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Abstract In this work, a multi-stage material design framework combining machine learning techniques with density functional theory is established to reveal the mechanism of phase stabilization in HfO2 based ferroelectric materials. The ferroelectric phase fractions based on a more stringent relationship of phase energy differences is proposed as an evaluation criterion for the ferroelectric performance of hafnium-based materials. Based on the Boltzmann distribution theory, the abstract phase energy difference is converted into an intuitive phase fraction distribution mapping. A large-scale prediction of unknown dopants is conducted within the material design framework, and gallium (Ga) is identified as a new dopant for HfO2. Both experiments and density functional theory calculations demonstrate that Ga is an excellent dopant for ferroelectric hafnium oxide, especially, the experimentally determined variation trends of ferroelectric phase fraction and polarization properties with Ga doping concentration are in good agreement with the predictions given by machine learning. This work provides a new perspective from machine learning to deepen the understanding of the ferroelectric properties of HfO2 materials, offering fresh insights into the design and performance prediction of HfO2 ferroelectric thin films.

Abstract Background Understanding the psychosocial factors influencing self-management behaviors among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is crucial for effective medical interventions and improving their quality of life. However, few studies have explored the psychosocial mechanisms influencing self-management behaviors among PLWHA in China. This study, conducted in accordance with STROBE guidelines, uses SEM to explore the roles of social support, self-efficacy, and self-esteem in predicting self-management behaviors among Chinese PLWHA. Methods From March 2023 to July 2023, a convenience sample of 282 PLWHA, recruited from one designated AIDS hospital and one Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Sichuan Province, China, was surveyed. Data were collected via four validated self-report scales (the Social Support Rating Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Self-Esteem Scale, and the HIV/AIDS Patient Self-Management Scale). Structural equation modeling was used to assess the relationships among social support, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and self-management behaviors. Results The new model demonstrated acceptable fit parameters (χ 2 /df = 2.15, GFI = 0.96, AGFI = 0.93, CFI = 0.93, IFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.05). The direct effect of social support on self-management behaviors was significant (β = 0.117, P

Abstract Acute lung injury (ALI) is a serious acute respiratory disease that can cause alveolar-capillary barrier disruption and pulmonary edema, respiratory failure and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. However, there is no effective drugs in clinic until now. GSK3179106 has been reported can alleviate intestinal stress syndrome, but the protective effect of GSK3179106 on ALI has not been elucidated. The present study will evaluate the pharmacological activity of GSK3179106 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and lung injury and clarify its underlying mechanism. We found that GSK3179106 significantly attenuated LPS-induced lung injury in vivo, accompanied by inhibited infiltration of inflammatory cells and reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines. Meanwhile, GSK3179106 dose-dependently reduced the LPS-induced IL-6 expression both in protein and gene levels in macrophages. Mechanistically, GSK3179106 could inhibited the phosphorylation of P38 MAPK induced by LPS. Importantly, results showed that there is a direct combination between GSK3179106 and P38 MAPK. Together, our findings not only clarified the anti-inflammatory activity of GSK3179106 but also discovered its new clinical indications. Therefore, compound GSK3179106 may be a potential candidate for the treatment of acute inflammatory diseases.

Abstract Background Walnut is an oilseed tree species and an ecologically important woody tree species that is rich in oil and nutrients. In light of differences in the lipid content, fatty acid composition and key genes expression patterns in different walnut varieties, the key gene regulatory networks for lipid biosynthesis in different varieties of walnuts were intensively investigated. Results The kernels of two walnut varieties, ‘Xilin 3’ (X3) and ‘Xiangling’ (XL) were sampled at 60, 90, and 120 days post-anthesis (DPA) to construct 18 cDNA libraries, and the candidate genes related to oil synthesis were identified via sequencing and expression analysis. A total of 106 differentially expressed genes associated with fatty acid biosynthesis, fatty acid elongation, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, triglyceride assembly, and oil body storage were selected from the transcriptomes. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), correlation analysis and quantitative validation confirmed the key role of the FAD3 (109002248) gene in lipid synthesis in different varieties. Conclusions These results provide valuable resources for future investigations and new insights into genes related to oil accumulation and lipid metabolism in walnut seed kernels. The findings will also aid future molecular studies and ongoing efforts to genetically improve walnut.

Abstract Objective Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) is characterized by excessive IL-1β release resulting in systemic and organ inflammation. As an anti-IL-1 agent, canakinumab has been approved with all CAPS phenotypes in USA and European countries. However, the use of canakinumab in CAPS in Chinese patients was rarely reported. In this study, we aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of canakinumab in Chinese patients with CAPS. Methods Patients with CAPS treated with canakinumab were included. Clinical data were collected retrospectively from medical records. Treatment response was evaluated by CAPS disease activity score, C-reactive protein (CRP), and/or serum amyloid A (SAA) levels. Data was analyzed at canakinumab initiation, at months 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12, or the last follow-up. Results A total of 10 CAPS patients were included. 40% of patients were males, the median age at disease onset was 2.5 (2.5, 6) days and the median duration of follow-up while on canakinumab was 22.5 (8.5, 27.5) months. 80% (8/10) of CAPS patients presented with moderate-severe disease activity before the canakinumab treatment. 30% (3/10) of patients required canakinumab dose increase to control disease activity. After treatments, 60% (6/10) of CAPS patients achieved complete remission without relapse and the rest showed minimal disease activity. Clinical symptoms such as fever and rash were improved significantly in most patients (80%). Although abnormal imaging in brain MRI remained in over half of those patients, neurological manifestations were all relieved. 60% (6/10) of patients received prednisone before starting canakinumab therapy and five of them discontinued prednisone later. The most common adverse event was infection (40%). No serious adverse events occurred during the treatment of canakinumab. Conclusions Canakinumab may be effective and tolerable for Chinese CAPS patients, helping to reduce the dosage of corticosteroids. However, additional trials on large samples are required to further evaluate its efficacy and safety in China.

Abstract Background Intensive Care Unit nurses are related to the medical quality and life outcome of critically ill patients. In the context of nurse shortage, it is of great significance to reduce the turnover intention of Intensive Care Unit nurses. Inclusive Leadership, organizational-based self-esteem and Interactional Justice are important factors affecting the turnover intention of Intensive Care Unit nurses. However, for the special group of Intensive Care Unit nurses, there are few studies that explore the associations between these factors. This study explores the effect of inclusive leadership on the turnover intention of Intensive Care Unit nurses and the potential mediation through organizational-based self-esteem and interactional justice. Method A cross-sectional study design was used to investigate 460 Intensive Care Unit nurses in 4 general hospitals in northern China. The scales used in this study include the inclusive leadership scale, the organization-based self-esteem scale, the interactional justice scale and the turnover intention scale. SPSS 27.0 was used for descriptive analysis and Pearson correlation analysis. AMOS 25.0 was used to construct structural equation model and Bootstrap test. Results The results showed that the turnover intention of Intensive Care Unit nurses was higher (2.05 ± 0.67). Inclusive leadership had a negative predictive effect on turnover intention (β=-0.27, P

IntroductionEndometrial Carcinoma (UCEC) is a prevalent malignant tumor within the female reproductive system. HLA-DMB, the beta chain of the non-classical MHC class II protein HLA-DM, has been implicated in the progression of various cancers. However, its role in the development of endometrial carcinoma remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted a preliminary exploration of the prognostic value and potential mechanisms of HLA-DMB in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC).MethodsThe differential expression of HLA-DMB was analyzed in 554 tumor samples and 35 normal samples obtained from the TCGA database. The differential expression of HLA-DMB across various cancers, along with immune infiltration analysis, was conducted using the TIMER2.0 database. Additionally, the expression of HLA-DMB in endometrial carcinoma was examined in the GEPIA2 database, along with its relationship to prognosis. Furthermore, TISIDB was utilized to predict the relationships between HLA-DMB and various immune enhancement factors as well as immunosuppressive factors. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were employed to explore the signaling pathways associated with HLA-DMB in endometrial cancer. Univariate COX regression analysis was performed to identify prognostic factors for endometrial carcinoma (EC), and a multivariate COX proportional hazards regression model was used to confirm that HLA-DMB can serve as an independent prognostic factor for EC. The protein interaction network of HLA-DMB was constructed using the STRING database, and the chemical drugs related to HLA-DMB were predicted through the CTD database. Finally, the expression of HLA-DMB was validated by qPCR and immunohistochemistry.ResultsThe expression of HLA-DMB at both mRNA and protein levels is significantly higher in UCEC tissues compared to normal tissues. Prognostic analyses indicate that increased expression of HLA-DMB correlates with improved patient prognosis, suggesting its potential as an independent prognostic factor for UCEC. Furthermore, in endometrial cancer, elevated levels of HLA-DMB are associated with higher immune infiltration scores and are closely related to various immune-enhancing factors. Mechanistically, HLA-DMB primarily participates in CD22-mediated regulation of B cell receptors (BCR), leading to BCR antigen activation and the production of second messengers. In our drug analysis, we identified several chemical agents associated with HLA-DMB, including cisplatin, dexamethasone, and ethinylestradiol.DiscussionThis study elucidates the function and underlying mechanisms of HLA-DMB in UCEC, providing a potential biomarker and target for immunotherapy in this disease.

To prepare bioactive peptides from rapeseed cake directly, the superfine grinding technology was used，and the resulting rapeseed cake superfine powder was used as the material. Single-factor experiments and response surface analysis were used to optimize the preparation extraction. The active peptides were purified by membrane separation and Sephadex G-15 membrane separation, and their antioxidant activity and structure were evaluated. The results showed that the optimal preparation conditions were as follows: grinding time 30 min, solid-to-liquid ratio 1:20(g/mL), pH2.94, enzyme dosage 6300 U/g, temperature 55 ℃, and enzymatic hydrolysis time 2.25 h. Under these conditions, the yield of peptides could reach 83.28%. The F-2 fraction from hydrolysates with molecular mass less than 1000 Da showed good antioxidant activity, with an ABTS+ free radical eliminating rate of 71.62% at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. Furthermore, five peptides were identified, namely PF, SF, TF, IAIPF, and PLDLL which were predicted to have much higher activity. Overall, the results of this study can provide a theoretical basis for the exploration of bioactive peptides directly from rapeseed cakes.

In order to explore the effects of grinding strength on the physicochemical properties and protein extraction of rapeseed meal powder, cryogenic superfine milling was used to prepare six kinds of rapeseed meal powders according to the grinding time (5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, and 60 min), namely SGR-5, SGR-10, SGR-15, SGR-20, SGR-30, SGR-40, SGR-60, and conventional crushing one was used as a control, named GR. The results showed that the structure of the rapeseed meal powder was easily destroyed by a moderate superfine grinding compared with the conventional crushing, which was followed by a reduction in their particle size distribution, insoluble dietary fiber content, and water/oil holding capacity, thereby increasing the protein extraction rate. While the grinding process had almost no effect on their total dietary fiber content. Specially, a minimum particle size of the powder would be gotten when grinding for 40 min, about 16 μm (D50), and further grinding would cause the aggregation of powder particles. Moreover, 30 min of superfine grinding was the optimal condition for the extraction of rapeseed meal protein by alkali-extraction. In addition, the alkali pH was another important parameter for the extraction of rapeseed meal protein.

Loquat leaves are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and food processing as raw materials. To provide a theoretical basis for suitable harvesting periods based on the utilization of distinct components, the change patterns of major functional components in the annual growth of loquat leaves were investigated. In this study, the summer loquat leaves were sampled regularly during their annual growth, and the contents of seven main functional components and 13 monomer components were determined. The results showed that there was a regular change pattern for major functional components during loquat annual growth from Jul 2020 to Jun 2021; however, the change trend was different among different components. Among them, the contents of total flavonoids, total phenols, total triterpenoid acids, vitamin C, asiatic acid, quillaic acid, corosolic acid, and chlorogenic acid presented an overall upward trend. The content of maslinic acid showed a downward trend, whereas the content of neochlorogenic acid did not change much throughout the whole growth period. The content changes in the loquat leaves were affected by the light durations and temperature changes in different seasons, with mutual transit during the flowering and fruit growth processes. Sampling in May to June was found to be a most optimized option when applied in Chinese medicine processing; however, the degree of fibrosis is another indicator when it is used as food raw material. This study revealed the change pattern of major functional components of loquat leaves during the annual growth period and provides a theoretical basis for the reasonable harvesting period of loquat leaves as raw materials for processing different types of products.

Allantus luctifer is one of the most serious pests of buckwheat, with its larvae mainly damaging leaves during the seedling and flowering stages. Entomogenous fungi play a crucial role as biological regulators of arthropod populations in nature. In this paper, a newly isolated strain 19GZAl-1, was identified as Cordyceps. cateniannulata through the observetions of macroscopic and microscopic morphological features, and the results of rDNA- ITS sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis. By comparing the efficacy of ten entomopathogenic fungal strains, including six strains of C. cateniannulata and four other Cordyceps species, against A. luctifer larvae, the new strain 19GZAl-1 exhibited the highest mortality rate. Mortality rates of A. luctifer larvae treated by spraying with the strain 19GZAl-1 increased as larval stage decreased, with first instar larvae showing the highest mortality rate of 85%. The appressorium from conidia invaded the larval body through areas with thin cuticle, such as larva pod base and internode folds, after which the hyphae grew rapidly, filling the haemocoel, and finally protruding from the integument upon melanization and decomposition of the intestinal wall cells. The results suggest that the strain 19GZAL-1 of C. cateniannulata has potential against A. luctifer larvae, which is significant for further study on the infection mechanism of C. cateniannulata on insects.

ABSTRACT: Exosome-mediated horizontal and vertical transmission of subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) in poultry flocks can lead to growth inhibition and severe immunosuppression. However, there are few reports on the early infection of chicken embryonic stem cells (cESCs) with ALV-J. In this study, we confirmed that early infection with ALV-J can accelerate the differentiation of cESCs and promote the secretion of exosomes. To investigate the modulation strategy of ALV-J in cESCs, circRNA sequencing was performed for further analysis. A total of 305 differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) were obtained, including 71 upregulated DECs. Circ-CCDC7 was found to be the most upregulated DEC and was assessed by qRT-PCR, with the result consistent with the result of circRNA-seq. Based on qRT-PCR, gga-miR-6568-3p was found to be the target of the top 3 DECs, including circ-CCDC7, and the stem cell marker gene Pax7 was identified as the target gene of gga-miR-6568-3p. This study demonstrated that exosomal circ-CCDC7/gga-miR-6568-3p/Pax7 accelerates the differentiation of cESCs after early infection with ALV-J.

In order to investigate the functional effects of superfine grinding technology on Zanthoxylum bungeanum seed, in this study, superfine grinding technology was used to prepare Zanthoxylum bungeanum superfine powder. The basic components, particle size, color, surface morphology, and the water/oil holding capacity, expansion force, compaction density were investigated and recorded using particle size analyzer, spectrophotometer, and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the soluble dietary fiber content of Zanthoxylum bungeanum seed powder gradually increased with the decrease of particle size. In comparison with the conventionally produced powder, the size of superfine powder could decrease to 7.69 μm, along with a larger specific surface area and stronger powder uniformity. As the particle size decreased, the color of the superfine powder gradually increased in L*, a*, and b* values. After superfine grinding, the water-holing capacity, oil-holding capacity, and swelling capacity would increase to 1.65 g/g, 1.16 g/g, and 2.35 mL/g, respectively. In addition, angles of repose and slide increased butthe tap density exhibited the opposite tendency. SEM images revealed that fiber bundle could be more thoroughly crushed with grinding time. In summary, the uniform Zanthoxylum bungeanum seed powder with a smaller particle size, higher powder uniformity, more soluble dietary fiber and better hydration capacity can be prepared through superfine grinding. However, to some extent, superfine grinding will also decrease the density and fluidity of Zanthoxylum bungeanum seed powder.

Abstract Background While the size of chloroplast genomes (cpDNAs) is often influenced by the expansion and contraction of inverted repeat regions and the enrichment of repeats, it is the intergenic spacers (IGSs) that appear to play a pivotal role in determining the size of Pteridaceae cpDNAs. This provides an opportunity to delve into the evolution of chloroplast genomic structures of the Pteridaceae family. This study added five Pteridaceae species, comparing them with 36 published counterparts. Results Poor alignment in the non-coding regions of the Pteridaceae family was observed, and this was attributed to the widespread presence of overlong IGSs in Pteridaceae cpDNAs. These overlong IGSs were identified as a major factor influencing variations in cpDNA size. In comparison to non-expanded IGSs, overlong IGSs exhibited significantly higher GC content and were rich in repetitive sequences. Species divergence time estimations suggest that these overlong IGSs may have already existed during the early radiation of the Pteridaceae family. Conclusions This study reveals new insights into the genetic variation, evolutionary history, and dynamic changes in the cpDNA structure of the Pteridaceae family, providing a fundamental resource for further exploring its evolutionary research.

Abstract Background Self-management (SM) is the key factor in controlling the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Previous studies have reported that majority of COPD patients later presented with frailty and mental health diseases, which affect self-management. This study attempted to explore the mediation role of depression and frailty between social support and self-management in elderly COPD population. Methods Six hundred twenty-seven stable elderly COPD patients admitted to 5 public hospitals in Ningxia, China were selected as study subjects by convenience sampling method. Self-management, frailty, depression and social support were assessed using the COPD Self-management Scale (COPD-SMS), Frail Scale (FS), 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) respectively. The Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between variables. Additionally, SPSS25.0 PROCESS plugin Model 6 was used to explore the mediating effects of frailty and depression in the relationship between social support and self-management. Results The mean participant age was 72.87 ± 7.03 years, 60.4% of participants were male. The mean total score of the COPD-SMS was 156.99 ± 25.15. Scores for the SSRS, FS, and GDS-15 were significantly correlated with COPD-SMS (p

Abstract Background Little is known about mobile phone problem use (MPPU) among older adults. This study investigated critical factors affecting MPPU and filled the gap between MPPU and depressive symptoms in older people. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in community (n = 376) with questionnaires of Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire (AAQ) and Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale (MPPUS). Results 80.9% of older people used smartphones and spend less than three hours on mobile phone per day. The average MPPU score of Chinese elderly is greater than the cut off to 41. Female (β = -0.11, P = 0.037), living with spouse (β = -0.17, P = 0.03), and late marriage age (β = -0.16, P = 0.007) are less likely to develop MPPU. The relationship between MPPU and depressive symptoms was partially mediated by social support and attitude to aging. Conclusion Elderly people generally have higher MPPU scores. MPPU was associated with depressive symptoms, through social support and attitude to aging.

Abstract Background Physical frailty (PF) and circadian syndrome (CircS) are proposed as novel risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but little attention is paid to their combined impact on CVD. This study aimed to investigate the association of PF, CircS and CVD in middle-aged and older adults. Methods The sample comprised 8512 participants aged at least 45 years from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2011. PF was examined by the physical frailty phenotype scale. CircS was assessed by the components of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) MetS plus short sleep duration and depression. The cut-off for CircS was set as ≥ 4. CVD was defined as the presence of physician-diagnosed heart disease and/or stroke. A total of 6176 participants without CVD recruited from CHARLS 2011 and were followed up in 2018. Results The prevalence of CVD in total populations, neither CircS or PF, PF alone, CircS alone and both CircS and PF were 13.0%, 7.4%, 15.5%, 17.4%, and 30.2%, respectively. CircS was more likely to be PF [OR (95%CI): 2.070 (1.732 ∼ 2.472)] than those without CircS. Both CircS alone [OR (95% CI): 1.954 (1.663 ∼ 2.296)], and coexisting CircS and PF [3.508 (2.739 ∼ 4.494)] were associated with CVD. Longitudinal analysis showed that individuals with both CircS and PF (HR: 1.716, 95%CI: 1.314 ∼ 2.240) and CircS alone [1.520 (1.331 ∼ 1.737)] were more likely to have new onset CVD than neither CircS or PF peers. Conclusion PF and CircS together are associated with higher CVD risk, which provided new evidence for a strong relation that warrants attention to assessing PF and CircS and in community to promote healthy aging.

The regulatory mechanisms underlying the ‘source–sink’ relationship in Tartary buckwheat remain largely unexplored. This study selected an early-maturing, high-yield variety, ‘Zhukuzao1’ (ZKZ1), to delve into the ‘source–sink’ relationship and the regulatory mechanisms of phosphorus utilization. Compared with Jinqiao2 (JQ2), ZKZ1 matured approximately 10 days earlier, with significantly reduced chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, and down-regulated PSI-III and GBSSI, indicating a reduced ‘source’. However, ZKZ1 maintained soluble sugar levels in upper leaves and increased sugar transport to seeds, promoting plant growth and yield formation. Under varying phosphorus conditions, ZKZ1 exhibited significantly higher total phosphorus content in lower (3.9~4.5-fold) and upper (1.4~1.6-fold) leaves of seedlings, along with increased phosphorus transport to upper leaves and seeds, and up-regulated PHO1 (2.4~3.0-fold), SPX3 (1.8~2.8-fold), PAP2 (2.8~7.7-fold), and 5PTase2 (1.4~3.5-fold) in leaves, indicating improved phosphorus absorption, transport, and remobilization. At maturity, ZKZ1 achieved yields comparable to JQ2, with superior quality traits, including significantly increased contents of protein (glutenin, prolamin, and globulin) and flavonoids under normal phosphorus conditions. Notably, the efficient phosphorus-regulated sugar metabolism in ZKZ1 maintains yield via enhanced ‘flow’ despite photosynthesis decrease. This study highlights the potential of optimizing the ‘source–sink’ relationship and phosphorus utilization in early-maturing, high-yield Tartary buckwheat breeding.

In a study involving 385 Large White pigs, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to investigate reproductive traits, specifically the number of healthy litters (NHs) and the number of weaned litters (NWs). Several SNP loci, including ALGA0098819, ALGA0037969, and H3GA0032302, were significantly associated with these traits. In the combined-parity analysis, candidate genes, such as BLVRA, STK17A, PSMA2, and C7orf25, were identified. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses revealed that these genes are involved in key biological processes, including organic synthesis, the regulation of sperm activity, spermatogenesis, and meiosis. In the by-parity analysis, the PLCXD3 gene was significantly associated with the NW trait in the second and fourth parities, while RNASEH1, PYM1, and SEPTIN9 were linked to cell proliferation, DNA repair, and metabolism, suggesting their potential role in regulating reproductive traits. These findings provide new molecular markers for the genetic study of reproductive traits in Large White pigs. For the phenotypic prediction of NH and NW traits, several machine learning models (GBDT, RF, LightGBM, and Adaboost.R2), as well as traditional models (GBLUP, BRR, and BL), were evaluated using SNP data in varying proportions. After PCA processing, the GBDT model achieved the highest PCC for NH (0.141), while LightGBM reached the highest PCC for NW (0.146). The MAE, MSE, and RMSE results showed that the traditional models exhibited stable error rates, while the machine learning models performed comparatively better across the different SNP ratios. Overall, PCA processing provided some improvement in the predictive performance of all of the models, though the overall increase in accuracy was limited.

To obtain fungal strains that enhance plant growth in the rhizosphere soil of buckwheat, we utilized morphological and molecular biological methods to identify 10 fungal strains from the rhizosphere soil and subsequently evaluated their effects on seed germination. The results demonstrated that all 10 fungal strains were classified as Isaria cateniannulata. The spores of these strains significantly enhanced the germination of buckwheat seeds, with germination rates improving by 3.46% to 700.75% compared to the control group. This study fills the gap in understanding I. cateniannulata as soil rhizosphere fungi, providing a foundation and materials for the seed coating technology of buckwheat seeds.

Abstract Pain, a comorbidity of anxiety disorders, causes substantial clinical, social, and economic burdens. Emerging evidence suggests that propofol, the most commonly used general anesthetic, may regulate psychological disorders; however, its role in pain‐associated anxiety is not yet described. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of a single dose of propofol (100 mg kg−1) in alleviating pain‐associated anxiety and examines the underlying neural mechanisms. In acute and chronic pain models, propofol decreased anxiety‐like behaviors in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field (OF) tests. Propofol also reduced the serum levels of stress‐related hormones including corticosterone, corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH), and norepinephrine. Fiber photometry recordings indicated that the calcium signaling activity of CRH neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVNCRH) is reduced after propofol treatment. Interestingly, artificially activating PVNCRH neurons through chemogenetics interfered with the anxiety‐reducing effects of propofol. Electrophysiological recordings indicated that propofol decreases the activity of PVNCRH neurons by increasing spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs). Further, reducing the levels of γ‐aminobutyric acid type A receptor β3 (GABAAβ3) subunits in PVNCRH neurons diminished the anxiety‐relieving effects of propofol. In conclusion, this study provides a mechanistic and preclinical rationale to treat pain‐associated anxiety‐like behaviors using a single dose of propofol.

Objectives Incomplete combustion of solid fuel and exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) are the primary causes of indoor air pollution (IAP), potentially leading to detrimental effects on individual mental health. However, current evidence regarding the association between IAP and depression remains inconclusive. This study aims to systematically investigate the evidence regarding the association between IAP and the risk of depression.Design Systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.Data sources Two independent reviewers searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and EMBASE for available studies published up to 13 January 2024.Eligibility criteria We included all cohort studies published in English that aimed to explore the relationship between IAP from solid fuel use and SHS exposure and the risk of depression.Data extraction and synthesis Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. The association between IAP and depression was calculated using pooled relative risk (RR) with 95% CIs. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 value, and the effect estimates were pooled using fixed-effects or random-effects models depending on the results of homogeneity analysis.Results We included 12 articles with data from 61 217 participants. The overall findings demonstrated a significant association between IAP exposure and depression (RR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.31), although with substantial heterogeneity (I2=75%). Subgroup analyses based on pollutant type revealed that IAP from solid fuel use was associated with a higher risk of depression (RR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.26; I2=62%; 5 studies, 36 768 participants) than that from SHS exposure (RR=1.11, 95% CI: 0.87 to 1.41; I2=80%; 7 studies, 24 449 participants). In terms of fuel use, the use of solid fuel for cooking (RR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.31; I2=58%; 4 studies, 34 044 participants) and heating (RR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.27; I2=65%; 3 studies, 24 874 participants) was associated with increased depression risk.Conclusions The findings from this systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies indicated an association between exposure to IAP and depression.PROSPERO registration number CRD42022383285.

Infectious diseases are caused by a variety of pathogens that can be transmitted between individuals, between animals, or between humans and animals. In the summer, hot weather accelerates the growth and reproduction of various bacteria and viruses. Water, food, and the environment are more susceptible to contamination, so summer is the season for infectious diseases such as monkeypox (Mpox), dengue, cholera, measles. We obtained surveillance data from Shusi Tech’s Global Epidemic Information Monitoring System and conducted a comprehensive analysis of the timing and location of outbreaks in infected populations from July to September of 2024.

This study presents the development of highly efficient Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) substrates through femtosecond (fs) laser processing of crystalline silicon (Si), resulting in mountain-like microstructures. These microstructures, when decorated with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), exhibit remarkable SERS performance due to the creation of concentrated hotspots. The enhanced Raman signals originate from the excitation of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of the Au NPs and the multi-scale rough morphology of the Si substrates. Finite-element method simulations confirm the electromagnetic field enhancement in narrow gaps, supporting the experimental observations. The fabricated substrates show high uniformity, oxidation resistance, long-term stability, and exceptional reproducibility, making them ideal for molecular detection, especially in food safety applications. A remarkable enhancement factor (EF) of 1010 is attained in the detection of Malachite Green (MG), boasting a limit of detection (LoD) as low as 10−14 M. This underscores the immense potential of this technique for achieving highly sensitive and dependable SERS-based sensing capabilities.

Purpose: Chronic wounds that are difficult to heal pose a major challenge for clinicians and researchers. Currently, common treatment methods focus on isolating the wound from the outside world, relying on the tissue at the wound site to grow and heal unaided. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) exosomes can promote wound healing by enhancing new blood vessel growth at the wound site. Valproic acid (VPA) reduces the inflammatory response and acts on macrophages to accelerate wound closure. In this study, VPA was loaded into umbilical cord MSC exosomes to form a drug carrier exosome (VPA-EXO) with the aim of investigating the effect of VPA-EXO on wound healing. Methods: This study first isolated and obtained umbilical cord MSC exosomes, then added VPA to the exosomes and explored the ability of VPA-EXO to promote the proliferation and migration of human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), as well as the ability to promote the angiogenesis of HUVECs, by using scratch, Transwell, and angiogenesis assays. An in vitro cell model was established and treated with VPA-EXO, and the expression levels of inflammation and pro-angiogenesis-related proteins and genes were examined using Western blot and qRT-PCR. The therapeutic effect of VPA-EXO on promoting wound healing in a whole skin wound model was investigated using image analysis of the wound site, H&E staining, and immunohistochemical staining experiments in a mouse wound model. Results: The in vitro model showed that VPA-EXO effectively promoted the proliferation and migration of human skin fibroblast cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells; significantly inhibited the expression of MMP-9, IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α, and PG-E2; and promoted the expression of vascular endothelial growth factors. In the mouse wound model, VPA-EXO reduced inflammation at the wound site, accelerated wound healing, and significantly increased the collagen content of tissue at the wound site. Conclusions: As a complex with dual efficacy in simultaneously promoting tissue regeneration and inhibiting inflammation, VPA-EXO has potential applications in tissue wound healing and vascular regeneration. In future studies, we will further investigate the mechanism of action and application scenarios of drug-loaded exosome complexes in different types of wound healing and vascular regeneration.

Abstract Background The evolution of protein residues depends on the mutation rates of their encoding nucleotides, but it may also be affected by co-evolution with other residues. Chloroplasts function as environmental sensors, transforming fluctuating environmental signals into different physiological responses. We reasoned that habitat diversity may affect their rate and mode of evolution, which might be evidenced in the chloroplast genome. The Pteridaceae family of ferns occupy an unusually broad range of ecological niches, which provides an ideal system for analysis. Results We conducted adaptive evolution and intra-molecular co-evolution analyses of Pteridaceae chloroplast DNAs (cpDNAs). The results indicate that the residues undergoing adaptive evolution and co-evolution were mostly independent, with only a few residues being simultaneously involved in both processes, and these overlapping residues tend to exhibit high mutations. Additionally, our data showed that Pteridaceae chloroplast genes are under purifying selection. Regardless of whether we grouped species by lineage (which corresponded with ecological niches), we determined that positively selected residues mainly target photosynthetic genes. Conclusions Our work provides evidence for the adaptive evolution of Pteridaceae cpDNAs, especially photosynthetic genes, to different habitats and sheds light on the adaptive evolution and co-evolution of proteins.

Abstract Background To explore the feasibility of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) with asynchronous quantitative computed tomography (asynchronous QCT) for assessing the volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD). Methods 416 women patients, categorized into 4 groups, were included and underwent chest CT examinations combined with asynchronous QCT, and CT scanning dose protocols (LDCT or CDCT) were self-determined by the participants. Radiation dose estimations were retrieved from patient protocols, including volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose-length-product (DLP), and then calculated effective dose (ED). Delimiting ED by 1.0 mSv, chest CT examinations were categorized into 2 groups, LDCT group and CDCT group. vBMD of T12-L2 was obtained by transferring the LDCT and CDCT images to the QCT workstation, without extra radiation. Results There was no difference of vBMD among 4 age groups in LDCT group (P = 0.965), and no difference in CDCT group (P = 0.988). In LDCT group and CDCT group, vBMD was not correlated to mAs, CTDIvol and DLP (P > 0.05), respectively. Between LDCT group and CDCT group, there was no difference of vBMD (P ≥ 0.480), while differences of mAs, CTDIvol and DLP. Conclusion There was no difference of vBMD between LDCT group and CDCT group and vBMD was not correlated to mAs. While screening for diseases such as lung cancer and mediastinal lesions, LDCT combined with asynchronous QCT can be also used to assess vBMD simultaneously with no extra imaging equipment, patient visit time, radiation dose and no additional economic cost.

Abstract Intercropping can obtain yield advantages, but the mechanism of yield advantages of maize-legume intercropping is still unclear. Then, we explored the effects of cropping systems and N input on yield advantages in a two-year experiment. Cropping systems included monoculture maize (Zea mays L.) (MM), monoculture soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) (MS), monoculture peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) (MP), maize-soybean substitutive relay intercropping (IMS), and maize-peanut substitutive strip intercropping (IMP). N input included without N (N0) and N addition (N1). Results showed that maize’s leaf area index was 31.0% and 34.6% higher in IMS and IMP than in MM. The specific leaf weight and chlorophyll a (chl a) of maize were notably higher by 8.0% and 18.8% in IMS, 3.1%, and 18.6% in IMP compared with MM. Finally, N addition resulted in a higher thousand kernels weight of maize in IMS and IMP than that in MM. More dry matter accumulated and partitioned to the grain, maize's averaged partial land equivalent ratio and the net effect were 0.76 and 2.75 t ha−1 in IMS, 0.78 and 2.83 t ha−1 in IMP. The leaf area index and specific leaf weight of intercropped soybean were 16.8% and 26% higher than MS. Although soybean suffers from shade during coexistence, recovered growth strengthens leaf functional traits and increases dry matter accumulation. The averaged partial land equivalent ratio and the net effect of intercropped soybean were 0.76 and 0.47 t ha−1. The leaf area index and specific leaf weight of peanuts in IMP were 69.1% and 14.4% lower than in the MP. The chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b of peanut in MP were 17.0% and 24.4% higher than in IMP. A less dry matter was partitioned to the grain for intercropped peanut. The averaged pLER and NE of intercropped peanuts were 0.26 and -0.55 t ha−1. In conclusion, the strengthened leaf functional traits promote dry matter accumulation, maize-soybean relay intercropping obtained a win–win yield advantage, and maize-peanut strip intercropping achieved a trade-off yield advantage.

Abstract Background Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is typically a benign, self-limiting inflammatory disease. The diagnosis of KFD can be challenging for nonspecific symptoms, laboratory or imaging findings. In this study, we aimed to describe the clinical manifestations of patients with KFD and to access the potential role of serum cytokines in the diagnosis of this disease. Methods Patients with KFD were retrospectively enrolled from January 2015 to November 2021 at Shenzhen Children’s Hospital. Clinical data were collected from inpatient or outpatient medical records. Serum cytokines were detected by the Flowcytomix technique. Serum levels of cytokines were compared between patients with KFD and SJIA, or patients with KFD and KD. The data of patients without MAS were further analyzed. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was further performed to access the potential role of serum cytokines in the diagnosis of KFD. Results Serum cytokines were detected in 25 (43.8%, 25/57) patients with a histological diagnosis of KFD. Compared to SJIA or KD patients, the KFD group had a significantly higher IFN-γ/IL-6 ratio and much lower levels of serum IL-6. The median level of serum IFN-γ in KFD was 41.65 pg/ml (range, 21.04–70.74 pg/ml), which was much higher than that in SJIA (median: 3.33 pg/ml, p = 0.16) or KD (median: 2.6 pg/ml, p = 0.01). After excluding patients with MAS, there was statistical significance in all comparisons of serum IFN-γ, IFN-γ/IL-6 ratio, and serum IL-6. The cutoff values of serum IFN-γ, IL-6, and IFN-γ/IL-6 ratio for differentiating KFD from SJIA were > 8.48 pg/ml, 0.45, respectively. The cutoff values of serum IFN-γ, IL-6, and IFN-γ/IL-6 ratio for differentiating KFD from KD were > 8.56 pg/ml, 0.45, respectively. The specificity of all those cutoff values for differentiating KFD from SJIA or KD was ≥ 94.7%. Conclusions For patients with fever of unknown etiology and lymphadenopathy, after excluding HLH or MAS, serum IFN-γ > 8.56 pg/mL and IFN-γ/IL-6 ratio > 0.45 may highly suggest the diagnosis of KFD; serum IL-6 > 50.45 pg/mL indicates that the probability of KFD may be small, and sJIA, KD, and acute infection should be excluded first.

Ectopic thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-secreting tumors are extremely rare, with only 15 reported cases in the literature. Herein, we described a 60-year-old female patient with thyrotoxicosis and elevated or unsuppressed levels of TSH. Family history and laboratory and genetic tests did not support a diagnosis of resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH). Given the unsuppressed TSH, TSH-secreting tumor was suspected, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pituitary gland was performed. Surprisingly, the MRI scans revealed a nodule in the nasopharynx rather than a pituitary tumor in the sella region. Further evaluation using Gallium-68 DOTATATE positron emission tomography/computed tomography (68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT) demonstrated increased DOTATATE uptake in the nasopharyngeal nodule. Additionally, an octreotide suppression test (OST) revealed an obvious reduction in TSH levels, further supporting the suspicion of the nasopharyngeal mass as the cause of inappropriate TSH secretion. To prepare for surgery, the patient received preoperative administration of octreotide, resulting in the normalization of TSH and thyroid hormone levels. The patient subsequently underwent successful surgical removal of the nasopharyngeal mass. Following the procedure, the patient experienced complete resolution of hyperthyroidism symptoms, with TSH declined and thyroid hormone levels returned to normal. Histochemistry analysis of the tumor revealed positive staining for TSH, growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH), and somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2). We discussed differential diagnosis of hyperthyroidism due to inappropriate TSH secretion, with a particular emphasis on the importance of 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in combination with OST for identifying ectopic pituitary tumors.

ObjectiveSystemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is characterized by excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines. As an anti-IL-1 agent, canakinumab has been approved in the USA and Europe for the treatment of sJIA patients aged ≥2 years. However, the use of canakinumab has never been reported in China. In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of canakinumab in Chinese patients with sJIA.MethodsA total of 11 patients with sJIA who were treated with canakinumab were included in this study. Clinical data were collected retrospectively from medical records. Efficacy was evaluated by the systemic juvenile arthritis disease activity score (sJADAS). The follow-up was performed at canakinumab initiation, at months 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12, or at the last follow-up.ResultsOf the 11 patients enrolled, 91.0% (10/11) had previously received treatment with tocilizumab. The mean duration of canakinumab was 9 (3–18) months. 45.5% (5/11) of patients showed complete response, 45.5% (5/11) showed partial response, and 9.0% (1/11) showed no response. 18.2% (2/11) experienced disease flare during the treatment with canakinumab. 81.8% (9/11) of patients successfully reduced the dose of corticosteroids, with six discontinuing corticosteroids. 45.6% (5/11) of patients experienced infection. No serious adverse events occurred during the treatment with canakinumab.ConclusionsCanakinumab may be effective and tolerable for Chinese sJIA patients, helping to reduce the dosage of corticosteroids. However, additional researches on large samples are required to evaluate its efficacy and safety.

BackgroundNodal T-follicular helper cell lymphomas (nTFHLs) represent a new family of peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs), and comparative studies of their constituents are rare.MethodsThis study retrospectively enrolled 10 patients with nTFHL-F and 30 patients with nTFHL-NOS diagnosed between December 2017 and October 2023 at six large comprehensive tertiary hospitals; 188 patients with nTFHL-AI were diagnosed during the same period at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University for comparison.ResultsCompared with nTFHL-AI, nTFHL-NOS patients exhibited better clinical manifestations, lower TFH expression levels, and a lower Ki-67 index. However, no differences in clinicopathological features were observed between nTFHL-F and nTFHL-AI patients as well as nTFHL-NOS patients. According to the survival analysis, the median OS for patients with nTFHL-NOS, nTFHL-AI, and nTFHL-F were 14.2 months, 10 months, and 5 months, respectively, whereas the median TTP were 14 months, 5 months, and 3 months, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed differences in TTP among the three subtypes(P=0.0173). Among the population of patients receiving CHOP-like induction therapy, there were significant differences in the OS and TTP among the nTFHL-NOS, nTFHL-AI, and nTFHL-F patients (P=0.0134, P=0.0205). Both the GDPT and C-PET regimens significantly improved the ORR, OS, and PFS in nTFHL patients.ConclusionThere are significant differences in the clinical manifestations, pathology, and survival outcomes among the three subtypes of nTFHLs. However, further research with a larger sample size, and involving clinical pathology and molecular genetics is needed to determine the distinctive biological characteristics of these tumors.

Cardiovascular diseases have become the leading cause of death in urban and rural areas. Myocardial fibrosis is a common pathological manifestation at the adaptive and repair stage of cardiovascular diseases, easily predisposing to cardiac death. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), RNA molecules with no coding potential, can regulate gene expression in the occurrence and development of myocardial fibrosis. Recent studies have suggested that Chinese herbal medicine can relieve myocardial fibrosis through targeting various ncRNAs, mainly including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs). Thus, ncRNAs are novel drug targets for Chinese herbal medicine. Herein, we summarized the current understanding of ncRNAs in the pathogenesis of myocardial fibrosis, and highlighted the contribution of ncRNAs to the therapeutic effect of Chinese herbal medicine on myocardial fibrosis. Further, we discussed the future directions regarding the potential applications of ncRNA-based drug screening platform to screen drugs for myocardial fibrosis.

Postgraduate enrollment expansion policies in China have formed a development system of postgraduate education with an expansion of scale and increase of categories. Taking the institutional equilibrium theory as the prerequisite of assumption, this study evaluates 30 postgraduate enrollment expansion policies using the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis method (fsQCA method) and explores the matching degree between policy changing path and social development. It is found that path dependence is the main cause and trend of progressive policy change, the construction of the national strategy determines the direction and content of policy change, and the environment induces the abrupt logic and gives early warning to policy change. Therefore, the postgraduate enrollment expansion policy system respects the law of education itself, has contingency and flexibility, adjusts the training structure, and improves the competence of highly specialized talents to serve society. However, it is still necessary to closely follow the social demand to clarify the dialectical relationship between the scale and structure of postgraduate enrollment and highlight the strategic advantages of the government's decision.

Abstract Direct visualization of surface chemical dynamics in solution is essential for understanding the mechanisms involved in nanocatalysis and electrochemistry; however, it is challenging to achieve high spatial and temporal resolution. Here, we present an azimuth-modulated plasmonic imaging technique capable of imaging dynamic interfacial changes. The method avoids strong interference from reflected light and consequently eliminates the parabolic-like interferometric patterns in the images, allowing for a 67-fold increase in the spatial resolution of plasmonic imaging. We demonstrate that this optical imaging approach enables comprehensive analyses of surface chemical dynamics and identification of previously unknown surface reaction heterogeneity by investigating electrochemical redox reactions over single silver nanowires as an example. This work provides a general strategy for high-resolution plasmonic imaging of surface electrochemical dynamics and other interfacial chemical reactions, complementing existing surface characterization methods.

Abstract Background Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Dengue virus (DENV) have similar clinical symptoms, which often induce misdiagnoses. Therefore, an antigen detection diagnostic system that can clearly identify these two viruses is desirable. Methods In this study, we developed a novel peptide with high affinity and specificity to CHIKV, and further constructed peptide aptamer-based TRFIA assay to efficiently detect CHIKV. Peptide aptamer B2 (ITPQSSTTEAEL) and B3 (DTQGSNWI) were obtained through computer-aided design and selected as CHIKV-specific peptide aptamers based on their high binding affinity, strong hydrogen bonding, and RMSD of molecular docking. Then, a sandwich-Time-Resolved Fluoroimmunoassay (TRFIA) was successfully constructed for the detection of the interaction between peptide aptamers and viruses. Results When using B2 as the detection element, highly specific detection of CHIKV E2 was achieved with detection limits of 8.5 ng/ml in PBS solution. Variation coefficient between inter-assay showed the disturbances received from the detection of clinical fluid specimens (including serum and urine), were also within acceptable limits. The detection limits for 10-fold dilution serum and urine were 57.8 ng/mL and 147.3 ng/mL, respectively. The fluorescent signal intensity exhibited a good linear correlation with E2 protein concentration in the range of 0-1000 ng/mL, indicating the potential for quantitative detection of E2 protein. Conclusions These results demonstrate that the construction of peptide aptamers with high affinity and specificity provides an excellent method for rapid diagnostic element screening, and the developed peptide aptamer B2 contributed to better detection of CHIKV viral particles compared to traditional antibodies.

Subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) is a major pathogen in poultry, causing substantial economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. Exosomal small RNAs derived from virus-infected cells or biological fluids can serve as viral transmission vectors. However, the role and mechanism of exosomal miRNA in ALV-J infection are unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that exosomal microRNA-7-25207 (miR-7-25207) could increase the titers of ALV-J. Exosomes isolated from ALV-J-infected DF-1 cells (Exo-ALV-J) contained partial viral proteins from ALV-J and could transmit the infection to uninfected DF-1 cells, leading to productive infection. Additionally, the RNA expression profile of exosomes was altered following ALV-J infection. miRNA analysis revealed that the expression of exosomal miR-7-25207 increased. Overexpression of miR-7-25207 significantly increased the titers of ALV-J in transfected cells. Furthermore, miR-7-25207 directly suppressed the expression of Akt and PRC1. Akt, in turn, directly inhibited CyclinQ1 expression, while PRC1 directly interfered with YAF2 expression. In conclusion, ALV-J infection activates the expression of miR-7-25207, which is subsequently delivered via exosomes to uninfected cells, increasing ALV-J titers by targeting Akt-CyclinQ1 and PRC1-YAF2 dual pathways. These findings suggest that exosomal miR-7-25207 may serve as a potential biomarker for clinical parameters in ALV-J infection.

The introduction of the concepts of shear elastic strain (ε−) and tensile elastic strain (ε+) is a catalyst for new horizons of research into supply chain elasticity. Functional formulas encompassing the metrics of ε− and ε+, their critical point, maximum strain value, and similar parameters are established through rigorous mathematical derivations. The supply chain elasticity of agricultural commodities, including grains, apples, and wheat, are assessed by utilizing the derived formulas. The results show that the metrics of supply chain elastic strain serve as direct metrics of measuring the supply chain’s anti-interference capability, and they also facilitate an objective assessment of the supply chain’s safety and stability. The formula is succinctly derived, and it yields objective outcomes with general applicability, particularly suited for research and application for supply chain elasticity.

I. cateinannulata has been shown to promote the growth of F. tataricum. However, whether its growth-promoting capacity is related to its ability to solubilize phosphorus has not been reported. Therefore, in this study, we sought to assess the phosphorus-solubilizing ability of 18 strains of I. cateinannulata by analyzing their growth in an inorganic phosphorus culture medium. The effects of F. tataricum on growth and effective phosphorus content were analyzed through field experiments. The results showed that all 18 strains of I. cateinannulata had a phosphorus release capacity, with phosphorus solubilization ranging from 5.14 ± 0.37 mg/L to 6.21 ± 0.01 mg/L, and strain 9 exhibited the best phosphorus solubilization effect. Additionally, the field results demonstrated that I. cateinannulata positively influenced the growth, root length, and yield of F. tataricum by increasing the chlorophyll and soluble phosphorus content. This study will provide a material basis and theoretical support for investigating the interaction mechanism between I. cateinannulata and F. tataricum.

This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to assess effectiveness of home-based exercise compared with control interventions for functional rehabilitation in elderly patients after hip fracture surgery. Comprehensive literature search was performed on PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane library, and Clinicaltrails.gov to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Standard mean difference (SMD) and risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. The certainty of evidence of each outcome was assessed by using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. A total of 28 articles reporting 21 unique RCTs (n = 2470) were finally included. Compared with control interventions, home-based exercise significantly improved Berg balance scale (BBS, SMD = 0.28, 95%CI: 0.03 to 0.53, P = 0.030), timed-up-and-go test (TUG, SMD = -0.28, 95%CI: -0.50 to -0.07, P = 0.009), Short Fort-36 physical component score (SF-36 PCS, SMD = 0.49, 95%CI: 0.28 to 0.70, P

Objective By analyzing the clinical history, laboratory test indexes, and intraoperative ultrasound imaging data of patients receiving ultrasound-guided percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (UG-PTA) for the first time, the application value of UG-PTA in the treatment of peripheral stenosis of autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and the related factors affecting postoperative patency were investigated.Methods A total of 381 patients with dysfunction of radio-cephalic AVF were treated with UG-PTA from June 2017 to September 2019. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 199 patients were included in this study. Baseline characteristics of patients, including demographic, clinical, and laboratory data, were collected. Kaplan–Meier’s survival curve was used to demonstrate the cumulative primary patency rate of UG-PTA. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed on clinical, anatomic, biochemical, and medication variables to identify the predictors of postintervention primary patency.Results The early technical success rate of UG-PTA was 98.4% (375/381). One hundred and ninety-nine patients, with an average age of 52.9 years, were analyzed, 97 of whom were males (48.7%). The median follow-up duration was 21 months. No major complication was observed. Postintervention primary patency rates were 87.7%, 75.8%, and 60.0% at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. A previously failed AVF (HR, 1.935, 95% CI 1.071–3.494; p = .029) and an increased level of parathyroid hormone (HR per 100 pg/mL increase, 1.105; 95% CI 1.014–1.203; p = .004) were identified as independent negative predictors of primary patency of UG-PTA.Conclusions UG-PTA is a safe and effective method for the treatment of peripheral stenosis of AVF. Previously failed AVF and elevated parathyroid hormone levels are associated with lower primary patency rate.

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of numerous cardiovascular diseases with a high mortality rate. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), RNA molecules that do not encode proteins in human genome transcripts, are known to play crucial roles in various physiological and pathological processes. Recently, researches on the regulation of atherosclerosis by ncRNAs, mainly including microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs, have gradually become a hot topic. Traditional Chinese medicine has been proved to be effective in treating cardiovascular diseases in China for a long time, and its active monomers have been found to target a variety of atherosclerosis-related ncRNAs. These active monomers of traditional Chinese medicine hold great potential as drugs for the treatment of atherosclerosis. Here, we summarized current advancement of the molecular pathways by which ncRNAs regulate atherosclerosis and mainly highlighted the mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine monomers in regulating atherosclerosis through targeting ncRNAs.

Abstract The Li dendrite growth and the liquid electrolyte volatilization under semi-open architecture are intrinsic issues for Li-O2 battery. In this work, we propose a non-Newtonian fluid quasi-solid electrolyte (NNFQSE) SiO2-SO3Li/PVDF-HFP, which has both shear-thinning and shear-thickening properties. The component interactions among the sulfonated silica nanoparticles, liquid electrolyte, and polymer network are beneficial for decent Li+ conductivity and high liquid electrolyte retention without volatilization. Furthermore, NNFQSE exhibits shear-thinning property to eliminate the stress of dendrite growth during repeated cycling. Meanwhile, when the force suddenly increases, such as a high current rate, the NNFQSE may dynamically turn shear-thickening to respond and mechanically stiffen to inhibit the lithium dendrite penetration. By coupling with the NNFQSE, the lithium symmetrical battery can run over 2000 h under 1 mA cm−2 at room temperature, and the quasi-solid Li-O2 battery actualizes long life above 5000 h at 100 mA g−1.

Abstract Background Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is typically a benign, self-limiting inflammatory disease. However, some patients may have a prolonged or recurrent disease course, or present with life-threatening complications such as macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). In this study, we aimed to describe the incidence and clinical features of MAS in KFD and to access potential laboratory markers for the diagnosis of KFD-associated MAS. Methods Patients with KFD were retrospectively enrolled from January 2015 to November 2021 at Shenzhen Children’s Hospital. Clinical data were collected from inpatient or outpatient medical records. Data collected included clinical manifestations, laboratory and imaging findings, treatment, and clinical outcomes. Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism 8.0 statistical software (GraphPad Software Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was further performed to access the potential predictors for the KFD-MAS diagnosis. Results Of 58 patients with a histological diagnosis of KFD, 15 (25.9%) patients had MAS. Compared to patients without MAS, patients with KFD-MAS presented with a higher proportion of skin rash (26.7%, p = 0.01), glucocorticoid treatment (80%, p = 0.003), and disease recurrence (33.3%, p = 0.04). KFD-MAS patients had lower absolute peripheral white blood cell (WBC, p = 0.02), platelet (p = 0.002), serum albumin levels (p = 0.01), and lymphocyte count (p 679 IU/mL, respectively. Conclusions The presence of KFD-MAS in children may be more common than previously expected, especially in those with skin rash. KFD-MAS may be associated with a higher recurrence rate. An extremely elevated serum LDH level and moderate to severe lymphopenia may be useful diagnostic markers for MAS in KFD. Trial registration Not applicable; this was a retrospective study.

Probing the localized electrocatalytic activity of heterogeneous electrocatalysts is crucial. Here, the authors propose a method of imaging the surface charge density and electrocatalytic activity of single two-dimensional electrocatalyst nanosheets.

The photoreceptor necessitates the retinoids metabolism processes in visual cycle pathway to regenerate visual pigments and sustain vision. Bisphenol S (BPS), with similar structure of thyroid hormone (TH), was reported to impair the light-sensing function of zebrafish larvae via disturbing TH-thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ) signaling pathway. However, it remains unknown whether TRβ could modulate the toxicity of BPS on retinoid metabolism in visual cycle. This study showed that BPS diminished the optokinetic response of zebrafish larvae and had a stimulative effect on all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA) metabolism, like exogenous T3 exposure. By modulating CYP26A1 and TRβ expression, it was found that CYP26A1 played a crucial role in catalyzing oxidative metabolism of atRA and retinoids regeneration in visual cycle, and TRβ mediated cyp26a1 expression in zebrafish eyes. Similar with 10 nM T3 treatment, cyp26a1 expression could be induced by BPS in the presence of TRβ. Further, in CYP26A1 and TRβ- deficient eyes, 100 μg/L BPS could no longer promote atRA metabolism, or decrease the all-trans-retinol and 11-cis retinal contents in visual cycle, demonstrating that BPS exposure disturbed CYP26A1-mediated visual retinoids metabolism via TRβ. Overall, this study highlights the role of TRβ in mediating the retinoids homeostasis disruption caused by BPS, and provides new clues for exploring molecular targets of visual toxicity under pollutants stress.

Summary: MACC1 is a master oncogene involved in multiple aspects of cancer metastasis in a broad variety of tumors. However, the molecular mechanism by which MACC1 transcription is regulated remains unclear. Here, we show that in breast cancer cells, lncRNA MACC1-AS1 serves as a cis-factor to up-regulate MACC1 transcription and this regulation increases the cell proliferation potential. Mechanistically, MACC1-AS1 forms a complex with DEAD-Box helicase 5 (DDX5) and simultaneously interacts with the distal region of the MACC1 promoter. The interaction allows its associated DDX5 to spatially contact the MACC1 core promoter and shift from MACC1-AS1 to the core promoter. Moreover, binding of DDX5 to the core promoter results in local recruitment of the transcription factor SP-1, thus enhancing MACC1 transcription. Our findings reveal a molecular mechanism by which MACC1-AS1 cis-regulates MACC1 transcription by interacting with the distal promoter region and delivering DDX5 to the core-promoter of the gene.

ABSTRACT: Fowl adenovirus serotype 8b (FAdV-8b), as causative agent of inclusion body hepatitis (IBH), poses a great threat to the poultry industry. Considering the importance of innate immune response in host against viral infections, we investigated pathogenicity of a FAdV-8b strain HLJ/151129 in 1-mo-old specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens and immune responses of host to FAdV-8b infection in this study. The results demonstrated that no obvious clinical signs were observed in infected birds. Neither mobility nor mortality was observed in both FAdV-8b infected and control chickens, as well. However, hepatic necrosis and a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration were observed by pathological analysis. Viral load was detected in bursa of Fabricius, cecal tonsils, liver, heart, spleen, Harderian glands, and thymus. Virus shedding and viremia generated as early as 3 days postinfection (dpi) (9/10) and reached the peak at 7 dpi (10/10). In addition, the infected birds had developed FAdV-specific antibodies at 7 dpi, and the antibody titers reached the peak at 14 dpi. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that the mRNA expression levels of most of toll-like receptors (TLRs), most of avian β-defensins (AvBDs), and cytokines [interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, and interferon (IFN)-γ], were significantly upregulated in most tissues at early phases of FAdV-8b infection, especially in liver and spleen. In contrast, FAdV-8b infection results in downregulation of TLR4, TLR5, and TLR21 expressions in some tissues of infected chickens. In addition, FAdV-8b infection upregulated myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65, and TIR-domain-containing adapter inducing interferon-β (TRIF) expression in some tissues, while decreased NF-κB p65 and TRIF in spleen at both 72 hpi and 21 dpi. Taken together, these results confirmed that FAdV-8b could replicate in all investigated tissues of infected birds, and then, result in production of FAdV-specific antibody titers. Meanwhile, the FAdV-8b infection induces strong innate immune responses at early stage in chickens, which may associate with the viral pathogenesis.

In recent years, humanity has faced formidable challenges posed by infectious diseases. For example, previously controlled infectious diseases have undergone resurgences, while ongoing pathogen mutations have given rise to drug-resistant strains. These developments, coupled with changes in natural and societal factors, have contributed to the emergence of new infectious diseases. Spring is a season prone to infectious diseases, with common examples including influenza, measles, smallpox, and dengue fever. These diseases are primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets, airborne transmission, and close contact. To gain insight into the global distribution of infectious diseases we analyzed data from the Global Epidemic Information Monitoring System, which was developed by Shusi Technology, from January to March 2024.

Background: Increasing studies have shown that lncRNAs often play roles through interaction with miRNAs to control gene expression by inhibiting translation or facilitating degradation of target mRNAs. Here, we report that two lncRNAs, MACC1-AS1 and UCA1 are coordinately expressed in breast cancer cells and share the ability to interact with multiple miRNAs to mediate the expression of different genes. Methods: Targetscan, starBase and miRDB databases were used to predict the relationships of MACC1-AS1/UCA1-miRNA-mRNA network. qRT-PCR, and RNA sequencing were used to study the differential expression of lncRNAs and miRNA-targeted genes in breast cancer cells. RIP, RNA pull-down and luciferase assays were performed to confirm the molecular interactions of MACC1-AS1 or UCA1 with predicted miRNAs. The role of lncRNA-mediated miRNA-mRNA interactions in cell proliferation was examined by MTT assays following loss-of-function and gain-of-function effects. Results: We identified a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in breast cancer cells, in which a number of mRNAs can be co-regulated by MACC1-AS1 and UCA1 lncRNAs. Each lncRNA possesses the capacity as a ceRNA to compete with various mRNA-targeting miRNAs. Interaction of MACC1-AS1 or UCA1 with individual miRNAs is able to increase the expression of the same target mRNAs, such as TBL1X and MEF2D, thus affecting cancer-cell growth phenotype. Conclusions: Our study suggests that in each cell type, there is a balance of interactions between certain lncRNAs and miRNAs. Disrupting the balance would eventually affect the expression of miRNA-targeted genes and cell proliferation.