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Abstract Background Laser-assisted hatching (LAH) stands as the predominant technique for removing the zona pellucida (ZP) in embryos, primarily consisting of two methods: drilling laser-assisted hatching (D-LAH) and thinning laser-assisted hatching (T-LAH). Presently, both methods have limitations, and their comparative efficacy for embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy remains uncertain. Aim Evaluate the impact of D-LAH and T-LAH on clinical pregnancy rates within assisted reproductive technology (ART). Methods We systematically searched electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library until July 20, 2022. This study encompassed observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A 95% confidence interval (CI) was utilized for assessing the risk ratio (RR) of pregnancy outcomes. The level of heterogeneity was measured using I2 statistics, considering a value exceeding 50% as indicative of substantial heterogeneity. Results The meta-analysis scrutinized 9 studies involving 2405 clinical pregnancies from D-LAH and 2239 from T-LAH. Findings suggested no considerable variation in the clinical pregnancy rates between the two techniques (RR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.79–1.10, I2 = 71%, P = 0.41). Subgroup analyses also revealed no substantial differences. However, D-LAH exhibited a notably higher occurrence of singleton pregnancies compared to T-LAH (RR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.08–4.82, I2 = 89%, P = 0.03). There were no noteworthy distinctions observed in other secondary outcomes encompassing implantation rate, multiple pregnancies, ongoing pregnancy, miscarriage, premature birth, and live birth. Conclusion Both the primary findings and subgroup analyses showed no marked variance in clinical pregnancy rates between D-LAH and T-LAH. Therefore, patients with varying conditions should select their preferred LAH technique after assessing their individual situation. However, due to the restricted number of studies involved, accurately gauging the influence of these laser techniques on clinical outcomes is challenging, necessitating further RCTs and high-quality studies to enhance the success rate of ART. Trial registration PROSPERO: CRD42022347066.

The initial investment for a buried pipe system using soil as a seasonal thermal storage medium is costly and not suitable for small rural buildings. To promote the cost-effective heating in rural areas, this study proposes a novel seasonal thermal storage system utilizing water and soil as thermal storage medium with copper rods to enhance thermal transfer between water tank and the surrounding soil. An experimental platform was established to discuss the temperature variation characteristics and investigate the thermal performance under different operating modes and experimental parameters. The results show that the temperature of the soil without copper rods is linearly related to the depth, while the highest temperature at the end of the copper rods occurs at the middle depth. The soil with short copper rods exhibits the most rapid thermal storage response and a relatively shorter thermal extraction response time. Intermittent operation can significantly enhance the thermal extraction rate and outlet temperature of the thermal storage unit, whereas the energy storage efficiency decreases with the extension of the downtime. The soil contribution rate of the thermal storage unit is influenced by the operational duration, initial temperature of the water tank and outdoor ambient temperature.

IntroductionGeranylgeranyltransferase Subunit Beta (RABGGTB) was expressed at higher levels in patients with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) compared with healthy controls. This study aims to observe the expression of RABGGTB in different cells from patients with ALS and different diseases.MethodsIn this case–control study, we collected peripheral blood from patients with ALS and healthy controls, and compared the expression of RABGGTB in natural killer cells (NK), T cells and B cells between patients with ALS and healthy controls by flow cytometry. And compared the expression of RABGGTB in monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages from patients with ALS, Parkinson’s disease (PD), acute cerebrovascular disease (ACVD), and healthy controls by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Then flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of RABGGTB in monocytes from SOD1G93A mice and WT mice.ResultsThe expression of RABGGTB was not significantly changed in NK cells, cytotoxic T cells (CTL), helper T cells (Th), regulatory T cells (Treg), and B cells from patients with ALS compared to healthy controls. And the expression of RABGGTB in monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages was higher in the ALS group than in the PD, ACVD and control group. The expression of RABGGTB was significantly higher in monocytes of SOD1G93A mice compared to WT mice.ConclusionThese findings suggest that RABGGTB expression was increased in monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages from patients with ALS, not in NK, CTL, Th, Treg, and B cells. Future studies are needed to find the clinical implication of RABGGTB in ALS.

Primary hepatic lymphoma (PHL) is rare, and its early diagnosis is difficult. This article presents a primary hepatic non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) case report. A 52-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital due to a fever. After undergoing laboratory examination, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), only CEUS suggested malignancy. Then, the patient underwent a laparoscopic liver biopsy, which diagnosed NHL. Previous studies have shown that hepatic lymphoma is a hypoglycemic tumor, and the enhanced CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are mostly mildly intensified. At the same time, the two-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasonography are mostly atypical. CEUS has unique advantages in displaying micro-vessels, which can be helpful in the diagnosis of primary hepatic lymphoma.

Abstract Artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted PET imaging is emerging as a promising tool for the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). We aim to systematically review the diagnostic accuracy of AI-assisted PET in detecting PD. The Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore databases were systematically searched for related studies that developed an AI algorithm in PET imaging for diagnostic performance from PD and were published by August 17, 2023. Binary diagnostic accuracy data were extracted for meta-analysis to derive outcomes of interest: area under the curve (AUC). 23 eligible studies provided sufficient data to construct contingency tables that allowed the calculation of diagnostic accuracy. Specifically, 11 studies were identified that distinguished PD from normal control, with a pooled AUC of 0.96 (95% CI: 0.94–0.97) for presynaptic dopamine (DA) and 0.90 (95% CI: 0.87–0.93) for glucose metabolism (18F-FDG). 13 studies were identified that distinguished PD from the atypical parkinsonism (AP), with a pooled AUC of 0.93 (95% CI: 0.91 − 0.95) for presynaptic DA, 0.79 (95% CI: 0.75–0.82) for postsynaptic DA, and 0.97 (95% CI: 0.96–0.99) for 18F-FDG. Acceptable diagnostic performance of PD with AI algorithms-assisted PET imaging was highlighted across the subgroups. More rigorous reporting standards that take into account the unique challenges of AI research could improve future studies.

Abstract Background Stroke stands as the second leading cause of death worldwide. Currently, extensive research has been conducted on stroke risk factors. However, when stroke patients contend with multiple risk factors, the impact on clinical indicators remains uncertain. Objectives This study seeks to investigate potential significant variations among distinct ranges of clinical indicators in instances where stroke patients experience multiple risk factors and various ischemic stroke subtypes. Material and methods The research encompassed 440 stroke patients admitted to the First People's Hospital of Wenling City, Zhejiang Province, China. These patients were classified based on the type and quantity of risk factors and subtypes of ischemic stroke they presented. The χ2 test was employed to assess the relationship between the risk of comorbid diseases and clinical indicators in stroke patients. Results The results of our study have underscored a significant correlation between various comorbid risk factors in stroke patients and the patients' age (P

GCN1 is a highly conserved protein present widely across eukaryotes. As an upstream activator of protein kinase GCN2, GCN1 plays a pivotal role in integrated stress responses, such as amino acid starvation and oxidative stress. Through interaction with GCN2, GCN1 facilitates the activation of GCN2, thus initiating downstream signaling cascades in response to cellular stressors. In these contexts, the activation of GCN2 necessitates the presence and action of GCN1. Notably, GCN1 also operates as a ribosome collision sensor, contributing significantly to the translation quality control pathway. These discoveries offer valuable insights into cellular responses to internal stresses, vital for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Additionally, GCN1 exhibits the ability to regulate the cell cycle and suppress inflammation, among other processes, independently of GCN2. Our review outlines the structural characteristics and biological functions of GCN1, shedding light on its significant involvement in the onset and progression of various cancer and non-cancer diseases. Our work underscores the role of GCN1 in the context of drug therapeutic effects, hinting at its potential as a promising drug target. Furthermore, our work delves deep into the functional mechanisms of GCN1, promising innovative avenues for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the future. The exploration of GCN1's multifaceted roles not only enhances our understanding of its mechanisms but also paves the way for novel therapeutic interventions. The ongoing quest to unveil additional functions of GCN1 holds the promise of further enriching our comprehension of its mode of action.

IntroductionLimited knowledge exists regarding the impact of paternal smoking and alcohol exposure on the development of allergic rhinitis in offspring. Our study aimed to investigate the potential association between preconception paternal smoking and alcohol exposure and the likelihood of children allergic rhinitis.MethodsA retrospective case-control study of 556 prepubertal children aged 3–12 years was performed. The participants were 278 children with allergic rhinitis and 278 healthy controls matched for age and gender. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed and collected on-site, focusing on various factors related to the children's fathers, mothers, and the children themselves during the first year of life and the past 12 months, from March to October 2022.ResultsMultivariate analysis demonstrated that paternal smoking, paternal alcohol consumption prior to conception, paternal allergic diseases, children with a family history of allergies, maternal allergic diseases and pregnancy complications were identified as independent risk factors for allergic rhinitis in their offspring. Moreover, after considering confounding factors, it was observed that paternal smoking exceeding 5 cigarettes per day in the year preceding pregnancy and exceeding 11 years significantly elevated the likelihood of allergic rhinitis in children (OR = 2.009 and 2.479, respectively). Furthermore, the consumption of alcohol by the father at intervals of less than one month in the year prior to pregnancy and a duration of alcohol consumption exceeding 11 years prior to pregnancy are both associated with a significantly increased risk of allergic rhinitis in children (OR = 2.005 and 3.149, respectively).ConclusionsPaternal smoking and alcohol consumption prior to conception contribute to an increased risk of allergic rhinitis in children, with the risk being dependent on the dosage and duration of exposure. Therefore, it is important to not only focus on personal and maternal environmental exposures when considering the occurrence risk of allergic rhinitis in children, but also to consider paternal detrimental exposures prior to conception.

Nowadays, presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography, which assesses deficiencies in dopamine synthesis, storage, and transport, is widely utilized for early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of parkinsonism. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the latest developments in the application of presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography imaging in disorders that manifest parkinsonism. We conducted a thorough literature search using reputable databases such as PubMed and Web of Science. Selection criteria involved identifying peer-reviewed articles published within the last 5 years, with emphasis on their relevance to clinical applications. The findings from these studies highlight that presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography has demonstrated potential not only in diagnosing and differentiating various Parkinsonian conditions but also in assessing disease severity and predicting prognosis. Moreover, when employed in conjunction with other imaging modalities and advanced analytical methods, presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography has been validated as a reliable in vivo biomarker. This validation extends to screening and exploring potential neuropathological mechanisms associated with dopaminergic depletion. In summary, the insights gained from interpreting these studies are crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of preclinical investigations and clinical trials, ultimately advancing toward the goals of neuroregeneration in parkinsonian disorders.

Abstract Parkinson’s disease (PD), one of the most devastating neurodegenerative brain disorders, is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and deposits of α-synuclein aggregates. Currently, pharmacological interventions for PD remain inadequate. The cell necroptosis executor protein MLKL (Mixed-lineage kinase domain-like) is involved in various diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease and neurodegenerative diseases; however, its precise role in PD remains unclear. Here, we investigated the neuroprotective role of MLKL inhibition or ablation against primary neuronal cells and human iPSC-derived midbrain organoids induced by toxic α-Synuclein preformed fibrils (PFFs). Using a mouse model (Tg-Mlkl −/− ) generated by crossbreeding the SNCA A53T synuclein transgenic mice with MLKL knockout (KO)mice, we assessed the impact of MLKL deficiency on the progression of Parkinsonian traits. Our findings demonstrate that Tg-Mlkl −/− mice exhibited a significant improvement in motor symptoms and reduced phosphorylated α-synuclein expression compared to the classic A53T transgenic mice. Furthermore, MLKL deficiency alleviated tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neuron loss and attenuated neuroinflammation by inhibiting the activation of microglia and astrocytes. Single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) analysis of the SN of Tg-Mlkl −/− mice revealed a unique cell type-specific transcriptome profile, including downregulated prostaglandin D synthase (PTGDS) expression, indicating reduced microglial cells and dampened neuron death. Thus, MLKL represents a critical therapeutic target for reducing neuroinflammation and preventing motor deficits in PD.

Abstract Multiple evidence indicates that perinatal factors make impact on immune development and affect offspring allergic rhinitis (AR) risk. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we examined available published studies to clarify the relationship between cesarean section (C-section) and offspring AR in children. To explore the relationship between C-section, especially the special attention was paid to different cesarean delivery mode, and the risk of AR in children. Articles were searched using PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China knowledge Network, Wanfang, and China Science and Technology Journal databases. A meta-analysis of 22 studies published before August 1, 2022, which included 1,464,868 participants, was conducted for statistical analysis with RevMan5.4. The correlation strength between C-section and offspring AR was determined by combining odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were used to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias was detected using the funnel chart and Egger tests. Meta-analysis revealed that there was a significant correlation between C-section and children AR (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.12–1.27, P

The CO2 sequestration capacity evaluation of reservoirs is a critical procedure for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) techniques. However, calculating the sequestration amount for CO2 flooding in low-permeability reservoirs is challenging. Herein, a method combining numerical simulation technology with artificial intelligence is proposed. Based on the typical geological and fluid characteristics of low-permeability oil reservoirs in the Liaohe oilfield, the CMG 2020 version software GEM module is used to establish a model for CO2 flooding and sequestration. Meanwhile, a calculation method for the effective sequestration coefficient of CO2 is established. We systematically study the sequestration rules in low-permeability reservoirs under varying conditions of permeability, reservoir temperature, and initial reservoir pressure. The results indicate that, as the permeability and sequestration pressure of the reservoir increase, oil recovery gradually increases. The proportion of structurally bound sequestration volume increases from 55% to 60%. Reservoir temperature has minimal impact on both the recovery rate and the improvement in sequestration efficiency. Sequestration pressure primarily improves sequestration efficiency by increasing the dissolution of CO2 in the remaining oil and water. The calculation chart for the effective sequestration coefficient, developed using artificial intelligence algorithms under multi-factor conditions, enables accurate and rapid evaluation of the sequestration potential and the identification of favorable sequestration areas in low-permeability reservoirs. This approach provides valuable technical support for CO2 flooding and sequestration in pilot applications.

The watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) holds substantial economic value as a globally cultivated horticultural crop. However, the genetic architecture of watermelon fruit weight (FW) remains poorly understood. In this study, we used sh14-11 with small fruit and N14 with big fruit to construct 100 recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Based on whole-genome resequencing (WGR), 218,127 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected to construct a high-quality genetic map. After quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, a candidate interval of 31–38 Mb on chromosome 2 was identified for FW. Simultaneously, the bulked segregant analysis (BSA) in the F2 population corroborated the identification of the same interval, encompassing the homologous gene linked to the known FW-related gene fas. Additionally, RNA-seq was carried out across 11 tissues from sh14-11 and N14, revealing expression profiles that identified 1695 new genes and corrected the annotation of 2941 genes. Subsequent differential expression analysis unveiled 8969 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 354 of these genes exhibiting significant differences across four key developmental stages. The integration of QTL mapping and differential expression analysis facilitated the identification of 14 FW-related genes, including annotated TGA and NAC transcription factors implicated in fruit development. This combined approach offers valuable insights into the genetic basis of FW, providing crucial resources for enhancing watermelon cultivation.

IntroductionAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological condition that is marked by deficits in social interaction, difficulty expressing oneself, lack of enthusiasm, and stereotypical conduct. The TOMATIS training method is an effective music therapy for children with ASD for its individually developed programs to improve behavioral deficits.MethodsThe research employed both longitudinal and crosssectional designs.ResultsIn the cross-sectional study, the experimental group showed significant improvement in symptoms after TOMATIS training compared to the control group of children with ASD. The results validated the effect of TOMATIS treatment for ASD-related deficits, including perceptual-motor, attentional, social, and emotional issues.DiscussionASD’s auditory hypersensitivity hampers social information processing, but TOMATIS enhances cochlear frequency selectivity, aiding in capturing relevant auditory stimuli. In addition, the longitudinal study confirmed these findings, which proved TOMATIS training effective in clinically treating ASD. This study focused on audiometric indicators and behavioural improvement, elucidating the mechanisms behind the training’s success. Behavioral improvements might stem from TOMATIS’ frequency selectivity, reshaping auditory organ-cortical feedback loops to filter interference and focus on valid information.

The increasing heating demand calls for a correspondingly augmented heating capacity of the primary heating network. However, due to the restriction of existing pipes, the heating capacity can be finitely increased. Therefore, based on the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) and vapor compression cycle (VCC), a novel thermal station is proposed to realize self-augmented heating capacity. Based on laws of thermodynamics, the mathematical model is constructed, and the dynamic performances of power generation and self-augmented heating capacity are analyzed. Results show that the supply water temperature of the primary heating network greatly influences the power generation performance. The self-sufficient electricity can achieve approximately 2000 h, accounting for 61.70% of the heating period. Additionally, the proposed thermal station can flexibly reduce the return water temperature of the primary heating network to 20 °C, thereby achieving self-augmented heating capacity. The self-augmented heating capacity rate can reach 53.56%. Therefore, the proposed thermal station demonstrates excellent self-augmented heating capacity, which provides a new path for satisfying the ever-increasing heating demand.

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of color vision deficiency (CVD) among college students and their quality of life (QoL) in a Chinese college. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in Sichuan University in Chengdu, China. The questionnaire containing participants' demographic data, as well as CVD related QoL was distributed to students who were screened as CVD [by Color Vision Examination Plates (Version 6)] in 2022 freshman entrance examination. Color blindness QoL (CBQoL) and utility analysis were used to evaluate the QoL of CVD students. RESULTS: There were 381 of 17 303 (2.20%) students screened as CVD, including 368 (4.11%) males and 13 (0.16%) females. A total of 317 students completed the questionnaire, the response rate was 83.20%. Only 166 participants (52.3%) knew they have CVD before the physical examination for college entrance examination, while a total of 145 participants (45.74%) hoped to be diagnosed earlier. The medians of CBQoL score and utility were 5.85 (range 2.2-6) and 1 (range 0-1), respectively. The proportions of students whose QoL is affected by CVD were 67.63% (211/312) and 42.27% (134/317) measured by CBQoL and utility analysis respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CVD in males is much higher than that in females. The time when CVD students first became aware of their CVD is relatively late. The QoL of the study population is quite high, while a large proportion of students' QoL are affected by CVD. It is suggested that as a congenital defect, CVD screening in China should be earlier, and appropriate guidance and support are needed for CVD patients to help them better adapt to life, study, and work.

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease devastating to crops, causing significant quality and yield loss. As one of the most important fruits in the world, melon also is damaged by powdery mildew. The present study investigated the effect of powdery mildew on the photosynthetic parameters and leaf microstructure of melons, the ultrastructure of the leaf surface, photosynthetic index, chlorophyll content, yield, and quality index of five thick-skinned and differently shaped melon varieties. The net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, leaf water use efficiency, and chlorophyll levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in Kangbing F3800 plants compared to the other four varieties. In the case of powdery mildew infection, the total number of stomata in the upper and lower epidermis was particularly high in the Zhongtian No. 8 and Zhongtianxueqiong varieties, respectively. The stomatal length and width were highest in the upper epidermis of Zhongtian No. 12 leaves and in the lower epidermis of Zhongtian No. 8 leaves compared to the other varieties. The total yield and meat thickness were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the Zhongtianxueqiong variety than the others, along with the low edge sugar content. Overall, powdery mildew impacted differently the photosynthetic and leaf surface characteristics of the five melon varieties. Kangbing F3800 emerged as the most resistant variety, making it the preferred choice for introducing and promoting thick-skinned melon varieties in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), ranking as the seventh most prevalent cancer worldwide, poses a significant health challenge. Actinidia chinensis Planch Root extracts (acRoots), a traditional Chinese medicine, has exhibited promising inhibitory effects on the proliferation, invasion, and migration of various cancer cell types. Nevertheless, its specific impact and underlying mechanisms concerning HCC remain unclear. This research aimed to elucidate the anticancer properties and potential molecular mechanisms of acRoots in the HepG2 and LM3 cell lines. Our findings demonstrate that acRoots effectively hampers the in vitro proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. Furthermore, acRoots induces apoptosis and autophagy by impeding the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, with its inhibitory effects on cells being restored under AKT activator induction. This study, for the first time, elucidates that acRoots can suppress HepG2 and LM3 cell proliferation by blocking the Akt/mTOR pathway, thereby activating apoptosis and autophagy. These results underscore the potential of acRoots as a promising antitumor agent for HCC.

Summary: Background: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a primary 4-repeat tauopathy with diverse clinical phenotypes. Previous post-mortem studies examined tau deposition sequences in PSP, but in vivo scrutiny is lacking. Methods: We conducted [18F]Florzolotau tau positron emission tomography (PET) scans on 148 patients who were clinically diagnosed with PSP and 20 healthy controls. We employed the Subtype and Stage Inference (SuStaIn) algorithm to identify PSP subtype/stage and related tau patterns, comparing clinical features across subtypes and assessing PSP stage-clinical severity association. We also evaluated functional connectivity differences among subtypes through resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Findings: We identified two distinct subtypes of PSP: Subtype1 and Subtype2. Subtype1 typically exhibits a sequential progression of the disease, starting from subcortical and gradually moving to cortical regions. Conversely, Subtype2 is characterized by an early, simultaneous onset in both regions. Interestingly, once the disease is initiated, Subtype1 tends to spread more rapidly within each region compared to Subtype2. Individuals categorized as Subtype2 are generally older and exhibit less severe dysfunctions in areas such as cognition, bulbar, limb motor, and general motor functions compared to those with Subtype1. Moreover, they have a more favorable prognosis in terms of limb motor function. We found significant correlations between several clinical variables and the identified PSP SuStaIn stages. Furthermore, Subtype2 displayed a remarkable reduction in functional connectivity compared to Subtype1. Interpretation: We present the evidence of distinct in vivo spatiotemporal tau trajectories in PSP. Our findings can contribute to precision medicine advancements for PSP. Funding: This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (number 82272039, 81971641, 82021002, and 92249302); Swiss National Science Foundation (number 188350); the STI2030-Major Project of China (number 2022ZD0211600); the Clinical Research Plan of Shanghai Hospital Development Center of China (number SHDC2020CR1038B); and the National Key R&D Program of China (number 2022YFC2009902, 2022YFC2009900), the China Scholarship Council (number 202006100181); the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) under Germany's Excellence Strategy within the framework of the Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (EXC 2145 SyNergy, ID 390857198).

Abstract Cancer is one of the most fatal diseases for decades. Aggregation‐induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) have been recently used as molecular imaging or therapeutic agents in cancers, due to the advantages of large Stokes shift, high quantum yield, great biocompatibility, and strong photostability. AIEgens can specifically target different types of cancer via diverse targeting strategies. AIEgen‐based fluorescence imaging, especially near‐infrared imaging, demonstrated deep penetration and suitable signal‐to‐noise ratio, which allows reliable in vivo cancer imaging. Combined with other imaging modalities, AIEgen‐based multimodal imaging could provide multidimensional cancer hallmarks from different perspectives. In addition, AIEgen‐based phototherapy can be used for photodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy, which facilitate ablation of cancer cells with good biosafety and high therapeutic effects in vivo. AIEgens nanoparticles fabricated with some specific chemicals, drugs, or siRNA, could display synergistic therapeutic effects for cancers. This paper comprehensively describes the current status and future perspectives of AIEgens, which have showed a great potential for the future preclinical and clinical translation on in vivo molecular imaging and theranostics in cancer.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to provide evidence for early life care by meta-analyzing the relationship between infection during pregnancy and up to 2 years of age and the risk of subsequent allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods Published studies up to April 2022 were systematically searched in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, SinoMed, CNKI, Wanfang Database, and VIP. Literature screening, including quality assessment, was performed, and the effect values (OR, HR, RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of infection during pregnancy and up to 2 years of age and allergic rhinitis were extracted from each qualified study. Results In total, 5 studies with a sample size of 82,256 reported the relationship between infection during pregnancy and offspring AR. Meta-analysis showed that maternal infection during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of childhood AR in offspring (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.08–1.67). Altogether, 13 studies with a sample size of 78,426 reported evidence of an association between infection within 2 years of age and subsequent AR in children. A pooled meta-analysis of all studies showed that early infection within 2 years of age was closely associated with childhood AR (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.12–1.40), especially upper respiratory tract infection (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06–1.65) and gastrointestinal infections (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.01–1.86), but ear infection showed similar results in the cohort study (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04–1.22). Conclusion Current evidence suggests that infection during pregnancy, early upper respiratory infection, gastrointestinal infections and ear infection within 2 years of age would increase the risk of AR in children. Therefore, the prevention of infection during pregnancy and in infancy and young children needs to be emphasized.

Flavonoids are ubiquitous polyphenolic compounds that play a vital role in plants’ defense response and medicinal efficacy. UV-B radiation is a vital environmental regulator governing flavonoid biosynthesis in plants. Many plants rapidly biosynthesize flavonoids as a response to UV-B stress conditions. Here, we investigated the effects of flavonoid biosynthesis via UV-B irradiation in Euphorbia lathyris. We found that exposure of the E. lathyris callus to UV-B radiation sharply increased the level of one O-methyltransferase (ElOMT1) transcript and led to the biosynthesis of several methylated flavonoids. The methyltransferase ElOMT1 was expressed heterologously in E. coli, and we tested the catalytic activity of recombinant ElOMT1 with possible substrates, including caffeic acid, baicalin, and luteolin, in vitro. ElOMT1 could efficiently methylate when the hydroxyl groups were contained in the core nucleus of the flavonoid. This molecular characterization identifies a methyltransferase responsible for the chemical modification of the core flavonoid structure through methylation and helps reveal the mechanism of methylated flavonoid biosynthesis in Euphorbiaceae. This study identifies the O-methyltransferase that responds to UV-B irradiation and helps shed light on the mechanism of flavonoid biosynthesis in Euphorbia lathyris.

BackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease whose origins have not been universally accepted. Numerous studies have demonstrated the relationship between AD and alcohol dependence; however, few studies have combined the origins of AD, alcohol dependence, and programmed cell death (PCD) to analyze the mechanistic relationship between the development of this pair of diseases. We demonstrated in previous studies the relationship between psychiatric disorders and PCD, and in the same concerning neurodegeneration-related AD, we found an interesting link with the Ferroptosis pathway. In the present study, we explored the bioinformatic interactions between AD, alcohol dependence, and Ferroptosis and tried to elucidate and predict the development of AD from this aspect.MethodsWe selected the Alzheimer’s disease dataset GSE118553 and alcohol dependence dataset GSE44456 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Ferroptosis-related genes were gathered through Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and relevant literature, resulting in a total of 88 related genes. For the AD and alcohol dependence datasets, we conducted Limma analysis to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and performed functional enrichment analysis on the intersection set. Furthermore, we used ferroptosis-related genes and the DEGs to perform machine learning crossover analysis, employing Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression to identify candidate immune-related central genes. This analysis was also used to construct protein-protein interaction networks (PPI) and artificial neural networks (ANN), as well as to plot receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for diagnosing AD and alcohol dependence. We analyzed immune cell infiltration to explore the role of immune cell dysregulation in AD. Subsequently, we conducted consensus clustering analysis of AD using three relevant candidate gene models and examined the immune microenvironment and functional pathways between different subgroups. Finally, we generated a network of gene-gene interactions and miRNA-gene interactions using Networkanalyst.ResultsThe crossover of AD and alcohol dependence DEG contains 278 genes, and functional enrichment analysis showed that both AD and alcohol dependence were strongly correlated with Ferroptosis, and then crossed them with Ferroptosis-related genes to obtain seven genes. Three candidate genes were finally identified by machine learning to build a diagnostic prediction model. After validation by ANN and PPI analysis, ROC curves were plotted to assess the diagnostic value of AD and alcohol dependence. The results showed a high diagnostic value of the predictive model. In the immune infiltration analysis, functional metabolism and immune microenvironment of AD patients were significantly associated with Ferroptosis. Finally, analysis of target genes and miRNA-gene interaction networks showed that hsa-mir-34a-5p and has-mir-106b-5p could simultaneously regulate the expression of both CYBB and ACSL4.ConclusionWe obtained a diagnostic prediction model with good effect by comprehensive analysis, and validation of ROC in AD and alcohol dependence data sets showed good diagnostic, predictive value for both AD (AUC 0. 75, CI 0.91–0.60), and alcohol dependence (AUC 0.81, CI 0.95–0.68). In the consensus clustering grouping, we identified variability in the metabolic and immune microenvironment between subgroups as a likely cause of the different prognosis, which was all related to Ferroptosis function. Finally, we discovered that hsa-mir-34a-5p and has-mir-106b-5p could simultaneously regulate the expression of both CYBB and ACSL4.

Here, the authors show that the glycosylceramide synthesis inhibitor and FDA approved drug Eliglustat inhibits autophagic degradation of TRAF3 which is a key step for osteoclast differentiation and thereby improves myeloma bone lesions.

Abstract Objectives This study aims to investigate the effects of Icariin (ICA) on interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced osteoarthritis (OA) and its potential mechanism of action. Methods SW1353 chondrocytes were pretreated with ICA for 2 h, followed by stimulation with IL-1β to mimic OA. Expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3) and collagen II were determined using real-time PCR and Western blot assays. Autophagy activation (by ICA) or inhibition (by shRNA) was determined based on the expression levels of ULK1, Beclin-1, LC3-II/I, and p62, using Western blot analysis. The phosphorylation levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, and ULK1 were also detected using Western blot analysis. Results IL-1β increased MMP-3 overproduction, induced collagen II degradation, and reduced the level of autophagy-associated proteins, including ULK1, Beclin-1, and LC3-II/I. In contrast, ICA pretreatment attenuated IL-1β-induced MMP-3 overproduction, increased collagen II expression, and induced expression of autophagy-related proteins. ICA also decreased PI3K, Akt, and mTOR phosphorylation, increased the production of ULK1, and induced autophagy. Short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown of ULK1 led to activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, which reversed the protective effects of ICA. Conclusions Our findings indicate that ICA can induce autophagy by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathway. This study suggests that ICA may be effective for treating OA.

Abstract Background Malignant brain tumors are among the most threatening diseases of the central nervous system, and despite increasingly updated treatments, the prognosis has not been improved. Tumor treating fields (TTFields) are an emerging approach in cancer treatment using intermediate‐frequency and low‐intensity electric field and can lead to the development of novel therapeutic options. Recent Findings A series of biological processes induced by TTFields to exert anti‐cancer effects have been identified. Recent studies have shown that TTFields can alter the bioelectrical state of macromolecules and organelles involved in cancer biology. Massive alterations in cancer cell proteomics and transcriptomics caused by TTFields were related to cell biological processes as well as multiple organelle structures and activities. This review addresses the mechanisms of TTFields and recent advances in the application of TTFields therapy in malignant brain tumors, especially in glioblastoma (GBM). Conclusions As a novel therapeutic strategy, TTFields have shown promising results in many clinical trials, especially in GBM, and continue to evolve. A growing number of patients with malignant brain tumors are being enrolled in ongoing clinical studies demonstrating that TTFields‐based combination therapies can improve treatment outcomes.

Soil salinity imposes a major threat to plant growth and agricultural productivity. Despite being one of the most common fodder crops in saline locations, alfalfa is vulnerable to salt stress. Jasmonic acid (JA) is a phytohormone that influences plant response to abiotic stimuli such as salt stress. However, key genes and pathways by which JA-mediated salt tolerance of alfalfa are little known. A comprehensive transcriptome analysis was performed to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of JA-mediated salt tolerance. The transcripts regulated by salt (S) compared to control (C) and JA+salt (JS) compared to C were investigated. Venn diagram and expression pattern of DEGs indicated that JS further altered a series of genes expression regulated by salt treatment, implying the roles of JA in priming salt tolerance. Enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs exclusively regulated by JS treatment belonged to primary or secondary metabolism, respiratory electron transport chain, and oxidative stress resistance. Alternatively, splicing (AS) was induced by salt alone or JA combined treatment, with skipped exon (SE) events predominately. DEGs undergo exon skipping involving some enriched items mentioned above and transcription factors. Finally, the gene expressions were validated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), which produced results that agreed with the sequencing results. Taken together, these findings suggest that JA modulates the expression of genes related to energy supply and antioxidant capacity at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, possibly through the involvement of transcription factors and AS events.

Abstract In vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) is associated with an increased risk of preterm (33rd–37th gestational week) and early preterm birth (20th–32nd gestational week). The underlying general and procedure related risk factors are not well understood so far. 4328 infertile women undergoing IVF/ICSI were entered into this study. The study population was divided into three groups: (a) early preterm birth group (n = 66), (b) preterm birth group (n = 675) and (c) full-term birth group (n = 3653). Odds for preterm birth were calculated by stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis. We identified seven independent risk factors for preterm birth and four independent risk factors for early preterm birth. Older (> 39) or younger (

The essential oil of Litsea pungens Hemsl was used as the main raw material, and the method of vacuum freeze-drying was used to prepare the microcapsules of essential oil of Litsea pungens Hemsl, and the embedding rate of the microcapsules was used as an index. Optimizing the microcapsule embedding process of essential oils to determine the best process parameters. At the same time, the physical and chemical properties, microstructure, volatile rate and peroxide value of essential oil were analyzed during storage. The results showed that the best parameters of the microcapsules of essential oil were as follows: Composite wall material ratio (soy protein isolate: β-cyclodextrin) was 1:1 (g/g), core wall material ratio was 1:5(g/g), solid content was 15%, emulsifier content was 3%, emulsifier ratio was 1:4 (g/g), emulsifying temperature was 40 ℃, embedding rate of the microcapsules was 84.68%, its water content, solubility and bulk density were 3.05%, 91.04% and 0.35 g/cm3, respectively. The results of SEM showed that the microcapsules of Litsea pungens Hemsl essential oil were irregular in shape. With the extension of storage time, the volatilization rate and peroxide value of microcapsules of Litsea pungens Hemsl essential oil were lower than those of essential oil, which indicated that the microencapsulation of Litsea pungens Hemsl essential oil could effectively slow down the volatilization rate and reduce oxidation degree of essential oil.

Forward-looking sonar is a commonly used underwater detection device at present, but the detection accuracy is poor due to the complex underwater environment, small target highlight area and fuzzy feature details. Therefore, this paper proposes a forward sonar image target detection model based on You Only Look Once Version 5 (YOLOv5) network using transfer learning method. First, the YOLOv5 network is pretrained with COCO data set. Then the pre-training model is fine-tuned according to the training set of forward-looking sonar images. Before fine-tuning, the traditional k-means clustering is improved. The intersection over union ( $IoU$ ) value is used as the distance function to cluster the labeling information of the training set of the forward-looking sonar image. The results of clustering serve as the initial anchor frame of the training network. This operation greatly improves the detection speed. Second, due to the characteristics of weak echo intensity and small target area of forward-looking sonar image, an improved feature extraction method of CoordConv was proposed to give corresponding coordinate information to high-level features which improves the accuracy of network detection regression. Finally, the fine-tuned network is used to detect the target in the forward-looking sonar image. The experimental results show that the improved model based on YOLOv5 network is superior to the original YOLOv5 network and other popular deep neural networks for target detection in the forward-looking sonar image, which has a reference significance for underwater target detection. The CoordConv-YOLOv5 network based on transfer learning proposed in this paper shows the best performance in both detection accuracy and detection speed. Detection accuracy mAP@0.5:0.95 can reach 56.95%, and detection speed can reach 9ms.

Most applications of aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) have been limited in small animal models. Here, the authors show the versatility of AIEgens-based imaging-guided surgical operation from small animals to rhesus macaque, in support of the clinical translation of AIEgens.

Aconitum carmichaelii is a high-value medicinal herb widely used across China, Japan, and other Asian countries. Aconitine-type diterpene alkaloids (DAs) are the characteristic compounds in Aconitum. Although six transcriptomes, based on short-read next generation sequencing technology, have been reported from the Aconitum species, the terpene synthase (TPS) corresponding to DAs biosynthesis remains unidentified. We apply a combination of Pacbio isoform sequencing and RNA sequencing to provide a comprehensive view of the A. carmichaelii transcriptome. Nineteen TPSs and five alternative splicing isoforms belonging to TPS-b, TPS-c, and TPS-e/f subfamilies were identified. In vitro enzyme reaction analysis functional identified two sesqui-TPSs and twelve diTPSs. Seven of the TPS-c subfamily genes reacted with GGPP to produce the intermediate ent-copalyl diphosphate. Five AcKSLs separately reacted with ent-CPP to produce ent-kaurene, ent-atiserene, and ent-13-epi-sandaracopimaradie: a new diterpene found in Aconitum. AcTPSs gene expression in conjunction DAs content analysis in different tissues validated that ent-CPP is the sole precursor to all DAs biosynthesis, with AcKSL1, AcKSL2s and AcKSL3-1 responsible for C20 atisine and napelline type DAs biosynthesis, respectively. These data clarified the molecular basis for the C20-DAs biosynthetic pathway in A. carmichaelii and pave the way for further exploration of C19-DAs biosynthesis in the Aconitum species.

Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don and F. thunbergii Miq. belong to the genus Fritillaria within the Liliaceae family. They are used in traditional Chinese medicines that are often administered in clinical settings as they have notable effects on cough, bronchitis, pneumonia, lung injury, cancer, and other diseases. In this review, we focus on the history, origin, similarities, and differences in efficacy, chemical composition, and pharmacological outcomes of the drugs obtained from F. cirrhosa (FRC) and F. thunbergii (FRT). We list various valuable pharmacological effects of FRC and FRT, including antitussive, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. Thus, this review offers a basis for the medical application of and further research into the pharmacological impacts of these two drugs. We believe that new drugs derived from the phytoconstituents of F. cirrhosa and F. thunbergii that have specific therapeutic properties can be developed in the future.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant tumor in the oral and maxillofacial regions, with a high rate of metastasis. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play critical roles in tumor growth, metastasis and invasion, making them attractive therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. As an old anti-coccidiosis drug for poultry, Halofuginone (HF) has also been reported to possess anti-fibrosis and anti-cancer activities in the recent decades. However, whether it works by targeting CAFs in OSCC, and the mechanisms involved remain unclear. In the present study, we observed HF dose-dependently inhibits OSCC-derived CAF viability and proliferation. Meanwhile, HF decreased the expressions of α-SMA, FSP-1 and PDGFRβ, markers of the malignant phenotype of CAFs, both at mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, functional studies demonstrated that HF dramatically attenuates the promotion effect of CAFs on OSCC cell migration and invasion. Mechanistically, the inhibition of MMP2 secretion and the upstream TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling pathway played an important role in these processes. In the orthotopic transplanted tongue carcinoma in mice model, we confirmed that HF administration inhibited tumor growth and lymph node metastasis (LNM) with reduced CAF population, MMP2 expression and collagen deposition in tumor. Altogether, these results indicate that HF can inhibit the migration and invasion of OSCC by targeting CAFs, which will provide new ideas for the treatment of OSCC.

Realizing information protection in low cost and large-scale fabrication still casts tough challenges in various aspects primarily involving material synthesis and engineering. Herein, to circumvent these challenges, the method of reversible protonation reactions of triphenylamine (TPA) derivatives grafted with pyridyl groups is intentionally introduced into the di-ureasil hybrids to functionalize the materials with targeted features. The results reveal that the reversible protonation reactions are still observed after homogenously distributing the TPA derivatives into the di-ureasil hybrids because of the organic-inorganic skeleton structure supplying the channels for the penetrations of NH3·H2O and HCl molecules, leading to an obvious emission color switch between red and cyan-green. Moreover, by replacing the pyridyl group with the pyridinium group in a similar molecule structure, the TPA derivatives are able to achieve an eye-cheated optical performance with very closing UV-Vis and emission spectra but lose the stimuli responsive optical performance. Capitalizing on the special features, the strategies designed for information encipherment applications based on the TPA derivatives functionalized di-ureasil hybrids were estimated through direct coating or preparing the inks for the fountain pens to write. This work successfully endows values of the as-synthesized TPA derivatives for the particular application. To compare with the most analogous powder materials applied for information protection applications, the portable security inks show a bright future for commercial applications offering simple operation, easy visual detection, and large-scale fabrications. In addition, the di-ureasil hybrids doped with TPA derivatives also present good performance as warming white-light-emitting films, showing potential for light electronics’ displays.

BackgroundVitamin D plays an important role in reproduction. Evidence shown that free 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)VitD) was more accurate than total 25(OH)VitD in reflecting the status of 25(OH)VitD during pregnancy. However, the relationship between free 25(OH)VitD and female fertility parameters has not been reported yet. Therefore, this study aims to compare the correlation of free and total 25(OH)VitD with fertility parameters in infertility females undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).MethodsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 2569 infertility patients who received IVF-ET or ICSI treatment for the first time participated in this study. Five milliliter peripheral blood samples of the patients were collected on the day before embryo transfer (ET). Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits was used to detect free 25(OH)VitD and total 25(OH)VitD, and clinical information was collected. Spearman’s rho was used to evaluate the association between the variables.ResultsThe median (IQR) of free 25(OH)VitD was 4.71 (4.11-5.31) pg/mL and total 25(OH)VitD was 19.54 (16.52-22.83) ng/m. The correlation between them, however, was week (rho=0.311). Compared to total 25(OH)VitD, free 25(OH)VitD was slightly better correlated with basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (rho=0.041, P=0.036), basal estradiol (E2) (rho=0.089, P

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a substantial transition of Chinese international education to online learning. This article discusses the impact of online learning from international students’ perspectives. Data were collected from exploratory interviews with a small group of international students at a research university and a nationwide survey involving 1,010 international students at 41 universities in China. A synthesis of the two studies’ findings pointed to low levels of online learning satisfaction, particularly among international students from Africa, those in undergraduate programs, those in life sciences and medical disciplines, and those studying at research-centered universities. Moreover, both studies revealed low emotional engagement significantly predicted international students’ online learning dissatisfaction. To enhance international students’ satisfaction, it is suggested that universities and teachers prioritize the building of student-centered online learning environments supporting international students’ emotional involvement and helping them feel a greater sense of belonging in online intercultural learning.

The quality characteristics of dry-cured hams from different regions of Yunnan province were studied by analyzing five types of Yunnan dry-cured hams (Xuanwei ham, Sanchuan ham, Nuodeng ham, Saba ham, and Heqing ham) using headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) and headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). The analysis aimed to identify different volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the dry-cured ham samples. Forty-one VOCs were qualitatively characterized by HS-GC-IMS from dry-cured ham samples, of which Nuodeng ham and Saba ham had similar fingerprint profiles and contained higher levels of aldehydes and alcohols. Meanwhile, a total of 12 qualitatively differential characteristic markers were screened by the PLS-DA model. Furthermore, 128 main VOCs were identified by HS-SPME-GC-MS, of which 26 differential characteristic markers were screened by the PLS-DA model. HCA analysis showed that the VOCs of Sanchuan ham were different from those of the other four dry-cured hams due to the unique processing. These results can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the flavor characteristics of dry-cured hams from different regions of Yunnan.

The underlying mechanisms of the development of unhealthy metabolic phenotypes in obese children and adolescents remain unclear. We aimed to screen the metabolomes of individuals with the unhealthy obesity phenotype and identify the potential metabolic pathways that could regulate various metabolic profiles of obesity in Chinese adolescents. A total of 127 adolescents aged 11–18 years old from China were investigated using a cross-sectional study. The participants were classified as having metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) or metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) based on the presence/absence of metabolic abnormalities defined by metabolic syndrome (MetS) and body mass index (BMI). Serum-based metabolomic profiling using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was undertaken on 67 MHO and 60 MUO individuals. ROC analyses showed that palmitic acid, stearic acid, and phosphate could predict MUO, and that glycolic acid, alanine, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, and 2-hydroxypentanoic acid could predict MHO (all p < 0.05) from selected samples. Five metabolites predicted MUO, 12 metabolites predicted MHO in boys, and only two metabolites predicted MUO in girls. Moreover, several metabolic pathways may be relevant in distinguishing the MHO and MUO groups, including the fatty acid biosynthesis, fatty acid elongation in mitochondria, propanoate metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism pathways. Similar results were observed for boys except for phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, which had a high impact [0.098]. The identified metabolites and pathways could be efficacious for investigating the underlying mechanisms of the development of different metabolic phenotypes in obese Chinese adolescents.

Watermelons grown in sandy soil are rich in trace elements, particularly selenium, and are therefore also known as selenium-rich sand watermelons. However, continuous watermelon cultivation in the same sandy field decreases soil fertility and degrades the ecosystem, ultimately resulting in low-quality watermelons. Introducing different crops into the crop pattern could alleviate the problems posed by continuous cropping. A field experiment was conducted to explore the effects of different crop patterns on soil microbial communities and soil properties via standard techniques. The results showed that 14,905 bacterial and 2150 fungal operational taxonomic units were obtained and assigned to eight bacterial and five fungal phyla, respectively. Soil bacterial communities primarily comprised Proteobacteria, Planctomycetes, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria, and the soil fungal community was dominated by Ascomycota, Chytridiomycota, and Basidiomycota. Different crop patterns had a significant effect on the Chao and ACE indexes of fungal communities in the soil. The rotation of six years of watermelon and one year of wheat had the highest richness indexes of all the rotations. Different crop patterns had significant effects on soil properties, such as organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), total potassium (TK), available phosphorus (AP), available K, nitrate nitrogen (NN), and pH. The soil OM, TN, NN, and pH of six years of watermelon and one year of wheat cultivation were significantly higher than those of the other three crop patterns. In addition, the soil TK and AP of the continuous watermelon planting treatment were significantly higher than those of the other three crop patterns. Redundancy analysis results revealed many complex relationships between soil properties and soil bacterial or fungal communities. Employing different crop patterns plays an important role in the effective regulation of soil microbial diversity and properties.

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) is exploited for several optoelectronic applications, but synthesizing molecules that respond to multiple stimuli is challenging. Here, the authors report a hydroquinone bearing an AIE-active core that responds to both redox and pH changes.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive subtype of breast cancer, which is relatively resistant to anti-programmed cell death-1 (α-PD1) therapy, characterized as non-immunogenic, dense stroma and accumulation of M2 tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Despite progress in strategies to deplete extracellular matrix (ECM) and enhance tumor-cell immunogenicity, the combinatorial anti-cancer effects with α-PD1 need to be explored. Here, we applied doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome (Dox-L) as immunogenic cell death (ICD)-inducing nano-chemotherapy and used losartan as stroma-depleting agent to improve α-PD1 efficacy (Losartan + Dox-L + α-PD1). The results showed that losartan could cause ECM reduction, facilitating enhanced delivery of Dox-L and further dendritic cell (DC) maturation. Additionally, losartan could also alleviate hypoxia for TNBC, thus reprogramming pro-cancer M2 TAMs to anti-cancer M1 TAMs, successfully overcoming immune-suppressive microenvironment. These modifications led to a significant increase in T cells’ infiltration and augmented anti-tumor immunity as exemplified by the notable reduction in tumor size and lung metastases. In summary, our findings support that combined treatment of losartan with Dox-L normalizes immunological-cold microenvironment, improves immuno-stimulation and optimizes the efficacy of TNBC immunotherapy. A novel combinational strategy with FDA-approved compounds proposed by the study may potentially be useful in TNBC clinical treatment.

We report a 58-year-old Asian woman who was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis, together with a mixed pulmonary bacterial and fungal infection including Aspergillus . The infection did not respond well to the routine administration of anti-bacterial and anti-fungal drugs, and the patient’s creatinine levels continued to rise and protein remained in her urine. The patient’s SLE persisted without going into remission. Finally, surgical resection of the pulmonary aspergilloma brought the SLE back under control.

Melatonin is an effective antioxidant hormone produced mainly by the pineal gland. Premature senescence refers to senescence induced by declined cell proliferation and physiological functions when cells are stimulated by non-telomeric signals. The anti-aging effect of melatonin is exerted by upregulating the expression of silent information regulator 1/Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), which reduces oxidative stress damage, decreases p53 activation, and inhibits the NF-κB pathway. Radiation can induce premature senescence through direct or indirect oxidative stress damage. The mechanism by which melatonin regulates radiation-induced premature senescence includes the inhibition of the p53-mediated senescence pathway through elimination of reactive oxygen species or p53 deacetylation induced by upregulation of SIRT1 expression. Melatonin exhibits different regulatory effects for different cells and types of radiation.

Abstract This study took shear wave elastography (SWE) technology to measure the shear wave velocity (SWV) of peripheral nerve in healthy population, which represents the stiffness of the peripheral nerves, and research whether these parameters (location, age, sex, body mass index (BMI), the thickness and cross-sectional area(CSA) of the nerve) would affect the stiffness of the peripheral nerves. 105 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. We recorded the genders and ages of these volunteers, measured height and weight, calculated BMI, measured nerve thickness and CSA using high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS), and then, we measured and compared the SWV of the right median nerve at the middle of the forearm and at the proximal entrance of the carpal tunnel. The SWV of the median nerve of the left side was measured to explore whether there exist differences of SWV in bilateral median nerve. Additionally, we also measured the SWV of the right tibial nerve at the ankle canal to test whether there is any difference in shear wave velocity between different peripheral nerves. This study found that there existed significant differences of SWV between different sites in one nerve and between different peripheral nerves. No significant difference was found in SWV between bilateral median nerves. Additionally, the SWV of peripheral nerves was associated with gender, while not associated with age or BMI. The mean SWV of the studied male volunteers in median nerve were significantly higher than those of female (p

Personality assessments are at present nearly entirely dependent on self-reports, and machine learning methods have been rarely applied to this field. This study used machine learning to predict people’s self-reported proactive personalities. Based on a sample of 901 participants that used Weibo text and short answer text, the authors used five machine learning algorithms for classification: Support Vector Machine (SVM), XGboost, k-nearest neighbor (KNN), naïve Bayes, and logistic regression. Seven different indicators – Accuracy (ACC), F1-score(F1), Sensitivity(SEN), Specificity (SPE), Positive Predictive Value (PPV), Negative Predictive Value (NPV) and Area under Curve (AUC) – combined with hierarchical cross-validation were also used to make the comprehensive evaluation of models. Based on this, we proposed a method to classify people’s proactive personalities based on text mining technology. The results showed that the SVM and naïve Bayes outperformed the other methods on short texts (i.e., short answer texts) and mixed long texts (i.e., short answer & Weibo text). In the context of the texts used, mixed long text (i.e., short answer & Weibo text) improved and stabilized the indices, and this combination was the best choice of text for predicting proactive personality. In addition, the SVM was the most stable classifier in most situations, even on Weibo text that was not suitable for analysis as long text, and it also recorded good results in terms of accuracy, the F1-score, and the AUC.

In transportation architecture, wayfinding quality is a crucial factor for determining transfer efficiency and level of service. When developing architectural design concepts, designers often employ their visual attention to imagine where passengers will look. A saliency model is a software program that can predict human visual attention. This research examined whether a saliency model or designer visual attention is a good predictor of passenger visual attention during wayfinding inside transportation architecture. Using a remote eye-tracking system, the eye-movements of 29 participants watching 100 still images depicting different indoor scenes of transportation architecture were recorded and transformed into saliency maps to illustrate participants' visual attention. Participants were categorized as either “designers” or “laypeople” based on their architectural design expertise. Similarities were compared among the “designers'” visual attention, saliency model predictions, and “laypeople's” visual attention. The results showed that while the “designers'” visual attention was the best predictor of that of “laypeople”, followed by saliency models, a single designer's visual attention was not a good predictor. The divergence in visual attention highlights the limitation of designers in predicting passenger wayfinding behavior and implies that integrating a saliency model in practice can be beneficial for wayfinding design.

A 26-year-old Asian woman with persistent muscle weakness was diagnosed with polymyositis based on biopsy findings at another hospital 11 years ago. However, her symptoms fluctuated repeatedly under treatment with prednisone and immunosuppressive agents, and worsened 2 months prior to the current presentation. A second muscle biopsy suggested metabolic myopathy, and genetic testing revealed a novel c.1074C > T variant in the glycogen synthase 1 gene ( GYS1 ), which is implicated in muscle glycogen storage disease type 0. However, no abnormalities in glycogen deposition were found by biopsy; rather, muscle fibers exhibited large intracellular lipid droplets. Furthermore, muscle strength was greatly restored and circulating levels of creatine kinase indicative of muscle degeneration greatly reduced by vitamin B2 treatment. Therefore, the final diagnosis was lipid storage myopathy.

Purpose The number of international students in China has been increasing over the recent decades. The rapid expansion of the international student population aroused concerns over the capacity of Chinese universities to fulfill international students’ expectations toward academic development. Perceiving student learning experiences as an important indicator of higher education quality, this article focuses on undergraduate international students in China and discusses their learning experiences from three perspectives, i.e., perceived learning environment, academic engagement, and student development. Design/Approach/Methods Data were generated by a survey involving 1,428 international students studying for an undergraduate degree at 34 universities in China. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and the structural equation model was applied. Findings The research showed the respondents’ academic development in a range of skills and abilities, while their learning experiences at the Chinese higher education institutions (HEIs) were largely unsatisfactory. Specifically, the research revealed the respondents’ moderate-to-low-level evaluation of perceived classroom learning environment, their low level of academic engagement, and the significant negative influences of the perceived classroom learning environment and academic engagement on their academic development. Originality/Value The analysis holds implications for the enhancement of positive learning experiences of international undergraduate students in China and the improvement of the quality of Chinese international student education. Student learning experiences are an important indicator of the quality of college teaching. Drawing on the data generated by a survey involving 1,428 international students studying for an undergraduate degree at 34 universities in China, this presentation explores the characteristics of international undergraduate students’ learning experiences in Chinese universities and analyzes the relationship among the three dimensions of their learning experiences.

Objective This study aims to analyze the alteration of carnitine profile in the small intestine of abdominal irradiation-induced intestinal injury rats and explore the possible reason for the altered carnitine profile. Methods The abdomens of 15 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were irradiated with 0, 10, and 15 Gy of 60 Co gamma rays. The carnitine profile in the small intestine and plasma samples of SD rats at 72 h after abdominal irradiated with 0 Gy or 10 Gy of 60 Co gamma rays were measured by targeted metabolomics. The changes of fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO), including the expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) and acyl-CoA dehydrogenases, were analyzed in the small intestine samples of SD rats after exposed to 0, 10, and 15 Gy groups. Results There were eleven acylcarnitines in the small intestine and fourteen acylcarnitines in the plasma of the rat model significantly enhanced, respectively (P < .05). The expression level and activity of CPT1 in the small intestine were remarkably increased (P < .05), and the activity of acyl-CoA dehydrogenase in the small intestine was noticeably reduced (P < .01) after abdominal irradiation. Conclusion The enhanced acylcarnitine levels in the small intestine of abdominal irradiation rats might relate to the FAO pathway disequilibration.