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Infections with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and disorders of the heart and blood vessels are causally related. To ascertain the causal relationship between COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease (CVD), we carried out a Mendelian randomization (MR) study through a method known as inverse variance weighting (IVW). When analyzing multiple SNPs, MR can meta-aggregate the effects of multiple loci by using IVW meta-pooling method. The weighted median (WM) is the median of the distribution function obtained by ranking all individual SNP effect values according to their weights. WM yields robust estimates when at least 50% of the information originates from valid instrumental variables (IVs). Directed gene pleiotropy in the included IVs is permitted because MR–Egger does not require a regression straight line through the origin. For MR estimation, IVW, WM and MR-Egger were employed. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using funnel plots, Cochran's Q test, MR–Egger intercept test, MR–PRESSO, and leave-one-out analysis. SNPs related to exposure to COVID-19 and CVD were compiled. CVD for COVID-19 infection, COVID-19 laboratory/self-reported negative, and other very severe respiratory diagnosis and population were randomly assigned using MR. The COVID-19 laboratory/self-reported negative results and other very severe respiratory confirmed cases versus MR analysis of CVD in the population (p ​> ​0.05); COVID-19 infection to CVD (p ​= ​0.033, OR ​= ​1.001, 95%CI: 1.000–1.001); and the MR–Egger results indicated that COVID-19 infection was associated with CVD risk. This MR study provides preliminary evidence for the validity of the causal link between COVID-19 infection and CVD.

Abstract Cadmium (Cd) is a biologically non-essential heavy metal, a major soil pollutant, and extremely harmful to plants. The phytohormone methyl jasmonate (MeJA) plays an important role in plant heavy-metal resistance. However, the understanding of the effects of MeJA supply level on alleviating Cd toxicity in plants is limited. Here, we investigated how MeJA regulated the development of physiological processes and cell wall modification in Cosmos bipinnatus. We found that low concentrations of MeJA increased the dry weight of seedlings under 120 µM Cd stress by reducing the transport of Cd from roots to shoots. Moreover, a threshold concentration of exogenous MeJA increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) in plant roots, the concentration of Cd in the root cell wall, and the contents of pectin and hemicellulose 1 polysaccharides, through converting Cd into pectin-bound forms. These results suggested that MeJA mitigated Cd toxicity by modulating root cell wall polysaccharide and functional group composition, especially through pectin polysaccharides binding to Cd, with effects on Cd transport capacity, specific chemical forms of Cd, and homeostatic antioxidant systems in C. bipinnatus.

Abstract Background The prognosis of brain injury caused by subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is poor. Previous studies showed that abnormal function of RBPs might be involved in brain injury, neuroinflammation and further affect microglia homeostasis. However, no studies have systematically analyzed the genome-wide abnormal expression of RBPs genes in microglia during SAH. Methods RNA-seq data of microglia from the SAH mouse group (SAH) and control sham-operated mouse group (sham) were downloaded from the GEO database in GSE167957, including four samples from the sham group and four samples from the SAH group for subsequent analysis.Utilizing GO and KEGG functional enrichment analyses, we conducted a comprehensive study of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), alternative splicing patterns, and co-expression networks to gain deeper insights into the differential expression of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and differential alternative splicing events (ASEs) between the SAH (subarachnoid hemorrhage) and sham groups. This analysis aimed to elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying the aberrant expression of RBPs in microglia during brain injury caused by SAH. Results ASEs and co-expression analyses of differentially expressed RBPs and differential ASEs were carried out in microglia in terms of gene expression. GO and KEGG functional enrichment analysis showed that aberrantly expressed RBPs such as Mcm7, Mtdh, SRSF3, and Hnrnpa2b1 may affect and regulate downstream Csnk1d, Uckl1 and other protein phosphorylation-related genes by alterative splicing. Conclusion RBPs were aberrantly expressed in microglia during the development of brain injury secondary to SAH, regulating alterative splicing of downstream genes and influencing the progression of SAH brain injury in this study. This implies that RBPs are important for the identification of new therapeutic targets for brain injury after SAH.

In order to reveal the aroma compositions of two varieties of Yunnan teas processed based on the Liu Bao tea craft and to explore the more suitable varieties of tea plants for making Liu Bao tea, headspace solid-phase micro extraction and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS) was used to analyze the aroma compositions of two varieties of Yunnan teas by combining the relative odor activity value (ROAV) method with the relative odor activity value (ROAV) method. Headspace solid-phase micro extraction and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS) was used to analyze the volatile constituents of the two varieties of tea from Yunnan by using the relative aroma activity value (ROAV) method. The results showed that a total of 152 volatile components were detected, with alcohols and esters as the main volatile components, and linalool, lauryl alcohol, nonanal, dihydrokiwifruit lactone, methyl linolenate and methyl palmitate as the main volatile components, and the results of ROAV showed that there were 19 main aroma-contributing volatile components during the processing of the two varieties, and the aroma compounds that were significantly (P

Abstract Background Transcatheter angiography (TA) could help to diagnose and treat refractory nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB). Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the key medication for reducing the rebleeding rate and mortality and are usually continued after TA. It is unknown whether high-dose PPIs after TA are more effective than the standard regimen. Methods We retrospectively collected data from patients who received TA because of refractory NVUGIB from 2010 to 2020 at West China Hospital. 244 patients were included and divided into two groups based on the first 3 days of PPIs treatment. All baseline characteristics were balanced using the inverse probability of treatment weighting method. The 30-day all-cause mortality, rebleeding rate and other outcomes were compared. The propensity score matching method was also used to verify the results. Results There were 86 patients in the high-dose group and 158 in the standard group. The average daily doses of PPI were 192.1 ± 17.9 mg and 77.8 ± 32.0 mg, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed no difference in the 30-day all-cause mortality (aHR 1.464, 95% CI 0.829 to 2.584) or rebleeding rate (aHR 1.020, 95% CI 0.693 to 1.501). There were no differences found in red blood cell transfusion, hospital stay length and further interventions, including endoscopy, repeating TA, surgery and ICU admission. The results were consistent in the subgroup analysis of patients with transcatheter arterial embolization. Conclusion In refractory NVUGIB patients who received TA, regardless of whether embolization was performed, high-dose PPI treatment did not provide additional benefits compared with the standard regimen.

Abstract Background Dysregulation of iron metabolism has been shown to have significant implications for cancer development. We aimed to investigate the prognostic and immunological significance of iron metabolism-related genes (IMRGs) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods Multiple Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets were analyzed to identify key IMRGs associated with prognosis. Additionally, the immunological significance of IMRGs was explored. Results A novel risk model was established using the LASSO regression algorithm, incorporating three genes (TFRC, SLC39A14, and ATP6V0D1).This model categorized patients into low and high-risk groups, and Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed significantly shorter progression-free survival for the high-risk group (P

Abstract It is generally recognized that tumor cells proliferate more rapidly than normal cells. Due to such an abnormally rapid proliferation rate, cancer cells constantly encounter the limits of insufficient oxygen and nutrient supplies. To satisfy their growth needs and resist adverse environmental events, tumor cells modify the metabolic pathways to produce both extra energies and substances required for rapid growth. Realizing the metabolic characters special for tumor cells will be helpful for eliminating them during therapy. Cell death is a hot topic of long-term study and targeting cell death is one of the most effective ways to repress tumor growth. Many studies have successfully demonstrated that metabolism is inextricably linked to cell death of cancer cells. Here we summarize the recently identified metabolic characters that specifically impact on different types of cell deaths and discuss their roles in tumorigenesis.

Koumiss, a traditional Mongolian beverage, is believed to possess high nutritional value and potential medical benefits. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research on its potential impact on the human body. Metabolomics, as a sensitive approach in systems biology, offers a new avenue for studying the overall effects of koumiss. In this work, metabolomics was utilized to identify potential biomarkers and pathways associated with koumiss using UPLC-MS detection, pattern recognition analysis, pathway enrichment, network pharmacology. The findings indicated that koumiss exerts a beneficial regulatory influence on lipid metabolism, neurotransmitters, hormones, phospholipids and arachidonic acid metabolism, besides up regulating the content of nutrients. It could reduce the risks of dyslipidemia and inflammatory responses. This study confirmed the benign regulatory effect of koumiss on normal organism from the perspective of endogenous metabolites, and provided objective support for the promotion and application of this ethnic food.

Intracellular bacteria can multiply inside host cells and manipulate their biology, and the efficacy of traditional antibiotic drug therapy for intracellular bacteria is limited by inadequate drug accumulation. Fighting against these stealthy bacteria has been a long-standing challenge. Here, a system of stimuli-responsive lactoferrin (Lf) nanoparticles is prepared using protein self-assembly technology to deliver broad-spectrum antibiotic rifampicin (Rif) (Rif@Lf NPs) for enhanced infection therapy through targeted elimination of intracellular bacteria. Compared to Rif@BSA NPs, the Rif@Lf NPs can specifically target macrophages infected by bacteria, thus increasing the accumulation of Rif within macrophages. Subsequently, Rif@Lf NPs with positive surface charge further displayed targeted adherence to the bacteria within macrophages and released Rif rapidly in a redox-responsive manner. Combined with the antibacterial activities of Lf and Rif, the Rif@Lf NPs showed broad-spectrum antibiotic abilities to intracellular bacteria and biofilms. As a result, the Rif@Lf NPs with high safety exhibited excellent therapeutic efficacy in the disease models of subcutaneous infection, sepsis, and bacterial keratitis. Taken together, the antibiotic-loaded Lf nanoparticles present a promising platform to combat pathogen infections through targeted elimination of intracellular bacteria.

A rapid and sensitive ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was established for the simultaneous determination of doxorubicin (DOX) in mouse plasma and tissues, including the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and tumor, and to investigate the pharmacokinetics and distribution in mice. In this study, daunorubicin (DNR) was used as an internal standard, and the mobile phase consisted of ammonium formate 2 mM containing 0.1 % formic acid (A) and acetonitrile (B), the chromatographic column was ACQUITY UPLC BEHTM C18 with a gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. Electrospray ionization (ESI) in positive ion pattern was utilized for the ion separation of DOX, with the ions used for quantitative analysis being DOX m/z 544.28 → 397.10 and DNR m/z 528.35 → 321.08, respectively. The results showed that a good linear relationship in the calibration curve range of 1–800 ng/mL in mouse plasma and 1–2500 ng/g in tissues (R2 > 0.99) with the limits of quantification of 1 ng/mL in plasma and tissues. The method exhibited good matrix effect and extraction recovery, with the intra-day and inter-day precision of plasma and tissue were less than 10.3 % and 15.4 %, and the relative error (RE) were both less than ±14.8 % and ±18.9 %, respectively. The stability results under different conditions were found to be accurate. It also revealed the distribution of DOX in various tissues of mice, with the concentration ranking as liver > heart > kidney > spleen > lung > tumor. This method was successfully used to the study for the pharmacokinetics in plasma and drug distribution in tissues of BALB/c mice.

PurposeNanophthalmos is a congenital ocular structural anomaly that can cause significant visual loss in children. The early diagnosis and then taking appropriate clinical and surgical treatment remains a challenge for many ophthalmologists because of genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity. The objective of this study is to identify the genetic cause of nanophthalmos in the affected families and analyze the clinical phenotype of nanophthalmos with MFRP gene variation (Microphthalmia, isolated; OMIM#611040 and Nanophthalmos 2; OMIM#609549, respectively).MethodsComprehensive ophthalmic examinations were performed on participants to confirm the phenotype. The genotype was identified using whole exome sequencing, and further verified the results among other family members by Sanger sequencing. The normal protein structure was constructed using Alphafold. Mutant proteins were visualized using pymol software. Pathogenicity of identified variant was determined by in silico analysis and the guidelines of American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). The relationship between genetic variants and clinical features was analyzed.ResultsFive nanophthalmos families were autosomal recessive, of which four families carried homozygous variants and one family had compound heterozygous variants in the MFRP gene. Both family one and family three carried the homozygous missense variant c.1486G>A (p.Glu496Lys) in the MFRP gene (Clinvar:SCV005060845), which is a novel variant and evaluated as likely pathogenic according to the ACMG guidelines and in silico analysis. The proband of family one presented papilloedema in both eyes, irregular borders, thickened retinas at the posterior pole, tortuous and dilated retinal vessels, and indistinguishable arteries and veins, while the proband of family three presented uveal effusion syndrome-like changes in the right eye. In families one and 3, despite carrying the same gene variant, the probands had completely different clinical phenotypes. The homozygous nonsense variant c.271C>T (p.Gln91Ter) (Clinvar:SCV005060846) of the MFRP gene was detected in family 2, presenting shallow anterior chamber in both eyes, pigmentation of peripheral retina 360° from the equator to the serrated rim showing a clear demarcation from the normal retina in the form of strips. Family four proband carried the homozygous missense variant c.1411G>A (p.Val471Met) in the MFRP gene (Clinvar:SCV005060847), family five proband carried compound heterozygous missense variants c.1486G>A (p.Glu496Lys) and c.602G>T (p.Arg201Leu) in the MFRP gene (Clinvar:SCV005060848), which is a novel variant and evaluated as likely pathogenic according to the ACMG guidelines and in silico analysis, and they all presented clinically with binocular angle-closure glaucoma, family four also had retinal vein occlusion in the right eye during the follow-up.ConclusionIn this study, pathogenic variants of the MFRP gene were detected in five nanophthalmos families, including two novel variants. It also revealed a distinct phenotypic diversity among five probands harboring variants in the MFRP gene. Our findings extend the phenotype associated with MFRP variants and is helpful for ophthalmologists in early diagnosis and making effective treatment and rehabilitation strategies.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents a significant challenge due to its prevalence and lack of cure, driving the quest for effective treatments. Anshen Bunao Syrup, a traditional Chinese medicine known for its neuroprotective properties, shows promise in addressing this need. However, understanding its precise mechanisms in AD remains elusive. This study aimed to investigate Anshen Bunao Syrup's therapeutic potential in AD treatment using a scopolamine-induced AD rat model. Assessments included novel-object recognition and Morris water maze tasks to evaluate spatial learning and memory, alongside Nissl staining and ELISA analyses for neuronal damage and biomarker levels. Results demonstrated that Anshen Bunao Syrup effectively mitigated cognitive dysfunction by inhibiting amyloid-β and phosphorylation Tau aggregation, thereby reducing neuronal damage. Metabolomics profiling of rats cortex revealed alterations in key metabolites implicated in tryptophan and fatty acid metabolism pathways, suggesting a role in the therapeutic effects of Anshen Bunao Syrup. Additionally, ELISA and correlation analyses indicated attenuation of oxidative stress and immune response through metabolic remodeling. In conclusion, this study provides compelling evidence for the neuroprotective effects of Anshen Bunao Syrup in AD models, shedding light on its potential as a therapeutic agent for AD prevention and treatment.

Abstract Background According to prenatal ultrasonographic studies, single umbilical artery may be present alone or in association with other fetal abnormalities. So far, the exact pathogenesis of bladder exstrophy is unclear. Some scholars believe that bladder exstrophy and cloacal exstrophy should be regarded as a disease spectrum to explore their pathogenesis. If bladder exstrophy and cloacal exstrophy are regarded as the same disease spectrum, then we can speculate that the single umbilical artery should have the probability of being accompanied by bladder exstrophy at the same time. Case presentation For the first time, we report a rare case of fetal bladder exstrophy with single umbilical artery in single pregnancy. This patient underwent targeted color Doppler ultrasound at 26 weeks of pregnancy which first suspected bladder exstrophy with single umbilical artery and fetal MRI for diagnosis at 38 + 3 weeks of pregnancy which confirmed the suspicion. After the diagnosis was confirmed, the patient was scheduled for a multidisciplinary discussion. Ultimately the patient opted for induced fetal demise at 38 + 5 weeks of pregnancy and the physical appearance of the fetal demise affirmed previous ultrasound and MRI examination results. Conclusions Our report is the first finding of single umbilical artery combined with bladder exstrophy in a singleton pregnancy. Accordingly, our case enhances the evidence that cloacal exstrophy and bladder exstrophy should be treated as the same disease spectrum. In addition, we conducted a literature review on the diagnostic progress of single umbilical artery combined with bladder exstrophy, hoping to provide useful references for the diagnosis of this disease.

Abstract Frequent relapse and chemoresistance cause poor outcome in ovarian cancer (OC) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are important contributors. While most studies focus exclusively on CSCs, the role of the microenvironment in providing optimal conditions to maintain their tumor-initiating potential remains poorly understood. Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major constituent of the OC tumor microenvironment and we show that CAFs and CSCs are enriched following chemotherapy in patient tumors. CAFs significantly increase OC cell resistance to carboplatin. Using heterotypic CAF-OC cocultures and in vivo limiting dilution assay, we confirm that the CAFs act by enriching the CSC population. CAFs increase the symmetric division of CSCs as well as the dedifferentiation of bulk OC cells into CSCs. The effect of CAFs is limited to OC cells in their immediate neighborhood, which can be prevented by inhibiting Wnt. Analysis of single cell RNA-seq data from OC patients reveal Wnt5a as the highest expressed Wnt in CAFs and that certain subpopulations of CAFs express higher levels of Wnt5a. Our findings demonstrate that Wnt5a from CAFs activate a noncanonical Wnt signaling pathway involving the ROR2/PKC/CREB1 axis in the neighboring CSCs. While canonical Wnt signaling is found to be predominant in interactions between cancer cells in patients, non-canonical Wnt pathway is activated by the CAF-OC crosstalk. Treatment with a Wnt5a inhibitor sensitizes tumors to carboplatin in vivo. Together, our results demonstrate a novel mechanism of CSC maintenance by signals from the microenvironmental CAFs, which can be targeted to treat OC chemoresistance and relapse.

Objectives This study aimed to analyse the current status, trends and risk factors of disease burden from 1990 to 2019 among Chinese children.Design and participants It was a retrospective study on data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019). Data of disease burden and risk factors were extracted from the GBD 2019. Children were divided into two groups of

Abstract Drought has a significant impact on plant–insect interactions by altering plant survival, growth, leaf quality, and defense traits. Tropical plants are particularly vulnerable to water depression because of shallow root depth. In the context of climate change, drought events are expected to increase in frequency and intensity; however, their impact on tropical ecosystems remains poorly known. Insect herbivores represent the largest feeding guild of arthropods, and they devour four to five times more plant material than vertebrates do. Understanding how drought affects plant traits and leaf palatability in a keystone and ecologically diverse plant genus, such as Ficus (Moraceae), is crucial for predicting how climate change might alter tropical plant–insect interactions. We examined the impact of drought intensity and duration on the leaf nutritional quality, defensive traits, and herbivory damage by caterpillars in three tropical and one Mediterranean Ficus species in a greenhouse. We also conducted food choice trials with generalist caterpillars to evaluate the impact of drought on herbivores. Drought intensity and duration had no direct effect on leaf palatability across the Ficus species. However, drought indirectly affected leaf palatability via drought‐induced leaf traits in a species‐specific manner. Drought intensity and duration decreased leaf water content, resulting in decreased leaf palatability in F. benjamina and F. lyrata. Leaf defensive traits such as flavonoid concentration were affected by drought intensity and decreased leaf palatability in F. carica. Drought influenced the leaf traits of F. elastica, but none of them affected leaf palatability. Overall, this study establishes the link between drought and insect feeding on plants via leaf traits. The species‐specific responses to drought highlight the significance of climate‐related plant life histories in relation to climate change, underscoring the need for further investigations.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to establish an effective prognostic model based on triglyceride and inflammatory markers, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), to predict overall survival (OS) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Additionally, we aimed to explore the interaction and mediation between these biomarkers in their association with OS.MethodsA retrospective review was conducted on 259 NPC patients who had blood lipid markers, including triglyceride and total cholesterol, as well as parameters of peripheral blood cells measured before treatment. These patients were followed up for over 5 years, and randomly divided into a training set (n=155) and a validation set (n=104). The triglyceride-inflammation (TI) score was developed using the random survival forest (RSF) algorithm. Subsequently, a nomogram was created. The performance of the prognostic model was measured by the concordance index (C-index), time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA). The interaction and mediation between the biomarkers were further analyzed. Bioinformatics analysis based on the GEO dataset was used to investigate the association between triglyceride metabolism and immune cell infiltration.ResultsThe C-index of the TI score was 0.806 in the training set, 0.759 in the validation set, and 0.808 in the entire set. The area under the curve of time-dependent ROC of TI score in predicting survival at 1, 3, and 5 years were 0.741, 0.847, and 0.871 respectively in the training set, and 0.811, 0.837, and 0.758 in the validation set, then 0.771, 0.848, and 0.862 in the entire set, suggesting that TI score had excellent performance in predicting OS in NPC patients. Patients with stage T1-T2 or M0 had significantly lower TI scores, NLR, and PLR, and higher LMR compared to those with stage T3-T3 or M1, respectively. The nomogram, which integrated age, sex, clinical stage, and TI score, demonstrated good clinical usefulness and predictive ability, as evaluated by the DCA. Significant interactions were found between triglyceride and NLR and platelet, but triglyceride did not exhibit any medicating effects in the inflammatory markers. Additionally, NPC tissues with active triglyceride synthesis exhibited high immune cell infiltration.ConclusionThe TI score based on RSF represents a potential prognostic factor for NPC patients, offering convenience and economic advantages. The interaction between triglyceride and NLR may be attributed to the effect of triglyceride metabolism on immune response.

Compound pollution with cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) is common in nature. The effects of compounded Cd and Zn on the growth and development of Iris pseudacorus in the environment and the plant’s potential to remediate heavy metals in the environment remain unclear. In this study, the effects of single and combined Cd and Zn stress on I. pseudacorus growth and the enrichment of heavy metals in I. pseudacorus seedlings were investigated. The results showed that under Cd (160 μM) and Zn (800 μM) stress, plant growth was significantly inhibited and photosynthetic performance was affected. Cd+Zn200 (160 μM + 200 μM) reduced the levels of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and non-protein thiols by 31.29%, 53.20%, and 13.29%, respectively, in the aboveground tissues compared with levels in the single Cd treatment. However, Cd+Zn800 (160 μM + 800 μM) had no effect. Cd and Zn800 inhibited the absorption of mineral elements, while Zn200 had little effect on plants. Compared with that for Cd treatment alone, Cd + Zn200 and Cd+Zn800 reduced the Cd content in aboveground tissues by 54.15% and 49.92%, respectively, but had no significant effect on Cd in the root system. Zn significantly reduced the Cd content in subcellular components and limited the content and proportion of Cd extracted using water and ethanol. These results suggest that a low supply of Zn reduces Cd accumulation in aboveground tissues by promoting antioxidant substances and heavy metal chelating agents, thus protecting the photosynthetic systems. The addition of Zn also reduced the mobility and bioavailability of Cd to alleviate its toxicity in I. pseudacorus.

This research explores edge computing for construction site monitoring using computer vision (CV)-based worker detection methods. The feasibility of using edge computing is validated by testing worker detection models (yolov5 and yolov8) on local computers and three edge computing devices (Jetson Nano, Raspberry Pi 4B, and Jetson Xavier NX). The results show comparable mAP values for all devices, with the local computer processing frames six times faster than the Jetson Xavier NX. This study contributes by proposing an edge computing solution to address data security, installation complexity, and time delay issues in CV-based construction site monitoring. This approach also enhances data sustainability by mitigating potential risks associated with data loss, privacy breaches, and network connectivity issues. Additionally, it illustrates the practicality of employing edge computing devices for automated visual monitoring and provides valuable information for construction managers to select the appropriate device.

Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a new identified member of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) that cleaves angiotensin II (Ang II) to Ang (1–7), which exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities via binding with Mas receptor (MasR). However, the functional role of ACE2 in sepsis-related hypotension remains unknown. Our results indicated that sepsis significantly reduced blood pressure and led to disruption between ACE-Ang II and ACE2-Ang (1–7) balance. ACE2 knock-in mice exhibited improved sepsis-induced mortality, hypotension and vascular dysfunction, while ACE2 knockout mice exhibited the opposite effects. Bone marrow transplantation and in vitro experiments confirmed that myeloid ACE2 exerted a protective role by suppressing oxidative stress, NO production and macrophage polarization via the Ang (1–7)-MasR–NF–κB and STAT1 pathways. Thus, ACE2 on myeloid cells could protect against sepsis-mediated hypotension and vascular dysfunction, and upregulating ACE2 may represent a promising therapeutic option for septic patients with hypotension.

The precise and prompt determination of quality control indicators such as moisture, stilbene glycosides, and anthraquinone glycosides is crucial in assessing the quality of Polygoni Multiflori Radix. Near-infrared spectroscopy is a nondestructive analytical technique that offers a more desirable approach than traditional methods for assessing content levels. In this study, various spectral preprocessing techniques were used to preprocess the raw spectral data. The spectral data were correlated with the determination of three-component contents using the partial least squares regression (PLSR) method. Then different algorithms, such as competitive adaptive weighted sampling (CARS), Monte Carlo uninformative variable elimination (MCUVE), and random frog hopping (RF), were used for model simplification and feature selection. The data suggest that the first-order deconvolution derivative (1st Dev.) processing of the spectral data is superior to other methods in all three model evaluation metrics. The PLSR model for moisture, stilbene glycosides, and anthraquinone glycosides produced the calibration coefficient of determination (R2C) of 0.82, 0.52, and 0.58, the root mean square error of cross validation (RMSECV) of 0.91%, 0.77%, and 0.69%, the prediction coefficient of determination (R2P) of 0.72, 0.28, and 0.54, the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 0.65%, 0.81%, and 0.75%, and relative percentage differences (RPDs) of 1.7, 1.0, and 0.8. After optimizing the model using CARS, R2C increased by 0.15%, 0.41%, and 0.34%, RMSECV decreased by 0.53%, 0.32%, and 0.24%, R2P increased by 0.21%, 0.63%, and 0.35%, RMSEP decreased by 0.36%, 0.41%, and 0.31%, and RPD increased by 1.1, 0.9, and 0.6, significantly improving the predictive capacity of the model. This research provides a feasible method for rapid compliance testing of Polygoni Multiflori Radix. To further improve the model’s performance and applicability, it is necessary to continuously expand the sample set with different varieties and locations for wide variation.

Objective: We aimed to determine the safety of Vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) in terms of the Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) concept for tubal pregnancy surgery and provide a detailed process of vNOTES for tubal pregnancy surgery, including experience and key points for surgeons performing this procedure. Methods: The Longitudinal Vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery Study (LovNOTESS), which was conducted in Chengdu, China. A total of 219 patients who underwent tubal ectopic pregnancy surgery between September 2021 and March 2022. The patients underwent salpingectomy or salpingostomy using transumbilical laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) or vNOTES, according to their preferences. This study prospectively collected perioperative and one-year follow-up data on tubal pregnancy outcomes after vNOTES and compared them with those after LESS. Results: The vNOTES group showed a shorter surgical duration, hospitalization duration, and postoperative exhaust time and a lower analgesic medication usage rate, but it showed a higher surgical conversion rate. The vNOTES approach reduced the postoperative exhaust time by approximately 9 h (95% confidence interval [CI]: −11.93, −5.57 h, p

Summary: The differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) begins with the transition from the naive to the primed state. The formative state was recently established as a critical intermediate between the two states. Here, we demonstrate the role of the histone chaperone FACT in regulating the naive-to-formative transition. We found that the Q265K mutation in the FACT subunit SSRP1 increased the binding of FACT to histone H3-H4, impaired nucleosome disassembly in vitro, and reduced the turnover of FACT on chromatin in vivo. Strikingly, mouse ESCs harboring this mutation showed elevated naive-to-formative transition. Mechanistically, the SSRP1-Q265K mutation enriched FACT at the enhancers of formative-specific genes to increase targeted gene expression. Together, these findings suggest that the turnover of FACT on chromatin is crucial for regulating the enhancers of formative-specific genes, thereby mediating the naive-to-formative transition. This study highlights the significance of FACT in fine-tuning cell fate transition during early development.

With its high resolving power and sensitivity, mass spectrometry is considered the most informative technique for metabolite qualitation and quantification in the plant sciences. However, the spatial location information, which is crucial for the exploration of plant physiological mechanisms, is lost. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is able to visualize the spatial distribution of a large number of metabolites from the complex sample surface in a single experiment. In this paper, a flexible and low-cost laser desorption–dielectric barrier discharge ionization-MSI (LD-DBDI-MSI) platform was constructed by combining an LD system with an in-line DBDI source, a high-precision sample translation stage, and an ambient mass spectrometer. It can be operated at a spatial resolution of 20 μm in an atmospheric environment and requires minimal sample preparation. This study presents images of in-situ metabolic profiling of two kinds of plants from different origins, a wild and a farmed Rheum palmatum L. From the screen of these two root sections, the wild one presented five more endogenous molecules than the farmed one, which provides information about the differences in metabolomics.

Astrometry, the precise measurement of star motions, offers an alternative avenue to investigate low-frequency gravitational waves through the spatial deflection of photons, complementing pulsar timing arrays reliant on timing residuals. Upcoming data from Gaia, Theia, and Roman can not only cross-check pulsar timing array findings but also explore the uncharted frequency range bridging pulsar timing arrays and LISA. We present an analytical framework to evaluate the feasibility of detecting a gravitational wave background, considering measurement noise and the intrinsic variability of the stochastic background. Furthermore, we highlight astrometry's crucial role in uncovering key properties of the gravitational wave background, such as spectral index and chirality, employing information-matrix analysis. Finally, we simulate the emergence of quadrupolar correlations, commonly referred to as the generalized Hellings-Downs curves.