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Abstract To assess the level of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the aqueous humor (AH) of patients suffering from uveitis, with or without coexisting glaucoma, and compare them with patients diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and those with age-related cataract (ARC). By using Luminex xMAP® multiplex assays analyses, we assessed levels of 11 cytokines and chemokines, and compared them across groups, including uveitis-secondary glaucoma (USG) (n = 16), uveitis without glaucoma (UwoG), (n = 16), POAG (n = 16), and ARC (n = 16) to explore the correlation between these cytokines and the presence of uveitis, as well as intraocular pressure (IOP). Pro-inflammatory factors MCP-1, MIP-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and transforming growth factors TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 were significantly elevated in the AH of USG eyes. In the case of enhanced anti-inflammatory in the perioperative period, the pro-inflammatory factors remained notably elevated in the USG group compared to the UwoG group (P

Tree height is a key indicator in forest ecology, reflecting tree growth status and ecosystem structure. Traditional methods of tree height measurement rely on ground-based measurements, which are limited by cost and time. In recent years, the development of machine learning and multi-source remotely sensed technologies has provided new ways to measure tree height. In this study, we utilized light detection and ranging and satellite data to extract spectral, vegetation, texture, polarization, terrain, and season features. By integrating these features with machine learning, deep learning, and optimization methods, we dynamically estimated tree heights in Shenzhen during summer and winter from 2018 to 2023 and validated seasonal and regional scalability. It was found that (a) the seasonal tree height neural network demonstrated the highest prediction accuracy in tree height estimation (R2 = 0.72, mean absolute error = 1.89 m), and the optimization process of Shapley additive explanations reduced 23 features, which improved the prediction accuracy (R2 = 0.80, mean absolute error = 1.58 m) and saved computational resources; (b) the seasonal tree height neural network has a strong generalizability for estimating tree height across seasons and regions; and (c) during 2018 to 2023, tree heights in Shenzhen were mainly concentrated in 6 to 14 m, and the spatial distribution has a strong autocorrelation. Tree canopy heights in winter are generally lower than those in summer, and the tree growth rate shows spatial heterogeneity. Overall, this study uncovers the intricate interplay between tree growth and seasonal variations in its traits throughout the urbanization process in Shenzhen. It offers valuable data support and a theoretical foundation for urban greening management and ecological protection.

This study comprehensively analyzes the physical and chemical properties of soil across different layers under Salix paraplesia shrubs, comparing these properties inside and outside the shrub canopies. It also examines species diversity and community stability in these areas, discussing the impact of soil from resource islands at different formation stages on vegetation restoration. Focusing on Salix paraplesia shrubs over varying restoration periods (45 years, 25 years, and 13 years), with unrepaired mobile sandy land serving as the control, the results are as follows: (1) As vegetation restoration progresses, the content of soil organic matter (SOM) and alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (AN) significantly increase. After 45 years of restoration, SOM and AN contents are 250.08 % and 442.43 % higher than in the control. SOM, AN, and total phosphorus (TP) contents are greater under the shrubs than outside the canopies, indicating pronounced fertilizer accumulation. (2) The number of plant species increases during the restoration process, with 18 more species present after 45 years compared to the control. Community diversity is highest after 13 years of restoration, with greater overall diversity outside the canopies than under the shrubs. These differences decrease as restoration progresses. (3) The stability of Salix paraplesia shrub communities is higher outside the canopies compared to under the shrubs. As restoration proceeds, stability differences between these areas diminish. The Euclidean distances for community stability outside and under the canopies are 13.97 and 14.68, respectively, after 45 years, indicating relative stability. (4) In the early stages of restoration, soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) significantly impact species diversity, while in the later stages, phosphorus (P) content becomes more limiting. Resource islands enhance plant community stability and vegetation restoration, playing a crucial role in ecological protection and vegetation restoration in the alpine sandy land of the Yellow River's upper reaches.

[Introduction] The new generation of the Internet of Things (IoT) is being fostered in the era of Internet of Everything (IoE), realizing its diverse development by selecting and combining new information, functions, and applications. The Energy Internet of Things (Energy IoT) which is based on IoT, envisions a future where physical things are connected through a dynamic network that exchanges information and energy. The Energy IoT is giving rise to new service models and methods for organizing, exchanging, and managing energy; It covers not only new concepts such as Energy-as-a-Service and Prosumer, but also leads to innovative applications in smart buildings, intelligent metering, smart grids, distributed energy, virtual power plants and more. [Method] This paper analyzed the current status of the Energy IoT, including its key industry drivers, potential technologies and applications, challenges and related research areas. [Result] This paper discusses and compares the definitions of Energy Internet and Energy IoT from academic and industry perspectives. And it analyzes some major stages and issues of future research in the Energy IoT. [Conclusion] This paper provides a useful reference for further research and practical applications in the field of Energy IoT.

Objective: This study aims to explore the relationship between different endometrial preparations and pregnancy outcomes among patients with regular ovulatory cycles in order to find the best endometrial preparation methods in the freeze–thaw embryo transfer (FET) cycle. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study to investigate FET pregnancy outcomes in women who had a regular menstrual cycle, were younger than 35 years old, and underwent a modified natural cycle (mNC), ovulation induction (OI), or a hormone replacement treatment (HRT) cycle. A total of 1071 frozen cycles were included for analysis. Results: The implantation rate and live birth rate (LBR) in the OI group show a significant difference when compared to the mNC and HRT groups (P < 0.01). After adjusting for confounding factors, the logistic regression analysis revealed that the number of embryos transferred, the embryo stage, and quality were significantly associated with clinical pregnancy rate and LBR. The LBR was additionally affected by the mode of the endometrial preparation; the OI cycle could increase LBR. Conclusions: Endometrial preparation methods affect the LBR in women with a regular menstrual cycle. The OI cycle had an advantage in the LBR of FET.

This study investigates the influence of electromagnetic fields on the propulsion performance of laser plasma propulsion. Based on the principle of pulsed plasma thrusters, an electromagnetic field is utilized to accelerate laser plasma, achieving enhanced propulsion performance. This approach represents a novel method for the electromagnetic enhancement of laser propulsion performance. In this paper, pulsed plasma thrusters induced by laser ablation are employed. The generated plasma is subjected to the Lorentz force under the influence of an electromagnetic field to obtain higher speed, thus increasing impulse and specific impulse. An experimental platform for laser-ablation plasma electromagnetic acceleration was constructed to explore the enhancement effect of discharge characteristics and propulsion performance. The results demonstrate that increased laser energy has little effect on discharge characteristics, while the trend of propulsion performance parameters initially rises and then declines. After coupling the electromagnetic field, the propulsion performance is significantly enhanced, with stronger electromagnetic fields yielding more pronounced effects.

This review describes the development history of group-III nitride light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for over 30 years, which has achieved brilliant achievements and changed people′s lifestyles. The development process of group-III nitride LEDs is the sum of challenges and solutions constantly encountered with shrinking size. Therefore, this paper uses these challenges and solutions as clues for review. It begins with reviewing the development of group-III nitride materials and substrates. On this basis, some key technological breakthroughs in the development of group-III nitride LEDs are reviewed, mainly including substrate pretreatment and p-type doping in material growth, the proposal of new device structures such as nano-LED and quantum dot (QD) LED, and the improvement in luminous efficiency, from the initial challenge of high-efficiency blue luminescence to current challenge of high-efficiency ultraviolet (UV) and red luminescence. Then, the development of micro-LEDs based on group-III nitride LEDs is reviewed in detail. As a new type of display device, micro-LED has drawn a great deal of attention and has become a research hotspot in the current international display area. Finally, based on micro-LEDs, the development trend of nano-LEDs is proposed, which is greener and energy-saving and is expected to become a new star in the future display field.

Lysine succinylation is a naturally occurring post-translational modification (PTM) that regulates the stability and function of proteins. It can be regulated by enzymes such as SIRT5 and SIRT7. Recently, the effect and significance of lysine succinylation in cancer and its implication in immunity have been extensively explored. Lysine succinylation is involved in the malignant phenotype of cancer cells. Abnormal regulation of lysine succinylation occurs in different cancers, and inhibitors targeting lysine succinylation regulatory enzymes can be used as potential anti-cancer strategies. Therefore, this review focused on the target protein lysine succinylation and its functions in cancer and immunity, in order to provide a reference for finding more potential clinical cancer targets in the future.

Abstract Heightened lactate production in cancer cells has been linked to various cellular mechanisms such as angiogenesis, hypoxia, macrophage polarisation and T‐cell dysfunction. The lactate‐induced lactylation of histone lysine residues is noteworthy, as it functions as an epigenetic modification that directly augments gene transcription from chromatin. This epigenetic modification originating from lactate effectively fosters a reliance on transcription, thereby expediting tumour progression and development. Herein, this review explores the correlation between histone lactylation and cancer characteristics, revealing histone lactylation as an innovative epigenetic process that enhances the vulnerability of cells to malignancy. Moreover, it is imperative to acknowledge the paramount importance of acknowledging innovative therapeutic methodologies for proficiently managing cancer by precisely targeting lactate signalling. This comprehensive review illuminates a crucial yet inadequately investigated aspect of histone lactylation, providing valuable insights into its clinical ramifications and prospective therapeutic interventions centred on lactylation.

Abstract Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is the most common cancer in the world and one of the main causes of cancer-related death. Clinically, surgical excision and chemotherapy are the main treatment methods for GI cancer, which is unfortunately accompanied with serious adverse reactions and drug toxicity, bringing irreversible damage to patients and seriously affecting the quality of life. Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) has a long history of medicinal and edible use in China. Its bioactive compounds mainly include polysaccharides, triterpenes, and proteins, which have potential anti-tumor activities by inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting metastasis, and regulating autophagy. Currently, there is no in-depth review on the anti-tumor effect of G. lucidum in GI cancer. Therefore, this review is an attempt to compile the basic characteristics, anti-GI caner mechanisms, and clinical application of G. lucidum, aiming to provide a reference for further research on the role of G. lucidum in the prevention and treatment of GI cancer from the perspective of traditional Chinese and western medicine. Graphical Abstract

In this study, push-out tests were conducted on 20 specimens to explore the bond–slip performance of geopolymer concrete-filled steel tubes. The investigation focused on the effects of various design parameters such as length–diameter ratio, diameter–thickness ratio, concrete strength, and internal structural measures of the steel tube on the bond–slip performance. Analysis of the test phenomena, load–slip curves, and strain distribution curves of each specimen revealed insights into the shear strength calculation methods for welded stud structure and ring rib structure specimens. The results indicated a slight buckling deformation at the loading end of the steel tube in the structural specimen, while no significant deformation was observed in the non-structural specimen. The strain distribution along the height direction of the steel tube exhibited a triangular pattern, with the strain increasing gradually. Improvements in the interfacial bonding performance were noted with reductions in length–diameter ratio and diameter–thickness ratio of the steel tube, as well as increases in concrete strength. When the steel tube wall thickness t increases from 3.5 mm to 4.5 mm, the peak load of GC30-1 increases from 382.13 kN to 419.59 kN, an increase of 9.81%. After improving the concrete strength of GC30-1 and GC30-3 specimens, the peak load increases from 382.13 kN and 274.54 kN to 436.46 kN and 306.12 kN, respectively, an increase of 14.2% and 11.5%. Furthermore, the welding structure of the steel tube significantly enhanced the shear bearing capacity of the interface. The ratio of load calculation value to test value fell within the range of 0.917 to 1.098, indicating good agreement between the calculated and experimental values. These research results can provide reference for engineering applications of geopolymer concrete.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease, the incidence of which is increasing worldwide. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of UC remains unclear. The n-butanol extract of Pulsatilla decoction (BEPD), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to be effective in treating UC. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of BEPD on UC, in particular its effects on neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation by neutrophils. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the principal compounds of BEPD. UC was induced in mice using dextran sodium sulfate, and mice were treated with 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg BEPD daily for seven days. Colonic inflammation was determined by assessing the disease activity index, histopathology, colonic mucosal damage index, colonic mucosal permeability, and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels. The infiltration and activation status of neutrophils in the colon were determined by analyzing the levels of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL) 1 and CXCL2, reactive oxygen species, Ly6G, and numerous NET proteins. The findings suggest that BEPD improved the disease activity index, histopathology, and colonic mucosal damage index scores of mice with UC, and restored colonic mucosal permeability compared with untreated mice. The expression levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in colon tissues were significantly decreased, while the expression levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines in colon tissues were significantly increased, exceeding those of control mice. In addition, BEPD reduced the expression of the neutrophil chemokines CXCL1 and CXCL2 in the colon tissue of mice with UC, reduced neutrophil infiltration, reduced reactive oxygen species levels, and significantly reduced the expression of NET proteins. BEPD also significantly reduced NET formation. The results of this study suggest that BEPD exerts therapeutic effects in a murine model of UC by inhibiting neutrophil infiltration and activation in the colon, as well as by inhibiting the expression of key proteins involved in NET formation and reducing NET formation, thereby alleviating local tissue damage and disease manifestations.

Glioblastoma represents the predominant and a highly aggressive primary neoplasm of the central nervous system that has an abnormal metabolism. Our previous study showed that chrysomycin A (Chr-A) curbed glioblastoma progression in vitro and in vivo. However, whether Chr-A could inhibit orthotopic glioblastoma and how it reshapes metabolism are still unclear. In this study, Chr-A markedly suppressed the development of intracranial U87 gliomas. The results from airflow-assisted desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (AFADESI-MSI) indicated that Chr-A improved the abnormal metabolism of mice with glioblastoma. Key enzymes including glutaminase (GLS), glutamate dehydrogenases 1 (GDH1), hexokinase 2 (HK2) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) were regulated by Chr-A. Chr-A further altered the level of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), thus causing oxidative stress with the downregulation of Nrf-2 to inhibit glioblastoma. Our study offers a novel perspective for comprehending the anti-glioma mechanism of Chr-A, highlighting its potential as a promising chemotherapeutic agent for glioblastoma.

Abstract Identifying epitopes that T cells respond to is critical for understanding T cell-mediated immunity. Traditional multimer and other single cell assays often require large blood volumes and/or expensive HLA-specific reagents and provide limited phenotypic and functional information. Here, we present the Rapid TCR:Epitope Ranker (RAPTER) assay, a single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-SEQ) method that uses primary human T cells and antigen presenting cells (APCs) to assess functional T cell reactivity. Using hash-tag oligonucleotide (HTO) coding and T cell activation-induced markers (AIM), RAPTER defines paired epitope specificity and TCR sequence and can include RNA- and protein-level T cell phenotype information. We demonstrate that RAPTER identified specific reactivities to viral and tumor antigens at sensitivities as low as 0.15% of total CD8+ T cells, and deconvoluted low-frequency circulating HPV16-specific T cell clones from a cervical cancer patient. The specificities of TCRs identified by RAPTER for MART1, EBV, and influenza epitopes were functionally confirmed in vitro. In summary, RAPTER identifies low-frequency T cell reactivities using primary cells from low blood volumes, and the resulting paired TCR:ligand information can directly enable immunogenic antigen selection from limited patient samples for vaccine epitope inclusion, antigen-specific TCR tracking, and TCR cloning for further therapeutic development.

Objectives: Huangpu Tongqiao Capsule (HPTQC) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that has been used to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study was to explore the pharmacological action and molecular mechanism of HPTQC in the treatment of AD. Methods: The possible targets of HTPQC were predicted by the molecular docking technique. Intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose and bilateral injection of Aβ25-35 in hippocampus induced AD rat model. Morris water maze was used to observe learning and memory function. The primary hippocampal neurons were induced by Aβ25-35. Moreover, the apoptosis rate of hippocampal nerve cells was detected through AnnexinV/PI double standard staining. The mRNA and protein levels of GRP78, CHOP, Caspase 12, Caspase 9, and Caspase 3 were detected by PCR and western blot. Results: The prediction results suggest that HPTQC may act on GRP78. HPTQC significantly improved the learning and memory function, and decreased neuronal apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. In addition, HPTQC could decrease the mRNA and protein expression levels of GRP78, CHOP, Caspase12, Caspase9, and Caspase3, and the effect trend was consistent with the specific inhibitor of GRP78. Conclusions: HPTQC has a neuroprotective effect against AD by inhibiting the apoptosis pathway mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food crop for over half of the world's population, with China being the largest producer. However, the growth rate of rice yield per hectare has slowed in recent years, emphasizing the need for in-depth studies on the evolution of rice cultivar performance. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the yield and key agronomic traits of rice cultivars across China over three decades, utilizing data from 11,811 cultivar trials conducted between 1990 and 2023. We assessed the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of rice cultivar performance, exploring regional differences and the interplay between agronomic traits and environmental factors. Our results reveal significant variations in growth duration, plant height, grains per panicle, thousand-grain weight, effective panicle number, and seed setting rate across different regions. Temporal trends showed diverse patterns of improvement, with some regions experiencing rapid advancements (up to 1.42% annual yield increase in Jiangxi Province of Central China) and others nearing yield plateaus (0.16% in Jilin Province and 0.45% in Heilongjiang Province of Northeast China). Correlation analysis between agronomic traits and grain yield highlighted the complex relationships and potential for further genetic gains through targeted breeding. This study underscores the importance of region-specific breeding strategies to optimize rice production in the face of environmental challenges and yield ceilings. The insights gained provide a scientific basis for future rice cultivar development and regional agricultural policies aimed at enhancing sustainability and efficiency in China's diverse rice-growing regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Epigenetics including DNA and RNA modifications have always been the hotspot field of life sciences in the post-genome era. Since the first mapping of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and the discovery of its widespread presence in mRNA, there are at least 160-170 RNA modifications have been discovered. These methylations occur in different RNA types, and their distribution is species-specific. 5-methylcytosine (m5C) has been found in mRNA, rRNA and tRNA of representative organisms from all kinds of species. As reversible epigenetic modifications, m5C modifications of RNA affect the fate of the modified RNA molecules and play important roles in various biological processes including RNA stability control, protein synthesis, and transcriptional regulation. Furthermore, accumulative evidence also implicates the role of RNA m5C in tumorigenesis. Here, we review the latest progresses in the biological roles of m5C modifications and how it is regulated by corresponding “writers”, “readers” and “erasers” proteins, as well as the potential molecular mechanism in tumorigenesis and cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract The harsh environment will reduce the interlayer bonding quality of mass concrete and cause plastic cracking. These defects will seriously affect the safety and durability of the structure. This study tested the layer state (water content and penetration resistance), interlayer mechanical properties, and early-age crack resistance of concrete to evaluate the impact of extreme weather on concrete interlayer properties and crack resistance. Furthermore, the interlayer splitting tensile strength of concrete under different treatment measures (covering insulation quilts and artificial grooves) was analyzed to find a method to reduce the construction risk of mass concrete. At the same time, the early-age crack resistance of concrete under different treatment measures (covering insulation quilts and adding PVA fibers) was evaluated. The results showed that the interlayer splitting tensile strength of concrete decreased by 50%, 40%, 29%, and 70%, respectively, compared with bulk concrete under extreme weather conditions (high temperature, strong winds, steep descent in temperature, and short-time heavy rainfall). Covering insulation quilts can reduce the construction risk of concrete under extreme weather conditions such as high temperature, strong winds and steep descent in temperature. This is mainly due to the fact that insulation quilt reduces the impact of the external environment on the concrete and effectively prevents the evaporation of moisture inside the concrete. In addition, covering insulation quilts can reduce the total cracking area of concrete under extreme weather conditions (strong winds and dry-heat, strong winds and cold waves, and short-time heavy rainfall) by 85–100%. At the same time, adding PVA fibers can inhibit the generation and expansion of micro-cracks on the concrete surface. This is due to the bridging and cracking resistance of PVA fibers.

Lung cancer is one of the most severe forms of malignancy and a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, of which non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most primary type observed in the clinic. NSCLC is mainly treated with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Additionally, targeted therapy and immunotherapy have also shown promising results. Several immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, have been developed for clinical use and have benefited patients with NSCLC. However, immunotherapy faces several challenges like poor response and unknown effective population. It is essential to identify novel predictive markers to further advance precision immunotherapy for NSCLC. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) present an important research direction. In this review, we focus on the role of EVs as a biomarker in NSCLC immunotherapy considering various perspectives, including the definition and properties of EVs, their role as biomarkers in current NSCLC immunotherapy, and different EV components as biomarkers in NSCLC immunotherapy research. We describe the cross-talk between the role of EVs as biomarkers and novel technical approaches or research concepts in NSCLC immunotherapy, such as neoadjuvants, multi-omics analysis, and the tumour microenvironment. This review will provide a reference for future research to improve the benefits of immunotherapy for patients with NSCLC.

Candida albicans (C. albicans) is an opportunistic pathogenic fungus that often causes mucosal and systemic infections. Several pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and C-type lectin receptors (CLRs), have been implicated in the host recognition of C. albicans. These PRRs recognize the pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) of C. albicans to activate innate immune cells, thereby rapidly inducing various inflammatory responses by activating intracellular signaling cascades. Herbal medicine and its active components deserve priority development due to their low toxicity and high antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activities. This review discussed the activities of herbal compounds against C. albicans and their related mechanisms, especially their regulatory role on innate immune cells such as neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells (DCs) implicated in C. albicans infections. Our work aims to find new therapeutic drugs and targets to prevent and treat diseases caused by C. albicans infection with the mechanisms by which this fungus interacts with the innate immune response.

Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocyte population in the human circulatory system and are rapidly recruited to sites of inflammation. Neutrophils play a multifaceted role in intestinal inflammation, as they contribute to the elimination of invading pathogens. Recently, their role in epithelial restitution has been widely recognized; however, they are also associated with bystander tissue damage. The intestinal epithelium provides a physical barrier to prevent direct contact of luminal contents with subepithelial tissues, which is extremely important for the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis. Numerous studies have demonstrated that transepithelial migration of neutrophils is closely related to disease symptoms and disruption of crypt architecture in inflammatory bowel disease and experimental colitis. There has been growing interest in how neutrophils interact with the epithelium under inflammatory conditions. Most studies focus on the effects of neutrophils on intestinal epithelial cells; however, the effects of intestinal epithelial cells on neutrophils during intestinal inflammation need to be well-established. Based on these data, we have summarized recent articles on the role of neutrophil–epithelial interactions in intestinal inflammation, particularly highlighting the epithelium-derived molecular regulators that mediate neutrophil recruitment, transepithelial migration, and detachment from the epithelium, as well as the functional consequences of their crosstalk. A better understanding of these molecular events may help develop novel therapeutic targets for mitigating the deleterious effects of neutrophils in inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract Psychosocial stress is a vital factor contributing to the pathogenesis and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The contribution of intestinal macrophage autophagy to the onset and development of IBD has been widely studied. Herein, we investigated the underlying mechanism of psychosocial stress in an IBD mouse model pertaining to macrophage autophagy. Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) was peripherally administrated to induce psychosocial stress. For in vivo studies, dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was used for the creation of our IBD mouse model. For in vitro studies, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was applied on murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) as a cellular IBD-related challenge. Chloroquine was applied to inhibit autophagy. We found that CRH aggravated the severity of DSS-induced IBD, increasing overall and local inflammatory reactions and infiltration. The levels of autophagy in intestinal macrophages and murine BMDMs were increased under these IBD-related inflammatory challenges and CRH further enhanced these effects. Subsequent administration of chloroquine markedly attenuated the detrimental effects of CRH on IBD severity and inflammatory reactions via inhibition of autophagy. These findings illustrate the effects of peripheral administration of CRH on DSS-induced IBD via the enhancement of intestinal macrophage autophagy, thus providing a novel understanding as well as therapeutic target for the treatment of IBD.

Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) are the only enzyme class known to deiminate arginine residues into citrulline in proteins, a process known as citrullination. This is an important post-translational modification that functions in several physiological and pathological processes. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are generated by NETosis, a novel cell death in neutrophils and a double-edged sword in inflammation. Excessive activation of PADs and NETs is critically implicated in their transformation from a physiological to a pathological state. Herein, we review the physiological and pathological functions of PADs and NETs, in particular, the involvement of PAD2 and PAD4 in the digestive system, from inflammatory to oncological diseases, along with related therapeutic prospects.

At present, the drug treatment for invasive fungal infection is challenged by serious adverse effects and drug resistance. Therefore, the research and development of safe and effective new antifungal drugs is a great importance to support the clinical treatment of invasive fungal diseases. This article reviewed new targets of invasive fungi, and explores the underlying mechanisms of fungal biofilm formation, cell wall,key metabolic enzymes, mitochondria in the aspects of small molecule inhibitors and secondary metabolites, which may provide reference for the research and development of new drugs.

In this paper, a tree-like branching microchannel with bifurcating interconnections is designed for gas turbine blade cooling. A theoretical analysis, experimental study, and numerical simulation of the heat transfer and hydrodynamic characteristics of the tree-like branching microchannel is performed, and the influence of the total number of branching levels m on the anti-clogging performance is also studied. The results indicate that the total heat transfer ratio and pressure drop ratio are closely related to the structur ne parameters. The comprehensive thermal performance increase with an increase in the ratio of Lb/L0 and fractal dimension D. Nu/Nus, f/fs, and η are increased as m increases from 3 to 5. Furthermore, the tree-like microchannel network exhibits robustness for cooling gas turbine blades. A greater total number of branching levels and a higher Re number are advantageous for enhancing the anti-clogging performance of the tree-like branching microchannel.