable function of STAP2 in the advancement of renal fibrosis, and the outcomes might contribute to the development of targeted therapies concentrated on STAP2 to mitigate renal fibrosis.

Abstract Liver fibrosis (LF) is a common sequela to diverse chronic liver injuries, leading to rising rates of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As the medicinal and edible homologous material, traditional teas have exhibited promising applications in the clinical management of liver fibrosis. Here, we generated a liver fibrosis mouse model to explore the potent therapeutic ability of Ampelopsis grossedentata (AG) tea on this condition by multi-omics analysis. The biochemistry results pointed towards mitigated increases of ALT, AST, TBIL, and ALP triggered by BDL in the AG-treated group. Examination using H&E and Sirius Red staining revealed severe liver injuries, inflammation infiltration, amplified fibrosed regions, and the creation of bile ducts, all of which were fallout from BDL. Immunohistochemistry findings also implicated a noteworthy upregulation of the HSC activation marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and the fibrosis marker collagen I in the BDL group. However, these symptoms demonstrated a significant improvement in the group treated with 100 mg/kg AG. Findings from the Western Blot test corroborated the prominent elevation of TNF-α, col1a1, α-SMA, and TGF-β, instigated by BDL, while AG treatment meaningfully modulated these proteins. Furthermore, our study underscored the potential involvement of several microbiota, such as Ruminococcaceae UCG-014, Eubacterium Ruminantium, Ruminococcus 1, Christensenellaceae R-7, Acetatifactor, Dubosiella, Parasutterella, Faecalibaculum, and Defluviitaleaceae UCG-011, in the progression of liver fibrosis and the therapeutic efficacy of AG. This investigation shows that during the process of AG ameliorating BDL-induced liver fibrosis, bile acid derivatives such as CDCA, TCDCA, 3-DHC, UCA, DCA, among others, play significant roles. In this study, we identified that several non-bile acid metabolites, such as Deltarasin, Thr-Ile-Arg, etc., are entailed in the process of AG improving liver fibrosis.

Gibberellins (GAs) are a class of plant hormones that can affect plant growth and development. GA-oxidases are rate-limiting enzymes, which play a direct role in GA accumulation in plants. However, the roles of GA-oxidase on carrot (Daucus carota L.) taproot development are still unclear. In this study, two GA-oxidase genes, DcGA20ox2 and DcGA2ox1, were identified in carrot. Transgenic carrot plants were obtained by using Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation method. The results showed that overexpression of DcGA20ox2 significantly promoted the accumulation of active GAs in carrot, increased plant height, generated more branches, and enhanced xylem development. Overexpression of DcGA2ox1 significantly reduced the total contents of active GAs compared with the control group, resulting in a dwarf phenotype and markedly increased lignin content of the transgenic carrot. The expression profiling showed that the genes of GA metabolic pathway responded to the negative feedback regulation mechanism. At the same time, the expression of most genes in lignin biosynthesis and polymerization process was up-regulated, corresponding to the massive accumulation of lignin. These findings indicated that DcGA20ox2 and DcGA2ox1 affected carrot growth and development by regulating the levels of endogenous GAs. The results from current work might shed light on further studies aimed to regulate lignification in carrot and other crops.

Abstract The expression of TRIM47, a member of the TRIM protein and E3 ubiquitin ligase families, is elevated in various cancers, such as non-small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer, and is linked to poor prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the role of TRIM47 in gastric cancer development. Using The Cancer Genome Atlas-Stomach Adenocarcinoma (TCGA-STAD) dataset and analysis of 20 patient samples from our center, TRIM47 was found to be significantly up-regulated in gastric cancer tissues and associated with advanced N-stage and poor prognosis. We constructed stable TRIM47 knockdown and overexpressing gastric cancer cell lines. CCK8, EDU, colony formation, wound healing, and Transwell tests were used to evaluate the effects on cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. The results showed that TRIM47 knockdown inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells, while TRIM47 overexpression promoted these behaviors. These results were further confirmed in vivo. In the mechanism part, we found that TRIM47 interacts with CYLD protein. Moreover, TRIM47 promotes K48-linked ubiquitination, leading to the degradation of CYLD by the proteasome, thereby activating the NF-κB pathway and regulating the biological behavior of gastric cancer cells. Taken together, our study demonstrated that TRIM47 is involved in the proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer through the CYLD/NF-κB pathway.

Abstract The catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA)-based miRNA detection methods have garnered significant attention due to their simplicity and acceptable amplification efficiency. However, these methods necessitate improved sensitivity. In this work, we present a colorimetric and ultrasensitive approach for the detection of cancer-related miRNAs which is initiated by CHA-mediated nicking endonuclease-assisted signals recycling. The target initiates the CHA process to expose the functional section in the P2 probe. This section can activate cascaded recycling cycles to produce numerous linker sequences by Nt.AlwI endonuclease-assisted cleavage of two hairpin signal probes. The 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine sulfate (TMB)/H2O2-based color reaction is induced by the fixation of the cDNA-HRP on the surface of magnetic beads, which is mediated by the linker sequence. The proposed method demonstrates a sensitivity that is either comparable to or superior to that of previous colorimetric miRNA detection methods, as a result of this design. Furthermore, the method demonstrated a promising potential for clinical applications and a high selectivity to target miRNA. Consequently, it provides a colorimetric assay that is both ultrasensitive and dependable for the visual detection of miRNA, which has the potential to revolutionize the early diagnosis of cancer.

Abstract Many plants associate with endophytic microbes that improve root phosphorus (P) uptake. Understanding the interactions between roots and endophytes can enable efforts to improve P utilization. Here, we characterize the interactions between lateral roots of endophytes in a core collection of 50 rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) genotypes with differing sensitivities to low P conditions. With the correlation analysis result between bacterial abundance and plant physiological indices of rapeseeds, and inoculation experiments on plates and soil, we identify one Flavobacterium strain (C2) that significantly alleviates the P deficiency phenotype of rapeseeds. The underlying mechanisms are explored by performing the weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), and conducting genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using Flavobacterium abundance as a quantitative trait. Under P-limited conditions, C2 regulates fatty acid and lipid metabolic pathways. For example, C2 improves metabolism of linoleic acid, which mediates root suberin biosynthesis, and enhances P uptake efficiency. In addition, C2 suppresses root jasmonic acid biosynthesis, which depends on α-linolenic acid metabolism, improving C2 colonization and activating P uptake. This study demonstrates that adjusting the endophyte composition can modulate P uptake in B. napus plants, providing a basis for developing agricultural microbial agents.

Frozen shoulder (FS) manifests as progressively worsening pain and a reduction in shoulder range of motion (ROM). Salvianolic acid B (SaB) is recently expected to be used in the treatment of fibrosis diseases including FS. We firstly demonstrate that SaB can effectively hinder the progression of oxidative stress, inflammation, and pathological fibrosis within the synovial tissue in FS, potentially leading to the reduction or reversal of capsule fibrosis and joint stiffness. For further clinical application, we design and synthesize a novel, superior, antioxidant and antibacterial CSMA-PBA/OD-DA (CPDA) hydrogel for the delivery of SaB. In vitro experiments demonstrate that the CPDA hydrogel exhibits excellent biocompatibility and rheological properties, rendering it suitable for intra-articular injections. Upon injection into the contracted joint cavity of FS model rat, the SaB-CPDA hydrogel accelerate the recovery of ROM and exhibit superior anti-fibrosis effect, presenting the promise for the treatment of FS in vivo.

This article explores the synchronization, stability and motion characteristics of the generalized dynamical model with two rigid frames (RFs) driven by two groups (even number) of coaxial rotating exciters. In light of this system’s generalized coordinates, we use Lagrange’s equations to derive the generalized differential equation of motion. The responses of absolute and relative motion of the generalized system are obtained using the transfer function method. The synchronization and stability criteria of multiple exciters are derived using the average method and Hamilton’s theory, respectively. Taking a dynamical model driven by two pairs of exciters as an example, the localized studies of generalized results are carried out. The stable synchronous solutions for phase differences and excitation frequency, the stability ability coefficient curves and the response curves are graphically presented considering the effect of two crucial dimensionless parameters on the stable synchronous states. The simulation results of the specific system are obtained using the fourth-order Runge-Kutta algorithms and compared with the numerical qualitative analysis results to reveal the high consistency between them and clarify the used methods’ effectiveness. The strength of this work stems from its use in the field of high power and large scale self-synchronization vibrating machines.

Brown millet and millet bran are rich in nutrients. After stabilization treatment, they are easy to store and transport. However, it is difficult for them to be accepted as food ingredients by consumers due to their poor texture and taste. Micronization can alter chemical and functional properties of materials, potentially improving quality of brown millet and millet bran, as well as their taste. This study investigated the effects of micronization on morphology attributes (particle size distribution, microstructure and color), functional attributes (oil binding capacity, water binding capacity, water solubility index, swelling capacity and bulk density), and digestion and release of free polyphenols and flavonoids in fresh and radio frequency (RF) stabilized brown millet and millet bran. The results showed that micronization treatment effectively reduced particle size of the samples, increased particle surface area, significantly improved powder color, and affected their microstructure. Micronization treatment also increased bulk density of brown millet and millet bran. When the particle size was reduced to pass through a 150-mesh sieve, the bulk density of fresh and RF stabilized brown millet and millet bran increased by 13.68%, 38.77% and 22.50%, 25.33%, respectively. Micronization reduced oil binding capacity and water binding capacity of the samples, and both indicators continuously decreased with the decline of particle size. Micronization also improved the release of antioxidant substances (free polyphenols and free flavonoids) from brown millet and millet bran. When digestion for 120 min, the release of free flavonoids in intestine of 150-mesh fresh brown millet powder increased by 70.89% compared with 50-mesh powder, and the release of free polyphenols in stomach increased by 12.22%. This study indicates that micronization can improve functional and nutritional attributes of brown millet and millet bran, offering valuable reference and guidance for the development of micronized raw materials from brown millet and millet bran.

Abstract The prolonged war in Ukraine is having a strong impact on all sectors of the Ukrainian society, including biomedical research. Although the material and psychological conditions are challenging, the country and its researchers are courageously managing to continue their activities. This perspective paper describes the multiple challenges faced by Ukrainian biomedical researchers during wartime and outlines strategies to support and enhance collaboration with the global scientific community. Ukraine has a rich scientific history and modern expertise in biomedical research, and developing more international collaborations with Ukraine can have mutual benefits for all involved parties.