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Abstract It may be difficult for existing methods to make full use of the correlation and complementarity of various kinds of information when processing multi-source information. In order to accurately perceive the security situation of distribution automation and ensure the safe and stable operation of distribution network, the multi-source information fusion distribution automation security situation awareness technology based on risk transmission path is studied. Based on the risk transmission path, the distribution automation security situational awareness factors are analyzed, and the main factors affecting the distribution automation security situation are divided into two dimensions: internal source and external source, and eight main awareness factors; Different types of sensors are set in the main areas of security situational awareness factors to collect data of different awareness factors. Using ant colony algorithm to optimize DS evidence fusion method, data with different perception factors are fused, and data fusion results with different perception factors are obtained. The distribution automation security situational awareness model is constructed, and the security situational awareness results are obtained based on the data fusion results of the awareness factors. If the results are higher than the set threshold, the abnormal signal can be output to determine the area where the distribution automation abnormal equipment is located. The experimental results show that the multi-source data fusion effect of this method is good, and it can accurately perceive the security status of different nodes of the experimental object at different time nodes.

Abstract Background The impact of dynamic changes in the degree of atherosclerosis on the development of prediabetes remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between cumulative atherogenic index of plasma (CumAIP) exposure during follow-up and the development of prediabetes in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Methods A total of 2,939 prediabetic participants from the first wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were included. The outcomes for these patients, including progression to diabetes and regression to normal fasting glucose (NFG), were determined using data from the third wave. CumAIP was calculated as the ratio of the average AIP values measured during the first and third waves to the total exposure duration. The association between CumAIP and the development of prediabetes was analyzed using multivariable Cox regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression. Results During a median follow-up period of 3 years, 15.21% of prediabetic patients progressed to diabetes, and 22.12% regressed to NFG. Among the groups categorized by CumAIP quartiles, the proportion of prediabetes progressing to diabetes gradually increased (Q1: 10.61%, Q2: 13.62%, Q3: 15.65%, Q4: 20.95%), while the proportion regressing to NFG gradually decreased (Q1: 23.54%, Q2: 23.71%, Q3: 22.18%, Q4: 19.05%). Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression showed a significant positive linear correlation between high CumAIP exposure and prediabetes progression, and a significant negative linear correlation with prediabetes regression. Furthermore, in a stratified analysis, it was found that compared to married individuals, those who were unmarried (including separated, divorced, widowed, or never married) had a relatively higher risk of CumAIP-related diabetes. Conclusion CumAIP is closely associated with the development of prediabetes. High CumAIP exposure not only increases the risk of prediabetes progression but also hinders its regression within a certain range. These findings suggest that monitoring and maintaining appropriate AIP levels may help prevent the deterioration of blood glucose levels.

Abstract Background Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is among the most common types of epilepsy and often leads to cognitive, emotional, and psychiatric issues due to the frequent seizures. A notable pathological change related to TLE is hippocampal sclerosis (HS), which is characterized by neuronal loss, gliosis, and an increased neuron fibre density. The mechanisms underlying TLE-HS development remain unclear, but the reactive transcriptomic changes in glial cells and neurons of the hippocampus post-epileptogenesis may provide insights. Methods To induce TLE, 200 nl of kainic acid (KA) was stereotactically injected into the hippocampal CA1 region of mice, followed by a 7-day postinjection period. Single-cell RNA sequencing (ScRNA-seq), single-nucleus RNA sequencing (SnRNA-seq), and Xenium-based spatial transcriptomics analyses were employed to evaluate the changes in mRNA expression in glial cells and neurons. Results From the ScRNA-seq and SnRNA-seq data, 31,390 glial cells and 48,221 neuronal nuclei were identified. Analysis of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) revealed significant transcriptomic alterations in the hippocampal cells of mice with TLE, affecting hundreds to thousands of mRNAs and their signalling pathways. Enrichment analysis indicated notable activation of stress and inflammatory pathways in the TLE hippocampus, while pathways related to axonal development and neural support were suppressed. Xenium analysis demonstrated the expression of all 247 genes across mouse brain sections, revealing the spatial distributions of their expression in 27 cell types. Integrated analysis of the DEGs identified via the three sequencing techniques revealed that Spp1, Trem2, and Cd68 were upregulated in all glial cell types and in the Xenium data; Penk, Sorcs3, and Plekha2 were upregulated in all neuronal cell types and in the Xenium data; and Tle4 and Sipa1l3 were downregulated in all glial cell types and in the Xenium data. Conclusion In this study, a high-resolution single-cell transcriptomic atlas of the hippocampus in mice with TLE was established, revealing potential intrinsic mechanisms driving TLE-associated inflammatory activation and altered cell interactions. These findings provide valuable insights for further exploration of HS development and epileptogenesis.

The advantages of the helically coiled tube steam generator lie not only in its high heat transfer efficiency but also in its compact structure, which is initially used in Pb–Bi–SCO2 reactors, and its main function is to transfer the heat from the lead-bismuth side to the SCO2 side. In this experiment, two sets of helical heat exchanger tubes are selected as the objects of investigation. Experiments are conducted on the heat transfer performance of a helical tube to study the influence of structural parameters, mass flux, pressure, and heat flux on the heat transfer characteristics during subcooled boiling and post-dryout. Considering the results of the study, new heat transfer characteristic correlations are derived for the subcooled boiling and post-dryout heat transfer regions, which provide data and theoretical support for the engineering application and thermal hydraulic analysis of steam generators.

Abstract Background Prediabetes is a high-risk state for diabetes, and numerous studies have shown that the body mass index (BMI) and triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index play significant roles in risk prediction for blood glucose metabolism. This study aims to evaluate the relative importance of BMI combination with TyG index (TyG-BMI) in predicting the recovery from prediabetic status to normal blood glucose levels. Methods A total of 25,397 prediabetic subjects recruited from 32 regions across China. Normal fasting glucose (NFG), prediabetes, and diabetes were defined referring to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria. After normalizing the independent variables, the impact of TyG-BMI on the recovery or progression of prediabetes was analyzed through the Cox regression models. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was utilized to visualize and compare the predictive value of TyG-BMI and its constituent components in prediabetes recovery/progression. Results During the average observation period of 2.96 years, 10,305 individuals (40.58%) remained in the prediabetic state, 11,278 individuals (44.41%) recovered to NFG, and 3,814 individuals (15.02%) progressed to diabetes. The results of multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that TyG-BMI was negatively associated with recovery from prediabetes to NFG and positively associated with progression from prediabetes to diabetes. Further ROC analysis revealed that TyG-BMI had higher impact and predictive value in predicting prediabetes recovering to NFG or progressing to diabetes in comparison to the TyG index and BMI. Specifically, the TyG-BMI threshold for predicting prediabetes recovery was 214.68, while the threshold for predicting prediabetes progression was 220.27. Additionally, there were significant differences in the relationship of TyG-BMI with prediabetes recovering to NFG or progressing to diabetes within age subgroups. In summary, TyG-BMI is more suitable for assessing prediabetes recovery or progression in younger populations (

ObjectiveDiabetes is a significant risk factor for acute heart failure, associated with an increased risk of mortality. This study aims to analyze the prognostic significance of admission blood glucose (ABG) on 30-day mortality in Chinese patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), with or without diabetes.MethodsThis retrospective study included 1,462 participants from the JX-ADHF1 cohort established between January 2019 to December 2022. We conducted multivariate cox regression, restricted cubic spline, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and mediation analysis to explore the association and potential mechanistic pathways (inflammation, oxidative stress, and nutrition) between ABG and 30-day mortality in ADHF patients, with and without diabetes.ResultsDuring the 30-day follow-up, we recorded 20 (5.36%) deaths in diabetic subjects and 33 (3.03%) in non-diabetics. Multivariate Cox regression revealed that ABG was independently associated with 30-day mortality in ADHF patients, with a stronger association in diabetics than non-diabetics (hazard ratio: Model 1: 1.71 vs 1.16; Model 2: 1.26 vs 1.19; Model 3: 1.65 vs 1.37; Model 4: 1.76 vs 1.33). Further restricted cubic spline analysis indicated a U-shaped relationship between ABG and 30-day mortality in non-diabetic ADHF patients (P for non-linearity < 0.001), with the lowest risk at ABG levels approximately between 5-7 mmol/L. Additionally, receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that ABG had a higher predictive accuracy for 30-day mortality in diabetics (area under curve = 0.8751), with an optimal threshold of 13.95mmol/L. Finally, mediation analysis indicated a significant role of inflammation in ABG-related 30-day mortality in ADHF, accounting for 11.15% and 8.77% of the effect in diabetics and non-diabetics, respectively (P-value of proportion mediate < 0.05).ConclusionOur study confirms that ABG is a vital indicator for assessing and predicting 30-day mortality risk in ADHF patients with diabetes. For ADHF patients, both with and without diabetes, our evidence suggests that physicians should be alert and closely monitor any changes in patient conditions when ABG exceeds 13.95 mmol/L for those with diabetes and 7.05 mmol/L for those without. Timely adjustments in therapeutic strategies, including endocrine and anti-inflammatory treatments, are advisable.

ObjectiveArteriosclerosis is a primary causative factor in cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to explore the correlation between the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and the 30-day mortality rate in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).MethodsA total of 1,248 ADHF patients recruited from the Jiangxi-Acute Decompensated Heart Failure1 (JX-ADHF1) cohort between 2019 and 2022 were selected for this study. The primary outcome was the 30-day mortality rate. Multivariable Cox regression, restricted cubic splines (RCS), and stratified analyses were utilized to assess the relationship between AIP and the 30-day mortality rate in ADHF patients. Mediation models were employed for exploratory analysis of the roles of inflammation, oxidative stress, and nutrition in the association between AIP and the 30-day mortality rate in ADHF patients.ResultsDuring the 30-day follow-up, 42 (3.37%) of the ADHF patients died. The mortality rates corresponding to the quartiles of AIP were as follows: Q1: 1.28%, Q2: 2.88%, Q3: 2.88%, Q4: 6.41%. The multivariable Cox regression revealed a positive correlation between high AIP and the 30-day mortality rate in ADHF patients [Hazard ratio (HR) 3.94, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08–14.28], independent of age, gender, heart failure type, cardiac function classification, and comorbidities. It is important to note that there was a U-shaped curve association between AIP (

Vascular embolic diseases are associated with blockage of blood supply to vital organs and thus are lethal. Aspiration thrombectomy is becoming the primary choice for revascularization in the treatment of vascular occlusions condition. As the power source in the aspiration thrombectomy procedure, the aspiration pump directly influences the outcome of the operation. This research surveyed the current technical developments of the aspiration pump in China through reviewing information obtained from the patent database and technical literatures, commented on the issues in the current patent designs, and gave suggestions for future design improvement. This study can be used as a reference for researchers and developers of medical devices besides the neurosurgeons.

Abstract Background Atherosclerosis is closely linked with glucose metabolism. We aimed to investigate the role of the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) in the reversal of prediabetes to normal blood glucose levels or its progression to diabetes. Methods This multi-center retrospective cohort study included 15,421 prediabetic participants from 32 regions across 11 cities in China, under the aegis of the Rich Healthcare Group’s affiliated medical examination institutions. Throughout the follow-up period, we monitored changes in the glycemic status of these participants, including reversal to normal fasting glucose (NFG), persistence in the prediabetic state, or progression to diabetes. Segmented regression, stratified analysis, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) were performed based on the multivariable Cox regression model to evaluate the association between AIP and the reversal of prediabetes to NFG or progression to diabetes. Results During a median follow-up period of 2.9 years, we recorded 6,481 individuals (42.03%) reverting from prediabetes to NFG, and 2,424 individuals (15.72%) progressing to diabetes. After adjusting for confounders, AIP showed a positive correlation with the progression from prediabetes to diabetes [(Hazard ratio (HR) 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.24–1.64)] and a negative correlation with the reversion from prediabetes to NFG (HR 0.89, 95%CI:0.81–0.98); further RCS demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between AIP and the reversion from prediabetes to NFG/progression to diabetes, identifying a turning point of 0.04 for reversion to NFG and 0.17 for progression to diabetes. In addition, we observed significant differences in the association between AIP and reversion from prediabetes to NFG/progression to diabetes across age subgroups, specifically indicating that the risk associated with AIP for progression from prediabetes to diabetes was relatively higher in younger populations; likewise, a younger age within the adult group favored the reversion from prediabetes to NFG in relation to AIP. Conclusion Our study, for the first time, reveals a negative correlation between AIP and the reversion from prediabetes to normoglycemia and validates the crucial role of AIP in the risk assessment of prediabetes progression. Based on threshold analysis, therapeutically, keeping the AIP below 0.04 was of paramount importance for individuals with prediabetes aiming for reversion to NFG; preventatively, maintaining AIP below 0.17 was vital to reduce the risk of diabetes onset for those with prediabetes.

IntroductionPrevious research has linked vaginal bacteria to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and obesity in women, yet the specific disparities in vaginal microbiota between these conditions remain unclear.MethodsIn this study, we aimed to elucidate the contribution of dysregulated vaginal microbiota to PCOS and obesity by analyzing the vaginal microbiota in reproductive-aged women with and without PCOS, as well as obese and non-obese women, using shotgun sequencing.ResultsSwab specimens were collected from four groups of subjects: PCOS and obese, PCOS and non-obese, non-PCOS and obese, and non-PCOS and non-obese. A total of 333 bacteria and 24 viruses/phages were identified to the species level. Clustering analysis revealed that non-PCOS and non-obese individuals exhibit a similar “healthy” vaginal microbiome, while both obesity and PCOS were associated with microbial dysbiosis. Significant differences in abundance were observed for 26 bacterial species and 6 phages/viruses between groups. Notably, pathobionts such as Streptococcus pyogenes, Leptospira santarosai, Citrobacter amalonaticus, Listeria ivanovii, and Clostridium perfringens were significantly less abundant or absent in the non-PCOS and non-obese group. Furthermore, the abundance of Lactobacillus, Pseudomonas bacteria, and their corresponding phages exhibited positive correlations. Lactobacillus bacteria, lactobacillus phage, and pseudomonas phage/virus were identified as indicators of a healthy vaginal microbiome. Importantly, the differentially enriched bacteria in the PCOS and obesity groups were distinct.DiscussionThis study confirms that PCOS and obesity are associated with differing enrichment of bacteria and viruses/phages, with both conditions linked to microbial dysbiosis. Moreover, our findings suggest that vaginal phage diversity is associated with a healthy vaginal microbiota, while dysbiosis is associated with a decrease in phages alongside increased bacterial diversity.

Proton nuclear (1H) is the observed nucleus on which most magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications depend. Most traditional 1H MRI can provide structural and functional information about organisms, while various non-proton nuclei (X-nuclei) MRI can provide more metabolic information. However, due to the relatively poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of X-nuclei MRI, their applications are quite rare compared to 1H. Benefit from the rapid developments of MRI hardware and software technologies, X-nuclei MRI has recently attracted increasing interests in biomedical research. This review firstly introduces some current methods to improve the SNR of X-nuclei MRI. Secondly, this review describes biomedical applications of X-nuclei MRI, especially focusing on the current use of X-nuclei (13C, 17O, 19F, 23Na and 31P) MRI to study related diseases in different organs, including the brain, liver, kidney, heart and bone. Finally, perspectives studies on X-nuclei imaging and its potential applications are described in biomedical research.

Abstract Poor grain-filling initiation in inferior spikelets severely impedes rice yield improvement, while photo-assimilates from source leaves can greatly stimulate the initiation of inferior grain-filling (sink). To investigate the underlying mechanism of source-sink interaction, a two-year field experiment was conducted in 2019 and 2020 using two large-panicle rice cultivars (CJ03 and W1844). The treatments included intact panicles and partial spikelet removal. These two cultivars showed no significant difference in the number of spikelets per panicle. However, after removing spikelet, W1844 showed higher promotion on 1000-grain weight and seed-setting rate than CJ03, particularly for inferior spikelets. The reason was that the better sink activity of W1844 led to a more effective initiation of inferior grain-filling compared to CJ03. The inferior grain weight of CJ03 and W1844 did not show a significant increase until 8 days poster anthesis (DPA), which follows a similar pattern to the accumulation of photo-assimilates in leaves. After removing spikelets, the source leaves of W1844 exhibited lower photosynthetic inhibition compared to CJ03, as well as stronger metabolism and transport of photo-assimilates. Although T6P levels remained constant in both cultivars under same conditions, the source leaves of W1844 showed notable downregulation of SnRK1 activity and upregulation of phytohormones (such as abscisic acid, cytokinins, and auxin) after removing spikelets. Hence, the high sink strength of inferior spikelets plays a role in triggering the enhancement of source strength in rice leaves, thereby fulfilling grain-filling initiation demands.

Summary: Background: China has the highest prevalence of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) worldwide. To date, no national-level report has revealed sICH surgical performance. We aimed to investigate the current status and short-term outcomes of patients who underwent surgical treatment for sICH between 2019 and 2021. Methods: Data from 7451 patients undergoing sICH surgical treatment in China between 2019 and 2021, including demographic information, disease severity, surgical treatments for sICH, complications, and follow-up information, were retrieved from the Bigdata Observatory Platform for Stroke of China. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to balance the baseline characteristics. The surgical treatment performance on 3-month mortality and functional outcome were then explored by regression analysis. The influence of stroke center level and region on surgical performance was then explored. Findings: The numbers of sICH patients undergoing open craniotomy (OC), cranial puncture (CP), decompressive craniectomy (DC) and endoscopic evacuation (EE) were 2404 (32.3%), 3030 (40.7%), 1700 (22.8%) and 317 (4.3%), respectively. The 3-month mortality rate was 20.2%. Among the surviving patients, the 3-month poor functional prognosis (mRS 3–5) rate was 46.5%. After PSM, regression analysis showed that DC was associated with a higher mortality risk (OR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.06–1.61) than OC. CP was associated with a lower risk of poor mRS scores than OC (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.70–1.01), especially in stroke prevention centers and specific regions. Interpretation: Outcome improvements in Chinese sICH patients undergoing surgical treatment are worth expecting. Inconsistent surgical performance, especially functional outcome, affected by inhomogeneity of the hospital should be addressed. Funding: This work was supported by the Beijing Hospitals Authority Youth Programme (QML20230804), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81701796, 82030037, 81871009), Capital Health Research and Development of Special Fund (2020-2Z-2019), Science and Technology Innovation 2030-Major Project (2021ZD0201801), and the Translational and Application Project of Brain-inspired and Network Neuroscience on Brain Disorders (11000022T000000444685).

Mycorrhizal helper bacteria (MHB) can promote mycorrhizal fungal colonization and form mycorrhizal symbiosis structures. To investigate the effect of interactions between mycorrhizal beneficial microorganisms on the growth of blueberry, 45 strains of bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Vaccinium uliginosum were screened for potential MHB strains using the dry-plate confrontation assay and the bacterial extracellular metabolite promotion method. The results showed that the growth rate of mycelium of Oidiodendron maius 143, an ericoid mycorrhizal fungal strain, was increased by 33.33 and 77.77% for bacterial strains L6 and LM3, respectively, compared with the control in the dry-plate confrontation assay. In addition, the extracellular metabolites of L6 and LM3 significantly promoted the growth of O. maius 143 mycelium with an average growth rate of 40.9 and 57.1%, respectively, the cell wall-degrading enzyme activities and genes of O. maius 143 was significantly increased. Therefore, L6 and LM3 were preliminarily identified as potential MHB strains. In addition, the co-inoculated treatments significantly increased blueberry growth; increased the nitrate reductase, glutamate dehydrogenase, glutamine synthetase, and glutamate synthase activities in the leaves; and promoted nutrient uptake in blueberry. Based on the physiological, and 16S rDNA gene molecular analyses, we initially identified strain L6 as Paenarthrobacter nicotinovorans and LM3 as Bacillus circulans. Metabolomic analysis revealed that mycelial exudates contain large amounts of sugars, organic acids and amino acids, which can be used as substrates to stimulate the growth of MHB. In conclusion, L6 and LM3 and O. maius 143 promote each other’s growth, while co-inoculation of L6 and LM3 with O. maius 143 can promote the growth of blueberry seedlings, providing a theoretical basis for further studies on the mechanism of ericoid mycorrhizal fungi-MHB-blueberry interactions. It laid the technical foundation for the exploitation of biocontrol strain resources and the development of biological fertilizer.

Abstract Background Autologous platelet concentrate has been widely used to encourage the regeneration of hard and soft tissues. Up to now, there are three generations of autologous platelet concentrates. Many studies have shown that the three autologous concentrates have different effects, but the specific diversities have not been studied. The purpose of this study was to explore and compare the effects of platelet-rich fibrin, concentrated growth factor and platelet-poor plasma on the healing of tooth extraction sockets in New Zealand rabbits. Methods A total of 24 healthy male New Zealand white rabbits aged 8–12 weeks were selected. The experimental animals were randomly divided into four groups: three experimental groups were respectively implanted with PPP, CGF and PRF gel after bilateral mandibular anterior teeth were extracted, and the control group did not implant any material. The alveolar bone of the mandibular anterior region was taken at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after operation. The height and width of the extraction wound were detected by CBCT, the growth of the new bone was observed by HE and Masson staining, and the expression of osteogenic genes was detected by real-time PCR. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS statistical package 22.0. Results The radiological results showed that alveolar bone resorption in all groups gradually increased over time. However, the experimental groups showed lower amounts of bone resorption. The histological results showed that new bone formation was observed in all groups. Over time, the new bone trabeculae of the CGF group became closely aligned while those in the PPP and PRF groups remained scattered. PCR results showed that the expression of BMP-2 and ALP was higher in the experimental groups than the control group. Conclusion In conclusion, the application of PRF, CGF and PPP in tooth extraction sockets effectively promoted bone regeneration. CGF showed more effective bone induction and tissue regeneration ability in the long term.

BackgroundDespite the number of available therapies for ulcerative colitis (UC), severe side effects and high cost has limited their clinical application. Thus, finding new alternative strategies with minimal side effects is inevitable. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of different therapeutic approaches in DSS-induced colitis.MethodsFirstly, we designed oral bio-therapeutic products, Live Bacterial Products (LBP), which include a mixture of fecal bacteria strains isolated from healthy mice and prepared by microencapsulation and freeze-dried techniques. Then we investigated the efficiency of 7 days of freeze-dried FMT, LBP, and vancomycin treatments in DSS-induced colitis. Secondly, we compared the effect of 15 days of microbial therapies (freeze-dried powder of FMT and LBP microcapsules) and seven days of oral vancomycin on the severity of colitis in mice. Furthermore, the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were measured in serum by ELISA, and the fecal microbiota diversity was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing for all mice groups.ResultsAfter seven days of treatments, our results indicated that oral vancomycin reduced the severity of DSS-induced colitis in mice, where weight gain and a decrease in IL-1 β and TNF-α levels were observed in the vancomycin group compared with other treatment groups. While after two weeks of treatment, the LBP microcapsules were able to reduce the severity of colitis. And at the end of the treatment period, weight gain and a decrease in the DAI scores and the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were noted in the LBP treatment group compared to other treatment groups. By high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, our results showed that while the microcapsules LBP treatment increased the fecal microbial diversity, after vancomycin therapy, most of the fecal microbiota genera and operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were depleted.ConclusionOur results concluded that treatment duration and preparation methods affect the microbial therapies' efficiency in UC. Furthermore, this study highlighted the negative consequences of oral vancomycin administration on gut health that should be known before using this medication.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of abnormal semen parameters on embryo aneuploidy based on single nucleotide polymorphism microarray (SNP array).MethodsA total of 464 blastocysts from 103 PGT-A cycles were analyzed. The embryo quality and embryo aneuploidy rates were compared between different groups which divided by male semen parameters (sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and DFI) according the WHO criteria (2021).ResultsThe total blastocysts chromosome aneuploidy rate was 42.3% (191/452). In the teratozoospermia group, the good-quality embryo and blastocyst formation rate were lower than the normal group(44.4% vs 60.7%, P 0.05). The aneuploid rate of blastocyst in teratozoospermic and asthenozoospermia group was significantly higher than that of normal morphology and motility group (50.0% vs 34.0% and 46.7% vs 33.7%, P

Dark septate endophytes (DSEs) can form reciprocal symbioses with most terrestrial plants, providing them with mineral nutrients in exchange for photosynthetic products. Although the mechanism of plant-DSEs is well understood at the transcriptional level, little is known about their post-transcriptional regulation, and microRNAs (miRNAs) for the symbiotic process of DSE infestation of raspberry have not been identified. In this study, we comprehensively identified the miRNAs of DSE-infested raspberry symbiosis using Illumina sequencing. A total of 361 known miRNAs and 95 novel miRNAs were identified in the roots. Similar to other dicotyledons, most of the identified raspberry miRNAs were 21 nt in length. Thirty-seven miRNAs were differentially expressed during colonization after inoculation with Phialocephala fortinii F5, suggesting a possible role for these miRNAs in the symbiotic process. Notably, two miRNAs (miR171h and miR396) previously reported to be responsive to symbiotic processes in alfalfa also had altered expression during raspberry symbiosis. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses suggests that miRNAs are mainly involved in regulatory mechanisms, such as biological processes, cellular metabolic processes, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, plant–pathogen interactions, and phytohormone signaling pathways. This study revealed the potential conservation of miRNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulation in symbiotic processes among plants and provides some novel miRNAs for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of DSE–raspberry symbiosis.

BackgroundTo compare the incidence of complications and constructive effects of cranioplasty with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and titanium mesh after decompressive craniectomy, and to further explore potential risk factors of postoperative and post-discharge complications.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 211 patients who underwent PEEK or titanium mesh cranioplasty in the Department of Neurosurgery of Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, between July 2017 and September 2021. Demographic data, imaging data, and postoperative complications were recorded and statistically analyzed. Long-term effects and satisfaction degree were evaluated based on following-up telephone survey. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze risk factors of postoperative and post-discharge complications of PEEK and titanium cranioplasty.ResultsThe total postoperative complication rates of the PEEK and titanium mesh groups were 38.7 and 51.4% (p = 0.063), and post-discharge complication rates were 34.7 and 36.0% (p = 0.703), respectively. The incidence of pneumocephalus during hospitalization (33.3% vs. 6.6%, p < 0.001) and epidural effusion in the titanium mesh group were significantly higher than that in the PEEK group (18.0 vs. 6.6%, p = 0.011). Patients in PEEK group were less likely to occur subcutaneous effusion after discharge than in TI group (2.0 vs. 10.5%, p = 0.013). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a history of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) before CP was an independent risk factor for postoperative overall complications (p = 0.023). Either superficial (p < 0.001) or intracranial infection (p = 0.001) was a risk factor for implant failure. Depressed skull defects (p = 0.024) and cranioplasty with titanium cranioplasty (p < 0.001) were associated with increased incidence of early pneumocephalus.ConclusionThere were no differences in overall postoperative and post-discharge complication rates between the titanium mesh and PEEK. A history of VPS before cranioplasty was an independent risk factor for postoperative overall complications, and infection was a risk factor for implant failure. Finally, depression skull defects and titanium mesh implants increased the incidence of postoperative pneumocephalus. Our results aim to promote a better understanding of PEEK and titanium cranioplasty and to help both clinicians and patients make better choices on implant materials.

Urban renewal has increasingly become a hot topic in international urban sustainable development management, and many countries have also carried out a lot of practice. However, there is still a lack of fast and effective methods for how quickly identifying the spatial characteristics of urban renewal to dynamically grasp the renewal effect. The purpose of this study is to identify the renewal characteristics of urban industrial land based on the POI (Points of Interest) data and RS data of the Internet map, and to provide an innovative method for better understanding the renewal effect of urban industrial land and its spatiotemporal evolution characteristics. The results show that: 1) Since the decentralization of non-capital functions in Beijing, industrial development has spread from a high degree of agglomeration to the whole area. The number of high-density areas has decreased from nine to five, and the number of medium-density areas has increased significantly.2) Land-use types in the six districts of Beijing have changed, warehousing and logistics land and industrial land have been reduced greatly, and the number and area of park green space have greatly increased.3) The level of matching between RS image interpretation and POI data is uneven. RS interpretation is accurate for large-scale feature recognition, and POI data are sensitive to small-scale industries. In conclusion, In the process of identifying the renewal feature of urban industrial land, POI and RS data can respectively obtain certain results. The integration of POI and RS can better identify the temporal and spatial changes of the industry.

Abstract Background Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi (EMF) play important roles in mineral cycling and plant nutrient acquisition, and they increase plant survival in nutrient-poor environments. In this study, we detected the colonization of EMF using a green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression method and in situ PCR. Results Genetic transformants of Cryptosporiopsis ericae and Sordariomycetes sp. expressing GFP were obtained via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. GFP transformants were able to infect Vaccinium uliginosum, and their fluorescence was visible in the hair roots. Both in situ PCR and the GFP-expressing method indicated that EMF could colonize the hair roots of V. uliginosum 2 weeks after inoculation. Conclusions This research represents the first attempt to detect ericoid mycorrhizal colonization using in situ PCR. A GFP-expressing method is an excellent system for detecting the colonization of EMF, but it is dependent on the successful transformation and expression of the gfp gene. In situ PCR and the GFP expression may be developed as new tools to study the interactions of EMF both with ericaceous plants and with the environment.

Pregnancy is accompanied by significant physiological changes that might affect the in vivo drug disposition. Olanzapine is prescribed to pregnant women with schizophrenia, while its pharmacokinetics during pregnancy remains unclear. This study aimed to develop a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of olanzapine in the pregnant population. With the contributions of each clearance pathway determined beforehand, a full PBPK model was developed and validated in the non-pregnant population. This model was then extrapolated to predict steady-state pharmacokinetics in the three trimesters of pregnancy by introducing gestation-related alterations. The model adequately simulated the reported time-concentration curves. The geometric mean fold error of Cmax and AUC was 1.14 and 1.09, respectively. The model predicted that under 10 mg daily dose, the systematic exposure of olanzapine had minor changes (less than 28%) throughout pregnancy. We proposed that the reduction in cytochrome P4501A2 activity is counteracted by the induction of other enzymes, especially glucuronyltransferase1A4. In conclusion, the PBPK model simulations suggest that, at least at the tested stages of pregnancy, dose adjustment of olanzapine can hardly be recommended for pregnant women if effective treatment was achieved before the onset of pregnancy and if fetal toxicity can be ruled out.

The poor grain-filling initiation often causes the poor development of inferior spikelets (IS) which limits the yield potential of large panicle rice (Oryza sativa L.). However, it remains unclear why IS often has poor grain-filling initiation. In addressing this problem, this study conducted a field experiment involving two large panicle rice varieties, namely CJ03 and W1844, in way of removing the superior spikelets (SS) during flowering to force enough photosynthate transport to the IS. The results of this study showed that the grain-filling initiation of SS was much earlier than the IS in CJ03 and W1844, whereas the grain-filling initiation of IS in W1844 was evidently more promoted compared with the IS of CJ03 by removing spikelets. The poor sucrose-unloading ability, i.e., carbohydrates contents, the expression patterns of OsSUTs, and activity of CWI, were highly improved in IS of CJ03 and W1844 by removing spikelets. However, there was a significantly higher rise in the efficiency of sucrose to starch metabolism, i.e., the expression patterns of OsSUS4 and OsAGPL1 and activities of SuSase and AGPase, for IS of W1844 than that of CJ03. Removing spikelets also led to the changes in sugar signaling of T6P and SnRK1 level. These changes might be related to the regulation of sucrose to starch metabolism. The findings of this study suggested that poor sucrose-unloading ability delays the grain-filling initiation of IS. Nonetheless, the efficiency of sucrose to starch metabolism is also strongly linked with the grain-filling initiation of IS.

The high-speed Maglev train is driven by long-stator linear synchronous motors (LLSM). During the long-time outdoor operation, the insulation material of the armature winding may be damaged, either due to aging or the movement of the windings. This may result in the three-phase short-circuit fault, which affects the traction performance and the operation of the train. In this paper, a simulation model of the high-speed Maglev train traction system with a three-phase short-circuit fault LLSM is established, including the converters at two ends, feeder cables, segmented LLSM and traction control system. The system adopts a double-end power supply mode. The model divides the fault segment LLSM into two parts. One part is connected to the converter, which is equivalent to a normal operating segment with shortened long-stator. The other part is equivalent to a three-phase short-circuit linear generator. Based on this model, the influence of running speed and fault segment length on the traction performance of the train is simulated. In addition, the stator current, acceleration and traction force of the Maglev train during fault segment are investigated in the acceleration phase, deceleration phase and constant speed phase, respectively. The results can provide a reference for three-phase short-circuit fault diagnosis.

Animal models play a central role in all areas of biomedical research. The similarities in anatomical structure and physiological characteristics shared by non-human primates (NHPs) and humans make NHPs ideal models with which to study human disorders, such as cerebral palsy (CP). However, the methodologies for systematically evaluating NHP models of CP have rarely been assessed, despite the long history of using NHP models to understand CP. Such models should be evaluated using multidisciplinary approaches prior to being used to research the diagnosis and treatment of CP. In this study, we evaluated rhesus macaque CP models established by partial resection of the motor cortex and intrathecal injection of bilirubin. Abnormal posture, motor dysfunction, gross and fine motor behavior, and muscular tension were evaluated, and changes in the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia were observed using 9.4 T magnetic resonance imaging. The results clearly demonstrated the utility of the established evaluation methodology for assessing CP models. This model evaluation methodology may guide researchers through the model building process.

Many single-use non-degradable plastics are a threat to life today, and several polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) biopolymers have been developed in the bioplastic industry to place petrochemical-based plastics. One of such is the novel biomaterial poly(3-hydroxypropionate) [poly(3HP)] because of its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and high yield synthesis using engineered strains. To date, many bio-polymer-based functional composites have been developed to increase the value of raw microbial-biopolymers obtained from cheap sources. This review article broadly covers poly(3HP), a comprehensive summary of critical biosynthetic production pathways comparing the yields and titers achieved in different Microbial cell Factories. This article also provides extensive knowledge and highlights recent progress on biosensors’ use to optimize poly(3HP) production, some bacteria host adopted for production, chemical and physical properties, life cycle assessment for poly(3HP) production using corn oil as carbon source, and some essential medical applications of poly(3HP).

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology that mainly involves exocrine glands. Patients present with dry mouth and eyes, fever, arthralgia, and other systemic symptoms. In severe cases, the quality of life of patients is affected. At present, there is no cure for SS, and the treatment options are extremely limited. In recent years, studies of patients and animal models have identified abnormalities of immune cell function and cytokines to be involved in SS. A systematic review of the literature may clarify the etiology and pathogenesis of SS, as well as provide a theoretical basis for the development of new drugs for the treatment of SS.

Background. Although the relationship between gout and cardiovascular has been well demonstrated, there is little information about the difference between gout with cerebrovascular disease and cardiovascular disease. In this study, the differences between gout with cerebral infarction (gout+CI) and gout with coronary heart disease (gout+CHD) and related factors that affect serum uric acid (sUA) levels in gout+CI were investigated by a cross-sectional study. Method. The patients from Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital with gout+CHD, gout+CI, and gout with coronary heart disease and cerebral infarction (gout+CHD+CI) between 2016 and 2020 were included in this study, and the medical record data were collected and analyzed. Results. We observed significant differences in age, drinking, hypertension, long-term use of diuretics and NSAIDs, sUA, CRE, and blood glucose in patients with gout+CHD and gout+CI. The sUA level was significantly positively correlated with smoking, CRE, and TG in the gout+CI group and was only positively correlated with CRE in the gout+CHD group and the gout+CHD+CI group (p

Iron concentration in the brain has been suggested as a biomarker of pathologic neurodegeneration. However, the iron concentration changes in healthy aging as well. This study aimed to quantify the age-related changes in iron concentration in the gray matter of healthy rhesus monkeys using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). Three-dimensional gradient-echo images of 16 female rhesus monkey brains aged between 2 and 26 years were acquired in vitro. The susceptibilities in the brain regions of the caudate nucleus (Cd), putamen (Pt), globus pallidus (Gp), and substantia nigra (Sn) were analyzed. The susceptibility varied across different brain regions, with higher levels in the Gp and Sn. Susceptibilities in all analyzed brain regions were linearly correlated with age, yet the plateau period as observed in human brains was absent. This is the first in vitro report of the age-related variability of susceptibility in the deep gray matter of rhesus monkey brains at 9.4 T, with an isotropic resolution of 150 μm. Awareness of age-related changes in susceptibility is vital for the establishment of a baseline to facilitate the differentiation of pathologic neurodegeneration from healthy aging in non-human primate studies.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small endogenous RNAs that play important regulatory roles in plants by negatively affecting gene expression. Studies on the identification of miRNAs and their functions in various plant species and organs have significantly contributed to plant development research. In the current study, we utilized high-throughput sequencing to detect the miRNAs in the root, stem, and leaf tissues of raspberry (Rubus idaeus). A total of more than 35 million small RNA reads ranging in size from 18 to 35 nucleotides were obtained, with 147 known miRNAs and 542 novel miRNAs identified among the three organs. Sequence verification and the relative expression profiles of the six known miRNAs were investigated by stem-loop quantitative real-time PCR. Furthermore, the potential target genes of the known and novel miRNAs were predicted and subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway annotation. Enrichment analysis of the GO-associated biological processes and molecular functions revealed that these target genes were potentially involved in a wide range of metabolic pathways and developmental processes. Moreover, the miRNA target prediction revealed that most of the targets predicted as transcription factor-coding genes are involved in cellular and metabolic processes. This report is the first to identify miRNAs in raspberry. The detected miRNAs were analyzed by cluster analysis according to their expression, which revealed that these conservative miRNAs are necessary for plant functioning. The results add novel miRNAs to the raspberry transcriptome, providing a useful resource for the further elucidation of the functional roles of miRNAs in raspberry growth and development.

In the current study, we used 9.4-tesla magnetic resonance imaging (9.4T MRI) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to investigate the distribution of copper in the brain samples of a murine model of Wilson’s disease (WD) following penicillamine (PCA) treatment. We also evaluated if the distribution of copper in the brain samples of mice was correlated with behavioral symptoms. Results from the behavioral experiments showed that 7 days of PCA treatment decreased the total distance traveled in the open field and the number of rearing and climbing instances among the toxic milk (TX) mice as compared with model group. We also observed that the open arm ratio in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) was reduced, escape latency in the Barnes maze test was increased, and avoidance in the open field was enhanced in TX mice following 14 days of PCA treatment as compared with those in untreated TX mice. We found that PCA treatment for 21–28 days improved the cognitive abilities, exploratory behavior, and movement behavior of TX mice. The PCA-treated mice also exhibited varying degrees of magnetic susceptibilities in the cortex, corpus striatum, hippocampus, and amygdaloid nucleus across the treatment period. Low copper concentrations were found in all of the analyzed brain regions of PCA-treated mice after 21–28 days as compared with the model group (P < 0.05). However, copper concentrations were increased in the primary motor cortex and cerebellum at 7 days post-PCA treatment as compared with those in the model group (P < 0.05). After 14 days of PCA treatment, the copper concentrations in the sensorimotor cortex, corpus striatum, hippocampus, and amygdaloid nucleus were higher than those detected without treatment. The results from a Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that there was a significant (P < 0.05) correlation between copper concentrations and magnetic susceptibility in all of the brain regions that were analyzed. Therefore, our results indicate that copper concentration and magnetic susceptibility are associated with alterations in mood-related behavior, recognition memory, and movement behaviors in TX mice that are treated with PCA. The redistribution of copper in the TX mouse brain during PCA treatment may aggravate changes in behavioral performance.

Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV) mainly infects apple, pear and their closely related species in the world. ASPV causes some symptoms like leaf etiolation and stony pit in cultivated pear, but produces few symptoms in cultivated apple. We inoculated tobacco with ASPV, which originates from Nanking cherry (Prunus tomentosa), and we obtained tobacco RNA-sequencing data through high-throughput sequencing. In total, 17,401,736 clean reads were obtained after sequencing and removing adaptor sequences, contamination and low-quality reads. An RNA-seq data has been uploaded to Sequence Read Archive (SRA), which enables researchers to access the RNA-sequencing data of tobacco inoculated with ASPV. Keywords: Tobacco, Next-generation sequencing, RNA-seq, Apple stem pitting virus

Icon design is an important part of UI design, and a design task that designers often encounter. During the design process, it is important to highlight the function of icons themselves and avoid excessive similarity with similar icons, i.e., to have a certain degree of innovation and uniqueness. With the rapid development of deep learning technology, generative adversarial networks (GANs) can be used to assist designers in designing and updating icons. In this paper, we construct an icon dataset consisting of 8 icon categories, and introduce state-of-the-art research and training techniques including attention mechanism and spectral normalization based on the original StyleGAN. The results show that our model can effectively generate high-quality icons. In addition, based on the user study, we demonstrate that our generated icons can be useful to designers as design aids. Finally, we discuss the potential impacts and consider the prospects for future related research.

Quantitative studies of art and aesthetics are representative of interdisciplinary research. In this work, we conducted a large-scale quantitative study of 36,000 paintings covering both Eastern and Western paintings. The information entropy and wavelet entropy of the images were calculated based on their complexity and energy. Wavelet energy entropy is a feature that can characterize rich information in images, and this is the first study to introduce this feature into aesthetic analysis of art paintings. This study shows that the process of entropy change coincides with the development process of art painting. Further, the experimental results demonstrate an important change in the evolution of art painting, and since the rise of modern art in the twentieth century, the entropy values in painting have started to become diverse. In comparison with Western paintings, Eastern paintings have distinct low entropy characteristics in which the wavelet entropy feature of the images has better results in the machine learning classification task of Eastern and Western paintings (i.e., the F1 score can reach 97%). Our study can be the basis for future quantitative analysis and comparative research in the context of Western and Eastern art aesthetics.

The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively evaluate the performance of a multi-material jetting 3D printer, ProJet 5500X, especially the capability for micro manufacturing. Unlike other single material 3D printer, ProJet 5500X uses photopolymers as the build material and wax as the support material. The building performance was evaluated by building a modified version of the standard benchmark model with a high-resolution printing mode. The dimensional error, forming quality and surface roughness of the printed parts have been measured and analysed using a microscope, a 3D coordinate measuring machine and a surface profilometer. Using wax as the support material, fine features as small as 0.25 mm, lateral features and sharper edges could all be properly built, despite the rough side surfaces observed in the printed part. Identical features (3 mm pins) were precisely built with an accuracy of 15 µm. The research provides first-hand detailed performance knowledge in the ProJet system for understanding the working principle and comparison with other 3D printing systems.

Gut microbiota have important functions in the body, and imbalances in the composition and diversity of those microbiota can cause several diseases. The host fosters favorable microbiota by releasing specific factors, such as microRNAs, and nonspecific factors, such as antimicrobial peptides, mucus and immunoglobulin A that encourage the growth of specific types of bacteria and inhibit the growth of others. Diet, antibiotics, and age can change gut microbiota, and many studies have shown the relationship between disorders of the microbiota and several diseases and reported some ways to modulate that balance. In this review, we highlight how the host shapes its gut microbiota via specific and nonspecific factors, how environmental and nutritional factors affect it, and how to modulate it using prebiotics, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation.

According to the updated Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (RUCAM), drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is currently defined based on thresholds of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels above 5 × the upper limit of normal (ULN) and/or alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels greater than 2 × the ULN. However, many parameters with different thresholds are also currently used in the clinic. We therefore performed a comparative analysis to evaluate which set of criteria was the most appropriate to detect DILI. We enrolled hospitalized patients who received fluoroquinolones to treat or prevent infections. Three liver test criteria were used to diagnose DILI in these patients. RUCAM criteria were defined as the gold standard, and the other two criteria were as follows: 1) ALT or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels greater than 5 × the ULN on two consecutive occasions and/or ALP levels greater than 2 × the ULN on two consecutive occasions [issued by DILI Network (DILIN)]; 2) ALT levels greater than 1 × the ULN on two consecutive occasions or ALT levels greater than 2 × the ULN [issued by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China]. We found that the RUCAM criteria resulted in 657 warnings, DILIN criteria resulted in 358, NMPA criteria resulted in 1,377, and the positive predictive value (PPV) were 9.74%, 10.89%, and 9.73% (P = 0.80), respectively. The levels of agreement of the DILIN and NMPA criteria with the RUCAM criteria were moderate, but the agreement between the DILIN criteria and NMPA criteria was poor. In conclusion, the NMPA criteria with relatively lax thresholds for the parameters require much more labor to determine the diagnosis, making them unsuitable for clinical practice. Conversely, the DILIN criteria employing stricter thresholds for the parameters were more effective but would miss some positive cases, and the cases it identified were usually quite serious, which is not conductive to early intervention. Therefore, we still recommend the use of the RUCAM criteria in clinical practice.

Plants are a rich source of secondary metabolites that have been found to have medicinal properties. The present study was conducted to evaluate the phytochemical screening, antibacterial activities and heavy metal analysis of seven medicinal plants i.e., Nigella sativa (seeds), Trigonella foenum-graecum (seeds), Brassica campestris (seeds), Pistacia integerrima (galls), Linum usitatissimum (seeds), Hyssopus officinalis (flowers), Ephedra vulgaris (dry branches) and its two recipes which are used by hakims (Practitioners of local herbal medicines), against different diseases particularly respiratory tract infections. The obtained results revealed that alkaloids (30%) and flavonoids (41%) were in maximum quantity in P. integerrima (galls) while saponins (10.9%) were in maximum quantity in Recipe 1. The antibacterial activity was determined by the agar well disc diffusion method using methanol, ethanol, chloroform and deionized water extracts. Each plant extract was tested against one Gram-positive (Streptococcus pneumonia) and two Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia) bacteria. Maximum zones of inhibition in methanol, ethanol, chloroform and aqueous extract were seen in T. foenum-graecum against S. pneumonia (20.06 ± 0.16 mm), B. campestris against S. pneumonia (22.40 ± 0.24 mm), Recipe 2 against K. pneumonia (20.06 ± 0.16 mm) and N. sativa against S. pneumonia (20.23 ± 0.16 mm), respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer and showed the existence of high concentration of Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb) and Chromium (Cr). Thus, it has been found that medicinal plants individually as well as their recipes are potentially active against various diseases particularly respiratory tract infections

The aim of this study was to explore the phytochemical composition, heavy metals analysis and the antibacterial activity of six medicinal plants i.e., Terminalia chebula Retz (fruits), Aegle marmelos L., (fruits), Curcuma longa L., (rhizomes), Syzygium aromaticum L., (flower buds), Piper nigrum L., (seeds), Cinnamomum cassia L., (barks) and its two remedial recipes (recipe 1 and 2) used against diarrhea obtained from the local herbal practitioners (Hakeems). A preliminary phytochemical screening of the above-mentioned plants extract in methanol, chloroform, n-hexane and distilled water revealed the presence of various constituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins by using standard procedures. The quantitative phytochemical studies shows that alkaloids, flavonoid and saponins were in maximum amount in Terminalia chebula. The concentration of Cd, Ni, Pb, Fe, Cr, Cu and Zn were investigated by using an atomic absorption spectrometer. The obtained analysis shows that Cr, Fe and Pb were present in the highest concentration in medicinal plants and their recipes. The antibacterial activities of the crude extract found in the recipes of methanol, chloroform, n-hexane and distilled water were analyzed by using agar well disc diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by broth dilution method against four bacterial strains, namely, E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), respectively. The maximum zones of inhibition in methanol, water, chloroform and n-hexane extracts were seen in recipe 2 against Shigella (22.16 ± 0.47 mm), recipe 2 against Shigella (20.33 ± 0.24 mm), recipe 1 against Shigella (20.30 ± 0.29 mm) and recipe 2 against E. coli (30.23 ± 0.12 mm), respectively. Furthermore, the recipe extracts are more active against the tested bacterial strains than the extracts from individual plants. Therefore, it is concluded that the use of herbal plants and their recipes are the major source of drugs in a traditional medicinal system to cure different diseases.

Indium-incorporation with InxGa1-xN layers on GaN-microdisks has been systematically studied against growth parameters by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The indium content (x) of InxGa1-xN layer increased to 44.2% with an In/(In + Ga) flux ratio of up to 0.6 for a growth temperature of 620 °C, and quickly dropped with a flux ratio of 0.8. At a fixed In/(In + Ga) flux ratio of 0.6, we found that the indium content decreased as the growth temperature increased from 600 °C to 720 °C and dropped to zero at 780 °C. By adjusting the growth parameters, we demonstrated an appropriate InxGa1-xN layer as a buffer to grow high-indium-content InxGa1-xN/GaN microdisk quantum wells for micro-LED applications.

Abstract While splicing differences between tissues, sexes and species are well documented, little is known about the extent and the nature of splicing changes that take place during human or mammalian development and aging. Here, using high‐throughput transcriptome sequencing, we have characterized splicing changes that take place during whole human lifespan in two brain regions: prefrontal cortex and cerebellum. Identified changes were confirmed using independent human and rhesus macaque RNA‐seq data sets, exon arrays and PCR, and were detected at the protein level using mass spectrometry. Splicing changes across lifespan were abundant in both of the brain regions studied, affecting more than a third of the genes expressed in the human brain. Approximately 15% of these changes differed between the two brain regions. Across lifespan, splicing changes followed discrete patterns that could be linked to neural functions, and associated with the expression profiles of the corresponding splicing factors. More than 60% of all splicing changes represented a single splicing pattern reflecting preferential inclusion of gene segments potentially targeting transcripts for nonsense‐mediated decay in infants and elderly.

Among other factors, changes in gene expression on the human evolutionary lineage have been suggested to play an important role in the establishment of human-specific phenotypes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these expression changes are largely unknown. Here, we have explored the role of microRNA (miRNA) in the regulation of gene expression divergence among adult humans, chimpanzees, and rhesus macaques, in two brain regions: prefrontal cortex and cerebellum. Using a combination of high-throughput sequencing, miRNA microarrays, and Q-PCR, we have shown that up to 11% of the 325 expressed miRNA diverged significantly between humans and chimpanzees and up to 31% between humans and macaques. Measuring mRNA and protein expression in human and chimpanzee brains, we found a significant inverse relationship between the miRNA and the target genes expression divergence, explaining 2%-4% of mRNA and 4%-6% of protein expression differences. Notably, miRNA showing human-specific expression localize in neurons and target genes that are involved in neural functions. Enrichment in neural functions, as well as miRNA-driven regulation on the human evolutionary lineage, was further confirmed by experimental validation of predicted miRNA targets in two neuroblastoma cell lines. Finally, we identified a signature of positive selection in the upstream region of one of the five miRNA with human-specific expression, miR-34c-5p. This suggests that miR-34c-5p expression change took place after the split of the human and the Neanderthal lineages and had adaptive significance. Taken together these results indicate that changes in miRNA expression might have contributed to evolution of human cognitive functions.

All-inorganic lead-free luminescent metal halides doped with main-group ns²-electron ions have attracted considerable interest in a variety of optoelectronic applications. However, they normally suffer from severe thermal quenching of photoluminescence (PL) due to aggravated nonradiative relaxation at high temperatures. Herein, we report a new class of luminescent materials based on 5s2-electron Sb3+-doped 0D Cs3GdCl6 microcrystals (MCs), which exhibit intense yellowish PL at 540 nm under ultraviolet (UV) excitation, in parallel with a broad bandwidth of 510 meV, a large Stokes shift of 190 nm, a near-unity PL quantum yield, and remarkable resistance against thermal quenching (I1501C = 82.4%). Mechanistic investigation unravels that the broadband emission originates from the spin-orbital allowed 3P1 - 1S0 transition of Sb3+ which experiences a dynamic Jahn-Teller distortion in the excited state. These properties facilitate Cs3GdCl6:Sb3+ MCs as an efficient yellowish phosphor for near-UV-converted white light-emitting diodes, demonstrating a high color-rendering index of 96.4 and excellent operational stability. This work provides not only fundamental insights into the excited-state dynamics of Sb3+ in Cs3GdCl6 MCs, but also a new way for the exploration of novel and highly emissive rare-earth halides through ns2-electron ion doping towards various light-emitting applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]