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The impact of cervical sagittal alignment on cervical facet joint degeneration (CFD) and the risk factors for CFD in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) were investigated in the current study. A total of 250 surgical patients with DCM were recruited. The clinical data and radiographical characteristics, including CFD, cervical sagittal balance parameters, Hounsfield unit (HU) values, disc degeneration (DD), and modic change, were collected. The detailed correlation between these characteristics and CFD was analyzed. Characteristics, including CFD, were compared among the various cervical alignment types and different CFD groups. Finally, the risk factors for CFD were revealed via logistic regression. CFD was prevalent in DCM patients. Age, cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA), range of motion, T1 slope, thoracic inlet angle, DD, HU value, and modic change correlated with CFD segmentally and globally (P < 0.05). The lordosis and sigmoid types had a significantly higher CFD prevalence (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the average CFD threshold for the severe CFD group was 1.625 (area under the curve, 0.958). Additionally, 167 patients with average CFD <1.625 and 83 patients with CFD of ≥1.625 were classified into the mild CFD group and severe CFD group, respectively. Finally, multivariate analysis was performed, and age, cSVA, HU value, modic change, and DD were determined to be independent risk factors for CFD. The load distribution tends to shift to a more shear-like pattern in the sigmoid and kyphosis types and in those with a higher cSVA, thereby promoting CFD. Aging, cervical malalignment, low bone mineral density, DD, and modic change were revealed to result in high risks of CFD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-resonance emitters are attractive for organic light-emitting diode (OLED) applications because of their narrowband emissions and high photoluminescent efficiencies. Nevertheless, their tendency to aggregation by intermolecular interactions could cause doping sensitivity and reduce color purity at high concentrations. Here, we report a novel boron, sulfur (B, S)-containing multi-resonance emitter (BSS-Ph-TBCz) consisting of 1,8-diphenyl-carbazole substituent at para- position of boron atom of B, S-doped polycyclic aromatic skeleton. Different from control compound (BSS-TBCz) containing conventional carbazole substituents showing aggregation-caused spectral broadening, BSS-Ph-TBCz with 1,8-diphenyl-carbazole group exhibits weak intermolecular aggregation behavior owing to the large twist angle between polycyclic skeleton and carbazole plane caused by two steric phenyl groups on carbazole group, leading to nearly unchanged emissions with small full width at half-maximum of 30–31 nm at doping concentration ranging from 1 to 100 wt%. OLEDs employing BSS-Ph-TBCz as emitter reveal blue electroluminescence at 468 nm and maximum external quantum efficiency of 21.4% at 5 wt% doping concentration, which remains at 20.1% at high doping concentration of 25 wt%. [Display omitted] • Novel multi-resonance emitter with 1,8-diphenyl-carbazole substituent is developed. • Aggregation emission is suppressed by steric hindrance of 1,8-diphenyl-carbazole. • Rapid reverse intersystem crossing is realized by heavy-atom effect of sulfur. • EQE of >20% and FWHM of 31 nm are achieved for OLEDs at high doping concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic progressive disease related to inflammatory reaction. Baicalin is a flavonoid isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis georgi (Huang-qin) and exerts anti-inflammation effects in various diseases. Here, we investigated the protective effects of baicalin treatment and the potential mechanism in AS progression on AS mouse model. After ApoE-/- mice with high-lipid diets had received 12 weeks’ of baicalin treatment at different concentrations, plasma lipids levels and atherosclerotic plaque areas in aorta were measured and there exhibited a prominent improvement in the baicalin treated mice compared with mice in AS model group. The expression of lipolysis related proteins (PPARα, CPT-1) was increased while the expression of adipogenesis related proteins (SREBP-1c, ACS) was decreased by baicalin treatment, indicating the anti-adipogenic effect of baicalin. Moreover, baicalin up-regulated the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and GSH-Px) and down-regulated the activity of oxidative parameter MDA compared with AS model group, indicating the anti-oxidant effect of baicalin. The increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, sVE-cadherin) induced by AS were also decreased by baicalin treatment, indicating that baicalin acted as an anti-inflammation regulator in AS. In addition, we further explored the potential mechanism of baicalin treatment on AS, and found that baicalin treatment attenuated the high phosphorylation levels of JNK, p65, p-38 and ERK1/2 induced by AS, indicating that baicalin treatment inhibited the NF-κB and p38 MAPK signaling pathways in AS. In conclusion, baicalin treatment inhibited the NF-κB and p38 MAPK signaling pathways, thereby achieved its anti-adipogenic effect, anti-oxidant effect and anti-inflammation effect in a dose-dependent manner in AS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BRAF V600E mutations are progression factors in paediatric low-grade gliomas. Furthermore, a high percentage of paediatric brainstem gangliogliomas have BRAF V600E mutations. However, their clinical significance, including possible connections between the biomarkers and ganglioglioma’s clinical features, especially a brainstem counterpart, is unclear. To identify potential molecular features predictive of brainstem ganglioglioma’s clinical outcomes, a retrospective cohort of 28 World Health Organization (WHO) grade I brainstem gangliogliomas was analysed for BRAF V600E, IDH1 R132H, and IDH2 R172K mutations, TERT C228T/C250T promoter mutation, H3F3A K27M mutation and MGMT methylation. The volume of tumours was calculated accurately by using 3D Slicer software. The clinical data of these patients were retrospectively analysed. In tumours with BRAF V600E mutations, the tumour regrowth rate was significantly faster than that of the wild type group ( p = 0.001). Moreover, the BRAF V600E mutant group had shorter progression-free survival (PFS) compared with wild type ( p = 0.012). On multivariate analysis, no factor was found to be an independent prognostic factor; however, tumours with faster regrowth rates had a strong trend towards an increased risk for shorter PFS (HR = 1.027, p = 0.056). No statistical analysis could be performed to evaluate factors affecting overall survival (OS). These data suggest that BRAF V600E can predict the regrowth rate of brainstem gangliogliomas after microsurgery, and a BRAF V600E-targeted therapeutic may be a promising early intervention measure for patients who harbour BRAF V600E mutation after microsurgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hazard forecast of coal and gas outburst was an important step of comprehensive outburst-prevention measures. Aiming at the manifestation of disaster threatens such as the gas outburst to mine safety, this paper explained the forecasting principles of electromagnetic radiation to coal and gas outburst, by the electromagnetic radiation theory of coal rock damage; it studied the characteristics and rules of electromagnetic radiation during the deformation and fracture process of loaded coal rocks, and confirmed forecast sensitive indexes of electromagnetic radiation as well as its critical values by signals of electromagnetic radiation. By applying EMR monitoring technology in the field, outburst prediction and forecast tests to the characteristics of electromagnetic radiation during the driving process was taken, and figured out the hazard prediction values by using forecast methods of static and dynamic trend. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Five human RecQ helicases (WRN, BLM, RECQ4, RECQ5, RECQ1) exist in humans. Of these, three are genetically linked to diseases of premature aging and/or cancer. Neither RECQ1 nor RECQ5 has yet been implicated in a human disease. However, cellular studies and genetic analyses of model organisms indicate that RECQ1 (and RECQ5) play an important role in the maintenance of genomic stability. Biochemical studies of purified RECQ1 protein demonstrate that the enzyme catalyzes DNA unwinding and strand annealing, and these activities are likely to be important for its role in DNA repair. RECQ1 also physically and functionally interacts with proteins involved in genetic recombination. In this review, we will summarize our current knowledge of RECQ1 roles in cellular nucleic acid metabolism and propose avenues of investigation for future studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hydroxyl radicals (OH) have robust non-selective oxidizing properties to effectively degrade organic pollutants. However, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4) is restricted to directly generate OH due to its intrinsic valence band. In this study, we report a facile environmental-friendly self-modification strategy to synthesize reduced graphitic carbon nitride (RCN), with nitrogen vacancies and C N functional groups. The incorporation of C N enabled to downshift the valence band level, which endowed RCN with the capacity to directly generate OH via h+. Experimental and instrumental analyses revealed the critical roles of nitrogen vacancies and C N groups in the modification of the RCN band structure to improve its visible light absorption and oxidizing capacity. With these superior properties, the RCN was significantly enhanced for the photocatalytic degradation of DCF under visible light irradiation. The self-modification strategy articulated in this study has strong potential for the creation of customized g-C 3 N 4 band structures with enhanced oxidation performance. Image 1 • Reduced graphitic carbon nitride (RCN) was synthesized through a facile self-modification strategy. • The downshifted valence band endowed RCN with the capacity to directly generate OH via h+. • RCN exhibited increased photocatalytic activity in the degradation of DCF. • A new insight for creation of a customized g-C 3 N 4 band structure with enhanced oxidation performance has been provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are increasingly being scrutinized by the scientific community due to their environmental persistence. Therefore, the development of novel environmentally compatible and energy-efficient technologies for their removal is highly anticipated. In this work, a novel metal-free photocatalytic nanoreactor was successfully synthesized by anchoring carbon dots to hollow carbon nitride nanospheres (HCNS/CDs). The unique structure of these hollow nanospherical HCNS/CDs hybrids endowed them with a high population of reactive sites, while enhancing optical absorption due to internal light reflection. Simultaneously, the CDs served as "artificial antennas" to absorb and convert photons with low energy, due to their superior up-converting properties. Consequently, the HCNS/CDs demonstrated excellent photodegradation activities for the degradation of PPCPs under broad-spectrum irradiation. Remarkedly, 10 mg/L of naproxen (NPX) was completely degraded following 5 min of natural solar irradiation. It was further revealed that the O 2 •- played a significant role during the photocatalytic process, which could lead to the decomposition of NPX. The effects of natural water matrices and the degradation of trace PPCPs further supported that this photocatalytic system may be efficaciously applied for the remediation of PPCPs contamination in ambient waterways. Image 1 • Carbon dots decorated hollow porous carbon nitride nanosphere was synthesized. • The hollow porous structures provided a high population of active sites. • The photocatalyst demonstrated remarkable degradation activity. • Effects of natural water constituents and water matrices were further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effect of stevia residue (STER) on the production performance, egg quality and nutrition, antioxidant ability, immune responses, gut morphology and microbiota of laying hens during the peak laying period. A total of 270 Yikoujingfen NO. 8 laying hens (35 wk of age) were randomly divided into 5 treatments. The control group fed a basal diet and groups supplemented with 2, 4, 6, and 8% STER. The results showed that STER significantly increased egg production, the content of amino acids (alanine, proline, valine, ornithine, asparagine, aspartic acid, and cysteine) in egg whites, and decreased the yolk color (P < 0.05). Additionally, STER significantly increased acetate, HOMOγ linolenic acid and cis-13, 16-docosadienoic acid levels in egg yolk (P < 0.05). IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 levels in serum significantly increased by STER (P < 0.05), while IL-1β significantly decreased (P < 0.05). STER also increased total antioxidant activity (T-AOC) in the liver and estradiol level in the oviduct (P < 0.05), but decreased the cortisol level in the oviduct (P < 0.05). For the intestinal morphology, the jejunal villus height and crypt-to-villus (V:C) significantly increased by STER (P < 0.05). STER increased the relative abundance of Actinobacteriota (P < 0.05), while deceased Proteobacteria, Desulfobacterota , and Synergistota (P < 0.05). In conclusion, STER improved egg production, quality and nutrition, improved the immune responses, antioxidant capabilities, estrogen level, gut morphology, and increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria while decreased the harmful bacteria. Among all treatments, 4 and 6% STER supplementation yielded the most favorable results in terms of enhancing production performance, egg nutrition, gut health, and immune capabilities in laying hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effective multi-classifier fusion (MCF) system is demanding in the clinical context in terms of integrating various diagnosis/prognosis predictive models to arrive at a stable and consentaneous medical decision. In this study, we introduced a novel MCF framework for a classifier ensemble with the evolutionary optimisation of random-projections (termed CLEER). The proposed CLEER generated a number of diverse base classifiers via training on the mapped data from the Bernoulli random projection. It innovatively framed the classifier fusion into an evolutionary computation architecture wherein the required diversity and accuracy were enforced by optimising the random projection components using a genetic algorithm. The efficacy of CLEER has been demonstrated via extensive evaluations using twenty public datasets from various research fields, as well as four clinical datasets. A comparative analysis showed that the ensemble diversity was effectively enhanced on using CLEER, and more accurate classifications were achieved as compared to the state-of-the-art benchmark ensemble methods. The proposed CLEER could serve as a potential tool for the fusion of diagnostic or prognostic models for assisting in medical decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, spindle's radial thermal drift error (RTDE) was studied on a vertical machining center. RTDEs in X -direction and Y -direction of a vertical machining center were tested and the main direction of RTDE was determined as Y -direction. RTDEs in Y -direction and temperatures in key points of spindle were tested using different rotating speeds. RTDE models under different postures were established and the compensation strategy was presented. Thereafter, the influence of geometric parameters on the prediction of results was obtained using advanced first order second moment method. The compensation effects were verified using both simulation and experiment. The results indicated that high accuracy and strong robustness can be achieved with the proposed model, even if the rotating speed of spindle randomly changed, or the spindle was disturbed by the cooling system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Human Nucleic Acid Binding Protein 1 and 2 (hNABP1 and 2; also known as hSSB2 and 1, respectively) are two newly identified single-stranded (ss) DNA binding proteins (SSB). Both NABP1 and NABP2 have a conserved oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding (OB)-fold domain and a divergent carboxy-terminal domain, the functional importance of which is unknown. Methods Recombinant hNABP1/2 proteins were purified using affinity and size exclusion chromatography and their identities confirmed by mass spectrometry. Oligomerization state was checked by sucrose gradient centrifugation. Secondary structure was determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Nucleic acid binding ability was examined by EMSA and ITC. Results Both hNABP1 and hNABP2 exist as monomers in solution; however, hNABP2 exhibits anomalous behavior. CD spectroscopy revealed that the C-terminus of hNABP2 is highly disordered. Deletion of the C-terminal tail diminishes the DNA binding ability and protein stability of hNABP2. Although both hNABP1 and hNABP2 prefer to bind ssDNA than double-stranded (ds) DNA, hNABP1 has a higher affinity for ssDNA than hNABP2. Unlike hNABP2, hNABP1 protein binds and multimerizes on ssDNA with the C-terminal tail responsible for its multimerization. Both hNABP1 and hNABP2 are able to bind single-stranded RNA, with hNABP2 having a higher affinity than hNABP1. Conclusions Biochemical evidence suggests that the C-terminal region of NABP1 and NABP2 is essential for their functionality and may lead to different roles in DNA and RNA metabolism. General significance This is the first report demonstrating the regulation and functional properties of the C-terminal domain of hNABP1/2, which might be a general characteristic of OB-fold proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA helicases are directly responsible for catalytically unwinding duplexDNAin an ATP-dependent and directionally specific manner and play essential roles in cellular nucleic acid metabolism. It has been conventionally thought that DNA helicases are inhibited by bulky covalent DNA adducts in a strandspecific manner. However, the effects of highly stable alkyl phosphotriester (PTE) lesions that are induced by chemical mutagens and refractory to DNA repair have not been previously studied for their effects on helicases. In this study, DNA repair and replication helicases were examined for unwinding a forked duplex DNA substrate harboring a single isopropyl PTE specifically positioned in the helicase-translocating or -nontranslocating strand within the double-stranded region. A comparison of SF2 helicases (RecQ, RECQ1, WRN, BLM, FANCJ, and ChlR1) with a SF1 DNA repair helicase (UvrD) and two replicative helicases(MCMand DnaB) demonstrates unique differences in the effect of the PTE on the DNA unwinding reactions catalyzed by these enzymes. All of the SF2 helicases tested were inhibited by the PTE lesion, whereas UvrD and the replication fork helicases were fully tolerant of the isopropyl backbone modification, irrespective of strand. Sequestration studies demonstrated that RECQ1 helicase was trapped by the PTE lesion only when it resided in the helicase-translocating strand. Our results are discussed in light of the current models for DNA unwinding by helicases that are likely to encounter sugar phosphate backbone damage during biological DNA transactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the competitiveness and bilateral trade complementarities of BRICS countries (i.e., Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) with respect to their fossil energy trade and explores the reasons for changes in fossil energy complementarities. By introducing the logarithmic mean divisia index (LMDI) method, this study links the revealed comparative advantage (RCA) index with the trade complementarity index (TCI), attributing the change in complementarities to export and import revealed comparative advantages associated with both sides. The results show that, in the coal trade among BRICS countries, China's competitiveness is declining annually while Russia shows an opposite trend. The cooperation between China and Russia has steadily expanded in the crude oil trade. Although India and Russia are highly complementary in the crude oil trade, its drivers are not stable. Finally, in the natural gas trade among BRICS countries, Russia always has a stable and outstanding supply capacity. • Relationships in fossil energy trade among BRICS countries were examined. • Relative competitiveness and complementarity in trade were focused upon. • Changes of trade potential were attributed to competitiveness of both sides. • China and Russia play opposite roles in the coal trade among BRICS. • India and Russia have not formed a long-term, stable, cooperative relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate a new technique in brainstem surgery, neuronavigation (NN)-guided corticospinal tract (CST) mapping, in a retrospective study of patients undergoing brainstem tumor surgery. Methods We studied 40 patients with a brainstem tumor who were enrolled in this study. Patients whose worst preoperative muscle strength of the 4 limbs was greater than 3 levels from normal on the Lovett scale were divided into 2 groups: a treatment group of 21 patients who underwent NN-guided CST mapping and routine intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring (IONM) and a control group of 19 patients who underwent routine NN and IONM. Preoperative muscle strength and postoperative (day 90 postsurgery) muscle strength were assessed and compared between the 2 groups. Results In the NN-guided CST mapping group, 3 patients (14.3%) had a decrease in muscle strength by 1 level postoperatively, and no patient experienced a decrease of >1 level. In the control group, 4 patients (21.1%) had a 1-level decrease in muscle strength, and 5 (26.3%) had a decrease of >1 level. Patients in the NN-guided CST mapping group had significantly better surgical outcomes compared with those in the control group ( P = 0.018, Fisher exact test). Conclusions Brainstem tumor resection using NN-guided CST mapping achieved better preservation of motor function compared with routine NN and IONM. NN-guided CST mapping not only decreased the difficulty of the surgery, but also significantly improved the efficiency of surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]