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Government agencies provide huge amount of subsidies to support the rehabilitation transportation service over the past decade in eastern Taiwan; however, low demand request fulfillment rate, limited medical and transportation resources, long travel distances, and an extremely high percentage of dead mileages are still the main challenges faced by rehabilitation transportation service providers. This study applies the market design theory to match the rehabilitation buses with the requests of patients, so as to improve resource utilization efficiency in rural areas. The developed market design mechanisms aim to allocate resources to those who need them most in a matching manner, by using the deferred acceptance algorithm and the top trading cycle approach. The model is initialized with the requests of those who choose the rehabilitation bus based on their desired boarding time slots. On the other hand, the service providers of the rehabilitation bus would determine patients’ schedule based on their disability level, willingness to share the ride, number of fulfilled appointments during this month, and the travel distance of this trip as the order of preference. Since the current vehicle dispatching rule is to reserve seats of a rehabilitation bus on the “first-come-first-served” basis, and it cannot fully satisfy patients need. In accordance with the historical data, 63 of 72 demand requests could successfully reserve the seats. In the “first-come, first-served” mode, 48 requests obtained the first-ranking shift (i.e., their desired time slots), and the sum of their disability level score is 155. In the market design matching mode, 57 requests obtained the first-ranking shift, and the sum of their disability level score is 170, which demonstrates that the proposed market design matching mechanism outperforms than the conventional rules.

The proteins with DNA-binding preference to the consensus DNA sequence (A/T) GATA (A/G) belong to a GATA transcription factor family, with a wide array of biological processes in plants. Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is an important food crop with high production of starch in storage roots. Little was however known about cassava GATA domain-containing genes (MeGATA s). Thirty-six MeGATA s, MeGATA1 to MeGATA36 , were found in this study. Some MeGATA s showed a collinear relationship with orthologous genes of Arabidopsis , poplar and potato, rice, maize and sorghum. Eight MeGATA -encoded proteins (MeGATAs) analysed were all localized in the nucleus. Some MeGATAs had potentials of binding ligands and/or enzyme activity. One pair of tandem-duplicated MeGATA17–MeGATA18 and 30 pairs of whole genome-duplicated MeGATA s were found. Fourteen MeGATA s showed low or no expression in the tissues. Nine analysed MeGATA s showed expression responses to abiotic stresses and exogenous phytohormones. Three groups of MeGATA protein interactions were found. Fifty-three miRNAs which can target 18 MeGATA s were identified. Eight MeGATAs were found to target other 292 cassava genes, which were directed to radial pattern formation and phyllome development by gene ontology enrichment, and autophagy by Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment. These data suggest that MeGATA s are functional generalists in interactions between cassava growth and development, abiotic stresses and starch metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a heterogeneous group of inherited neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive lower limb spasticity. Recent studies revealed that biallelic variants in RNF170 gene cause autosomal recessive complicated HSP with infancy onset. Here, we report an adolescent‐onset HSP patient from a consanguineous Chinese family, with lower extremity stiffness, spastic gait, and unstable straight‐line walking as the main manifestations. Whole‐exome sequencing identifies a novel RNF170 mutation c.190C>T (p.R64*), which co‐segregates with the disease in this pedigree. Functional analysis, including quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐qPCR) and Western blot, indicates that both the mRNA and protein levels of mutant RNF170 are significantly reduced, which confirms the loss‐of‐function mechanism. Our study expands the spectrum of RNF170‐associated HSP, while the RNF170 protein‐involved degradation of the inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor in neurodegenerative motor neuron disorders deserves further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become common in recent years, but non-rotor UAVs are still relatively rare. This study used an aerodynamic model to replace the multi-rotor design concept and examine load bearing capabilities, specifically for delivery of medical goods by non-rotor UAV. We use static structural simulations for static analysis and fatigue analysis to investigate the capabilities of different structural materials. The simulation results combined fatigue strength verifications, structural safety factor calculations, and finite element analyses to calculate parameters like total deformation, stress ratios, and strain magnitudes to analyze structural fatigue life. The analyses indicated that the factors of safety and fatigue lifetimes of two structural materials far exceeded standard values. They can be used to optimize designs that prevent plastic deformation and breakage. Time and money are saved in the research and development process by carrying out these calculations and static analyses of physical properties before prototypes are actually built.

Objective To study the clinical value of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 11 neonates with PPHN who were treated with ECMO in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Zhongshan People's Hospital from January 2015 to December 2021, involving the neonates' general information, clinical diagnosis, laboratory results, duration of ECMO treatment, complications during ECMO treatment, length of hospital stay, and outcome. Results Of the 11 neonates, 10 (91%) had successful weaning from ECMO, and 8 (73%) survived. For the 11 neonates, the mean duration of ECMO treatment was (81±50) hours (range: 26 to 185 hours), the mean duration of ventilator use was (198±105) hours (range: 57 to 392 hours), and the mean length of hospital stay was (22±15) days (range: 2 to 49 days). The oxygenation index and blood lactate level were significantly improved after 24 hours of ECMO treatment among the 11 neonates (P<0.05). Ten neonates had significantly reduced pulmonary artery pressure after 24 hours of ECMO treatment (P<0.05). One neonate had a progressive increase in the pulmonary artery pressure during EMCO treatment, succumbing to death. This neonate was diagnosed with alveolar capillary dysplasia based on the histopathological findings of the lung tissue and whole-exome sequencing results. Among the 11 children, 5 had intracranial hemorrhage, 1 had disseminated intravascular coagulation, 1 had gastric hemorrhage, 2 had pulmonary hemorrhage, 1 had renal insufficiency, and 3 had bleeding at the puncture site during ECMO treatment. Conclusions ECMO is effective for the treatment of PPHN, however, the high incidence of complications of ECMO treatment suggests that it is important to carefully assess the indications and timing of ECMO treatment and improve the management of ECMO, which can improve the weaning rate and survival rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: PRRT2 variants are associated with various paroxysmal disorders. To date, more than 90 PRRT2 variants have been reported in PRRT2‐related disorders. Lack of functional study in majority of missense variants makes their pathogenicity uncertain. We aim to evaluate the clinical significance of PRRT2 missense variants by performing in vitro experiments. Methods: We systematically reviewed PRRT2‐related disorders and summarized reported PRRT2 missense variants. Protein expression and subcellular localization of mutant PRRT2 were investigated in mammal cells. American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines were used to analyze the pathogenicity of PRRT2 missense variants. Results: A total of 29 PRRT2 missense variants were identified in PRRT2‐related disorders. Ten variants were observed to affect both subcellular localization and protein level, three variants only affect membrane localization, and two variants only affect protein level. According to ACMG guidelines, 15 variants were finally classified as "likely pathogenic", three as "benign", three as "likely benign", and eight as "uncertain significance" variants. The likely pathogenic variants were concentrated in the C‐terminal of PRRT2. Conclusions: The pathogenicity of eight uncertain significance variants needs further investigation. C‐terminal of PRRT2 is crucial for its physiological function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducing distinctive functional groups to expand the structural diversity and improve the intrinsic properties of parent molecules has been an essential pursuit in organic chemistry. By using perfluoroalkyl halide (PFAH) as a nontraditional, readily available, ideal 1,2-difluoroalkenyl coupling partner, a defluorinative cyclization reaction of enamides for the construction of fluoroalkenyl oxazoles is first developed. The selective and controllable two-fold cleavage of vicinal C(sp 3 )─F bonds in PFAH not only enables the introduction of a specific 1,2-difluoroalkenyl moiety with ease but also results in the functionalization of two C(sp 2 )─H bonds of enamides without the need for metal catalyst, photocatalyst, oxidant, or light. The method can be applied to the late-stage modification of complex molecules, synthesis of biological-relevant oxazole analoges, and scale-up synthesis, which all further highlight the real-world utility of this protocol. Mechanistic studies reveal that the reaction possibly proceeds through a radical perfluoroalkylation, consecutive C─F bond heterolytic cleavage, and cyclization process. In addition, the in situ formed perfluoroalkyl radical which may also serve as an essential hydrogen abstractor., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

The proteins with DNA-binding preference to the consensus DNA sequence (A/T) GATA (A/G) belong to a GATA transcription factor family, with a wide array of biological processes in plants. Cassava ( Manihot esculenta ) is an important food crop with high production of starch in storage roots. Little was however known about cassava GATA domain-containing genes ( MeGATA s). Thirty-six MeGATA s, MeGATA1 to MeGATA36 , were found in this study. Some MeGATA s showed a collinear relationship with orthologous genes of Arabidopsis , poplar and potato, rice, maize and sorghum. Eight MeGATA -encoded proteins (MeGATAs) analysed were all localized in the nucleus. Some MeGATAs had potentials of binding ligands and/or enzyme activity. One pair of tandem-duplicated MeGATA17-MeGATA18 and 30 pairs of whole genome-duplicated MeGATA s were found. Fourteen MeGATA s showed low or no expression in the tissues. Nine analysed MeGATA s showed expression responses to abiotic stresses and exogenous phytohormones. Three groups of MeGATA protein interactions were found. Fifty-three miRNAs which can target 18 MeGATA s were identified. Eight MeGATAs were found to target other 292 cassava genes, which were directed to radial pattern formation and phyllome development by gene ontology enrichment, and autophagy by Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment. These data suggest that MeGATA s are functional generalists in interactions between cassava growth and development, abiotic stresses and starch metabolism., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company.)

Objectives: To study the clinical value of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN)., Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 11 neonates with PPHN who were treated with ECMO in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Zhongshan People's Hospital from January 2015 to December 2021, involving the neonates' general information, clinical diagnosis, laboratory results, duration of ECMO treatment, complications during ECMO treatment, length of hospital stay, and outcome., Results: Of the 11 neonates, 10 (91%) had successful weaning from ECMO, and 8 (73%) survived. For the 11 neonates, the mean duration of ECMO treatment was (81±50) hours (range: 26 to 185 hours), the mean duration of ventilator use was (198±105) hours (range: 57 to 392 hours), and the mean length of hospital stay was (22±15) days (range: 2 to 49 days). The oxygenation index and blood lactate level were significantly improved after 24 hours of ECMO treatment among the 11 neonates ( P <0.05). Ten neonates had significantly reduced pulmonary artery pressure after 24 hours of ECMO treatment ( P <0.05). One neonate had a progressive increase in the pulmonary artery pressure during EMCO treatment, succumbing to death. This neonate was diagnosed with alveolar capillary dysplasia based on the histopathological findings of the lung tissue and whole-exome sequencing results. Among the 11 children, 5 had intracranial hemorrhage, 1 had disseminated intravascular coagulation, 1 had gastric hemorrhage, 2 had pulmonary hemorrhage, 1 had renal insufficiency, and 3 had bleeding at the puncture site during ECMO treatment., Conclusions: ECMO is effective for the treatment of PPHN, however, the high incidence of complications of ECMO treatment suggests that it is important to carefully assess the indications and timing of ECMO treatment and improve the management of ECMO, which can improve the weaning rate and survival rate.

Objective: To study the application value of whole exome sequencing (WES) in critically ill neonates with inherited diseases., Methods: A total of 66 critically ill neonates with suspected inherited diseases or unclear clinical diagnosis who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit were enrolled as subjects. The clinical data of the neonates were collected, and venous blood samples were collected from the neonates and their parents for WES. The clinical manifestations of the neonates were observed to search for related pathogenic gene mutations., Results: Among the 66 critically ill neonates with suspected inherited diseases or unclear clinical diagnosis (34 boys and 32 girls), 14 (21%) were found to have gene mutations by WES. One neonate had no gene mutation detected by WES but was highly suspected of pigment incontinence based on clinical manifestations, and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification detected a heterozygous deletion mutation in exons 4-10 of the IKBKG gene. Among the 15 neonates with gene mutations, 10 (67%) had pathogenic gene mutation, 1 (7%) was suspected of pathogenic gene mutation, and 4 (27%) had gene mutations with unknown significance. Among the 15 neonates, 13 underwent chromosome examination, and only 1 neonate was found to have chromosome abnormality., Conclusions: Chromosome examination cannot be used as a diagnostic method for inherited diseases, and WES detection technology is an important tool to find inherited diseases in critically ill neonates with suspected inherited diseases or unclear clinical diagnosis; however WES technology has some limitation and it is thus necessary to combine with other sequencing methods to achieve an early diagnosis.

Objective: To study the association between the expression of the MDR3 gene and the pathogenesis of parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis (PNAC) in preterm infants., Methods: Among the preterm infants who were admitted to the hospital from June 2011 to November 2017 and received parenteral nutrition for more than 14 days, 80 who did not develop PNAC were enrolled as non-PNAC group, and 76 who developed PNAC were enrolled as PNAC group. On days 1, 14, 30, 60 and 90 after birth, serum hepatobiliary biochemical parameters [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBil), direct bilirubin (DBil), total bile acid (TBA) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT)], fibrosis indices [hyaluronic acid, laminin, procollagen III N-terminal peptide and type IV collagen] and clinical manifestations were observed. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of MDR3 in both groups, and the correlation between the mRNA expression of MDR3 and serum hepatobiliary biochemical parameters was analyzed., Results: In the PNAC group, serum levels of hepatobiliary biochemical parameters and fibrosis indices increased on day 14 after birth and reached the peak on day 30 after birth, followed by a reduction on day 60 after birth. On days 14, 30, 60 and 90 after birth, the PNAC group had significantly higher serum levels of hepatobiliary biochemical parameters and fibrosis indices than the non-PNAC group (P<0.05). The PNAC group had higher relative mRNA expression of MDR3 in peripheral blood cells than the non-PNAC group (P<0.05). In the PNAC group, the relative mRNA expression of MDR3 in peripheral blood cells was negatively correlated with serum levels of hepatobiliary biochemical parameters (ALT, TBil, DBil, TBA and γ-GT) (P<0.001)., Conclusions: High mRNA expression of MDR3 in preterm infants may be associated with the development of PNAC, and further studies are needed to identify the mechanism.