Search

Immuno-inflammation has been shown to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of moyamoya disease (MMD). However, how did circulating Treg/Th17 cells involve in MMD patients remains unclear. 26 MMD, 21 atherothrombotic stroke, and 32 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. MMD patients have a significantly higher percentage of circulating Treg and Th17 cells as well as their dominantly secreting cytokines than other groups (P < 0.0001), whereas no difference was found in the ratio of Treg/Th17 between patients in MMD and atherothrombotic stroke group or control subjects (P = 0.244). However, the increased Treg in MMD patients which were enriched with FrIII Treg cells had deficient suppressive functions (P = 0.0017) compared to healthy volunteers. There was a positive correlation between Treg or TGF-β and MMD Suzuki’s stage. And the level of circulating Treg was as an independent factor associated with MMD stage. Besides, TGF-β was also correlated with the increased expression of VEGF in MMD patients. Our findings indicated an important involvement of circulating Treg in the pathogenic development of MMD and TGF-β in Treg induced VEGF.

Atg8 proteins fused with tags are commonly used to detect autophagy. The expression patterns of Lepidopteran insect Atg8 are relatively well documented. However, the influence of protein tags on characterization of Atg8 is still not very clear. Our results showed that endogenous Spodoptera litura Atg8 and HA tagged Atg8 driven by the baculovirus ie2 promoter were enriched in cytoplasm. The recombinant plasmid pEGFP-Atg8(EGFP) in which Atg8 contained a stop codon was constructed and expressed. Green fluorescence was accumulated in cytoplasm. However, red fluorescence was located in both cytoplasm and nucleoplasm in most cells transfected with the recombinant plasmid pmCherry-Atg8(EGFP). In contrast to pEGFP-Atg8(EGFP), green fluorescence was also located in both cytoplasm and nucleoplasm in most cells transfected with the recombinant plasmid pie2/EGFP-Atg8 driven by the baculovirus ie2 promoter in which the CMV promoter and EGFP nucleotide sequences were removed, and the high level of the EGFP-Atg8 expression significantly increased its abundance in nucleoplasm. HA-Atg8 expressed at high level through baculovirus under the control of polyherin promoter was also localized in cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. The cleavage of mCherry-Atg8 was different from that of EGFP-Atg8. Both the mutant mCherry-Atg8F77/79A resulting in non-cleavage of the Atg8 and the mutant mCherry-Atg8G exposing its glycine residue at the end of C-terminus were also localized in cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. The increase of autophagosomes decreased the abundance of mCherry-Atg8 in nucleoplasm. In addition, the ratio of HA-Atg8-PE/HA-Atg8 was less than that of endogenous Atg8-PE/Atg8. These results demonstrated that the Atg8 is located in both nucleus and cytoplasm when expressed at high level and exported to the cytoplasm when autophagy is activated, and the fusion tags of Atg8 might have influence on the processing of Atg8 fusion proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extremophiles are potential resources for alkaline protease production. In order to search for alkaline protease producers, we isolated and screened alkaliphilic microorganisms from alkaline saline environments. The microorganism HSL10 was identified as a member of the genus Microbacterium by morphological observation, Gram staining and sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region. By colony-forming unit counting under alkali or salt stress, it was further identified as an alkaliphilic microbe with mild halotolerance. In addition, it was capable of secreting alkaline proteases, evidenced by larger hydrolyzation zones in the skim milk-containing medium at pH 9.0 than at pH 7.0. Subsequently, we demonstrated that both NaCl and yeast extract significantly promoted protease production by HSL10. Finally, we established a sensitive colorimetric method for the detection of protease production by HSL10 under neutral and alkaline conditions, by using the Bradford reagent for substrate staining to improve the contrast between the hydrolyzation zone and the substrate background on agar plates. HSL10 was the first example of an alkaliphilic protease-producing member in Microbacterium, and its isolation and characterization have both academic and commercial importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of multiparameter intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring in the prediction of the prognosis of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 53 HICH patients. The patients underwent removal of intracranial hemorrhage and decompressive craniectomy after admission. A ventricular ICP monitoring probe was used to continuously and invasively monitor mean arterial pressure (MAP) and ICP after surgery. The NEUMATIC system was used to collect ICP data, including pressure reactivity index (PRx), ICP dose (DICP), amplitude and pressure regression (RAP), and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP). The mean PRx, CPP, RAP, ICP, and DICP20 mmHg × h were calculated with 1 h as the time segment. According to the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) scores after discharge, the patients were grouped into the poor prognosis group (GOS I–III) and the good prognosis group (GOS IV and V). The two groups were compared in terms of GOS scores in the treatment and prediction of prognosis of patients. Results: The good prognosis group showed significantly lower values of mean ICP, DICP20 mmHg × h, RAP, and PRx than the poor prognosis group, while CPP was significantly higher (p < 0.001). Conclusions: PRx, DICP, RAP, and CPP could reflect intracranial changes in patients and were significantly correlated with the prognosis of the patients. Mean ICP, PRx, DICP20 mmHg × h, and RAP were negatively correlated with prognosis, while CPP was positively correlated with prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (HP-PRRSV) with enhanced replication capability emerged in China and has become dominant epidemic strain since 2006. Up to now, the replication-regulated genes of PRRSV have not been fully clarified. Here, by swapping the genes or elements between HP-PRRSV and classical PRRSV based on infectious clones, NSP1, NSP2, NSP7, NSP9 and 3′-UTR are found to contribute to the high replication efficiency of HP-PRRSV. Further study revealed that mutations at positions 117th or 119th in the 3′-UTR are significantly related to replication efficiency, and the nucleotide at position 120th is critical for viral rescue. The motif composed by 117–120th nucleotides was quite conservative within each lineage of PRRSV; mutations in the motif of HP-PRRSV and currently epidemic lineage 1 (L1) PRRSV showed higher synthesis ability of viral negative genomic RNA, suggesting that those mutations were beneficial for viral replication. RNA structure analysis revealed that this motif maybe involved into a pseudoknot in the 3′-UTR. The results discovered a novel motif, 117–120th nucleotide in the 3′-UTR, that is critical for replication of PRRSV-2, and mutations in the motif contribute to the enhanced replicative ability of HP-PRRSV or L1 PRRSV. Our findings will help to understand the molecular basis of PRRSV replication and find the potential factors resulting in an epidemic strain of PRRSV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The borohydride reduction method was used to synthesize the Fe-based alloy nanoparticles in an aqueous medium for MR fluids. The effect of ethanol content in the reaction medium on the synthesis of Fe–Co–B nanoparticles was studied first. With increasing the ethanol content from 0 to 40vol%, the average diameters of Fe–Co–B nanoparticles were decreased from 170 to 35nm. The possible mechanism for the effect of ethanol has been proposed. Among the four types of Fe-based alloys particles synthesized in this work, Fe–B had the highest magnetization saturation M s, while M s decreased in an order of Fe–B>Fe–Co–B>Fe–Cr–B>Fe–Ni–B. A magnetic field of 3000Oe was able to increase M s by about 5–6% for each type of iron-based alloy. Under a magnetic field, chain structures of nanoparticles were always formed. When a strong magnetic field such as 3000Oe was applied, the particles were “squeezed” into chains. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pipeline systems in aircraft are connected to the airframe through numerous clamps. There are multiple excitation points and the excitation frequency range is wide, being influenced by accessories such as valves and flanges. To analyse this situation, the method of reverberation ray matrix (MRRM) is extended by random vibration theory to the steady-state random response analysis of a three-dimensional multi-span hydraulic pipeline under multi-point base excitations. Advantages of this approach are that less computational effort is required, cross-correlations between excitations are automatically included, and each response of the system has an exact and unified solution scheme. Each span is represented by the Timoshenko beam model, considering the influence of internal fluid, axial force and pressure of the pipeline, as well as clamps and accessories. An accurate steady-state wave solution for the displacement and internal force of the three-dimensional hydraulic pipeline is derived. The method utilises the analytical characteristics of MRRM and is not limited by the frequency range. Numerical examples demonstrate high accuracy and computational efficiency over a broad frequency range by comparison with random vibration analysis based on the finite element method for a section of hydraulic pipeline subjected to a wide range of random excitation. A systematic parametric study for the hydraulic pipeline system investigates the influences of various boundary conditions, fluid velocity and multi-point excitation coherence. • The MRRM is extended to the steady-state response analysis of 3D hydraulic pipeline. • The MRRM is more accurate and efficient than FEM over a broad frequency range. • Support stiffness will significantly change the spatial distribution of the pipe response. • Desabilise caused by internal fluid velocity should be avoided during pipeline design. • The coherence of multi-point random excitation has influence on the RMS of response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-021-07767-3 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although it is well known that Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins kill insect pest by disrupting midgut cells of susceptible larvae through their pore formation activity, it is not clear what intracellular events are triggered after pore formation on the cell membrane of the target cells. Here we analyzed the role of Cry toxins on autophagy activation using several cell lines as models as well as in Helicoverpa armigera larvae. The selected insect cell lines (Hi5, Sl-HP and Sf9) were susceptible to activated Cry1Ca toxin, but only Sl-HP cells were also susceptible to activated Cry1Ac toxin. In contrast, the mammalian cell line 293 T was not susceptible to Cry1Ac or to Cry1Ca. Results show that Cry toxins induced autophagy only in the susceptible cell lines as shown by the analysis of the changes in the ratio of Atg8-PE to Atg8 and by formation of autophagosome dots containing Atg8-PE. The Cry1Ac enhanced autophagy in the midgut tissue of H. armigera larvae. Silencing expression of specific genes by RNAi assays confirmed that the autophagy induced by activated Cry toxins was dependent on AMPK and JNK pathways. Finally, inhibition of autophagy in the cell lines by specific inhibitors or RNAi assays resulted in delayed cell death triggered by Cry toxins, suggesting that the increased autophagy activity observed after toxin intoxication may contribute to cell death. Unlabelled Image • Bacillus thuringiensis crystal toxins could induce the increase of autophagy activity in toxin-susceptible insect cell lines, not tolerant cell lines. • The toxins also promoted autophagy activity in midgut of Helicoverpa armigera. • RNAi of autophagy-related genes and inhibitors could inhibit autophagy triggered by the toxins. • Inhibition of autophagy triggered by the toxins may delay cell death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Apoptosis plays an important role in both the development of lepidopteran insects and the elimination of cells. The apoptosis signal pathways are well documented in mammals and Drosophila melanogaster. However, it remains less clear in lepidopteran insects. This study characterized the apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) from Spodoptera litura. The results showed that S. litura Apaf-1 (Sl-Apaf-1) is similar to the mammalian Apaf-1. Sl-Apaf-1 consists of a caspase recruitment domain (CARD), as well as nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain (NOD) and the C-terminal WD40-repeat domain (WD), and interacts with Sl-caspase-5 (a homologue of mammalian caspase-9). The activated Sl-caspase-5 can cleave Sl-procaspase-1 (a homologue of caspase-3 in mammals), which directly causes apoptosis. The apoptosis signal pathway is conserved between lepidopteran insects and mammals. Apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) is an adaptor molecule, essential for activating initiator caspase and downstream effector caspases, which directly cause apoptosis. In fruit flies, nematodes, and mammals, Apaf-1 has been extensively studied. However, the structure and function of Apaf-1 in Lepidoptera remain unclear. This study identified a novel Apaf-1 from Spodoptera litura, named Sl-Apaf-1. Sl-Apaf-1 contains three domains: a CARD domain, as well as NOD and WD motifs, and is very similar to mammalian Apaf-1. Interference of Sl-apaf-1 expression in SL-1 cells blocked apoptosis induced by actinomycin D. Overexpression of Sl-apaf-1 significantly enhances apoptosis induced by actinomycin D in Sf9/SL-1/U2OS cells, suggesting that the function of Sl-Apaf-1 is evolutionarily conserved. Furthermore, Sl-Apaf-1 could interact with Sl-caspase-5 (a homologue of mammalian caspase-9) and yielded a binding affinity of 1.37 × 106 M–1 according isothermal titration calorimetry assay. Initiator caspase (procaspase-5) of S. litura could be activated by Sl-Apaf-1 (without WD motif) in vitro, and the activated Sl-caspase-5 could cleave Sl-procaspase-1 (a homologue of caspase-3 in mammals), which directly caused apoptosis. This study demonstrates the key role of Sl-Apaf-1 in the apoptosis pathway, suggesting that the apoptosis pathway in Lepidopteran insects and mammals is conserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human parvovirus B19 (B19) is a small nonenveloped icosahedral virus with a single-stranded, linear 5.6 kb DNA genome. The p6 promoter, at map unit 6 of the viral genome, controls the expression of all B19 transcripts. Some previous reports revealed that this promoter is transactivated by NS1 protein. In an attempt to investigate the roles of other small viral proteins in the control of the p6 promoter activity, various truncated promoter/reporter constructs along with these nonstructural protein expression vectors were introduced into Hela cells. The results showed that the putative X protein upregulated the activity of p6 promoter significantly, but that the 11 kDa protein did not. Furthermore, the possible responsive DNA elements for X protein were identified to be located primarily between nt 265 and 343 of the p6 promoter region. In addition, we observed that deletion of the potential ATF/CREB binding sites located in 5′ terminal nucleotide influenced the activity of p6 promoter significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We proposed a model based on SE-Inception to correctly predict solanaceae diseases. • SE-Inception has a good performance on our constructed dataset and public dataset. • SE-Inception can meet the demand of disease identification on mobile devices. Aiming at the diseases of tomato and eggplant, we present a solanaceae disease recognition model based on SE-Inception. Our model uses batch normalization layer (BN) to accelerate network convergence. Besides, SE-Inception structure and multi-scale feature extraction module is adopted to improve accuracy of this model. Our sample data set consists of 4 disease categories including whitefly, powdery mildew, yellow smut, cotton blight. We also add healthy leaves into it. In order to reduce overfitting, the data set is expanded by the data enhancement method of translation, rotation and flip. Experiments show that the average recognition accuracy of this model is 98.29% and the model size is 14.68 MB on our constructed dataset. In addition, in order to verify the robustness of this model, it was also verified on the public data set of PlantVillage, and the top-1, top-5 accuracy and the size of our proposed model is 99.27%, 99.99% and 14.8 MB respectively. Moreover, we implemented a solanaceae disease image recognition system using this model based on the Android. The accuracy of average recognition and the recognition time of a single photo are 95.09% and 227 ms, respectively. Our constructed model has a small number of parameters with maintaining high accuracy, which can meet the needs of automatic recognition of disease images on mobile devices. Data and code are available at https://github.com/Jujube-sun/diseaseRecognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous application of pyrethroid insecticides has led to their accumulation in the environment, threatening ecological environment and human health. Its fate in the presence of iron-bearing minerals and natural organic matter under light irradiation is still unknown. We found that goethite (Gt) and humic acid (HA) could improve the photodegradation of bifenthrin (BF) in proper concentration under light irradiation. The interaction between Gt and HA may further enhance BF degradation. On one hand, the adsorption of HA on Gt may decrease the photocatalytic activity of HA through decreasing HA content in solution and sequestering the functional groups related with the production of reactive species. On the other hand, HA could improve the photocatalytic activity of Gt through extending light absorption, lowing of bandgap energy, hindering the recombination of photo-generated charges, and promoting the oxidation and reduction reaction on Gt surface. The increased oxygen vacancies on Gt surface along with the reduction of trivalent iron and the nucleophilic attack of hole to surface hydroxyl group contributed to the increasing photocatalytic activity of Gt. Electron paramagnetic resonance and quenching studies demonstrated that both oxidation species, such as hydroxyl radical (•OH) and singlet oxygen (1O 2), and reducing species, such as hydrogen atoms (H•) and superoxide anion radical (O 2 •−), contributed to BF degradation in UV-Gt-HA system. Mass spectrometry, ion chromatography, and toxicity assessment indicated that less toxic C 23 H 22 ClF 3 O 3 (OH–BF), C 9 H 10 ClF 3 O (TFP), C 14 H 14 O 2 (OH-MBP), C 14 H 12 O 2 (MBP acid), C 14 H 12 O 3 (OH-MBP acid), and chloride ions were the main degradation products. The production of OH–BF, MPB, and TFP acid through oxidation and the production of MPB and TFP via reduction were the two primary pathways of BF degradation. [Display omitted] • Humic acid and goethite could enhance the photodegradation of bifenthrin. • The adsorption of humic acid on goethite affected their photocatalytic performance. • Increasing oxygen vacancies on goethite surface improved the photocatalytic activity of goethite. • Photooxidation and photoreduction processes were involved in bifenthrin degradation. • Degradation products included hydroxy-bifenthrin, lambda cyhalothrin acid, 2-methyl-3-biphenylyl methanol, and chloride ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multidrug resistance‐associated protein (MRP) ABCC4 facilitates substrate transport across the cytoplasmic membrane, crucial for normal physiology and mediating multidrug resistance in tumor cells. Despite intensive studies on MRPs, ABCC4's transport mechanism remains incompletely understood. In this study, we unveiled an inward‐open conformation with an ATP bound to degenerate NBD1. Additionally, we captured the structure with both ATP and substrate co‐bound in the inward‐open state. Our findings uncover the asymmetric ATP binding in ABCC4 and provide insights into substrate binding and transport mechanisms. ATP binding to NBD1 is parallel to substrate binding to ABCC4, and is a prerequisite for ATP‐bound NBD2‐induced global conformational changes. Our findings shed new light on targeting ABCC4 in combination with anticancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac toxin binds to midgut proteins, as cadherin (CAD) and ABCC2 transporter, to form pores leading to larval death. In cell lines, co-expression of CAD and ABCC2 enhance Cry1Ac toxicity significantly, but the mechanism remains elusive. Here, we show that the expression of Helicoverpa armigera CAD (HaCAD-GFP) in Hi5 cells induces susceptibility to Cry1Ac and enhanced Cry1Ac toxicity when co-expressed with H. armigera ABCC2 (HaABCC2-GFP), since Cry1Ac toxicity increased 735-fold compared to Hi5 cells expressing HaCAD-GFP alone or 28-fold compared to HaABCC2-GFP alone. In contrast, the expression of the Spodoptera litura CAD (SlCAD-GFP) in Hi5 cells did not induce susceptibility to Cry1Ac nor it potentiated Cry1Ac toxicity with HaABCC2-GFP. To identify the CAD regions involved in the enhancement of Cry1Ac toxicity with ABCC2, the different CAD domains were replaced between SlCAD-GFP and HaCad-GFP proteins, and cytotoxicity assays were performed in Hi5 cells in the absence or presence of HaABCC2-GFP. The HaCAD toxin-binding region (TB), specifically the CAD repeat-11, was necessary to enhance Cry1Ac toxicity with ABCC2. We propose that CAD TB is involved in recruiting Cry1Ac to localize it in a good position for its interaction with the ABCC2, resulting in efficient toxin membrane insertion enhancing Cry1Ac toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce an accelerating algorithm based on the Taylor series for reconstructing target images in the spectral digital image correlation method (SDIC). The Taylor series image reconstruction method is employed instead of the previous direct Fourier transform (DFT) image reconstruction method, which consumes the majority of the computational time for target image reconstruction. The partial derivatives in the Taylor series are computed using the fast Fourier transform (FFT) of the entire image, following the principles of Fourier transform theory. To examine the impact of different orders of Taylor series expansion on accuracy and efficiency, we employ third- and fourth-order Taylor series image reconstruction methods and compare them with the DFT image reconstruction method through simulated experiments. As a result of these enhancements, the computational efficiency using the third- and fourth-order Taylor series improves by factors of 57 and 46, respectively, compared to the previous method. In terms of analysis accuracy, within a strain range of 0–0.1 and without the addition of image noise, the accuracy of the proposed method increases with higher expansion orders, surpassing that of the DFT image reconstruction method when the fourth order is utilized. However, when different levels of Gaussian noise are applied to simulated images individually, the accuracy of the third- or fourth-order Taylor series expansion method is superior to that of the DFT reconstruction method. Finally, we present the analyzed experimental results of a silicone rubber plate specimen with bilateral cracks under uniaxial tension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pandemic of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has caused huge economic losses and continues to threaten the swine industry worldwide. Nucleocapsid protein (N protein) is the primary antigen of PRRSV for development of sensitive diagnostic assays. Two high affinity nanobodies against N protein, Nb12 and Nb35, were selected and employed to develop a sandwich ELISA. Further we improved the ELISA method to obtain greater sensitivity, a trivalent nanobody (3 × Nb35) and a bivalent nanobody-HRP fusion protein (2 × Nb12-HRP) were expressed and used. This modified ELISA was found to have high sensitivity for detecting PRRSV, with a detection limit of 10 TCID 50 /ml (median tissue culture infectious dose), which was approximately 200-fold greater than the single-copy nanobody-based sandwich ELISA. The developed assay shows high specificity and can detect almost all circulating lineages of PRRSV-2 in China. This study provides suggestions for reforming nanobodies and for the further development of multivalent nanobody-based ELISAs for other various viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess association between champagne bottle neck sign (CBNS) in carotid artery and intracranial hemorrhage in patients with moyamoya disease (MMD). Methods This retrospective study included 76 consecutive patients with MMD without definite risk factors associated with intracranial hemorrhage who underwent preoperative angiography from January 2016 to December 2017. CBNS was defined as luminal diameter ratio of internal carotid artery/common carotid artery ≤0.5 on angiography. The right and left cerebral hemisphere in each patient was separately identified as hemorrhagic and nonhemorrhagic. Association between CBNS and intracranial hemorrhage was analyzed. Results Of 76 patients with MMD, intracranial hemorrhage was found in 44 of 152 (28.9%) hemispheres, and 6.8% (3/44) had multiple events. Comparing carotid arteries without intracranial hemorrhage in ipsilateral hemispheres, patients with intracranial hemorrhage in the ipsilateral hemisphere had significantly smaller luminal diameter ratio of internal carotid artery/common carotid artery (0.49 ± 0.11 vs. 0.55 ± 0.12, P < 0.01) and higher prevalence of CBNS (63.7% vs. 41.7%, P = 0.01). Comparing hemispheres with intracranial hemorrhage, patients with ipsilateral carotid artery CBNS had significantly higher prevalence of hemorrhage in posterior territories than patients without CBNS (57.1% vs. 23.1%, P = 0.05). Logistic regression revealed that CBNS was significantly associated with ipsilateral intracranial hemorrhage before (odds ratio = 2.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.19–5.05; P = 0.02) and after (odds ratio = 3.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.50–7.87; P < 0.01) adjusting for female sex, lenticulostriate anastomosis, and choroidal anastomosis. Conclusions CBNS is significantly associated with intracranial hemorrhage in the ipsilateral hemisphere in patients with MMD, particularly intracranial hemorrhage in posterior territories. Highlights • The hemorrhagic hemisphere has a smaller lumen diameter ratio of ICA/CCA in MMD. • The hemisphere with ipsilateral CBNS has a higher prevalence of posterior hemorrhage. • CBNS is significantly associated with ipsilateral intracranial hemorrhage in MMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The search for methods by which to predict the risks of cerebral hyperperfusion syn-drome (CHS) in adults with moyamoya disease (MMD), including those utilizing new biomarkers, still deserves further research. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between the hemodynamics of parasylvian cortical arteries (PSCAs) and postoperative CHS. Methods. A consecutive number of adults with MMD who had undergone direct bypass between September 2020 and December 2022 were recruited. Intraoperative microvascular doppler ultrasonography (MDU) was performed to evaluate the hemodynamics of PSCAs. The intraoperative flow direction, mean value of velocity (MVV) of recipient artery (RA) and bypass graft were recorded. According to flow direction after bypass, RA was divided into entering sylvian (RA.ES) and leaving sylvian (RA.LS) subtypes. Univariate, multivariate, and ROC analyses of the risk factors for postoperative CHS were performed. Results. A total of 16 (15.09%) cases in 106 consecutive hemispheres (101 patients) sat-isfied the postoperative CHS criteria. According to univariate analysis, advanced Suzuki stage, MVV of RA before bypass, and fold increase of MVV in RA.ES after bypass were significantly associated with postoperative CHS (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that left-operated hemisphere (OR (95%CI), 4.58 (1.05–19.97), p = 0.043), advanced Suzuki stage (OR (95%CI), 5.47 (1.99–15.05), p = 0.017), and fold increase of MVV in RA.ES (OR (95%CI), 1.17 (1.06–1.30), p = 0.003) were statistically significantly associated with the occurrence of CHS. The cut-off value of fold increase of MVV in RA.ES was 2.7-fold (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Left-operated hemisphere, advanced Suzuki stage, and postoperative fold increase of MVV in RA.ES were potential risk factors for postoperative CHS. Intraoperative MDU was useful for evaluating hemodynamics and predicting CHS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A spectral image correlation method considering the effect of displacement gradients upon displacement analysis in the Fourier frequency domain is proposed. A spectral image correlation criterion is studied and established to match the target subset image with the reference subset image in the frequency domain. An iterative algorithm for calculating displacement and strain is then derived, and the Hessian matrix remains unchanged within an iterative process. During the formation of the Hessian matrix, the greyscale gradients of the reference subset image can be calculated using the fast Fourier transform with high computational efficiency and accuracy. An accurate Fourier transform resampling technique, instead of the traditional interpolation method, is used to reconstruct or up-date the target image at a subpixel position in the deformed subset image. To verify the validity and accuracy of the proposed method, a series of images (2D-Challenge 1.0, sample 6) provided by the International DIC Challenge Committee (IDCC) was used for displacement analysis. The analyzed error results show that the proposed method is better than the published literature in accuracy. The second simulation experimental result with a strain of 50% is performed and the corresponding displacement accuracy is about 0.0032 pixel under the condition of 41 × 41 subset. Finally, a 14.85% uniaxial tensile test of a silicone rubber specimen is performed, and the analyzed displacement and strain distribution are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evolution of resistance to Cry proteins in multiple pest insects has been threatening the sustainable use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)‐transgenic crops. Better understanding about the mechanism of resistance to Cry proteins in insects is needed. Our preliminary study reported that the transcription of HaABCC3 was significantly decreased in a near‐isogenic line (LFC2) of a Cry1Ac‐resistant strain (LF60) of the global pest Helicoverpa armigera. However, the causality between HaABCC3 downregulation and resistance to Cry1Ac remains to be verified, and the regulatory mechanism underlying the HaABCC3 downregulation is still unclear. In this study, our data showed that both HaABCC3 and HaABCC3 downregulation were genetically linked to resistance to Cry1Ac in LF60. However, no InDels were observed in the coding sequence of HaABCC3 from LF60. Furthermore, F1 offspring from the cross of LF60 and a HaABCC2/3‐knockout mutant exhibited moderate resistance to Cry1Ac toxin; this indicated that the high resistance to Cry1Ac toxin in LF60 may have resulted from multiple genetic factors, including HaABCC2 mis‐splicing and HaABCC3 downregulation. Results from luciferase reporter assays showed that promoter activity of HaABCC3 in LF60 was significantly lower than that in the susceptible strain, which indicated that HaABCC3 downregulation was likely mediated by promoter variation. Consistently, multiple variations of the GATA‐ or FoxA‐binding sites in the promoter region of HaABCC3 were identified. Collectively, all results in this study suggested that the downregulation of HaABCC3 observed in the H. armigera LF60 strain, which is resistant to Cry1Ac, may be mediated by a cis‐regulatory mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]