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This is an article in the field of mining processing engineering. This article takes Dechang Daluchao rare earth mineral processing tailings as the research object, conducts a beneficiation test study on fluorspar recovery, and determines the beneficiation process flow and reagent of "flotation desulphurization - mixed flotation - flotation separation of fluorite, strontium and barium" for fluorite recovery. In the flotation test, the new MQY collector and DC-2 high-efficiency inhibitor were used to efficiently capture fluorite while achieving precise separation of fluorite and gangue minerals. In the final full-process test, a fluorspar concentrate with a CaF2 grade of 94.39% and a recovery rate of 51.41% was obtained. The test indicators were relatively ideal. This article tested and verified the feasibility of recovering fluorspar from the Dalunchao rare earth tailings. The final beneficiation process is reasonable and has good test indicators. It can be used as a technical basis for the utilization and recovery of fluorspar resources in the Dalunchao rare earth tailings.

Abstract Ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is involved in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) have an essential role in the UPS-regulated stability of the substrate; however, the function of DUBs in intimal hyperplasia remains unclear. We screened DUBs to identify a protein responsible for regulating VSMC proliferation and identified USP14 protein that mediates cancer development, inflammation, and foam cell formation. USP14 promotes human aortic smooth muscle cell and A7r5 cell growth in vitro, and its inhibition or deficiency decreases the intimal area in the mice carotid artery ligation model. In addition, USP14 stabilizes Skp2 expression by decreasing its degradation, while Skp2 overexpression rescues USP14 loss-induced issues. The current findings suggested an essential role of USP14 in the pathology of vascular remodeling, deeming it a promising target for arterial restenosis therapy.

In the evolving business landscape, utility firms are undergoing transformative digital changes. The purpose of this study is to examine the unexplored link between utility firms' digital transformation and performance, by utilizing unique data from Chinese listed utilities. Empirical findings show a positive correlation between digital transformation and enhanced performance, with financial constraints and environmental performance as identified mechanisms. The research enriches understanding of digital transformation's economic consequences, providing practical insights for implementation, especially for environmentally conscious firms. Considering textual analysis and sample size limitations, future studies could assess utility firms' digital transformation across diverse economies with a more thorough evaluation of a firm's level of digital transformation.

Ginseng peptide (GP) (100, 200, 400 mg/kg bw) lowered blood glucose levels, explored the relationship between GP and gut microbiota-based hypoglycemic effects. GP significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels (25.38–13.37 mM), improved insulin resistance (IR) (9.78–5.02), considerably increased liver glycogen content (64.71–97.95 mg/g), glycolytic and gluconeogenesis enzyme activities in T2DM mice, significantly reduced free fatty acids (1.65–0.93 mM), triglycerides (1.55–0.66 mM), total cholesterol (14.75–5.43 mM), and low-density lipoprotein (4.12–2.36 mM) in the serum, significantly increased high-density lipoprotein levels (6.20–17.44 mM) to improve lipid metabolism disorders. According to colonic 16S rDNA sequencing results, GP-H regulated gut microbiota disorders and short chain fatty acid metabolism. Western blot analysis showed that GP could regulate glycogen synthesis, gluconeogenesis, and glucose transport by activating IRS-1/PI3K/Akt and AMPK signaling pathways and improve IR by inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptosis signaling pathway.

Metal oxide semiconductor hetero- and homojunctions are commonly constructed to improve the performance of hydrogen sensors at room temperature. In this study, a simple two-step hydrothermal method was employed to prepare TiO2 films with homojunctions of rutile and anatase phases (denoted as TiO2-R/A). Then, the microstructure of anatase-phase TiO2 was altered by controlling the amount of hydrochloric acid to realize a more favorable porous structure for charge transport and a larger surface area for contact with H2. The sensor used a Pt interdigital electrode. At an optimal HCl dosage (25 mL), anatase-phase TiO2 uniformly covered rutile-phase TiO2 nanorods, resulting in a greater response to H2 at 2500 ppm compared with that of a rutile TiO2 nanorod sensor by a factor of 1153. The response time was 21 s, mainly because the homojunction formed by the TiO2 rutile and anatase phases increased the synergistic effect of the charge transfer and potential barrier between the two phases, resulting in the formation of more superoxide (O2−) free radicals on the surface. Furthermore, the porous structure increased the surface area for H2 adsorption. The TiO2-R/A-based sensor exhibited high selectivity, long-term stability, and a fast response. This study provides new insights into the design of commercially competitive hydrogen sensors.

Alpha-pinene is one of the main defensive components in conifers. Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), a wood borer feeding on Pinaceae plants, relies on its detoxifying enzymes to resist the defensive terpenoids. Here, we assayed the peroxide level and GST activity of M. alternatus larvae treated with different concentrations of α-pinene. Meanwhile, a gst gene (MaGSTe3) was isolated and analyzed. We determined its expression level and verified its function. The results showed that α-pinene treatment led to membrane lipid peroxidation and thus increased the GST activity. Expression of MaGSTe3 was significantly upregulated in guts following exposure to α-pinene, which has a similar pattern with the malonaldehyde level. In vitro expression and disk diffusion assay showed that the MaGSTe3 protein had high antioxidant capacity. However, RNAi treatment of MaGSTe3 did not reduce the hydrogen peroxide and malonaldehyde levels, while GST activity was significantly reduced. These results suggested MaGSTe3 takes part in α-pinene adaptation, but it does not play a great role in the resistance of M. alternatus larvae to α-pinene.

A new gridded spatio-temporal big data fusion method is proposed for the organization and management of cropland big data, which could serve the analysis application of cropland quality evaluation and other analyses of geographic big data. Compared with traditional big data fusion methods, this method maps the spatio-temporal and attribute features of multi-source data to grid cells in order to achieve the structural unity and orderly organization of spatio-temporal big data with format differences, semantic ambiguities, and different coordinate projections. Firstly, this paper constructs a dissected cropland big data fusion model and completes the design of a conceptual model and logic model, constructs a cropland data organization model based on DGGS (discrete global grid system) and Hash coding, and realizes the unified management of vector data, raster data and text data by using multilevel grids. Secondly, this paper researches the evaluation methods of grid-scale adaptability, and generates distributed multilevel grid datasets to meet the needs of cropland area quality evaluation. Finally, typical data such as soil organic matter data, road network data, cropland area data, and statistic data in Da’an County, China, were selected to carry out the experiment. The experiment verifies that the method could not only realize the unified organization and efficient management of cultivated land big data with multimodal characteristics, but also support the evaluation of cropland quality.

Abstract Androgen receptor splice variant 7 (AR-V7), a form of ligand-independent and constitutively activating variant of androgen receptor (AR), is considered as the key driver to initiate castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Because AR-V7 lacks ligand-binding domain, the AR-targeted therapies that aim to inactivate AR signaling through disrupting the interaction between AR and androgen are limited in CRPC. Thus, the emergence of AR-V7 has become the greatest challenge for treating CRPC. Targeting protein degradation is a recently proposed novel avenue for cancer treatment. Our previous studies have been shown that the oncoprotein AR-V7 is a substrate of the proteasome. Identifying novel drugs that can trigger the degradation of AR-V7 is therefore critical to cure CRPC. Here we show that nobiletin, a polymethoxylated flavonoid derived from the peel of Citrus fruits, exerts a potent anticancer activity via inducing G0/G1 phase arrest and enhancing the sensitivity of cells to enzalutamide in AR-V7 positive PC cells. Mechanically, we unravel that nobiletin selectively induces proteasomal degradation of AR-V7 (but not AR). This effect relies on its selective inhibition of the interactions between AR-V7 and two deubiquitinases USP14 and USP22. These findings not only enrich our understanding on the mechanism of AR-V7 degradation, but also provide an efficient and druggable target for overcoming CRPC through interfering the stability of AR-V7 mediated by the interaction between AR-V7 and deubiquitinase.

Objectives: Neonatal sepsis is one of the leading causes of neonatal death. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of neutrophil - to - monocyte ratio (NMR) in predicting mortality in neonatal sepsis. Methods: In this present retrospective study, a total of 134 neonates with sepsis were included. Baseline laboratory parameters were collected. The best cutoff value of NMR was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Univariate and multivariate analysis were carried out to survey the predict value of NMR. Results: The results showed that NMR in non-survival group was significantly higher than that in survival group. Results from multivariate analysis showed that high NMR was an independent risk factor for neonatal sepsis (Hazard ratio (HR): 7.519, p = 0.001). ROC displayed that the area under curve (AUC) of NMR was 0.740, sensitivity and specificity of NMR were 80% and 65.8% when 7.65 was selected. Conclusions: NMR could be a promising prognostic factor for neonatal sepsis.

Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a medical challenge due to its high proliferation and metastasis. Although deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) play a key role in regulating protein degradation, their pathological roles in HCC have not been fully elucidated. Methods By using biomass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, western blotting and immunofluorescence assays, we identify ribosomal protein S16 (RPS16) as a key substrate of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 1 (USP1). The role of USP1-RPS16 axis in the progression of HCC was evaluated in cell cultures, in xenograft mouse models, and in clinical observations. Results We show that USP1 interacts with RPS16. The depletion of USP1 increases the level of K48-linked ubiquitinated-RPS16, leading to proteasome-dependent RPS16 degradation. In contrast, overexpression of USP1-WT instead of USP1-C90A (DUB inactivation mutant) reduces the level of K48-linked ubiquitinated RPS16, thereby stabilizing RPS16. Consequently, USP1 depletion mimics RPS16 deficiency with respect to the inhibition of growth and metastasis, whereas transfection-enforced re-expression of RPS16 restores oncogenic-like activity in USP1-deficient HCC cells. Importantly, the high expression of USP1 and RPS16 in liver tissue is a prognostic factor for poor survival of HCC patients. Conclusions These findings reveal a previously unrecognized role for the activation of USP1-RPS16 pathway in driving HCC, which may be further developed as a novel strategy for cancer treatment.

Abstract Breast cancer has the highest incidence and mortality in women worldwide. There are 70% of breast cancers considered as estrogen receptor α (ERα) positive. Therefore, the ERα-targeted therapy has become one of the most effective solution for patients with breast cancer. Whereas a better understanding of ERα regulation is critical to shape evolutional treatments for breast cancer. By exploring the regulatory mechanisms of ERα at levels of post-translational modifications, we identified the deubiquitinase USP15 as a novel protector for preventing ERα degradation and a critical driver for breast cancer progression. Specifically, we demonstrated that USP15 promoted the proliferation of ERα+, but not ERα- breast cancer, in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, USP15 knockdown notably enhanced the antitumor activities of tamoxifen on breast cancer cells. Importantly, USP15 knockdown induced the downregulation of ERα protein via promoting its K48-linked ubiquitination, which is required for proliferative inhibition of breast cancer cells. These findings not only provide a novel treatment for overcoming resistance to endocrine therapy, but also represent a therapeutic strategy on ERα degradation by targeting USP15-ERα axis.

Silicon photodetectors and camera chips are ubiquitous in the visible region of the spectrum and the near‐infrared. However, their large bandgap prevents their use at longer, technologically very important, wavelengths. The band‐edge‐modified rare‐earth detectors in silicon demonstrated here, fabricated using standard silicon technology tools, offer a route to these wavelengths and room‐temperature operation. Ion implantation of the usual n‐ and p‐type dopants, arsenic and boron, into commercial silicon wafers is used to fabricate a standard silicon p–n junction. Further implants of the rare earths, either Ce or Yb, are made into the depletion region to enable the extended long‐wavelength response. Detectivities up to 1.47 × 108 cm Hz1/2 W−1 and 2.89 × 107 cm Hz1/2 W−1 at 1.3 and 1.55 μm have been obtained with these simple planar devices. If integrated as lateral detectors in a silicon photonics platform, responsivities as good as standard silicon photodetectors in the visible and near‐infrared will be achievable.

The Aktyuz Terrane in Kyrgyz North Tianshan is of particular interest due to the occurrence of high and ultrahigh pressure (HP–UHP) rocks and it containing the third largest gold deposit in Kyrgyz North Tianshan, i.e., Taldybulak Levoberezhny (abbreviated to Taldybulak Lev.). To constrain the ages of the host Kemin Complex and its auriferous monzogranite porphyry, detailed zircon U–Pb dating [by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS)] and Lu–Hf isotopic analyses were carried out. The intensively altered auriferous monzogranite porphyry yielded two weighted mean ages of 444 ± 3 Ma (n = 14, mean squared weighted deviation (MSWD) = 0.49, by LA-ICPMS) and 440 ± 5 Ma (n = 8, MSWD = 0.82, by SIMS) that are indistinguishable within error ranges. Such ages are consistent with a previously reported sulfide Re–Os isochron age of 434 ± 18 Ma, supporting a Silurian porphyry gold mineralization. The granitic gneiss yielded a protolith age of 773 ± 7 Ma (n = 7, MSWD = 0.04) and two metamorphic ages of 514 ± 4 Ma (n = 8, MSWD = 0.09) and 483 ± 3 Ma (n = 11, MSWD = 0.04). Detrital zircons from one fuchsite schist sample yielded highly variable ages from 729 ± 13 Ma to 2,463 ± 30 Ma, with 12 data points weighted at 740 ± 5 Ma (MSWD = 0.95). The metamorphic overgrowth yielded a weighted mean age of 460 ± 4 Ma (n = 4, MSWD = 0.15). Detrital zircons in the migmatitic amphibolite are aged from 788 ± 7 Ma to 3,447 ± 32 Ma, with two major concentrations at 941 ± 7 Ma (n = 13, MSWD = 0.95) and 794 ± 5 Ma (n = 8, MSWD = 0.19). The metamorphic overgrowth yielded an average age of 555 ± 4 Ma (n = 8, MSWD = 0.65). The detrital and xenocryst zircons, and evolved εHf(t) values (−20.9 to −7.8) and old two-stage Hf model ages (1,367–3,159 Ma), revealed the presence of a Precambrian basement that may be dated back to the Archean Eon. The two metamorphic ages may correlate with oceanic subduction and continental collision, respectively.

Abstract Background Androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in approximately 70% of breast tumors. Recent studies increasingly support AR as a potential therapeutic target of AR-positive breast cancer. We have previously reported that deubiquitinase USP14 stabilizes AR proteins by deubiquitination and USP14 inhibition results in inhibition of cell growth and tumor progression in AR-positive prostate cancer and breast cancer. The current study aims to explore the anticancer effect of a treatment combining AR antagonist enzalutamide with USP14 inhibition on breast cancer cells. Methods The combining effects of enzalutamide and USP14 inhibition on breast cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis and associated cell signaling were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Results USP14 inhibition via administration of IU1 or USP14-specific siRNA/shRNA enhanced cell growth inhibition and apoptosis induction by enzalutamide in breast cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, the combination of enzalutamide with USP14 inhibition/knockdown induced significant downregulation of AR proteins and suppression of AR-related signaling pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/AKT pathways. Moreover, AKT inhibition via MK2206 increased the antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of enzalutamide+IU1 combined treatment. Conclusion Collectively, our data suggest that USP14 inhibition in combination with enzalutamide represents a potentially new therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.

Abstract Background Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a challenge worldwide. Due to the development of castration-resistance, traditional first-line androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) became powerlessness. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a well characterized therapeutic target to treat colorectal carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer. Increasing studies have unraveled the significance of EGFR and its downstream signaling in the progression of castration-resistant PCa. Method MTS, colony formation and Edu staining assays were used to analyze the cell proliferation of PCa cells. Flow cytometry was used to analyze PCa cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis. Western blot was used to measure the expression of key proteins associated with cell cycle progression, apoptosis and EGFR signaling pathways. Transfection of exogenous small interfering RNA (siRNA) or plasmid was used to intervene specific gene expression. Nude mouse model was employed to test the in vivo effect of Spautin-1. Results The current study reveals that Spautin-1, a known inhibitor of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 10 (USP10) and USP13, inhibits EGFR phosphorylation and the activation of its downstream signaling. Inhibition of EGFR signaling induced by Spautin-1 leads to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of PCa in a USP10/USP13 independent manner. The application of Spautin-1 reduces the expression of glucose transporter 1 (Glut1) and dramatically induces cell death under glucose deprivation condition. In vivo experiments show a potent anti-tumor effect of Spautin-1 alone and in combination with Enzalutamide. Conclusion This study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of EGFR signaling inhibition by the use of Spautin-1 for PCa treatment.

Abstract Background Ovarian carcinoma is one of the most aggressive gynecological malignant neoplasms and makes up 25–30% of all cancer cases of the female genital tract. Currently, resistance to traditional chemotherapy is a great challenge for patients with Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Therefore, identifying novel agents for EOC treatment is essential and urgent. Method MTS assay was used to analyze the cell viability and proliferation of cancer cells. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis. Protein signaling pathways were detected by western blot and immunohistochemical staining. Nude mouse experiment was performed to test the in vivo effect of platinum pyrithione (PtPT). Results PtPT is a chemically well-characterized synthetic complex of platinum that potently inhibits proteasome-associated deubiquitinases USP14 and UCHL5 activity and shows selective cytotoxicity to multiple cancer cells without damaging DNA. We found that PtPT significantly accumulated ubquitinated-proteins and suppressed the proliferation of multiple EOC cells. Additionally, PtPT induced G2 phase arrest and apoptosis in both A2780 and SKOV3 cells. More importantly, animal experiments showed that PtPT dramatically suppressed the growth of EOC xenografts without obvious side effects. Conclusion These results suggest that through proteasome inhibition, PtPT significantly suppressed the proliferation of EOC in vitro and in vivo and could be developed as a novel agent for EOC treatment in the future.

Bismuth molybdate thin films were deposited by reactive magnetron co-sputtering from two metallic targets in an argon/oxygen atmosphere, reportedly for the first time. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis showed that the ratio of bismuth to molybdenum in the coatings can be effectively controlled by varying the power applied to each target. Deposited coatings were annealed in air at 673 K for 30 min. The crystalline structure was assessed by means of Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Oxidation state information was obtained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Photodegradation of organic dyes methylene blue and rhodamine B was used for evaluation of the photocatalytic properties of the coatings under a visible light source. The photocatalytic properties of the deposited coatings were then compared to a sample of commercial titanium dioxide-based photocatalytic product. The repeatability of the dye degradation reactions and photocatalytic coating reusability are discussed. It was found that coatings with a Bi:Mo ratio of approximately 2:1 exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity of the coatings studied; its efficacy in dye photodegradation significantly outperformed a sample of commercial photocatalytic coating.

Abstract Objective Retinal vascular endothelial cell (RVECs) injury is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among the patients with diabetes. RVECs dysfunction is the predominant pathological manifestation of vascular complication in diabetic retinopathy. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) serves as the most prevalent modification in eukaryotic mRNAs. However, the role of m6A RNA modification in RVECs dysfunction is still unclear. Methods RT-qPCR analysis and western blot were conducted to detect the change of m6A RNA modification in diabetic retinopathy. CCK-8 assay, transwell experiment, wound healing assay, tube formation experiment, m6A-IP-qPCR were performed to determine the role of YTHDC1 in RVECs. Retinal trypsin digestion test and H&E staining were used to evaluate histopathological changes. Results The levels of m6A RNA methylation were significantly up-regulated in HG-induced RVECs, which were caused by increased expression of YTHDC1. YTHDC1 regulated the viability, proliferation, migration and tube formation ability in vitro. YTHDC1 overexpression impaired RVECs function by repressing CDK6 expression, which was mediated by YTHDC1-dependent mRNA decay. Moreover, it showed sh-YTHDC1 inhibited CDK6 nuclear export. Sh-YTHDC1 promotes the mRNA degradation of CDK6 in the nucleus but does not affect the cytoplasmic CDK6 mRNA. In vivo experiments showed that overexpression of CDK6 reversed the protective effect of sh-YTHDC1 on STZ-induced retinal tissue damage. Conclusion YTHDC1-mediated m6A methylation regulates diabetes-induced RVECs dysfunction. YTHDC1-CDK6 signaling axis could be therapeutically targeted for treating DR.