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Most chronic infections are difficult to eradicate because bacteria capable of surviving in hostinfected cells may be protected from the killing actions of antibiotics, leading to therapy failures and disease relapses. Here we demonstrated that covalent-coupling chitosan to streptomycin significantly improved intracellular bactericidal capacity towards multiple organisms within phagocytic or nonphagocytic cells. Structure-activity relationship investigations indicated that antibiotic contents, molecular size and positive charges of the conjugate were the key to retain this intracellular bactericidal activity. Mechanistic insight demonstrated the conjugate was capable to target and eliminate endocytic or endosomal escaped bacteria through facilitating the direct contact between the antibiotic and intracellular organism. In vivo acute infection models indicated that compared to equal dose of the antibiotic, chitosan-streptomycin (C-S) conjugate and especially the human serum album binding chitosan-streptomycin conjugate (HCS) complex formed by human serum album and C-S conjugate greatly decreased the bacteria burden in the spleen and liver in both wild type and immuno-suppressive mice. Furthermore, the HCS complex remarkably reduced mortality of infected TLR2 deficient mice, mimicking immune-compromised persons who were more susceptible to bacterial infections. These findings might open up a new avenue to combat intracellular bacterial infection by aminoglycosides antibiotics at a lower effective dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnostic value of common ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm (HAP) after liver transplantation was investigated. From January 2005 to November 2015, information was collected on 2,085 cases of orthotopic liver transplantation. The cases included 1,617 men and 468 women. Common ultrasound and CEUS were used to monitor arterial blood flow following surgery, and the complications were assessed. Instruments used included Acuson Sequoia 512 and Mylab Twice, and the contrast agent was SonoVue. The standard of common ultrasound in the diagnosis of HAP was follicular structure, which had arterial blood flow signal present beside the hepatic artery. The diagnostic criteria of HAP using CEUS were abnormal and round contrast enhancement zone and perfusion of the contrast agent in the zone near the hepatic artery. The diagnostic standard of HAP was computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and emergency operation. Eight cases of HAP were diagnosed in 2,085 patients after liver transplantation (0.38%). Three cases of HAP were diagnosed successfully by common ultrasound while 5 cases were missed. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy for common ultrasound was 37.5, 100 and 99.76%, respectively. Six cases of HAP were diagnosed by CEUS and 2 cases were missed. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy for CEUS was 75, 100 and 99.9%, respectively. Collectively, CEUS is a convenient and effective diagnostic method for HAP following liver transplantation, the diagnostic sensitivity was obviously higher than that of the common ultrasound, and it was more convenient than CTA. Nevertheless, the diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm with deep location, and unsatisfactory grayscale images were easily missed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic overuse is one of the major drivers in the generation of antibiotic resistant "super bugs" that can potentially cause serious effects on health. In this study, we reported that the polycationic polysaccharide, chitosan could improve the efficacy of a given antibiotic (gentamicin) to combat bacterial biofilms, the universal lifestyle of microbes in the world. Short- or long-term treatment with the mixture of chitosan and gentamicin resulted in the dispersal of Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) biofilms. In this combination, chitosan with a moderate molecular mass (~13 kDa) and high N-deacetylation degree (~88% DD) elicited an optimal anti-biofilm and bactericidal activity. Mechanistic insights indicated that chitosan facilitated the entry of gentamicin into the architecture of L. monocytogenes biofilms. Finally, we showed that this combination was also effective in the eradication of biofilms built by two other Listeria species, Listeria welshimeri and Listeria innocua. Thus, our findings pointed out that chitosan supplementation might overcome the resistance of Listeria biofilms to gentamicin, which might be helpful in prevention of gentamicin overuse in case of combating Listeria biofilms when this specific antibiotic was recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modern physics experiment is a strongly comprehensive experimental discipline, has the characteristics of comprehensive and forward-looking. Modern physics experiment holds a special position in physics subject. So, establishing a new system of modern physics experiment teaching has great practical significance, for cultivating highquality talents who have the courage of exploration, rich innovation ability and practice ability. This paper expounds the necessity of the comprehensive modern physics experiment teaching system with the integration of multi-disciplinary, and the role of cultivating creative personnel from the status and role of modern physics experiment and the tendency of disciplines amalgamation. The comprehensive modern physics experiment teaching system with the integration of multidisciplinary was proved to be feasible and popularization value by running conditions and achieving outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete active space self-consistent field/internally contracted multireference configuration interaction calculations with the correlation-consistent basis sets have been made to characterize all of the states of BeAr+ cation, which are attributed to the first two dissociation channels. The effect on the potential energy curves by Davidson correction, core-valence correlation, and scalar relativistic corrections is included. The spin-orbit coupling effect is taken into account by the state interaction method with the Breit-Pauli Hamiltonian. Our calculations can provide some useful guidelines for the future experimental work of band system 22∑+1/2-X2∑+1/2. For the first time, the transition properties including Franck−Condon factors and transition dipole moments have been derived for all of the Ω states. Some transition probabilities and radiative lifetimes have been estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the study which examined the genetic variations and population structure of 10 species of the razor clam, Sinonovacula constricta, along the coast of China. The aim of the study is to develop better management methods and future selective breeding programs for the clam. In the study, eight microsatellites were used to study the species. It cites the use of the phylogenetic Neighbor-joining tree analysis in the study. It cites the importance of the mean expected heterozygosity (He) and the mean allelic richness (Ar) in estimating the population diversity of the species.

A new kind of solid-phase extraction disk based on a sheet of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is developed in this study. The properties of such disks are tested, and different disks showed satisfactory reproducibility. One liter of aqueous solution can pass through the disk within 10–100 min while still allowing good recoveries. Two disks (DD-disk) can be stacked to enrich phthalate esters, bisphenol A (BPA), 4- n-nonylphenol (4-NP), 4-tert-octylphenol (4-OP) and chlorophenols from various volumes of solution. The results show that SWCNT disks have high extraction ability for all analytes. The SWCNT disk can extract polar chlorophenols more efficiently than a C18 disk from water solution. Unlike the activated carbon disk, analytes adsorbed by the new disks can be eluted completely with 8–15 mL of methanol or acetonitrile. Finally, the DD-disk system is used to pretreat 1000-mL real-world water samples spiked with BPA, 4-OP and 4-NP. Detection limits of 7, 25, and 38 ng L−1 for BPA, 4-OP, and 4-NP, respectively, were achieved under optimized conditions. The advantages of this new disk include its strong adsorption ability, its high flow rate and its easy preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kockovaella, in the family Cuniculitremaceae of the order Tremellales, is a globally distributed genus of blastoconidia-forming fungi. Currently, 23 species have been described and accepted as members of the genus. In this study, five yeast strains were isolated from plant leaf surfaces collected in the Fujian and Guizhou Provinces of China and identified through a combination of morphological and molecular methods. The related phenotypic features and molecular phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, LSU, and RPB1 sequences demonstrated that they were members of three novel Kockovaella species: K. iteae sp. nov., K. quanzhouensis sp. nov., and K. sambucuse sp. nov. These species were described in detail and discussed relative to other species. This study demonstrated the novel geographical distribution as well as the high species diversity of Kockovaella in China and offered more data for further studies in fungal systematics and evolution.

The aim of this study is to examine the mental health status of young migrant workers in Shenzhen. Using the Symptoms Check List-90 (SCL-90), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Social Support Scale and Mental Health Questionnaire for Laborers, 371 migrant workers who came from inland areas of China and 100 local workers were investigated. The SCL-90 profile of migrant workers was also compared to the SCL-90 norms provided by general people in China. The SCL-90 results showed that the total scores, the average scores of the positive symptoms, the three factor scores of obsessionality, interpersonal sensitivity and phobia in migrant workers were significantly higher than those in the local workers. According to the multivariate analysis, the amount of contribution to mental health, in descending order, was neuroticism, psychological pressure, income, home sickness, marital or love problems, extroversion and introversion, living conditions and social status. The mental health status of young migrant workers in Shenzhen was poorer than that of their local counterparts, as well as people in China on the SCL-90. It is recommended that mental health workers should help migrant workers adjust to the new urban environment by providing psychological counseling and other relevant treatment facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from an AC-enriched genomic library of Bullacta exarata. They were polymorphic in 30 individuals from Qidong in Jiangsu Province, China. The number of alleles per polymorphic loci varied from 7 to 14 and the values of observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.2593 to 0.9667 and from 0.7090 to 0.9164, respectively. Six of the nine microsatellites conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and inherited independently. These informative microsatellite markers will be useful in studies of population genetic structure for this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More and more evidence has showed that low glycaemic index (GI) diet was a benefit to the Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). However, the detailed mechanism was not clear. Here, we detected the effects of low-GI diet on the HFD/STZ-induced T2DM rats model. Our results showed that low-GI diet significantly decreased triglyceride and glucose level in the serum of T2DM rats, and increased the level of insulin and C-peptide in T2DM rats. Besides, low-GI diet also increased Bacteroidota at the phylum level. And at the genus level, low-GI diet promoted the proliferation of the abundance of Turicibacter, Lactobacillus, Desulfovibrio, Prevotellaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Monoglobus, Xylanophilum and Roseburia. Moreover, we also found that low-GI diet significantly improved the contents of valeric acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, isobutyric acid, butyric acid, 2-methylbutyrate, isovaleric acid, 4-methylvaleric acid and hexanoic acid; upregulated the levels of peptide YY (PYY), glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and G protein-coupled receptor 41 (GPR41); and increased the numbers of L-cells (P

The razor clam (Sinonovacula constricta) is an important aquacultured bivalve in China. The natural populations of this species are decreasing quickly. To facilitate studies on genetic diversity and population structure of wild populations, microsatellites were isolated from a CA enriched genomic library. Eight microsatellite loci were polymorphic in 30 individuals from Chongming in Shanghai, China. The number of alleles per polymorphic locus varied from 6 to 13 and the values of observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.350 to 1.000 and from 0.602 to 0.902, respectively. These microsatellites are being used in studying population differentiation and genetic diversity for effective conservation and management genetic resources of S. constricta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wickerhamomyces is a well-known genus of the family Wickerhamomycetaceae in the class Ascomycetes. These fungi can survive in a variety of substrates and environments and perform many valuable roles in both industrial processes and the natural ecosystems. During our investigation of yeast diversity associated with plant materials, 53 Wickerhamomyces isolates were obtained from rotting wood and plant leaves collected in Fujian, Guizhou, Henan, and Yunnan Provinces of China. Isolates were identified as 14 Wickerhamomyces species, including 1 species known previously to occur in China (W. anomalus), 9 new record species in China (W. arborarius, W. ciferrii, W. edaphicus, W. lynferdii, W. pijperi, W. subpelliculosa, W. xylosica, W. strasburgensis, and W. sydowiorum), and 4 novel species (W. guiyangensis sp. nov., W. paramyanmarensis sp. nov., W. quanzhouensis sp. nov., and W. phyllophilus sp. nov.). This study presents a detailed account of these new species, illustrating their morphology and analyzing their phylogenetic relationships with other Wickerhamomyces species. Our study is the first comprehensive study on Wickerhamomyces species associated with plant materials from tropical and subtropical China. The results of this study update our understanding of the phylogenetic relationships, systematics, and ecology of Wickerhamomyces.

• The turbine vane fluid-structure interaction conjugate heat transfer was studied. • The test vane is thermally protected by film and impingement cooling structure. • The integrated cooling effectiveness growth rate decreases as the MFR increase. • To ensure a better overall cooling effect, the MFR should be at least 4.0% or more. • An empirical correlation with the integrated cooling effectiveness was proposed. To investigate the effect of mass flow ratios on the conjugate heat transfer of an air-cooled turbine vane, the surface static pressure test experiments and heat transfer experiments at medium-temperature (407.3 K) and medium-pressure (98.49 kPa) were conducted. An infrared thermal imager was used in the experiments to measure the temperature distribution of the test vane's outside surface. The effects of MFR (mass flow ratio), and mainstream Reynolds number were investigated. The experimental results show that the vane surface temperature is affected by both internal and external cooling. When the MFR was relatively small (MFR =1.0%, 2.0%, 3.0%), the integrated cooling effectiveness on the pressure surface gradually decreased along the coolant passage. At the same MFR , due to the different flow states on the vane surface, the integrated cooling effectiveness corresponding to the maximum mainstream inlet Reynolds number (2.64 × 105) was the smallest, and the cooling effect deteriorated most noticeably at the leading edge. The cooling effect deterioration at the leading edge occurred when the MFR was lower than 4.0%. In addition, the growth rate of integrated cooling effectiveness prior to MFR =4% was significantly higher than that after 4.0%. When the MFR increased from 1.0% to 4.0%, the integrated cooling effectiveness increased by 89.8% with a faster growth rate, whereas it only increased by 14.9% when the MFR increased from 4.0% to 7.0%. An empirical correlation of the spanwise-averaged cooling effectiveness was also obtained. The mean relative error of the pressure surface was 7.64%, and that for suction surface was 3.27%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveTo assess the causal effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on male infertility (MI) and erectile dysfunction (ED) by Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.MethodsData for T2DM, MI, and ED were obtained from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) involving 298, 957, 73, 479, and 223, 805 Europeans, respectively. We performed univariate MR analysis using MR Egger, Weighted median (WM) and Inverse variance weighted (IVW) methods to assess causal effects among the three. Through the Genotype Tissue Expression (GTEx) database, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that affect the expression levels of T2DM-related genes were located using expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL).ResultsMR analysis showed a significant causal relationship between T2DM and ED (WM, OR: 1.180, 95%CI: 1.010-1.378, P = 0.037; IVW, OR: 1.190, 95%CI: 1.084-1.300, P < 0.001). There is also a significant causal relationship between T2DM and MI (MR Egger, OR: 0.549, 95%CI: 0.317-0.952, P = 0.037; WM, OR: 0.593, 95%CI: 0.400, P = 0.010; IVW, OR: 0.767, 95%CI: 0.600-0.980, P = 0.034). ED may not cause MI (P > 0.05). We also found that rs6585827 corresponding to the PLEKHA1 gene associated with T2DM is an eQTL variant affecting the expression of this gene.ConclusionT2DM has a direct causal effect on ED and MI. The level of PLEKHA1 expression suppressed by rs6585827 is potentially associated with a lower risk of T2DM.

Abstract Background Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by intellectual disability, developmental delay, and characteristic facial features. Few patients with cutaneous phenotype in this rare syndrome have been reported. Case presentation Herein, we describe a 12-year-old Chinese girl diagnosed with CSS, who was referred to our hospital because of intellectual disability and short stature. Prominent characteristics of the cutaneous system were observed: (1) A congenital giant nevus from the left frontal and temporal regions to the entire left scalp; and (2) multiple melanocytic nevi on the face and trunk. Whole exome sequencing revealed a novel heterozygous variant in the ARID1B gene. Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) was given for short stature, and resulted in significantly improved height. No enlargement or malignant transformation of nevi occurred within 4 years of follow-up. Conclusion The symptoms in cutaneous system is noteworthy,which may be a neglected phenotype in CSS.The therapeutic response of growth hormone is effective in this patient and no tumor related signs were found.

• Heat transfer of supercritical pressure hydrocarbon fuel in horizontal flow was studied. • The first use of transverse corrugated tubes to enhance the convective heat transfer of hydrocarbon fuel. • Effects of experimental parameters on convective heat transfer characteristics were discussed. • Sharp variation of thermophysical properties near pseudo-temperature was the key factor to influence heat transfer. To improve the heat transfer performance of regenerative fuel cooling technology and CCA (Cooled Cooling Air) technology, the convective heat transfer characteristics of hydrocarbon fuel in transverse corrugated tubes under supercritical pressures were experimentally studied. The length, outer and inner diameter of the test tubes were 200 mm, 3 mm, and 2 mm, respectively, and the corrugation depth was 0.4 mm. The corrugation pitches of different transverse corrugated tubes were 30, 40, and 50 mm, respectively. The effects of heat flux, system pressure, mass flow rate, inlet temperature, buoyancy, and corrugation pitch are summarized. Experimental results indicated that the secondary flow and backflow are generated behind the concave corrugation, which can destroy the fluid boundary layer, make the fluid mixing more uniform, reduce the temperature gradient of the boundary layer, and enhance heat transfer. An average HTC (heat transfer coefficient) was increased by 35–51% compared with the plain tube. In addition, a ratio of Gr (Grashof number) to the square of Re (Reynolds number) was used as the criterion for evaluating the effect of buoyancy force. Gr ⋅ Re −2 near the corrugation was much smaller than in other locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the performance of virtual reality video intraframe prediction coding,convolutional neural network algorithm is used to select video frame coding unit(CU) to reduce the complexity of video image coding.Firstly,quantization parameters are set to obtain the virtual reality video frame samples,then the image coding tree is constructed,and the convolutional neural network (CNN) frame coding unit optimization model is established.The image brightness of frame samples is taken as the CNN input,combined with the image rate distortion cost threshold,the optimization results of the frame coding unit are obtained through training.Using CNN training optimization,the coding tree(CTU) structure with different depths and an appro-priate number of CU modules can be obtained according to the intraframe coding requirements of different texture modules of the image.Experiments show that,by reasonably setting the convolution kernel size and quantization parameters,CNN algorithm can obtain better image quality and less coding time than common video intraframe prediction coding algorithms.

BackgroundPhysicians need an appropriate embryo transfer strategy to address the challenge of reducing multiple birth rates, while maintaining the couples’ live birth rate during assisted reproductive technology.MethodsWe included 10,060 frozen embryo transfer cycles from January 2015 to March 2020 in reproductive medical center of Ruijin hospital, Shanghai, China. Patients were grouped according to the number and grade of cleavage-stage embryo or blastocysts transferred. Live birth rate and multiple live birth rate were compared among groups of women of different ages. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the risk of multiple live birth using different combinations of transferred embryos.ResultsThe transfer of double good-quality embryos was an independent predictor for multiple birth in women aged

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is a versatile grain and fodder crop grown in arid and semi-arid regions. It is an especially important crop for combating malnutrition in certain poverty-stricken areas of the world. Photoperiod sensitivity is a major constraint to the distribution and utilization of foxtail millet germplasm resources. Foxtail millet may be suitable as a model species for studying the photoperiod sensitivity of C4 crops. However, the genetic basis of the photoperiod response of foxtail millet remains poorly studied. To detect the genetic basis of photoperiod sensitivity-related traits, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population consisting of 313 lines derived from a cross between the spring-sown cultivar “Longgu 3” and the summer-sown cultivar “Canggu 3” was established. The RIL population was genotyped using whole-genome re-sequencing and was phenotyped in four environments. A high-density genetic linkage map was constructed with an average distance between adjacent markers of 0.69 cM. A total of 21 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified by composite interval mapping, and 116 candidate genes were predicted according to gene annotations and variations between parents, among which three genes were considered important candidate genes by the integration and overall consideration of the results from gene annotation, SNP and indel analysis, cis-element analysis, and the expression pattern of different genes in different varieties, which have different photoperiod sensitivities. A putative candidate gene, SiCOL5, was isolated based on QTL mapping analysis. The expression of SiCOL5 was sensitive to photoperiod and was regulated by biological rhythm-related genes. Function analysis suggested that SiCOL5 positively regulated flowering time. Yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays showed that SiCOL5 was capable of interacting with SiNF-YA1 in the nucleus.

The development of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments necessitates the diagnostic instrument to have multiple frames with a high spatial and temporal resolution for the two-dimensional detection of the hot spot at the implosion end of the ICF. The existing sampling two-dimensional imaging technology in the world has superior performance; however, its subsequent development requires a streak tube with large lateral magnification. In this work, an electron beam separation device was designed and developed for the first time. The device can be used without changing the structure of the streak tube. It can be combined directly with the corresponding device and matched with a special control circuit. Based on the original transverse magnification, 1.77 times the secondary amplification can be achieved, which is conducive to expanding the recording range of the technology. The experimental results showed that the static spatial resolution of the streak tube after the inclusion of the device can still reach 10 lp/mm.

In order to realize in situ multi-frame framing, this paper designed and developed a large-waist framing converter tube. The size ratio between the waist and the object was about 1.16:1. The subsequent test results showed that the static spatial resolution of the tube could reach 10 lp/mm (@ 72.5%) under the premise of this adjustment, and the transverse magnification could reach 2.9. Once the MCP (Micro Channel Plate) traveling wave gating unit is equipped at the output end, it is expected to promote the further development of in situ multi-frame framing technology.

The residues of bensulfuron-methyl (BSM), a sulfonylurea herbicide, in soil have caused serious damage to the rotation of susceptible crops. Many studies have reported that the removal of BSM in soil was achieved by adding degrading bacteria. However, the mechanisms used by bacteria to degrade BSM in the crop rhizosphere remain unclear. In this study, a BSM-degrading bacterium, Hansschlegelia zhihuaiae S113, was applied to investigate the enhancement of effects mediated by organic acids during the bioremediation of BSM-contaminated maize rhizosphere soil. Organic acids, such as L-malic acid, tartaric acid, and fumaric acid, identified in maize root exudates, significantly stimulated the expression of cheA, which encoded the histidine kinase in strain S113 and contributed to the chemotactic response. This process accelerated the accumulation of strain S113 around the maize roots and promoted the colonization process on maize roots. The growth of strain S113 was significantly increased by L-malic acid but not tartaric acid or fumaric acid. After the S113 suspension was root-irrigated to BSM-contaminated soil, the density of strain S113 colonizing root surfaces and in rhizosphere soil reached 1.1 × 104 cells/g for roots and 4.9 × 104 cells/g in dry soil at 15 d, leading to 80.9% BSM degradation efficiency. The treatment with the addition of a mixture of S113 and L-malic acid completely degraded BSM in rhizosphere soil due to the strong attraction and growth promotion of strain S113 by L-malic acid, with a higher efficiency than that with the extra addition of fumaric acid (89.7%) or tartaric acid (87.0%). This paper revealed the enhancement effects of organic acids identified in root exudates for the in situ bioremediation of BSM-contaminated rhizosphere soil.

We aimed to study the association between sperm DNA fragmentation and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in the Chinese population via a retrospective observational study of Chinese couples who had experienced RPL between May 2013 and August 2018. The study population included 461 men from couples with RPL and 411 men from a control group (couples with clinical pregnancy via in vitro fertilization owing to female causes). Routine semen analysis, sperm chromatin analysis, and microscopic (high-power) morphological analysis were performed using semen samples. Semen samples were assessed for volume, sperm count, and motility. The sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was calculated, and the median DFI was obtained. Men were categorized as having normal (37.8%; DFI ≤ 15.0%), moderate (33.6%; 15.0% < DFI < 30.0%), or severe (28.6%; DFI ≥ 30.0%) DNA fragmentation levels. The percentage of men with severe DNA fragmentation was significantly higher in the RPL (42.3%) group than that in the control group (13.1%), whereas the percentage of men with normal levels of DNA fragmentation was significantly lower in the RPL group (22.8%) than that in the control group (54.7%). Subsequent analysis also demonstrated that the sperm DNA fragmentation rate had a moderate reverse correlation with the sperm progressive motility rate (r = −0.47, P < 0.001) and the total motile sperm count (r = −0.31, P < 0.001). We found a positive correlation between RPL and sperm DNA fragmentation. The results suggest that increased sperm DNA damage is associated with RPL.

The Qaidam Basin is the highest and one of the largest and driest deserts on Earth. It is considered a mars analog area in China. In contrast to numerous studies concerning its geology, geophysical, and chemistry, relatively few studies have reported microbial diversity and distribution in this area. Here, we investigated culturable yeast diversity in the northeast Qaidam Basin. A total of 194 yeast strains were isolated, and 12 genera and 21 species were identified, among which 19 were basidiomycetous yeasts. Naganishia albida, N. adeliensis, and Filobasidium magnum were the three most dominant species and were distributed in thirteen samples from eight locations. Five new species (Filobasidium chaidanensis, Kondoa globosum, Symmetrospora salmoneus, Teunia nitrariae, and Vishniacozyma pseudodimennae) were found and described based on ITS and D1D2 gene loci together with phenotypic characteristics and physiochemical analysis. Representative strains from each species were chosen for the salt-tolerant test, in which species showed different responses to different levels of NaCl concentrations. Further, the strain from soil can adapt well to the higher salt stress compared to those from plants or lichens. Our study represents the first report of the yeast diversity in the Qaidam Basin, including five new species, and also provides further information on the halotolerance of yeasts from the saline environment in mars analog.

Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to systematically determine the effects of rock climbing on College Students’ physical fitness by means of Meta-analysis. Methods: Studies investigated the possible fitness benefits of rock climbing were identified through a computerized search of six electronic databases: China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science Periodical Database, PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus and PsycINFO. Effects of rock climbing exercise intervention trials >4 wk, published in English and Chinese between Jan 1996 and May 2016, including between subject and within subject designs, were reviewed. Nine studies were included in this meta-analysis. Ten selected variables in this meta-analysis were: Body fat percentage, VO2max, Heart rate, Handgrip strength, Lower limb pedaling power, Vertical Jump, Push-Ups, Pull-Ups, Sit-Ups, and Sit-and-reach. The effect sizes of these ten variables were calculated (P

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematologic malignancy. Despite recent treatment advances, it remains incurable. Here, we report that Pim2 kinase expression is highly elevated in MM cells and demonstrate that it is required for MM cell proliferation. Functional interference of Pim2 activity either by short hairpin RNAs or by a potent and selective small-molecule inhibitor leads to significant inhibition of MM cell proliferation. Pirn inhibition results in a significant decrease of mammalian target of rapamycin C1 (mTOR-C1) activity, which is critical for cell proliferation. We identify TSC2, a negative regulator of mTOR-C1, as a novel Pim2 substrate and show that Pim2 directly phosphorylates TSC2 on Ser-1798 and relieves the suppression of TSC2 on mTOR-C1. These findings support Pim2 as a promising therapeutic target for MM and define a novel Pim2-TSC2-mTOR-C1 pathway that drives MM proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a recent paper, Hong et al developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven predictive scoring system for potential complications following laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer patients. They demonstrated that integrating AI with random forest models significantly improved the preoperative prediction and patient outcome management accuracy. By incorporating data from multiple centers, their model ensures standardization, reliability, and broad applicability, distinguishing it from the prior models. The present study highlights AI's potential in clinical decision support, aiding in the preoperative and postoperative management of gastric cancer patients. Our findings may pave the way for future prospective studies to further enhance AI-supported diagnoses in clinical practice., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article., (©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To investigate the association between two polymorphisms of apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) and risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a Chinese Han population., Methods: Genotypes for rs2854116 and rs2854117 in APOC3 and the known rs738409 in patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) in 390 patients with NAFLD and 409 control subjects were determined by sequencing and polymerase chain reaction analysis. Serum lipid profiles were determined using biochemical methods, and an index of insulin resistance (IR, HOMA-IR), serum APOC3 concentrations and total antioxidant status (TAS) were also assessed., Results: No significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies of rs2854116 and rs2854117 were found between the NAFLD population and the controls (P > 0.05). The OR for the association between -455C and -482T allele carriers and the risk of NAFLD were 1.06 (95%CI: 0.72-1.57, P > 0.05) and 1.00 (95%CI: 0.68-1.48, P > 0.05), respectively. The variant carriers did not have a significantly increased risk of NAFLD or elevated clinical and biochemical parameters such as APOC3 concentrations, IR (1.42 ± 0.43 vs 1.48 ± 0.52, P > 0.05), liver enzymes and TAS (13.94 ± 2.01 vs 14.38 ± 1.92, P > 0.05) compared with the controls. Moreover, the results were similar when testing was carried out independent of the genetic variation in PNPLA3., Conclusion: The two polymorphisms of the APOC3 gene are not associated with a risk of NAFLD, or with lipid profiles, IR and oxidative stress in the Chinese Han population.