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Abstract The problem of dynamic attitude alignment for strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS) and Doppler velocity log (DVL) integrated navigation has become a research hotspot. Underwater complex environment makes DVL output vulnerable to non‐Gaussian noise pollution, which makes it difficult to converge the SINS misalignment angle to within 1° based on analytical coarse alignment. This is to say, the performance of SINS fine alignment via Kalman filter will be degraded because the model of initial alignment exhibits non‐linearity. The inaccurate and/or unknown prior information of measurement noise statistical characteristics will also degrade the filtering performance. To ensure the SINS/DVL alignment accuracy under non‐linear, non‐Gaussian and uncertain conditions, this paper proposed a robust adaptive unscented Kalman filter (UKF) based on Variational Bayesian (VB) method (VBRAUKF). The proposed VBRAUKF improves the adaptability and robustness of UKF from the following two main aspects. Firstly, an adaptive estimation strategy for the measurement noise covariance is designed based on the VB algorithm, which can restrain the effect of inaccurate observation model and improve the adaptive ability of the filtering method. Secondly, an expansion factor is designed based on Mahalanobis distance algorithm, which can restrain the effect of non‐Gaussian noise and improve the robustness of the filtering method. The experimental results for the problem of the SINS/DVL dynamic alignment under mixed Gaussian noise and/or outlier conditions demonstrate the superiority of the proposed VBRAUKF over the traditional ones.

The relationship between wetland water level changes and plant community has been a research hotspot. However, the gradient changes and critical influencing factors of plateau lakeshore plants and soils during wet-dry alternation remain unclear. Here, we studied the variations in plants and soils along the Erhai lakeshore across three elevation ranges (1965.0-1965.3m, 1965.3-1965.6m, and 1965.6-1966.4m) during flooding and drought years. Our research aimed to elucidate the interrelationships and mechanisms among hydrology, soil properties, and plant dynamics. The results showed that (1) In drought years, the Shannon-Wiener index of plants significantly decreased across the three elevation ranges, and other plant diversity indices, biomass, and coverage also decreased to varying degrees; (2) except for soil pH, soil water (SW) and nutrient content decreased to varying degrees in the drought year; (3) SW was the primary factor influencing plant biomass, coverage, and diversity in the 1965.0-1965.3m and 1965.3-1965.6m ranges; nitrate nitrogen, C/N ratio, total phosphorus were the primary factors in the 1965.6-1966.4m ranges. The results of structural equation modeling revealed a significant and strong correlation between SW and plant biomass, coverage, and soil pH. This suggests that changes in SW directly impacted plant biomass accumulation, subsequently affecting coverage, and also played a role in regulating soil pH. This study identified the effects of hydrological inter-annual changes on plant communities and highlighted SW as a crucial driver. The strategies proposed in the results protect and improve the diversity and stability of lake ecosystems in Lake Erhai and other similar lakes.

BackgroundThe non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C)-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (NHHR) is a strong lipid marker that has been associated with atherogenic features. This study aimed to investigate the potential association between the NHHR and gout prevalence.MethodsThis study investigated the relationship between the NHHR and gout by analyzing data gathered from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a research study conducted in the United States from 2007 to 2018. All participants in NHANES provided written informed consent prior to participation. The NHHR was calculated as the ratio of non-HDL-C to HDL-C. Total cholesterol (TC) and HDL-C levels were sourced from NHANES laboratory data. Gout was assessed using a questionnaire. Weighted logistic regression analysis, subgroup analysis, and smoothed curve fitting were performed.ResultsThis study included 30,482 participants. The fully adjusted models showed that for each unit increase in NHHR in continuous variables, there was a 10% higher likelihood of gout prevalence (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.16). Analysis of the NHHR quartiles revealed that patients in the highest quartile had a notably greater probability of developing gout than those in the lowest quartile. (Q4 vs. Q1, OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.71). Subgroup analyses yielded consistent results across categories, indicating a significant positive association between the NHHR and gout. E-value analysis suggested robustness to unmeasured confounding. Interaction tests showed that the race, education level, marital relationship, poverty-income ratio (PIR), hypertension, smoking habits, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), lipid-lowering therapy, and diabetes had no discernible effects on this association. The p-values for all the interactions were > 0.05. Nevertheless, the relationship between the NHHR and gout was significantly affected by the age and sex of the participants (interaction p

ObjectivesSubjective cognitive decline (SCD) as a stage between healthy cognition and early neurocognitive disorders, has been proposed to be helpful in the diagnosis of prodromal neurocognitive disorders. To investigate the prevalence of SCD and the related risk factors on the prevalence.MethodsA cross-sectional study involving 1,120 elderly subjects residing in Baotou, China. From June 2021 to June 2023, the data were gathered by research assistants with training utilizing standardized questionnaires. The following factors were evaluated: subjective cognitive decline, physical and cognitive activity levels, past medical history, demographics, instrumental activities of daily living, and cognitive function. Risk factors of SCD were used chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe prevalence of SCD was 43.8%. Permanent residence, marital status, BMI, dietary habits, average sleep duration per night, smoking, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and visual impairment were significantly associated with SCD (p

Hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) are derived from a specialized subset of endothelial cells named hemogenic endothelial cells (HECs) via a process of endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition during embryogenesis. Recently, with the usage of multiple single-cell technologies and advanced genetic lineage tracing techniques, namely, “TIF” approaches that combining transcriptome, immunophenotype and function/fate analyses, massive new insights have been achieved regarding the cellular and molecular evolution underlying the emergence of HSPCs from embryonic vascular beds. In this review, we focus on the most recent advances in the enrichment markers, functional characteristics, developmental paths, molecular controls, and the embryonic site-relevance of the key intermediate cell populations bridging embryonic vascular and hematopoietic systems, namely HECs and pre-hematopoietic stem cells, the immediate progenies of some HECs, in mouse and human embryos. Specifically, using expression analyses at both transcriptional and protein levels and especially efficient functional assays, we propose that the onset of Kit expression is at the HEC stage, which has previously been controversial.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, yet effective treatment is lacking. Moreover, the underlying pathomechanisms of ALS remain unclear, with impaired mitophagy function being increasingly recognized as a contributing factor. FUN14 domain-containing protein 1 (FUNDC1) is an autophagy receptor localized to the outer mitochondrial membrane and a mitochondrial membrane protein that mediates mitophagy and therefore considered as important factor in neurodegenerative diseases. However, its specific role in ALS is not yet clear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of FUNDC1 in ALS and determine its regulatory mechanisms. ALS transgenic mice were obtained and maintained under standard conditions. Cell lines were generated by stable transfection with hSOD1G93A or control vectors. Mice received intrathecal injections of AAV9 vectors expressing FUNDC1 or EGFP. Motor function was assessed through behavioral tests, and histological and immunostaining analyses were performed. Colocalization analysis was conducted in transfected cells, and protein expression was evaluated via western blotting. We first observed that FUNDC1 was significantly downregulated in the spinal cord tissues of SOD1G93A mice. FUNDC1 overexpression considerably improved locomotor activity and prolonged survival time in SOD1G93A mice. Mechanistically, reduced expression of FUNDC1 resulted in decreased mitophagy, as indicated by decreased recruitment through LC3 in SOD1G93A mice and cellular models. Consequently, this led to increased mitochondrial accumulation and cell apoptosis, exacerbating the ALS phenotype. Furthermore, we identified transcription factor FOXD3 as an essential upstream factor of FUNDC1, resulting in reduced transcription of FUNDC1 in ALS lesions. This study suggests a novel strategy of targeting FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy for developing therapeutic interventions to mitigate disease progression and improve outcomes for ALS patients.

Abstract Background Lung cancer remains the foremost reason of cancer‐related mortality, with invasion and metastasis profoundly influencing patient prognosis. N‐acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) catalyzes the exclusive N (4)‐acetylcytidine (ac4C) modification in eukaryotic RNA. NAT10 dysregulation is linked to various diseases, yet its role in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) invasion and metastasis remains unclear. Our study delves into the clinical significance and functional aspects of NAT10 in NSCLC. Methods We investigated NAT10's clinical relevance using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and a group of 98 NSCLC patients. Employing WB, qRT‐PCR, and IHC analyses, we assessed NAT10 expression in NSCLC tissues, bronchial epithelial cells (BECs), NSCLC cell lines, and mouse xenografts. Further, knockdown and overexpression techniques (siRNA, shRNA, and plasmid) were employed to evaluate NAT10's effects. A series of assays were carried out, including CCK‐8, colony formation, wound healing, and transwell assays, to elucidate NAT10's role in proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Additionally, we utilized lung cancer patient‐derived 3D organoids, mouse xenograft models, and Remodelin (NAT10 inhibitor) to corroborate these findings. Results Our investigations revealed high NAT10 expression in NSCLC tissues, cell lines and mouse xenograft models. High NAT10 level correlated with advanced T stage, lymph node metastasis and poor overall survive. NAT10 knockdown curtailed proliferation, invasion, and migration, whereas NAT10 overexpression yielded contrary effects. Furthermore, diminished NAT10 levels correlated with increased E‐cadherin level whereas decreased N‐cadherin and vimentin expressions, while heightened NAT10 expression displayed contrasting results. Notably, Remodelin efficiently attenuated NSCLC proliferation, invasion, and migration by inhibiting NAT10 through the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway. Conclusions Our data underscore NAT10 as a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC, presenting avenues for targeted intervention against lung cancer through NAT10 inhibition.

Abstract Complete remission of colorectal cancer (CRC) is still unachievable in the majority of patients by common fractionated radiotherapy, leaving risks of tumor metastasis and recurrence. Herein, clinical CRC samples demonstrated a difference in the phosphorylation of translation initiation factor eIF2α (p‐eIF2α) and the activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), whose increased expression by initial X‐ray irradiation led to the resistance to subsequent radiotherapy. The underlying mechanism is studied in radio‐resistant CT26 cells, revealing that the incomplete mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (iMOMP) triggered by X‐ray irradiation is key for the elevated expression of p‐eIF2α and ATF4, and therefore radio‐resistance. This finding guided to discover that metformin and 2‐DG are synergistic in reversing radio resistance by inhibiting p‐eIF2α and ATF4. Liposomes loaded with metformin and 2‐DG (M/D‐Lipo) are thus prepared for enhancing fractionated radiotherapy of CRC, which achieved satisfactory therapeutic efficacy in both local and metastatic CRC tumors by reversing radio‐resistance and preventing T lymphocyte exhaustion.

Background: Limited research has been conducted on the impact of rituximab on immune function and the incidence of side effects in children undergoing combination chemotherapy for aggressive mature B-cell lymphoma/leukemia. Methods: Clinical data from 85 patients with primary pediatric aggressive mature B-cell lymphoma/leukemia, treated according to the Chinese Children's Cancer Group (CCCG)-mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (BNHL)-2015 protocol from June 1, 2015, to December 1, 2022, were collected from three tertiary medical centers in China. Patients with pre-existing malignancies or primary immune deficiencies (PIDs) were excluded. Results: Between June 1, 2015, and December 1, 2022, 85 patients (65 [76.5%] boys and 20[23.5%] girls; mean age, 6.95 years) were enrolled, and immune data at baseline during follow-up were analyzed. At the end of chemotherapy, a higher proportion of patients in the R4 group exhibited a decrease in peripheral blood CD3− CD19+ B cells (20[100%] of 20 vs 13[47.8%] of 18, p = 0.04), CD3+ T cells (21[91.3%] of 23 vs 14[60.9%] of 23, p = 0.016), and serum IgM (14[60.9%] of 23 vs 4[17.4%] of 23, p = 0.003) compared to the R3 group. However, these differences were no longer statistically significant six months after chemotherapy administration. The combination of rituximab with AA was associated with a higher incidence of significant thrombocytopenia (49[81.7%] of 60 vs 29[52.7%] of 55, p = 0.001) and infection (35[58.3%] of 60 vs 17[30.9%] of 55, p = 0.003) compared to AA alone. Furthermore, the combination of rituximab with BB was linked to a higher incidence of significant thrombocytopenia (32[52.5%] of 61 vs 31[31.0%] of 100, p = 0.007) compared to BB alone. Conclusions: While the effects of rituximab in combination with intense chemotherapy for childhood aggressive mature B-cell lymphoma/leukemia on children's immune function generally recovers within six months it may still prolong the recovery from immunoglobulinemia, posing a risk of secondary infections. Further studies are required to identify children with potential primary immunodeficiencies.

Abstract Filterless light-ellipticity-sensitive optoelectronic response generally has low discrimination, thus severely hindering the development of monolithic polarization detectors. Here, we achieve a breakthrough based on a configurable circular-polarization-dependent optoelectronic silent state created by the superposition of two photoresponses with enantiomerically opposite ellipticity dependences. The zero photocurrent and the significantly suppressed noise of the optoelectronic silent state singularly enhance the circular polarization extinction ratio (CPER) and the sensitivity to light ellipticity perturbation. The CPER of our device approaches infinity by the traditional definition. The newly established CPER taking noise into account is 3–4 orders of magnitude higher than those of ordinary integrated circular polarization detectors, and it remains high in an expanded wavelength range. The noise equivalent light ellipticity difference goes below 0.009° Hz−1/2 at modulation frequencies above 1000 Hz by a light power of 281 μW. This scheme brings a leap in developing monolithic ultracompact circular polarization detectors.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the most common primary myocardial diseases. However, to this day, it remains an enigmatic cardiovascular disease (CVD) characterized by ventricular dilatation, which leads to myocardial contractile dysfunction. It is the most common cause of chronic congestive heart failure and the most frequent indication for heart transplantation in young individuals. Genetics and various other factors play significant roles in the progression of dilated cardiomyopathy, and variants in more than 50 genes have been associated with the disease. However, the etiology of a large number of cases remains elusive. Numerous studies have been conducted on the genetic causes of dilated cardiomyopathy. These genetic studies suggest that mutations in genes for fibronectin, cytoskeletal proteins, and myosin in cardiomyocytes play a key role in the development of DCM. In this review, we provide a comprehensive description of the genetic basis, mechanisms, and research advances in genes that have been strongly associated with DCM based on evidence-based medicine. We also emphasize the important role of gene sequencing in therapy for potential early diagnosis and improved clinical management of DCM.

Abstract Background Children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) are prone to a missed diagnosis at the early stages of the disease, which greatly affects the prognosis of children. In this study, the application value of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) antibody titres and RNA detection for diagnosing MP infection in children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) was evaluated. The present study aimed to seek appropriate detection methods and strategies for early rapid diagnosis in children with MPP. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 563 paediatric patients aged 1 month to 15 years with CAP who were admitted to Wuhan Children’s Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology between July 2021 and February 2022. In all patients, throat swabs were collected for MP-RNA detection (simultaneous amplification and testing, SAT), and paired serum samples were collected for MP total antibody detection (particle agglutination, PA). Results The classification as MPP or non-MPP was based on clinical diagnosis, serum MP antibody titre, and clinical or laboratory evidence of infection by other pathogen(s). Among the 563 patients with pneumonia, 187 patients were in the MPP group, and 376 patients were in the non-MPP group. The Kappa values between the particle agglutination test at different titres (1:80, 1:160) and MP-RNA detection were 0.612 and 0.660 (P 36 m), PA (1:160) was just the opposite, while MP-RNA was slightly better than other age groups in the 13–72 months age group. Conclusions For the diagnosis of MPP in children at the early of the disease, the antibody titre (1:160) parallel MP-RNA should be given preference, and then the disease should be further classified according to the antibody titre level and the age of the child. The combined application of the two detection methods could complement each other and strengthen the advantages, providing reliable laboratory evidence for the clinical diagnosis and timely treatment of MPP. When using the PA method alone to provide a reference standard to clarify MP infection, the differential diagnosis ability of 1:80 for MPP is better than 1:160, especially for children younger than 36 months.

Abstract Immunotherapy has recently emerged as the predominant therapeutic approach for cervical cancer (CCa), driven by the groundbreaking clinical achievements of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 antibodies. N4‐acetylcytidine (ac4C) modification, catalyzed by NAT10, is an important posttranscriptional modification of mRNA in cancers. However, its impact on immunological dysregulation and the tumor immunotherapy response in CCa remains enigmatic. Here, a significant increase in NAT10 expression in CCa tissues is initially observed that is clinically associated with poor prognosis. Subsequently, it is found that HOXC8 activated NAT10 by binding to its promoter, thereby stimulating ac4C modification of FOXP1 mRNA and enhancing its translation efficiency, eventually leading to induction of GLUT4 and KHK expression. Moreover, NAT10/ac4C/FOXP1 axis activity resulted in increased glycolysis and a continuous increase in lactic acid secretion by CCa cells. The lactic acid‐enriched tumor microenvironment (TME) further contributed to amplifying the immunosuppressive properties of tumor‐infiltrating regulatory T cells (Tregs). Impressively, NAT10 knockdown enhanced the efficacy of PD‐L1 blockade‐mediated tumor regression in vivo. Taken together, the findings revealed the oncogenic role of NAT10 in initiating crosstalk between cancer cell glycolysis and immunosuppression, which can be a target for synergistic PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade immunotherapy in CCa.

Abstract The free‐space optical communication is regarded as a promising technique for next generation networks. However, all the data are exposed in free space with high risk of being attacked or eavesdropping by unauthorized parties. Here, a bipolar photodetector based on the graphene/GaN heterojunction is demonstrated. The polarity of the UV light photocurrent is opposite to that of the red light photocurrent, which results from the interface state filling effect and hot carrier injection into graphene, verified by Kelvin probe force microscope measurement results. Four stable photocurrent levels are demonstrated with only a single graphene/GaN heterojunction via the photocurrent polarity control, which is employed for a secure capability in conventional optical communication by setting visible and UV light as secret and key information, respectively. The technique provides a new strategy to design photodetectors for information encryption technology.

Abstract Background Early metastasis is a key factor contributing to poor breast cancer (BC) prognosis. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are regarded as the precursor cells of metastasis, which are ultimately responsible for the main cause of death in BC. However, to date molecular mechanisms underlying CTC formation in BC have been insufficiently defined. Methods RNA-seq was carried out in primary tissues from early-stage BC patients (with CTCs≥5 and CTCs = 0, respectively) and the validation study was conducted in untreated 80 BC patients. Multiple in vitro and in vivo models were used in functional studies. Luciferase reporter, ChIP-seq, CUT&Tag-seq, and GST-pulldown, etc. were utilized in mechanistic studies. CTCs were counted by the CanPatrol™ CTC classification system or LiquidBiospy™ microfluidic chips. ERK1/2 inhibitor SCH772984 was applied to in vivo treatment. Results Highly expressed FOXD1 of primary BC tissues was observed to be significantly associated with increased CTCs in BC patients, particularly in early BC patients. Overexpressing FOXD1 enhanced the migration capability of BC cells, CTC formation and BC metastasis, via facilitating epithelial-mesenchymal transition of tumor cells. Mechanistically, FOXD1 was discovered to induce RalA expression by directly bound to RalA promotor. Then, RalA formed a complex with ANXA2 and Src, promoting the interaction between ANXA2 and Src, thus increasing the phosphorylation (Tyr23) of ANXA2. Inhibiting RalA-GTP form attenuated the interaction between ANXA2 and Src. This cascade culminated in the activation of ERK1/2 signal that enhanced metastatic ability of BC cells. In addition, in vivo treatment with SCH772984, a specific inhibitor of ERK1/2, was used to dramatically inhibit the CTC formation and BC metastasis. Conclusion Here, we report a FOXD1-dependent RalA-ANXA2-Src complex that promotes CTC formation via activating ERK1/2 signal in BC. FOXD1 may serve as a prognostic factor in evaluation of BC metastasis risks. This signaling cascade is druggable and effective for overcoming CTC formation from the early stages of BC.

In aquatic animals, the gut microbiota has a significant function in host health and is impacted by the environmental microbiota. To conveniently monitor, assess and predict aquatic animals’ health, a general and effective microbiota health index (microHI) would be helpful, and the correlation between the aquatic environmental microHI and wildlife gut microHI could be expected. Here, we proposed a general microHI based on the microbial phenotypes of mobile element content, potential pathogenicity and oxidative stress tolerance, and then tested the reliability of the fish gut microHI and its correlation with the environmental microHI in the middle Yangtze River. The results showed that there were positive correlations among the abundance ratios of microbes with the microbial phenotypes of mobile element content, potential pathogenicity and oxidative stress tolerance, suggesting that defining the microHI using the average abundance ratios of microbes without these microbial phenotypes is suitable. Fish gut samples with a lower microHI were more likely to have been obtained from specimens with a disordered microbiota (always means unhealthy host), indicating that the gut microHI has the potential to be used to evaluate the health status of aquatic animals. In the middle Yangtze River, the aquatic environmental microHI had hundred-kilometers-scale high spatial heterogeneity but month-scale low temporal heterogeneity from June to September 2020, and in the section with a low aquatic environmental microHI, the fish gut samples were more likely to have relatively low gut microHIs, indicating that the environmental microHI has the potential to be used to predict the health status of aquatic animals at the community level. The current work initially showed the possibility of using environmental microHI to predict aquatic animals’ health although it was not very exact and precise. We encourage more researches to assess the quantitative relationship between the aquatic environmental microHI and aquatic animal gut microHI.

A 52-year-old Chinese woman was admitted to a cardiac intensive care unit (CCU) due to nausea, vomiting, and dyspnea, which began a day before her hospitalization. Metoprolol succinate and conventional treatment for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were initially administered to the patient based on electrocardiogram (ECG) findings and elevated cardiac troponin I (cTnI). However, the following day, she developed aggravated nausea, vomiting, fever, sweating, a flushed face, a rapid heart rate, and a significant rise in blood pressure. Furthermore, ultrasonic cardiography (UCG) displayed takotsubo-like changes; nevertheless, ECG indicated inconsistent cTnI peaks with extensive infarction. After coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) ruled out (AMI), and in conjunction with the uncommon findings, we strongly suspected that the patient had a secondary condition of pheochromocytoma-induced takotsubo cardiomyopathy (Pheo-TCM). In the meanwhile, the use of metoprolol succinate was promptly discontinued. This hypothesis was further supported by the subsequent plasma elevation of multiple catecholamines and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). After one month of treatment with high-dose Phenoxybenzamine in combination with metoprolol succinate, the patient met the criteria for surgical excision and successfully underwent the procedure. This case report demonstrated that pheochromocytoma could induce TCM and emphasized the significance of distinguishing it from AMI (in the context of beta-blocker usage and anticoagulant management).

Abstract Background Adenylate kinase (AK) is a monomolecular enzyme widely found in a variety of organisms. It mainly catalyses the reversible transfer of adenosine nucleotide phosphate groups and plays an important role in maintaining energy metabolism. AK deficiency is a rare genetic disorder that is related to haemolytic anaemia. Chronic haemolytic anaemia associated with AK deficiency is a rare condition, and only 14 unrelated families have been reported thus far. Moreover, only 11 mutations have been identified in the AK1 gene, with only 3 cases of psychomotor impairment. Case presentation The patient was a 3-year-old boy with severe haemolytic anaemia and psychomotor retardation. A molecular study of the patient’s AK gene revealed 2 different mutations: a heterozygous missense mutation in exon 6 (c.413G > A) and a heterozygous frameshift mutation in exon 5 (c.223dupA). Molecular modelling analyses indicated that AK gene inactivation resulted in a lack of AK activity. The patient recovered after regular blood transfusion therapy. Conclusions AK1 deficiency was diagnosed on the basis of low enzymatic activity and the identification of a mutation in the AK1 gene located on chromosome 9q. Here, we report the first case of moderate red cell AK1 deficiency associated with chronic nonspherocytic haemolytic anaemia (CNSHA) in China. The genetic mutations were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The variants were classified as pathogenic by bioinformatics tools, such as ACMG/AMP guidelines, Mutation Taster, SIFT, MACP, REVEL and PolyPhen2.2. Based on our evidence and previous literature reports, we speculate that the site of the AK1 gene c.413G > A (p.Arg138His) mutation may be a high-frequency mutation site and the other mutation (c.223dupA) might be related to the neuropathogenicity caused by AK1 deficiency. NGS should be a part of newborn to early childhood screening to diagnose rare and poorly diagnosed genetic diseases as early as possible.

Abstract The structural change-mediated catalytic activity regulation plays a significant role in the biological functions of natural enzymes. However, there is virtually no artificial nanozyme reported that can achieve natural enzyme-like stringent spatiotemporal structure-based catalytic activity regulation. Here, we report a sub-nanostructural transformable gold@ceria (STGC-PEG) nanozyme that performs tunable catalytic activities via near-infrared (NIR) light-mediated sub-nanostructural transformation. The gold core in STGC-PEG can generate energetic hot electrons upon NIR irradiation, wherein an internal sub-nanostructural transformation is initiated by the conversion between CeO2 and electron-rich state of CeO2−x , and active oxygen vacancies generation via the hot-electron injection. Interestingly, the sub-nanostructural transformation of STGC-PEG enhances peroxidase-like activity and unprecedentedly activates plasmon-promoted oxidase-like activity, allowing highly efficient low-power NIR light (50 mW cm−2)-activated photocatalytic therapy of tumors. Our atomic-level design and fabrication provide a platform to precisely regulate the catalytic activities of nanozymes via a light-mediated sub-nanostructural transformation, approaching natural enzyme-like activity control in complex living systems.

Abstract Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) is an immune checkpoint protein that has been linked with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and fibroblast to myofibroblast transition (FMT). However, it remains largely unclear how PD-L1 mediates this process. We found significantly increased PD-L1 in the lungs of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients and mice with pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin and TGF-β. In primary human lung fibroblasts (HLFs), TGF-β induced PD-L1 expression that is dependent on both Smad3 and p38 pathways. PD-L1 knockdown using siRNA significantly attenuated TGF-β-induced expression of myofibroblast markers α-SMA, collagen-1, and fibronectin in normal and IPF HLFs. Further, we found that PD-L1 interacts with Smad3, and TGF-β induces their interaction. Interestingly, PD-L1 knockdown reduced α-SMA reporter activity induced by TGF-β in HLFs, suggesting that PD-L1 might act as a co-factor of Smad3 to promote target gene expression. TGF-β treatment also phosphorylates GSK3β and upregulates β-catenin protein levels. Inhibiting β-catenin signaling with the pharmaceutical inhibitor ICG001 significantly attenuated TGF-β-induced FMT. PD-L1 knockdown also attenuated TGF-β-induced GSK3β phosphorylation/inhibition and β-catenin upregulation, implicating GSK3β/β-catenin signaling in PD-L1-mediated FMT. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that fibroblast PD-L1 may promote pulmonary fibrosis through both Smad3 and β-catenin signaling and may represent a novel interventional target for IPF.

The dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in the malignancy of lupus nephritis (LN). This work aims to analyse the effect and mechanism of miR-146b-5p in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced model of LN in vitro. The serum samples of LN patients and normal volunteers were collected. HK-2 cells were challenged via LPS. miR-146b-5p and interferon-induced protein 35 (IFI35) abundances were detected via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or western blot. The inflammatory response was assessed via inflammatory cytokines levels via qRT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cell apoptosis was analysed via flow cytometry and apoptotic protein levels. The protein levels of JAK1/STAT1 signalling were detected via western blot. The relationship of miR-146b-5p and IFI35 was analysed via bioinformatics and dual-luciferase reporter assays. This study revealed that miR-146b-5p level was declined and IFI35 abundance was elevated in serum of LN patients and LPS-challenged HK-2 cells. Functionally, IFI35 overexpression promoted LPS-caused inflammatory response and cell apoptosis, and knockdown of IFI35 caused an opposite trend. Meanwhile, miR-146b-5p targeted IFI35 to suppress inflammatory response and cell inflammatory response and apoptosis via inactivating the JAK1/STAT1 pathway. MiR-146b-5p suppressed inflammatory response and cell apoptosis by IFI35 mediated-JAK1/STAT1 signalling in HK-2 cells, which provided a new mechanism for understanding the pathogenesis of LN.

Mucormycosis caused by Lichtheimia ramosa is an emerging and uncommon opportunistic infection in patients with hematological malignancies, with high mortality rates. Herein, we first report a case of pulmonary mucormycosis with Lichtheimia ramosa in a 3-year-old girl recently diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The diagnosis was made using computerized tomography of the lung, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of blood and sputum specimens, and microscopic examination to detect the development of Lichtheimia ramosa on the surgical specimen. She was effectively treated after receiving prompt treatment with amphotericin B and posaconazole, followed by aggressive surgical debridement. In our case, the fungal isolates were identified as Lichtheimia ramosa using mNGS, which assisted clinicians in quickly and accurately diagnosing and initiating early intensive treatment. This case also indicated the importance of strong clinical suspicion, as well as aggressive antifungal therapy combined with surgical debridement of affected tissues.

Telomere biology disorders (TBDs) induced by TINF2 mutations manifest clinically with a spectrum of phenotypes, from silent carriers to a set of overlapping conditions. A rare TINF2 frameshift mutation (c.591delG) encoding a truncated mutant TIN2 protein (p.W198fs) was identified in a 6-years-and-3-month-old Chinese girl with neuroblastoma (NB) by next generation sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. To explore the possible implications of TINF2 mutations in TBDs development, the TINF2 mutant was transfected into the human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T cells, and mRNA expression of the shelterin complex components as well as the cellular distribution of mutant TIN2 were examined. The TINF2 mutation was phenotypically associated with short stature in the proband, nail dystrophy and spotted hypopigmentation in her mother, and psoriasis in her older brother. I-TASSER modeling analysis revealed conformational changes of the mutant TIN2 protein and loss of pivotal domains downstream of the 198th amino acid. Additionally, mRNA expression of the shelterin components was downregulated, and TIN2 mutant protein expression was reduced in HEK293T cells transfected with mutant TINF2. Furthermore, instead of being restricted to the nucleus, the mutant TIN2 was identified in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. The TINF2 gene mutation might impair the function of the shelterin complex and the telomere maintenance mechanisms, both of which are involved in the development of TBDs. TBDs have been associated with increased cancer risk. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of NB in patients with TBDs. The relationship between the TINF2 mutation and NB may need to further study.

The development of various antitumor drugs has significantly improved the survival of patients with cancer. Many first-line chemotherapy drugs are cytotoxic and the cardiotoxicity is one of the most significant effects that could leads to poor prognosis and decreased survival rate. Cancer treatment include traditional anthracycline drugs, as well as some new targeted drugs such as trastuzumab and ICIs. These drugs may directly or indirectly cause cardiovascular injury through different mechanisms, and lead to increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease or accelerating the development of cardiovascular disease. Cardiotoxicity is clinically manifested by arrhythmia, decreased cardiac function, or even sudden death. The cardiotoxicity caused by traditional chemotherapy drugs such as anthracyclines are significantly known. The cardiotoxicity of some new antitumor drugs such like immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is also relatively clear and requiring further observation and verification. This review is focused on major three drugs with relatively high incidence of cardiotoxicity and poor prognosis and intended to provide an update on the clinical complications and outcomes of these drugs, and we innovatively summarize the monitoring status of survivors using these drugs and discuss the biomarkers and non-invasive imaging features to identify early cardiotoxicity. Finally, we summarize the prevention that decreasing antitumor drugs-induced cardiotoxicity.

Abstract Background Most Chinese migrants have been faced with obstacles to getting access to local public health services. Young migrants among internal migrants make a major contribution to the economy. However, the establishment of their health records has been ignored. This research was aimed at exploring the status and associated factors of the establishment of health records among young Chinese migrants. Methods Data were obtained from the 2017 China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS). Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were performed to investigate the associated factors of the establishment of health records among young Chinese migrants. Results Approximately 30.2% of young migrants had their health records established in inflow communities. Urban residence, medical insurance (insured), and lower average monthly household income were attributed to the establishment of more health records. Young migrants who were in northeast China and across provinces and immigrated for working or engaging in trade were less likely to have health records established. Young migrants who participated in social activities and public affairs activities and took type of people in touch as natives in the inflow area showed a higher possibility of establishing health records. Meanwhile, receiving health education and hearing about national basic public health services (BPHSs) were beneficial for establishing the health records of more young migrants. Conclusion This study showed that the health records of young migrants had a relatively low establishment rate. Sociodemographic and migration characteristics, health status, public health services, and social integration factors were all related to the health record establishment of young Chinese migrants.

Reactive oxygen species management is a practical strategy that can reduce the risk of chemotherapy-induced acute kidney injury, but at the cost of chemotherapeutic efficacy. Here the authors report catalytic activity tunable ceria nanoparticles as context-dependent reactive oxygen species scavengers, which can prevent chemotherapy-induced acute kidney injury without interfering with chemotherapeutic agents.

Abstract Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is listed as a class I carcinogen in human gastric cancer; however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, we identified Protogenin (PRTG) was upregulated in both gastric cancer tissues and H. pylori-infected tissues by analyzing dysregulated genes in TCGA and GEO databases. Importantly, upregulated PRTG predicted poor prognosis of gastric cancer patients and integrative analysis revealed that PRTG served as an oncogenic protein in gastric cancer and was required for H. pylori-mediated tumorigenic activities in in vitro cellular and in vivo tumor-bearing mouse models. Mechanistically, H. pylori infection enhanced PRTG expression by promoting transcriptional factor ZEB1 stabilization and recruitment to the PRTG promoter, and which then activated the sub-following cGMP/PKG signaling pathway in bioinformatic and cellular studies. Cellular studies further confirmed that PRTG depended on activating cGMP/PKG axis to promote proliferation, metastasis, and chemoresistance of gastric cancer cells. The PKG inhibitor KT5823 played synergistic anti-tumor effects with cisplatin and paclitaxel to gastric cancer cells in in vitro cellular and in vivo tumor-bearing mouse models. Taken together, our findings suggested that H. pylori infection depends on ZEB1 to induce PRTG upregulation, and which leading to the development and progression of gastric cancer through activating cGMP/PKG signaling pathway. Blocking PRTG/cGMP/PKG axis, therefore, presents a promising novel therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer.

Abstract Background To validate markers for cervical carcinoma (CC) and precancerous lesions related with HPV infections. Methods Three different cervical cancer cell lines C-33A, SiHa and Caski were used for secretome profiling by label-free quantitative proteomics. Cervical exfoliated cells and matching serum samples were collected from 284 patients with normal control (n = 75, 26.41 %), precancerous lesions (n = 88, 30.99 %) and early stage cervical squamous carcinoma (n = 121, 42.61 %). HPV subtyping and quantification was performed by PCR and hybridization. 20 candidate proteins identified in previous screening studies (tissue, plasma, cells) were quantified by ELISA. Finally, highly quantitative parallel reaction monitoring mass spectrometry was used to assess the specificities and sensitivities of candidate serum markers. Results While CC was found to be associated with high-risk HPV subtypes, serum antibodies for high risk HPV were not significantly related to the progression of cervical cancer. Significant differences between patient groups were detected for the four proteins CLU, APOA4, APOE and MLH3, but none would allow clinical application due to insufficient sensitivity and specificity and large variability. Subsequent proteomic secretome analysis of cervical cancer cell lines identified a set of 729 common proteins. Cross referencing this dataset with ELISA measurements revealed six candidate proteins of which two, FBLN1 and ANT3, showed co-occurrence with HPV infection (75.7 % and 85 %, respectively) and had promising diagnostic ability in terms of sensitivity and specificity. After the loss of E6/E7 by using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, the content of ANT3 and FBLN1 in KoE6/E7 SiHa were downregulated, which indicated the expression of ANT3 and FBLN1 in cervical cancer may be affected by HPV infection. Conclusions FBLN1 and ANT3 might be potential tumor- and HPV-associated serum markers.

AbstractBackground This study aimed to understand the clinical characteristics and outcomes of children with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) in China.Methods We conducted a retrospective study of 95 paediatric patients with LCH in West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University between July 2013 and August 2020.Results The onset age of multisystem LCH (MS-LCH) patients with risk organ (RO) involvement was younger than that of MS-LCH without RO involvement (p = .002) and single system LCH (p K, BRAF p.L485_P490delinsF, BRAF p.R506_K507insLLR, ARAF p.Q349_F351delinsL and MAP2K1 p.Q58_E62del were known mutations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. The BRAF-V600E genotype in the tissue and plasma prior to therapy were detected in 16 patients, and the concordance was only 37.5% (6/16). According to the modified LCH-III-based-protocol, JLSG-02 protocol chemotherapy, and vemurafenib, the estimated five-year overall survival, event-free survival (EFS) and cumulative reactivation rates of 95 patients were 98.8%, 74.6% and 24.5%, respectively. The EFS rate in good responders was better than that in poor responders at 12-week (HR = 0.022, 95%CI 0.002–0.231, p = .002), and EFS was not affected by age, RO involvement or BRAF-V600E mutation. Regarding sequelae, nine patients had central diabetes insipidus and two had growth retardation.Conclusions In this study, LCH was a highly heterogeneous disease characterized molecularly by MAPK-pathway activating mutations. Vincristine, prednisone and cytarabine-based chemotherapy combined with vemurafenib improved the prognosis of childhood LCH. In future, prospective clinical trials and novel therapeutic strategies should be developed to improve outcomes in paediatric patients with LCH.KEY MESSAGEChildren with Langerhans cell histiocytosis in China present highly heterogeneous clinical characteristics, with up to 60% of cases harbouring mutations in MAPK pathway.Treatment response at 12-week is associated with EFS in our study.Vincristine, prednisone and cytarabine-based chemotherapy combined with vemurafenib improved the prognosis of Chinese childhood LCH, but the reactivation rate is still high.

To study the nursing effects of different CT angiography (CTA) technology-based nursing methods on patients with coronary artery heart diseases (CHD), CHD patients treated in Dongying People’s Hospital were selected as the research objects and were divided into the control group and the observation group. Different coronary CTA nursing methods, i.e. the routine nursing and the psychological nursing, were performed to the control group and the observation group respectively. During the experiment, patients performed self-evaluations, which included the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). Biological indicators of patients, including heart rate (HR), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and systolic blood pressure (SBP), were measured before and after patients accepted different nursing methods. In addition, the quality of coronary CTA images was evaluated. The results showed that HR, DBP, SBP, SAS scores, and SDS scores of patients in the observation group were obviously lower than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant, besides, the image quality of the observation group was significantly greater than that of the control group, which was helpful for diagnosis and had statistical significances. Therefore, it is proved that the psychological nursing of CHD patients can effectively reduce the negative emotions of patients, such as anxiety and depression, which is conducive to CTA and can assist clinical diagnosis. The results provide a basis and ideas for more accurate research in the future.

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis caused by the expression of CD68-positive and CD1a-negative foam tissue cells, which is polar in pediatric patients. The study reports a case of an 8-year-old Chinese boy who presented with polydipsia and polyuria for 4 years, followed by central nervous system symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a large lesion in the lateral ventricle. The histiocytes stained positively for CD68, CD163 and negatively for CD1a, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and langerin, and were partially positive for S100 by immunohistochemical assay. More importantly, BRAFV600E staining was positive in tissue, and the BRAFV600E mutations was also detected by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) in the intracranial lesion tissue. According to our review of the literature, this is a rare case of ECD in the ventricle, with a younger age.

Graphene/semiconductor hybrid photodetectors have attracted much attention recently for their excellent optoelectronic properties. However, high background current and 1/f noise limit their sensitivity. In this paper, the phenomenon of photo-induced quantum capacitance was found based on the transfer-free graphene/Cu2O/Cu structure. Under illumination, the Fermi level in graphene can be modulated by the photogenerated holes trapped in Cu2O nanoparticles, which causes the capacitance response phenomenon. The maximum capacitance response of 104 F/W with the minimum detectable light power of 5.3 fW was achieved at room temperature.

Graphene on top of semiconductor builds an emerging highly sensitive photodetector with internal gain. Owing to the graphene/semiconductor interface junction, one kind of photo-excited carriers are drifted to graphene and the other carriers remain in the semiconductor. The decisive factor for the gain is the localization extent of the non-transporting carriers. Several localization strategies such as Schottky barrier regulation, introducing localized states, quantum dot confinement, and double heterojunction design are reviewed. Despite the high sensitivity, the accompanying persistent photocurrent limits the response speed. The long-wavelength light acceleration and the back-gate voltage acceleration methods are utilized to effectively eliminate the persistent photocurrent.

The batch reproducibility of polymer donor materials limits the performance of polymer solar cells. Here Wu et al. develop a polymer donor PM1 by random terpolymerization strategy with a high efficiency of 17.6% in the device and excellent batch-to-batch reproducibility.

Abstract The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) has completed the constellation deployment and started to provide global services. After achieving the capabilities of global coverage, global first-class accuracy for Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT), global Inter-Satellite Links (ISL) networking, and global featured services, BDS will promote the construction of the comprehensive PNT infrastructure in the new era and play a more active role in international cooperation with other Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) providers to better serve humankind and the world.

This study compared 30 older musicians and 30 age-matched non-musicians to investigate the association between lifelong musical instrument training and age-related cognitive decline and brain atrophy (musicians: mean age 70.8 years, musical experience 52.7 years; non-musicians: mean age 71.4 years, no or less than 3 years of musical experience). Although previous research has demonstrated that young musicians have larger gray matter volume (GMV) in the auditory-motor cortices and cerebellum than non-musicians, little is known about older musicians. Music imagery in young musicians is also known to share a neural underpinning [the supramarginal gyrus (SMG) and cerebellum] with music performance. Thus, we hypothesized that older musicians would show superiority to non-musicians in some of the abovementioned brain regions. Behavioral performance, GMV, and brain activity, including functional connectivity (FC) during melodic working memory (MWM) tasks, were evaluated in both groups. Behaviorally, musicians exhibited a much higher tapping speed than non-musicians, and tapping speed was correlated with executive function in musicians. Structural analyses revealed larger GMVs in both sides of the cerebellum of musicians, and importantly, this was maintained until very old age. Task-related FC analyses revealed that musicians possessed greater cerebellar-hippocampal FC, which was correlated with tapping speed. Furthermore, musicians showed higher activation in the SMG during MWM tasks; this was correlated with earlier commencement of instrumental training. These results indicate advantages or heightened coupling in brain regions associated with music performance and imagery in musicians. We suggest that lifelong instrumental training highly predicts the structural maintenance of the cerebellum and related cognitive maintenance in old age.

Abstract The neuronal engagement of the peripheral nerve system plays a crucial role in regulating fracture healing, but how to modulate the neuronal activity to enhance fracture healing remains unexploited. Here it is shown that electrical stimulation (ES) directly promotes the biosynthesis and release of calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) by activating Ca2+/CaMKII/CREB signaling pathway and action potential, respectively. To accelerate rat femoral osteoporotic fracture healing which presents with decline of CGRP, soft electrodes are engineered and they are implanted at L3 and L4 dorsal root ganglions (DRGs). ES delivered at DRGs for the first two weeks after fracture increases CGRP expression in both DRGs and fracture callus. It is also identified that CGRP is indispensable for type‐H vessel formation, a biological event coupling angiogenesis and osteogenesis, contributing to ES‐enhanced osteoporotic fracture healing. This proof‐of‐concept study shows for the first time that ES at lumbar DRGs can effectively promote femoral fracture healing, offering an innovative strategy using bioelectronic device to enhance bone regeneration.

Obesity is an epidemic worldwide and the obese people suffer from a range of respiratory complications including fibrotic changes in the lung. The influence of obesity on the lung is multi-factorial, which is related to both mechanical injury and various inflammatory mediators produced by excessive adipose tissues, and infiltrated immune cells. Adiposity causes increased production of inflammatory mediators, for example, cytokines, chemokines, and adipokines, both locally and in the systemic circulation, thereby rendering susceptibility to respiratory diseases, and altered responses. Lung fibrosis is closely related to chronic inflammation in the lung. Current data suggest a link between lung fibrosis and diet-induced obesity, although the mechanism remains incomplete understood. This review summarizes findings on the association of lung fibrosis with obesity, highlights the role of several critical inflammatory mediators (e.g., TNF-α, TGF-β, and MCP-1) in obesity related lung fibrosis and the implication of obesity in the outcomes of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients.

Background The impact of perceived life stress on subjective well-being has been well-established; while few studies have explored the mediating and moderating mechanisms of the association between perceived life stress and subjective well-being among perimenopausal women. This study is aimed at exploring the mediating effect of depressive symptoms and the role of interests/hobbies as a moderator in the association between perceived life stress and subjective well-being among perimenopausal women. Methods The participants were 1,104 perimenopausal women at the age of 40 to 60, who were asked to complete a paper-based questionnaire. A single item was used to measure self-perceived life stress and interests/hobbies. The Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Subjective Well-being Scale for Chinese Citizens (SWBS-CC) were applied to assess both depressive symptoms and subjective well-being. Multiple linear regression analysis and the PROCESS macro were adopted to analyse not only the mediating effect of depressive symptoms but also the moderating role of interests/hobbies. Results Perceived life stress was negatively associated with subjective well-being (B = − 1.424, β = − 0.101, P

“Life-like” nonequilibrium assemblies are of increasing significance, but suffering from limited steerability as they are generally based on micro/nanomotors with inherent asymmetry in chemical composition or geometry, of which the vigorous random Brownian rotations disturb the local interactions. Here, we demonstrate that isotropic photocatalytic micromotors, due to the persistent phoretic flow from the illuminated to shadowed side irrespective of their Brownian rotations, experience light-programmable local interactions (reversibly from attraction to repulsion and/or alignment) depending on the direction of the incident lights. Thus, they can be organized into a variety of tunable nonequilibrium assemblies, such as apolar solids (i.e., immobile colloidal crystal), polar liquids (i.e., phototactic colloidal stream), and polar solids (i.e., phototactic colloidal crystal), which can further be “cut” into a predesigned pattern by utilizing the switching motor-motor interactions at superimposed-light edges. This work facilitates the development of active matters and motile functional microdevices.

Abstract Background Predicting disease-related genes is helpful for understanding the disease pathology and the molecular mechanisms during the disease progression. However, traditional methods are not suitable for screening genes related to the disease development, because there are some samples with weak label information in the disease dataset and a small number of genes are known disease-related genes. Results We designed a disease-related gene mining method based on the weakly supervised learning model in this paper. The method is separated into two steps. Firstly, the differentially expressed genes are screened based on the weakly supervised learning model. In the model, the strong and weak label information at different stages of the disease progression is fully utilized. The obtained differentially expressed gene set is stable and complete after the algorithm converges. Then, we screen disease-related genes in the obtained differentially expressed gene set using transductive support vector machine based on the difference kernel function. The difference kernel function can map the input space of the original Huntington’s disease gene expression dataset to the difference space. The relation between the two genes can be evaluated more accurately in the difference space and the known disease-related gene information can be used effectively. Conclusions The experimental results show that the disease-related gene mining method based on the weakly supervised learning model can effectively improve the precision of the disease-related gene prediction compared with other excellent methods.

In order to explore the specific path of the influence of job autonomy on the satisfaction of knowledge employees, the current study deduced and established a Chain Mediation Model, which was based on the Resource-Gain-Development Model and the Conservation of Resources Theory. Primary data were gathered through questionnaire surveys at several cities in China by using a professional platform named “Wenjuanxing.” The target populations were employees with a bachelor’s degree or above, who were engaged in higher knowledge content and have mastered certain professional knowledge and skills, including technical R & D personnel, management personnel, professionals (such as accountants, lawyers, and medics) and other personnel generally recognized by the academic community. In order to improve the reliability of the sample and reduce the error caused by regional differences, the questionnaires were disseminated to involve as many cities in China as possible, such as Tianjin, Beijing, Chengdu, Wuhan, and Guangzhou. SPSS24.0 and Aoms24.0 were used as multivariate data analysis tools for statistical analysis. The results showed that job autonomy can significantly improve the satisfaction of knowledge employees; however, it cannot affect the satisfaction of knowledge employees through self-efficacy. The findings of the study also revealed that job autonomy has a positive impact on both resource source domain satisfaction and resource acceptance domain satisfaction through work-family enrichment, especially the positive emotions in the resource source domain. Job autonomy improves the self-efficacy of knowledge employees, which, in turn, improves their overall satisfaction through the work-family enrichment path.

We studied the expression profile and ontogeny (from the egg stage through the larval stages and pupal stages, to the elderly adult age) of four OBPs from the silkworm moth Bombyx mori. We first showed that male responsiveness to female sex pheromone in the silkworm moth B. mori does not depend on age variation; whereas the expression of BmorPBP1, BmorPBP2, BmorGOBP1, and BmorGOBP2 varies with age. The expression profile analysis revealed that the studied OBPs are expressed in non-olfactory tissues at different developmental stages. In addition, we tested the effect of insecticide exposure on the expression of the four OBPs studied. Exposure to a toxic macrolide insecticide endectocide molecule (abamectin) led to the modulated expression of all four genes in different tissues. The higher expression of OBPs was detected in metabolic tissues, such as the thorax, gut, and fat body. All these data strongly suggest some alternative functions for these proteins other than olfaction. Finally, we carried out ligand docking studies and reported that PBP1 and GOBP2 have the capacity of binding vitamin K1 and multiple different vitamins.

Persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) and immune surveillance failure may be the initiating factors for the carcinogenesis of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). HPV infection might affect the innate immune pathway of cervical epithelial cells that constitute the “microenvironment” for tumor cells. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) has been reported to be an immunosuppressor that helps cancer cells escape the actions of T cells. In the present study, CXCL10 was substantially upregulated both in cervical tissues of HPV infected patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or CSCC, as well as in HPV16 E6/E7 transgenic murine cervix. The HPV-positive (HPV+) cervical cancer cell lines SiHa and Caski secreted increased levels of CXCL10 compared to human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF-1), and its receptor CXCR3 was overexpressed in HFF-1. After co-culture with SiHa or Caski, the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and exosomal PD-L1 expression were both upregulated in HFF-1. Recombinant human CXCL10 induced JAK-STAT and PD-L1, while the CXCL10-CXCR3 and JAK-STAT inhibitors AMG487 or ruxolitinib reduced the expression of PD-L1 in HFF-1 cells. Furthermore, the upregulated expression of PD-L1 was verified in HPV+ but not HPV-negative (HPV-) patients with cervical cancers by analysis of tissue microarray cores in 25 cervical lesion patients (P < 0.05). The results indicate that HPV infection can induce cervical cancer cells to secrete CXCL10, which binds to CXCR3 in the surrounding fibroblast cells,leading to JAK-STAT pathway activation and the subsequent upregulated expression of exosomal PD-L1. These mechanisms may help HPV to escape immune response attack, leading to carcinogenesis.

Summary: Singlet oxygen (1O2) is extensively employed by reactive oxygen species (ROS)-based cancer therapies, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemodynamic therapy (CDT). However, the dependences of PDT on light and CDT on complex chemodynamic reactions greatly limit their 1O2-generating efficiencies. Here, we exploit strain and electronic effects to fabricate a bimetallic nanocatalyst by coating a gold nanorod (AuNR) with ~2 platinum (Pt) atomic layers (AuPt0.09), which efficiently generates 1O2 from ground-state oxygen (3O2) by electron-transfer-mediated spin reduction. Density functional theory reveals strain, and electronic effects promote the adsorption of 3O2 onto AuPt0.09, which dramatically enhances 1O2 generation and imparts AuPt0.09, the highest catalytic constant ever reported for 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine oxidation to the best of our knowledge. With a pH-dependent catalytic activity, AuPt0.09 realizes acidity-dependent antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo, a proof-of-concept demonstration of autocatalytic bimetallic nanocatalyst for light-free oxygen sensitization therapy, which may open a new avenue for 1O2-centered therapeutics.

ObjectivesTo evaluate International Endometrial Tumor Analysis (IETA) ultrasonographic characteristics simple scoring method and tumor biomarkers for the diagnosis of uterine cavity and endometrial lesions.MethodsWe classified and scored the normalized description of IETA ultrasonic characteristics, according to IETA expert consensus literature, previous IETA-related research articles, and the previous research experience of this project group. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the ultrasound images of 594 patients enrolled from January 2017 to June 2020, scored them item by item, and finally calculated the total score of each case. Meanwhile, we combined the results of seven tumor biomarkers. The objective was to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, coincidence rate, and the area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of IETA ultrasonographic characteristics simple scoring method and tumor biomarkers for benign and malignant uterine cavity or endometrial lesions. The diagnostic efficiency between the combined method and the single method was compared.ResultsA total of 594 cases were confirmed by postoperative pathology or surgery records, including 475 benign lesions and 119 malignant lesions. In the simple ultrasound scoring method, the average score of benign lesions was 3.879 ± 1.279 and that of malignant lesions was 9.676 ± 4.491. If ≥6.5 points was taken as the cutoff value for the judgment of malignant lesions, the sensitivity, specificity, coincidence rate, and the area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) were 76.5%, 96.0%, 92.1%, and 0.935, respectively. The difference in tumor antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and human epididymal protein 4 (HE4) between benign and malignant lesions was statistically significant (all p ≤ 0.01). The other five tumor biomarkers (CA125, CA15-3, SCC-Ag, AFP, and CEA) showed no statistically significant difference in benign and malignant lesions. If the value of CA19-9 ≥13.96 U/ml was taken as cutoff value, the sensitivity, specificity, and coincidence rate of the diagnosis of endometrial benign and malignant lesions were 54.8%, 74.7%, and 70.7%, respectively, and the AUC was 0.620. If the value of HE4 ≥ 39.075 pmol/L was taken as cutoff point, the sensitivity, specificity, coincidence rate, and AUC were 77.4%, 67.9%, 69.8%, and 0.796, respectively. The sensitivity was increased to 97.6% and the AUC was 0.939 when IETA ultrasound characteristics simple scoring method combined CA19-9 and HE4 in parallel test.ConclusionsIn IETA ultrasound characteristics simple scoring method, with ≥6.5 points as the cutoff value, it could quickly and accurately assess the benign and malignant in uterine cavity and endometrial lesions, with high diagnostic value. The diagnostic efficacy of seven tumor biomarkers was all mediocre. Combining with these two methods, the comprehensive diagnosis could improve sensitivity and accuracy and reduce the risk of missed diagnosis.

New flexible electronic materials and devices have been developed rapidly in nearly a decade from the proposition,discovery,implementation to application.The impact of its strong fold ability and multi-capacity composite structures to technological development and system applications will be enormous.Two mainstream flexible implementation methods were compared:the material-induced flexibility and the structure-induced flexibility.The research progress of domestic and international in related fields was analyzed,including infrastructure,process and potential application directions,and the technical problems faced were summarized.According to the basic research status,flexible electronic devices will have mature application technology innovations achievements in the next few years,new and unprecedented wearable communication,wearable computing,distributed energy,environmental sensing,conformal display devices and devices will be formed.

AIM: To explore the application of improved skills in central hole ICL V4c implantation and its clinical efficacy. METHODS: This study included 141 eyes of 72 patients with myopia from September 2015 to August 2016. An implantable contact lens with a central hole(ICL V4c)was inserted by improved surgical skills including single 2.8mm clear corneal incision, no anterior chamber viscoelastics before ICL implantation. The intraocular pressure(IOP)was measured at the early stage within 6h after operation. The visual acuity, diopter, intraocular pressure and corneal endothelial cell density were observed after operation and follow up 2a. RESULTS: ICL V4c was implanted successfully in all patients by this improved skills and fine clinical results were achieved. Elevated IOP is possible at early stage post-operation, especially within 2h after operation. 95.7% had normal IOP 6h after operation. The postoperative IOP was stable within 2a follow-up period. The cumulative corneal endothelial loss rates of 6mo, 1a and 2a were 4.70%, 7.59% and 9.63% respectively. There was no complications such as subcapsular cataract during the 2a follow-up period.CONCLUSION: The improved skills used in our study is safe and feasible.

Background/Objectives: Decalcification of bone specimens is necessary for routine paraffin embedding and sectioning. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), a chelating agent for decalcification, maintains bone tissue integrity and histological features but requires long decalcification period, especially for cortical bone with dense mineral matrix. We hypothesised that the application of a newly commercially available ultrasound (US) decalcifier would accelerate decalcification of thick cortical bone specimen in EDTA efficiently and that the working temperature at 30–45°C would not affect histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Comparison was made with traditional decalcification method with regards to quality of tissue morphology and antigenicity. Methods: A fresh human cadaveric femoral shaft was sectioned into 5-mm-thick transverse sections. After fixation, the bone slices were divided into two groups: Ultrasound decalcification group (US DeCal), in which bone sections (n = 3) were placed in a US decalcifier (50 W at a frequency of 40kHz) with EDTA solution, and normal decalcification group (Normal DeCal), in which bone sections (n = 3) were decalcified in EDTA without US. The mineral content of the bone sections was measured with micro-computed tomography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at different time points. Rate of calcium extraction was quantified by measuring the calcium concentration in EDTA solution using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. After decalcification, the paraffin sections of the decalcified bone were stained with haematoxylin and eosin or immunohistochemical staining of sclerostin. Results: Samples in US DeCal contained 2.9 ± 2.8% of the mineral content at Day 6 and were completely decalcified at Day 8. However, sections in Normal DeCal retained 36.3 ± 5.1% and 24.3 ± 4.8% at Day 6 and Day 8, respectively, and took six times longer to complete decalcification. The concentration of calcium in the EDTA solution of the US DeCal group was 70% higher than that of the Normal DeCal group (p