Search

Abstract Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the major subtype of lung cancer. The poor prognosis of LUAD patients is attributed primarily to metastasis. ADAMTS16 is a crucial member of the ADAMTS family and is involved in tumor progression. However, its role and regulatory mechanism in LUAD remain unexplored. In this study, ADAMTS16 was identified as a crucial oncogene and survival predictor in LUAD via analyses of public datasets. Clinical specimens and tissue microarrays confirmed the differential expression and prognostic value of ADAMTS16 in LUAD patients. Transcriptome data and in vitro experiments demonstrated that ADAMTS16 was positively associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the migration abilities of LUAD cells. Knockdown of ADAMTS16 attenuated lung and pleural metastasis in an animal model. Mechanistically, the results of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot (WB) suggested that ADAMTS16 activated the TGF-β signaling pathway by facilitating the conversion of LAP-TGF-β1 to active TGF-β1. Co-Immunoprecipitation (co-IP) indicated an interaction between ADAMTS16 and LAP-TGF-β1. Inhibition of ADAMTS16 impaired EMT and aggressiveness of LUAD cells, while treatment with recombinant TGF-β1 reversed this inhibition. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and dual-luciferase reporter assays indicated that SOX4 acted as a transcriptional activator of ADAMTS16 and that TGF-β1 regulated the expression of ADAMTS16 by increasing the binding of SOX4 to the promoter of ADAMTS16. Suppressing the TGF-β signaling pathway inhibited ADAMTS16 expression, EMT, and lung metastasis, whereas overexpressing SOX4 reversed this inhibition. Therefore, ADAMTS16 forms a positive feedback loop with the TGF-β1/SOX4 axis to regulate EMT and metastasis, and disruption of this feedback loop inhibits tumor progression. These findings underscore the potential of ADAMTS16 as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in LUAD and offer novel insight into the mechanism of EMT and metastasis.

Based on the key diagnostic characteristics such as petiole, clypeus, and hypersternaulus, five new species of Passaloecus from China are identified: P. clypearcuatus Li & Ma, sp. nov., P. clypeconvexus Li & Ma, sp. nov. P. edentutus Li & Ma, sp. nov., P. margdentatus Li & Ma, sp. nov., and P. sternoleios Li & Ma, sp. nov. Detailed descriptions, diagnoses, and photographs of diagnostic characteristics are provided for these new species. Additionally, a key to the known species of Passaloecus in China is updated and illustrated, further enhancing the understanding of biodiversity within this genus.

Abstract Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), the main pathogen responsible for periodontitis, is linked to systemic disorders via the oral-gut axis. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are vital for gut health, but their role in P. gingivalis-induced gut disorders remains unclear. This study utilized metabolomics and 16 S rRNA sequencing to explore gut microbiota and SCFAs levels in P. gingivalis-induced periodontitis mouse models. Significant changes were observed in gut, including a reduction in SCFAs-producing bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, Ligilactobacillus, Allobucalum, and a notable decrease in Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota. The intestinal permeability tests and histological analyses revealed that periodontitis led to epithelial inflammation, reduced mucin secretion, and compromised gut barrier integrity. In vitro experiments with Caco-2 cells co-cultured with P. gingivalis showed that the bacterium disrupted cellular junctions by impairing autophagy, specifically through the ATG5-LC3 pathway, leading to decreased expression of tight junction proteins and reduced SCFA absorption. Remarkably, rapamycin treatment both in vitro and in vivo restored gut barrier function by enhancing autophagy, increasing tight junction protein expression, and promoting SCFAs absorption via MCT1 and SMCT1, alongside GPR43/GPR109a pathway activation. These findings reveal autophagy’s novel role in regulating SCFAs metabolism in P. gingivalis-induced gut dysbiosis, offering insights for preventing and treating periodontitis-related systemic diseases.

The tilted angle of the coal seam leads to the tilted base of the discharge field in the corresponding area, causing the stability of the inner dump to be reduced and prone to sliding. In order to investigate the application effect and mechanism of anti-slip coal pillar in the tilted-base earth dumping site of open-pit mines, taking the tilted base earth discharge field of an open-pit mine in the research object, the theoretical analysis of the tilted base without anti-slip coal pillars and the discharge step under the condition of leaving anti-slip coal pillar at the foot of the slope are made respectively, and the calculation formula of slope stability in the two cases are derived based on the method of limiting equilibrium. Taking the angle of inclination of the basement stratum and the discharge height of the soil disposal site as the variables for research, it was obtained that the angle of inclination of the basement stratum α or the height of the soil disposal H and the slope stability coefficient Fs were negatively correlated with the inverse proportionality function, the angle of inclination of the basement stratum had a greater influence on the slope stability, and the height of the discharge height of the soil disposal site had a second greater influence on the stability of the slope. Numerical simulation analysis was carried out by FLAC3D software adopting the strength reduction method before and after the coal columns were set up in the discharge field, which was basically consistent with the theoretical results, and concluded that setting up 10m anti-slip coal columns under the current geologic conditions can improve the stability by 5%, which theoretically reveals the influence of setting up anti-slip coal columns on the slope stability of the discharge field. Finally, the parameters of anti-slip coal pillar setting are studied, with the height of coal pillar setting h and slope angle of coal pillar setting β as the research object, the setting height of anti-slip coal pillar and the stability coefficient are in a positive quadratic function, and the slope angle of anti-slip coal pillar has an inverse effect on the stability coefficient and the effect is small, which will provide references for the subsequent research on the installation of anti-slip coal pillars on the side slope of the soil disposal site and the measures to improve the stability of side slopes through the setting of anti-slip coal pillars. The study will provide a reference for the subsequent research on the installation of anti-slip coal pillars and the measures to improve slope stability by leaving anti-slip pillars.

The energy structure, characterized by abundant coal, limited oil, and gas shortages, contributes to China’s prevalent coal consumption. In the context of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, coal combustion exacerbates environmental pollution, highlighting the urgent need to promote clean and efficient coal use. As coal gasification technology rapidly advances as a pivotal method for achieving cleaner and more efficient coal use, the challenge of effectively managing coal gasification solid waste becomes increasingly important. The substantial carbon content and complex distribution of carbon and inorganic minerals in coal gasification residue hinder its comprehensive use in building materials and mixed combustion processes. Consequently, the primary disposal methods for coal gasification slag remain stacking and landfilling, which waste land resources and pollute the environment. To realize sustainable and eco-friendly development within the coal chemical industry, addressing the efficient disposal of coal gasification slag is of paramount importance. An abundance of aluminum, silicon, and carbon residue resources endows coal gasification slag with immense potential for the production of high-value-added materials, garnering considerable attention from researchers. The inorganic mineral composition of coal gasification slag is rich in silicon oxide, alumina, and iron oxide components, which can be harnessed for synthesizing zeolite, mesoporous silica, and various micro/nano materials. The carbon residue within coal gasification slag exists in a flocculent porous form, exhibiting a certain degree of graphitization and possessing a large specific surface area, thereby facilitating the production of porous carbon materials. Moreover, a strategy of simultaneous use of carbon and ash can be leveraged to prepare carbon–silicon mesoporous and zeolite–carbon composite materials from coal gasification slag. Looking ahead, based on large-scale coal gasification slag consumption through bulk resource use, the high-value utilization path of coal gasification slag must be further explored to increase the added value of the industry. Building upon the understanding of the production process of coal gasification slag, this paper introduces the composition and micromorphology of coal gasification slag while systematically detailing the preparation methods for synthesizing mesoporous silica, porous carbon, carbon–silicon mesoporous composite materials, zeolite, and zeolite–carbon composite materials. Additionally, the paper delves into the applications of functional micro/nano materials derived from coal gasification slag across various domains, such as adsorbents, catalysts, filling materials, supercapacitors, and microwave-absorbing materials. Finally, the existing problems and future development trends of coal gasification slag resource usage are addressed, aiming to provide guidance for the comprehensive use of coal gasification slag.

Abstract Objectives Creeping fat (CF) is associated with stricture formation in Crohn’s disease (CD). This study evaluated the feasibility of intestinal ultrasound (IUS) for semiquantitative analysis of CF and compared the agreement between IUS and computed tomography enterography (CTE). Methods In this retrospective study, we recruited consecutive CD patients who underwent IUS and CTE. CF wrapping angle was analyzed on the most affected bowel segment and was independently evaluated by IUS and CTE. We evaluated the wrapping angle of CF in the cross- and vertical sections of the diseased bowel. CF wrapping angle was divided into

Abstract Background β-1,3-Galactosyltransferase-4 (B3GALT4), a member of the β-1,3-galactosyltransferase gene family, is essential to the development of many malignancies. However, its biological function in breast cancer is still unknown. Method Publically accessible datasets, as well as quantitative real-time PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry on our patient cohort were used to investigate the expression levels of B3GALT4 in breast cancer. The correlation of B3GALT4 expression with clinical histopathological data and mortality in breast cancer patients was investigated. The effects of B3GALT4 in breast cancer in vitro and in vivo were investigated. RNA-seq, western blot, autophagolysosomes, and the fluorescence intensity of LC3 were used to explore the effects of B3GALT4 on autophagy. Western blot and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were used to identify the AKT/mTOR pathway. Results B3GALT4 was significantly overexpressed in breast cancer tissues and was positively correlated with some aspects of clinicopathological status and poor prognosis. B3GALT4 overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, both in vitro and in vivo. B3GALT4 inhibition suppressed breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Suppression of B3GALT4 triggered autophagy and hindered the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Conclusion According to the present research, B3GALT4 blocked autophagy via the AKT/mTOR pathway and accelerated the growth of breast cancer. B3GALT4 may be an effective target for patients with breast cancer.

Highlights Comprehensively reviewed the progress in research on graphene electrode-based triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) from two dimensions, including precision processing methods of graphene electrodes and applications of TENGs. Discussed the various applications of graphene electrode-based TENGs in different scenarios, as well as the ways in which graphene electrodes enhance the performance of TENGs. Offered a prospective discussion on the future development of graphene electrode-based TENGs, with the aim of promoting continuous advancements in this field.

Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents a fatal clinical challenge characterized by a dismal 5-year overall survival rate, primarily due to the lack of early diagnosis and limited therapeutic efficacy. Immunotherapy, a proven success in multiple cancers, has yet to demonstrate significant benefits in PDAC. Recent studies have revealed the immunosuppressive characteristics of the PDAC tumor microenvironment (TME), including immune cells with suppressive properties, desmoplastic stroma, microbiome influences, and PDAC-specific signaling pathways. In this article, we review recent advances in understanding the immunosuppressive TME of PDAC, TME differences among various mouse models of pancreatic cancer, and the mechanisms underlying resistance to immunotherapeutic interventions. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of targeting cancer cell-intrinsic pathways and TME components to sensitize PDAC to immune therapies, providing insights into strategies and future perspectives to break through the barriers in improving pancreatic cancer treatment.

Abstract Edge computing nodes close to the perception layer of IoT systems are susceptible to data leaks and unauthorized access. To address these security concerns, this paper proposes a trusted IoT data sharing method based on secure multi-party computation (SMC). By running a reliable third-party blockchain service at edge computing nodes, the data computation relationships between IoT devices in the perception layer are registered in blockchain smart contracts. This constructs a publicly verifiable IoT data sharing method combining on-chain audit verification and off-chain SMC. Furthermore, a Bloom filter is maintained at the on-chain smart contract layer to track the trust status of IoT devices in the perception layer, filtering out non-trustworthy device requests and enabling secure data sharing among trusted devices. Comparative analysis and performance tests demonstrate the proposed method’s high computational efficiency for IoT device nodes.

Abstract Background Winter rapeseed, the sole overwintering oilseed crop in northern China, emphasizes winter resilience, yet epigenetic regulatory mechanisms governing overwintering memory remain poorly understood. Results In this study, the root collar tissues from the robust cold-resistant variety Longyou-7 were sampled during the pre-winter period (S1), overwintering periods (S2–S5), and re-greening period (S6), to analyze overall genomic DNA methylation levels using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The result showed that DNA methylation level exceeded 80% in the S1 stage. Throughout the overwintering periods, methylation levels displayed a decreasing trend in S3, followed by an increase in S5, and a pronounced decrease in S6. Consequently, S1, S3, S5, and S6 periods were chosen for whole-genome bisulfite sequencing analyses to elucidate the overwintering memory mechanisms of Longyou-7. The result revealed that DNA methylation primarily occurs in the CG context in Longyou-7. However, methylation of mC sites is most prevalent in the CHH type, gradually decreasing during overwintering periods. Analysis of methylation patterns in specific genomic regions of Longyou-7 showed that the highest methylation levels in the intergenic region. Moreover, mC sites in repeats and transposon elements are distributed differently across the three contexts. Subsequently, differentially methylated regions and promoters of Longyou-7 were identified during various periods compared to the S1 stage, followed by joint analysis with transcriptome sequencing. Functional enrichment analysis highlighted the involvement of most overlapping genes in the MAPK signaling pathway, plant hormone signal transduction, and starch and sucrose metabolism pathways. Changes in candidate gene expression within these three pathways correlated closely with DNA methylation levels. Conclusions Our findings underscored the critical role of DNA methylation in regulating the expression of overwintering memory genes in winter rapeseed. These results offer a comprehensive insights into the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms governing winter rapeseed's overwintering memory, while identified overwintering memory genes served as crucial genetic resources for multifaceted breeding of winter-resistant varieties. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background GALNTs (UDP-GalNAc; polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases) initiate mucin-type O-GalNAc glycosylation by adding N-GalNAc to protein serine/threonine residues. Abnormalities in O-GalNAc glycosylation are involved in various disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder. GALNT9 is potentially downregulated in PD patients. Methods To determine whether GALNT9 enrichment ameliorates cytotoxicity related to PD-like variations, a pcDNA3.1-GALNT9 plasmid was constructed and transfected into SH-SY5Y cells to establish a GALNT9-overexpressing cell model. Results Downregulation of GALNT9 and O-GalNAc glycosylation was confirmed in our animal and cellular models of PD-like variations. GALNT9 supplementation greatly attenuated cytotoxicity induced by MPP+ (1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium iodide) since it led to increased levels of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine, reduced rates of apoptosis, and significantly ameliorated MPP+-induced mitochondrial dysfunction by alleviating abnormal levels of mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species. A long-lasting mPTP (mitochondrial permeability transition pores) opening and calcium efflux resulted in significantly lower activity in the cytochrome C-associated apoptotic pathway and mitophagy process, signifying that GALNT9 supplementation maintained neuronal cell health under MPP+ exposure. Additionally, it was found that glycans linked to proteins influenced the formation of protein aggregates containing α-synuclein, and GALNT9 supplement dramatically reduced such insoluble protein aggregations under MPP+ treatment. Glial GALNT9 predominantly appears under pathological conditions like PD-like variations. Conclusions GALNT9 enrichment improved cell survival, and glial GALNT9 potentially represents a pathogenic index for PD patients. This study provides insights into the development of therapeutic strategies for the treatment of PD.

In order to study the effect of isothermal oxidation and cyclic oxidation on the oxide layer growth process of titanium alloys, high-temperature oxidization tests were conducted on TC11（Ti-6.5Al-3.5Mo-1.5Zr-0.3Si）titanium alloy in air at 650 °C. After 300 h of oxidization, the isothermal oxidation causes the formation of a dense oxide layer, contributing to increased resistance to further oxidization. During cyclic oxidization, the oxide layer exhibits a needle-like feature, containing large pores. The thickness of the oxide layers formed by cyclic oxidation and isothermal oxidation are approximately 8.6 μm and 2.7 μm, respectively. Under specific temperatures and oxidizing times, the isothermal oxidation process is controlled by the diffusion mechanism of oxygen, whereas the cyclic oxidation process is controlled by a combination of the interfacial reaction control and the diffusion mechanism of oxygen. This results in greater diffusion coefficients and faster growth kinetics for cyclic oxidation.

Introduction: Liddle syndrome is an autosomal dominant monogenic disease that mainly manifests as early-onset hypertension, hypokalaemia and metabolic alkalosis, as well as hyporeninaemia and hypoaldosteronism. The aetiology of Liddle syndrome is missense or frameshift mutations in the SCNN1A, SCNN1B or SCNN1G genes, which encode for the epithelial sodium channel subunits. Among these, mutations in the SCNN1A gene are very rare. Case Presentation Objective: A Liddle syndrome case caused by a SCNN1A mutation was reported from China. A 59-year-old proband had a 21-year history of chronic hypertension. His blood pressure was poorly controlled with various antihypertensive drugs, and hypokalaemia was found 8 years ago with no definite cause. At this visit, the patient presented with excessive renal potassium excretion and decreased renin activity in the postural stimulation test; however, his aldosterone level was normal. Methods:Subsequent genetic testing identified a missense mutation in SCNN1A (c.1475G ＞ A), which encodes for a protein with an altered amino acid at position 492 (p.Arg492Gln). The pedigree investigation found that the older brother and son of the proband also have the same mutation. The patient’s serum potassium returned to normal, and blood pressure control was significantly improved after being treated with triamterene. Conclusion: A middle-aged patient with Liddle syndrome was diagnosed. A new point mutation in the SCNN1A gene was detected in this patient, and the pathogenicity of this mutation was predicted using Alphafold software, expanding the genetic mutation spectrum of Liddle syndrome. Genetic testing should be improved to exclude monogenic hypertension in patients with hypertension complicated with hypokalaemia. Keywords: hypertension; hypokalaemia; genetic testing; Liddle syndrome

As climate change worsens, it is becoming increasingly important to effectively harness and store energy from non-fossil fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The increasing adoption of various rechargeable batteries is being driven by advancements in non-fossil energy, the development of energy storage technology, and electrification in technological fields such as electric vehicles, photovoltaic thermal energy storage, and aerospace technology. However, the compact size of batteries leads to a significant increase in their internal energy density and temperature. Elevated heat flux and temperature not only limit battery performance but also reduce lifespan and pose safety risks to battery systems. The occurrence of thermal runaway under extreme conditions is a concern as it can result in battery combustion or even explosion. Thus, the implementation of efficient battery thermal management systems is essential. Besides traditional methods such as air cooling, phase change materials, and liquid cooling, in recent years, various novel thermal management technologies, including heat pipes, nanoparticle-enhanced phase change materials, and nanofluids, have been extensively explored. Among these emerging technologies, nanofluid battery thermal management systems have garnered attention due to their significant impact, minimal additional energy consumption, and cost-effectiveness compared with alternative approaches. These systems utilize nanofluids, which are liquids with uniformly dispersed nanoparticles. Nanoparticles can contain oxides such as alumina and titanium dioxide, metals such as silver and copper, and carbon-based materials such as carbon nanotube and nanodiamond. The application of nanoparticles results in an improvement in the thermal conductivity of fluids. Moreover, nanoparticles can also supply extra nuclei, improve surface wettability, and delay bubble coalescence while boiling. Thus, nanofluids can enhance heat transfer in both single-phase and two-phase flows. Given the enhancement of heat transfer, nanofluids exhibit significant potential in battery thermal management. Herein, a systematic review of the research progress on nanofluid battery thermal management systems is presented. First, the structure, working principle, and demands of battery thermal management are given. Afterward, the concept and classification of nanofluids are introduced. Subsequently, the fundamental properties of nanofluids, such as stability, viscosity, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity, are elucidated. The article further discusses the current research progress on nanofluid-based battery thermal management systems applied in lithium batteries, fuel cells, and photovoltaic batteries. Finally, some notable challenges associated with nanofluid battery thermal management systems and some future development directions on numerical and experimental research and industrial applications are outlined.

Immunotherapy has become the cornerstone of current malignant tumor treatment. However, the response of different patients to immunotherapy is highly heterogeneous, and not all patients can benefit from it. There is an urgent need to find biomarkers that can effectively predict the efficacy of immunotherapy. C-C chemokine ligand 4 (CCL4) is a cytokine, belonging to the inflammatory CCL subfamily. It is mainly secreted by immune cells and tumor cells and shows low or no expression in normal tissues but abnormally high expression in various malignant tumor tissues. After binding to CCL4 and its receptor C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5), it can recruit and mediate immune cell migration, destroy the stability of the tumor microenvironment (TME), participate in carcinogenesis and promote the development of tumors. In the tumor immune microenvironment, CCL4 can mediate and recruit the directed migration of key immune cells such as monocytes, macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and T cells, which makes it a potentially important element affecting the efficacy of immunotherapy and has specific value. This paper reviews the research progresses of CCL4's effects on immune escape in TME, in order to provide clues and references for basic research and clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Southern China encountered two rounds of rainfall/snowfall and freezing weather accompanied by intensive lightning flashes from January 31 to February 5 and February 18-25,2024 (hereinafter referred to as "0131" and "0218" events,respectively). In this paper,three-dimensional lightning location data,CLDAS-V2.0 precipitation product,and infrared cloud image data of Himawari-9 satellite are used to analyze and compare the temporal and spatial distribution of cloud-to-ground (CG) flashes,the number of return strokes and the cumulative probability distribution of lightning current during these two events. The relationship between CG flashes with precipitation and satellite blackbody brightness temperature (TBB) is also investigated. The results are as follows. (1) More than 130,000 CG lightning flashes were detected in the two events,with positive and negative CG lightning strokes being more than 20,000 and 110,000,respectively. The CG flashes of the two events showed a nocturnal pattern,with the peak of the positive CG distribution lagging behind the total CG flashes and negative CG flashes by about 1-2 h. The probability of large current events generated by positive CG flashes was greater than that of negative CG flashes. (2) In the "0131" event,the large value of CG flash density appeared in the southern part of Guizhou and the junction of Guizhou,Chongqing,and Hubei provinces; In the "0218" event,the large value of CG density occurred in the eastern part of Hubei,the northern part of Jiangxi,Anhui,Jiangsu and most of Zhejiang. (3) The spatial and temporal distribution of precipitation and CG flashes during the "0131" event was inconsistent. The peak precipitation was concentrated in the daytime,with the precipitation mainly appearing in southeastern Hunan,Jiangxi,Anhui,and southern Jiangsu,and most of Zhejiang and Fujian. During the "0218" event,the spatial and temporal distribution of precipitation and CG flashes were consistent,with the peak of CG flashes being 2 h later than the peak of precipitation. (4) In both events,the distribution of CG flashes well indicated the convection regions. The CG flashes were mainly distributed in the southern tail of the convective cloud cluster,where the TBB gradient was large. Convective merging may lead to a jump in the frequency of CG flashes at the merging area. Almost no CG flashes were detected in the core of the cold clouds,where convection developed most vigorously. The CG flash density in both events increased first and then decreased with the increase of TBB.

The thermal effect of coal pyrolysis is a key parameter in the process of coal pyrolysis mechanism research and reactor design. At present, there are a lot of differences in the accuracy of evaluation methods for coal pyrolysis thermal effect. The most widely used and feasible method is based on simultaneous thermal analyzer (TG-DSC synchronous combination). However, this method still relies heavily on the measurement accuracy of the instrument, and there are also some differences in the accuracy of thermal effect calculation methods after the heat flow curve is obtained, resulting in a poor repeatability of the data and difficulty in adapting to the needs of large-scale production and process design. Tar-rich coal is high-quality raw material for coal to tar, it contains more hydrogen-rich structures such as aliphatic side chains and bridge bonds, it could be pyrolyzed to produce more tar during pyrolysis. The regulation of pyrolysis process is the key factor affecting the quality of tar produced by the pyrolysis of tar-rich coal, and the thermal effect of pyrolysis process is an important parameter for selecting pyrolysis process. Therefore, it is urgent to develop an accurate and efficient evaluation method of coal pyrolysis thermal effect for both tar-rich coal pyrolysis and generalized coal conversion. Based on the experimental results for the slow pyrolysis of tar-rich coal, combined with pyrolysis reaction mechanism and empirical formula, the product-oriented pyrolysis reaction system of tar-rich coal was constructed. The chemical reaction heat for the pyrolysis process of tar-rich coal was obtained by the thermodynamic calculation of the reaction system using the classical thermodynamic analysis method. Combined with the physical heat absorption in the pyrolysis process, the thermal effect in the low-temperature slow pyrolysis process of tar-rich coal could be obtained. Then, based on the reported coal pyrolysis experimental results and measured values of pyrolysis thermal effect, the random forest model of machine learning method was used to nonlinearly model and predict the thermal effect of coal pyrolysis. The results showed that based on experimental results, the thermal effect value for slow pyrolysis of tar-rich coal calculated by the product-oriented calculation was generally lower than that measured by TG-DSC synchronous combination, and the error was within 10%. The prediction accuracy for the thermal effect value of tar-rich coal pyrolysis based on machine learning algorithm was 0.935 2. Overall, the two prediction models of thermal effect of tar-rich coal pyrolysis constructed were practical and applicable.

Abstract Background With the development of Internet information technology, especially the impact of the sudden outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic, along with the call for “classes suspended but learning continues,” a large number of medical educators have learned and experienced online teaching. They have understood the shortcomings of traditional teaching methods. Not only the blended BOPPPS teaching mode combines the advantages of the BOPPPS teaching mode but also the online teaching platform breaks through the limitation of time and space. However, a general consensus on the effectiveness of the blended BOPPPS teaching strategy in China is lacking, and few studies use quantitative synthesis to evaluate the effectiveness of this teaching strategy. Hence, this study aimed to assess the overall effectiveness of online and offline blended BOPPPS teaching strategies in higher medical education in China compared with the lecture-based learning (LBL) teaching model. Methods Studies that blended learning with the BOPPPS model in China from January 2000 to October 2023 were searched in the Chinese and English-language online databases. We analyzed the objective and subjective scores of students and performed subgroup analysis for specialties and online teaching platforms. The data were analyzed using the Stata version 14.0 software. The quality assessment was performed using the Jadad scoring scale. Results Forty-four studies were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with the LBL mode, the blended the BOPPPS teaching mode was more effective in terms of the overall capacity [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.193, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.813–1.572], mastery of medical theory knowledge (SMD = 1.090, 95% CI: 0.730–1.450), and practical skills (SMD = 1.246, 95% CI: 0.799–1.693). The analyzed questionnaire surveys indicated the positive effects of the blended BOPPPS teaching mode on classroom satisfaction, autonomous learning ability, learning interest, teamwork ability, interpersonal skills, ability to analyze and solve problems, group interaction, learning engagement, and learning strategies. Conclusions The study underscored that the blended BOPPPS teaching mode could effectively improve the comprehensive quality of students. The subjective scores also indicated that students generally preferred this novel teaching mode.

The Chinese horned toads, Boulenophrys boettgeri (Boulenger, 1899) and Boulenophrys kuatunensis (Pope, 1929), are two captivating species within the family Megophryidae, which inhabit the mountainous streams in the Eastern of China. In this study, two new complete mitochondrial genomes of B. boettgeri and B. kuatunensis were sequenced, assembled, and annotated using next-generation sequencing. The length of mitochondrial genomes of B. boettgeri and B. kuatunensis was 16,597 and 17,921 bp, respectively, with both containing 13 protein coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and one putative control region. Phylogenetic relationships based on protein-coding mitochondrial genes showed that the two Boulenophrys species formed a cluster with other Boulenophrys species. The two new sequences provide valuable insights into the mitochondrial genomes of these two species, offering important data for understanding the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Boulenophrys.

Abstract Background Cathelicidins are vital antimicrobial peptides expressed in diverse vertebrates, crucial for immunity. Despite being a new field, amphibian cathelicidin research holds promise. Results We isolated the cDNA sequence of the cathelicidin (Ll-CATH) gene from the liver transcriptome of the Chong’an Moustache Toad (Leptobrachium liui). We confirmed the authenticity of the cDNA sequence by rapid amplification of cDNA ends and reverse transcription PCR, and obtained the Ll-CATH amino acid sequence using the Open Reading Frame Finder, an online bioinformatics tool. Its translated protein contained a cathelin domain, signal peptide, and mature peptide, confirmed by amino acid sequence. The comparative analysis showed that the mature peptides were variable between the amphibian species, while the cathelin domain was conserved. The concentration of Ll-CATH protein and the expression of its gene varied in the tissues, with the spleen showing the highest levels. The expression levels of Ll-CATH in different tissues of toads was significantly increased post infection with Aeromonas hydrophila. Chemically synthesized Ll-CATH effectively combated Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Vibrio harveyi, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus; disrupted the membrane of V. harveyi, hydrolyzed its DNA. Ll-CATH induced chemotaxis and modulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes in RAW264.7 macrophages. Conclusions This study unveiled the antibacterial and immunomodulatory potential of amphibian cathelicidin, implying its efficacy against infections. Ll-CATH characterization expands our knowledge, emphasizing its in a bacterial infection therapy.

Abstract Objective This study aims to conduct an extensive analysis of autoimmune bullous diseases, particularly pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid, in Shanghai, China, from 2016 to 2023. It seeks to understand the demographic profiles, comorbidities, mortality rates, risk factors, and socioeconomic impacts associated with autoimmune bullous disease. Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed, enrolling 1,072 patients. Diagnostic measures included clinical manifestations, histopathology, direct immunofluorescence, and serologic tests. The study also involved a detailed socioeconomic analysis and evaluation of occupational risks. Results The findings highlight a significant occupational risk in industries requiring enhanced safety measures, with a notable prevalence of autoimmune bullous disease among workers in these sectors. A considerable portion of the patients were from low-income backgrounds with limited literacy, indicating the economic burden of autoimmune bullous disease. A key discovery of the study is the potential pathological link between autoimmune bullous disease and interstitial lung disease. Conclusion This research, one of the first comprehensive studies on autoimmune bullous disease in China, underscores the need for targeted healthcare strategies and further investigation into autoimmune bullous disease, particularly its relationship with interstitial lung disease.

Abstract Considering the key role of myeloid cell differentiation—related genes in the tumor microenvironment (TME), we aimed to build a prognostic risk model using these genes for Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). The mRNA gene expression profiles of LUAD patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were downloaded as the training and validation sets. Then, “edgeR” R package was applied to screen out the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and univariate cox regression, backward stepwise selection analyses were performed to construct a prognostic model for LUAD. ESTIMATE, TIMER, XCELL, CIBERSORT abs, QUANTISEQ, MCPCOUNTER, EPIC, and CIBERSORT algorithms were conducted to access the association of risk levels with the stromal and immune cell infiltration levels in LUAD. Six genes (F2RL1, PRKDC, TNFSF11, INHA, PLA2G3 and TUBB1) were utilized to construct the prognostic model. The risk model showed excellent prognostic performance for LUAD in both TCGA and GEO datasets. Also, compared to the low-risk patients, the high-risk patients had higher expression of immune checkpoint molecules and showed a lower IC50 value to the chemotherapy agents. Our findings provided a myeloid cell differentiation—related gene signature that could effectively predict prognosis and guide treatment strategies for LUAD patients.

Abstract Background External cephalic version (ECV) is a medical procedure in which an extracorporeal manipulation is performed to render the breech presentation (BP) fetus in the cephalic position. The use of anesthesia to facilitate repositioning has been evaluated in various randomized clinical trials (RCTs), but its potential effectiveness remains controversial. Methods A systematic literature search was carried out in 8 electronic databases. In the meta-analysis, a random effects model was used to calculate the pooled relative risk (RR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI), and the pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95% CI, in order to systematically assess the effect of anesthesia on the success rates of ECV, vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery as well as other outcomes. Relevant subgroup analyses, publication bias test and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Results This review included 17 RCTs. Women who received anesthesia had a significantly higher incidence of successful ECV (RR: 1.37, 95% CIs: 1.19-1.58) and vaginal delivery (RR: 1.23, 95% CIs: 1.03-1.47), and a significantly lower incidence of cesarean delivery (RR: 0.69, 95% CIs: 0.53-0.91), compared with those who did not. Conclusion The administration of anesthesia not only significantly reduces maternal pain but also significantly increases the success rate of ECV in women with malpresentation at term, leading to a significant rise in the incidence of vaginal delivery. However, it may increase the incidence of maternal hypotension. Systematic review registration The protocol was prospectively registered with PROSPERO, registration CRD42022381552.

In order to study the factors affecting the ignition risk parameters of pulverized coal cloud, Godbert-Greenwald constant temperature furnace was used to test the minimum ignition temperature of pulverized coal cloud under different particle size, mass concentration and powder injection pressure conditions. The results show that the minimum ignition temperature increases with the increase of particle size. In the range of 0.250−0.667 kg/m3, the mass concentration of pulverized coal decreases with the increase of mass fraction, and the minimum value is 545 ℃. With the increase of dusting pressure, it changes in the shape of “V”. The degree of influence of the three factors on the minimum ignition temperature is as follows: mass fraction > powder injection pressure > coal particle size.

Abstract NAD-dependent deacetylase Sirt2 is involved in mammalian metabolic activities, matching energy demand with energy production and expenditure, and is relevant to a variety of metabolic diseases. Here, we constructed Sirt2 knockout and adeno-associated virus overexpression mice and found that deletion of hepatic Sirt2 accelerated primary obesity and insulin resistance in mice with concomitant hepatic metabolic dysfunction. However, the key targets of Sirt2 are unknown. We identified the M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase (PKM2) as a key Sirt2 target involved in glycolysis in metabolic stress. Through yeast two-hybrid and mass spectrometry combined with multi-omics analysis, we identified candidate acetylation modification targets of Sirt2 on PKM2 lysine 135 (K135). The Sirt2-mediated deacetylation-ubiquitination switch of PKM2 regulated the development of glycolysis. Here, we found that Sirt2 deficiency led to impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance and induced primary obesity. Sirt2 severely disrupted liver function in mice under metabolic stress, exacerbated the metabolic burden on the liver, and affected glucose metabolism. Sirt2 underwent acetylation modification of lysine 135 of PKM2 through a histidine 187 enzyme active site-dependent effect and reduced ubiquitination of the K48 ubiquitin chain of PKM2. Our findings reveal that the hepatic glucose metabolism links nutrient state to whole-body energetics through the rhythmic regulation of Sirt2.

Abstract Immune checkpoint inhibitors, particularly PD-1/PD-L1 blockades, have been approved for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, high resistance rates still limit their efficacy, highlighting the urgent need to understand the underlying mechanisms and develop strategies for overcoming the resistance. In this study, tankyrasel binding protein 1 (TNKS1BP1) was found to interact with tripartite motif containing 21 (TRIM21) and mediated the ubiquitination of CCR4-NOT transcription complex subunit 4 (CNOT4) at the K239 residue via K48 and K6 linkage, which was essential for its tumorigenesis function. Autophagy and lipid reprogramming were identified as two possible mechanisms underlying the pro-tumor effect of TNKS1BP1. Upregulated TNKS1BP1 inhibited autophagy while induced lipid accumulation by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway upon the degradation of CNOT4 in HCC. Importantly, knocking down TNKS1BP1 synergized with anti-PD-L1 treatment by upregulating PD-L1 expression on tumor cells via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, and remodeling the tumor microenvironment by increasing infiltration of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes as well as augmenting the effect of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. In conclusion, this study identified TNKS1BP1 as a predictive biomarker for patient prognosis and a promising therapeutic target to overcome anti-PD-L1 resistance in HCC.

Abstract The performance of Doppler velocity logs (DVLs) in terms of velocity estimate error is directly linked to the geometry of the beam and the pulse transmitted. Beyond a specific transmitted bandwidth, the phase‐shift beamformer can introduce significant errors in velocity estimation. To delineate the operating mechanism of phase‐shift errors within a phased array of acoustic DVLs, the correlation between bottom echo and velocity distribution, in conjunction with the power‐weighted function, was initially examined predicated on spectral estimation theory. Subsequently, numerical and analytical models of the Gaussian‐shaped Doppler spectrum were formulated. The models are employed to evaluate the velocity estimation inaccuracies attributed to phase shifts in extant DVLs, and the comparative results with field experiments corroborate the model's efficacy in forecasting errors. The theoretical findings evaluate the performance limitations of the current phased array transducer design and provide insights for developing new designs. Pool experimental results show that this design effectively reduces the velocity estimation error caused by phase shift under static conditions and in the presence of Doppler frequencies to a level of almost complete elimination of the error compared to conventional configurations.

In order to investigate the characterisation and biological activity of the leaf protein extract of Lycium barbarum, alkaline extraction and acid precipitation method was used to extract Lycium barbarum leaf protein extract. And the physicochemical properties, functional properties, structural characterisation and bioactivities of Lycium barbarum leaf protein extract were analysed by the methods of water holding capacity (WA), oil-holding property (FA), thermal stability (TM), solubility (PS), froth capability (FC), emulsification capability (EC), and other indexes as well as by the sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV), Fourier infraredspectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and the in vitro radical scavenging assays and enzyme inhibition assays. The results showed that the total amino acid content of Lycium barbarum leaf protein extract reached 344.00±10.49 mg/100 g, the molecular weight ranged in 40 to 55 kDa, the water WA and FA property were 2.70 and 3.43 g/g, and the denaturation temperature was 85.73 ℃. With the increase of pH, the PS, FC, EC and froth stability (FS) of Lycium barbarum leaf protein extract showed a tendency of first decreasing and then increasing, while emulsion stability (ES) was exactly the opposite. The surface of Lycium barbarum leaf protein extract had tightly connected pores and was in the form of lumps of uneven sizes, with characteristicabsorption peaks near 270 nm, appearing amide A, B, Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ bands, and a complete triplehelix structure. The scavenging rate of superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical was 37.73% and 35.38% at the concentration of 10 mg/mL of Lycium barbarum leaf protein extract, respectively. The IC50 of α-glucosidase and α-amylase was 9.88 and 21.09 mg/mL, respectively. In conclusion, the Lycium barbarum leaf protein extract was characterised and structurally stable, had certain in vitro antioxidant capacity and could inhibit the activity of enzymes related to blood glucose metabolism. This experiment provides theoretical basis for the development, utilisation and deep processing of Lycium barbarum leaf protein extract.

Abstract Pleural empyema can lead to significant morbidity and mortality despite chest drainage and antibiotic treatment, necessitating novel and minimally invasive interventions. Fusobacterium nucleatum is an obligate anaerobe found in the human oral and gut microbiota. Advances in sequencing and puncture techniques have made it common to detect anaerobic bacteria in empyema cases. In this report, we describe the case of a 65-year-old man with hypertension who presented with a left-sided encapsulated pleural effusion. Initial fluid analysis using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) revealed the presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum and Aspergillus chevalieri. Unfortunately, the patient experienced worsening pleural effusion despite drainage and antimicrobial therapy. Ultimately, successful treatment was achieved through intrapleural metronidazole therapy in conjunction with systemic antibiotics. The present case showed that intrapleural antibiotic therapy is a promising measure for pleural empyema.

Abstract Stem/progenitor cells differentiate into different cell lineages during organ development and morphogenesis. Signaling pathway networks and mechanotransduction are important factors to guide the lineage commitment of stem/progenitor cells during craniofacial tissue morphogenesis. Here, we used tooth root development as a model to explore the roles of FGF signaling and mechanotransduction as well as their interaction in regulating the progenitor cell fate decision. We show that Fgfr1 is expressed in the mesenchymal progenitor cells and their progeny during tooth root development. Loss of Fgfr1 in Gli1 + progenitors leads to hyperproliferation and differentiation, which causes narrowed periodontal ligament (PDL) space with abnormal cementum/bone formation leading to ankylosis. We further show that aberrant activation of WNT signaling and mechanosensitive channel Piezo2 occurs after loss of FGF signaling in Gli1-Cre ER ;Fgfr1 fl/fl mice. Overexpression of Piezo2 leads to increased osteoblastic differentiation and decreased Piezo2 leads to downregulation of WNT signaling. Mechanistically, an FGF/PIEZO2/WNT signaling cascade plays a crucial role in modulating the fate of progenitors during root morphogenesis. Downregulation of WNT signaling rescues tooth ankylosis in Fgfr1 mutant mice. Collectively, our findings uncover the mechanism by which FGF signaling regulates the fate decisions of stem/progenitor cells, and the interactions among signaling pathways and mechanotransduction during tooth root development, providing insights for future tooth root regeneration.

Highlights Lightweight dual-functional segregated nanocomposite foams are developed via the supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) foaming combined with hydrogen bonding assembly and compression molding strategy The segregated nanocomposite foams exhibit superior infrared stealth performances benefitting from the synergistic effect of highly effective thermal insulation and low infrared emissivity. Excellent absorption-dominant electromagnetic interference shielding performances are achieved owing to the synchronous construction of microcellular structures and segregated structures

Abstract Purpose In this prospective study, the diagnosis accuracy of nanopore sequencing-based Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) detection was determined through examining bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) -suspected patients. Compared the diagnostic performance of nanopore sequencing, mycobacterial growth indicator tube (MGIT) culture and Xpert MTB/rifampin resistance (MTB/RIF) assays. Methods Specimens collected from suspected PTB cases across China from September 2021 to April 2022 were tested then assay diagnostic accuracy rates were compared. Results Among the 111 suspected PTB cases that were ultimately diagnosed as PTB, the diagnostic rate of nanopore sequencing was statistically significant different from other assays (P

Five new species of the genus Stigmus Panzer, 1804 are described and illustrated from Yunnan and Shaanxi provinces of China: S. carinannulatus Li & Ma, sp. nov., S. clypeglabratus Li & Ma, sp. nov., S. flagellipilaris Li & Ma, sp. nov., S. rugidensus Li & Ma, sp. nov., and S. sulciconspicus Li & Ma, sp. nov. In addition, S. solskyi Morawitz, 1864 is recorded in China for the first time. An illustrated key to known and new species of the genus Stigmus Panzer from China is provided.

Abstract Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are highly heterogeneous and potentially malignant tumors arising from secretory cells of the neuroendocrine system. Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) are the most common subtype of NENs. Historically, GEP-NENs have been regarded as infrequent and slow-growing malignancies; however, recent data have demonstrated that the worldwide prevalence and incidence of GEP-NENs have increased exponentially over the last three decades. In addition, an increasing number of studies have proven that GEP-NENs result in a limited life expectancy. These findings suggested that the natural biology of GEP-NENs is more aggressive than commonly assumed. Therefore, there is an urgent need for advanced researches focusing on the diagnosis and management of patients with GEP-NENs. In this review, we have summarized the limitations and recent advancements in our comprehension of the epidemiology, clinical presentations, pathology, molecular biology, diagnosis, and treatment of GEP-NETs to identify factors contributing to delays in diagnosis and timely treatment of these patients.

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop a real-time risk prediction model for extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR). A total of 2514 very preterm infants were allocated into a training set and an external validation set. The most appropriate independent variables were screened using univariate analysis and Lasso regression with tenfold cross-validation, while the prediction model was designed using binary multivariate logistic regression. A visualization of the risk variables was created using a nomogram, while the calibration plot and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to calibrate the prediction model. Clinical efficacy was assessed using the decision curve analysis (DCA) curves. Eight optimal predictors that namely birth weight, small for gestation age (SGA), hypertensive disease complicating pregnancy (HDCP), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), multiple births, cumulative duration of fasting, growth velocity and postnatal corticosteroids were introduced into the logistic regression equation to construct the EUGR prediction model. The area under the ROC curve of the training set and the external verification set was 83.1% and 84.6%, respectively. The calibration curve indicate that the model fits well. The DCA curve shows that the risk threshold for clinical application is 0–95% in both set. Introducing Birth weight, SGA, HDCP, GDM, Multiple births, Cumulative duration of fasting, Growth velocity and Postnatal corticosteroids into the nomogram increased its usefulness for predicting EUGR risk in very preterm infants.

Abstract Background The liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) plays a pivotal role in the host’s immune response against pathogenic microorganisms. Numerous such antimicrobial peptides have recently been shown to mitigate infection risk in fish, and studying those harboured by the economically important fish Acrossocheilus fasciatus is imperative for enhancing its immune responses against pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, we cloned and sequenced LEAP2 cDNA from A. fasciatus to examine its expression in immune tissues and investigate the structure–activity relationships of its intramolecular disulphide bonds. Results The predicted amino acid sequence of A. fasciatus LEAP2 was found to include a signal peptide, pro-domain, and mature peptide. Sequence analysis indicated that A. fasciatus LEAP2 is a member of the fish LEAP2A cluster and is closely related to Cyprinus carpio LEAP2A. A. fasciatus LEAP2 transcripts were expressed in various tissues, with the head kidney exhibiting the highest mRNA levels. Upon exposure to Aeromonas hydrophila infection, LEAP2 expression was significantly upregulated in the liver, head kidney, and spleen. A mature peptide of A. fasciatus LEAP2, consisting of two disulphide bonds (Af-LEAP2-cys), and a linear form of the LEAP2 mature peptide (Af-LEAP2) were chemically synthesised. The circular dichroism spectroscopy result shows differences between the secondary structures of Af-LEAP2 and Af-LEAP2-cys, with a lower proportion of alpha helix and a higher proportion of random coil in Af-LEAP2. Af-LEAP2 exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against most tested bacteria, including Acinetobacter guillouiae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Staphylococcus warneri. In contrast, Af-LEAP2-cys demonstrated weak or no antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria. Af-LEAP2 had a disruptive effect on bacterial cell membrane integrity, whereas Af-LEAP2-cys did not exhibit this effect. Additionally, neither Af-LEAP2 nor Af-LEAP2-cys displayed any observable ability to hydrolyse the genomic DNA of P. aeruginosa. Conclusions Our study provides clear evidence that linear LEAP2 exhibits better antibacterial activity than oxidised LEAP2, thereby confirming, for the first time, this phenomenon in fish.

AIM: To investigate ocular surface disorders and tear function changes in patients with acne vulgaris and explore the potential relationship between acne vulgaris and dry eye. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included right eyes of 53 patients with acne vulgaris and 54 healthy controls. The participants completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. The following ocular surface-related parameters were measured: tear meniscus height (TMH), noninvasive tear breakup time (NIBUT), Schirmer I test (SIT), lipid layer thickness (LLT) score of the tear film, meibum score, meibomian gland orifice obstruction score, the ratio of meibomian gland loss, conjunctival hyperemia score, and corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score. RESULTS: The stability of the tear film decreased in acne vulgaris patients. In the acne group, the TMH and NIBUT were lower, whereas the OSDI, meibum score, meibomian gland orifice obstruction score, ratio of meibomian gland loss, and conjunctival hyperemia score were higher compared with controls (P0.05). In two dry eye groups, the TMH, NIBUT, and LLT score were lower in the acne with dry eye (acne-DE) group, and the meibum score, meibomian gland orifice obstruction score, ratio of meibomian gland loss and conjunctival hyperemia score in the acne-DE group were higher (P0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris are more likely to experience dry eye than those without acne vulgaris. Reduced tear film stability and meibomian gland structure dysfunction are more pronounced in patients with moderate-to-severe acne and dry eye.

Dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (DMSNs) are a new class of solid porous materials used for enzyme immobilization support due to their intrinsic characteristics, including their unique open central–radial structures with large pore channels and their excellent biocompatibility. In this review, we review the recent progress in research on enzyme immobilization using DMSNs with different structures, namely, flower-like DMSNs and tree-branch-like DMSNs. Three DMSN synthesis methods are briefly compared, and the distinct characteristics of the two DMSN types and their effects on the catalytic performance of immobilized enzymes are comprehensively discussed. Possible directions for future research on enzyme immobilization using DMSNs are also proposed.

Benzyl and phenylpropanoid acids are widely used in organic synthesis of fine chemicals, such as pharmaceuticals and condiments. However, biocatalysis of these acids has received less attention than chemical synthesis. One of the main challenges for biological production is the limited availability of alcohol dehydrogenases and aldehyde dehydrogenases. Environmental microorganisms are potential sources of these enzymes. In this study, 129 alcohol dehydrogenases and 42 aldehyde dehydrogenases from Corynebacterium glutamicum, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis were identified and explored with various benzyl and phenylpropanoid alcohol and aldehyde substrates, among which four alcohol dehydrogenases and four aldehyde dehydrogenases with broad substrate specificity and high catalytic activity were obtained. Moreover, a cascade whole-cell catalytic system including ADH-90, ALDH-40, and the NAD(P)H oxidase LreNox was established, which showed high efficiency in converting cinnamyl alcohol and p-methylbenzyl alcohol into the respective carboxylic acids. Remarkably, this biocatalytic system can be easily scaled up to gram-level production, facilitating preparation purposes.

BackgroundPeripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are increasingly used in clinical practice, which also leads to an increased incidence of PICC-related thrombosis. Local thrombus formation could be prevented by limb ischemic preconditioning (IPC). This study aimed to determine whether IPC can prevent deep vein thrombosis in patients with PICC.MethodsA total of 600 breast cancer patients receiving PICC were randomized into two groups between July 2016 and July 2018 at the Department of Radiation Oncology. In the preconditioning group, 5 min of ischemic preconditioning was performed three times before PICC, whereas no preconditioning was performed in the sham group. The coagulation function levels, the PICC-related complications, the length of hospital stay, the cost of hospitalization, and the satisfaction of patients were compared.ResultsThe coagulation function levels of patients in the preconditioning group were more normal than in patients from the sham group. In total, 56/300 patients in the sham group had presence of PICC-related thrombosis, with only 23/300 in the IPC group, with no significant difference in other complications between the two groups. However, a longer hospital stay was observed in the sham group compared to the IPC group. Moreover, the cost of hospitalization was also reduced in the IPC group, which also improved the satisfaction of patients.ConclusionLimb ischemic preconditioning may attenuate the severity of vein thrombosis in patients with PICC, which contributes to reducing the incidence of PICC-related thrombosis in clinical practice.

The rapid loss of global biodiversity affects the creation and maintenance of community biodiversity and ecosystem structure and function. Thus, it is insufficient to focus solely on the effects of biodiversity loss on community biodiversity without also considering other impacts such as community assembly, niches, interspecific relationships, community stability, and biodiversity–ecosystem function. In this study, a 3- and 10-year biodiversity manipulation experiment was conducted in an alpine meadow to examine the effects of the individual plant functional group (PFG) removal on the niches of community dominant species by removal of Gramineae, Cyperaceae, legumes, and other forbs. The results indicated that PFG removal led to variation in community niches. The long-term PFG removal led to a gradual decline in the number of Gramineae and Cyperaceae species in the community. Over time, the niche widths of dominant Gramineae and Cyperaceae species gradually narrowed, and the degree of niche overlapping decreased. The number of positively and negatively associated species tended to decrease and increase, respectively. Reduced species diversity led to significant differences in the niches of the remaining species within the community. Thus, species niche differences, resulting from variation in resource allocation, commonly determined the dynamic construction of species composition within the community.

Because of early diagnosis and improved prognosis, patients with gastric cancer are now surviving longer and remnant gastric cancer after gastrectomy is becoming more common. Remnant gastric cancer is traditionally considered a malignancy with a dismal outcome. However, recent advances in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies have improved outcomes. In recent years, the development of endoscopic therapy has provided us with new therapeutic ideas. Although with some drawbacks, such as limited working space, gastric fibrosis and staples under the suture line, endoscopic management is still an effective treatment option with potential long-term survival advantage. For gastrectomy patients, endoscopic surveillance should also be recommended, for prompt surveillance and detection in the early remnant gastric cancer. This review aims to provide an overview of remnant gastric cancer, especially focusing on its pathogenesis as well as new advances in the diagnosis and endoscopic treatment of early-stage remnant gastric cancer.

As coal mining operations continue to deepen, the frequency of coal spontaneous combustion (CSC) and gas explosion disasters in high-gas mines is increasing. Understanding the distribution patterns of CSC and gas compound disaster zones in the gob during the extraction process is crucial for reducing the risks of combustion and explosion. This study focuses on the 201 working face of the Shuanglong Coal Mine, where a multi-physical field coupling model of pressure, temperature, gas seepage, and diffusion was established to investigate the evolution characteristics of compound disaster zones and propose corresponding prevention and control measures. The results demonstrate that the area with the most severe composite hazard is mainly located at the return roadway side, extending to the middle of the gob. With increased ventilation volume and advance rate, the area of the CSC and gas coupling hazard zone expands continuously. By implementing measures such as brattice cloth and nitrogen injection, the areas of spontaneous combustion and CH4 explosion zones were reduced by 53.6 % and 49.5 %, respectively, effectively controlling the extent of the compound disaster zone and eliminating the risk of gas explosions.

Climate warming and human disturbance are supposed to have significantly impacted the alpine grasslands. However, it is still unclear how human activity affects the community composition and niche characteristics in response to warming. We conducted a two-factorial experiment in an alpine meadow, and set up four treatments: warming, mowing, warming with mowing, and control. Based on the investigation of community composition and niche characteristics, we evaluated the impacts of soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus on species niche overlap. The results showed that mowing significantly increased species richness of Grass, Sedge, Forbs and the importance value of Sedge compared to warming (P < 0.05). The niche breadth of species (>50 %) was reduced by warming, but increased under mowing. The niche overlap mainly occurred between Grass and Forbs in warming, while it was evenly distributed among species after mowing, which alleviated the negative effects of warming on interspecific competitiveness. Warming increased the number of species pairs with a niche overlap value >0.9 by 24.15 %, while warming with mowing decreased it by 2.7 %. The number of species pairs with niche overlap was significantly correlated with soil total nitrogen and soil available nitrogen (P < 0.05). In particular, the species pairs with highly competitive showed a greater dependency on soil nitrogen. Our work highlights that moderate utilization and soil nitrogen are two crucial factors influencing the response of community structure in alpine meadows to future climate change. The study provides an important reference for predicting and addressing the impact of global climate change on adaptive management and grassland protection.

Peptides derived from fermented milk have demonstrated diverse bioactivities. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of Gln-Glu-Pro-Val (QEPV) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced oxidative stress in RAW 264.7 cells and further evaluated its potential in Drosophila melanogaster (D. melanogaster). Pre-incubation with QEPV in vitro dose-dependently promoted cell viability, suppressed oxidative damage, and increased antioxidant enzyme activities in a low-level oxidative stress model. QEPV remarkably extended lifespan under the low-level oxidative stress, validating its practical applicability. These effects were attributed to the upregulation of 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) signaling pathways, as revealed by label-free proteomic analysis. To confirm the roles of these two signaling pathways, antagonists of AMPK (Dorsomorphin) and PPARα (GW6471) were applied in vitro and in vivo. The protective effects of QEPV were reversed by both antagonists. Overall, QEPV exhibits protective properties by selectively upregulating the AMPK and PPARα signaling pathways, indicating its potential application as an antioxidant food ingredient.

Abstract BackgroundBenign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a global age-related disease. It has been reported that over half of the Chinese male population aged 70 years or older are experiencing BPH. Solid fuel, which is the major source of household air pollution, has been reportedly associated with several adverse events, including sex hormone disorders. Due to the certain relationship between sex hormone levels and prostate disease, the relationship between solid fuel use and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) suggestive of BPH (LUTS/BPH) deserves further exploration. ObjectiveThis study mainly aimed to investigate the association between solid fuel use and LUTS/BPH. MethodsThe data used in this study were obtained from the West China Natural Population Cohort Study. Household energy sources were assessed using questionnaires. LUTS/BPH was evaluated based on participant self-reports. We performed propensity score matching (PSM) to reduce the influence of bias and unmeasured confounders. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI of LUTS/BPH for the solid fuel group compared with the clean fuel group were calculated. We also conducted stratified analyses based on BMI, metabolic syndrome, waist to hip ratio, drinking status, smoking status, and age. ResultsA total of 5463 participants were included in this study, including 399 solid fuel users and 5064 clean fuel users. After PSM, the solid fuel group included 354 participants, while the clean fuel group included 701 participants. Solid fuel use was positively correlated with LUTS/BPH before and after PSM (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.31‐2.15 and OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.35‐2.44, respectively). In stratified analyses, the OR of the nonsmoking group was higher than that of the smoking group (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.56‐4.20 and OR 1.47, 95% CI 0.99‐2.18, respectively). Similarly, the OR of the nondrinking group was higher than that of the drinking group (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.46‐4.99 and OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.01‐2.17, respectively). ConclusionsA positive correlation between solid fuel use and LUTS/BPH was observed. The results suggest that improving fuel structure for household cooking and other household needs can possibly help reduce the risk of LUTS/BPH.