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Abstract Background There is growing evidence indicating that deubiquitinating enzymes may contribute to tumor progression and can serve as promising therapeutic targets. Methods The overexpression of deubiquitinase OTUD6B in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and its adjacent tissues was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and TCGA/GO database. Survival analysis further supported OTUD6B as a potential target for LUAD treatment. We assessed the effect of OTUD6B on LUAD cell growth using cell viability assays and conducted TUNEL staining, migration, and invasion experiments to investigate the impact of OTUD6B on the apoptosis and metastasis of LUAD cells. Additionally, we established a transplanted tumor model in nude mice to validate our findings in vivo. Finally, using IP mass spectrometry and co-IP experiments, we screened and confirmed the influence of RIPK1 as a substrate of OTUD6B in LUAD. Results OTUD6B is highly overexpressed in human LUAD and predicts poor prognosis in LUAD patients. OTUD6B knockdown inhibited the proliferation of LUAD cells and enhanced apoptosis and inhibited metastasis in LUAD cells suppressed. A549 xenografts revealed that OTUD6B deletion can slow down tumour growth. Additionally, OTUD6B can bind to RIPK1, reduce its ubiquitination level and increase its protein stability. Conclusions Our results suggest that OTUD6B is a promising clinical target for LUAD treatment and that targeting OTUD6B may constitute an effective anti-LUAD strategy.

Abstract Background The terminal stage of ischemic heart disease develops into heart failure (HF), which is characterized by hypoxia and metabolic disturbances in cardiomyocytes. The hypoxic failing heart triggers hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) actions in the cells sensitized to hypoxia and induces metabolic adaptation by accumulating HIF-1α. Furthermore, soluble monocarboxylic acid transporter protein 1 (MCT1) and mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 1 (MPC1), as key nodes of metabolic adaptation, affect metabolic homeostasis in the failing rat heart. Aerobic exercise training has been reported to retard the progression of HF due to enhancing HIF-1α levels as well as MCT1 expressions, whereas the effects of exercise on MCT1 and MPC1 in HF (hypoxia) remain elusive. This research aimed to investigate the action of exercise associated with MCT1 and MPC1 on HF under hypoxia. Methods The experimental rat models are composed of four study groups: sham stented (SHAM), HF sedentary (HF), HF short-term exercise trained (HF-E1), HF long-term exercise trained (HF-E2). HF was initiated via left anterior descending coronary artery ligation, the effects of exercise on the progression of HF were analyzed by ventricular ultrasound (ejection fraction, fractional shortening) and histological staining. The regulatory effects of HIF-1α on cell growth, MCT1 and MPC1 protein expression in hypoxic H9c2 cells were evaluated by HIF-1α activatort/inhibitor treatment and plasmid transfection. Results Our results indicate the presence of severe pathological remodelling (as evidenced by deep myocardial fibrosis, increased infarct size and abnormal hypertrophy of the myocardium, etc.) and reduced cardiac function in the failing hearts of rats in the HF group compared to the SHAM group. Treadmill exercise training ameliorated myocardial infarction (MI)-induced cardiac pathological remodelling and enhanced cardiac function in HF exercise group rats, and significantly increased the expression of HIF-1α (p

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of hip fracture in all age groups in Shanghai, and to evaluate the hospitalization cost of patients with hip fracture. Methods A total of 1,332 hip fracture patients admitted to a tertiary general hospital between January 2015 and May 2020 in Shanghai were included. Age, sex, diagnosis, cause of injury and site, fracture type, comorbidities, length of stay, treatment, outcomes (at discharge) and hospitalization expenses were recorded. The epidemiological characteristics of hip fracture were analyzed by using SPSS 26.0 software. Results The average age of hip fracture was 77.24 ± 12.66 years, and 69.0% of the patients were female. Overall, 886 patients had femoral neck fracture, and 446 patients suffered from intertrochanteric fracture. Most of the fractures caused by falls at the same level and falls from a height occurred in those aged 81–90 years; and traffic accident injuries mostly took place in patients aged 50–60. Among the 1,302 hip fracture patients who underwent surgical treatment, hip replacement was the major choice for femoral neck fracture, accounting for 49.2%. Internal fixation was the main treatment choice for intertrochanteric fracture, making up 97.8%. The median length of hospital stay lasted 8 days and at cost of hospitalization was ¥49,138.18 RMB. Conclusion This epidemiological study found that patients with hip fracture had certain distribution characteristics in age, sex, type of fracture, injury season, cause of injury, mode of operation, length of stay, cost, and so on. Proper medical management, social preventive measures, and prevention of falls are needed to reduce the risk of hip fracture and the socioeconomic burden.

The aim of this paper is to discuss the existence of normalized solutions to the following nonlocal double phase problems driving by the discrete fractional Laplacian: ( − Δ𝔻)pαu(k) + μ(−Δ 𝔻)qβu(k) + ω(k)|u(k)|p−2u(k) = λ|u(k)|q−2u(k) + h(k)|u(k)|r−2u(k) for k ∈ ℤ,∑k∈ℤ|u(k)|q = ρq > 0, u(k) → 0 as |k|→∞, where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] if [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] if [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]([Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text]) is the discrete fractional [Formula: see text]-Laplacian. By variational methods, we discuss the existence of non-negative normalized homoclinic solutions under the conditions that the nonlinear term satisfies sublinear growth or superlinear growth conditions. In particular, we establish the compactness of the associated energy functional of the problem without weights. Our paper is the first time to deal with the existence of normalized solutions for discrete double phase problems.

PurposeThis study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of the combined approach involving hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Patients and methodsIn this multicenter retrospective study conducted from January 2020 to December 2023, we reviewed advanced HCC patients who were treated either with HAIC alone or with a combination of HAIC and TKIs. To address initial disparities between the two groups, we employed propensity score matching (PSM). Tumor response evaluation was performed following RECIST 1.1 criteria. We compared survival outcomes, including overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and objective response rate (ORR), between the two treatment groups. Safety assessments were conducted for all patients.ResultsFollowing the eligibility review, 138 patients underwent combined treatment with HAIC and TKIs (HT group), while 198 patients received HAIC monotherapy (HA group) and met the inclusion criteria for enrollment in this study. After PSM, 107 patients were assigned to each group. The HT group exhibited a longer median OS (18.0 versus 8.8 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.52, p < 0.001) compared to the HA group. Median PFS was also longer in the HT group, although without statistical significance (6.0 versus 4.7 months; HR, 0.85, p = 0.265). The HT group demonstrated a higher ORR (41.1% versus 25.2%; p = 0.020). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in the incidence of all adverse events (AEs) or grade 3/4 AEs (any grade: 81.2% for HT versus 78.8% for HA, p = 0.68; grade 3/4: 18.1% for HT versus 13.6% for HA, p = 0.29). Importantly, all AEs were manageable and acceptable. Notably, no grade 5 AEs occurred in either group.ConclusionCombination therapy involving HAIC and TKIs effectively prolonged survival in advanced HCC patients. It represented a preferable alternative to HAIC monotherapy, with manageable safety.

IntroductionFlow, defined as a heightened state of consciousness characterized by intense concentration during an activity, is influenced primarily by the perceived challenge and the dynamic equilibrium of skills. This investigation focuses on the patterns of flow state attainment and its elicitation mechanisms within the context of piano performance among Chinese music college students.MethodsOur study establishes a framework for accessing flow, utilizing quantitative data from music ontology to gauge the level of challenge and the level of music acquisition to assess skills. Additionally, we integrate external factors such as music culture heterogeneity and demographic variables to elucidate the causes and moderating effects of flow on piano performance.ResultsThe findings reveal a positive correlation between flow and performance, with the model of challenge and skill induction partially explaining these results. Notably, melodic Shannon Entropy emerges as a potential indicator of challenge, suggesting its relevance in future studies on flow.DiscussionThis research provides multidimensional insights into the interplay between performance and flow in piano performance, guiding future investigations to explore the musical quantitative perspective more deeply.

Abstract Background Though (1S, 3R)-RSL3 has been used widely in basic research as a small molecular inducer of ferroptosis, the toxicity on normal cells and poor pharmacokinetic properties of RSL3 limited its clinical application. Here, we investigated the synergism of non-thermal plasma (NTP) and low-concentration RSL3 and attempted to rise the sensitivity of NSCLC cells on RSL3. Methods CCK-8 assay was employed to detect the change of cell viability. Microscopy and flowcytometry were applied to identify lipid peroxidation, cell death and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level respectively. The molecular mechanism was inspected with western blot and RT-qPCR. A xenograft mice model was adopted to investigate the effect of NTP and RSL3. Results We found the synergism of NTP and low-concentration RSL3 triggered severe mitochondria damage, more cell death and rapid ferroptosis occurrence in vitro and in vivo. NTP and RSL3 synergistically induced xCT lysosomal degradation through ROS/AMPK/mTOR signaling. Furthermore, we revealed mitochondrial ROS was the main executor for ferroptosis induced by the combined treatment. Conclusion Our research shows NTP treatment promoted the toxic effect of RSL3 by inducing more ferroptosis rapidly and provided possibility of RSL3 clinical application. Graphical Abstract Video Abstract

Abstract Background Osteosarcoma is one of the most common malignant bone tumors with bad prognosis. Necroptosis is a form of programmed cell death. Recent studies showed that targeting necroptosis was a new promising approach for tumor therapy. This study aimed to establish a necroptosis-related gene signature to evaluated prognosis and explore the relationship between necroptosis and osteosarcoma. Methods Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas was used for developing the signature and the derived necroptosis score (NS). Data from Gene Expression Omnibus served as validation. Principal component analysis (PCA), Cox regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used to assess the performance of signature. The association between the NS and osteosarcoma was analyzed via gene set enrichment analysis, gene set variation analysis and Pearson test. Single-cell data was used for further exploration. Among the genes that constituted the signature, the role of TNFRSF21 in osteosarcoma was unclear. Molecular experiments were used to explore TNFRSF21 function. Results Our data revealed that lower NS indicated more active necroptosis in osteosarcoma. Patients with lower NS had a better prognosis. PCA and ROC curves demonstrated NS was effective to predict prognosis. NS was negatively associated with immune infiltration levels and tumor microenvironment scores and positively associated with tumor purity and stemness index. Single-cell data showed necroptosis heterogeneity in osteosarcoma. The cell communication pattern of malignant cells with high NS was positively correlated with tumor progression. The expression of TNFRSF21 was down-regulated in osteosarcoma cell lines. Overexpression of TNFRSF21 inhibited proliferation and motility of osteosarcoma cells. Mechanically, TNFRSF21 upregulated the phosphorylation levels of RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL to promote necroptosis in osteosarcoma. Conclusions The necroptosis prognostic signature and NS established in this study could be used as an independent prognostic factor, TNFRSF21 may be a necroptosis target in osteosarcoma therapy.

Abstract The gas therapy is drawing increasing attention in the treatment of many diseases including cancer. As one of gas signaling molecules, carbon monoxide (CO) has been proved to exert anti-cancer effects via triggering multiple cell death types, such as autophagy, apoptosis and necrosis. Here, we showed that low concentration CO delivered from CO-releasing molecule 3 (CORM-3) effectively induced ferroptosis, known as a novel proinflammatory programmed cell death, in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we found that CO triggered ferroptosis by modulating the ROS/GSK3β/GPX4 signaling pathway, resulting in the accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides and the occurrence of ferroptosis. We think our findings provide novel insights into the anti-cancer mechanisms of CO, and suggest that CO could potentially be exploited as a novel ferroptosis inducer for cancer treatment in the future.

Summary: We previously reported that loss of function of TYW1 led to cerebral palsy with severe intellectual disability through reduced neural proliferation. However, whether TYW1 loss affects neural differentiation is unknown. In this study, we first demonstrated that TYW1 loss blocked the formation of OHyW in tRNAphe and therefore affected the translation efficiency of UUU codon. Using the brain organoid model, we showed impaired neuron differentiation when TYW1 was depleted. Interestingly, retrotransposons were differentially regulated in TYW1−/− hESCs (human embryonic stem cells). In particular, one kind of human-specific endogenous retrovirus-K (HERVK/HML2), whose reactivation impaired human neurodevelopment, was significantly up-regulated in TYW1−/− hESCs. Consistently, a UUU codon-enriched protein, SMARCAD1, which was a key factor in controlling endogenous retroviruses, was reduced. Taken together, TYW1 loss leads to up-regulation of HERVK in hESCs by down-regulated SMARCAD1, thus impairing neuron differentiation.

To better understand the research focus and development direction in the field of driving behavior active intervention, thereby laying a scientific foundation for further research, we used the combination of topic words and keywords to retrieve relevant articles from the Core Collection Database of Web of Science (WOS). A total of 578 articles published from 1992 to 2022 were finally obtained. Firstly, the time distribution characteristics, country distribution, institution distribution and main source journal distribution of published articles were explored. Then, by using the CiteSpace and VOSviewer software, cited reference co-citation analysis, keyword co-occurrence analysis and burst detection analysis were carried out respectively to visually explore the knowledge base, research topic, research frontier and development trend of this field. The results indicate that the USA, Australia and China are the three most active countries in the studies of driving behavior active intervention. Accidental Analysis & Prevention, Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behavior, and Journal of Safety Research are widely selected journals for publications related to this field. The research frontiers in the field of driving behavior active intervention focus on: “traffic safety and crashes analysis, as well as enforcement intervention”, “driving risk and education for young drivers”, “information provision and driving behavior”, “workload and situation awareness for automated driving”. It is worth noting that in recent years, “warning system”, “time”, “work load” have become research hotspots in this field. To sum up, by a bibliometric overview of research on driving behavior active intervention over the past thirty years, this paper clarifies the development skeleton of this research field, determines its hot topics and research progress, and provides a reference for the follow-up exploratory scientific research in this field.

Effectively identifying and managing the priority regulation areas (PRAs) of ecosystem services (ESs) are very important for improving the supply–demand relationship (SDR) of ESs and promoting regional sustainable development. Based on the InVEST model, geographic information system (GIS) spatial analysis and statistical methods, this study assessed the supply and demand of five types of ESs in the Loess Plateau from 2000 to 2020, namely, water yield, food supply, carbon storage, soil conservation and recreation. The quantitative and spatial relationships between the supply and demand were analyzed, and the PRA with a severe imbalance between ES supply and demand was identified. According to the regulation index, the importance of different types of PRAs was identified. Then, the potential constraints of the trade-off and synergy on the regulation of the SDR were discussed, and specific regulation suggestions were proposed. The results showed that from 2000 to 2020, the supply and demand of the five types of ESs on the Loess Plateau increased except for water demand, and the spatial distribution was mostly low in the northwest and high in the southeast, or low in the center surrounded by high values. The degree of surplus of recreation in the study area decreased, while that of the other types of ESs increased. Regarding carbon storage and recreation, the high supply–low demand clustering areas were the largest; regarding the other types of ESs, the low supply–low demand clustering areas were the largest. The low supply-low demand clustering areas for water yield, carbon storage, and soil conservation showing a spatial trend of narrowing to the northwest. The PRAs are mostly high-demand deficit areas, and there are various types. In each province, the areas where there is no overlap in the PRAs for specific type of ES has the highest priority of regulation. For the areas where the PRAs of several types of ESs overlap, targeted regulation measures need to be formulated in combination with the trade-offs and synergies between SDRs.

ObjectiveTo date, it remains a challenge to conduct maxillary sinus floor elevation (MSFE) owing to heterogeneity of anatomical structures and limited operative visibility of the maxillary sinus. The aim of this study is to investigate the safety of MSFE and the accuracy of implant placement using dynamic navigation.MethodsForty-two implants were placed in thirty-five patients requiring implantation in posterior maxilla with dynamic navigation. They were assigned to either lateral window sinus floor elevation (LWSFE) group (n = 22) or transcrestal sinus floor elevation (TSFE) group (n = 20) according to the residual alveolar bone height (RBH). Platform deviation, apex deviation and angular deviation between actual and planned implant placement were measured in precision evaluation software. Three deviations of two groups were compared via SPSS 22.0 software.ResultsNeither accidental bleeding nor perforation of Schneiderian membrane occurred in any patients. The actual window position of LWSFE was consistent with the preoperative design. There were no significant differences in platform, apex and angular deviations between the two groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionIn this study the dynamic navigation harvested clinically acceptable safety of MSFE and accuracy for implant placement in posterior maxillary region. The dynamic navigation would provide the clinician with assistance in achieving precise preoperative planning and reducing complications in surgical procedures. The granular bone grafts used in the LWSFE did not significantly affection on the accuracy of the simultaneous implant placement under the guidance of dynamic navigation.

Finger technique is a crucial aspect of piano learning, and hand exoskeleton mechanisms effectively assist novice piano players in maintaining correct finger technique consistently. Addressing current issues with exoskeleton robots, such as the inability to provide continuous correction of finger technique and their considerable weight, a novel hand exoskeleton robot has been developed to enhance finger technique through continuous correction and reduced weight. Initial data are gathered using finger joint angle sensors to analyze movements during piano playing, focusing on the trajectory and angular velocity of key strikes. This analysis informs the design of a 6-bar double-closed-loop mechanism with an end equivalent sliding pair, using analytical methods to establish the relationship between motor extension and input rod rotation. Simulation studies assess the exoskeleton’s motion space and dynamics, confirming its capability to meet structural and functional demands for accurate key striking. Prototype testing validates the exoskeleton’s ability to maintain correct finger positioning and mimic natural strike speeds, thus improving playing technique while ensuring comfort and safety.

Leaves are the predominant photosynthetic and edible organs in non-heading Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis, NHCC), contributing significantly to yield, appearance, and desirability to consumers. However, the genetic basis of leaf shape and size in non-heading Chinese cabbage remains unclear. In this study, we developed a RIL population using ‘Maertou’, with slender leaves and narrow petioles, and ‘Suzhouqing’, with oval leaves and wide petioles, to construct a genetic linkage map and detect QTLs. To obtain stable and reliable QTLs, the 11 leaf-related traits, including the leaf length, leaf width, and fresh weight of the lamina and petiole and the thickness of petiole was observed on two locations—while the leaf shape, petiole shape, index of lamina/petiole length, and index of petiole fresh weight were calculated based on 7 leaf-related traits. QTL mapping illustrated that a total of 27 QTLs for leaf-related traits were preliminarily detected. The candidate genes were annotated and several genes involved in leaf development and leaf shape appeared in the overlapping regions of multiple loci, such as KRP2, GRF4, ARGOS, and SAUR9. This study lays the foundation for further exploration of the genetic mechanisms and development of effective molecular markers for leaf shape and size in NHCC.

The myostatin (MSTN) gene also regulates the developmental balance of skeletal muscle after birth, and has long been linked to age-related muscle wasting. Many rodent studies have shown a correlation between MSTN and age-related diseases. It is unclear how MSTN and age-associated muscle loss in other animals are related. In this study, we utilized MSTN gene-edited bovine skeletal muscle cells to investigate the mechanisms relating to MSTN and muscle cell senescence. The expression of MSTN was higher in older individuals than in younger individuals. We obtained consecutively passaged senescent cells and performed senescence index assays and transcriptome sequencing. We found that senescence hallmarks and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) were decreased in long-term-cultured myostatin inactivated (MT-KO) bovine skeletal muscle cells (bSMCs). Using cell signaling profiling, MSTN was shown to regulate the SASP, predominantly through the cycle GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of antiviral genes (cGAS-STING) pathway. An in-depth investigation by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis revealed that MSTN influenced three prime repair exonuclease 1 (TREX1) expression through the SMAD2/3 complex. The downregulation of MSTN contributed to the activation of the MSTN-SMAD2/3-TREX1 signaling axis, influencing the secretion of SASP, and consequently delaying the senescence of bSMCs. This study provided valuable new insight into the role of MSTN in cell senescence in large animals.

The side chain alkylation of toluene with methanol was studied on a series of CsX catalysts prepared by varying the Cs species and ion exchange conditions. The effects of various parameters, such as the exchanging temperatures and times on the adsorption/activation properties of different CsX catalysts, were investigated by combining a variety of characterization means for understanding the role of Cs species in the side chain alkylation reaction. On the basis of the various characterization results and their related literature results, it can be proposed that the Cs ions located on the ion-exchanged sites of X zeolites could effectively adsorb and activate toluene molecularly through modifying the basicity of framework oxygen, whereas the cluster of cesium oxide (Cs2O) could ensure the effective conversion of methanol into formaldehyde. Additionally, Cs ions can promote the production of monodentate formate, which enhances the selectivity of styrene. However, too much Cs2O will lead to the excessive decomposition of methanol into CO2, CO, and H2, thus inhibiting the production of styrene. In summary, the presence of suitable amounts of Cs ions and Cs2O clusters plays a significant role in the formation of the side chain products of styrene and ethylbenzene.

Abstract Background Irinotecan (CPT-11) is a classic chemotherapeutic agent that plays an important role in the clinical treatment of metastatic colon cancer and other malignant tumors. We previously designed a series of novel irinotecan derivatives. In this study, we select one representative, ZBH-01, to investigate its sophisticated antitumor mechanism in colon tumor cells. Methods The cytotoxic activity of ZBH-01 on colon cancer cells was evaluate by MTT or Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay, 3D and xenograft model. The inhibitory effect of ZBH-01 on TOP1 was detected by DNA relaxation assay and Immuno Complex of Ezyme (ICE) bioassay. The molecular mechanism of ZBH-01 was explored by Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), bioinformatics analyses, flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, and western blot etc. Results ZBH-01 can induce obvious DNA damage and has superior antitumor activity against colon cancer cells compared to CPT-11 and SN38 (7-Ethyl-10-hydroxy camptothecin, the in vivo active form of CPT-11) both in vivo and in vitro. Its inhibitory effect on topoisomerase I (TOP1) was also comparable with these two control drugs. There are a much larger number of 842 downregulated and 927 upregulated mRNAs in ZBH-01 treatment group than that in the controls. The most significantly enriched KEGG pathways for these dysregulated mRNAs were DNA replication, the p53 signaling pathway, and the cell cycle. After constructing a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network and screening out a prominent cluster, 14 involved in the cell cycle process was identified. Consistently, ZBH-01 induced G0/G1 phase arrest in colon cancer cells, while CPT-11/SN38 caused S phase arrest. The initiation of apoptosis by ZBH-01 was also superior to CPT-11/SN38, followed by the increased expression of Bax, active caspase 3, and cleaved-PARP, and decreased expression of Bcl-2. Additionally, CCNA2 (cyclin A2), CDK2 (cyclin-dependent kinase 2), and MYBL2 (MYB proto-oncogene like 2) might be involved in the G0/G1 cell cycle arrest induced by ZBH-01. Conclusions ZBH-01 can be an antitumor candidate drug for preclinical study in the future.

Rock fragments are an important component of soil, and their presence has a significant impact on soil erosion and sediment yield. In this paper, the effects of rock fragments in the topsoil profile (RFP) and rock fragments on the soil surface (RFS) on the soil erodibility factor (K) were assessed at a global scale. The spatial pattern of the relationship between stoniness and erodibility (RS-K) and its predominant factors were explored through correlation analysis, pattern analysis, and random forest model analysis. The results were as followings: (1) The existence of RFP increased K by 2.84%. The RFS of the mountain land and desert/Gobi reduced K by 18.7%; therefore, once the RFP and RFS were taken into account in the calculation, K was 6.98% lower. (2) The predominant factors of the effect of RFS and the joint effect of RFP and RFS were elevation and slope gradient. The predominant factors of the effect of RFP were annual average precipitation and annual average temperature. (3) In assessing and mapping soil erosion in large regions, special attention should be given to areas with large rock fragment contents, a relatively high altitude, and the presence of steep slope. If rock fragments were not taken into consideration, the mapping results of soil erosion may be biased. This article made the calculation of K more complete and accurate, thereby improving the accuracy of regional soil erosion estimation. This research was of significance for the investigation of global hydrological effects and simulation of the global soil carbon budget.

Abstract Many artificial intelligence models have been developed to predict clinically relevant biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC), including microsatellite instability (MSI). However, existing deep learning networks require large training datasets, which are often hard to obtain. In this study, based on the latest Hierarchical Vision Transformer using Shifted Windows (Swin Transformer [Swin‐T]), we developed an efficient workflow to predict biomarkers in CRC (MSI, hypermutation, chromosomal instability, CpG island methylator phenotype, and BRAF and TP53 mutation) that required relatively small datasets. Our Swin‐T workflow substantially achieved the state‐of‐the‐art (SOTA) predictive performance in an intra‐study cross‐validation experiment on the Cancer Genome Atlas colon and rectal cancer dataset (TCGA‐CRC‐DX). It also demonstrated excellent generalizability in cross‐study external validation and delivered a SOTA area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.90 for MSI, using the Molecular and Cellular Oncology dataset for training (N = 1,065) and the TCGA‐CRC‐DX (N = 462) for testing. A similar performance (AUROC = 0.91) was reported in a recent study, using ~8,000 training samples (ResNet18) on the same testing dataset. Swin‐T was extremely efficient when using small training datasets and exhibited robust predictive performance with 200–500 training samples. Our findings indicate that Swin‐T could be 5–10 times more efficient than existing algorithms for MSI prediction based on ResNet18 and ShuffleNet. Furthermore, the Swin‐T models demonstrated their capability in accurately predicting MSI and BRAF mutation status, which could exclude and therefore reduce samples before subsequent standard testing in a cascading diagnostic workflow, in turn reducing turnaround time and costs.

Radiation-induced intestinal injury (RIII), a common gastrointestinal complication caused by radiotherapy on pelvic, abdominal and retroperitoneal tumors, seriously affects the life quality of patients and may result in termination of radiotherapy. At present, the pathogenesis of RIII has not been fully understood. Herein, we demonstrated that ferroptosis played a critical role in RIII occurrence. The RNA sequencing analysis strongly hinted ferroptosis was involved in RIII mice. In line with this, the levels of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDA), markers of lipid peroxidation, remarkably increased in RIII mice. And the ferroptosis inhibitor, Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), improved the mice survival and alleviated intestinal fibrosis in vivo. Moreover, our results revealed that arachidonic acid (AA) enhanced ferroptosis in cultured intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and organoids in vitro after irradiation, and AA gavage aggravated RIII in mice. Mechanistic studies revealed the level of ACSL4 protein significantly increased in mouse jejunums and IECs after irradiation. Radiation-induced ferroptosis in IECs was also prevented following ACSL4 knockdown or with the function inhibitor of ACSL4. Furthermore, we found that transcription of ACSL4 induced by irradiation was regulated by STAT1/IRF1 axis, and AMPK activation triggered by AA negatively regulated radiation-induced ferroptosis. Taken together, our results suggest that ferroptosis mediates RIII and reducing dietary AA intake as well as targeting the STAT1-IRF1-ACSL4 axis or AMPK may be the potential approaches to alleviate RIII.

Abstract Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) is one of the main surgical methods for upper urinary calculi, but severe complications of infection may occur after surgery. This study aimed to establish and validate a preoperative nomogram for predicting postoperative urosepsis following retrograde intrarenal surgery to treat upper urinary calculus in patients with a negative preoperative urine culture. We retrospectively recruited 1767 patients with negative preoperative urine cultures who underwent retrograde intrarenal surgery to treat upper urinary calculi from January 2017 to April 2022. The independent risk factors for urosepsis include a solitary kidney, positive urine nitrite, operative time ≥ 75 min, history of recurrent urinary tract infections, and history of diabetes were identified by univariate analysis and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis, which construct a nomogram. The receiver operating characteristic curve of the nomogram for predicting urosepsis was 0.887 in the training cohort and 0.864 in the validation cohort, respectively. The calibration curve and decision curve analysis demonstrated great consistency and clinical utility of the nomogram. Therefore, the nomogram combining preoperative independent risk factors can predict the probability of a postoperative urosepsis following retrograde intrarenal surgery in patients with a negative preoperative urine culture, which could help urologists take preventive measures in advance after surgery to avoid more serious complications of infection.

Abstract Deep learning models are increasingly being used to interpret whole‐slide images (WSIs) in digital pathology and to predict genetic mutations. Currently, it is commonly assumed that tumor regions have most of the predictive power. However, it is reasonable to assume that other tissues from the tumor microenvironment may also provide important predictive information. In this paper, we propose an unsupervised clustering‐based multiple‐instance deep learning model for the prediction of genetic mutations using WSIs of three cancer types obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Our proposed model facilitates the identification of spatial regions related to specific gene mutations and exclusion of patches that lack predictive information through the use of unsupervised clustering. This results in a more accurate prediction of gene mutations when compared with models using all image patches on WSIs and two recently published algorithms for all three different cancer types evaluated in this study. In addition, our study validates the hypothesis that the prediction of gene mutations solely based on tumor regions on WSI slides may not always provide the best performance. Other tissue types in the tumor microenvironment could provide a better prediction ability than tumor tissues alone. These results highlight the heterogeneity in the tumor microenvironment and the importance of identification of predictive image patches in digital pathology prediction tasks.

Abstract Background Moderate physical exercise is conducive to the brains of healthy humans and AD patients. Previous reports have suggested that treadmill exercise plays an anti-AD role and improves cognitive ability by promoting amyloid clearance, inhibiting neuronal apoptosis, reducing oxidative stress level, alleviating brain inflammation, and promoting autophagy–lysosome pathway in AD mice. However, few studies have explored the relationships between the ubiquitin–proteasome system and proper exercise in AD. The current study was intended to investigate the mechanism by which the exercise-regulated E3 ubiquitin ligase improves AD. Methods Both wild type and APP/PS1 transgenic mice were divided into sedentary (WTC and ADC) and exercise (WTE and ADE) groups (n = 12 for each group). WTE and ADE mice were subjected to treadmill exercise of 12 weeks in order to assess the effect of treadmill running on learning and memory ability, Aβ plaque burden, hyperphosphorylated Tau protein and E3 ubiquitin ligase. Results The results indicated that exercise restored learning and memory ability, reduced Aβ plaque areas, inhibited the hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein activated PI3K/Akt/Hsp70 signaling pathway, and improved the function of the ubiquitin–proteasome system (increased UCHL-1 and CHIP levels, decreased BACE1 levels) in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Conclusions These findings suggest that exercise may promote the E3 ubiquitin ligase to clear β-amyloid and hyperphosphorylated Tau by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the hippocampus of AD mice, which is efficient in ameliorating pathological phenotypes and improving learning and memory ability.

Plutella xylostella granulovirus (PlxyGV) biopesticide is an effective tool to control the long-term damage of Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) to cruciferous vegetables. In China, PlxyGV can be produced on a large scale using host insects, and its products have been registered in 2008. In experiments and biopesticide production, the routine enumeration method of PlxyGV virus particles is to use the Petroff-Hausser counting chamber in dark field microscope. However, the accuracy and repeatability of granulovirus (GV) counting are affected due to the small particle size of GV occlusion bodies (OBs), the limitations of optical microscope, the judgment of different operators, host impurities, the addition of biological products. This limits the convenience of its production, product quality, trading and field application. Here we use PlxyGV as an example, the method based on Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) was optimized from two aspects of sample treatment and specific primers design, which improved the repeatability and accuracy of absolute quantitative OBs of GV. This study provides basic information for accurate quantitative PlxyGV by qPCR method.

Background: Pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors, including small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell neuroendocrine tumor (NSCLC-NET), have obvious heterogeneity. The comparison between SCLC and NSCLC-NET, and prognostic nomogram of resected NSCLC-NET have not been performed. Methods: We retrieved data from SEER database. The incidence and prognostic factors were compared between SCLC and NSCLC-NET. By Cox regression, we constructed prognostic nomogram of resected NSCLC-NET. The nomogram was evaluated by ROC, calibration plot and decision curve analysis (DCA) and compared with 8th TNM staging system. A Chinese cohort was used for external validation. Results: The age-adjusted incidence of SCLC declined after 1991 but the incidence of NSCLC-NET continuously rose. Patients with typical carcinoid had the best prognosis in both overall survival and lung cancer specific survival, followed by atypical carcinoid, large cell neuroendocrine tumor and SCLC after operation. Patients receiving sleeve resection in NSCLC-NET had longer survival but segmental resection was more recommended in SCLC. High-smoking index was associated with worse overall survival in both SCLC and NSCLC-NET. Histological subtype, age, surgery type, N, M stage and chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors and used to construct prognostic nomogram of resected NSCLC-NET. The nomogram performed well with good discrimination, calibration and clinical usefulness, which was validated by a Chinese cohort (1, 3, 5-year AUC: SEER cohort 0.873, 0.901, 0.875; Chinese cohort 0.867, 0.892, 0.874). Compared to the 8th staging system, the nomogram had higher C-index (0.87 vs 0.728, P

In the work, a numerical method of the 2D Helmholtz equation with meshless interpolation collocation method is developed, which is defined in arbitrary domain with irregular shape. In our numerical method, based on the Chebyshev points, the partial derivatives and the spatial variables are discretized by the barycentric rational form basis function. After that the differential equations are simplified by employing differential matrix. To verify the the accuracy, effectiveness and stability in our method, some numerical tests based on the three types of different test points are adopted. Moreover, we can also verify that present method can be applied to both variable wave number problems and high wave number problems.

Myostatin (MSTN) regulates muscle development and body metabolism through a variety of pathways and is a core target gene for gene editing in livestock. Gut fungi constitute a small part of the gut microbiome and are important to host health and metabolism. The influence of MSTN mutations on bovine gut fungi remains unknown. In this study, Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) high-throughput sequencing was conducted to explore the composition of gut fungi in the MSTN mutant (MT) and wild-type (WT) cattle, and 5,861 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were detected and classified into 16 phyla and 802 genera. The results of the alpha diversity analysis indicated that no notable divergence was displayed between the WT and MT cattle; however, significant differences were noticed in the composition of fungal communities. Eight phyla and 18 genera were detected. According to the prediction of fungal function, saprotroph fungi were significantly more abundant in the MT group. The correlation analysis between gut fungal and bacterial communities revealed that MSTN mutations directly changed the gut fungal composition and, at the same time, influenced some fungi and bacteria by indirectly regulating the interaction between microorganisms, which affected the host metabolism further. This study analyzed the role of MSTN mutations in regulating the host metabolism of intestinal fungi and provided a theoretical basis for the relationship between MSTN and gut fungi.

The WUSCHEL (WUS)-related homeobox (WOX) gene family plays a crucial role in stem cell maintenance, apical meristem formation, embryonic development, and various other developmental processes. However, the identification and function of WOX genes have not been reported in perennial loquat. In this study, 18 EjWOX genes were identified in the loquat genome. Chromosomal localization analysis showed that 18 EjWOX genes were located on 12 of 17 chromosomes. Gene structure analysis showed that all EjWOX genes contain introns, of which 11 EjWOX genes contain untranslated regions. There are 8 pairs of segmental duplication genes and 0 pairs of tandem duplication genes in the loquat WOX family, suggesting that segmental duplications might be the main reason for the expansion of the loquat WOX family. A WOX transcription factor gene named EjWUSa was isolated from loquat. The EjWUSa protein was localized in the nucleus. Protein interactions between EjWUSa with EjWUSa and EjSTM were verified. Compared with wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana, the 35S::EjWUSa transgenic Arabidopsis showed early flowering. Our study provides an important basis for further research on the function of EjWOX genes and facilitates the molecular breeding of loquat early-flowering varieties.

A newly excavated ritual site, Xuechi, exposed abundant sacrificial livestock, allowing to understand the supplies and managements of livestock during the early Chinese Qin-Han Empires. Here we reported animal enamel 87Sr/86Sr values from the Xuechi site that are obviously higher than those of local snails and surface water, as well as calcites of the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) where the site was located, strongly suggesting that these sacrificial animals were not raised in the vicinity of the site. The regional bioavailable 87Sr/86Sr isoscape further indicates that some livestock were probably derived more than one hundred kilometers away, suggesting a complex social network for recruiting and managing the sacrificial activities. In the context of other Neolithic-Bronze Age records on the CLP, an increasing trend in variation of faunal 87Sr/86Sr values shows a robust correlation to Chinese states’ trajectory, in concordance with the territorial expansion model for state formation.

BackgroundHemorrhagic transformation (HT) is the most serious complication of ischemic stroke patients after intravenous thrombolysis and leads to a poor clinical prognosis. This study aimed to determine the independent predictors associated with HT in stroke patients with intravenous thrombolysis and to establish and validate a nomogram that combines with predictors to predict the probability of HT after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with ischemic stroke.MethodThis study enrolled ischemic stroke patients with intravenous thrombolysis from December 2016 to June 2022. All the patients were divided into training and validation cohorts. The nomogram was composed of the significant predictors for HT in the training cohort as obtained by the multivariate logistic regression analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to assess the discriminative performance of the nomogram. The calibration performance of the nomogram was assessed by the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and calibration plots. Decision curve analysis was used to test the clinical validity of the nomogram.ResultsA total of 394 patients with intravenous thrombolysis were enrolled in the study. In the training cohort (n = 257), 45 patients had HT after intravenous thrombolysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated early infarct signs (OR, 7.954; 95% CI, 3.553-17.803; P < 0.001), NIHSS scores (OR, 1.110; 95% CI, 1.054-1.168; P < 0.001), uric acid (OR, 0.993; 95% CI, 0.989–0.997; P = 0.001), and albumin-to-globulin ratio (OR, 0.109; 95% CI, 0.023–0.508; P = 0.005) were independent predictors for HT and constructed the nomogram. In the training and validation cohorts, the AUC of the nomogram was 0.859 and 0.839, respectively. The Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and calibration plot showed good concordance between predicted and observed probability in the training and validation cohorts. Decision curve analysis indicated that the nomogram was significantly useful for predicting HT in the training and further confirmed in the validation cohort.ConclusionThis study proposes a novel and practical nomogram based on early infarct signs, NIHSS scores, uric acid, and albumin-to-globulin ratio that can well predict the probability of HT after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with ischemic stroke.

The introduction and the later dispersal of domestic cattle in China had played an enormous part in food production, handicraft manufacture, and ritual activities. However, we lack the details of pastoral economies, herding strategies, and utilization patterns of cattle in ancient China. This study, for the first time, uses biometrical assessments to investigate post-domesticated cattle husbandry and how it changed over time. Biometric data from eight sites dating from the Late Neolithic to the Late Bronze Age were evaluated using kernel analysis and mixture analysis. Results indicated that the general body size of cattle first decrease and then increase. By combining the estimated distribution of male and female individuals, we can see that the sex ratios affect size variation during Bronze Age times. Although no breed improvement has been detected so far, the herding and slaughtering strategies over time are different.

As a master regulator in cells, RNA-binding protein (RBP) plays critical roles in organismal development, metabolism and various diseases. It regulates gene expression at various levels mostly by specific recognition of target RNA. The traditional CLIP-seq method to detect transcriptome-wide RNA targets of RBP is less efficient in yeast due to the low UV transmissivity of their cell walls. Here, we established an efficient HyperTRIBE (Targets of RNA-binding proteins Identified By Editing) in yeast, by fusing an RBP to the hyper-active catalytic domain of human RNA editing enzyme ADAR2 and expressing the fusion protein in yeast cells. The target transcripts of RBP were marked with new RNA editing events and identified by high-throughput sequencing. We successfully applied HyperTRIBE to identifying the RNA targets of two yeast RBPs, KHD1 and BFR1. The antibody-free HyperTRIBE has competitive advantages including a low background, high sensitivity and reproducibility, as well as a simple library preparation procedure, providing a reliable strategy for RBP target identification in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The exceptionally rich fossil record available for the equid family has provided textbook examples of macroevolutionary changes. Horses, asses, and zebras represent three extant subgenera of Equus lineage, while the Sussemionus subgenus is another remarkable Equus lineage ranging from North America to Ethiopia in the Pleistocene. We sequenced 26 archaeological specimens from Northern China in the Holocene that could be assigned morphologically and genetically to Equus ovodovi, a species representative of Sussemionus. We present the first high-quality complete genome of the Sussemionus lineage, which was sequenced to 13.4× depth of coverage. Radiocarbon dating demonstrates that this lineage survived until ~3500 years ago, despite continued demographic collapse during the Last Glacial Maximum and the great human expansion in East Asia. We also confirmed the Equus phylogenetic tree and found that Sussemionus diverged from the ancestor of non-caballine equids ~2.3–2.7 million years ago and possibly remained affected by secondary gene flow post-divergence. We found that the small genetic diversity, rather than enhanced inbreeding, limited the species’ chances of survival. Our work adds to the growing literature illustrating how ancient DNA can inform on extinction dynamics and the long-term resilience of species surviving in cryptic population pockets.

The fatty acid dehydrogenase fat-1 gene, derived from Caenorhabditis elegans, encodes n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid dehydrogenase (Δ15 desaturase) and catalyzes the 18–20-carbon n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFA) to generate corresponding n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA). Subsequently, fat-1 can influence the n-6: n-3 PUFA ratio in fat-1 transgenic cells. This study aimed to explore which processes of energy metabolism are affected exogenous fat-1 transgene and the relationship between these effects and DNA methylation. Compared with the wild-type group, the n-3 PUFA content in fat-1 transgenic bovine fetal fibroblasts was significantly increased, and the n-6 PUFA content and the n-6: n-3 PUFA ratio decreased. In the context of energy metabolism, the increase of exogenous fat-1 transgene decreased ATP synthesis by 39% and reduced the activity and expression of key rate-limiting enzymes in glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, thus weakening the cells’ capacity for ATP production. DNA methylation sequencing indicated that this inhibition of gene expression may be due to altered DNA methylation that regulates cell energy metabolism. Exogenous fat-1 transgenic cells showed changes in the degree of methylation in the promoter region of genes related to energy metabolism rate-limiting enzymes. We suggest that alters the balance of n-6/n-3 PUFA could regulate altered DNA methylation that affect mitochondrial energy metabolism.

Serratiopeptidase is a clinical therapeutic protein for the treatment of human diseases such as arthritis, bronchitis, and thrombosis. Yet production of this protein in a heterologous host (e.g., Escherichia coli) is difficult due to the issue of protein insolubility and the requirement of laborious refolding procedures. Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) systems, derived from crude cell extracts, are effective platforms for the expression of recombinant proteins in vitro. Here, we report a new method to produce serratiopeptidase by using an E. coli-based CFPS system. After rational selection of cell extracts and construction of expression vectors, soluble expression of serratiopeptidase was achieved and the enzyme activity could be readily tested in the cell-free reaction mixture. By further optimizing the key parameters, optimum conditions for the enzyme activity assay were obtained, including the pH value at 5, reaction temperature at 45 °C, substrate concentration at 10 mg/mL, and supplementing Ca2+ ions at 5 mM. Moreover, the CFPS mixture was freeze-dried and the activity of serratiopeptidase could be regenerated by hydration without losing activity. Overall, the CFPS system enabled soluble expression of serratiopeptidase with catalytic activity, providing a new and promising approach for this enzyme production. Our work extends the utility of the cell-free platform to produce therapeutic proteins with clinical applications.

Myostatin (MSTN), a major negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass and an endocrine factor, can regulate the metabolism of various organisms. Inhibition of the MSTN gene can improve meat production from livestock. Rumen microorganisms are associated with production and health traits of cattle, but changes in the microbial composition and metabolome in the four stomach compartments of MSTN gene–edited cattle have not previously been studied. Our results indicated that microbial diversity and dominant bacteria in the four stomach compartments were very similar between MSTN gene–edited and wild-type (WT) cattle. The microbiota composition was significantly different between MSTN gene–edited and WT cattle. Our results show that the relative abundance of the phylum Proteobacteria in the reticulum of MSTN gene–edited cattle was lower than that of WT cattle, whereas the relative abundance of the genus Prevotella in the omasum of MSTN gene–edited cattle was significantly higher than that of WT cattle. Metabolomics analysis revealed that the intensity of L-proline and acetic acid was significantly different in the rumen, reticulum, and abomasum between the two types of cattle. Meanwhile, pathway topology analysis indicated that the differential metabolites were predominantly involved in arginine biosynthesis and glutamate metabolism in the rumen, reticulum, and omasum but were mainly involved in pyruvate metabolism and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis in the abomasum. Spearman correlation network analysis further demonstrated that there was a significant correlation between microflora composition and metabolic pathways. These findings provide clues for studying nutrient digestion and absorption ability of MSTN gene–edited cattle.

Abstract The aim of this paper is establishing the existence of a nontrivial solution for the following quasilinear Schrödinger–Poisson system: { − Δ u + V ( x ) u − u Δ ( u 2 ) + K ( x ) ϕ ( x ) u = g ( x , u ) , x ∈ R 3 , − Δ ϕ = K ( x ) u 2 , x ∈ R 3 , u ∈ H 1 ( R 3 ) , u > 0 , $$ \left \{ \textstyle\begin{array}{l} -\Delta u+V(x)u-u\Delta(u^{2})+K(x)\phi(x)u=g(x, u),\quad x\in\mathbb {R}^{3}, \\ -\Delta\phi=K(x)u^{2}, \quad x\in\mathbb{R}^{3},\\ u\in H^{1}(\mathbb{R}^{3}),\qquad u>0, \end{array}\displaystyle \right . $$ where V, K, g are continuous functions. To overcome the technical difficulties caused by the quasilinear term, we change the variable to guarantee the feasibility of applying the mountain pass theorem to solve the above problems. We use the mountain pass theorem and the concentration–compactness principle as basic tools to gain a nontrivial solution the system possesses under an asymptotic periodicity condition at infinity.

Abstract In this work, we analyze and test a local discontinuous Galerkin method for solving the Burgers-type equation. The proposed numerical method, which is high-order accurate, is based on a finite difference scheme in time and local discontinuous Galerkin methods in space. We prove that the scheme is unconditionally stable and convergent. Some numerical tests are provided to illustrate the accuracy and capability of the scheme.

The radiation-induced bystander effect (RIBE), an important non-targeted effect of radiation, has been proposed to be associated with irradiation-caused secondary cancers and reproductive damage beyond the irradiation-treated area after radiotherapy. However, the mechanisms for RIBE signal(s) regulation and transduction are not well understood. In the present work, we found that a Golgi protein, GOLPH3, was involved in RIBE transduction. Knocking down GOLPH3 in irradiated cells blocked the generation of the RIBE, whereas re-expression of GOLPH3 in knockdown cells rescued the RIBE. Furthermore, TNF-α was identified as an important intercellular signal molecule in the GOLPH3-mediated RIBE. A novel signal axis, GOLPH3/ERK/EGR1, was discovered to modulate the transcription of TNF-α and determine the level of released TNF-α. Our findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanism of the RIBE and a potential target for RIBE modulation.

The Pan-Third Pole (PTP) region, one of the areas with the most intense global warming, has seen substantial changes in vegetation cover. Based on the GIMMS NDVI3g and meteorological dataset from 1982 to 2015, this study evaluated the spatio-temporal variation in fractional vegetation coverage (FVC) by using linear regression analysis, standard deviation, correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression residuals to explore its response mechanism to climate change and human activities. The findings showed that: (1) the FVC was progressively improved, with a linear trend of 0.003•10a−1. (2) The largest proportion of the contribution to FVC change was found in the unchanged area (39.29%), followed by the obvious improvement (23.83%) and the mild improvement area (13.53%). (3) The impact of both climate change and human activities is dual in FVC changes, and human activities are increasing. (4) The FVC was positively correlated with temperature and precipitation, with a stronger correlation with temperature, and the climate trend was warm and humid. The findings of the study serve to understand the impacts of climate change and human activities on the dynamic changes in the FVC and provide a scientific foundation for ecological conservation and sustainable economic development in the PTP region.

Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) systems are emerging as powerful platforms for in vitro protein production, which leads to the development of new CFPS systems for different applications. To expand the current CFPS toolkit, here we develop a novel CFPS system derived from a chassis microorganism Klebsiella pneumoniae, an important industrial host for heterologous protein expression and the production of many useful chemicals. First, we engineered the K. pneumoniae strain by deleting a capsule formation-associated wzy gene. This capsule-deficient strain enabled easy collection of the cell biomass for preparing cell extracts. Then, we optimized the procedure of cell extract preparation and the reaction conditions for CFPS. Finally, the optimized CFPS system was able to synthesize a reporter protein (superfolder green fluorescent protein, sfGFP) with a maximum yield of 253 ± 15.79 μg/mL. Looking forward, our K. pneumoniae-based CFPS system will not only expand the toolkit for protein synthesis, but also provide a new platform for constructing in vitro metabolic pathways for the synthesis of high-value chemicals.

Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI), especially radiation pneumonitis (RP), is a common clinical complication associated with thoracic radiotherapy for malignant tumors. However, the specific contributions of each cell subtype to this process are unknown. Here, we provide the single-cell pathology landscape of the RP in a mouse model by unbiased single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq). We found a decline of type 2 alveolar cells in the RP lung tissue, with an expansion of macrophages, especially the Fabp4low and Spp1high subgroup, while Fabp4high macrophages were almost depleted. We observed an elevated expression of multiple mitochondrial genes in the RP group, indicating a type 2 alveolar cell (AT2) response to oxidative stress. We also calculated the enrichment of a cGAS-STING signaling pathway, which may be involved in regulating inflammatory responses and cancer progression in AT2 cells of PR mice. We delineate markers and transcriptional states, identify a type 2 alveolar cell, and uncover fundamental determinants of lung fibrosis and inflammatory response in RP lung tissue of mice.

Summary: N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is emerging as a vital factor regulating neural differentiation. Here, we report that deficiency of Arhgef2, a novel cause of a neurodevelopmental disorder we identified recently, impairs neurogenesis, neurite outgrowth, and synaptic formation by regulating m6A methylation. Arhgef2 knockout decreases expression of Mettl14 and total m6A level significantly in the cerebral cortex. m6A sequencing reveals that loss of Arhgef2 reduces m6A methylation of 1,622 mRNAs, including Npdc1 and Cend1, which are both strongly associated with cell cycle exit and terminal neural differentiation. Arhgef2 deficiency decreases m6A methylations of the Npdc1 and Cend1 mRNAs via down-regulation of Mettl14, and thereby inhibits the translation of Npdc1 and nuclear export of Cend1 mRNAs. Overexpression of Mettl14, Npdc1, and Cend1 rescue the abnormal phenotypes in Arhgef2 knockout mice, respectively. Our study provides a critical insight into a mechanism by which defective Arhgef2 mediates m6A-tagged target mRNAs to impair neural differentiation.

GPAM (glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 1) is a mitochondrial enzyme that catalyze an essential step in glycerolphospholipids and triacylglycerol biosynthesis process. Loss-of-function mutation of GPAM has been shown to lead to hypomyelination of corticospinal tract in cerebral palsy patient. To model this rare disease with human brain organoid, we generated a GPAM knockout human embryonic stem cell line SYSUe-008-A by CRISPR/cas9. The GPAM knockout cell line maintains a normal karyotype and shows comparable level of pluripotent stem cell marker expression and differentiation potential as wild-type human embryonic stem cells.

The mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a master role in cell proliferation and growth in response to insulin, amino acids, energy levels, and oxygen. mTOR can coordinate upstream signals with downstream effectors, including transcriptional and translational apparatuses to regulate fundamental cellular processes such as energy utilization, protein synthesis, autophagy, cell growth, and proliferation. Of the above, protein synthesis is highly energy-consuming; thus, mRNA translation is under the tight and immediate control of mTOR signaling. The translational regulation driven by mTOR signaling mainly relies on eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E)-binding protein (4E-BP), ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K), and its downstream players, which are significant in rapid cellular response to environmental change. mTOR signaling not only controls the general mRNA translation, but preferential mRNA translation as well. This means that mTOR signaling shows the stronger selectivity to particular target mRNAs. Some evidence has supported the contribution of 4E-BP and La-related proteins 1 (LARP1) to such translational regulation. In this review, we summarize the mTOR pathway and mainly focus on mTOR-mediated mRNA translational regulation. We introduce the major components of mTOR signaling and their functions in translational control in a general or particular manner, and describe how the specificity of regulation is coordinated. Furthermore, we summarize recent research progress and propose additional ideas for reference. Because the mTOR pathway is on the center of cell growth and metabolism, comprehensively understanding this pathway will contribute to the therapy of related diseases, including cancers, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and neurodegeneration.

Lycium ruthenicum Murr. is one of the most important shrubs grown in northwest China. Healthy buds and leaves of L. ruthenicum Murr. were selected for the present study. Flower development was divided into six stages, namely, flower bud pre-differentiation (I), late flower differentiation (II), squaring stage (III), dew crown period (IV), open stage (V) and senescent stage (VI). Endogenous hormone content and specific value, soluble sugar, sucrose, starch, and soluble protein were measured, and ABA/IAA, ABA/GA3, ZR/IAA, ZR/GA3, and C/N were calculated in buds and leaves at stage VI. The results showed that ABA, GA3, and ZR content of buds significantly increased from flower bud pre-differentiation to late flower differentiation stage. However, ABA, GA3, and ZR content of leaves had the opposite change trend. From open stage to senescent stage, IAA, ABA, and GA3 content of buds and leaves significantly increased in L. ruthenicum Murr. However, ZR content of buds and leaves significantly decreased from open stage to senescent stage. ABA/IAA, ABA/GA3, ZR/IAA, and ZR/GA3 values of buds significantly increased from lower bud pre-differentiation to late flower differentiation stage. However, ABA/IAA, ABA/GA3, ZR/IAA, and ZR/GA3 values of leaves significantly decreased from lower bud pre-differentiation to late flower differentiation stage. ABA/IAA and ABA/GA3 of buds significantly increased from open stage to senescent stage, but ZR/IAA and ZR/GA3 of buds significantly decreased from open to senescent. At this stage, ABA/IAA, ABA/GA3, ZR/IAA, and ZR/GA3 significantly decreased in L. ruthenicum Murr. The higher soluble sugar and sucrose content in the buds and leaves were beneficial to the flower bud differentiation of L. ruthenicum. The increasing of soluble sugar improved the energy basis to florescence and senescent. The carbohydrates metabolism enhanced from open stage to senescent stage and nitrogen metabolism reduced from open stage to senescent stage of L. ruthenicum.

Abstract Objective To investigate the expression of Mitofusin-2 (MFN2) in HCC tissues and its role in the development of HCC. Methods A total of 107 HCC specimens were collected for tissue microarray analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. The relationship between MFN2 expression and clinical features of patients with HCC was analyzed. Results Expression level of MFN2 in HCC tissues was 0.92 ± 0.78, significantly lower than that of matched paracancerous liver tissues (1.25 ± 0.75). Patients with low expression of MFN2 had significantly higher rates of cirrhosis than those with high expression of MFN2 (P = 0.049). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that HCC patients with low expression of MFN2 had a worse prognosis in overall survival than HCC patients with high expression of MFN2 (P = 0.027). Patients with high expression of MFN2 had a better prognosis in disease-free survival compared with HCC patients with low expression of MFN2 (P = 0.047). Vascular invasion and MFN2 expression were shown to be prognostic variables for overall survival in patients with HCC. Multivariate analysis showed that vascular invasion (P