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ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to examine the prognostic significance of the amalgamated indicators, reticulocyte percentage (RET%), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and γ-Glutamyltransferase (γ-GT), in neonatal ABO hemolytic disease.MethodsA total of 137 hospitalized children with pathological jaundice were included. Based on their medical conditions, they were categorized into two groups, hemolytic (67 cases) and non-hemolytic (70 cases). Pearson linear correlation and binary logistic multivariate analysis were used to analyze LDH, γ-GT, RET% and hemolysis. Furthermore, the predictive value of the combined predictors of RET%, LDH, and γ-GT on ABO neonatal hemolytic disease was evaluated using the ROC curve analysis.ResultsThe laboratory indexes of the two groups were subject to analysis using binary logistic regression to identify suspicious influencing factors. The study revealed that RET%, LDH, and γ-GT were independent risk factors for hemolysis. Pearson linear correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between LDH and γ-GT with RET% (r = 0.529, P L1 (RET% + LDH)>L2 (RET% + γ-GT).ConclusionCombined predictor L (RET% + LDH + γ-GT)demonstrate its optimal diagnostic efficacy, offering a novel approach towards diagnosing early-onset ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn.

ObjectiveTwo phase 3 galcanezumab trials were conducted in Europe and North America to analyze the reduction of weekly cluster headache (CH) attack frequency in populations with episodic and chronic CH. The current study aims to illustrate prospectively recorded baseline clinical data from these trials and to identify possible predictors of response.MethodsPatients (aged 18–65 years) met The International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition-beta criteria for CH. Attacks were evaluated using an electronic headache diary for 7-day (episodic) or 14-day (chronic) eligibility assessments before patients were randomized 1:1 to monthly subcutaneous galcanezumab 300 mg or placebo.ResultsData were collected from 106 patients with episodic and 237 with chronic CH. Overall, the mean age [standard deviation] was 45.4 [11.0] years; patients were predominantly White (84.5%), male (75.8%), and European (77.6%). Patients with episodic CH reported 17.5 [10.0] attacks/week; patients with chronic CH reported 18.8 [10.2] attacks/week. The average pain severity score (range 0–4) was 2.5 [0.7] for episodic CH and 2.7 [0.7] for chronic CH. Higher attack frequency was a possible predictor of response to galcanezumab; potential negative predictors of response were greater attack severity and duration.ConclusionThis large dataset of patients with CH provides reliable systematically and prospectively collected information on disease characteristics. The analysis in episodic CH underscores potential predictors of response worth considering for future CH trial design.Clinical Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifiers: NCT02397473 and NCT02438826.

In substance use disorders, drug use as unconditioned stimulus (US) reinforces drug taking. Meanwhile, drug-associated cues (conditioned stimulus [CS]) also gain incentive salience to promote drug seeking. The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is implicated in both US- and CS-mediated responses. Here, we show that two genetically distinct BLA neuronal types, expressing Rspo2 versus Ppp1r1b, respectively, project to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and form monosynaptic connections with both dopamine D1 and D2 receptor-expressing neurons. While intra-NAc stimulation of Rspo2 or Ppp1r1b presynaptic terminals establishes intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS), only Ppp1r1b-stimulated mice exhibit cue-induced ICSS seeking. Furthermore, increasing versus decreasing the Ppp1r1b-to-NAc, but not Rspo2-to-NAc, subprojection increases versus decreases cue-induced cocaine seeking after cocaine withdrawal. Thus, while both BLA-to-NAc subprojections contribute to US-mediated responses, the Ppp1r1b subprojection selectively encodes CS-mediated reward and drug reinforcement. Such differential circuit representations may provide insights into precise understanding and manipulation of drug- versus cue-induced drug seeking and relapse.

ObjectiveThis aim of this study is to screen the differential molecules of kidney deficiency and blood stasis (KDBS) syndrome in coronary heart disease by high-throughput sequencing. In addition, the study aims to verify the alterations in the expression levels of miR-4685-3p and its regulated downstream, namely, C1QC, C4, and C5, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and to determine whether the complement and coagulation cascade pathway is the specific pathogenic pathway.MethodsPatients diagnosed with unstable angina pectoris with KDBS syndrome, patients with non-kidney deficiency blood stasis (NKDBS) syndrome, and a Normal group were recruited. The clinical symptoms of each group were further analyzed. Illumina's NextSeq 2000 sequencing platform and FastQC software were used for RNA sequencing and quality control. DESeq software was used for differential gene expression (DGE) analysis. qPCR and ELISA verification were performed on DGE analysis.ResultsThe DGE profiles of 77 miRNA and 331 mRNA were selected. The GO enrichment analysis comprised 43 biological processes, 49 cell components, and 42 molecular functions. The KEGG enrichment results included 40 KEGG pathways. The PCR results showed that, compared with the Normal group, the miR-4685-3p levels decreased in the CHD_KDBS group (P = 0.001), and were found to be lower than those observed in the CHD_NKDBS group. The downstream mRNA C1 regulated by miR-4685-3p showed an increasing trend in the CHD_KDBS group, which was higher than that in the Normal group (P = 0.0019). The mRNA C4 and C5 in the CHD_KDBS group showed an upward trend, but the difference was not statistically significant. ELISA was utilized for the detection of proteins associated with the complement and coagulation cascade pathway. It was found that the expression level of C1 was significantly upregulated in the CHD_KDBS group compared with the Normal group (P

The skeletal anterior crossbite is a common malocclusion in clinic. However, there have been no reports on the maxillary sagittal expansion to correct the premaxillary hypoplasia, which greatly influences the facial morphology and masticatory function, using finite element analysis. In the present study, a three-dimensional finite element model of craniomaxillofacial complex with maxillary sagittal hypoplasia is constructed and the treatment for premaxillary hypoplasia by the sagittal screw expander appliance is simulated. The hypoplasia of the left premaxilla is more serious than that of the right and thus the size of the left part of premaxillary expander baseplate is designed to be larger than that of the right part and the loading is applied at 10° leftward to the sagittal plane and 30° forward and downward to the maxillary occlusal plane. The displacements or equivalent stress distributions of the maxilla, teeth and their periodontal ligaments, are analyzed under the loads of 5.0 N, 10.0 N, 15.0 N, and 20.0 N. Consequently, as the load increases, the displacements or equivalent stresses of the maxilla, teeth and their periodontal ligaments all increase. Almost the whole premaxilla markedly move forward, downward, and leftward while other areas in the craniomaxillofacial complex remain almost static or have little displacement. The equivalent stress concentration zone of the maxilla mainly occurs around and in front of the incisive foramina. The displacements of left premaxilla are generally greater than those of the right under the loading forces. The maximum equivalent stress on the teeth and their periodontal ligaments are 2.34E-02 MPa and 2.98E-03 MPa, respectively. Taken together, the sagittal screw expander appliance can effectively open the premaxillary suture to promote the growth of the premaxilla. An asymmetrical design of sagittal screw expander appliance achieves the asymmetric expansion of the premaxilla to correct the uneven hypoplasia and obtains the more symmetrical aesthetic presentation. This study might provide a solid basis and theoretical guidance for the clinical application of sagittal screw expander appliance in the efficient, accurate, and personalized treatment of premaxillary hypoplasia.

ObjectiveThis study aims to describe the characteristics of the brain network attributes in children diagnosed with Infantile Epileptic Spasms Syndrome (IESS) and to determine the influence exerted by adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) or methylprednisolone (MP) on network attributes.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, we recruited 19 infants diagnosed with IESS and 10 healthy subjects as the control from the Pediatric Neurology Department at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between October 2019 and December 2020. The first thirty-minute processed electroencephalograms (EEGs) were clipped and filtered into EEG frequency bands (2 s each). A comparative assessment was conducted between the IESS group and the controls as well as the pre- and post-treatment in the IESS group. Mutual information values for each EEG channel were collected and compared including characteristic path length (CPL), node degree (ND), clustering coefficient (CC), and betweenness centrality (BC), based on graph theory.ResultsComparing the control group, in the IESS group, there was an increase in CPL of the Delta band, and a decrease in ND and CC of the Delta band during the waking period, contrary to those during the sleeping period (P

In order to solve the problems of large quantity of mass satellite production, short cycle, and shortage of personnel, a new type of satellite automatic test system is proposed. The hardware architecture of the system is composed of a comprehensive test server, remote-control telemetry ground inspection equipment, and an automated test terminal. The software architecture is based on the joint development by TestStand and LabVIEW. The code module edited by LabVIEW realizes the function of creating information channels with remote control and telemetering ground inspection equipment, server databases, etc. Following the operation process of the test instructions， TestStand edits the automated test sequence, realizing the highly automated processes such as remote control instruction sending, telemetry data interpretation, process monitoring, test report generation, and multi-satellite parallel testing. The test sequence of this architecture has high flexibility and strong versatility, and can meet the demands of a variety of satellite automated test conditions. It has been successfully applied in the mass production and testing process of Jilin-1 Gaofen 03 series satellites. While greatly improving the test efficiency, it saves a lot of manpower.

Objective: To evaluate the regulating effect of black jerusalem artichoke oligosaccharide on the blood lipid level in hyperlipidemic mice and give a preliminary investigation to the mechanism of lowering blood lipid. Methods: According to the evaluation method of auxiliary hypolipidemic function in the national standard, C57BL/6 mice were fed with high-fat diet to establish a mixed hyperlipidemia animal model. The model animals were randomly divided into MC group (MC), active control group (AC), black jerusalem artichoke oligosaccharide low, medium and high dose groups (OSL, OSM, OSH). At the same time, a blank control group (CK) was set up. There were eight mice in each group, and the dose of gavage was 0.2 mL/d for each mouse. Gavage had lasted for 46 days. CK group and MC group were given normal saline, AC group was given 1.0 mg/(kg·bw) atorvastatin, and black jerusalem artichoke oligosaccharide groups were given 0.25, 1.25, 2.50 g/(kg.bw) black jerusalem artichoke oligosaccharide solution respectively. The blood lipid level and the contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum were detected. The morphological changes of mouse liver were observed. The expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) in mouse liver were detected. Results: The triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the MC group were significantly higher than those in the CK (P

Abstract In this paper, an optimal planning strategy is proposed for EV charging stations by considering travel demand based on non‐cooperative game theory. In the proposed methodology, a realistic and stochastic charging demand distribution was obtained with the travel chain of an EV and the associated probability density function. Based on the charging demand of EV owners and a multi‐operator scenario, a two‐stage effective and practical charging station planning model was established. The first stage of the planning model optimized the location of charging stations to decrease the total deadhead mileage of the EVs with the cooperation of the charging station operators. In the second stage, the operators were committed to increasing their economic benefits by developing a charging station capacity strategy in the framework of the non‐cooperative game. Furthermore, the combination of an adaptive mutation particle swarm optimization algorithm (AMPSO) and approximate Nash equilibrium had a better effect in reducing the difficulty of solving the game model and obtaining an optimal planning strategy. Finally, the results of the case study demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed methodology for improving the charging experience of the EV owners and achieving a balance of benefits among multiple charging station operators.

The study aims to develop a simplified strength assessment method for the preliminary structural design of a semi-submersible floating offshore wind turbine platform. The method includes load cases with extreme wave load effects and a load case dominated by wind load. The extreme load effects due to waves are achieved using the design waves. Seven characteristic responses of the semi-submersible platform due to waves are chosen. The design waves for the extreme characteristic responses are all from extreme wave conditions where the significant wave heights are close to the one for a return period of 100 years. The extreme load effects dominated by wind loads are approximated using the modified environmental contour method. The load effects are the tower base shear force and bending moment. The two load effects are correlated, and a linear equation can approximate the relationship between their extreme values. The finite element analysis results show that the frame design of the bottom of the outer column is essential for structural strength. The wave load can also result in significant stress in the area close to the tower base.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs, which, as members of the RNA interference pathway, play a pivotal role in antiviral infection. Almost 80% of plant viruses are transmitted by insect vectors; however, little is known about the interaction of the miRNAs of insect vectors with plant viruses. Here, we took rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV), a devastating virus to rice production in eastern Asia, and the small brown planthopper, (SBPH, Laodelphax striatellus) as a model to investigate the role of microRNA750-3p (miR750-3p) in regulating viral transmission. Our results showed that Ls-miR750-3p was downregulated in RBSDV-infected SBPH and predominately expressed in the midgut of SBPH. Injection with miR750-3p agomir significantly reduced viral accumulation, and the injection with the miR750-3p inhibitor, antagomir-750-3p, dramatically promoted the viral accumulation in SBPH, as detected using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. The processing of precursor 7 (POP7), a subunit of RNase P and RNase MRP, was screened, identified, and verified using a dual luciferase reporter assay as one target of miR750-3p. Knockdown of POP7 notably increased RBSDV viral propagation in SBPH and then increased the viral transmission rate by SBPH. Taken together, our data indicate that miR750-3p targets POP7 to suppress RBSDV infection in its insect vector. These results enriched the role of POP7 in modulating virus infection in host insects and shared new insight into the function of miRNAs in plant virus and insect vector interaction.

Background and aimsJoubert syndrome (JBTS, OMIM # 213300) is a group of ciliopathies characterized by mid-hindbrain malformation, developmental delay, hypotonia, oculomotor apraxia, and breathing abnormalities. Molar tooth sign in brain imaging is the hallmark for diagnosing JBTS. It is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder involving mutations in more than 40 ciliopathy-related genes. However, long-term follow-up data are scarce, and further research is needed to determine the abundant phenotypes and genetics of this disorder. The study aimed to summarize clinical manifestations, particular appearance on cranial imaging, genetic data, and prognostic features of patients with JBTS.MethodsA retrospective case review of 36 cases of JBTS from May 1986 to December 2021 was performed. Clinical data of JBTS patients with development retardation and molar tooth sign on cranial imaging as the main features were analyzed. Genetic testing was performed according to consent obtained from patients and their families. The Gesell Developmental Scale was used to evaluate the intelligence level before and after treatment. The children were divided into a purely neurological JBTS (pure JBTS) group and JBTS with multi-organ system involvement group and then followed up every 3–6 months.ResultsWe enrolled 18 males and 18 females. Thirty-four (94.44%) cases had developmental delay, one patient (2.78%) had strabismus, and one patient (2.78%) had intermittent dizziness. There was one case co-morbid with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Three-quarters of cases had one or more other organ or system involvement, with a greater predilection for vision and hearing impairment. JBTS could also involve the skin. Thirty-one cases (86.11%) showed a typical molar tooth sign, and five cases showed a bat wing sign on cranial imaging. Abnormal video electroencephalogram (VEEG) result was obtained in 7.69% of cases. We found six JBTS-related novel gene loci variants: CPLANE1: c.4189 + 1G > A, c.3101T > C(p.Ile1034Thr), c.3733T > C (p.Cys1245Arg), c.4080G > A(p.Lys1360=); RPGRIP1l: c.1351-11A > G; CEP120: c.214 C > T(p.Arg72Cys). The CHD7 gene may be potentially related to the occurrence of JBTS. Analysis showed that the prognosis of pure JBTS was better than that of JBTS with neurological and non-neurological involvement after the formal rehabilitation treatment (P

Abstract Objective This study aimed to explore the correlation between T1 and T2 relaxation times of synthetic MRI (SyMRI) and gestational age (GA) in each hemisphere of preterm and term newborns at the initial 28 days of birth. Methods Seventy preterm and full‐term infants were prospectively included in this study. All subjects completed 3.0 T routine MRI and SyMRI (MAGiC) one‐stop scanning within 28 days of birth (aged 34–42 W at examination). The SyMRI postprocessing software (v8.0.4) was used to measure the T1 and T2 relaxation values of each brain region. The linear regression equations of quantitative relaxation values with GA were established to compare the variation speed in each brain region. Results A significant linear and negative correlation was found between relaxation times and GA in the neonate cerebral cortex and subcortical gray and white matter regions (All p

Epoxy resin coatings have been widely researched and applied in the field of corrosion prevention due to their excellent characteristics such as strong adhesion to the substrate， easy application and good corrosion resistance. The modification of epoxy resin with modified nanomaterials can greatly improve the anti-corrosion performance of the epoxy resin coating. Based on the principle for nanomaterials to improve the anti-corrosion performance of epoxy coatings， the research progress on modification mechanisms of several nanomaterials such as graphene oxide， nano-silica， hexagonal boron nitride and molybdenum disulfide as well as the research progress on the modification of epoxy resin coatings were introduced and listed. Finally， the future research and development direction of epoxy coatings were prospected.

Objective To summarize the characteristics of delayed facial paralysis (DFP) after retrosigmoid approach surgery for vestibular schwannoma and screen its related influencing factors. Methods A total of 171 patients with vestibular schwannoma treated in The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2019 to May 2021 were included in the study. All patients underwent retrosigmoid approach surgery under neuroelectrophysiological monitoring. Before and after the surgery, facial paralysis was classified according to House⁃Brackmann (H⁃B) grade of facial nerve function. Univariate and multivariate forward Logistic regression analysis was used to screen related risk factors of DFP after vestibular schwannoma surgery. Results Patients were divided into DFP group (n=19) and non⁃DFP (NDFP) group (n=152) according to whether there was DFP after surgery. The tumor diameter in DFP group was smaller than that in NDFP group (t=6.623, P=0.001), the proportion of small tumors (χ2=18.585, P=0.000) and the proportion of slight adhesion between tumor and facial nerve (χ2=21.442, P=0.000) were higher than those in NDFP group. Logistic regression analysis showed small tumor (OR=15.797, 95%CI: 3.324-75.081; P=0.001) and slight adhesion between tumor and facial nerve (OR=11.690, 95%CI: 3.413-40.042; P=0.000) were risk factors for DFP after vestibular schwannoma surgery. Following up to one year after surgery, the recovery rate of facial nerve function (H⁃B grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ) in DFP group was 17/19. Conclusions The patients with small tumor volume and slight adhesion between tumor and facial nerve are prone to DFP, and the prognosis of facial nerve function in such patients is good.

Abstract Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common heart diseases, characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries, resisting blood supply to cardiac muscle. Despite extensive research, the pathogenesis and therapeutic options for CAD remain limited. Epigenetic regulation plays a critical role in CAD progression. Here, we report a unique DNA methylation-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network for CAD, delineated through DNA methylation assays, miRNA and mRNA sequencing, bioinformatics analyses. We also identified key signaling pathways in this network, including the miR194 promoter-miR194-MAPK signaling pathway by pyrosequencing, methylation PCR, qRT-PCR. This pathway could play a role in CAD by apoptosis. Our findings suggested that this signaling pathway may be a potential therapeutic target for CAD. We believe that our study significantly contributes to an improved understanding of the role of specific miRNAs methylation, miRNA, and mRNAs in CAD pathogenesis.

In-situ conversion of oil shale process has been appealing from economic and energy security perspectives. Conventional in-situ upgrading techniques use electric heaters to heat oil shale, not shale oil. However, the efficiency of electrical heating method is very slow which requires preheating more than a year. Most conventional heating technologies focused on using different heat injection methods converting the shale oil reservoirs. As shale is a poor heat conductor, many of attempts are still in the laboratory stage. The shale oil matrix is very tight and the pore scale ranges from micro to nano-meter. In this paper, we propose to inject air into hydraulically fractured horizontal wells to create in-situ combustion of shale oil in ultra-low permeability formations. Heat is introduced into the formation through multistage fractured horizontal wells, which enhances the contact area of exposed kerogen. This process uses combustion reactants as fuel feed stock to generate perpetual heating. Firstly, we used the laboratory tube combustion of shale oil results to validate the simulation model. Then, we upscale the simulation model to investigate the well productivity performance by in-situ upgrading of shale oil by air injection.The main objective of this work is to determine the technical feasibility of recovering shale oil resources by air injection. It involves the application of hydraulic fracturing technology to enhance the kerogen exposure to oxygen. Heat flows from the fracture into shale oil formation, gradually converting the solid kerogen into mobile oil and gas which can be produced via fractures to the production wells. Our simulation results in this paper have shown the potential of in-situ combustion process to improved oil recovery in shale oil reservoirs. Simulation result indicates that the key parameters controlling the well productivity include air injection rate, injected gas composition and fracture spacing. The available literature provides limited studies on the applicability of in-situ combustion of shale oil in very low permeability formations. The paper provides a comprehensive model that allows kerogen to undergo thermal cracking and oxidation process. The results of this study indicate that the developed kinetic model is feasible to model the kerogen in-situ conversion process induced by air injection.

Atherosclerosis is characterized by inflammation in the arterial wall, which is known to be exacerbated by diabetes. Therapeutic repression of inflammation is a promising strategy for treating atherosclerosis. In this study, we showed that diabetes aggravated atherosclerosis in apolipoproteinE knockout (ApoE−/-) mice, in which increased expression of long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 1 (Acsl1) in macrophages played an important role. Knockdown of Acsl1 in macrophages (MφshAcsl1) reprogrammed macrophages to an anti-inflammatory phenotype, especially under hyperglycemic conditions. Injection of MφshAcsl1 reprogrammed macrophages into streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic ApoE−/- mice (ApoE−/-+ STZ) alleviated inflammation locally in the plaque, liver and spleen. Consistent with the reduction in inflammation, plaques became smaller and more stable after the adoptive transfer of reprogrammed macrophages. Taken together, our findings indicate that increased Acsl1 expression in macrophages play a key role in aggravated atherosclerosis of diabetic mice, possibly by promoting inflammation. Adoptive transfer of Acsl1 silenced macrophages may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis.

Abstract Radiation-induced skin injury (RISI) is an important challenge for clinical treatments. The main causes of RISI include hypoxia in the wound microenvironment, reactive oxygen species (ROS) activation, and downregulation of DNA repair proteins. Here, a multiple radioresistance strategy was designed for microRNA therapy and attenuating hypoxia. A novel mesoporous silica (MS) firmly anchored and dispersed cerium (IV) oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles to form MS-CeO2 nanocomposites, which exhibit superior activity in inhibiting radiation-induced ROS and HIF-1α activation and ultimately promote RISI wound healing. The miR129 serum concentrations in patients can promote radioresistance by directly targeting RAD17 and regulating the Chk2 pathway. Subsequently, MS-CeO2 nanocomposites with miR129 were conjugated with iRGD-grafted polyoxyethylene glycol (short for nano-miR129), which increased the stability and antibacterial character, efficiently delivered miR129 to wound blood capillaries, and exhibited low toxicity. Notably, nano-miR129 promoted radioresistance and enhanced anti-ROS therapeutic efficacy in a subcutaneous RISI mouse model. Overall, this MS-CeO2 nanozyme and miR129-based multiresistance radiotherapy protection strategy provided a promising therapeutic approach for RISI.

Abstract Aim Attitudes toward older persons could affect services that are provided to them and change the value of the care they receive. The attitude of nursing students toward older persons is very important as it will affect their care of older patients in future. However, in China, the attitude of higher vocational nursing students toward older persons has not been widely studied. The purpose of this study is to explore the attitudes and factors toward older people among nursing students in higher vocational colleges in Heilongjiang Province. Design A cross‐sectional study. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted using cluster sampling. A total of 1106 nursing students from two higher vocational colleges in Heilongjiang Province participated. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors influencing nursing students’ attitudes toward older people. Conclusion This study showed that the vocational college nursing students have a positive attitude towardolder persons. However, the proportion of respondents taking care of older persons as their first choice in their future career needs to be increased. Advanced vocational colleges should pay attention to the attitudes of nursing students toward older persons, and strengthen the education of career development planning, which has practical significance in meeting the diversified health needs of older persons and ensuring healthy aging.

The phase separation behaviour of non-structure protein nsp8 of SARS CoV2 in the primer synthesis mechanism is presented, underpinning the replication of coronavirus.

This article is devoted to study the existence of global solutions and finite time blow-up of local solution for nonlinear Klein-Gordon equation with variable coefficient nonlinear source term. By applying the potential well and energy estimation method, in low initial energy and critical initial energy, we derive some sufficient conditions which are global existence and explosion of the solutions for this type of Klein-Gordon equation.

Abstract Background Falls are an important cause of injury and death of older people. Hence, analyzing the multifactorial risk of falls from past cases to develop multifactorial intervention programs is clinically significant. However, due to the small sample size, there are few studies on fall risk analysis of clinical characteristics of fallers, especially among older hospitalized patients. Methods We collected data on 153 inpatients who fell (age ≥ 60 years) from the hospital nursing adverse event reporting system during hospitalization at Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, China, from January 2018 to December 2020. Patient characteristics at the time of the fall, surrounding environment, primary nurse, and adverse fall events were assessed. The enumeration data were expressed as frequency and percentage, and the chi-squared was performed between recurrent fallers and single fallers, and non-injurious and injurious fall groups. Results Cross-sectional data showed 18.3% of the 153 participants experienced an injurious fall. Compared with single fallers, a large proportion of older recurrent fallers more often experienced preexisting conditions such as cerebrovascular disease or taking hypoglycemic drugs. They were exposed to higher risks and could experience at least 3 fall times in 3 months. Besides, the credentials of their responsible nurses were often higher. Factors that increased the risk of a fall-related injury were hypoglycemic drugs (OR 2.751; 95% CI 1.114–6.795), and nursing adverse events (OR 47.571; 95% CI 14.392–157.247). Older inpatients with bed rails (OR 0.437; 95% CI 0.190–1.005) or falling at the edge of the bed (OR 0.365; 95% CI 0.138–0.964) were less likely to be injured than those without bed rails or not falling at the edge of the bed. Fall risks were significantly correlated with more severe fall-related injuries. Older patients with moderate (OR 5.517; CI 0.687–44.306) or high risk (OR 2.196; CI 0.251–19.219) were more likely to experience fall-related injuries than those with low risk. Conclusions Older inpatient falls are an ongoing challenge in hospitals in China. Our study found that the incidence of fall-related injuries among inpatients aged ≥ 60 years remained at a minor level. However, complex patient characteristics and circumstances can contribute to fall-related injuries. This study provides new evidence on fall-related injuries of older inpatients in China. Based on the factors found in this study, regular fall-related injury epidemiological surveys that investigate the reasons associated with the injuries were crucial when considering intervention measures that could refine fall-related injuries. More prospective studies should be conducted with improved and updated multidisciplinary fall risk assessment and comprehensive geriatric assessment as part of a fall-related injury prevention protocol.

Inspired by the advantages of multiphase series capacitor boost converter, its automatic current sharing and N-times gain control strategy is proposed and investigated. Theoretical analysis is developed through capacitor charge balance and inductance volt-second balance. Then the constraint conditions of operating modes time are obtained to balance the phase current and achieve N-times gain. The final control strategy was obtained by the optimized timing sequence arrangement of the modes. The proposed control strategy is applied in 4-phase series capacitor Boost converter for CCM operation for duty cycle 0 to 1. Without any additional sensors or other devices, the automatic current sharing is achieved. The current of each phase is automatically distributed evenly among the phases, and N-times voltage gain is achieved. Finally, simulation results are given to verify the analysis of the proposed control strategy.

Abstract Background Cancer metabolism is largely altered compared to normal cells. This study aims to explore critical metabolism pathways in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), and reveal the possible mechanism of their role in cancer progression. Methods Expression data and sequencing data of COAD samples were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. The expression profiles between tumor and normal samples were compared to identify differential metabolism pathways through single sample gene set enrichment analysis. Results Fatty acid synthesis was identified as a key metabolism pathway in COAD. Based on fatty acid-related lncRNAs, two molecular subtypes (C1 and C2) were defined. C2 subtype with worse prognosis had higher immune infiltration and higher expression of immune checkpoints. Five transcription factors (TFs) including FOS, JUN, HIF1A, STAT3 and STAT2 were highly expressed in C2 subtype. Five fatty acid-related lncRNAs were identified to be biomarkers for predicting COAD prognosis. Finally, further experients showed that knockdown of lncRNA PAXIP1-AS1 decreased the triglyceride content and the fatty acid synthase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 expressions, which suggested that lncRNA PAXIP1-AS1 plays an important role in fatty acid metabolism of COAD. Conclusions This study demonstrated that fatty acid synthesis was greatly altered in COAD. Fatty acid-related lncRNAs were speculated to be involved in cancer progression through associating with TFs. The five screened TFs may serve as new drug targets for treating COAD.

Abstract Background Colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) continue to have a low survival rate. The number of CRLM regulators and clinical indicators remains limited. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a new master regulator of cell invasion and metastasis. However, the function and regulation mechanism of lncRNAs in colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis are yet unknown. Methods To screen and identify CRLM-related lncRNAs, public transcriptome data were used. Gain and loss of function experiments were carried out to investigate the biological activities of lncRNA CRLM1 in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), chromatin isolation by RNA purification (ChIRP), immunofluorescence (IF), quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), western blotting, and rescue experiments were performed to explore the molecular mechanism of CRLM1. Moreover, identified the proteins, DNAs, and RNAs that interact with CRLM1. Results The investigation of lncRNA expression dynamics in CRLM, primary CRC, and normal tissues in this work resulted in identifying a series of lncRNAs associated with metastasis, including CRLM1. CRLM1 inhibited apoptosis of CRC cells and promoted liver metastasis in Balb/C nude mice. CRLM1 was weakly associated with the chromatin regions of genes involved in cell adhesion and DNA damage, and this association was bidirectionally correlated with CRLM1-regulated pro-metastatic gene expression. CRLM1 physically interacts with the hnRNPK protein and promotes its nuclear localization. CRLM1 effectively enhances hnRNPK promoter occupancy and co-regulates the expression of a panel of metastatic genes. Conclusions The finding of the clinically significant lncRNA CRLM1 in promoting metastasis and regulating gene expression suggests a potential biomarker and target for CRLM therapy.

Abstract In vivo imaging in the deep near‐infrared (NIR) spectral region, that is, beyond 800 nm, has become popular due to its penetration depth. While imaging of the neutral medium/tissue has been repeatedly showcased, imaging of the high‐acidic medium remains challenging partly because of the high‐lying HOMO orbital and hence a high pKa of the electron‐donating group of the NIR fluorophores. We devised a novel electron‐donating group (D6) with which we further synthesized ECJ. ECJ exhibits an absorption wavelength beyond 900 nm and is fluorescent. Its pKa was found to be lower than zero, rendering it suitable for bioimaging of a highly‐acidic medium. Its potential for practical applications was showcased in proof‐of‐concept in vivo imaging with a mouse model.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks the second malignancy with high incidence and mortality worldwide. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) function critically in cancer progression and metastasis via the interplay with immune cells in tumor microenvironment. This study aimed to identify important CSC marker genes and parsed the role of these marker genes in CRC.Materials and methods: CRC samples’ single-cell RNA sequencing data and bulk transcriptome data were utilized. Seurat R package annotated CSCs and identified CSC marker genes. Consensus clustering subtyped CRC samples based on CSC marker genes. Immune microenvironment, pathway and oxidative stress analysis was performed using ESTIMATE, MCP-counter analysis and ssGSEA analysis. A prognostic model was established by Lasso and stepAIC. Sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs was determined by the biochemical half maximal inhibitory concentration with pRRophetic R package.Results: We identified a total of 29 CSC marker genes related to disease-specific survival (DSS). Two clusters (CSC1 and CSC2) were determined, and CSC2 showed shorter DSS, a larger proportion of late-stage samples, and higher oxidative stress response. Two clusters exhibited differential activation of biological pathways associated with immune response and oncogenic signaling. Drug sensitivity analysis showed that 44 chemotherapy drugs were more sensitive to CSC2 that those in CSC1. We constructed a seven-gene prognostic model (DRD4, DPP7, UCN, INHBA, SFTA2, SYNPO2, and NXPH4) that was effectively to distinguish high-risk and low-risk patients. 14 chemotherapy drugs were more sensitive to high-risk group and 13 chemotherapy drugs were more sensitive to low-risk group. Combination of higher oxidative stress and risk score indicated dismal prognosis.Conclusion: The CSC marker genes we identified may help to further decipher the role of CSCs in CRC development and progression. The seven-gene prognostic model could serve as an indicator for predicting the response to immunotherapy and chemotherapy as well as prognosis of CRC patients.

Introduction: Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is a special pathological subtype of colorectal cancer (CRC) with highly heterogeneous solid tumors with poor prognosis, and novel biomarkers are urgently required to guide its prognosis.Material and methods: RNA-Seq data of COAD were downloaded through The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to determine cuproptosis-related lncRNAs (CRLs) using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The scores of the pathways were calculated by single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). CRLs that affected prognoses were determined via the univariate COX regression analysis to develop a prognostic model using multivariate COX regression analysis and LASSO regression analysis. The model was assessed by applying Kaplan–Meier (K-M) survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves and validated in GSE39582 and GSE17538. The tumor microenvironment (TME), single nucleotide variants (SNV), and immunotherapy response/chemotherapy sensitivity were assessed in high- and low-score subgroups. Finally, the construction of a nomogram was adopted to predict survival rates of COAD patients during years 1, 3, and 5.Results: We found that a high cuproptosis score reduced the survival rates of COAD significantly. A total of five CRLs affecting prognosis were identified, containing AC008494.3, EIF3J-DT, AC016027.1, AL731533.2, and ZEB1-AS1. The ROC curve showed that RiskScore could perform well in predicting the prognosis of COAD. Meanwhile, we found that RiskScore showed good ability in assessing immunotherapy and chemotherapy sensitivity. Finally, the nomogram and decision curves showed that RiskScore would be a powerful predictor for COAD.Conclusion: A novel prognostic model was constructed using CRLs in COAD, and the CRLs in the model were probably a potential therapeutic target. Based on this study, RiskScore was an independent predictor factor, immunotherapy response, and chemotherapy sensitivity for COAD, providing a new scientific basis for COAD prognosis management.

Abstract The widespread accessibility of commercial/clinically‐viable electrochemical diagnostic systems for rapid quantification of viral proteins demands translational/preclinical investigations. Here, Covid‐Sense (CoVSense) antigen testing platform; an all‐in‐one electrochemical nano‐immunosensor for sample‐to‐result, self‐validated, and accurate quantification of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) nucleocapsid (N)‐proteins in clinical examinations is developed. The platform's sensing strips benefit from a highly‐sensitive, nanostructured surface, created through the incorporation of carboxyl‐functionalized graphene nanosheets, and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) conductive polymers, enhancing the overall conductivity of the system. The nanoengineered surface chemistry allows for compatible direct assembly of bioreceptor molecules. CoVSense offers an inexpensive (

BackgroundIntellectual disability, X-linked, syndromic, Christianson type (MRXSCH, OMIM: 300243)—known as Christianson syndrome (CS)—is characterized by microcephaly, epilepsy, ataxia, and absence of verbal language ability. CS is attributed to mutations in the solute carrier family 9 member A6 gene (SLC9A6).Materials and methodsThis study reports the case of a boy 1 year and 3 months of age who was diagnosed with CS in our department. Genetic etiology was determined by whole-exome sequencing, and a minigene splicing assay was used to verify whether the mutation affected splicing. A literature review of CS cases was conducted and the clinical and genetic features were summarized.ResultsThe main clinical manifestations of CS include seizures, developmental regression, and exceptional facial features. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a de novo splice variant in intron 11 (c.1366 + 1G > C) of SLC9A6. The mutation produced two abnormal mRNA products (verified by a minigene splicing assay), resulting in the formation of truncated protein. A total of 95 CS cases were identified in the literature, with various symptoms, such as delayed intellectual development (95/95, 100.00%), epilepsy (87/88, 98.86%), and absent verbal language (75/83, 90.36%). At least 50 pathogenic variants of SLC9A6 have been identified, with the highest frequency observed in exon 12.ConclusionOur patient is the first case with the c.1366 + 1G > C variant of SLC9A6 in CS. The summary of known cases can serve as a reference for analyzing the mutation spectrum and pathogenesis of CS.

Background: Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare subtype of B-cell lymphoma. Rituximab-based combination therapy and Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors have greatly improved the prognosis of WM. Despite the high response rate and good tolerance of BTK inhibitors in treatment of WM, a proportion of patients still experience disease progression.Case presentation: We report a 55-year-old man with relapsed WM. The patient achieved partial remission after six courses of CHOP chemotherapy and multiple plasma exchanges in initial treatment. He was admitted to the hospital with abdominal distension, and was diagnosed with relapsed WM and subsequently started on zanubrutinib. Disease progression and histological transformation occurred during treatment. We performed liquid biopsies on transformed plasma, tumor tissue and ascites at the same time and found high consistency between ascites and tissues. Moreover, we detected resistance mutations of BTK inhibitors (BTK, PLCG2) in ascites that were not detected in plasma or tissue. Eventually, the patient died during the 15-month follow-up after relapse.Conclusion: We describe a rare case of WM transformation to DLCBCL treated with chemoimmunotherapy and BTK inhibition. We analyzed tumor DNA obtained at different anatomic sites and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) derived from plasma and ascites specimens, with apparent significant temporal and spatial heterogeneity. The case specifically highlights the clinical value of ctDNA of ascites supernatant from WM patients, which is a more convenient and relatively noninvasive method compared with traditional invasive tissue biopsy.

In this study, we assembled and characterized the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of Angelonia angustifolia Benth., 1846, a herbaceous and perennial plant, native to Latin America. It is an ornamental and medicinal plant that showed bright prospects for application. The cp genome of A. angustifolia has a typical conserved quadripartite structure of 154,316 bp in total length. The genome includes a large single-copy (LSC) region (84,110 bp), a small single-copy (SSC) region (15,950 bp), and a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions (27,128 bp). The cp genome contains 130 genes comprising 85 protein-coding, 37 tRNA, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that A. angustifolia is closely related to Bacopa monnieri, Scoparia dulcis, and Limnophila sessiliflora in the Plantaginaceae. Taken together, the complete cp genomes of A. angustifolia provided significant insights and important information for molecular biology, evolution, and taxonomy in the genus Angelonia.

Based on Chinese industrial firms’ data, this study found that state capital injection weakened the technological progress and management efficiency of private firms, which led to a reduction in enterprises’ total factor productivity. State capital injection also increased the labor cost and investment in fixed assets, and lowered the profitability of firms. Furthermore, the state capital did not have a significant negative impact on firms in technology-intensive and monopoly industries. This study has shed some lights on the reform of the state-owned assets management system and the development of a mixed ownership economy.

Abstract Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the common cancers worldwide. The lack of specific biomarkers and therapeutic targets leads to delayed diagnosis and hence the poor prognosis of OSCC patients. Thus, it is urgent to identify effective biomarkers and therapeutic targets for OSCC. Methods We established the golden hamster carcinogenic model of OSCC induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthrancene (DMBA) and used mRNA microarrays to detect the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). DEGs were validated in OSCC clinical tissue microarrays using immunohistochemistry method. Whole transcriptome sequencing was performed to obtain an overview of biological functions of Lsm12. PCR assay and sequencing were employed to investigate the alternative splicing of genes regulated by Lsm12. Cell proliferation, colony formation, Transwell migration and invasion assay and in vivo tumor formation assay were performed to investigate the roles of Lsm12 and two transcript variants of USO1 in OSCC cells. Results Lsm12 was identified to be significantly up-regulated in the animal model of OSCC tumorigenesis, which was validated in the clinical OSCC samples. In the paired normal tissues, Lsm12 staining was negative (91%, 92/101) or weak, while in OSCC tissues, positive rate is 100% and strong staining spread over the whole tissues in 93 (93/101, 92%) cases. Lsm12 overexpression significantly promoted OSCC cell growth, colony formation, migration and invasion abilities, while Lsm12 knockdown showed the opposite trends on these phenotypes and obviously inhibited the tumor formation in vivo. Furthermore, Lsm12 overexpression caused the inclusion of USO1 exon 15 and Lsm12 knockdown induced exon 15 skipping. Exon 15-retained USO1 significantly promoted the malignant phenotypes of OSCC cells when compared with the exon 15-deleted USO1. Conclusions We identified Lsm12, a novel tumorigenesis-related gene, as an important regulator involved in OSCC tumorigenesis. Lsm12 is a novel RNA-splicing related gene and can regulate the alternative splicing of USO1 exon 15 which was associated closely with OSCC carcinogenesis. Our findings thus provide that Lsm12 might be a potent biomarker and potential therapeutic target for OSCC.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increasingly recognized as important intermediaries of intercellular communication. They have significant roles in many physiological and pathological processes and show great promise as novel biomarkers of disease, therapeutic agents, and drug delivery tools. Existing studies have shown that natural killer cell-derived EVs (NEVs) can directly kill tumor cells and participate in the crosstalk of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. NEVs own identical cytotoxic proteins, cytotoxic receptors, and cytokines as NK cells, which is the biological basis for their application in antitumor therapy. The nanoscale size and natural targeting property of NEVs enable precisely killing tumor cells. Moreover, endowing NEVs with a variety of fascinating capabilities via common engineering strategies has become a crucial direction for future research. Thus, here we provide a brief overview of the characteristics and physiological functions of the various types of NEVs, focusing on their production, isolation, functional characterization, and engineering strategies for their promising application as a cell-free modality for tumor immunotherapy.

Background: The modulations of lymphocyte subsets and cytokine production due to subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) are not fully clarified. Objective: We investigated the changes in T-lymphocyte subsets and serum Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus-specific immunoglobulin G4 (Der-p sIgG4), as well as cytokine production during Der-p SCIT, in patients with allergic asthma. Methods: This study involved 20 patients with allergic asthma who were receiving 156-week Der-p SCIT and 20 patients without SCIT (non-SCIT). We measured symptom and medication scores (SMS), serum Der-p sIgG4 levels, CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T regulatory (Treg), CD4+IL-4−IFN-γ+ T-helper (Th) 1, and CD4+IL-4+IFN-γ− Th2 lymphocyte percentages in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with/without Der-p extract stimulation at weeks 0, 4, 12, 16, 52, 104, and 156. Cytokine release inhibition assays were performed by incubation with serum from SCIT and non-SCIT patients, Der-p allergen, and PBMCs. Levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 were evaluated in supernatant. Results: We found that SCIT patients had significantly lower SMS after week 52. Der-p sIgG4 levels in SCIT patients significantly increased at week 16 compared with non-SCIT subjects. CD4+IL-4+IFN-γ− Th2% in SCIT patients showed a significant decrease from weeks 104–156 compared with week 0, while no change was observed in CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg and CD4+IL-4−IFN-γ+ Th1 percentages. IL-5, IL-13, IL-4, IL-17, and TNF-α levels in supernatant of PBMCs cultured with serum of SCIT patients after 16 weeks showed significant lower levels compared with non-SCIT patients, and showed significant reverse associations with Der-p sIgG4 levels. Conclusion: SCIT induced Dep-p sIgG4 may be involved in downregulating Th2 cytokine production in Der-p allergic asthma patients.

Osteospermum ecklonis (DC.) Norl. 1838 is a herbaceous and perennial plant native to South Africa. It is an ornamental plant that shows great commercial potential. In the present study, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome was 151,295 bp in total length, and 127 genes were identified, including 85 protein-coding, 34 tRNA, and eight rRNA genes. The cp genome includes a large single-copy (LSC) region of 83,293 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,012 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) regions of 24,995 bp. The phylogenetic relationship of O. ecklonis revealed by cp genome provides a foundation for future studies of the phylogeny in the Asteraceae.

Inflammatory response plays a critical role in myocardial infarction (MI) repair. The neutrophil apoptosis and subsequent macrophage ingestion can result in inflammation resolution and initiate regeneration, while the therapeutic strategy that simulates and enhances this natural process has not been established. Here, we constructed engineered neutrophil apoptotic bodies (eNABs) to simulate natural neutrophil apoptosis, which regulated inflammation response and enhanced MI repair. The eNABs were fabricated by combining natural neutrophil apoptotic body membrane which has excellent inflammation-tropism and immunoregulatory properties, and mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with hexyl 5-aminolevulinate hydrochloride (HAL). The eNABs actively targeted to macrophages and the encapsulated HAL simultaneously initiated the biosynthesis pathway of heme to produce anti-inflammatory bilirubin after intracellular release, thereby further enhancing the anti-inflammation effects. In in vivo studies, the eNABs efficiently modulated inflammation responses in the infarcted region to ameliorate cardiac function. This study demonstrates an effective biomimetic construction strategy to regulate macrophage functions for MI repair.

A major goal of poplar breeding is to obtain new insect-resistant poplar varieties through genetic engineering. However, engineering poplars with only a single insect-resistant gene has limitations, such as narrow insecticidal bands and the rapid development of insect tolerance to the gene. To expand insecticidal bands, delay the development of insect tolerance, and improve the insect resistance of transgenic poplars, polygene polymerization is increasingly being applied to cultivate insect-resistant poplars. In the present study, we discuss polygene polymerization, applications of the polygene combination strategy, the current state of research on transgenic poplar with multiple insect-resistant genes, including existing problems, and future research directions. We provide reference data to aid the cultivation and utilization of new polygenic insect-resistant poplar varieties.

The addition of organic materials is pivotal for the efficacy of reductive soil disinfestation (RSD). However, data on the influence of varying amounts of organic matter during RSD on soil-borne disease mitigation, yield increase, and rhizosphere microecological health in the current flue-cured tobacco season remain limited. This study analyzed various organic material addition rates (CK, G0.8, G1.0, and G1.2) at two experimental sites (K and Y). The results indicated that increasing the application of organic material improved the soil physicochemical properties (pH, AN, AP, AK, OM, and C/N), mitigated the severity of black shank and Fusarium root rot, and amplified the tobacco yield. The K/YG1.2 treatment significantly reduced the Shannon and Sobs fungal indices across both sites, and enhanced the relative abundance of the bacteria Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, and Acidobacteriota, while decreasing the relative abundance of Ascomycota. The bacterial genera were predominantly represented by Sphingomonas and Bacillus, whereas the fungal genera were represented by Saitozyma, Mortierella, and Fusarium. The addition of organic materials during RSD substantially decreased the relative abundance of Mortierella and Fusarium. Using FUNGGuild and Tax4Fun to evaluate the application of adding organic matter during the RSD process, we identified that rhizosphere fungi in high application rates of flue-cured tobacco were primarily saprophytic or pathogenic saprophytes, which were mainly involved in the metabolism, environmental information processing, genetic information processing, and cellular processes. The results of the two experimental sites indicate that applying 15 t·ha−1 (K/YG1.2) of solid residues such as vegetables during RSD emerges as the optimal choice. This strategy is highly effective in guaranteeing the sterilization and pest control effect of the RSD process, facilitating the reconstruction of microbial community diversity, lowering pathogen abundance, managing soil-borne diseases that are prevalent in the current flue-cured tobacco season, and leading to an increase in tobacco yield.

Multigene cotransformation has been widely used in the study of genetic improvement in crops and trees. However, little is known about the unintended effects and causes of multigene cotransformation in poplars. To gain insight into the unintended effects of T-DNA integration during multigene cotransformation in field stands, here, three lines (A1–A3) of Populus × euramericana cv. Neva (PEN) carrying Cry1Ac-Cry3A-BADH genes and three lines (B1–B3) of PEN carrying Cry1Ac-Cry3A-NTHK1 genes were used as research objects, with non-transgenic PEN as the control. Experimental stands were established at three common gardens in three locations and next generation sequencing (NGS) was used to identify the insertion sites of exogenous genes in six transgenic lines. We compared the growth data of the transgenic and control lines for four consecutive years. The results demonstrated that the tree height and diameter at breast height (DBH) of transgenic lines were significantly lower than those of the control, and the adaptability of transgenic lines in different locations varied significantly. The genotype and the experimental environment showed an interaction effect. A total of seven insertion sites were detected in the six transgenic lines, with B3 having a double-site insertion and the other lines having single copies. There are four insertion sites in the gene region and three insertion sites in the intergenic region. Analysis of the bases near the insertion sites showed that AT content was higher than the average chromosome content in four of the seven insertion sites within 1000 bp. Transcriptome analysis suggested that the differential expression of genes related to plant hormone transduction and lignin synthesis might be responsible for the slow development of plant height and DBH in transgenic lines. This study provides an integrated analysis of the unintended effects of transgenic poplar, which will benefit the safety assessment and reasonable application of genetically modified trees.

The development of high-efficiency multi-component composite anode nanomaterials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) is critical for advancing the further practical application. Numerous multi-component nanomaterials are constructed typically via confinement strategies of surface templating or three-dimensional encapsulation. Herein, a composite of heterostructural multiple sulfides (MoS2/SnS/CoS) well-dispersed on graphene is prepared as an anode nanomaterial for SIBs, via a distinctive lattice confinement effect of a ternary CoMoSn-layered double-hydroxide (CoMoSn-LDH) precursor. Electrochemical testing demonstrates that the composite delivers a high-reversible capacity (627.6 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g−1) and high rate capacity of 304.9 mA h g−1 after 1000 cycles at 5.0 A g−1, outperforming those of the counterparts of single-, bi- and mixed sulfides. Furthermore, the enhancement is elucidated experimentally by the dominant capacitive contribution and low charge-transfer resistance. The precursor-based lattice confinement strategy could be effective for constructing uniform composites as anode nanomaterials for electrochemical energy storage.

Abstract Background In areas where Lyme disease is endemic, bites from ticks are common, but no vaccine is currently available against Lyme disease for humans. Therefore, the feasibility of using antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent Lyme disease after a tick bite is worth further exploration. Previous meta-analyses lack sufficient power to demonstrate the efficacy of about antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of Lyme disease following a tick bite. In this study, we explored more precise evidence and attempted to identify and update optimum treatment strategies. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for studies until March 23, 2021. We included studies if the enrolled patients were randomly allocated to a treatment or control group within 72 h following a tick bite and had no clinical evidence of Lyme disease at enrolment. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines were followed for data abstraction. Two authors (GZZ and XX) independently reviewed the abstracts and identified articles for detailed assessment. We used a random-effects model to calculate the pooled results and reported the 95% confidence interval (CI). Study quality was assessed using a modified Jadad scale, and publication bias was assessed using Egger’s test. We calculated the risk ratio (RR) for the rates of unfavorable events in patients who received intervention versus the control group. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42021245002. Results Six studies (3,766 individuals) were included. The pooled rate of unfavorable events in persons receiving treatment and the control group were 0.4% (95%CI: 0.1–1.1%) and 2.2% (95%CI: 1.6–3.0%), respectively. The pooled RR was 0.38 (95%CI: 0.22–0.66). Subgroup analysis revealed that the pooled RR was 0.29 (95%CI: 0.14–0.60) in the single-use 200-mg doxycycline group; 0.28 (95%CI: 0.05–1.67) in a 10-day course group (Amoxicillin, Penicillin or tetracycline); and 0.73 (95%CI: 0.25–2.08) in a topical antibiotic treatment group (Azithromycin). Conclusions The available evidence supports the use of antibiotics for the prevention of Lyme disease, and reveals advantages of using single-dose; however, further confirmation is needed.