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Background: At present, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) remains the most frequently utilized parameter in the evaluation of kidney injury severity. Numerous equations have been formulated based on serum creatinine (Scr) or serum cystatin C (Cysc) levels. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding the efficacy of these equations in assessing eGFR, particularly for elderly individuals in China. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of the MDRD, MDRDc, CKD-EPI series, BIS1, and FAS equations within the Chinese elderly population. Methods: A cohort of 298 elderly patients with measured GFR (mGFR) was enrolled. The patients were categorized into three subgroups based on their mGFR levels. The eGFR performance was examined, taking into account bias, interquartile range (IQR), accuracy P30, and root-mean-square error (RMSE). Bland–Altman plots were employed to verify the validity of eGFR. Results: The participants had a median age of 71 years, with 167 (56.0%) being male. Overall, no significant differences in bias were observed among the seven equations (P > 0.05). In terms of IQR, P30, and RMSE, the BIS1 equation demonstrated superior accuracy (14.61, 72.1%, and 13.53, respectively). When mGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73 m2, all equations underestimated the true GFR, with the highest accuracy reaching only 59%. Bland–Altman plots indicated that the BIS1 equation exhibited the highest accuracy, featuring a 95% confidence interval (CI) width of 52.37. Conclusions: This study suggested that the BIS1 equation stands out as the most applicable for estimating GFR in Chinese elderly patients with normal renal function or only moderate decline. 2020NL-085-03, 2020.08.10, retrospectively registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The TIFY family consists of plant-specific genes that regulates multiple plant functions, including developmental and defense responses. Here, we performed a comprehensive genomic analysis of TIFY genes in Dendrobium huoshanense. Our analysis encompassed their phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, chromosomal distributions, promoter regions, and patterns of collinearity. A total of 16 DhTIFY genes were identified, and classified into distinct clusters named JAZ, PPD, ZIM, and TIFY based on their phylogenetic relationship. These DhTIFYs exhibited an uneven distribution across 7 chromosomes. The expansion of the DhTIFY gene family appears to have been significantly influenced by whole-genome and segmental duplication events. The ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous substitutions (Ka/Ks) implies that the purifying selection has been predominant, maintaining a constrained functional diversification after duplication events. Gene structure analysis indicated that DhTIFYs exhibited significant structural variation, particularly in terms of gene organization and intron numbers. Moreover, numerous cis-acting elements related to hormone signaling, developmental processes, and stress responses were identified within the promoter regions. Subsequently, qRT-PCR experiments demonstrated that the expression of DhTIFYs is modulated in response to MeJA (Methyl jasmonate), cold, and drought treatment. Collectively, these results enhance our understanding of the functional dynamics of TIFY genes in D. huoshanense and may pinpoint potential candidates for detailed examination of the biological roles of TIFY genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As common mental disorders, depression and anxiety impact people all around the world. Recent studies have found that the gut microbiome plays an important role in mental health. It is becoming possible to treat mental disorders by regulating the composition of the gut microbiota. Bacillus licheniformis is a probiotic used to treat gut diseases through balancing the gut microbiome during lasting years. Considering the role of gut microbiota in the gut-brain axis, this study used chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model rats to explore whether Bacillus licheniformis can prevent and treat depression and anxiety. We found that B. licheniformis reduced the depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviours of the rats during the CUMS process. Meanwhile, B. licheniformis changed the gut microbiota composition; increased the short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the colon, decreased kynurenine, norepinephrine, and glutamate levels; and increased the tryptophan, dopamine, epinephrine, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. After correlation analysis, we found Parabacteroides, Anaerostipes, Ruminococcus-2, and Blautia showed significant correlation with neurotransmitters and SCFAs, indicating the gut microbiome plays an important role in B. licheniformis reducing depressive-like behaviours. Therefore, this study suggested B. licheniformis may prevent depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviours while regulating the gut microbiota composition and increasing the SCFA levels in the colon to alter the levels of the neurotransmitters in the brain. Key points: • B. licheniformis reduced depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviours induced by the chronic unpredictable mild stress. • GABA levels in the brain are assonated with B. licheniformis regulating depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviours. • Gut microbiota composition alteration followed by metabolic changes may play a role in the GABA levels increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability of organic solar cells is a key issue to promote practical applications. Herein, we demonstrate that the device performance of organic solar cells is enhanced by an Ir/IrOx electron-transporting layer, benefiting from its suitable work function and heterogeneous distribution of surface energy in nanoscale. Notably, the champion Ir/IrOx-based devices exhibit superior stabilities under shelf storing (T80 = 56696 h), thermal aging (T70 = 13920 h), and maximum power point tracking (T80 = 1058 h), compared to the ZnO-based devices. It can be attributed to the stable morphology of photoactive layer resulting from the optimized molecular distribution of the donor and acceptor and the absence of photocatalysis in the Ir/IrOx-based devices, which helps to maintain the improved charge extraction and inhibited charge recombination in the aged devices. This work provides a reliable and efficient electron-transporting material toward stable organic solar cells. Long-term stability of organic solar cells is critical to promote practical applications. Here, the authors utilize iridium/iridium oxide nanoparticles as the electron-transporting material and realize enhanced device stabilities under thermal aging with T70 of over 10000 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, the prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis (C. sinensis) infections is only evaluated at the provincial level by national sampling surveys, and data from villages and counties are still lacking. In this study, we conducted a cross-sectional survey in 10 villages located along the Lalin River in northeast China. Clonorchiasis was diagnosed using a modified Kato–Katz method that detects the C. sinensis egg in stools. A total of 3,068 persons were screened and 2,911 were recruited for the study. Overall, the prevalence of C. sinensis infection was 29.3%. Among 175 participants who were cured after antiparasitic treatment, 54 (30.86%) were re-infected in this survey. After calibration of potential confounders, male gender, occupation as a farmer, smoking, and occasionally or frequently eating raw fish were independent risk factors for C. sinensis infection. The results of laboratory examinations in the C. sinensis/hepatitis B or C virus co-infection group were similar to those in the hepatitis B or C virus mono-infection groups. In conclusion, C. sinensis is highly endemic in villages along the Lalin River, and the primary route of infection is the consumption of raw freshwater fish. Co-infection with C. sinensis did't aggravate the clinical manifestations of viral hepatitis in this cross-sectional study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China-Tianjin Port fire and explosion on August 12, 2015, was a major accident that involved hazardous chemicals and resulted in 165 fatalities and 798 injuries. Three-system-based accident models, human factor analysis and classification system (HFACS), AcciMap, and system theoretic accident modeling and process (STAMP), were applied to identify contributory factors and relationships in the accident. The analysis outputs and usage of the three techniques were compared. The three-system accident models show several differences in terms of the emphasis on the models, system structure, classification of contributory factors, and interactions between system components. An important advantage of HFACS is the taxonomic nature, which can be easily applied in practical application. AcciMap provides a clear graphic representation of the causal flow of accidents, which is suitable for academic research. STAMP is suitable for both academic research and practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correction to: Bacillus licheniformis prevents and reduces anxiety-like and depression-like behaviours B Correction to: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology b https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-023-12580-7 The original version of this article contains mistake in the affiliation order. The correct order of the affiliation should show like below: SP 1 sp Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China SP 2 sp Institute of Environmental Biology and Life Support Technology, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China SP 3 sp Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China SP 4 sp Henan Key Laboratory of Rare Diseases, Endocrinology and Metabolism Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, and College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China This is being corrected in this publication. [Extracted from the article]

We consider the problem of finding one or more desired items out of an unsorted database. Patel has shown that if the database permits quantum queries, then mere digitization is sufficient for efficient search for one desired item. The algorithm, called factorized quantum search algorithm, presented by him can locate the desired item in an unsorted database using O( $$log_4N$$) queries to factorized oracles. But the algorithm requires that all the attribute values must be distinct from each other. In this paper, we discuss how to make a database satisfy the requirements, and present a quantum search engine based on the algorithm. Our goal is achieved by introducing auxiliary files for the attribute values that are not distinct, and converting every complex query request into a sequence of calls to factorized quantum search algorithm. The query complexity of our algorithm is O( $$log_4N$$) for most cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely used anti-tumor agent. The clinical application of the medication is limited by its side effect which can elicit myocardial apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction. However, the underlying mechanism by which DOX causes cardiomyocyte apoptosis is not clear. The aim of present study is to investigate the role of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in DOX-induced myocardial injury, and signal pathway involved in regulation of HMGB1 expression in cardiomyocytes with DOX. We found treatment of isolated cardiomyocytes and naive mice with the DOX resulted in an increased HMGB1 expression which was associated with increased myocardial cell apoptosis. Pharmacological (A-box) or genetic blockade (TLR4 deficiency, TLR4) of HMGB1 attenuated the DOX-induced myocardial apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction. In addition, our study showed that DOX resulted in an increment in the generation of peroxynitrite (ONOO) and an elevation in phosphorylation of c-Jun N terminal kinase (JNK). Pretreatment of myocytes with FeTPPS, a peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst, prevented DOX-induced JNK phosphorylation, HMGB1 expression, myocardial apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction. Genetic (JNK) or pharmacological (SP600125) inhibition of JNK ameliorated the DOX-induced HMGB1 expression and diminished myocardial apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction. Taken together, our results indicate that HMGB1 mediates the myocardial injury induced by DOX and ONOO/JNK is a key regulatory pathway of myocardial HMGB1 expression induced by DOX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been shown that 90% of tumors, including hematological malignant tumors and leukemia, have much higher levels of telomerase expression than normal cells. To investigate the effect of telomerase on leukemia cells, we transfected K562, a human erythroleukemia cell line with an antisense-hTERT (human telomerase reverse transcriptase) cDNA vector, and examined the biological and biophysical properties of the stably transfected cells (referred to as KAT). Un-transfected cells (K562) and cells transfected with the empty vector (referred to as KC) were used as controls. Cell growth curve and H-TdR test showed that the growth rate and DNA synthesis of KAT decreased compared with those of K562 and KC cells. Apoptosis and cell cycle distribution in KAT cells under normal culture condition were similar to those of K562 and KC cells, but changed after serum deprivation. KAT cells had significantly different biophysical characteristics from K562 and KC in terms of cell electrophoresis, membrane fluidity, membrane fluidity, and viscoelasticity. Furthermore, the transendothelial migration rate of KAT was much lower than those of K562 and KC cells. Confocal microscopy showed that KAT cells had higher F-actin content, suggesting the reorganization of cytoskeleton. Flow cytometry analysis revealed a lowered intracellular calcium concentration and CD71 expression, explaining the high F-actin content in KAT cells. In conclusion, we found that the knockdown of hTERT in K562 cells changed their cytoskeleton and biophysical features, and reduced the cell migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a Gaussian mixture model-based Bayesian analysis for blind source separation of an underdetermined model that has more sources than sensors. The proposed algorithm follows a hierarchical learning procedure and alternative estimations for sources and the mixing matrix. The independent sources are estimated from their posterior means, and the mixing matrix is estimated by the maximum likelihood method. Because each source is conditionally correlated with others in its Markov blanket, the correlations between them are approximated by using linear response theory; this is based on the factorized approximation to the sources' true posteriors. In this framework, each source is modeled as a mixture of Gaussians to fit its actual distribution. Given enough Gaussians, the mixture model can learn any distribution. The algorithm provides a good identification of the mixing system, and its flexibility speeds up the convergence. The iterative learning for Gaussians leads to a parametric density estimation for all hidden sources as well as their recovery in the end. The major advantages of this algorithm are its flexibility and its fast convergence. Simulations using synthetic data validate the effectiveness of the algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In industrial Internet, many intelligent applications are implemented based on data collection and distribution. Data collection and data distribution in the wireless sensor networks are very important, where the node topology can be described by the spanning tree for obtaining an efficient transmission. Classical algorithms in graph theory such as the Kruskal algorithm or Prim algorithm can only find the minimum spanning tree (MST) in industrial wireless sensor networks. Swarm intelligence algorithm can obtain multiple solutions in one calculation. Multiple solutions are very helpful for improving the reliability of industrial wireless sensor networks. In this paper, we combine quantum computing with artificial bee colony and design a spanning tree construction algorithm for industrial wireless sensor networks. Quantum computations are introduced into the onlooker bees search. Food source replacement strategy is improved. Finally, the algorithm is simulated and evaluated. The results show that the new proposed algorithm can obtain more alternative solutions and has a better performance in search efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]