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Psychological studies of the denial of prejudice and discrimination have suggested that although members of target groups are sensitive to episodes of discrimination, they may deny episodes of discrimination to maintain a positive self-image. Here, through two studies, we investigated the role of the perceiver and target gender in shaping perceived barriers to education from a transnational feminist perspective. The participants were 132 Japanese university students (Study 1) and 1143 students from four Asian countries (Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, and Japan) (Study 2). They read three vignettes depicting different types of obstacles to higher education and rated the extent to which each example constituted a barrier to education. Our results support the sensitivity hypothesis. Regardless of their cultural background, the female participants tended to perceive more barriers to education than their male counterparts. However, the denial hypothesis was not consistently supported. The authors discuss the meaning of denial of educational barriers among female students and future directions.

Summary: Purpose: To identify the relationship between emotional intelligence, occupational well-being, and work engagement among Chinese clinical nurses. Methods: This cross-sectional study is based on survey responses provided by 1744 registered nurses from a Chinese hospital. The survey utilized emotional intelligence, occupational well-being, and work engagement scales. Results: A questionnaire was distributed to nurses, and among them, 1744 filled it in. Work engagement was related to demographic characteristics. The nurses' work engagement score was 28.99±5.46. Work engagement was positively correlated with emotional intelligence (r=.94, p < .01) and occupational well-being (r=.96, p < .01). Conclusions: The current work engagement of nurses in China is at a medium level. It is influenced by emotional intelligence and occupational well-being.

Abstract Background Due to the increasing emergence of antibiotic resistance in Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), it indicated as potentially opportunistic pathogen causing various healthcare-associated and life-threatening diseases around the world. Objective The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the weighted pooled resistance rates in clinical E. faecalis isolates based on over time, areas, antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), and infection source. Methods We searched the studies in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (November 30, 2022). All statistical analyses were carried out using the statistical package R. Results The analysis encompassed a total of 74 studies conducted in 28 countries. According to the meta-regression, the chloramphenicol, fosfomycin, imipenem, linezolid, minocycline, norfloxacin, quinupristin-dalfopristin, and tetracycline resistance rate increased over time. Analysis revealed statistically significant differences in antibiotic resistance rates for ampicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, gentamicin, penicillin, rifampicin, teicoplanin, tetracycline, and vancomycin across various countries. Conclusions Globally, the prevalence of drug resistant E. faecalis strains are on the increase over time. Daptomycin and tigecycline can be an effective agent for the treatment of clinical E. faecalis infections. Considering the low prevalence of antibiotic resistance in continents of Europe and Australia, it is suggested to take advantage of their preventive strategies in order to obtain efficient results in other places with high prevalence of resistance.

Abstract Purpose The objective of this study is to assess the impact of smoking on stroke prevalence and to delineate the relationship between smoking-related factors and the risk of stroke, incorporating an analysis of demographic variations influencing this association. Methods Our analysis encompassed 9,176 participants, evaluating clinical attributes alongside smoking-related characteristics such as duration of cigarette consumption, and levels of nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide. We employed weighted univariate logistic regression and restricted cubic splines to examine the association between smoking indicators and stroke risk, complemented by subgroup analyses for demographic differentiation. Results The overall prevalence of stroke in our cohort was 3.4%. Statistically significant associations were found between stroke incidence and factors such as age, gender, education, and marital status (p

Abstract In order for full utilization of the switching devices and safe continued operation of the power converter at the same time, the junction temperature of the switching devices needs to be accurately monitored without shutting down the motor drive. This paper derives an analytical junction temperature calculation method by using Laplace transformation and thermal network theory. Based on an actual motor drive, a simulation model is established using platform for power electronic systems (PLECS). Through comparison, the derived method is proven to be able to calculate junction temperature accurately.

Diabetic wounds can occur as a prevalent complication among people diagnosed with diabetes, frequently resulting in the necessity for amputation. The cause and effect of diabetic foot ulcer is complex, involving multiple factors. In the present study, wound healing strategies utilizing nanomaterials have proven to be effective in battling bacterial infections and improve wound regeneration. Poloxamers (PLX) exhibit extensive potential as a viable option for the development of nanomedicines owing to their inherent characteristics of self-assembly and encapsulation. This study aims to design and develop a PLX/ZnO nanocomposite incorporated with Centella Asiatica extract (CAE) for the multi-functional action in the diabetic wound healing treatment. Subsequently physico-chemical characterizations, such as XRD, FTIR, and TEM observations, demonstrated that the ZnO were evenly distributed through the PLX framework. The developed nanocomposite was biocompatible with mouse fibroblast cell line (L929), and it had multiple beneficial characteristics, such as a rapid self-healing process and effective antibacterial action against G+ and G− bacterial pathogens. After being treated with the developed formulation, skin fibroblast cell line and HUVECs demonstrated a substantial increase in their in vitro cell proliferation ability, migration, and tube-forming abilities. The utilization of a CAE@PLX/ZnO nanoformulation presents a viable strategy and a distinctive, encouraging composite for diabetic wound healing treatment.

Abstract Ataxin-2 (ATXN2) was originally discovered in the context of spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2), but it has become a key player in various neurodegenerative diseases. This review delves into the multifaceted roles of ATXN2 in human diseases, revealing its diverse molecular and cellular pathways. The impact of ATXN2 on diseases extends beyond functional outcomes; it mainly interacts with various RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) to regulate different stages of post-transcriptional gene expression in diseases. With the progress of research, ATXN2 has also been found to play an important role in the development of various cancers, including breast cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, and esophageal cancer. This comprehensive exploration underscores the crucial role of ATXN2 in the pathogenesis of diseases and warrants further investigation by the scientific community. By reviewing the latest discoveries on the regulatory functions of ATXN2 in diseases, this article helps us understand the complex molecular mechanisms of a series of human diseases related to this intriguing protein.

Abstract Background Delirium is a common disorder affecting patients’ psychiatric illness, characterized by a high rate of underdiagnosis, misdiagnosis, and high risks. However, previous studies frequently excluded patients with psychiatric illness, leading to limited knowledge about risk factors and optimal assessment tools for delirium in psychiatric settings. Objectives The scoping review was carried out to (1) identify the risk factors associated with delirium in patients with psychiatric illness; (2) synthesize the performance of assessment tools for detecting delirium in patients with psychiatric illness in psychiatric settings. Design Scoping review. Data sources PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched to identify primary studies on delirium in psychiatric settings from inception to Dec 2023 inclusive. Two independent reviewers screened eligible studies against inclusion criteria. A narrative synthesis of the included studies was conducted. Results A final set of 36 articles meeting the inclusion criteria, two main themes were extracted: risk factors associated with delirium in patients with psychiatric illness and assessment tools for detecting delirium in psychiatric settings. The risk factors associated with delirium primarily included advanced age, physical comorbid, types of psychiatric illness, antipsychotics, anticholinergic drug, Electroconvulsive therapy, and the combination of lithium and Electroconvulsive therapy. Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98, Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale, and Delirium Diagnostic Tool-Provisional might be valuable for delirium assessment in patients with psychiatric illness in psychiatric settings. Conclusions Delirium diagnosis in psychiatric settings is complex due to the overlapping clinical manifestations between psychiatric illness and delirium, as well as their potential co-occurrence. It is imperative to understand the risk factors and assessment methods related to delirium in this population to address diagnostic delays, establish effective prevention and screening strategies. Future research should focus on designing, implementing, and evaluating interventions that target modifiable risk factors, to prevent and manage delirium in patients with psychiatric illness.

Abstract Background Associations between perceived and actual risk of HIV infection and HIV prevention services uptake are inconclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the discrepancy between the perceived and actual HIV risk, and quantify the associations between perceived and actual risk of HIV infection and three HIV prevention services utilization among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shandong province, China. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shandong province in June 2021. Participants were eligible if they were born biologically male, aged 18 years or older, had negative or unknown HIV status, and had sex with men in the past year. Participants were recruited online. The discrepancy between their perceived and actual risk of HIV infection was evaluated by calculating the Kappa value. Bayesian model averaging was used to assess the associations between perceived and actual risk of HIV infection and HIV prevention services uptake. Results A total of 1136 MSM were recruited, most of them were 30 years old or younger (59.9%), single (79.5%), with at least college education level (74.7%). Most participants (97.4%) perceived that they had low risk of HIV infection, and 14.1% were assessed with high actual risk. The discrepancy between their perceived and actual risk of HIV infection was evaluated with a Kappa value of 0.076 (P

Fat content is an important trait in pig production. Adipose tissue and muscle are important sites for fat deposition and affect production efficiency and quality. To regulate the fat content in these tissues, we need to understand the mechanisms behind fat deposition. Laiwu pigs, a Chinese indigenous breed, have significantly higher fat content in both adipose tissue and muscle than commercial breeds such as Duroc. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptomes in adipose tissue and muscle of 21-d-old Laiwu and Duroc piglets. Results showed that there were 828 and 671 differentially expressed genes (DEG) in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT), respectively. Functional enrichment analysis showed that these DEG were enriched in metabolic pathways, especially carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Additionally, in the longissimus muscle (LM) and psoas muscle (PM), 312 and 335 DEG were identified, demonstrating enrichment in the cell cycle and metabolic pathways. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks of these DEG were analyzed and potential hub genes were identified, such as FBP1 and SCD in adipose tissues and RRM2 and GADL1 in muscles. Meanwhile, results showed that there were common DEG between adipose tissue and muscle, such as LDHB, THRSP, and DGAT2. These findings showed that there are significant differences in the transcriptomes of the adipose tissue and muscle between Laiwu and Duroc piglets (P

Abstract Generating genetic diversity lies at the heart of directed evolution which has been widely used to engineer genetic parts and gene circuits in synthetic biology. With the ever-expanding application of directed evolution, different approaches of generating genetic diversity are required to enrich the traditional toolbox. Here we show in vitro generation of genetic diversity for directed evolution by error-prone artificial DNA synthesis (epADS). This approach comprises a three-step process which incorporates base errors randomly generated during chemical synthesis of oligonucleotides under specific conditions into the target DNA. Through this method, 200 ~ 4000 folds of diversification in fluorescent strength have been achieved in genes encoding fluorescent proteins. EpADS has also been successfully used to diversify regulatory genetic parts, synthetic gene circuits and even increase microbial tolerance to carbenicillin in a short time period. EpADS would be an alternative tool for directed evolution which may have useful applications in synthetic biology.

Abstract Background The absence of heterozygosity (AOH) is a kind of genomic change characterized by a long contiguous region of homozygous alleles in a chromosome, which may cause human genetic disorders. However, no method of low-pass whole genome sequencing (LP-WGS) has been reported for the detection of AOH in a low-pass setting of less than onefold. We developed a method, termed CNVseq-AOH, for predicting the absence of heterozygosity using LP-WGS with ultra-low sequencing data, which overcomes the sparse nature of typical LP-WGS data by combing population-based haplotype information, adjustable sliding windows, and recurrent neural network (RNN). We tested the feasibility of CNVseq-AOH for the detection of AOH in 409 cases (11 AOH regions for model training and 863 AOH regions for validation) from the 1000 Genomes Project (1KGP). AOH detection using CNVseq-AOH was also performed on 6 clinical cases with previously ascertained AOHs by whole exome sequencing (WES). Results Using SNP-based microarray results as reference (AOHs detected by CNVseq-AOH with at least a 50% overlap with the AOHs detected by chromosomal microarray analysis), 409 samples (863 AOH regions) in the 1KGP were used for concordant analysis. For 784 AOHs on autosomes and 79 AOHs on the X chromosome, CNVseq-AOH can predict AOHs with a concordant rate of 96.23% and 59.49% respectively based on the analysis of 0.1-fold LP-WGS data, which is far lower than the current standard in the field. Using 0.1-fold LP-WGS data, CNVseq-AOH revealed 5 additional AOHs (larger than 10 Mb in size) in the 409 samples. We further analyzed AOHs larger than 10 Mb, which is recommended for reporting the possibility of UPD. For the 291 AOH regions larger than 10 Mb, CNVseq-AOH can predict AOHs with a concordant rate of 99.66% with only 0.1-fold LP-WGS data. In the 6 clinical cases, CNVseq-AOH revealed all 15 known AOH regions. Conclusions Here we reported a method for analyzing LP-WGS data to accurately identify regions of AOH, which possesses great potential to improve genetic testing of AOH.

The study of extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA), an element existing beyond classical chromosomes, contributes to creating a more comprehensive map of the cancer genome. In hematological malignancies, research on ecDNA has lacked comprehensive investigation into its frequency, structure, function, and mechanisms of formation. We re-analyzed WGS data from 208 hematological cancer samples across 11 types, focusing on ecDNA characteristics. Amplification of ecDNA was observed in 7 of these cancer types, with no instances found in normal blood cells. Patients with leukemia carrying ecDNA showed a low induction therapy remission rate (

Background: With the development of nursing positions and nursing disciplines in China's tertiary hospitals, the number of people applying for the master's degree in nursing is also increasing year by year. Postgraduate examinations are held during internship, so nursing students face the dual pressure of testing and internship, which brings varying degrees of negative experiences and emotional fluctuations. Objective: To explore the psychological experiences and influencing factors of undergraduate nursing students under the dual pressures of clinical nursing internships and postgraduate examination preparations. Design: Descriptive qualitative study. Method: Purposeful sampling was used to recruit 18 participants from eight tertiary hospitals in China between October and December 2023. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted, with interview recordings transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was then applied to the data. Results: Four themes were identified: negative experiences under dual pressures, coping mechanisms for negative experiences, motivational effects under dual pressures, and evaluations of significant individuals. Nursing students improved their overall abilities through internships and exam preparations, gaining a clear understanding of themselves and certain hospital roles. However, at this stage, students also experienced adverse psychological experiences for various reasons. Thus, they employed several methods to alleviate their psychological stress, aiming for a better state to face internships and exam preparations. Conclusion: Schools and hospitals should pay more attention to the needs of nursing students under dual pressures, monitoring their emotional states, and providing psychological support to enhance their stress-coping abilities. It is important to ensure the overall well-being of students while strengthening the motivational effects of internships and learning experiences.

Revealing alpine plant diversity patterns can contribute to conserving mountain plant diversity. However, the spatial variation in the ecological niche and diversity patterns of the plant community and the mechanism by which it maintains itself in alpine desert grasslands remain poorly understood. Here, we conducted a field investigation across altitudinal gradients (3093, 3296, 3549, and 3790 m) in the northern Tibetan Plateau and compared species composition, diversity indices, Levins' niche breadth, and Pianka's niche overlap. The results showed that perennial herbs replaced semi-shrubs and xermesophytes and mesophytes replaced xerophytes with increasing altitude. The plant community heights decreased with altitude. The cover of the herb layer increased with altitude, whereas that of the shrub layer was hump-shaped. Species diversity indices (Patrick, Pielou, Shannon-Wiener, and Simpson) increased with increasing altitude. Sympegma regelii (1.05), Leymus chinensis (1.03), and Reaumuria kaschgarica (0.94) had larger niche breadths and were widespread. Species with a high niche overlap occupied a considerable proportion at higher altitudes, indicating strong interactions among species. The redundancy analysis revealed that altitude, soil water content, soil organic matter content, and pH were the main factors driving changes in plant diversity (P = 0.036, F = 3.7). Our study illustrated that environmental filtering and biotic interactions jointly shape plant composition and diversity in alpine desert grasslands along altitudinal gradients.

Background: Lung cancer is one of the malignant tumors with the highest rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide. One of the most common histological types of lung cancer is lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Despite the fact that development in medicine has significantly improved some patients’ prognoses, the overall survival (OS) rate is still very low. In glucose-deficient SLC7A11-overexpressed cancer cells, the accumulation of disulfide molecules leads to abnormal disulfide bonding between actin cytoskeletal proteins, interferes with their tissues, and eventually leads to actin network collapse and cell death. This mode of cell death is called disulfidptosis. Studies have shown that disulfidptosis may be a new target for cancer treatment. However, the role of disulfidptosis in LUAD is still unknown. Methods: LUAD transcriptome and clinical information from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was downloaded. The co-expression analysis, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression, and Cox regression analysis was performed to screen the disulfidptosis-related lncRNAs (DRLs) and build the prognostic model. Kaplan-Meier curve, Cox regression analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to validate the model. Then a nomogram is made to predict the prognosis of LUAD patients. Finally, fresh-collected clinical samples were used to verify the expression of DRLs in LUAD. Results: The prognostic model with six DRLs was developed to predict the prognosis of LUAD, with superior prognosis value compared to other clinical variables. The Cox regression analysis revealed that T stage, N stage and the risk score were identified as independent variables that affected LUAD prognosis. ROC curve revealed that the model has a moderate diagnostic value, with an AUC of 1-year 0.684, 3-year 0.664, and 5-year 0.588. Moreover, nine medications connected to LUAD treatment were acquired through drug sensitivity analysis. LUAD tissue validation showed that AC012073.1, AC012615.1, EMSLR, and SNHG12 were highly expressed, while AL606834.1 and AL365181.2 with low expression. Conclusion: Six DRLs were screened and verified to construct the prognostic model, which can accurately predict the LUAD prognosis. It establishes a basis for further exploration into the molecular mechanisms underlying LUAD and identification of potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic targets.

Actin depolymerizing factors (ADFs), as the important actin-binding proteins (ABPs) with depolymerizing/severing actin filaments, play a critical role in plant growth and development, and in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the information and function of the ADF family in melon remains unclear. In this study, 9 melon ADF genes (CmADFs) were identified, distributed in 4 subfamilies, and located on 6 chromosomes respectively. Promoter analysis revealed that the CmADFs contained a large number of cis-acting elements related to hormones and stresses. The similarity of CmADFs with their Arabidopsis homologue AtADFs in sequence, structure, important sites and tissue expression confirmed that ADFs were conserved. Gene expression analysis showed that CmADFs responded to low and high temperature stresses, as well as ABA and SA signals. In particular, CmADF1 was significantly up-regulated under above all stress and hormone treatments, indicating that CmADF1 plays a key role in stress and hormone signaling responses, so CmADF1 was selected to further study the mechanism in plant tolerance low temperature. Under low temperature, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of CmADF1 in oriental melon plants showed increased sensitivity to low temperature stress. Consistently, the stable genetic overexpression of CmADF1 in Arabidopsis improved their low temperature tolerance, possibly due to the role of CmADF1 in the depolymerization of actin filaments. Overall, our findings indicated that CmADF genes, especially CmADF1, function in response to abiotic stresses in melon.

Background: Adolescents diagnosed with depression are particularly susceptible to anxiety and depressive symptoms, this vulnerability often diminishes their future expectations and overall outlook on life. The objective of this research was to scrutinize the associated risk factors of adolescent depression and delineated the interplay between anxiety and depressive symptoms. Concurrently, it sought to ascertain the latent mediating effects of hope levels and coping strategies within this framework. Methods: A mixed-methods research approach was employed. For the qualitative component, 18 adolescents with depression were interviewed following a semi-structured interview guide, with sessions audio-recorded. The data were subsequently transcribed and subjected to thematic content analysis. In the quantitative phase, a cross-sectional online survey was administered to 210 adolescents diagnosed with depression using Questionnaire Star, with data analysis performed using SPSS25.0 and AMOS 24.0. Results: The qualitative analysis identified three major themes and nine categories as key risk factors influencing the onset of adolescent depression. Three major themes were generated: school factors, family factors, and other factors. Nine categories were generated: heavy academic load, strained peer, and teacher-student relationships; unstable family structures, internal familial conflicts, and high parental expectations; a strong sense of social isolation, insufficient sexual education, and prevalent suicidal ideation or attempts. A nurturing and supportive school environment significantly bolsters adolescents' sense of hope and coping abilities, while a warm and encouraging family setting effectively mitigates psychological stress. Conversely, heightened loneliness and the onset of suicidal ideation are frequently linked to diminished hope and the adoption of maladaptive coping strategies. Hence, to comprehensively understand the intricate interplay of these factors, this study concentrated on the levels of hope and coping mechanisms, investigating their potential mediating role in adolescent anxiety and depression. Quantitative analysis revealed a positive correlation between anxiety and depression (r = 0.767, p＜0.01). Additionally, it was found that hope levels and coping strategies mediated the relationship between anxiety and depressive symptoms (β = −0.24–0.84 = 0.20, p

Malignant insulinomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that require management for both symptomatic control and tumor reduction. It is clinically challenging to optimize treatment strategies for refractory malignant insulinoma. We report a case of metastatic grade 3 insulinoma presented with recurrent hypoglycemia in a 23-year-old female with RAD51D p.Q192 germline mutation. During the disease course of 5 years, the tumor has continuously progressed despite locoregional therapy and multiple lines of systemic treatment. However, oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy achieved a partial response, which was maintained for 2 years. The hypoglycemic symptoms were controlled after the treatment response and did not recur. The platinum-based regimen could be a feasible therapeutic strategy for malignant insulinoma. The relationship between germline mutation in the DNA damage repair pathway and treatment response to platinum-based regimens in neuroendocrine tumors warrants further investigation.

BackgroundCooking oil fumes are closely related to immune response, and adipose tissue also plays an important role in immune regulation. At present, the biological effect and mechanism of inflammation of adipose tissue induced by oil fume exposure are not clear yet.ObjectiveTo investigate the inflammatory effect of different exposure duration of cooking fumes on adipose tissue in mice and explore the role of Nod-like receptor pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3)/cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1 (Caspase 1)/interleukin (IL)-1β signaling pathway.MethodsForty 8-week-old female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 3-day control group (CON3 group), 7-day control group (CON7 group), 3-day oil fume exposure group (COF3 group), and 7-day oil fume exposure group (COF7 group), with 10 mice in each group. The mice were exposed to oil fumes in a cooking oil fume formation and exposure equipment (COFFEE) for 20 min, followed by a 10-min pause, 1 h a day for consecutive 3 d or 7 d. General condition of mice was observed and body weight was measured every day. After exposure, blood was sampled from the eyeball. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-27, and IL-1β were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The adipose tissue of mice was collected and observed after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The percentages of CD4+ and CD8+T cells in adipose tissue were detected by flow cytometry. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), NLRP3, Caspase 1, and IL-1β in adipose tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase 1, and IL-1β in adipose.ResultsCompared with the corresponding control group, serum IL-6, IL-27, and IL-1β contents in the COF3 group and the COF7 group were significantly increased (P

Abstract Understanding both positive and negative impacts of climate change is essential for comprehensively assessing and well adapting to the impacts of changing climate. Conventionally, climate warming is revealed to negatively impact human activities. Here, we reveal that human beings’ performance in anaerobic sports may benefit from climate warming. Using global weather observation and athletes’ performance datasets, we show that world-top athletes’ performances in nearly all athletics anaerobic events (i.e., sprints, jumps and throws) substantially improve as ambient temperature rises. For example, 100 m performance monotonically improves by 0.26 s as ambient temperature rises from 11.8° to 36.4 °C. Using Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 datasets, we further show that global warming can substantially improve world-top athletes’ performance in eleven of the thirteen Olympics athletics anaerobic events by 0.27%–0.88% and 0.14–0.48% under high-emission and medium-emission scenarios, respectively, during 1979–2100. Among them, the improvements for 100 m are 0.59% (0.063 s) and 0.32% (0.034 s), respectively. Mechanism analysis shows that the warmed ambient atmosphere can improve competitors’ performance through expanding the air and thus reducing the air resistance to the competitors and throwing implements for hummer throw and all the sprints, hurdling and jumps. Quantitative analysis estimates that this thermodynamic process is essential for the impacts of warmed ambient atmosphere on the performances in these events as physiological processes are.

Radiotherapy (RT) is one of the most feasible and routinely used therapeutic modalities for treating malignant tumors. In particular, immune responses triggered by RT, known as radio-immunotherapy, can partially inhibit the growth of distantly spreading tumors and recurrent tumors. However, the safety and efficacy of radio-immunotherapy is impeded by the radio-resistance and poor immunogenicity of tumor. Herein, we report oxaliplatin (IV)-iron bimetallic nanoparticles (OXA/Fe NPs) as cascade sensitizing amplifiers for low-dose and robust radio-immunotherapy. The OXA/Fe NPs exhibit tumor-specific accumulation and activation of OXA (II) and Fe2+ in response to the reductive and acidic microenvironment within tumor cells. The cascade reactions of the released metallic drugs can sensitize RT by inducing DNA damage, increasing ROS and O2 levels, and amplifying the immunogenic cell death (ICD) effect after RT to facilitate potent immune activation. As a result, OXA/Fe NPs-based low-dose RT triggered a robust immune response and inhibited the distant and metastatic tumors effectively by a strong abscopal effect. Moreover, a long-term immunological memory effect to protect mice from tumor rechallenging is observed. Overall, the bimetallic NPs-based cascade sensitizing amplifier system offers an efficient radio-immunotherapy regimen that addresses the key challenges.

Abstract Dilated perivascular spaces (PVS) have emerged as a pathological hallmark in various neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID), an intractable motor complication of PD, remains enigmatic regarding the distribution patterns of PVS. Our objective was to scrutinize the percent PVS (pPVS) changes within PD patients with LID (PD-LID). In total, 132 individuals were enrolled, including PD-LID (n = 42), PD patients without LID (PD-nLID, n = 45), and healthy controls (HCs, n = 45). Employing an automated approach for PVS quantification based on structural magnetic resonance imaging, we comprehensively evaluated total pPVS in subcortical white matter globally and regionally. A significant increase in global pPVS was observed in PD patients versus HCs, particularly evident in PD-LID relative to HCs. Within the PD-LID group, elevated pPVS was discerned in the right inferior frontal gyrus region (rIFG) (pars opercularis), contrasting with PD-nLID and HCs. Moreover, PD patients exhibited increased pPVS in bilateral superior temporal regions compared to HCs. Notably, pPVS in the rIFG positively correlated with dyskinetic symptoms and could well identify LID. Our findings unveiled PVS alternations in subcortical white matter in PD-LID at both global and regional levels, highlighting the increased pPVS in rIFG as a prospective imaging marker for LID.

As the country has loosened its family planning policy and living standards have improved, postnatal obesity has become a social problem seriously threatening public health in China, which has attracted widespread attention from all walks of life. Therefore, a method for improving postpartum obesity urgently needs to be explored. Intestinal microecology is critical to the health of mothers and children, and plays an important role in the occurrence and development of obesity. Improving intestinal microecology as an effective way to improve obesity has attracted more and more attention. This article focuses on the relationship between postnatal obesity and intestinal microecology and summarizes the mechanisms of action of probiotics and prebiotics in regulating intestinal microecology to suppress postpartum obesity. The purpose of this article is to provide a theoretical basis for probiotic-prebiotic intervention based on intestinal microecology to suppress postpartum obesity.

DNA and RNA methylation are essential epigenetic modifications that play a pivotal role in various physiological processes by modulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Abnormal DNA/RNA methylation is closely linked to a range of human diseases, including cancer and neurological disorders. Therefore, the accurate and sensitive detection of DNA/RNA methylation is of great importance in both epigenetic biology research and disease diagnosis. Technological advancements have led to the comprehensive development of methylation detection methods. Among these, electrochemical techniques have garnered significant attention owing to their simplicity and effectiveness in detection. This review provides an overview of methylation detection technologies based on electrochemical principles developed over the past five years, including electrochemical, photoelectrochemical, electrochemiluminescence, and fluorescence methodologies. Additionally, it discusses the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches, challenges and advancements in methylation detection.

Antibiotic residues resulting from the misuse of veterinary antibiotics pose a serious threat to global food safety and the ecological environment. Regulating the use of antibiotics is currently a major concern; however, existing literature on this issue remains insufficient. Therefore, to advance research in this area, this study utilizes data from 988 questionnaires collected across 9 provinces in China and employs the 3SLS systematic estimation method. It constructs an analytical framework to explore the mechanisms through which policy advocacy (PA) influences regulating antibiotics use (RAU) among meat duck farmers. Specifically, the study examines two pathways: “ PA - public opinion pressure perception (POPP) - RAU” and “ PA - moral responsibility (MR) - RAU.” Additionally, it explores the potential mechanisms through which PA impacts RAU among farmers. The results show that PA (Coef = 0.070, SE = 0.014) can promote RAU by increasing the level of POPP (Coef = 0.173, SE = 0.091). PA (Coef = 0.351, SE = 0.028) can also promote RAU by enhancing MR (Coef = 0.239, SE = 0.035). Meanwhile, this study introduces Internet use (IU) and reputational incentives (RI) as moderating variables to analyze their role in moderating the impact of PA on RAU. It was demonstrated that IU (Coef = 0.088, SE = 0.016) significantly enhances farmers' awareness of the value of RAU and amplifies the impact of PA on MR. However, IU (Coef = −0.017, SE = 0.008) was found to inhibit the effect of PA on POPP. RI fully satisfies farmers' need for “ honor “ and enhances the effectiveness of PA in promoting both POPP (Coef = 0.009, SE = 0.002) and MR (Coef = 0.058, SE = 0.004). Finally, the study proposes that the government expand PA channels, innovate methods, and combine online outreach with demonstrations to improve farmers' awareness of antibiotic use and address their reputational needs.

To fully understand the safety of DTaP-IPV/Hib vaccination, we evaluated the differences between DTaP-IPV/Hib co-administration and separate administration of the DTaP, IPV and Hib vaccines (DTaP+IPV+Hib) based on adverse events following immunization (AEFI). All AEFI reported in Hebei Province, China, between 2020 and 2022 were included in this study. The risk difference (RD%), relative risk (RR), and Chi-square value were used to compare the differences in reported rates of AEFI between the DTaP-IPV/Hib and DTaP+IPV+Hib groups. From 2020 to 2022, 130 AEFI cases were reported in Hebei Province after DTaP-IPV/Hib vaccination, corresponding to an AEFI reported rate of 66.9/million doses, which was significantly lower than that for DTaP+IPV+Hib (9836 AEFI with a reported rate of 637.8/million doses). The overall reported rate of non-severe AEFI for DTaP+IPV+Hib vaccines was 9.5 times that of DTaP-IPV/Hib vaccination [95% confidence interval (CI): 8.0, 11.3]. Meanwhile, the reported rate of AEFI among infants aged 0–1 y was 9.8 times higher for DTaP+IPV+Hib than for DTaP-IPV/Hib (95% CI: 8.2, 11.7). DTaP+IPV+Hib vaccination also resulted in higher risks of high fever, localized redness and swelling, localized induration, and allergic rash compared with DTaP-IPV/Hib vaccination. The risk of AEFI, which were mostly mild reaction, was higher after vaccination with DTaP+IPV+Hib than after DTaP-IPV/Hib vaccination.

ABSTRACTIntestinal microbiota dysbiosis and metabolic disruption are considered essential characteristics in inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD). Reasonable butyrate supplementation can help patients regulate intestinal flora structure and promote mucosal repair. Here, to restore microbiota homeostasis and butyrate levels in the patient’s intestines, we modified the genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce butyrate. We precisely regulated the relevant metabolic pathways to enable the yeast to produce sufficient butyrate in the intestine with uneven oxygen distribution. A series of engineered strains with different butyrate synthesis abilities was constructed to meet the needs of different patients, and the strongest can reach 1.8 g/L title of butyrate. Next, this series of strains was used to co-cultivate with gut microbiota collected from patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis. After receiving treatment with engineered strains, the gut microbiota and the butyrate content have been regulated to varying degrees depending on the synthetic ability of the strain. The abundance of probiotics such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus increased, while the abundance of harmful bacteria like Candidatus Bacilloplasma decreased. Meanwhile, the series of butyrate-producing yeast significantly improved trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in mice by restoring butyrate content. Among the series of engineered yeasts, the strain with the second-highest butyrate synthesis ability showed the most significant regulatory and the best therapeutic effect on the gut microbiota from IBD patients and the colitis mouse model. This study confirmed the existence of a therapeutic window for IBD treatment by supplementing butyrate, and it is necessary to restore butyrate levels according to the actual situation of patients to restore intestinal flora.

ABSTRACTConstructing synthetic microbial consortia is a challenging task but holds enormous potential for various applications. Our previous droplet-based microfluidic approach allowed for the isolation of bacteria that could utilize metabolites from an engineered bacterium BsS-RS06551 with anti-obesity potential, facilitating the construction of synthetic microbial consortia. Here, we identified a strain of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum JJ3 that interacted with BsS-RS06551, and in vitro coculture showed that BsS-RS06551 was likely to interact with JJ3 through five dipeptides. Pathway analysis revealed that the vitamin B6 metabolism pathway was enriched in the coculture of BsS-RS06551 and JJ3 compared with the individual culture of BsS-RS06551. Additionally, we confirmed that the administration of JJ3 significantly alleviated obesity and related disorders in mice fed a high-fat diet. Notably, continuous ingestion of the synthetic microbial consortium comprising BsS-RS06551 and JJ3 not only exhibited a more pronounced impact on alleviating obesity compared to the individual administration of BsS-RS06551 or JJ3 but also enriched the population of Bifidobacterium longum and perturbed the vitamin B6 metabolism pathway in the gut. Synthetic microbial consortia represent a promising frontier for synthetic biology, and our strategy provides guidance for constructing and applying such consortia.

ObjectiveSclerodermus wasps are important biocontrol agents of a class of wood borers. Bacterial symbionts influence the ecology and biology of their hosts in a variety of ways, including the formation of life-long beneficial or detrimental parasitic infections. However, only a few studies have explored the species and content of the symbionts in the Sclerodermus species.MethodsHere, a high-throughput sequencing study of the V3-V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene revealed a high level of microbial variety in four Sclerodermus waps, and their diversities and functions were also predictedResultsThe three most prevalent phyla of microorganisms in the sample were Firmicutes, Bacteroides, and Proteus. The KEEG pathways prediction results indicated that the three pathways with the highest relative abundances in the S. sichuanensis species were translation, membrane transport, and nucleotide metabolism. These pathways differed from those observed in S. guani, S. pupariae, and S. alternatusi, which exhibited carbohydrate metabolism, membrane transport, and amino acid metabolism, respectively. Bacteroides were found to be abundant in several species, whereas Wolbachia was the most abundant among S. sichuanensis, with a significant negative correlation between temperature and carriage rate.ConclusionsThese results offer insights into the microbial communities associated with the bethylid wasps, which is crucial for understanding how to increase the reproductive capacity of wasps, enhance their parasitic effects, and lower cost in biocontrol.

Objectives The blood urea nitrogen to creatinine (BUN/Cr) ratio is associated with early neurological deterioration in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). However, the predictive value of the BUN/Cr ratio for the AIS prognosis remains unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the correlation between the BUN/Cr ratio and the 3-month outcome in patients with AIS, further testing their dose–response relationship.Design This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients with AIS who were admitted between 1 January 2013 and 31 May 2022. Poor clinical outcome was defined as 3-month Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) >2. Cox proportional HR was used to evaluate the correlation between the BUN/Cr ratio and 3-month outcome. Restricted cubic spline and robust locally weighted regression analyses were conducted to determine the dose–response relationship between the BUN/Cr ratio and the 3-month outcome.Results A total of 4952 eligible patients were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups according to the tertiles of BUN/Cr ratio (T1, 0.093). After logistic regression adjustment for demographic and clinical characteristics, the BUN/Cr ratio was found to be independently associated with the 3-month outcome in patients with AIS. The restricted cubic spline and locally regression smoothing scatterplot graph showed a strong dose–response relationship between the BUN/Cr ratio and the 3-month outcome in patients with AIS.Conclusion A dose–response relationship was observed between the BUN/Cr ratio and the 3-month outcome in patients with AIS, suggesting that the BUN/Cr ratio could serve as a reliable predictor for the AIS prognosis.

In the context of accelerating ecological fragmentation, it is urgent to enhance the interconnectivity of urban ecological patches to form a resilient ecological network (EN). The construction of a Natural Protected Area (NPA) system proposed in 2019 is the latest strategy implemented by China in protecting ecological spaces. However, the effectiveness of this strategy has not been adequately demonstrated. This study specifically analyzes the concrete impacts of the natural protected area system on the resilience of ecological networks (ENs). The economically developed Urban Agglomeration around Hangzhou Bay (UAHB) was chosen as an example for the argumentation. Firstly, we utilized circuit theory to construct an EN consisting of 173 ecological sources and 401 ecological corridors. Secondly, the ecological sources were categorized into three levels based on their connectivity values. Finally, a dynamic disturbance scenario simulation framework was constructed to evaluate the impact of NPA on the resilience of EN. The results indicated that: (1) The preceding 47% of ecological sources are crucial for maintaining the resilience of the EN; (2) Compared with other ecological spaces, NPAs have a 38% and 1100% greater effect on the resilience of the EN in first and second-level ecological sources, respectively, while its impact in third-level is 118% lower. This study innovatively investigates the differential impacts of hierarchical natural protected areas and natural unprotected areas on the ecological environment.