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This paper studies the global phase portraits of uniform isochronous quintic centers at the origin with time reversibility such that their nonlinear part is not homogeneous. By using Poincaré compactification, we obtain all possible phase portraits of this quintic polynomial differential system.

Abstract Background Depression and anxiety symptoms among medical students are often a concern. The Patient Health Questionnaire-Four (PHQ-4), an important tool for depression and anxiety screening, is commonly used and easy to administer. This study aimed to assess and update the longitudinal measurement invariance and psychometric properties of the simplified Chinese version. Methods A three-wave longitudinal survey was conducted among healthcare students using the PHQ-4. Structural validity was based on one-factor, two-factor, and second-order factor models, construct validity was based on the Self-Rated Health Questionnaire (SRHQ), Sleep Quality Questionnaire (SQQ), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and longitudinal measurement invariance (LMI), internal consistency, and test–retest reliability were based on structural consistency across three time points. Results The results of the confirmatory factor analysis indicated that two-factor model was the best fit, and LMI was supported at three time points. Inter-factor, factor-total, and construct validity correlations of the PHQ-4 were acceptable. Additionally, Cronbach’s alpha, McDonald’s omega, and the intraclass correlation coefficient demonstrated acceptable/moderate to excellent reliability of the PHQ-4. Conclusions This study adds new longitudinal evidence that the Chinese version of the PHQ-4 has promising LMI and psychometric properties. Such data lends confidence to the routine and the expanded use of the PHQ-4 for routine screening of depression and anxiety in Chinese healthcare students.

Abstract Background This study aimed to assess whether the Haptoglobin (Hp) genotype influences the relationship between hemoglobin (Hb) levels and the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Additionally, it sought to evaluate the interaction and joint association of Hb levels and Hp genotype with GDM risk. Methods This retrospective study involved 358 women with GDM and 1324 women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Peripheral blood leukocytes were collected from 360 individuals at 14–16 weeks’ gestation for Hp genotyping. GDM was diagnosed between 24–28 weeks’ gestation. Interactive moderating effect, joint analysis, and mediation analysis were performed to evaluate the crosslink of Hb levels and Hp genotype with GDM risk. Results Women who developed GDM had significantly higher Hb levels throughout pregnancy compared to those with NGT. Increase first-trimester Hb concentration was associated with a progressive rise in GDM incidence, glucose levels, glycosylated hemoglobin levels, Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) values, cesarean delivery rates, and composite neonatal outcomes. Spline regression showed a significant linear association of GDM incidence with continuous first-trimester Hb level when the latter exceeded 122 g/L. Increased first-trimester Hb concentration was an independent risk factor for GDM development after adjusting for potential confounding factors in both the overall population and a matched case-control group. The Hp2–2 genotype was more prevalent among pregnant women with GDM when first-trimester Hb exceeded 122 g/L. Significant multiplicative and additive interactions were identified between Hb levels and Hp genotype for GDM risk, adjusted for age and pre-pregnancy BMI. The odds ratio (OR) for GDM development increased incrementally when stratified by Hb levels and Hp genotype. Moreover, first-trimester Hb level partially mediated the association between Hp genotype and GDM risk. Conclusion Increased first-trimester Hb levels were closely associated with the development of GDM and adverse pregnancy outcomes, with this association moderated by the Hp2–2 genotype.

The kiwifruit JD (Jindun No. 1) and HY (Hongyang) are two species of Actinidia chinensis, a major horticultural crop growing worldwide. Fruity texture and taste of HY are better compared with that of JD. However, the fruit transcriptome differences at the ripening stage between JD and HY are poorly understood. In this study, we identified a total of 2,565 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 1,336 upregulated and 1,229 downregulated DEGs between the two cultivars. Among the total DEGs, 2,329 matched at least one database. Meanwhile, 1,915 could be aligned to the GO (Gene Ontology), 551 could be aligned to the KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway), and 2,187 could be aligned to SWISS-PROT (SWISS-PROT Protein Sequence) database, respectively. To analyze the DEGs using functional categorization, some regulated processes were significantly changed, and 52 TF (transcription factor) families were detected. This study revealed the change in gene expression level at maturity through the analysis of DEGs data, and these data can provide valuable clues for exploring the molecular mechanism between two kiwifruit varieties, and will be helpful for molecular breeding in Actinidia plants.

BackgroundAnxiety, depression, and sleep problems are prevalent comorbid mental disorders among university students. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized a mental health promotion objective, recommending the consideration of protective health-promoting factors in strategies aimed at preventing mental disorders. Integrating theoretically significant constructs (such as protective factors) enhances our comprehension of the intricate mechanisms that underpin mental disorders. This study employed network analysis to first identify core and bridge symptoms within comorbid mental disorders and then explore how health-promoting lifestyles (HPLs) were associated with these disorders. The ultimate goal is to offer health promotion recommendations to enhance students’ quality of life.MethodsA total of 3,896 qualified university students participated in this study. Anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and HPLs were assessed using the GAD-7, PHQ-9, PSQI, and HPLP-II scales. A Gaussian Graphical Model was used to construct the networks. The Network Comparison Test was applied to determine whether the associations between HPLs and comorbid symptoms vary by gender, educational level, family sibling, and mental health status.ResultsLow energy (PHQ4) had the highest strength centrality, followed by Daytime dysfunction (PSQI7) and Trouble relaxing (GAD4). Five bridge symptoms were identified: Daytime dysfunction (PSQI7), Self-harm even suicide (PHQ9), Sad mood (PHQ2), Low energy (PHQ4), and Feeling afraid (GAD7). Regarding protective HPLs, Physical activity, Spiritual growth, and Stress management generally emerged as the top three central mental health-promoting behaviors.ConclusionTargeting core and bridge symptoms with timely and appropriate interventions can alleviate anxiety, depression, and sleep problems in this population. Moreover, promoting physical activity, fostering spiritual growth, and managing stress are likely to significantly enhance the overall mental health of university students.

Macrocyclic polyamines constitute a significant class of macrocyclic compounds that play a pivotal role in the realm of supramolecular chemistry. They find extensive applications across diverse domains including industrial and agricultural production, clinical diagnostics, environmental protection and other multidisciplinary fields. Macrocyclic polyamines possess a distinctive cavity structure with varying sizes, depths, electron-richness degrees and flexibilities. This unique feature enables them to form specific supramolecular structures through complexation with diverse objects, thereby attracting considerable attention from chemists, biologists and materials scientists alike. However, there is currently a lack of comprehensive summaries on the synthesis methods for macrocyclic polyamines. In this review article, we provide an in-depth introduction to the synthesis of macrocyclic polyamines while analysing their respective advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, we also present an overview of the recent 5-year advancements in using macrocyclic polyamines as non-viral gene vectors, fluorescent probes, diagnostic and therapeutic reagents as well as catalysts. Looking ahead to future research directions on the synthesis and application of macrocyclic polyamines across various fields will hopefully inspire new ideas for their synthesis and use.

The climatic characteristics of tropical cyclones affecting Qingdao, China, were analyzed from the aspects of frequency, period, and intensity of the tropical cyclones and their impact on rainfall in Qingdao by referring to the Typhoon Yearbook, the tropical cyclone data of China during 1949–2020 as well as surface meteorological observations. The results showed that the frequency of tropical cyclones affecting Qingdao during 1949–2020 took on an overall decreasing trend and mostly exhibited a significant variation period of 2–4 year. Tropical cyclones with the track of turning after landfall and continuing northward after landfall accounted for 47.9%. In July, there were tropical cyclones mainly followed tracks of continuing northward after landfall, and tracks turning after landfall mostly occurred in September. The intensity of the tropical cyclones showed an overall weakening feature with distinct inter-decadal variations, and it did not change much when the northward tropical cyclones close affecting Qingdao. The different track of tropical cyclones had spatially heterogeneous, strong rainfall in Qingdao with the track of continuing northward after landfall brought the highest daily and process rainfall to Qingdao, while the tropical cyclones turning nearshore or advancing offshore before landfall had relatively little rainfall.

The traditional method of sexual reproduction in Sargassum fusiforme can lead to difficulties in maintaining the stable inheritance of superior traits. However, technology for asexual proliferation of seedlings in seaweed tissue culture is not well-developed. Therefore, we established a tissue culture method to study, the effects of different parts of S. fusiforme, uniconazole (UIZ) concentrations, and culture methods on the regeneration of tissue-derived juveniles of S. fusiforme. The results showed that the optimal culture conditions were solid medium with modified Provassoli’s enriched seawater containing 3 μM UIZ for at least 17 days followed by transfer to liquid medium to induce rapid cell proliferation. These optimal conditions resulted in a callus-like/adventitious bud induction rate of 100%, callus-like/adventitious bud number per explant of 27.43 ± 4.57, and relative growth rate of 3.05 ± 0.27. The best plant parts for tissue culture were the filamentous holdfasts followed by the stem tip. In addition, UIZ treatment increased photosynthesis, resulting in soluble sugar and soluble protein contents of 30.47 mg·g-1 and 1.39 mg·g-1 of in the regenerated juveniles. Based on our results, S. fusiforme can be cultured using a tissue culture technique in which UIZ is added to a solid medium, followed by culture in liquid medium for proliferation. Sargassum fusiforme juveniles obtained using this technique can be cultured continuously until the next culture season and grow normally, providing a technical reference for indoor preservation and expansion of algal species.

Autologous cancer vaccine that stimulates tumor-specific immune responses for personalized immunotherapy holds great potential for tumor therapy. However, its efficacy is still suboptimal due to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITM). Here, we report a new type of bacteria-based autologous cancer vaccine by employing calcium carbonate (CaCO3) biomineralized Salmonella (Sal) as an in-situ cancer vaccine producer and systematical ITM regulator. CaCO3 can be facilely coated on the Sal surface with calcium ionophore A23187 co-loading, and such biomineralization did not affect the bioactivities of the bacteria. Upon intratumoral accumulation, the CaCO3 shell was decomposed at an acidic microenvironment to attenuate tumor acidity, accompanied by the release of Sal and Ca2+/A23187. Specifically, Sal served as a cancer vaccine producer by inducing cancer cells' immunogenic cell death (ICD) and promoting the gap junction formation between tumor cells and dendritic cells (DCs) to promote antigen presentation. Ca2+, on the other hand, was internalized into various types of immune cells with the aid of A23187 and synergized with Sal to systematically regulate the immune system, including DCs maturation, macrophages polarization, and T cells activation. As a result, such bio-vaccine achieved remarkable efficacy against both primary and metastatic tumors by eliciting potent anti-tumor immunity with full biocompatibility. This work demonstrated the potential of bioengineered bacteria as bio-active vaccines for enhanced tumor immunotherapy.

To address the inefficient crushing of fertilizer during the mechanized spreading process caused by the caking of high-humidity organic fertilizer, a fertilizer spreader with a combined rotor and lining plate crushing mechanism was proposed in this paper. With the introduction of the basic structure and working principle of the spreader, a particle group model for an organic fertilizer consisting of both caked and bulk fertilizer was built, based on the Hertz–Mindlin model with bonding and the Hertz–Mindlin model with JKR contact, in EDEM to construct an organic fertilizer-crushing-and-spreading model. With the rotor speed, the axial distance of the hammer, and the number of circumferential hammer groups as the experimental factors and the maximum broken bond rate of the caked organic fertilizer and the minimum coefficient of variation of spreading uniformity as the experimental indices, the Box–Behnken test method was employed to establish regression equations for response surface analysis and multi-objective optimization of the test results. The results indicated that, when the rotor speed was 6.47 Hz, the axial distance of the hammer was 90.30 mm, the number of circumferential hammer groups was five, the broken bond rate reached 90.86%, and the coefficient of variation was 21.45%. Verification tests under these conditions showed a broken bond rate of 90.03% and a coefficient of variation of 22.12%, which were consistent with the optimization results. Therefore, our research provides a reference for the structural design of an organic fertilizer spreader and the optimization of its working parameters.

‘Allen Eureka’ is a bud variety of Eureka lemon with excellent fruiting traits. However, it suffers from severe winter defoliation that leads to a large loss of organic nutrients and seriously affects the tree’s growth and development as well as the yield of the following year, and the mechanism of its response to defoliation is still unclear. In order to investigate the molecular regulatory mechanisms of different leaf abscission periods in lemon, two lemon cultivars (‘Allen Eureka’ and ‘Yunning No. 1’) with different defoliation traits were used as materials. The petiole abscission zone (AZ) was collected at three different defoliation stages, namely, the pre-defoliation stage (CQ), the mid-defoliation stage (CZ), and the post-defoliation stage (CH). Transcriptome sequencing was performed to analyze the gene expression differences between these two cultivars. A total of 898, 4,856, and 3,126 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained in CQ, CZ, and CH, respectively, and the number of DEGs in CZ was the largest. GO analysis revealed that the DEGs between the two cultivars were mainly enriched in processes related to oxidoreductase, hydrolase, DNA binding transcription factor, and transcription regulator activity in the defoliation stages. KEGG analysis showed that the DEGs were concentrated in CZ and involved plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, glutathione metabolism, and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism. The expression trends of some DEGs suggested their roles in regulating defoliation in lemon. Eight gene families were obtained by combining DEG clustering analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), including β-glucosidase, AUX/IAA, SAUR, GH3, POD, and WRKY, suggesting that these genes may be involved in the regulation of lemon leaf abscission. The above conclusions enrich the research related to lemon leaf abscission and provide reliable data for the screening of lemon defoliation candidate genes and analysis of defoliation pathways.

Abstract Background The 10-item Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) is a widely used tool for individuals to self-report their self-esteem; however, the factorial structures of translated versions of the RSES vary across different languages. This study aimed to validate the Chinese version of the RSES in the Chinese mainland using a longitudinal design. Methods A group of healthcare university students completed the RSES across three waves: baseline, 1-week follow-up, and 15-week follow-up. A total of 481 valid responses were collected through the three-wave data collection process. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed on the baseline data to explore the potential factorial structure, while confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed on the follow-up data to determine the best-fit model. Additionally, the cross-sectional and longitudinal measurement invariances were tested to assess the measurement properties of the RSES for different groups, such as gender and age, as well as across different time points. Convergent validity was assessed against the Self-Rated Health Questionnaire (SRHQ) using Spearman’s correlation. Internal consistency was examined using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega coefficients, while test–retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient. Results The results of EFA revealed that Items 5, 8, and 9 had inadequate or cross-factor loadings, leading to their removal from further analysis. Analysis of the remaining seven items using EFA suggested a two-factor solution. A comparison of several potential models for the 10-item and 7-item RSES using CFA showed a preference for the 7-item form (RSES-7) with two factors. Furthermore, the RSES-7 exhibited strict invariance across different groups and time points, indicating its stability and consistency. The RSES-7 also demonstrated adequate convergent validity, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability, which further supported its robustness as a measure of self-esteem. Conclusions The findings suggest that the RSES-7 is a psychometrically sound and brief self-report scale for measuring self-esteem in the Chinese context. More studies are warranted to further verify its usability.

With the increasing application of semi-underground buildings, it is of greater significance to understand indoor air quality and personnel satisfaction in different functional areas within such buildings. In this study, a semi-underground building in Xi’an was taken as an example to test and study the indoor air quality in different functional areas, and a questionnaire survey based on the satisfaction of indoor personnel was conducted at the same time. The comprehensive results showed that the places with the highest concentrations of PM2.5 exceeding the standard limit in the semi-underground building were the milk tea shops, hair salons, and driving schools, presenting 1.01 times, 1.15 times, and 1.08 times the standard limit, respectively. Hair salons were the sites with the highest pollution. The second most frequent pollutants were formaldehyde (HCHO) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs). In contrast to the wind speed parameters, the indoor concentrations of pollutants were higher than those outdoors. The upper limits of personnel satisfaction for particulate matter with a diameter less than 1.0 microns (PM1.0), particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), and TVOCs were all higher than the standard limits. The upper limits of personnel satisfaction for PM10, HCHO, wind speed, carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2) were all below the standard limits. This provides data support and reference values for the widespread development and application of semi-underground buildings.

Smoothened (Smo) is a critical component regulating the Hedgehog signaling pathway. However, whether Smo is associated with the modulation of olfactory recognition capabilities of bees remains unclear. In this study, we amplified Smo from Apis mellifera. The coding sequence of Smo was 2952 bp long, encoded 983 amino acids. Smo was most highly expressed in the antennae. Cyclopamine (200 μg/mL) significantly reduced but purmorphamine (800 μg/mL) significantly increased Smo expression (p < 0.05). OR152 and OR2 expression in the cyclopamine group significantly decreased, whereas OR152 expression in the purmorphamine group significantly increased (p < 0.05). A significant decrease in the relative values of electroantennography was observed in the cyclopamine group exposed to neral. Behavioral tests indicated a significant decrease in the attractive rates of neral, VUAA1, linalool, and methyl heptenone in the cyclopamine group. Conversely, the selection rates of linalool and methyl heptenone in the purmorphamine group significantly increased. Our findings indicate that Smo may play a role in modulating olfactory receptors in bees.

As pH is a key factor affecting the quality of maize silage, its accurate detection is essential to ensuring product quality. Although traditional methods for testing the pH of maize silage feed are widely used, the procedures are often complex and time-consuming and may damage the sample. This study presents a non-destructive hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology that provides a more efficient and cost-effective method of monitoring pH by capturing the spectral information of samples and analyzing their chemical and physical properties rapidly and without contact. We applied four spectral preprocessing methods, among which the multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) preprocessing method yielded the best results. To minimize model redundancy and enhance predictive performance, we utilized six feature extraction methods for characteristic wavelength extraction, integrating these with partial least squares (PLS), non-linear support vector machine regression (SVR), and extreme learning machine (ELM) algorithms to construct a quantitative pH value prediction model. The results showed that the model based on the bootstrapping soft shrinkage (BOSS) feature wavelength extraction method outperformed the other feature extraction methods, selecting 20 pH value-related feature wavelengths from 256 bands and building a stable BOSS–ELM model with prediction set determination coefficient (RP2), root-mean-square error of prediction (RMSEP), and relative percentage deviation (RPD) values of 0.9241, 0.4372, and 3.6565, respectively. To further optimize the model for precisely predicting pH at each pixel in hyperspectral images, we employed three algorithms: the genetic algorithm (GA), whale optimization algorithm (WOA), and bald eagle search (BES). These algorithms optimized and compared the BOSS–ELM model to obtain the best model for predicting maize silage pH: the BOSS–BES–ELM model. This model achieved a determination coefficient (RP2) of 0.9598, an RMSEP of 0.3216, and an RPD of 5.1448. We generated a visualized distribution map of pH value variation in maize silage using the BOSS–BES–ELM model. This study provides strong technical support and a reference for the rapid, non-destructive detection of maize silage pH from an image, an advancement of great significance to ensuring the quality of maize silage.

Abstract Aim To develop a Head Nurse Research Leadership Scale and evaluate its reliability and validity. Design A psychometric instrument validation study was conducted in two phases. Methods The item tool was generated based on a literature review, semi‐structured interview and brainstorming. Twenty experts validated the content of the initial version for two rounds. Thirty‐nine clinical nurses conducted the HNRLS‐v3 to test the readability of the items in pilot study I. Items were screened based on the critical ratio, correlation coefficient analysis, Cronbach's α coefficient and factor analysis using the data collected from 265 nurses in pilot study II. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in six hospitals to evaluate the reliability and validity between 4 January 2022 and 15 January 2022. Three hundred and sixteen nurses participated in this survey, and 60 completed the questionnaire to validate the test–retest reliability between 1 February and 6 February. Results A 15‐item Head Nurse Research Leadership Scale based on 5 dimensions was developed, and the content validity was satisfied. The 15 items accounted for 77.9% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable convergent validity and discriminant validity. The Cronbach's α coefficient, split‐half reliability and test–retest reliability of the scale were 0.966, 0.9633 and 0.927, respectively.

'Allen Eureka' is a bud variety of Eureka lemon with excellent fruiting traits, but severe winter defoliation affects the following year's yield, and the response mechanism of lemon defoliation is currently unknown. Two lemon cultivars ('Allen Eureka' and 'Yunning No. 1') with different defoliation traits were used as materials to investigate the molecular regulatory mechanisms of different leaf abscission periods in lemons. The petiole abscission zone was collected at three different defoliation stages, namely, the predefoliation stage (k15), the middefoliation stage (k30), and the postdefoliation stage (k45). Transcriptome sequencing was performed to analyze the gene expression differences between these two cultivars. A total of 1141, 2695, and 1433 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained in k15, k30, and k45, respectively, and the number of DEGs in k30 was the largest. GO analysis revealed that the DEGs between the two cultivars were mainly enriched in processes related to hydrolase activity, chitinase activity, oxidoreductase activity, and transcription regulator activity in the defoliation stages. KEGG analysis showed that the DEGs were concentrated in k30, which involved plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and biosynthesis of amino acids. The expression trends of some DEGs suggested their roles in regulating defoliation in Lemon. Seven genes were obtained by WGCNA, including sorbitol dehydrogenase (CL9G068822012_alt, CL9G068820012_alt, CL9G068818012_alt), abscisic acid 8'-hydroxylase (CL8G064053012_alt, CL8G064054012_alt), and asparagine synthetase (CL8G065162012_alt, CL8G065151012_alt), suggesting that these genes may be involved in the regulation of lemon leaf abscission.

BackgroundSleep quality can offer new insights into addressing depression among stroke patients. However, the current understanding of the mechanism by which sleep quality reduces depression is not clear in existing research.ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify the relationships and mechanisms among perceived stress, sleep quality, social support, and depression in stroke patients.MethodsA multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2023. Cluster random sampling was used to recruit 500 stroke patients from five hospitals in Henan Province, China. The Chinese Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24) were employed to assess perceived stress, sleep quality, social support, and depression, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and moderated mediation analysis. The study adhered to the STROBE checklist for reporting.ResultsOut of 500 participants, 471 completed the survey (94.2%). After controlling for sex and age, mediation analysis revealed that poor sleep quality partially mediated the relationship between perceived stress and depression (β = 0.184, 95% CI: 0.110, 0.359). Additionally, social support played a moderating role in the mediation model.ConclusionThis study explained the moderated mediation of sleep quality and social support between perceived stress and depression. It provided a theoretical basis for the development of a sleep quality intervention program for reducing depression among stroke patients.

Abstract Bacteria‐based microbial immunotherapy shows various unique properties for tumor therapy owing to their active tropism to tumor and multiple anti‐tumor mechanisms. However, its clinical benefit is far from satisfactory, which is limited by rapid systemic clearance and neutrophils‐mediated immune restriction to compromise the efficacy, as well as non‐specific distribution to cause toxicity. To address all these limitations, herein we reported a polyserotonin (PST) coated Salmonella (Sal) with surface adsorption of DNAzyme (Dz)‐functionalized MnO2 nanoparticles (DzMN) for tumor therapy. PST could facilely coat on Sal surface via oxidation and self‐polymerization of its serotonin monomer, which enabled surface stealth to avoid rapid systemic clearance while maintaining the tumor homing effect. Upon targeting to tumor, the PST was degraded and exfoliated in response to acidic tumor microenvironment, thus liberating Sal to recover its anti‐tumor activities. Meanwhile, the DzMN was also delivered into tumor via hitchhiking Sal, which could release Dz and Mn2+ after tumor cells internalization. The Dz was then activated by its cofactor of Mn2+ to cleave target PD‐L1 mRNA, thus serving as a self‐activated system for gene silencing. Combining Sal and Dz for immune activation and PD‐L1 knockdown, respectively, anti‐tumor immunotherapy was achieved with enhanced efficacy. Notably, PST coating could significantly decrease infection potential and non‐specific colonization of Sal at normal organs, achieving high in vivo biosafety. This work addresses the key limitations of Sal for in vivo application via biomaterials modification, and provides a promising platform for better microbial immunotherapy.

Background: Stroke is the second leading cause of death in adults worldwide. However, up to 80% of strokes can be prevented by modifying risk factors. Objective: The study aims to assess the effectiveness of the Health Ecology Model and Self-Determination Theory (HEM-SDT) based health management intervention among individuals at high risk of stroke. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Zhengzhou from May 1st, 2020, to December 31st, 2020. A total of 229 participants were recruited for the study, with 116 individuals at high risk of stroke being randomly assigned to the HEM-SDT health management group, while 113 participants were enrolled in the control group, following their current routine practices. The Generalized Estimating Equation model (GEE) was used to analyze the differences in health knowledge, belief and, behavior between the two groups at the beginning of the intervention, and at 6-month intervals after the intervention. The chi-square test was utilized to assess the control rate of risk factors. Results: After 6 months of intervention, there were significant improvements in health knowledge, behavior, and belief among the participants. The study found significant differences in the interaction effects between time and group for health knowledge (Mean, SD = 25.62 ± 3.88, 95%CI: 7.944–9.604, P＜0.001), health belief (Mean, SD = 87.18 ± 14.21, 95%CI: 23.999–29.887, P＜0.001), and health behavior (Mean, SD = 173.28 ± 24.22, 95%CI: 22.332–36.904, P＜0.001). Additionally, the rates of hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, high or medium risk condition of stroke, obesity, hyperhomocysteinemia, smoking, alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise also showed statistical significance (P＜0.05) after the intervention. Conclusion: The HEM-SDT health management model improves the health knowledge, behavior, and beliefs in people at high risk of stroke and remarkably it shows improvement in modifiable risk factors. It can be recommended for systematic health management in people at high-risk of stroke.

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of multi-frequency ultrasound-assisted sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) on fresh-cut scallion stem (FCS) cleaning. Ultrasonic cleaning parameters (frequency mode, frequency amplitude, and the sample to water ratios) were optimized against cleanliness and microbial biomass as evaluation indexes. Under the optimum conditions, the free chlorine residues and quality attributes of FCS were also investigated. The results showed that the cleanliness of FCS improved significantly (p

Abstract Background Effective health management of people at high risk of stroke in China is challenging. Aim To explore and identify the experiences of health management among people at high risk of stroke in order to provide a foundation for a targeted health management strategy for this special group. Design A qualitative, descriptive study based on interviews. Methods Semistructured interviews were conducted with 31 people at high risk of stroke. The interviews were collated and analysed using Colaizzi’s seven‐step method. Results A total of 31 people at high risk of stroke were included, and the ages ranged from 40 to 86, with an average age of 60.71 (SD = 11.55). The experiences of health management were categorized into three themes. Theme 1: Facing many ongoing problems in health management, limited knowledge, lack of confidence and poor compliance. Theme 2: Accumulated some value experiences of coping with problems of health management, becoming active learners, promoting social interaction and enhancing self‐health management. Theme 3: Sensitivity to multiple influencing factors, the severity of disease and complexity of disease management, family income and economic burden and the value of social support. Conclusions This study explored the experiences of health management among people at high risk of stroke, and these findings are of great significance in the primary prevention of stroke.

As construction projects in cold regions continue to increase, it has become necessary to understand the performance of concrete at low temperatures. Conducting uniaxial compressive tests on non-standard prismatic concrete specimens under low-temperature conditions and analyzing the test results allows for a comprehensive understanding of the strength variations of concrete with different strength grades at temperatures of 20 °C, 0 °C, −20 °C, −30 °C, and −40 °C. When the temperature decreases from 20 °C to 0 °C, the compressive strength of the specimens decreases, while the elastic modulus and peak strain increase. As the temperature continues to decrease, the compressive strength of the specimens increases, the elastic modulus continues to grow, and the peak strain decreases. The rising segments of the curves can be fitted using a cubic polynomial, and as the temperature decreases further, the parameters of the fitting curve gradually decrease. For concrete, being the most widely used material in the construction field, understanding its performance in low-temperature environments has become a significant research topic in the field of materials engineering and construction.

Corn silk (Zea mays L.) is the stigma of an annual gramineous plant named corn, which is distributed in many regions worldwide and has a long history of medicinal use. In recent years, with the sustainable development of traditional Chinese medicine, studies of corn silk based on modern technologies, such as GC–MS, LC–MS, and other analytical means, have offered more comprehensive analyses. Phytochemistry studies have shown that the main bioactive components in corn silk include flavonoids, polyphenols, phenolic acids, fatty acids, and terpenoids. Pharmacological studies have shown that corn silk extract has various pharmacological effects, such as reducing blood lipids, lowering blood pressure, regulating blood sugar levels, anti-inflammatory effects, and anti-oxidation effects. In this paper, the related research on corn silk from the past few years is summarized to provide a theoretical reference for the further development and utilization of corn silk.

Tea plants (Camellia sinensis) show discrepancies in selenium accumulation and transportation, the molecular mechanisms of which are not well understood. Hence, we aimed to conduct a systematic investigation of selenium accumulation and transportation mechanisms in different tea cultivars via transcriptome analysis. The Na2SeO3 and Na2SeO4 treatments improved selenium contents in the roots and leaves of three tea cultivars. The high selenium-enrichment ability (HSe) tea cultivars accumulated higher selenium contents in the leaves than did the low selenium-enrichment ability (LSe) tea cultivars. Transcriptome analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under the Na2SeO3 and Na2SeO4 treatments were enriched in flavonoid biosynthesis in leaves. DEGs under the Na2SeO3 treatment were enriched in glutathione metabolism in the HSe tea cultivar roots compared to those of the LSe tea cultivar. More transporters and transcription factors involved in improving selenium accumulation and transportation were identified in the HSe tea cultivars under the Na2SeO3 treatment than in the Na2SeO4 treatment. In the HSe tea cultivar roots, the expression of sulfate transporter 1;2 (SULTR1;2) and SULTR3;4 increased in response to Na2SeO4 exposure. In contrast, ATP-binding cassette transporter genes (ABCs), glutathione S-transferase genes (GSTs), phosphate transporter 1;3 (PHT1;3), nitrate transporter 1 (NRT1), and 34 transcription factors were upregulated in the presence of Na2SeO3. In the HSe tea cultivar leaves, ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 11 (ABCB11) and 14 transcription factors were upregulated under the Na2SeO3 treatment. Among them, WRKY75 was explored as a potential transcription factor that regulated the accumulation of Na2SeO3 in the roots of HSe tea cultivars. This study preliminary clarified the mechanism of selenium accumulation and transportation in tea cultivars, and the findings have important theoretical significance for the breeding and cultivation of selenium-enriched tea cultivars.

Abstract Gene therapy that employs therapeutic nucleic acids to modulate gene expression has shown great promise for diseases therapy, and its clinical application relies on the development of effective gene vector. Herein a novel gene delivery strategy by just using natural polyphenol (‐)‐epigallocatechin‐3‐O‐gallate (EGCG) as raw material is reported. EGCG first intercalates into nucleic acids to yield a complex, which then oxidizes and self‐polymerizes to form tea polyphenols nanoparticles (TPNs) for effective nucleic acids encapsulation. This is a general method to load any types of nucleic acids with single or double strands and short or long sequences. Such TPNs‐based vector achieves comparable gene loading capacity to commonly used cationic materials, but showing lower cytotoxicity. TPNs can effectively penetrate inside cells, escape from endo/lysosomes, and release nucleic acids in response to intracellular glutathione to exert biological functions. To demonstrate the in vivo application, an anti‐caspase‐3 small interfering ribonucleic acid is loaded into TPNs to treat concanavalin A‐induced acute hepatitis, and excellent therapeutic efficacy is obtained in combination with the intrinsic activities of TPNs vector. This work provides a simple, versatile, and cost‐effective gene delivery strategy. Given the biocompatibility and intrinsic biofunctions, this TPNs‐based gene vector holds great potential to treat various diseases.

Objective: To explore the relationships among self-perceived burden, resourcefulness and depression, and to study further whether resourcefulness mediates the effects of self-perceived burden on depression in young and middle-aged stroke patients. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1050 young and middle-aged stroke patients. We used a general demographic questionnaire, Self-Perceived Burden Scale (SPBS), Resourcefulness Scale© (RS) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) to assess self-perceived burden, resourcefulness, and depression. Statistical methods included correlation analysis, multiple linear regression, and structural equation model. Results: 1018 valid questionnaires were collected with a response rate of 96.95%. Resourcefulness was inversely correlated with self-perceived burden (r = −0.367, p

Abstract Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT) are two potential targets for cancer immunotherapy, early clinical studies showed the combination therapy of anti-PD-L1 and anti-TIGIT had synergistic efficacy both in the terms of overall response rate (ORR) and overall survival (OS). It is rational to construct bispecific antibodies targeting PD-L1 and TIGIT, besides retaining the efficacy of the combination therapy, bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) can provide a new mechanism of action, such as bridging between tumor cells and T/NK cells. Here, we developed an IgG1-type bispecific antibody with optimal cytotoxicity. In this study, we thoroughly investigated 16 IgG-VHH formats with variable orientations and linker lengths, the results demonstrated that (G4S)2 linker not only properly separated two binding domains but also had the highest protein yield. Moreover, VHH-HC orientation perfectly maintained the binding and cytotoxicity activity of the variable domain of the heavy chain of heavy‐chain‐only antibody (VHH) and immunoglobulin G (IgG). Following treatment with BiPT-23, tumor growth was significantly suppressed in vivo, with more cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells infiltration, and selective depletion of Regulatory T cells (Tregs). BiPT-23 represents novel immunotherapy engineered to prevent hyperprogression of cancer with PD-1 blockade, and preferentially killed PD-L1+ tumor cells, and TIGIT+ Tregs but maintained CD11b+F4/80+ immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME).

Abstract Background Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) is a novel physiological pacing technology. We aim to explore the relation between LBB potential (LBB Po) and left ventricular (LV) electrical/mechanical synchrony in bradycardia patients without heart failure (HF) receiving LBBP. Methods A total of 62 patients undergoing LBBP were categorized by LBB Po: the LBB Po positive (+) group and the LBB Po negative (−) group. The perioperative electrocardiographic and echocardiography parameters related to cardiac synchrony were analyzed. Results There were 42 (67.74%) patients in the LBB Po (+) group and 20 patients in the LBB Po (−) group. Paced QRS duration (113.50 ± 17.65 ms vs. 123.40 ± 13.18 ms, P = 0.031) and stimulus left ventricular activation time (71.76 ± 3.53 ms vs. 74.45 ± 3.12 ms, P = 0.005) were shorter in the LBB Po (+) group than in the LBB Po (−) group. No significant differences in the LV mechanical synchrony (Ts-SD-12, 36.55 ± 19.76 vs. 39.95 ± 16.04, P = 0.505; PSD, 51.14 ± 17.69 vs. 45.65 ± 10.55, P = 0.205) between the two groups. There was not statistically difference in ventricular lead parameters measured intraoperative between the two groups. Compared with the LBB Po (−) group, the LBB Po (+) group showed a dramatically higher total procedure duration time (93.52 ± 9.18 min vs. 86.25 ± 10.54 min, p = 0.007) and fluoroscopy time for ventricle lead implantation (18.95 ± 3.43 min vs. 14.00 ± 3.16 min, p

Abstract Background Distraction osteogenesis (DO), a kind of bone regenerative process, is not only extremely effective, but the osteogenesis rate is far beyond ordinary bone fracture (BF) healing. Exosomes (Exo) are thought to play a part in bone regeneration and healing as key players in cell-to-cell contact. The object of this work was to determine whether exosomes derived from DO and BF serum could stimulate the Osteogenic Differentiation in these two processes, and if so, which genes could be involved. Methods The osteogenesis in DO-gap or BF-gap was evaluated using radiographic analysis and histological analysis. On the 14th postoperative day, DO-Exos and BF-Exos were isolated and cocultured with the jaw of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (JBMMSCs). Proliferation, migration and osteogenic differentiation of JBMMSCs were ascertained, after which exosomes RNA-seq was performed to identify the relevant gene. Results Radiographic and histological analyses manifested that osteogenesis was remarkably accelerated in DO-gap in comparison with BF-gap. Both of the two types of Exos were taken up by JBMMSCs, and their migration and osteogenic differentiation were also seen to improve. However, the proliferation showed no significant difference. Finally, exosome RNA-seq revealed that the lncRNA MSTRG.532277.1 and the mRNA F-box and leucine-rich repeat protein 14(FBXL14) may play a key role in DO. Conclusions Our findings suggest that exosomes from serum exert a critical effect on the rapid osteogenesis in DO. This promoting effect might have relevance with the co-expression of MSTRG.532277.1 and FBXL14. On the whole, these findings provide new insights into bone regeneration, thereby outlining possible therapeutic targets for clinical intervention.

CsI(Tl) scintillation screens have been widely applied in X-ray nondestructive testing (NDT) because of their low cost, high scintillation efficiency, and fluorescence guide columnar microstructures. The effect of humidity exposure on the microstructure and photoluminescence properties of polycrystalline CsI(Tl) screens was investigated in this work. The results indicate that the grain diameter of the columnar microstructure increased with increased exposure time in a humid environment. The degree of anisotropy of polycrystalline screens changed from (211) and (310) to (110) orientation with exposure time. FT-IR Spectra of the exposed screens peaked at 3734 cm−1, 3710 cm−1, 3676 cm−1, 3647 cm−1, 3627 cm−1, 3598 c−1, and 3566 cm−1 due to the symmetrical and asymmetrical stretching vibrations of water molecules. In addition, the photoluminescence properties of exposed screens decreased with increased humidity exposure time due to the deliquescence caused by water molecules. After hours of humidity exposure, the photoluminescence and imaging properties of the screens decrease obviously and tend to reduce slowly. The moisture absorption and deliquescence would directly affect the service reliability and the storage lifetime of polycrystalline CsI(Tl) screens.

During the cultivation of Sargassum fusiforme, sexual reproduction of superior strains can hinder the stable inheritance of their desirable traits and reduce their economic benefits. However, vegetative reproduction of S. fusiforme holdfasts has high potential for subculture. In this study, we investigated the effects of different concentrations of α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), gibberellin (GA3), and 6-benzyladenine (BAP) on the growth and regeneration of S. fusiforme holdfasts. Exogenous application of 1.5, 2 mg·L-1NAA, 1.5 mg·L-1 GA3 or 2, 3 mg·L-1BAP significantly promoted photosynthetic activity and the absorption and utilization of nitrate nitrogen in S. fusiforme holdfasts, thus improving the relative growth rate (RGR) and regeneration rate (RR) and shortening the time for the regeneration of juveniles from S. fusiforme holdfasts to around the 6th day. Among these, the RGR and RR at the end of the culture period with 1.5 mg·L-1 of NAA increased by 118.9% and 67.4%, respectively, compared with those of the control group. However, treatment with 1.5 mg·L-1 GA3 increased the RR of S. fusiforme holdfasts by 58.8% compared with that of the control group. Under BAP treatment at 3 mg·L-1, the RR of S. fusiforme holdfasts increased by 23.4% compared with that of the control group; its promoting effect was thus weaker than that of NAA and GA3. When the concentration of GA3 or BAP was too high (3 mg·L-1; 5 mg·L-1), the RR of the holdfasts decreased by 46.5% and 42.8%, respectively compared with that of the control group. Therefore, exogenous application of NAA at 1.5 mg·L-1, GA3 at 1.5 mg·L-1, and BAP at 3 mg·L-1 can be used to induce regeneration of S. fusiforme holdfasts, shorten the culture time of regenerated seedlings, and obtain more regenerative seedlings, thereby improving economic efficiency.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of ultrasound curing with various working modes and frequency combinations, including mono-, dual- and tri-frequency, on the content of NaCl and tenderness of pork loins (Longissimus dorsi). The physical qualities, myoglobin, moisture migration, distribution, and microstructure of pork were also evaluated. The results displayed that the NaCl content of samples cured by simultaneous ultrasound (100 W/L) working mode with a frequency combination of 20, 40, and 60 kHz was higher than that of other ultrasound working modes. The effect of ultrasonic brining was significantly better than the static curing when the saline solution was >35 mL. In addition, the samples cured by simultaneous ultrasound had better physical qualities, including more pickling absorptivity, less cooking loss, and lower hardness, tenderness, and chewiness value. The intensity of lightness was reduced, although redness and yellowness remained unaltered compared to static curing. The myoglobin content decreased drastically without changing the oxygenation level, and the relaxation time of T2b and T21 was delayed. The microstructure indicated that the ultrasonic treatment could promote changes in meat texture. Overall, the simultaneous ultrasound at various frequencies could efficiently accelerate NaCl penetration and improve pork quality.

Abstract Neurodegenerative dementias are a group of diseases with highly heterogeneous pathology and complicated etiology. There exist potential genetic component overlaps between different neurodegenerative dementias. Here, 1795 patients with neurodegenerative dementias from South China were enrolled, including 1592 with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 110 with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and 93 with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Genes targeted sequencing analysis were performed. According to the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) guidelines, 39 pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants were identified in 47 unrelated patients in 14 different genes, including PSEN1, PSEN2, APP, MAPT, GRN, CHCHD10, TBK1, VCP, HTRA1, OPTN, SQSTM1, SIGMAR1, and abnormal repeat expansions in C9orf72 and HTT. Overall, 33.3% (13/39) of the variants were novel, the identified P/LP variants were seen in 2.2% (35/1592) and 10.9% (12/110) of AD and FTD cases, respectively. The overall molecular diagnostic rate was 2.6%. Among them, PSEN1 was the most frequently mutated gene (46.8%, 22/47), followed by PSEN2 and APP. Additionally, the age at onset of patients with P/LP variants (51.4 years), ranging from 30 to 83 years, was ~10 years earlier than those without P/LP variants (p

Background: Genetics plays an important role in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and remains poorly understood. A detailed literature search identified 19 PSP-associated genes: MAPT, LRRK2, LRP10, DCTN1, GRN, NPC1, PARK, TARDBP, TBK1, BSN, GBA, STX6, EIF2AK3, MOBP, DUSP10, SLCO1A2, RUNX2, CXCR4, and APOE. To date, genetic studies on PSP have focused on Caucasian population. The gaps in PSP genetic study on East Asian populations need to be filled. Methods: Exon and flanking regions of the PSP-associated genes were sequenced in 104 patients with PSP and 488 healthy controls. Common variant-based association analysis and gene-based association tests of rare variants were performed using PLINK 1.9 and the sequence kernel association test-optimal, respectively. Additionally, the association of APOE and MAPT genotypes with PSP was evaluated. The above association analyses were repeated among probable PSP patients. Finally, PLINK 1.9 was used to test variants associated with the onset age of PSP. Results: A rare non-pathogenic variant of MAPT (c.425C > T,p.A142V) was detected in a PSP patient. No common variants were significantly associated with PSP. In both the rare-variant and the rare-damaging-variant groups, the combined effect for GBA reached statistical significance (p = 1.43 × 10−3, p = 4.98 × 10−4). The result between APOE, MAPT genotypes and PSP risk were inconsistent across all PSP group and probably PSP group. Conclusions: The pathogenic variant in MAPT were uncommon in PSP patients. Moreover, GBA gene was likely to increase the risk of PSP, and GBA-associated diseases were beyond α-synucleinopathies. The association between APOE, MAPT and PSP is still unclear among the non-Caucasian population.

In [Opt. Lett. 38, 4023-4025 (2013)] the author predicted that the low coherent X-ray is hard to provide a high-resolution diffraction pattern from an object with a spatially periodic structure. This would severely restrict X-ray crystallography and its similar techniques. In this letter, we indicate that the Ghost diffraction technic takes advantage of the low coherence and may thus break through the bottleneck. Analytical formulae for calculating ghost diffraction patterns diffracted by the periodic structured media under any coherent state are derived.

This study evaluates the effect of multimodal ultrasound on the extraction efficiency and immunoregulatory activity of polysaccharides from Lepidium meyenii Walp. (LMP). The separation and purification of maca polysaccharides were investigated by the DEAE-52 cellulose column, and the monosaccharide compositions were identified by HPGPC. Their immune activity was analyzed by the secretion of cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) from RAW 264.7 macrophage. The results showed that the optimal extraction conditions were energy aggregation alternation dual-frequency ultrasound (EADU) with frequency combinations of 20/35, extraction time of 15 min, material/water ratio of 1:10 g/mL, ultrasonic power intensity of 150 W/L, intermittent time ratio of 4 s/3 s, and extraction temperature of 50 ℃. The extraction rates of purified polysaccharides (US3) increased by 44.90%. The LMP extracted by EADU contained arabinose, galactose, and glucose in the molar ratios of 2.9:2.72:5.05. In addition, US3 promoted the release of TNF-α and IL-6 from RAW 264.7 better than RS3 (purified polysaccharides extracted by hot water), which indicated that US3 exerted remarkable immune activity. It could be an excellent functional additive in food or medicine.

Constructing an engineered hepatic lobule-mimetic model is challenging owing to complicated lobular architecture and crucial hepatic functionality. Our previous study has demonstrated the feasibility of using silk fibroin (SF) scaffolds as functional templates for engineering hepatic lobule-like constructs. But the unsatisfactory chemical and physical performances of the SF-only scaffold and the inherent defect in the functional activity of the carcinoma-derived seeding cells remain to be addressed to satisfy the downstream application demand. In this study, SF-collagen I (SFC) composite scaffolds with improved physical and chemical properties were fabricated, and their utilization for bioengineering a more hepatic lobule-like construct was explored using the immortalized human hepatocyte-derived liver progenitor-like cells (iHepLPCs) and endothelial cells incorporated in the dynamic culture system. The SFC scaffolds prepared through the directional lyophilization process showed radially aligned porous structures with increased swelling ratio and porosity, ameliorative mechanical stiffness that resembled the normal liver matrix more closely, and improved biocompatibility. The iHepLPCs displayed a hepatic plate-like distribution and differentiated into matured hepatocytes with improved hepatic function in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, hepatocyte–endothelial cell interphase arrangement was generated in the co-culture compartment with improved polarity, bile capillary formation, and enhanced liver functions compared with the monocultures. Thus, a more biomimetic hepatic lobule-like model was established and could provide a valuable and robust platform for various applications, including bioartificial liver and drug screening.