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Abstract The oasis serves as the central component of the arid ecosystem and plays a crucial role in supporting human activities. However, the ecological environment in the oasis region is fragile, and even a minor alteration in land use (LU) can significantly impact the stability of the ecosystem. Therefore, it is imperative to undertake comprehensive research on the spatio–temporal patterns of LU change in the oasis, reveal its driving factors, and predict future development. This is crucial for devising scientifically and logically sound land management strategies, upholding the equilibrium between humans and land in arid areas, and attaining sustainable development of the regional ecology and economy. This study focuses on the Weigan–Kuqa River Delta Oasis in China as the research area, analyzes the changes in LU in the oasis from 2010 to 2022 using various methods such as transition matrix, dynamic degree, intensity analysis, and center of gravity shift. The study also investigates the factors influencing these changes using the optimal parameters–based geographical detector (OPGD). Additionally, it predicts the future trends in LU development under four different scenarios using the mixed–cell cellular automata (MCCA), and illustrates distribution characteristics by combining Moran’s I index and hotspot analysis. The results suggest that: (1) Between 2010 and 2022, the LU in the oasis changed rapidly, with consistent increase in the amount of construction land, arable land, and garden land, while the amount of forest-grassland and unused land decreased overall. (2) Population density played a leading role in the changes, but soil type also had a significant impact. Over the course of time, the influence of roads and transportation has progressively increased. (3) Compared with 2022, the acreage of arable land, garden land, and construction land increases under the four future scenarios: natural development scenario (NDS), economic development scenario (EDS), cropland development scenario (CDS), and ecological protection scenario (EPS). However, the acreage of forest–grassland and unused land decrease. From a spatial perspective, large towns, the downstream of alluvial fans, and the central oasis are key areas where the distribution of hot spots and sub–hot spots of each LU type varies significantly among the four scenarios. The EPS provides a certain level of protection for forest-grassland areas and water bodies, making it the most appropriate development model for oases. These findings have the potential to offer valuable academic guidance for oasis land resource management and are crucial for achieving coordinated development at regional level.

Abstract The study aims to improve the antimicrobial and remineralization-promoting properties of mouthwash by synthesizing novel Ag/ZnO/Oyster Shells nanocomposites and evaluating their anti-caries properties and biosafety in vitro and in vivo, so as to reduce the incidence of caries. The antimicrobial properties of the synthesized Ag/ZnO/Oyster Shell nanocomposites were examined by bacterial inhibition zone, minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, fluorescence staining and scanning electron microscopy. The potential of the materials to promote remineralization of demineralized enamel was detected by scanning electron microscopy, surface microhardness and depth of hard tissue defects, and laser confocal electron microscopy analysis. The synthesized materials were then incorporated into mouthwash, and their effects on antimicrobial properties, remineralization-promoting properties were evaluated. Furthermore, an oral mucosal contact model was established to assess local irritation and systemic effects. The results showed that the novel Ag/ZnO/Oyster Shell nanocomposites possessed strong antimicrobial activity, remineralization-promoting ability and good biosafety, and the mouthwash containing Ag/ZnO/Oyster Shell possessed strong antimicrobial performance and remineralization-promoting ability, and showed no obvious abnormalities in local mucosal tissues, blood indices, and histopathology of the liver and kidneys in the oral exposure model of the SD rats. These findings indicate that Ag/ZnO/Oyster shell incorporated into mouthwash has strong antimicrobial activity, good remineralization-promoting properties and good biosafety in vivo. It is therefore expected to be used in clinical applications.

Abstract Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) presents considerable difficulties in prognostication and treatment strategy development. Bevacizumab, an anti-angiogenic medication, has demonstrated potential in enhancing progression-free survival (PFS) in EOC patients. Nevertheless, the identification of individuals at elevated risk of disease progression following treatment remains a challenging task. This study was to develop and validate a deep learning (DL) model using retrospectively collected computed tomography (CT) plain scans of inoperable and recurrent EOC patients receiving bevacizumab treatment diagnosed between January 2013 and January 2024. A total of 525 patients from three different institutions were retrospectively included in the study and divided into training set (N = 400), internal test set (N = 97) and external test set (N = 28). The model’s performance was evaluated using Harrell’s C-index. Patients were categorized into high-risk and low-risk group based on a predetermined cutoff in the training set. Additionally, a multimodal model was evaluated, incorporating the risk score generated by the DL model and the pretreatment level of carbohydrate antigen 125 as input variables. The Net Reclassification Improvement (NRI) metric quantified the reclassification performance of our optimal model in comparison to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging model. The results indicated that DL model achieved a PFS predictive C-index of 0.73 in the internal test set and a C-index of 0.61 in the external test set, along with hazard ratios of 34.24 in the training set (95% CI: 21.7, 54.1; P

Abstract Background Psychiatric nurses face additional challenges due to negative perceptions, workplace violence, and a lack of respect, impacting their well-being and job satisfaction, which are crucial for improving psychiatric care and patient outcomes. Objectives This study aims to examine the relationship between effort-reward imbalance, well-being, burnout, and decent work among psychiatric nurses. Methods This study used a cross-sectional design. Data were collected using a convenience sampling method in February 2024 from 397 psychiatric nurses at two psychiatric hospitals in Hangzhou and Huzhou, Zhejiang Province. The Effort-Reward Imbalance Scale, Decent Work Perception Scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, and General Well-Being Schedule Scale were used for data collection. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0 and the PROCESS macro. Results The study found that effort-reward imbalance among psychiatric nurses was negatively correlated with decent work (r = -0.564, p

Abstract The salient object detection task tries to simulate the human visual system for most eye‐catching objects or regions detection. However, due to the complexity of the visual mechanisms, current methods will suffer from severe performance degradation, leading to inconsistent prediction results for the same regions, when directly adopting a model trained on a fixed resolution to evaluate at other different resolutions. Considering that consistency in predictions is essential for salient object detection, a cross‐scale resolution consistent salient object detection method, called RCNet, is proposed. Specifically, to enhance the model's capacity for generalization across images of varying resolutions and make the model implicitly learn the scale invariance, a multi‐resolution data enhancement module is constructed to generate images with arbitrary resolutions for the same scene. Moreover, to accomplish better multi‐level feature fusion, a cross‐scale fusion module is developed to fuse high‐level semantic features and low‐level detail features. Additionally, to explicitly learn the scale invariance of the salient scores, a hybrid salient consistency loss is formulated on salient object detection with different resolutions. Comprehensive evaluations on five benchmark datasets show that RCNet achieves a highly competitive result.

Abstract Background Protein phosphatase class 2 C (PP2C) is the largest protein phosphatase family in plants. Members of the PP2C gene family are involved in a variety of physiological pathways in plants, including the abscisic acid signalling pathway, the regulation of plant growth and development, etc., and are capable of responding to a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses, and play an important role in plant growth, development, and response to stress. Apocynum is a perennial persistent herb, divided into Apocynum venetum and Apocynum hendersonii. It mainly grows in saline soil, deserts and other harsh environments, and is widely used in saline soil improvement, ecological restoration, textiles and medicine. A. hendersonii was found to be more tolerant to adverse conditions. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the PP2C gene family and its expression pattern under salt stress and to identify important candidate genes related to salt tolerance. Results In this study, 68 AvPP2C genes and 68 AhPP2C genes were identified from the genomes of A. venetum and A. hendersonii, respectively. They were classified into 13 subgroups based on their phylogenetic relationships and were further analyzed for their subcellular locations, gene structures, conserved structural domains, and cis-acting elements. The results of qRT-PCR analyses of seven AvPP2C genes and seven AhPP2C genes proved that they differed significantly in gene expression under salt stress. It has been observed that the PP2C genes in A. venetum and A. hendersonii exhibit different expression patterns. Specifically, AvPP2C2, 6, 24, 27, 41 and AhPP2C2, 6, 24, 27, 42 have shown significant differences in expression under salt stress. This indicates that these genes may play a crucial role in the salt tolerance mechanism of A. venetum and A. hendersonii. Conclusions In this study, we conducted a genome-wide analysis of the AvPP2C and AhPP2C gene families in Apocynum, which provided a reference for further understanding the functional characteristics of these genes.

Aerobic respiration is the key driver of Vibrio cholerae proliferation and infection. Our previous transcriptome results suggested that degS knockout downregulates a few genes involved in NADH and ATP synthesis in the aerobic respiratory pathway. In this study, non-targeted metabolomics results showed that the differential metabolites affected by degS knockout were associated with aerobic respiration. Further results suggested that the key products of aerobic respiration, NADH and ATP, were reduced upon degS deletion and were not dependent on the classical σE pathway. The two-component system response factor aerobic respiration control A (ArcA) is involved in regulating NADH and ATP levels. qRT-PCR demonstrated that DegS negatively regulates the transcription of the arcA gene, which negatively regulates the expression of isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH), a key rate-limiting enzyme of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. NADH and ATP levels were partially restored with the knockout of the arcA gene in the ΔdegS strain, while levels were partially restored with overexpression of ICDH in the ΔdegS strain. In a growth experiment, compared to the ΔdegS strain, the growth rates of ΔdegSΔarcA and ΔdegS-overexpressed icdh strains (ΔdegS+icdh) were partially restored during the logarithmic growth period. Colonization of the intestines of suckling mice showed a significant reduction in the colonizing ability of the ΔdegS strain, similar colonizing ability of the ΔdegS::degS strain and the wild-type strain, and a partial recovery of the colonizing ability of the ΔdegS+icdh strain. Overall, these findings suggest that the DegS protease regulates the expression of ICDH through ArcA, thereby affecting the NADH and ATP levels of V. cholerae and its growth and intestinal colonization ability.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the gut microbiome and the response to anti-PD-1-based combination therapy in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to identify potential non-invasive biomarkers and new strategies to modulate immunotherapy in HCC.MethodsIn this study, fresh stool samples and clinical data were collected from unresectable HCC patients treated with anti-PD-1-based combination therapy at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between January 2020 and December 2021. The patients were divided into two groups based on their response to treatment: the treatment responder group (R group) and the treatment non-responder group (NR group). The composition and diversity of the gut microbiome were bioinformatically analyzed by using the Whole Genome Shotgun strategy, including taxonomic composition analysis, Alpha diversity analysis, Beta diversity analysis, and differentially enriched bacterial taxa analysis. Differentially enriched bacterial taxa between R and NR groups were identified based on the magnitude of the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) and analyzed for their impact on the survival of the patient.ResultsA total of 45 eligible patients with unresectable HCC treated with anti-PD-1-based combination therapy participated in this study. The gut microbiological composition and Alpha diversity of patients were not statistically different, but there was a statistically significant difference in Beta diversity between the R and NR groups. (PERMANOVA tests, P = 0.006). We further identified 56 enriched bacterial taxa in the R group and 44 enriched bacterial taxa in the NR group based on the LEfSe analysis (LDA >2.66, P< 0.05). Patients with a high abundance of Collinsella genus, Ruminococcus_AM4211, and Ruminococcus_AF25_28AC had a longer median PFS and median OS compared to those with low abundance (P < 0.05). On the contrary, the median PFS and OS of patients with a high abundance of Bacteroides_AF20_13LB and Veillonella_atypica were significantly shorter than those of patients with low abundance (P < 0.05). The multivariate analysis showed that the abundance of Bacteroides_AF20_13LB and Ruminococcus_ AF25_28AC was independent related factors for PFS, and the abundance of Bacteroides_AF20_13LB was an independent related factor of OS.ConclusionThe enrichment of specific gut microbiota affected clinical efficacy and survival benefits in HCC treated with anti-PD-1 therapy and may be a promising non-invasive gut microbial biomarker and a new strategy for modulating immunotherapy in HCC.

Abstract Background In the cultural milieu of China, family caregivers assume a pivotal role in the post-adolescent suicide attempt recovery journey. Nevertheless, they frequently encounter a dearth of requisite knowledge and information pertaining to the appropriate caregiving protocols for these adolescents. Notwithstanding, scholarly investigation into the informational requisites of this demographic concerning caregiving remains significantly constrained. Methods Between September and December 2023, a phenomenological approach was applied in qualitative research. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 15 family caregivers of adolescents who had experienced suicide attempts. The amassed data underwent systematic organization and analysis through the utilization of the Colaizzi method. Results Four primary themes were identified: (1) negative emotional encounters; (2) requirements for addressing dilemmas; (3) addressing the needs of the unknown; and (4) insufficient access to support. Conclusions Family caregivers experience complex negative emotions upon learning about a teenager’s suicide attempt. Throughout the caregiving process, they face numerous challenges, with apparent lack of external support, leading to an increased urgent need for caregiving information. Healthcare professionals, especially nurses, should actively identify and respond to the informational needs of family caregivers when caring for adolescents who have attempted suicide. This includes providing education on various coping mechanisms and support strategies, as well as assisting them in better understanding how to effectively manage the stress and challenges of caregiving. By doing so, healthcare professionals can help alleviate the psychological and emotional burden on family caregivers, thereby enhancing their caregiving abilities and overall well-being.

Abstract Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS) is a rare autosomal dominant inheritance disorder characterized by distinctive facial features, hypoplasia of the distal phalanx or nail of the fifth and additional digits, developmental or cognitive delay of varying degree, hypotonia, hirsutism/hypertrichosis, sparse scalp hair and varying kind of congenital anomalies. CSS can easily be misdiagnosed as other syndromes or disorders with a similar clinical picture because of their genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity. We describde the genotype-phenotype correlation of one patient from a healthy Chinese family with a novel genotype underlying CSS, who was first diagnosed in the ophthalmology department as early-onset high myopia (eoHM). Comprehensive ophthalmic tests as well as other systemic examinations were performed on participants to confirm the phenotype. The genotype was identified using whole exome sequencing, and further verified the results among other family members by Sanger sequencing. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) technology was used to detect the relative mRNA expression levels of candidate genes between proband and normal family members. The pathogenicity of the identified variant was determined by The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. STRING protein-protein interactions (PPIs) network analysis was used to detect the interaction of candidate gene-related proteins with high myopia gene-related proteins. The patient had excessive eoHM, cone-rod dystrophy, coarse face, excessive hair growth on the face, sparse scalp hair, developmental delay, intellectual disability, moderate hearing loss, dental hypoplasia, patent foramen ovale, chronic non-atrophic gastritis, bilateral renal cysts, cisterna magna, and emotional outbursts with aggression. The genetic assessment revealed that the patient carries a de novo heterozygous frameshift insertion variant in the ARID1B c.3981dup (p.Glu1328ArgfsTer5), which are strongly associated with the typical clinical features of CSS patients. The test results of RT-qPCR showed that mRNA expression of the ARID1B gene in the proband was approximately 30% lower than that of the normal control in the family, suggesting that the variant had an impact on the gene function at the level of mRNA expression. The variant was pathogenic as assessed by ACMG guidelines. Analysis of protein interactions in the STRING online database revealed that the ARID1A protein interacts with the high myopia gene-related proteins FGFR3, ASXL1, ERBB3, and SOX4, whereas the ARID1A protein antagonizes the ARID1B protein. Therefore, in this paper, we are the first to report a de novo heterozygous frameshift insertion variant in the ARID1B gene causing CSS with excessive eoHM. Our study extends the genotypic and phenotypic spectrums for ARID1B-CSS and supplies evidence of significant association of eoHM with variant in ARID1B gene. As CSS has high genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity, our findings highlight the importance of molecular genetic testing and an interdisciplinary clinical diagnostic workup to avoid misdiagnosis as some disorders with similar manifestations of CSS.

Abstract Urinary incontinence is a common disease among middle-aged and elderly women, which not only affects the physical and mental health of patients, but also brings a great medical burden to society. Obesity is a known risk factor for urinary incontinence and is the most common secondary cause of hyperlipidemia. Most obese patients also suffer from hyperlipidemia in the clinic. However, few studies have explored the role of hyperlipidemia in women with urinary incontinence. Using data from the 2005–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we aimed to evaluated the independent associations of high body mass index and hyperlipidemia with urinary incontinence in Americans by conducting a weighted multivariate logistic regression model. Additive interactions were also assessed using the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributed proportion of interaction (AP) and synergy index (S). This study demonstrated that hyperlipidemia was associated with a higher risk of stress urinary incontinence among women with obesity (OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.03–2.25), and there was a significant synergistic effect of hyperlipidemia and obesity on stress urinary incontinence(adjusted RERI: 3.75, 95% CI 0.30–7.20; adjusted AP: 0.67, 95% CI 0.54–0.80; adjusted S: 5.49, 95% CI 4.15–7.27). Moreover, fasting serum triglyceride lipids were the most relevant blood lipid indicator for the risk of stress urinary incontinence, especially among obese women younger than 50 years old, which contributes to the development of more refined lipid control protocols for patients with urinary incontinence in different age groups.

Abstract Point‐to‐point (P2P) flexible transceivers are the key technical enabler to cost‐effectively offer fast, dynamic, and ‘just‐the‐right‐size’ ultra‐dense P2P connectivity for various applications including remote equipment control and distributed fibre networks. However, existing flexible transceivers originally designed for hub‐and‐spoke traffic patterns are sub‐optimal. To effectively address such technical issue, a P2P flexible transceiver incorporating a cascaded inverse fast fourier transform/fast fourier transform‐based multi‐channel aggregation/de‐aggregation technique and analogue in‐phase and quadrature (IQ) mixers is proposed and numerically evaluated in a 56Gbps@20 km intensity modulation and direct detection transmission system. The proposed P2P flexible transceivers not only support adaptive and flexible variations in both channel count and channel line rate but also offer additional physical layer network security.

Abstract In recent years, there has been a global trend of aging, which has resulted in significant changes to the burden of gastritis and duodenitis (GD). Using the global burden of disease (GBD) database spanning 1990 to 2019, we evaluated the temporal trends of age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR), age-standardized death rates (ASDR), and age-standardized disability-adjusted life years (AS-DALYs) for GD using estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC). Additionally, we examined the burden of GD across various strata, including social demographic index (SDI), age, and sex. Finally, the risk factors linked to the incidence and mortality of GD, utilizing Pearson correlation analysis. In 2019, there were 31 million GD patients globally, a notable increase of 12 million from 1990, while the ASIR, ASDR, and AS-DALYs for GD all showed a decrease. Correlation analysis showed a significant negative relationship between ASIR and SDI. Factors like hand hygiene and vitamin A deficiency had significant positive correlations with ASIR and ASDR in 2019. Over the past thirty years, the burden of GD has increased alongside global population aging. Future efforts should focus on exploring prevention for GD, with special attention to the elderly population in low SDI regions.

Abstract The robustness and generalization of medical image segmentation models are being challenged by the differences between different disease types, different image types, and different cases.Deep learning based semantic segmentation methods have been providing state-of-the-art performance in the last few years. One deep learning technique, U-Net, has become the most popular architecture in the medical imaging segmentation. Despite outstanding overall performance in segmenting medical images, it still has the problems of limited feature expression ability and inaccurate segmentation. To this end, we propose a DTA-UNet based on Dynamic Convolution Decomposition (DCD) and Triple Attention (TA). Firstly, the model with Attention U-Net as the baseline network uses DCD to replace all the conventional convolution in the encoding-decoding process to enhance its feature extraction capability. Secondly, we combine TA with Attention Gate (AG) to be used for skip connection in order to highlight lesion regions by removing redundant information in both spatial and channel dimensions. The proposed model are tested on the two public datasets and actual clinical dataset such as the public COVID-SemiSeg dataset, the ISIC 2018 dataset, and the cooperative hospital stroke segmentation dataset. Ablation experiments on the clinical stroke segmentation dataset show the effectiveness of DCD and TA with only a 0.7628 M increase in the number of parameters compared to the baseline model. The proposed DTA-UNet is further evaluated on the three datasets of different types of images to verify its universality. Extensive experimental results show superior performance on different segmentation metrics compared to eight state-of-art methods.The GitHub URL of our code is https://github.com/shuaihou1234/DTA-UNet .

Against the backdrop of the partially idle resources of conventional railways and the continuous growth of suburban leisure tourism demand, it is required to develop railway tourism by utilizing the disused resources of conventional railways in China. Therefore, restoring, analyzing, and evaluating the visual landscapes seen when traveling on conventional trains are extremely important. The innovation of this study is proposing a dynamic visual landscape interface for disused railways, which establishes a connection between the “seeing” and “perceiving” for passengers and describes the visual landscape they observe. By analyzing the dynamic visual factors of passengers and combining DEM data, the temporal-spatial relationship of the visual landscapes along the railway is described as a dynamic visual landscape interface model. Based on this, the study proposes criteria and indicators for analyzing and evaluating the dynamic visual landscapes of railways, using typical landscapes along the Jingmen railway as an example for evaluation and validation. The research results provide analytical and decision-making tools for repurposing disused railways as tourist railways.

Based on the daily precipitation data and ERA5 reanalysis data of 40 years from 1981 to 2018 in the middle Yangtze River Valley (MYRV), the climatic characteristics of extreme precipitation are analyzed using statistical methods. The multivariate empirical orthogonal functions and spectral clustering methods are used to classify and synthesize the extreme precipitation weather. The results show that: (1) The spatial distribution of the extreme precipitation threshold is uneven due to the regional topography. The spatial distribution of the average precipitation and frequency of extreme precipitation days is characterized by the north-south antiphase distribution. (2) According to the main influencing systems, the 215 regional extreme precipitation days in the MYRV in the past 40 years can be classified into three types: southwest vortex type, typhoon type, and cold trough shear line type. (3) The southwest vortex type of extreme precipitation occurs in the deep warm and humid airflow in front of the southwest vortex trough, but the typhoon type has better thermal dynamic conditions, and the cold and warm airflow convergence of the cold trough shear line type is more obvious. The rainfall area of three types of extreme precipitation is the result of the synergistic effect of the system. HIGHLIGHTS The climatic characteristics of extreme precipitation in the middle Yangtze River Valley (MYRV) in 40 years (1981–2020) are analyzed by statistical methods.; The multivariate empirical orthogonal functions and spectral clustering methods are used to classify the regional extreme precipitation days in the MYRV.; The synergistic relationship of the influence system of regional extreme precipitation days is summarized.;

This report describes a case of concomitant diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and thyroid storm (TS) in a 20-year-old male patient that presented both diagnostic and management challenges owing to their intricate interrelationship in endocrine-metabolic disorders. The patient, previously diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and hyperthyroidism, was admitted to the emergency department with symptoms of DKA and progressive exacerbation of TS. Initial treatment focused on correcting DKA; as the disease progressed to TS, it was promptly recognized and treated. This case emphasizes the rarity of simultaneous occurrence of DKA and TS, as well as the challenges in clinical diagnosis posed by the interacting pathophysiological processes and overlapping clinical manifestations of DKA and TS. The patient’s treatment process involved multiple disciplines, and after treatment, the patient’s critical condition of both endocrine metabolic diseases was alleviated, after which he recovered and was eventually discharged from the hospital. This case report aims to emphasize the need for heightened awareness in patients with complex clinical presentations, stress the possibility of concurrent complications, and underscore the importance of prompt and collaborative treatment strategies.

Purpose: To develop and validate a radiomics machine learning (Rad-ML) model based on preoperative MRI to predict extrahepatic metastasis (EHM) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) treatment. Methods: A total of 355 HCC patients who received multiple TACE procedures were split at random into a training set and a test set at a 7:3 ratio. Radiomic features were calculated from tumor and peritumor in arterial phase and portal venous phase, and were identified using intraclass correlation coefficient, maximal relevance and minimum redundancy, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator techniques. Cox regression analysis was employed to determine the clinical model. The best-performing algorithm among eight machine learning methods was used to construct the Rad-ML model. A nomogram combining clinical and Rad-ML parameters was used to develop a combined model. Model performance was evaluated using C-index, decision curve analysis, calibration plot, and survival analysis. Results: In clinical model, elevated neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and alpha-fetoprotein were associated with faster EHM. The XGBoost-based Rad-ML model demonstrated the best predictive performance for EHM. When compared to the clinical model, both the Rad-ML model and the combination model performed better (C-indexes of 0.61, 0.85, and 0.86 in the training set, and 0.62, 0.82, and 0.83 in the test set, respectively). However, the combined model's and the Rad-ML model's prediction performance did not differ significantly. The most influential feature was peritumoral waveletHLL_firstorder_Minimum in AP, which exhibited an inverse relationship with EHM risk. Conclusions: Our study suggests that the preoperative MRI-based Rad-ML model is a valuable tool to predict EHM in HCC patients treated with TACE.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by fluctuating muscle weakness. Severe patients may develop life-threatening respiratory failure and experience crisis. Plasma exchange or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is the first-line treatment option for myasthenia crisis, but some patients still poorly respond to them. Here, we first reported a generalized MG patient from China who was in a state of impending myasthenic crisis and did not respond effectively to IVIg but was successfully rescued by add-on efgartigimod. Especially, we also detected meaningful changes in T-cell and B-cell subsets after efgartigimod, promoting a potential role of efgartigimod in re-establishing immune homeostasis.

Anti-tumor angiogenesis therapy, targeting the suppression of blood vessel growth in tumors, presents a potent approach in the battle against cancer. Traditional therapies have primarily concentrated on single-target techniques, with a specific emphasis on targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor, but have not reached ideal therapeutic efficacy. In response to this issue, our study introduced a novel nanoparticle system known as CS-siRNA/PEITC&L-cRGD NPs. These chitosan-based nanoparticles have been recognized for their excellent biocompatibility and ability to deliver genes. To enhance their targeted delivery capability, they were combined with a cyclic RGD peptide (cRGD). Targeted co-delivery of gene and chemotherapeutic agents was achieved through the use of a negatively charged lipid shell and cRGD, which possesses high affinity for integrin αvβ3 overexpressed in tumor cells and neovasculature. In this multifaceted approach, co-delivery of VEGF siRNA and phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) was employed to target both tumor vascular endothelial cells and tumor cells simultaneously. The co-delivery of VEGF siRNA and PEITC could achieve precise silencing of VEGF, inhibit the accumulation of HIF-1α under hypoxic conditions, and induce apoptosis in tumor cells. In summary, we have successfully developed a nanoparticle delivery platform that utilizes a dual mechanism of action of anti-tumor angiogenesis and pro-tumor apoptosis, which provides a robust and potent strategy for the delivery of anti-cancer therapeutics.

Abstract Background In the modern sheep production systems, the reproductive performance of ewes determines the economic profitability of farming. Revealing the genetic mechanisms underlying differences in the litter size is important for the selection and breeding of highly prolific ewes. Hu sheep, a high-quality Chinese sheep breed, is known for its high fecundity and is often used as a model to study prolificacy traits. In the current study, animals were divided into two groups according to their delivery rates in three consecutive lambing seasons (namely, the high and low reproductive groups with ≥ 3 lambs and one lamb per season, n = 3, respectively). The ewes were slaughtered within 12 h of estrus, and unilateral ovarian tissues were collected and analyzed by 10× Genomics single-cell RNA sequencing. Results A total of 5 types of somatic cells were identified and corresponding expression profiles were mapped in the ovaries of each group. Noticeably, the differences in the ovary somatic cell expression profiles between the high and low reproductive groups were mainly clustered in the granulosa cells. Furthermore, four granulosa cell subtypes were identified. GeneSwitches analysis revealed that the abundance of JPH1 expression and the reduction of LOC101112291 expression could lead to different evolutionary directions of the granulosa cells. Additionally, the expression levels of FTH1 and FTL in mural granulosa cells of the highly reproductive group were significantly higher. These genes inhibit necroptosis and ferroptosis of mural granulosa cells, which helps prevent follicular atresia. Conclusions This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the high fecundity of Hu sheep. The differences in gene expression profiles, particularly in the granulosa cells, suggest that these cells play a critical role in female prolificacy. The findings also highlight the importance of genes such as JPH1, LOC101112291, FTH1, and FTL in regulating granulosa cell function and follicular development.

Abstract Background This research aimed to develop a model for individualized treatment decision-making in inoperable elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) using machine learning methods and multi-modal data. Methods A total of 189 inoperable elderly ESCC patients aged 65 or older who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) or radiotherapy (RT) were included. Multi-task learning models were created using machine learning techniques to analyze multi-modal data, including pre-treatment CT images, clinical information, and blood test results. Nomograms were constructed to predict the objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) for different treatment strategies. Optimal treatment plans were recommended based on the nomograms. Patients were stratified into high-risk and low-risk groups using the nomograms, and survival analysis was performed using Kaplan–Meier curves. Results The identified risk factors influencing ORR were histologic grade (HG), T stage and three radiomic features including original shape elongation, first-order skewness and original shape flatness, while risk factors influencing PFS included BMI, HG and three radiomic features including high gray-level run emphasis, first-order minimum and first-order skewness. These risk factors were incorporated into the nomograms as independent predictive factors. PFS was substantially different between the low-risk group (total score ≤ 110) and the high-risk group (total score > 110) according to Kaplan–Meier curves (P

Abstract Background Globally, coronary artery disease (CAD) and cancer are the leading causes of death. Studies focusing on the proportion and spectrum of cancer mortality among CAD patients are lacking. We aim to characterize the proportion and spectrum of cancer‐specific mortality among patients with CAD. Methods We analyzed 93,797 hospitalized survivors with angiographically documented CAD between 2007 and 2020 (mean age: 62.8 ± 11.1 years, 24.7% female) from Cardiorenal ImprovemeNt II (CIN‐II) cohort. Results During the median follow‐up of 4.8 years (IQR: 2.6–7.5), 13,162 (14.0%) patients died after discharge. A total of 1223/7703 (15.8% of cause‐specific death) CAD patients died of cancer. The three most common types of cancer‐specific death were lung (36.1%), liver (13.3%), and colorectum cancer (12.8%). Furthermore, male (adjusted HR 2.38, 95% CI: 1.99–2.85) and older (≥60 vs.

A comprehensive understanding of the embedment behavior is of great importance in the design of contemporary bamboo constructions with connections utilizing dowel-type fasteners. The objective of this research was to assess the embedment behavior of bamboo scrimber using full-hole embedment tests. To investigate the effect of the loading angle and bolt diameter, a series of tests were performed using bolts of varying diameters (16 mm, 18 mm, and 20 mm) and loading angles (0° to 90°, with an increment of 15°). The experimental results demonstrated that the loading angle has a considerable influence on the embedment behavior. As the loading angle was increased, the failure mode underwent a change from a brittle failure mode, which was dominated by shear mechanisms, to a ductile failure mode, which was dominated by fiber crushing. The yield and ultimate embedment strengths showed an M-shaped response to changes in the loading angle, with the lowest values being 0°, 45°, and 90°. The bolt diameter was found to have no impact on the failure mode of the specimen. However, an increase in bolt diameter resulted in a reduction in the embedment strength when the specimen was loaded at 90°.

The integration of advanced technologies is revolutionizing classrooms, significantly enhancing their intelligence, interactivity, and personalization. Central to this transformation are sensor technologies, which play pivotal roles. While numerous surveys summarize research progress in classrooms, few studies focus on the integration of sensor and AI technologies in developing smart classrooms. This systematic review classifies sensors used in smart classrooms and explores their current applications from both hardware and software perspectives. It delineates how different sensors enhance educational outcomes and the crucial role AI technologies play. The review highlights how sensor technology improves the physical classroom environment, monitors physiological and behavioral data, and is widely used to boost student engagements, manage attendance, and provide personalized learning experiences. Additionally, it shows that combining sensor software algorithms with AI technology not only enhances the data processing and analysis efficiency but also expands sensor capabilities, enriching their role in smart classrooms. The article also addresses challenges such as data privacy protection, cost, and algorithm optimization associated with emerging sensor technologies, proposing future research directions to advance educational sensor technologies.

Abstract Purpose To report novel pathogenic variants of X-linked genes in five Chinese families with early-onset high myopia (eoHM) by using whole-exome sequencing and analyzing the phenotypic features. Methods 5 probands with X-linked recessive related eoHM were collected in Ningxia Eye Hospital from January 2021 to June 2022. The probands and their family members received comprehensive ophthalmic examinations,and DNA was abstracted from patients and family members. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on probands to screen the causative variants, and all suspected pathogenic variants were determined by Sanger sequencing and co-segregation analysis was performed on available family members. The pathogenicity of novel variants was predicted using silico analysis and evaluated according to ACMG guidelines. RT-qPCR was used to detect differences in the relative mRNAs expression of candidate gene in mRNAs available with the proband and family members in the pedigree 2. The relationship between genetic variants and clinical features was analyzed. Results All probands were male, and all pedigrees conformed to an X-linked recessive inheritance pattern. They were diagnosed with high myopia at their first visits between 4 and 7 years old. Spherical equivalent ranged between − 6.00D and − 11.00D.The five novel hemizygous variants were found in the probands, containing frameshift deletion variant c.797_801del (p.Val266Alafs*75) of OPN1LW gene in the pedigree 1, nonsense variant c.513G > A (p.Trp171Ter)of RP2 gene in the pedigree 2, missense variant c.98G > T (p.Cys33Phe) of GPR143 gene in the pedigree 3, frameshift deletion variant c.1876_1877del (p.Met626Valfs*22) of FRMD7 gene in the pedigree 4 and inframe deletion variant c.670_ 675del (p.Glu192_ Glu193del) of HMGB3 gene in the pedigree 5. All variants were classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic by the interpretation principles of HGMD sequence variants and ACMG guidelines. In family 2, RT-qPCR showed that the mRNA expression of RP2 gene was lower in the proband than in other normal family members, indicating that such variant caused an effect on gene function at the mRNA expression level. Further clinical examination showed that pedigrees 1, 2, 3, and 4 were diagnosed as X-linked recessive hereditary eye disease with early-onset high myopia, including quiescent cone dysfunction, retinitis pigmentosa, ocular albinism, and idiopathic congenital nystagmus respectively. The pedigree 5 had eoHM in the right eye and ptosis in both eyes. Conclusion In this paper,we are the first to report five novel hemizygous variants in OPN1LW, RP2, GPR143, FRMD7, HMGB3 genes are associated with eoHM. Our study extends the genotypic spectrums for eoHM and better assists ophthalmologists in assessing, diagnosing, and conducting genetic screening for eoHM.

Abstract Urogenital congenital anomalies (UCAs) is defined as “any live-birth with a urinary or genital condition” and affects millions of men and women worldwide. However, sex differences and related environmental risk factors in UCAs burden on a global scale have not been assessed. Using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we estimated prevalence, incidence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of UCAs from 1990 to 2019 by sex, region, and socio-demographic Index (SDI) in 204 countries and territories. The disease burden of UCAs was also estimated attributable to each risk factor were estimated according to risk exposure. In 2019, UCAs caused 10,200 all-ages deaths (95% UI 7550–13,400). The combined global incidence rate was 8.38 per 1000 (95% UI 5.88–12.0) live births. The ASIR increased slightly, while the ASDR decreased from 1990 to 2019.The UCAs burden varies greatly depending on the development level and geographical location. The UCAs burden was significantly higher in men than in women, and the sex differences showed an enlarging trend. Health risks and issues, including pollution, child and maternal malnutrition, diet habits, unsafe sanitation and water source, were detected to be positively related to UCAs burden. Albeit the age-standardised prevalence, mortality, incidence, and DALYs of UCAs have decreased, they still cause a public health challenge worldwide. The high deaths and DALYs rates in low and low-middle SDI countries highlight the urgent need for improved preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic measures. Global strategies for enhancing water safety, reducing pollution, and healthy diets are crucial steps in reducing the burden of UCAs.

Background: Whether chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) measurement can be used interchangeably in primary aldosteronism (PA) screening is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare CLIA to LC-MS/MS for PAC measurement in PA screening. Methods: All participants underwent aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) testing. PA was diagnosed by captopril challenge test or saline infusion test. PAC in screening test was measured with CLIA and LC-MS/MS. Plasma direct renin concentration in screening and confirmatory test was measured with CLIA. The concordance between CLIA and LC-MS/MS for PAC measurement in PA screening was analyzed. Results: Twenty-one healthy volunteers, 61 patients with essential hypertension (EH) and 43 PA patients were enrolled. Median PAC by CLIA was 84.7 % higher than that by LC-MS/MS in screening test (P

Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) type C is one of the common bacteria in piglet diarrhea, which seriously affects the swine industry’s development. The spleen plays crucial roles in the resistance and elimination of pathogenic microorganisms, and miRNAs play important roles in regulating piglet diarrhea caused by pathogens. However, the mechanism by which miRNAs in the spleen are involved in regulating C. perfringens type C causing diarrhea in piglets remains unclear. The expression profiles of the spleen miRNAs of 7-day-old piglets challenged by C. perfringens type C were studied using small RNA-sequencing in control (SC), susceptible (SS), and resistant (SR) groups. Eight-eight differentially expressed miRNAs were screened. The KEGG pathway analysis of target genes revealed that the miRNAs were involved in the MAPK, p53, and ECM–receptor interaction signaling pathways. NFATC4 was determined to be a direct target of miR-532-3p and miR-133b using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Thus, miR-133b and miR-532-3p targeted to NFATC4 were likely involved to piglet resistance to C. perfringens type C. This paper provides the valuable resources to deeply understand the genetic basis of C. perfringens type C resistance in piglets and a solid foundation to identify novel markers of C. perfringens type C resistance.

Abstract Background Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RSTS) is characterized by distinctive facial features, broad and often angulated thumbs and halluces, short stature, and moderate-to-severe intellectual disability, classified into two types RSTS1 (CREBBP-RSTS) and RSTS2 (EP300-RSTS). More often, the clinical features are inconclusive and the diagnosis of RSTS is established in a proband with identification of a heterozygous pathogenic variant in CREBBP or EP300 to confirm the diagnosis. Methods In this study, to describe an association between the clinical phenotype and the genotype of a RSTS2 patient who was initially diagnosed with severe early-onset high myopia (eoHM) from a healthy Chinese family, we tested the proband of this family by whole exome sequencing (WES) and further verified among other family members by Sanger sequencing. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect differences in the relative mRNA expression of candidate genes available in the proband and family members. Comprehensive ophthalmic tests as well as other systemic examinations were also performed on participants with various genotypes. Results Whole-exome sequencing revealed that the proband carried the heterozygous frameshift deletion variant c.3714_3715del (p.Leu1239Glyfs*3) in the EP300 gene, which was not carried by the normal parents and young sister as verified by Sanger sequencing, indicating that the variant was de novo. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that the mRNA expression of EP300 gene was lower in the proband than in other normal family members, indicating that such a variant caused an effect on gene function at the mRNA expression level. The variant was classified as pathogenic as assessed by the interpretation principles of HGMD sequence variants and ACMG guidelines. According to ACMG guidelines, the heterozygous frameshift deletion variant c.3714_3715del (p.Leu1239Glyfs*3) in the EP300 gene was more likely the pathogenic variant of this family with RSTS2. Conclusions Therefore, in this paper, we first report de novo heterozygous variation in EP300 causing eoHM-RSTS. Our study extends the genotypic spectrums for EP300-RSTS and better assists physicians in predicting, diagnosis, genetic counseling, eugenics guidance and gene therapy for EP300-RSTS.

Abstract Background As a diverse and abundant class of endogenous RNAs, circular RNAs (circRNAs) participate in various biological processes including cell proliferation and apoptosis. Nevertheless, few researchers have investigated the role of circRNAs in muscle development in cultivated pigs. Results In this study, we used RNA-seq to construct circRNA expression profiles in skeletal muscle of Jinfen White pigs at the age of 1, 90, and 180 days. Among the 16,990 identified circRNAs, 584 circRNAs were differentially expressed. Moreover, the enrichment analysis of DE circRNA host genes showed that they were mainly involved in muscle contraction, muscle organ development and muscle system processes, as well as AMPK and cAMP-related signal pathways. We also constructed a circRNA–miRNA–mRNA co-expression network to find key circRNAs which many involved in the regulation of porcine skeletal muscle development through the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism. It is noteworthy that circ_0018595/miR-1343/PGM1 axis may play a regulatory role in the development of porcine skeletal muscle. Conclusions This study identified the circRNAs and present the circRNA expression profile in the development of pigs, revealed that DE circRNA host genes participate in different cell fates and enriched the porcine ceRNA network. Thus, this work will become a valuable resource for further in-depth study of the regulatory mechanism of circRNA in the development of porcine skeletal muscle.

Foam concrete is a typical cement-based porous material; its special microstructure endows it with excellent properties, such as light weight, energy efficiency, thermal insulation, and fire resistance. Therefore, it is widely used as a thermal insulation material for buildings. The heat transfer modes of foam concrete include conduction, convection, and radiation. However, previous studies considered conduction to be the dominant mode, often neglecting the effects of convection and radiation. In this study, a stochastic numerical model of the foam concrete microstructure is established based on the statistical parameters of the pore structure. With this model, the heat transfer mechanism of foam concrete is analyzed at the mesoscopic level, and the equivalent thermal conductivity is calculated. By comparing four different working conditions, the influence of conduction, convection, and radiation on the heat transfer of foam concrete is analyzed, and the specific contribution rates of conduction, convection, and radiation are calculated. The results show that the convection effect is weak due to the pore size being smaller than 1 mm; so, the influence of convection can be neglected in the heat transfer analysis of foam concrete. The contribution of radiation increases with the decrease in foam concrete density and the increase in temperature difference. When the temperature difference is 40 °C and the density is 300 kg/m3, the contribution of radiation exceeds 20%. Therefore, for low-density and high-temperature difference situations, the influence of radiation cannot be ignored. The heat transfer in foam concrete is mainly through conduction, but with the decrease in density and the increase in temperature difference, the contribution of conduction shows a downward trend. Nevertheless, the contribution of conduction is still much larger than that of radiation and convection.

Previous investigations have illuminated the significant association between the gut microbiome and a broad spectrum of health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and psychiatric disorders. Evidence from certain studies suggests that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota may play a role in the etiology of obesity and diabetes. Moreover, it is acknowledged that dietary habits, pharmacological interventions, psychological stress, and other exogenous factors can substantially influence the gut microbial composition. For instance, a diet rich in fiber has been demonstrated to increase the population of beneficial bacteria, whereas the consumption of antibiotics can reduce these advantageous microbial communities. In light of the established correlation between the gut microbiome and various pathologies, strategically altering the gut microbial profile represents an emerging therapeutic approach. This can be accomplished through the administration of probiotics or prebiotics, which aim to refine the gut microbiota and, consequently, mitigate the manifestations of associated diseases. The present manuscript evaluates the recent literature on the relationship between gut microbiota and metabolic syndrome published over the past three years and anticipates future directions in this evolving field.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) causes porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), a highly infectious disease, which has resulted in huge economic losses for the pig industry. To date, the pathogenic and immune response mechanism was not particularly clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the pathogenic and immune responses of pigs infected with PEDV.In this study, 12 Min pigs were randomly selected without taking colostrum. At 3 days old, eight piglets were infected with 1 mL of PEDV solution (10 TCID50/ml), and the remaining four piglets were handled by 1 mL of 0.9% normal saline. Within the age of 7 days old, four piglets died and were considered as the death group. Correspondingly, four alive individuals were classified into the resistance group. Tissues of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, cecum, and rectum of piglets in the three groups were collected to measure the PEDV content. Additionally, the jejunum was used for the measurements and analyses of Hematoxylin-eosinstaining (HE), immunohistochemical sections, and transcriptomics. The phenotypes of Min piglets infected with PEDV showed that the viral copy numbers and jejunal damage had significant differences between the death and resistance groups. We also observed the transcriptome of the jejunum, and the differentially expressed (DE) analysis observed 6,585 DE protein-coding genes (PCGs), 3,188 DE long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and 350 DE microRNAs (miRNAs), which were mainly involved in immune response and metabolic pathways. Furthermore, the specific expressed molecules for each group were identified, and 97 PCGs,108 lncRNAs, and 51 miRNAs were included in the ceRNA-regulated networks. By weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and transcription factor (TF) prediction, 27 significant modules and 32 significant motifs (E-value < 0.05) annotated with 519 TFs were detected. Of these TFs, 53 were DE PCGs. In summary, the promising key PCGs, lncRNAs, and miRNAs related to the pathogenic and immunological response of pigs infected with PEDV were detected and provided new insights into the pathogenesis of PEDV.

Adaptation to oxidative stress is critical for survival of Vibrio cholerae in aquatic ecosystems and hosts. DegS activates the σE envelope stress response. We have previously revealed that DegS may be involved in regulating the oxidative stress response. In this study, we demonstrated that deletion of the degS gene attenuates the antioxidant capacity of V. cholerae. In addition, our results further revealed that the regulation of antioxidant capacity by DegS in V. cholerae could involve the cAMP-CRP complex, which regulates rpoS. XthA is an exonuclease that repairs oxidatively damaged cells and affects the bacterial antioxidant capacity. qRT-PCR showed that DegS, σE, cAMP, CRP, and RpoS positively regulate xthA gene transcription. XthA overexpression partially compensates for antioxidant deficiency in the degS mutant. These results suggest that DegS affects the antioxidant capacity of V.cholerae by regulating xthA expression via the cAMP-CRP-RpoS pathway. In a mouse intestinal colonization experiment, our data showed that V.cholerae degS, rpoE, and rpoS gene deletions were associated with significantly reduced resistance to oxidative stress and the ability to colonize the mouse intestine. In conclusion, these findings provide new insights into the regulation of antioxidant activity by V.cholerae DegS.

Purpose: To investigate pathogenic variants in six families with cone–rod dystrophy (CORD) presenting various inheritance patterns by using whole-exome sequencing (WES) and analyzing phenotypic features.Methods: A total of six families with CORD were enrolled in Ningxia Eye Hospital for this study. The probands and their family members received comprehensive ophthalmic examinations, and DNA was abstracted from patients and family members. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on probands to screen the causative variants, and all suspected pathogenic variants were determined via Sanger sequencing. Furthermore, co-segregation analysis was performed on available family members. The pathogenicity of novel variants was predicted using in silico analysis and evaluated according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.Results: Of the six families, two families were assigned as X-linked recessive (XL), two families were assigned as autosomal recessive (AR), and two families were assigned as autosomal dominant (AD). Pathogenic variants were detected in CACNA1F in two X-linked recessive probands, among which family 1 had a hemizygous frameshift variant c.2201del (p.Val734Glyfs*17) and family 2 had a hemizygous missense variant c.245G>A (p.Arg82Gln). Both probands had high myopia, with fundus tessellation accompanied by abnormalities in the outer structure of the macular area. The homozygous splice variant c.2373 + 5G>T in PROM1 and the homozygous nonsense variant c.604C>T (p.Arg202Ter) in ADAM9 were detected in two autosomal recessive families of the probands. Both probands showed different degrees of atrophy in the macular area, and the lesions showed hypofluorescence changes in autofluorescence. The heterozygous variation in CRX c.682C>T (p.Gln228Ter) was detected in two autosomal dominant families. The onset age of the two probands was late, with better vision and severe macular atrophy. According to ACMG guidelines and the analysis of online in silico tools, all variations were labeled as potentially harmful or pathogenic.Conclusion: Pathogenic variants in CACNA1F, PROM1, ADAM9, and CRX genes were identified in six families affected by the diverse inheritance patterns of CORD. Furthermore, the potential impact of the nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) mechanism on the manifestation of CORD phenotypes was examined and addressed. Simultaneously, the spectrum of pathogenic variants and clinical phenotypes associated with the CORD gene was extended.

With the promotion of energy transformation, the utilization ratio of electrical power is progressively rising. Since electrical power is challenging to store, real-time production and consumption become imperative, imposing significant demands on the dependability and operational efficiency of electrical power apparatus. Suppose the load distribution among multiple transformers within a transformer network exhibits inequality. In such instances, it will amplify the total energy consumption during the voltage conversion process, and local, long-term high-load transformer networks become more susceptible to failures. In this article, we scrutinize the matter of transformer energy utilization in the context of electricity transmission within grid systems. We propose a methodology grounded on genetic algorithms to optimize transformer energy usage by dynamically redistributing loads among diverse transformers based on their operational status monitoring. In our experimentation, we employed three distinct approaches to enhance energy efficiency. The experimental findings evince that this approach facilitates swifter attainment of the optimal power level and diminishes the overall energy consumption during transformer operation. Moreover, it exhibits a heightened responsiveness to fluctuations in power demand from the electrical grid. Experimental results manifest that this technique can truncate monitoring time by 27% and curtail the overall energy consumption of the distribution transformer network by 11.81%. Lastly, we deliberate upon the potential applications of genetic algorithms in the realm of power equipment management and energy optimization issues.

Background Breast carcinoma amplified sequence 2 (BCAS2) participates in pre-mRNA splicing and DNA damage response, which is implicated in spermatogenesis and meiosis initiation in mouse. Nevertheless, the physiological roles of BCAS2 in the testes of large mammals especially boars remain largely unknown. Methods In this study, testes were collected from Hezuo pig at three development stages including 30 days old (30 d), 120 days old (120 d), and 240 days old (240 d). BCAS2 CDS region was firstly cloned using RT-PCR method, and its molecular characteristics were identified using relevant bioinformatics software. Additionally, the expression patterns and cellular localization of BCAS2 were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Results The cloning and sequence analysis indicated that the Hezuo pig BCAS2 CDS fragment encompassed 678 bp open reading frame (ORF) capable of encoding 225 amino acid residues, and possessed high identities with some other mammals. The results of qRT-PCR and Western blot displayed that BCAS2 levels both mRNA and protein were age-dependent increased (p < 0.01). Additionally, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence results revealed that BCAS2 protein was mainly observed in nucleus of gonocytes at 30 d testes as well as nucleus of spermatogonia and Sertoli cells at 120 and 240 d testes. Accordingly, we conclude that BCAS2 is critical for testicular development and spermatogenesis of Hezuo pig, perhaps by regulating proliferation or differentiation of gonocytes, pre-mRNA splicing of spermatogonia and functional maintenance of Sertoli cells, but specific mechanism still requires be further investigated.

LncRNAs play important roles in resisting bacterial infection via host immune and inflammation responses. Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) type C is one of the main bacteria causing piglet diarrhea diseases, leading to major economic losses in the pig industry worldwide. In our previous studies, piglets resistant (SR) and susceptible (SS) to C. perfringens type C were identified based on differences in host immune capacity and total diarrhea scores. In this paper, the RNA-Seq data of the spleen were comprehensively reanalyzed to investigate antagonistic lncRNAs. Thus, 14 lncRNAs and 89 mRNAs were differentially expressed (DE) between the SR and SS groups compared to the control (SC) group. GO term enrichment, KEGG pathway enrichment and lncRNA-mRNA interactions were analyzed to identify four key lncRNA targeted genes via MAPK and NF-κB pathways to regulate cytokine genes (such as TNF-α and IL-6) against C. perfringens type C infection. The RT-qPCR results for six selected DE lncRNAs and mRNAs are consistent with the RNA-Seq data. This study analyzed the expression profiling of lncRNAs in the spleen of antagonistic and sensitive piglets and found four key lncRNAs against C. perfringens type C infection. The identification of antagonistic lncRNAs can facilitate investigations into the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to diarrhea in piglets.

Abstract Higher dietary energy is often used to achieve better animal performance in mutton sheep production. Notably, changing the diet formula affects rumen fermentation and the microbiota of ruminants. In this study, we investigated the effect of dietary energy on rumen fermentation and ruminal microbiota in fattening sheep. Fifteen 2-month-old white-headed Suffolk sheep (♂) × Hu sheep (♀) crossbred lambs were randomly divided into three treatments based on the dietary energy of the feeds fed: 8.67 MJ/kg (Low energy (LE); n = 5), 10.38 MJ/kg (standard energy (CON); n = 5), and 12.31 MJ/kg (high energy (HE); n = 5) groups. After 70 days of feeding, sheep were slaughtered and the ruminal fluids were collected and analyzed to determine fermentation parameters. Microbiota was determined using metagenomics sequencing. Notably, the microbial cell protein (MCP) and butyric acid concentrations were significantly high in the HE group. Metagenomic sequencing revealed that ACE and Chao indexes of the HE group were significantly decreased. Four genera among the major classified taxa across all the kingdoms differed in relative abundance in the three dietary energy levels. The relative abundances of Prevotella_brevis, Succiniclasticum_ruminis, Prevotellace-ae_bacterium, and Lachnospiraceae_bacterium were significantly correlated with rumen fermentation. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis further revealed that a high-energy diet increased lipid metabolism of microbiota. The Carbohydrate Active enzymes (CAZy) gene, which participates in energy metabolism, was upregulated, while genes regulating plant cell wall degradation were downregulated in the HE group. These results suggest that a high-energy diet had minimal influence on the rumen fermentation pattern but altered the composition of the rumen microbiota, enhancing microbial lipid metabolism and limiting crude fiber metabolism. The findings of this study provide scientific evidence of the effect of dietary energy on ruminant fermentation and fattening sheep production.

Fragmentation/disassembly of fiber-like micelles generated by living crystalline-driven self-assembly (CDSA) is usually encountered in aqueous media, which hinders the applications of micelles. Herein, we report the generation of uniform fiber-like micelles consisting of a π-conjugated oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) core and a cross-linking silica shell with grafted poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains by the combination of living CDSA, silica chemistry and surface grafting-onto strategy. Owing to the presence of crosslinking silica shell and the outmost PEG chains, the resulting micelles exhibit excellent dispersity and colloidal stability in PBS buffer, BSA aqueous solution and upon heating at 80 °C for 2 h without micellar fragmentation/disassembly. The micelles also show negligible cytotoxicity toward both HeLa cervical cancer and HEK239T human embryonic kidney cell lines. Interestingly, micelles with Ln of 156 nm show the “stealth” property with no significant uptake by HeLa cells, whereas some certain amounts of micelles with Ln of 535 nm can penetrate into HeLa cells, showing length-dependent cellular uptake behaviors. These results provide a route to prepare uniform, colloidally stable fiber-like nanostructures with tunable length and functions derived for biomedical applications.

Abstract Objective This study aimed to explore the relationship between systemic inflammation markers and clinical activity, respiratory failure, and prognosis in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods One hundred and seventeen MG patients and 120 controls were enrolled in this study. Differences in the four immune‐related markers of two groups based on blood cell counts: neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR), and systemic immune‐inflammation index (SII) were measured. The stability of the associations between systemic inflammation markers and respiratory failure in MG patients was confirmed by adjusted logistic regression analysis. Moreover, Kaplan–Meier curve and multivariate COX regression models were applied to assess the factors affecting the outcome of MG. Results NLR, PLR, and SII were higher in MG patients than those in controls and were positively associated with MGFA classification, but not LMR. Adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that PLR was an independent predictor of MG with respiratory failure. The ROC curve demonstrated that PLR showed good sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of MG with respiratory failure. Kaplan–Meier curve showed that GMG, positive AchR‐Ab, respiratory failure, high NLR, PLR, SII, and IVIg exposure correlated with the risk for poor outcomes in MG patients. The multivariate COX regression models indicated that GMG and high SII was a risk factor for poor outcome of MG. Interpretation The systemic inflammation markers expressed abnormally in MG patients, in which PLR may be an independent predictor of respiratory failure, and high SII and GMG were predictive risk factors for poor outcomes in MG patients.

Abstract Background As an important regulator of autoimmune responses and inflammation, S100A9 may serve as a therapeutic target in inflammatory diseases. However, the role of S100A9 in Clostridium perfringens type C infectious diarrhea is poorly studied. The aim of our study was to screen downstream target genes regulated by S100A9 in Clostridium perfringens beta2 (CPB2) toxin-induced IPEC-J2 cell injury. We constructed IPEC-J2 cells with S100A9 knockdown and a CPB2-induced cell injury model, screened downstream genes regulated by S100A9 using RNA-Seq technique, and performed functional enrichment analysis. The function of S100A9 was verified using molecular biology techniques. Results We identified 316 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 221 were upregulated and 95 were downregulated. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the DEGs were significantly enriched in cilium movement, negative regulation of cell differentiation, immune response, protein digestion and absorption, and complement and coagulation cascades. The key genes of immune response were TNF, CCL1, CCR7, CSF2, and CXCL9. When CPB2 toxin-induced IPEC-J2 cells overexpressed S100A9, Bax expression increased, Bcl-2 expression and mitochondrial membrane potential decreased, and SOD activity was inhibited. Conclusion In conclusion, S100A9 was involved in CPB2-induced inflammatory response in IPEC-J2 cells by regulating the expression of downstream target genes, namely, TNF, CCL1, CCR7, CSF2, and CXCL9; promoting apoptosis; and aggravating oxidative cell damage. This study laid the foundation for further study on the regulatory mechanism underlying piglet diarrhea.

Rare sugars are a kind of prebiotics with special chemical structure and bioactivities such as regulate intestinal flora, inhibit pathogen, resist oxidation, improve immunity, antitumor and so on. Rare sugars were widely used in the production of health food, infant formula food, dairy products as well as functional drinks. Nowadays, series progress has been made in the discovering of novel rare sugar, structural analysis, optimization of producing process, enzyme engineering, metabolic engineering and Izumoring strategy research. This paper reviews and prospects above advances, focuses on the research progress of bioactivity and biotransformation of rare sugars, and discusses their industrial application potential, existing problems and solutions, to provide a theoretical basis for the development, function mining and industrial production and utilization of rare sugars.

Dental caries is a biofilm-related preventable infectious disease caused by interactions between the oral bacteria and the host’s dietary sugars. As the microenvironments in cariogenic biofilms are often acidic, pH-sensitive drug delivery systems have become innovative materials for dental caries prevention in recent years. In the present study, poly(DMAEMA-co-HEMA) was used as a pH-sensitive carrier to synthesize a chlorhexidine (CHX)-loaded nanomaterial (p(DH)@CHX). In vitro, p(DH)@CHX exhibited good pH sensitivity and a sustained and high CHX release rate in the acidic environment. It also exhibited lower cytotoxicity against human oral keratinocytes (HOKs) compared to free CHX. Besides, compared with free CHX, p(DH)@CHX showed the same antibacterial effects on S. mutans biofilms. In addition, it had no effect on eradicating healthy saliva-derived biofilm, while free CHX exhibited an inhibitory effect. Furthermore, the 16s rDNA sequencing results showed that p(DH)@CHX had the potential to alter oral microbiota composition and possibly reduce caries risk. In conclusion, the present study presents an alternative option to design an intelligent material to prevent and treat dental caries.

Abstract Lung CAD system can provide auxiliary third-party opinions for doctors, improve the accuracy of lung nodule recognition. The selection and fusion of nodule features and the advancement of recognition algorithms are crucial improving lung CAD systems. Based on the HDL model, this paper mainly focuses on the three key algorithms of feature extraction, feature fusion and nodule recognition of lung CAD system. First, CBAM is embedded into VGG16 and VGG19, and feature extraction models AE-VGG16 and AE-VGG19 are constructed, so that the network can pay more attention to the key feature information in nodule description. Then, feature dimensionality reduction based on PCA and feature fusion based on CCA are sequentially performed on the extracted depth features to obtain low-dimensional fusion features. Finally, the fusion features are input into the proposed MKL-SVM-IPSO model based on the improved Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm to speed up the training speed, get the global optimal parameter group. The public dataset LUNA16 was selected for the experiment. The results show that the accuracy of lung nodule recognition of the proposed lung CAD system can reach 99.56%, and the sensitivity and F1-score can reach 99.3% and 0.9965, respectively, which can reduce the possibility of false detection and missed detection of nodules.

The optimal scheduling of energy in a smart grid is crucial to the energy consumption of the entire grid. In fact, for larger grids, intelligent scheduling may result in substantial energy savings. Herein, we introduce an enhanced dynamic programming algorithm (DPA) that utilizes two state variables to derive the optimal power supply schedule. The algorithm accounts for the dynamic states of both batteries and supercapacitors in the power supply system to augment the performance of the dynamic programming model. Additionally, this study incorporates a long short-term memory (LSTM) deep learning model, which integrates various environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, wind, and precipitation to predict grid power consumption. This serves as a mid-point pre-processing step for smart grid energy consumption scheduling. Our simulation experiments confirm that the proposed method significantly reduces energy consumption, surpassing similar grid energy consumption scheduling algorithms. This is critical for the establishment of smart grids and the reduction of energy consumption and emissions.

Tumor vaccines have been considered a promising therapeutic approach for treating cancer in recent years. With the development of sequencing technologies, tumor vaccines based on neoantigens or genomes specifically expressed in tumor cells, mainly in the form of peptides, nucleic acids, and dendritic cells, are beginning to receive widespread attention. Therefore, in this review, we have introduced different forms of neoantigen vaccines and discussed the development of these vaccines in treating cancer. Furthermore, neoantigen vaccines are influenced by factors such as antigen stability, weak immunogenicity, and biosafety in addition to sequencing technology. Hence, the biological nanomaterials, polymeric nanomaterials, inorganic nanomaterials, etc., used as vaccine carriers are principally summarized here, which may contribute to the design of neoantigen vaccines for improved stability and better efficacy.

In this study, we investigated the effects of the dietary inclusion of different proportions of whole-plant corn silage on growth performance, serum biochemical indexes, and intestinal microorganisms in Hezuo pigs. Thirty-two two-month-old Hezuo pigs (body weight: 7.88 ± 0.81 kg) were randomly divided into four groups of eight pigs (half male, half female) each. The control (CON) group received a basal diet, while the three experimental groups were fed the basal diet, part of which had been replaced with 5%, 10%, and 15% whole-plant corn silage, respectively. The experiment lasted for 127 days, including 7 days of pre-testing and 120 days of formal testing. At the end of the experiment, blood and fecal samples were collected. Compared with the CON group, the feed-to-gain ratio was significantly lower in the 10% test group (p < 0.05), whereas the total protein, albumin, triglyceride, and glucose contents were significantly higher (p < 0.05). No significant differences in total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatinine, urea, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were observed among the groups (p > 0.05). The addition of whole-plant corn silage to the diet significantly increased alpha diversity in the pig gut based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The principal coordinate analysis results showed significant clustering of the different groups (p < 0.05). At the phylum level, the addition of whole-plant corn silage to the diet significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the relative abundance of Firmicutes and significantly increased (p < 0.05) that of Bacteroidetes. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Streptococcus significantly decreased (p < 0.05) with increasing silage supplementation levels, whereas species diversity significantly increased (p < 0.05). In conclusion, 10% is the recommended inclusion ratio for whole-plant corn silage in the diets of pigs.