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Osmanthus fragrans is an ethylene-sensitive flower, and flower senescence was mediated by ethylene-responsive transcription factors (OfERFs). A total of 227 OfERFs were identified from O. fragrans , which were classified into five subfamilies: AP2 (35), DREB (57), ERF (125), RAV (6), and Soloist (4). Gene composition and structural analysis indicate that members of different subfamilies have different gene structures and conserved domains. Their gene promoter contains various functional responsive elements, including auxin, jasmonic acid, and other responsive elements. Among them, 124 OfAP2/ERF genes have expressed at any stage of flowering, and 10 of them may play roles in flowering or senescence. By comparative transcriptome analysis, OfAP2/ERFs affected by ethephon (ETH) and 5′-azacytidine (Aza) treatment were divided into three categories, which have various target gene sets. Importantly, these target gene sets participate in similar or different biological processes and metabolic pathways, suggesting that ethylene and DNA hypomethylation have crosstalk and a unique mechanism in regulating the flower senescence of O. fragrans. Co-expression analysis revealed that several key OfAP2/ERFs played a central role in organic acid metabolism and biosynthesis of branched-chain amino acids (BcAAs), among which OfERF017 was selected for further functional analysis. Overexpression of OfERF017 leads to significant enrichment of genes in organic acid metabolism pathways, which leads to a decrease in organic acid levels and promoting the flower senescence of O. fragrans. Together, these results give insights into the characteristics and functional analysis of OfAP2/ERF genes in O. fragrans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histone acetylation and methylation, governed by various histone modification (HM) gene families, are vital for plant biological processes. However, there are limited studies that have explored HMs in ornamental horticultural trees, including sweet osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans). We performed genome-wide search and identified 208 OfHMs, encompassing 81 histone methyltransferases (OfHMTs), 51 histone demethylases (OfHDMs), 49 histone acetyltransferases (OfHATs) and 27 histone deacetylases (HDACs). Our comprehensive analysis covered chromosome locations, gene structures, conserved domains, cis-acting elements, phylogenetic comparisons, protein interaction networks and functional enrichment pathways for these gene families. Additionally, tandem and fragment replications were unveiled as contributors to the expansion of OfHMs, with some genes exhibiting positive selection. Furthermore, we examined OfHM expression profiles across various tissues and flowering stages, and under 5′-azacytidine (Aza) and ethylene treatments. Most OfHMs displayed heightened expression in leaves, and were downregulated during the flower opening and senescence stages, including OfPRMTs, OfHDTs, OfHDAs, OfSRTs, OfJMJs and OfHAGs; 75.86% and 80.77% of the differentially expressed OfHMs were upregulated after Aza and ethylene treatments, including OfHAGs, OfHDAs and OfSDGs. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the OfHM gene family, which indicated their potential involvement in ethylene and Aza responses, and in the flowering process. These findings provide valuable insights into the role of OfHMs in flowering and stress responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an important factor secreted by skeletal muscle, myonectin can regulate lipid metabolism and energy metabolism, but its role in the utilization of peripheral free fatty acids (FFAs) by porcine intramuscular fat cells remains to be further investigated. In this study, porcine intramuscular adipocytes were treated with recombinant myonectin and palmitic acid (PA), either alone or in combination, and then were examined for their uptake of exogenous FFAs, intracellular lipid synthesis and catabolism, and mitochondrial oxidation of fatty acids. The results showed that myonectin decreased the area of lipid droplets in intramuscular adipocytes (p < 0.05) and significantly increased (p < 0.05) the expression levels of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Moreover, myonectin can up-regulate the expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK). Myonectin significantly promoted the uptake of peripheral FFAs (p < 0.01), improved (p < 0.05) the expression of fatty transport protein 1 (FATP1) and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) in intramuscular adipocytes. Myonectin also significantly increased (p < 0.05) the expression levels of fatty acid oxidation markers: transcription factor (TFAM), uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) and oxidative respiratory chain marker protein complex I (NADH-CoQ) in mitochondria of intramuscular adipocytes. In summary, myonectin promoted the absorption, transport, and oxidative metabolism of exogenous FFAs in mitochondria, thereby inhibiting lipid deposition in porcine intramuscular adipocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the protective effects of L-theanine supplementation on the diquat-challenged weaned piglets. A total of 160 weaned piglets were randomly divided into 4 groups using a 2 × 2 two-factor design, there were 4 replicates per group and 10 pigs per replicate. Piglets were fed diets (with 1000 mg/kg L-theanine addition or not), then challenged with diquat or saline on day 7. 21 days after challenge, two pigs from each replicate were selected for sample collection. Results showed that supplement with 1000 mg/kg L-theanine down-regulated the diarrhea rate, serum D-lactate level, tumor necrosis factor-α, and phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling in pigs without diquat challenge (p < 0.05). While for diquat-challenged piglets, L-theanine addition increased average daily gain, jejunum villus height, and interferon-γ level (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, L-theanine addition decreased the diarrhea rates and mortality, serum D-lactate level, and phosphorylation of ERK and JNK in diquat-challenged pigs (p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that L-theanine pretreatment could alleviate diquat-induced oxidative stress and improve intestinal barrier function in diquat-challenged weaned piglets, which can be attributed to suppression of MAPK phosphorylation signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze the psychological experience characteristics of nursing staff with different roles in response to sudden public health emergencies so as to formulate targeted intervention strategies against the negative psychology of nursing staff. Methods Based on the principle of information saturation, purposive sampling was used to select nursing staff with different roles, and semi-structured interviews were conducted from July to August 2022. The interview data were sorted and analyzed by QSR Nvivo 11.0 software. Results A total of 18 nursing staff members were included in this interview, including 9 managers and 9 non-managers. Four tree nodes were determined based on the interview materials: positive orientation of work feelings, negative experience in the support process, influencing factors of negative experience, and psychological adjustment measures. The high-frequency words were "problem", "work", "influence", "psychology", "pressure", "communication", etc. The most important sub-node in the tree node of "influencing factors of negative experience", "psychological adjustment measures", "positive orientation of work feelings" and "negative experience in the support process" was "management pressure", "self-release path", "sense of value" and "worry", respectively. The proportion of negative matrix coding words for nursing management personnel was much greater than that for non-management personnel, while the proportion of positive matrix coding words was much smaller than that for non-management personnel. Conclusions There were different degrees of negative psychological tendencies among front -line emergency nurses in sudden public health emergencies, among which management personnel were more prominent. Corresponding psychological adjustment intervention strategies should be formulated for nursing managers in emergency work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a Eulerian Wall Film (EWF) model and a discrete phase model (DPM) are applied to simulate the phenomenon of droplet re-entrainment in a baffle demister. The primary objective was to design a new hook plate and evaluate its influence on the performance. The results show that the phenomenon of droplet re-entrainment occurs owing to the separation and stripping of the liquid film at the corner of the demister. Moreover, the liquid film strips at the areas where the local velocity is quite high near the wall of the demister. With the installation of the hook, the removal efficiency increased from 68.4% to 87.2% at 3 m/s inlet velocity. When the inlet velocity was increased to 6 m/s, the removal efficiency reached 96.7%, indicating that the existence of the hook plate further improved the efficiency of the demister, whereas the pressure loss of the system also increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traumatic posterior atlantoaxial dislocation (PAAD) without fracture of the odontoid process is a rare injury. Closed reduction by skull traction under C‐arm fluoroscopic guidance and open reduction have been reported previously for the treatment of PAAD. Objective: To report a rare case of PAAD without fracture treated by closed manual reduction and posterior fixation. To provide a new method—atlantoaxial dynamic test—for confirming the integrity of the transverse ligament after reduction and evaluate the ideal treatment strategy for traumatic PAAD without fracture of the odontoid process or rupture of the transverse ligament. Method: A 54‐year‐old woman was riding in the passenger seat when her vehicle was rear‐ended by a car. X‐ray and computed tomography (CT) scans were used to diagnose PAAD without a related fracture. Closed manual reduction under C‐arm fluoroscopy was performed after applying general anesthesia via sober intubation, and the integrity of the transverse ligament was confirmed by the atlantoaxial dynamic test with C‐arm fluoroscopy. Then, pedicle screw internal fixation via the posterior approach was applied to maintain atlantoaxial stability. Results: The procedure was performed uneventfully, and the patient was able to move out of bed on the first day after surgery with Philadelphia cervical gear. During a 2‐year follow‐up period, imaging data demonstrated no instability of the atlantoaxial complex. Conclusion: Closed manual reduction under C‐arm fluoroscopy is an easy and effective method for PAAD. The integrity of the transverse ligament can be confirmed by C‐arm fluoroscopy through the atlantoaxial dynamic test after reduction. Pedicle screw internal fixation via the posterior approach can provide sufficient stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-power mid-infrared fiber lasers, featuring superior beam quality and good power-scaling ability, have a few important applications in material processing, medical surgery, and molecule spectroscopy. The high-power pump light combiner, as one of the key elements for constructing a mid-infrared fiber laser, is crucial for the laser performance. While some advanced side-pump combiners based on fluoride fiber have been reported in recent literatures, the thermal stability of the fluoride fiber combiner, which is closely-related to its power-scaling capability, is a long-living challenge. In this work, we demonstrate a high-power mid-infrared side-pump combiner with improved thermal stability, realized using the point-by-point fusion-splicing technique between a silica fiber taper and a piece of Er-doped fluoride gain fiber. The developed combiner exhibits a high coupling efficiency of ∼90%, supporting highly-stable operation at an incident pump power of up to 60 W. Using this combiner, we constructed a continuous-wave mid-infrared fiber laser which can deliver stably 4 W output power at 2.8 µm without using active cooling system. At this lasing power, the maximum input pump power is limited to 20 W to prevent fiber end-facet degradation, which can be further improved with the use of endcaps. This remarkable thermal stability renders the combiner great application potentials in constructing compact, robust, high-power fiber lasers at mid-infrared wavelengths.

Background: The three- and four-part fractures of the proximal humerus are often combined with rotator cuff injury, and shoulder joint replacement is often selected clinically. The concept of "shoulder preservation" can greatly restore the function of the shoulder joint through internal fixation of the proximal humerus fracture and rotator cuff suture. This study investigated the clinical effect of the concept of "shoulder preservation" in the treatment of three- and four-part fractures of the proximal humerus., Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 66 patients with proximal humeral fractures (PHFs) who were treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University between 2016 and 2019. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the Neer fracture classification system, and the fracture healing time of the 3 groups was compared. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the pain, and the Neer score was used to evaluate shoulder joint function., Results: The operations were successfully completed and the 3 groups of patients were compared in pairs. All incisions healed by first intention after operation, and no early complications occurred. The average follow-up time was 18 months. All fractures had healed. The VAS score of the 3 groups of patients was 1.5±0.5 at 1 month after operation and 1.0±0.5 at the final follow-up, which was significantly improved compared with preoperative scores, although the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The Neer scores of the first group of patients at 1, 3, and 9 months postsurgery were higher than those of the second and third groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference among the 3 groups in Neer score 12 months after the operation (P>0.05)., Conclusions: Proximal humeral internal locking osteosynthesis system (PHILOS) fixation + rotator cuff suture is a reliable treatment method involving a simple operation, firm fixation, and good postoperative recovery. It can restore shoulder joint function to the greatest extent, but it also has some shortcomings, including slow recovery time.