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Abstract Tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) can promote tumor progression. This study aimed to investigate the molecular signature that predict the prognosis and immune response of breast cancer (BRCA) based on TAN-related gene (TANRG) expression data. The RNA-seq data of BRCA were gathered from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets. Univariate Cox regression analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator for selecting prognostic genes. A neo-TAN-related risk signature was constructed by multivariate Cox regression analysis. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses and Kaplan–Meier analyses were performed to validate the signature in GEO cohorts and the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype. We constructed an independent prognostic factor model with 11 TANRGs. The areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) of the TCGA training cohorts for 3-, 5-, and 7-year overall survival were 0.72, 0.73, and 0.73, respectively. The AUCs of the GEO test cohorts for 3-, 5-, and 7-year overall survival were 0.83, 0.89, and 0.94 (GSE25066) and 0.67, 0.69, and 0.73 (GSE58812), respectively. The proportion of immune subtypes differed among the different risk groups. The IC50 values differed significantly between risk groups and can be used as a guide for systemic therapy. The prognostic model developed by TANRGs has excellent predictive performance in BRCA patients. In addition, this feature is closely related to the prediction of survival, immune activity and treatment response in BRCA patients.

Exploring the bacterial community in the S. glauca rhizosphere was of great value for understanding how this species adapted to the saline-alkali environment and for the rational development and use of saline-alkali soils. In this study, high-throughput sequencing technology was used to investigate the diversity characteristics and distribution patterns of soil bacterial communities in the rhizosphere of S.glauca-dominated communities in the Hetao Irrigation Distract, Inner Mongolia, China. The relationships among bacterial characteristics, soil physicochemical properties and vegetation in four sampling sites were analyzed. The soil bacterial communities in the rhizosphere of S. glauca-dominated communities were mainly composed of 16 phyla (i.e., Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Gemmatimonadetes, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, Firmicutes, Planctomycetes, Deinococcus-Thermus, Verrucomicrobia, Saccharibacteria, Cyanobacteria, Nitrospirae, JL-ETNP-Z39, Parcubacteria and Chlorobi), and these populations accounted for more than 99% of the total bacterial community. At the genus level, the main bacterial communities comprised Halomonas, Nitriliruptor, Euzebya and Pelagibius, which accounted for 15.70% of the total bacterial community. An alpha diversity analysis indicated that the richness and diversity of rhizosphere soil bacteria differed significantly among the sampling sites, and the bacterial richness and diversity indices of severe saline-alkali land were higher than those of light and moderate saline-alkali land. The principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) showed significant differences in the species composition of the rhizosphere soil bacterial community among different sampling sites. A correlation analysis showed that the number of bacterial species exhibited the highest correlation with the soil water content (SWC). The richness and evenness indices were significantly correlated with the SWC and SO42–, K+ and Mg2+ concentrations. The electrical conductivity (EC), soluble ions (Na+, CO32– + HCO3–, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and SO42+), SWC and vegetation coverage (VC) were the main drivers affecting the changes in its community structure. The bacterial community in the rhizosphere of S. glauca enhanced the adaptability of S. glauca to saline-alkali environment by participating in the cycling process of nutrient elements, the decomposition of organic matter and the production of plant growth regulating substances. These results provided a theoretical reference for further study on the relationship among rhizosphere soil microorganisms and salt tolerance in halophytes.

Adenine nucleotide translocator 4 (Ant4), an ATP/ADP transporter expressed in the early phases of spermatogenesis, plays a crucial role in male fertility. While Ant4 loss causes early arrest of meiosis and increased apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in male mice, its other potential functions in male fertility remain unexplored. Here, we utilized Ant4 knockout mice to delineate the effects of Ant4-deficiency on male reproduction. Our observations demonstrated that Ant4-deficiency led to infertility and impaired testicular development, which was further investigated by evaluating testicular oxidative stress, autophagy, and inflammation. Specifically, the loss of Ant4 led to an imbalance of oxidation and antioxidants. Significant ultrastructural alterations were identified in the testicular tissues of Ant4-deficient mice, including swelling of mitochondria, loss of cristae, and accumulation of autophagosomes. Our results also showed that autophagic flux and AKT-AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway were affected in Ant4-deficient mice. Moreover, Ant4 loss increased the expression of pro-inflammatory factors. Overall, our findings underscored the importance of Ant4 in regulating oxidative stress, autophagy, and inflammation in testicular tissues. Taken together, these insights provided a nuanced understanding of the significance of Ant4 in testicular development.

Abstract Mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is a conserved serine/threonine kinase that integrates various environmental signals to regulate cell growth and metabolism. mTORC1 activation requires tethering to lysosomes by the Ragulator‐Rag complex. However, the dynamic regulation of the interaction between Ragulator and Rag guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) remains unclear. In this study, that LAMTOR1, an essential component of Ragulator, is dynamically ubiquitinated depending on amino acid abundance is reported. It is found that the E3 ligase TRAF4 directly interacts with LAMTOR1 and catalyzes the K63‐linked polyubiquitination of LAMTOR1 at K151. Ubiquitination of LAMTOR1 by TRAF4 promoted its binding to Rag GTPases and enhanced mTORC1 activation, K151R knock‐in or TRAF4 knock‐out blocks amino acid‐induced mTORC1 activation and accelerates the development of inflammation‐induced colon cancer. This study revealed that TRAF4‐mediated LAMTOR1 ubiquitination is a regulatory mechanism for mTORC1 activation and provides a therapeutic target for diseases involving mTORC1 dysregulation.

ObjectiveEndometrial stromal tumors are rare and complex mesenchymal tumors that often present with clinical symptoms similar to uterine leiomyomas. Due to their atypical nature, they are prone to be misdiagnosed or overlooked by healthcare professionals. This study presents a case report of an incidentally discovered endometrial stromal sarcoma with venous metastasis, which was initially misdiagnosed as a uterine leiomyoma. In addition, this study reviews previously documented cases of similar tumors.Case reportDuring a routine medical examination in 2016, a 50-year-old woman was diagnosed with uterine fibroids. In June 2020, she began experiencing moderate, irregular vaginal bleeding. Nevertheless, a histopathological examination indicated an endometrial stromal sarcoma with a striking amalgamation of both low-grade and high-grade features. Molecular analysis identified a rare MED12 gene mutation. The patient underwent total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, and resection of the metastatic lesions. Postoperative management included radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. After completion of chemotherapy, the patient was followed up for 27 months with no evidence of tumor recurrence.ConclusionThis case report highlights the importance of pathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular aspects of this rare tumor involving the inferior vena cava and showing the presence of atypical gene mutations. The successful treatment outcome further emphasizes the importance of advances in diagnostic modalities for managing rare tumors like this.

Polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) stand out as promising membrane materials with exceptional separation performance. In this study, we crafted a highly efficient gas separation membrane using an emerging material, called cyclohexyl-fused spirobiindane-based PIM (CCS-PIM). The CCS-PIM features a robust and rigid microporous structure with a high specific surface area (SBET ​= ​704.6 ​m2/g), exhibiting excellent CO2-selective adsorption capacity. The CO2 adsorption uptake is 0.78 ​mmol/g at 273 ​K and 0.15 ​bar, leading to IAST selectivity of 25.2 for CO2/N2 (15/85 v/v) and 16.7 for CO2/CH4 (50/50 v/v) at 298 ​K. The precisely tuned pore size of the CCS-PIM membrane leads to an enhanced molecular sieving effect, showcasing superior selectivity across various gas pair separations. It demonstrates an O2/N2 selectivity of 6.03 and a CO2/CH4 selectivity of 26.1, surpassing the 2008 Robeson upper bounds. This study suggests a strategic method to improve gas separation efficiency by customizing a locked PIM structure with precise molecular sieving through the insertion of variously sized rings.

Multipactor and low-pressure gas discharges have a negative impact on the performance and security of microwave components in space. In this manuscript, a 2-dimensional parallel flat plate structural model was designed to simulate the breakdown of multipactor to low-pressure gas discharges. The breakdown levels in the pressure range of 0.1 to 100 torr were verified under the conditions of the Ag material, 4-mm gap, 2.6-GHz frequency, and air as the background gas. Random secondary electron emission and gas molecule collision processes are incorporated, and the effect of their transition section is studied using trajectory tracking and Monte Carlo methods. A comparison of the model to the available experimental data demonstrates the model’s accuracy. On this basis, the variation of gas adsorption in relation to the surface secondary electron yields was considered, and the effect of the gas adsorption issues on breakdown level was calculated by means of numerical simulations based on some assumptions. The calculation reveals that in a finite volume of space, smaller desorption volumes cause negligible pressure changes, but the secondary electron emission capacity of the material decreases, which, in turn, leads to a flat or rising breakdown level. On the contrary, the larger the desorption volume, the more the gas is collisionally ionized and the breakdown level decreases.

ATG9 is the only transmembrane protein of the core autophagy machinery known to be present at presynapses. Here, the authors show that both synaptophysin and ATG9A vesicles assemble into condensates with synapsin but remain segregated from each other.

The limitations surrounding the education and teaching of green building courses in higher education institutions are becoming increasingly evident. The roles of instructors, the learning environments of green building-related courses, and the impact of student engagement in these courses are attracting significant academic interest. This study delves into the cross-level mediating roles of the green building learning climate and helping behaviors, exploring the link between instructors’ sense of responsibility and student engagement. It employs a multi-layer structural equation model for statistical analysis, utilizing paired survey data from 543 students and 51 instructors of green building courses, based on social cognitive theory. This paper incorporates the educational psychology concepts of “climate” and “mutual aid” with the green building learning climate and mutual aid behaviors. It provides a theoretical analysis of how instructors’ sense of responsibility in colleges influences students’ learning of green building knowledge and skills. By merging the ideas of “climate” and “mutual aid”, this study aims to theoretically examine the impact of instructors’ responsibility on student engagement with green building concepts. This approach seeks to offer new theoretical insights for pedagogical studies in green building courses.

In order to investigate the durability of two kinds of fiber-reinforced composite materials, and obtain the degradation mechanism and failure model in a hygrothermal environment, E-glass- fiber-reinforced composite materials, glass fiber-reinforced epoxy vinyl ester and glass fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester (named GF/VE and GF/UP, respectively) were chosen to suffer rigorous hygrothermal aging. Their mechanical performance was monitored during the aging process to evaluate their durability. The cause of deterioration of the composite was comprehensively analyzed. Based on the analysis results of attenuated total-reflectance-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), the change mechanism of chain structure of the resin molecule was proposed. SEM (scanning electron microscopy), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to analyze the microstructure and degradation mechanism of the fiber and the interface between fiber and matrix. The degradation mechanism of the composite system, including the resin, the fiber and the interface, was obtained, and it was found that the deterioration of the matrix resin caused by the hygrothermal environment was the main factor leading to the decline in composites performance.

Fourier ptychographic microscopy, as a computational imaging method, can reconstruct high-resolution images but suffers optical aberration, which affects its imaging quality. For this reason, this paper proposes a network model for simulating the forward imaging process in the Tensorflow framework using samples and coherent transfer functions as the input. The proposed model improves the introduced Wirtinger flow algorithm, retains the central idea, simplifies the calculation process, and optimizes the update through back propagation. In addition, Zernike polynomials are used to accurately estimate aberration. The simulation and experimental results show that this method can effectively improve the accuracy of aberration correction, maintain good correction performance under complex scenes, and reduce the influence of optical aberration on imaging quality.

Nowadays, it is highly desired to develop highly active and humidity-resistive ozone decomposition catalysts to eliminate the ozone contaminant, one of the primary pollutants in the air. In this work, a series of Cu2S hollow structured materials were rapidly synthesized using different structured Cu2O templates. The Cu2S from porous Cu2O showed the highest ozone catalytic decomposition efficiency of >95% to 400 ppm ozone with a weight hourly space velocity of 480,000 cm3·g−1·h−1 in dry air. Importantly, the conversion remained >85% in a high relative humidity of 90%. The mechanism was explored by diffusive reflectance infrared spectroscopy which showed the decomposition intermediate of O22−, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the dual active site of both Cu and S. The EPR and UPS characterization results also explained the superiority of porous Cu2S catalysts from the material itself. All these results show the effective decomposition of ozone by Cu2S, especially in harsh environments, promising for active ozone elimination.

A comprehensive analysis of the Adhesion-Deformation, Elasto-hydrodynamic and Hydrodynamic friction models is presented, which describe different modes of lubrication in accordance with the Stribeck curve. The main provisions of these models are considered in conjunction with the Langmuir-BET theory of adsorption and Hertz's elastic-deformation theory of curvilinear contacts. It is shown that the revealed contradictions require their resolution, and the discovered multiple effects need a scientifically based interpretation. It is proposed to develop a more generalized model of friction and wear based on naturally occurring processes that have been hidden from direct observations for a long time. These are: Extrusion of lubricating layers in the convergent elastically deformed and Rarefaction in divergent elastically deformed regions of tribo-contacts. Understanding these processes makes it possible to predict the localization sites and causes of the occurrence of primary subsequent acts of adhesion of friction surfaces and their wear in the following cycle: “rarefaction and desorption of lubricating layers, which leads to deformation destruction of oxide films and adhesion of juvenile surface areas, after which to tearing of a fragment material from the bearing and the neoplasm of the protrusion on the shaft - in the divergent elastically deformed areas of the contact. Then microcutting by this fragment of the bearing surface occurs with the release of the wear product in the convergent elastically deformed region, which accordingly leads to a change in the actual geometry and tension of the tribo-contact. Further, in other areas of the renewed contact, adhesive interaction occurs in other divergent areas according to the same mechanism. A deep understanding of the reasons for the desorption of lubricating layers will make it possible to develop and apply new highly efficient technological and material science methods in order to increase the resource of highly loaded tribo-systems of machines and mechanisms.

The proposed Adhesion-Deformation-Hydrodynamic model of friction and wear is based on the relationship of elastic-deformation processes in the surfaces of curvilinear contacts with hydrodynamic regular processes of extrusion and rarefaction in lubricating layers in tribocontacts, as well as with the processes of primary adhesion of friction surfaces and subsequent acts of adhesive wear. The proposed Adhesion-Deformation-Hydrodynamic model of friction and wear and its main provisions on the relationship between extrusion, rarefaction in lubricating layers and primary adhesion of friction surfaces of curvilinear contacts cover the entire load-speed range and all modes of lubrication of friction surfaces

Green buildings play a pivotal role in advancing ecological civilization and promoting green, low-carbon development. Numerous studies have delved into the construction techniques, process attributes, economic benefits, risk management, and benefit assessments associated with green buildings. Concurrently, research on the profitability models, marketing strategies, and public purchasing intentions of commercial fitness clubs has also yielded extensive findings. Yet, there is a noticeable gap: limited research has investigated the nexus between green building development and consumers’ propensity to purchase fitness services from these commercial establishments. Building upon the foundation set by previous scholars and employing the Extended IAD Decision-Making Model, this study utilizes the PLS-SEM method to analyze collected questionnaire data. Through path analysis, we examine the relationships between variables. Our findings indicate that: (1) Positive perceptions of green building consumption bolster the purchasing intentions toward fitness services in commercial fitness clubs. (2) Perceived risk mediates the relationship between green building consumption perceptions and consumers’ fitness service purchasing intentions in commercial fitness clubs. (3) Environmental awareness enhances the correlation between green building consumption perceptions and the propensity to purchase services in these clubs. The goal of this research is to underscore the importance of green buildings both in environmental and economic contexts and to offer insights that can elevate the profitability of commercial fitness clubs.

Abstract Background Undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells (OGCs) of pancreas (UCOGCP) is a rare subtype of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which had poorly described histopathological and clinical features. Methods In this study, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was used to profile the distinct tumor microenvironment of UCOGCP using samples obtained from one UCOGCP patient and three PDAC patients. Bioinformatic analysis was carried out and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was used to support the findings of bioinformatic analysis. After quality control of the raw data, a total of 18,376 cells were obtained from these four samples for subsequent analysis. These cells were divided into ten main cell types following the Seurat analysis pipeline. Among them, the UCOGCP sample displayed distinct distribution patterns from the rest samples in the epithelial cell, myeloid cell, fibroblast, and endothelial cell clusters. Further analysis supported that the OGCs were generated from stem-cell-like mesenchymal epithelial cells (SMECs). Results Functional analysis showed that the OGCs cluster was enriched in antigen presentation, immune response, and stem cell differentiation. Gene markers such as LOX, SPERINE1, CD44, and TGFBI were highly expressed in this SMECs cluster which signified poor prognosis. Interestingly, in myeloid cell, fibroblasts, and endothelial cell clusters, UCOGCP contained higher percentage of these cells and unique subclusters, compared with the rest of PDAC samples. Conclusions Analysis of cell communication depicted that CD74 plays important roles in the formation of the microenvironment of UCOGCP. Our findings illustrated the genesis and function of OGCs, and the tumor microenvironment (TME) of UCOGCP, providing insights for prognosis and treatment strategy for this rare type of pancreatic cancer.

3-Thiocyanated chromones was conveniently synthesized from alkynyl aryl ketones using commercially available, inexpensive trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) as oxidant and NH4SCN as thiocyanato (SCN) source. This metal-free approach is postulated to first in situ generate thiocyanogen chloride (Cl-SCN) from the reaction of TCCA and NH4SCN, followed by a rare efficient electrophilic thiocyano oxyfunctionalization of alkynes enabled by the reactive electrophilic species generated thereof.

Background: s As a curative surgical procedure for pancreatic neck-body cancer with invasion to celiac artery (CA), the security and efficacy of distal pancreatectomy (DP) with en bloc resection of the celiac artery (DP-CAR) remain controversial. The purpose of this study was to identify the postoperative outcomes of DP-CAR. Methods: A retrospectively analysis between January 2010 and January2019 was performed in a single center. 21 patients who underwent DP-CAR and 71 patients who underwent traditional DP for pancreatic neck-body cancer were included. Postoperative morbidity, mortality, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were evaluated. Results: There were no significant differences in major complications and mortality between two groups. The patients in DP-CAR group had more T4 tumor (61.9 vs 7.0%, P

Fourier ptychographic microscopy (FPM) is a novel technique for computing microimaging that allows imaging of samples such as pathology sections. However, due to the influence of systematic errors and noise, the quality of reconstructed images using FPM is often poor, and the reconstruction efficiency is low. In this paper, a hybrid attention network that combines spatial attention mechanisms with channel attention mechanisms into FPM reconstruction is introduced. Spatial attention can extract fine spatial features and reduce redundant features while, combined with residual channel attention, it adaptively readjusts the hierarchical features to achieve the conversion of low-resolution complex amplitude images to high-resolution ones. The high-resolution images generated by this method can be applied to medical cell recognition, segmentation, classification, and other related studies, providing a better foundation for relevant research.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a major inhabitant of numerous environmental reservoirs, is a momentous opportunistic human pathogen associated with severe infections even death in the patients suffering from immune deficiencies or metabolic diseases. Type III secretion system (T3SS) employed by P. aeruginosa to inject effector proteins into host cells is one of the pivotal virulence factors pertaining to acute infections caused by this pathogen. Previous studies showed that P. aeruginosa T3SS is regulated by various environmental cues such as calcium concentration and the host signal spermidine. However, how T3SS is regulated and expressed particularly under the ever-changing environmental conditions remains largely elusive. In this study, we reported that a tRNA modification enzyme PA3980, designated as MiaB, positively regulated T3SS gene expression in P. aeruginosa and was essential for the induced cytotoxicity of human lung epithelial cells. Further genetic assays revealed that MiaB promoted T3SS gene expression by repressing the LadS-Gac/Rsm signaling pathway and through the T3SS master regulator ExsA. Interestingly, ladS, gacA, rsmY and rsmZ in the LadS-Gac/Rsm signaling pathway seemed potential targets under the independent regulation of MiaB. Moreover, expression of MiaB was found to be induced by the cAMP-dependent global regulator Vfr as well as the spermidine transporter-dependent signaling pathway and thereafter functioned to mediate their regulation on the T3SS gene expression. Together, these results revealed a novel regulatory mechanism for MiaB, with which it integrates different environmental cues to modulate T3SS gene expression in this important bacterial pathogen.

Upper gastrointestinal cancer (UGIC) is an aggressive carcinoma with increasing incidence and poor outcomes worldwide. Here, we collected 39,057 cells, and they were annotated into nine cell types. By clustering cancer stem cells (CSCs), we discovered the ubiquitous existence of sub-cluster CSCs in all UGICs, which is named upper gastrointestinal cancer stem cells (UGCSCs). The identification of UGCSC function is coincident with the carcinogen of UGICs. We compared the UGCSC expression profile with 215,291 single cells from six other cancers and discovered that UGCSCs are specific tumor stem cells in UGIC. Exploration of the expression network indicated that inflammatory genes (CXCL8, CXCL3, PIGR, and RNASE1) and Wnt pathway genes (GAST, REG1A, TFF3, and ZG16B) are upregulated in tumor stem cells of UGICs. These results suggest a new mechanism for carcinogenesis in UGIC: mucosa damage and repair caused by poor eating habits lead to chronic inflammation, and the persistent chronic inflammation triggers the Wnt pathway; ultimately, this process induces UGICs. These findings establish the core signal pathway that connects poor eating habits and UGIC. Our system provides deeper insights into UGIC carcinogens and a platform to promote gastrointestinal cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Ordered porous polyimide films were fabricated from (AB)m type of diblock copolymer polyimide-b-polystyrene (PI-b-PS). An increase in PS volume fraction (f VPS) is beneficial to decrease the relative dielectric constants and water contact angles of the obtained porous PI films: the relative dielectric constant decreases to 1.89 and water contact angle decreases to 43° when f VPS is 0.36, indicating porous PI films can be used as low-κ material and have good wettability. The solvent uptake of the porous PI films increases with increasing f VPS. A net-like morphology appears when f VPS reaches 0.36. The net-like porous PI film reaches equilibrium uptake of water within approximately 2.5 h, with a final equilibrium uptake ratio of 17.5%, and reaches equilibrium uptake of toluene within approximately 8 h, with a final equilibrium uptake ratio of 15.4%, displaying the highest and fastest solvent uptake compared with other microstructured porous PI films, which is ascribed to the specific characteristic of the interconnecting porous channels derived from the self-assembly of PI-b-PS with f VPS 0.36. Introducing thermally degradable segments to PI-based block copolymer is an effective method to prepare porous PI films and can enhance some of their properties.

Rapid and highly sensitive detection of iodine gaseous species is crucial as the first response in case of nuclear accidents and nuclear waste clean-up. A robust and user-friendly sensor-based technology that allows online monitoring is highly desirable. Herein, we report the success of using a covalent organic framework (AQ-COF)-based sensor for real-time iodine gas adsorption and detection by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique. The sensor exhibits a high sensitivity and a pronounced electrical response to trace amounts of iodine vapor. Gaseous iodine was readily detected with a significant change in resistance (104×) at 70 °C within 5 min exposure to air. Notably, the EIS response is quite chemoselective to iodine over other common species such as air, methanol, ethanol, and water, with a selectivity of 320, 14, 49, and 1030, respectively. A mechanical study shows that the adsorption of iodine can reduce the optical bandgap of the AQ-COF, causing the impedance to drop significantly. This study demonstrates how the adsorption enrichment effect of selective I2 adsorption by a covalent organic framework can be leveraged to create a highly selective sensor for the direct online electrical detection of radioactive gaseous toxins.

Background: Adult critically ill patients are prone to complications when receiving enteral nutrition, including feeding intolerance. Although abdominal massage is an effective intervention, its effects on enteral nutrition complications in adult critically ill patients are controversial. Objective: To summarize and evaluate the effect of abdominal massage on enteral nutrition complications in adult critically ill patients. Methods: We searched databases (e.g., PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science) from inception until November 2020 for relevant studies published in English. The methodological quality of selected studies was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. And we used of PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The meta-analysis results were reported as mean difference (MD) and events, and the heterogeneity of the studies was evaluated using I2. Results: Seven studies including 472 participants (aged≥18 years) met the inclusion criteria. The mean gastric residual volume (GRV) (MD=−42.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −71.43, −13.39; P = 0.004) and incidence of abdominal distension (odds ratio [OR]=0.08, 95%CI: 0.03, 0.19; P

Background: Studies investigating prognostic factors of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) have been published with conflicting findings.Methods: Retrospective analysis of 63 consecutive cases of SPN in our institution from January 2010 to December 2019 was carried out. The clinicopathological features, treatment practices along with survival associations were collected and analyzed.Results: Fifteen patients (23.8%) were male, and 48 (76.2%) were female, with a median age of 34.0 ± 14.5 years. The larger tumor size was correlated with the more mixed components (p = 0.000) and the higher Ki-67 index (p = 0.042). No recurrence was found in the nine patients whose tumors fulfilled the WHO criteria for malignancy due to the presence of at least perineural invasion (6.4%), angiovascular invasion (2.3%), and/or adjacent organ invasion (6.4%). Microscopic infiltrative growth was detected in 9 (14.3%) tumors, which was correlated significantly with the WHO criteria (p = 0.002), capsule invasion (p = 0.005), and pancreatic parenchyma invasion (p = 0.001), but not with disease-free survival (p = 0.13). CD99 was found to be positively expressed in 88.9% (40/45) of tumors and more likely to have depressed Ki-67 index (p = 0.016). After a median follow-up of 58 months, only two patients (3.2%) had a recurrence after their first operation outside of our hospital. No patient died due to tumor progression.Conclusions: Although survival is favorable with aggressive surgery, it is actually difficult to assess the prognostic factors of resected SPNs. Future investigations into the role of clinicopathological evaluation will unveil the prognostic enigma of pancreatic SPN after resection.

Hypoglycemia resulting from a negative energy balance (NEB) in periparturient cattle is the major reason for a reduced glycogen content in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). The lack of glycogen induces PMNs dysfunction and is responsible for the high incidence of perinatal diseases. The perinatal period is accompanied by dramatic changes in sex hormones levels of which estrogen (17β-estradiol, E2) has been shown to be closely associated with PMNs function. However, the precise regulatory mechanism of E2 on glucose metabolism in cattle PMNs has not been elucidated. Cattle PMNs were cultured in RPMI 1640 with 2.5 (LG), 5.5 (NG) and 25 (HG) mM glucose and E2 at 20 (EL), 200 (EM) and 450 (EH) pg/mL. We found that E2 maintained PMNs viability in different glucose conditions, and promoted glycogen synthesis by inhibiting PFK1, G6PDH and GSK-3β activity in LG while enhancing PFK1 and G6PDH activity and inhibiting GSK-3β activity in HG. E2 increased the ATP content in LG but decreased it in HG. This indicated that the E2-induced increase/decrease of ATP content may be independent of glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). Further analysis showed that E2 promoted the activity of hexokinase (HK) and GLUT1, GLUT4 and SGLT1 expression in LG, while inhibiting GLUT1, GLUT4 and SGLT1 expression in HG. Finally, we found that E2 increased LC3, ATG5 and Beclin1 expression, inhibited p62 expression, promoting AMPK-dependent autophagy in LG, but with the opposite effect in HG. Moreover, E2 increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and decreased the apoptosis rate of PMNs in LG but had the opposite effect in HG. These results showed that E2 could promote AMPK-dependent autophagy and inhibit apoptosis in response to glucose-deficient environments. This study elucidated the detailed mechanism by which E2 promotes glycogen storage through enhancing glucose uptake and retarding glycolysis and the PPP in LG. Autophagy is essential for providing ATP to maintain the survival and immune potential of PMNs. These results provided significant evidence for further understanding the effects of E2 on PMNs immune potential during the hypoglycemia accompanying perinatal NEB in cattle.

BackgroundSolid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas shows an indolent clinical behavior in cases undergoing surgical resection. The efficacy of combination therapy in the metastatic extrapancreatic SPN treatment remains largely unknown and a clinical challenge.Case PresentationWe report a case of a metastatic pancreatic SPN in a 45-year-old woman who presented with an aggressive peritoneal dissemination and hepatic metastases and still showed an indolent clinical course with combination therapy with repeated surgery and targeted therapy. Although the follow-up effect remains to be seen, this is the first report of practical experience of the targeted agents sunitinib and everolimus in metastatic SPN tumors based on the mutation status of PTEN (c.379G>A; p.G127R) and CTNNB1 (c.98C>G; p.S33C). To our knowledge, the PTEN variant identified in this case has not been previously reported in SPN.ConclusionEvidence on variant genetics indicates that future molecular studies may not only help to explain the mechanism of SPN occurrence and development but are also more likely to direct to future precision treatments.

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of programmed cell death, which plays crucial roles in tumorigenesis, ischemia–reperfusion injury and various human degenerative diseases. Ferroptosis is characterized by aberrant iron and lipid metabolisms. Mechanistically, excess of catalytic iron is capable of triggering lipid peroxidation followed by Fenton reaction to induce ferroptosis. The induction of ferroptosis can be inhibited by sufficient glutathione (GSH) synthesis via system Xc– transporter-mediated cystine uptake. Therefore, induction of ferroptosis by inhibition of cystine uptake or dampening of GSH synthesis has been considered as a novel strategy for cancer therapy, while reversal of ferroptotic effect is able to delay progression of diverse disorders, such as cardiopathy, steatohepatitis, and acute kidney injury. The ubiquitin (Ub)–proteasome pathway (UPP) dominates the majority of intracellular protein degradation by coupling Ub molecules to the lysine residues of protein substrate, which is subsequently recognized by the 26S proteasome for degradation. Ubiquitination is crucially involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Modulation of ubiquitination system has been exhibited to be a potential strategy for cancer treatment. Currently, more and more emerged evidence has demonstrated that ubiquitous modification is involved in ferroptosis and dominates the vulnerability to ferroptosis in multiple types of cancer. In this review, we will summarize the current findings of ferroptosis surrounding the viewpoint of ubiquitination regulation. Furthermore, we also highlight the potential effect of ubiquitination modulation on the perspective of ferroptosis-targeted cancer therapy.

The specific capacities and power performances of conventional cathode materials are still needed to improve in order to meet the demand for electrical vehicles. Li-rich layered oxide delivers a high specific capacity, but poor rate performances. Chemical doping is an effective way to address this challenge due to the expanded crystal lattice. Unlike a single ion substitution in the literature, here Li-rich layered oxides were doped by Sn and K to achieve the favorite rate performance, where Sn and K were assumed to replace transition metal ion and Li ion, respectively. Results indicate the co-doped samples result in an increasing capacity retention by more than 40% from 107.9 (contrast sample) to 151.5 mAh g−1 (co-doped sample) at 10 C-rate. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and calculated diffusion coefficient of Li+ also confirmed the favorite rate performances for co-doped sample. Combining results of Rietveld structure refinement, we proposed that the reason for rate performances comes from the enlarged crystal lattices, which provides a smooth diffusion tunnel for Lithium ions during the charge/discharge processes. The as-adopted method provides a possibility to achieve the improved rate performances by co-doping big-size ions at the different crystal sites. Keywords: Li-rich layered oxide, Rate performance, Sn-doping, K-doping, Crystal lattice, Solid state reaction

Abstract Background Drought is a major abiotic stress affecting global wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production. Exploration of drought-tolerant genes is essential for the genetic improvement of drought tolerance in wheat. Previous studies have shown that some histone encoding genes are involved in plant drought tolerance. However, whether the H2B family genes are involved in drought stress response remains unclear. Methods Here, we identified a wheat histone H2B family gene, TaH2B-7D, which was significantly up-regulated under drought stress conditions. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) technology was used to further verify the function of TaH2B-7D in wheat drought tolerance. The phenotypic and physiological changes were examined in the TaH2B-7D knock-down plants. Results In the TaH2B-7D knock-down plants, relative electrolyte leakage rate and malonaldehyde (MDA) content significantly increased, while relative water content (RWC) and proline content significantly decreased compared with those in the non-knocked-down plants under drought stress conditions. TaH2B-7D knock-down plants exhibited severe sagging, wilting and dwarf phenotypes under drought stress conditions, but not in the non-knocked-down plants, suggesting that the former were more sensitive to drought stress. Conclusion These results indicate that TaH2B-7D potentially plays a vital role in conferring drought tolerance in wheat.

The weak inherent non-covalent interactions between carbon aerogel backbone nanoparticles obtained by the pyrolysis of conventional organic aerogel can lead to poor mechanical properties. When applied in the thermal protection system of a high-speed spacecraft, the preparation of carbon aerogel insulation materials with excellent formability and high mechanical strength still remains a huge challenge. This work reports an efficient approach for fabricating carbon foam-reinforced carbon aerogel composites by compounding the nanoporous polyimide aerogel into the microporous pre-carbonized phenolic resin-based carbon foam via vacuum impregnation, gelatinizing and co-carbonization. Benefiting from the co-shrinkage caused by co−carbonization, the thermal insulation capacity of the carbon aerogel and the formability of the pre−carbonized foam are efficiently utilized. The shrinkage, density and carbon yield of aerogels, pre-carbonized foams and the composites at different temperatures were measured to analyze the formation of the interfacial gap within the composite. The co-carbonization mechanism of the polyimide aerogels and phenolic resin-based pre-carbonized foams was analyzed through XPS, TG-MS, and FT-IR. Among the prepared samples, CF30-CPI-1000 °C with small interfacial gaps showed the lowest thermal conductivity, which was as low as 0.56 W/(m·K) at 1900 °C, and the corresponding compressive strength and elastic modulus were as high as 0.532 MPa and 9.091 MPa, respectively.

Chondral defects are challenging to repair because of the poor self-healing capacity of articular cartilage. The aim of this study was to compare and investigate the cartilage regeneration of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells and adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) co-cultured with chondrocytes seeding on scaffolds composed of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)/poly-(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx). In this study, the cellular morphologies and proliferation capabilities on scaffolds were evaluated. Next, scaffolds with 1:1 co-culture of ASCs/SVF and chondrocytes were implanted into the full-thickness cartilage defects in rabbit knee for 10 weeks. Cells seeded on the scaffolds showed better adhesion, migration, and proliferation in vitro. Importantly, implantation with scaffolds with SVF and chondrocytes revealed more desirable in vivo healing outcomes. Our results illustrate a one-step surgical procedure for the regeneration of focal cartilage defects using a mixture of SVF from adipose tissue and uncultured chondrocytes.

Achievable capacity of optical fiber is approaching its physical limitation in frequency domain. Space division multiplexing (SDM) technology can scale the network capacity using multi-core fiber and multi-mode fiber. In order to provide high-speed transmission services with fine granularities, SDM enabled elastic optical networks (SDM-EONs) become a promising candidate of future optical transport networks. However, since the spectrum status in SDM-EONs becomes more complex with the introduction of spatial dimension, the issue of spectrum fragmentation will be more serious in SDM-EONs compared in simple EONs. To remedy the issue of spectrum fragmentation in SDM-EONs, we propose a crosstalk-aware spectrum defragmentation (CASD) algorithm based on a metric, i.e., spectrum compactness (SC), which we define to measure the spectrum status in the SDM-EONs. Simulation results show that the proposed CASD algorithm can achieve better performance than a benchmark algorithm in terms of blocking probability and spectrum utilization. We also compare CASD algorithm with different SC thresholds in bandwidth blocking probability and spectrum utilization. Among them, CASD algorithm with SC threshold of 50 performs the best. It can achieve low spectrum moving times as well as low defragmentation latency.

To improve the self-lubrication and anti-ablation performances of C/C (carbon/carbon) composites from 25 to 800 °C, we engineered three layers of composite coatings consisting of SiC–VN–MoS2/Ta to deposit on the surface of the C/C composites. The tribology and anti-ablation properties of the composite coatings were experimented under dry sliding wear. The equivalent stress and deformation of the composite coatings are studied. The results show that the CoFs (coefficients of friction) of the C/C composites are decreased by 156% at 800 °C due to the new generated self-lubricating compounds from the MoS2/Ta and VN coating. The anti-ablation of the C/C composites are improved by 25,300% due to the silicon glass, and the generated compounds from V, Mo and Si. The deformation of the C/C substrate under the protection of these coatings looks like a quadrangular star. The cack of the C/C composites is easily generated without the protection from coatings.

Porokeratotic eccrine ostial and dermal duct nevus (PEODDN) is a rare benign skin disease. Widespread involvement of PEODDN is more uncommon and its association with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is also rare. In this case report, we present the case of a 50-year-old woman with serious widespread PEODDN along Blaschko's lines and concomitant invasive SCC with lymph node metastasis. This was the first reported case of metastatic SCC arising from PEODDN.

Nanog regulates embryonic stem cell (ESC) pluripotency but what controls Nanog protein stability is unclear. Here, the authors show that in mouse ESCs, Nanog protein is ubiquitinated and stabilized by the deubiquitinase USP21, which in turn is regulated by extrinsic signals, STAT3 and ERK.

A comparison of the different types of resting state reveals some interesting characteristics of spontaneous brain activity that cannot be found in a single condition. Differences in the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) between the eyes open (EO) and the eyes closed (EC) almost have a spatially distinct pattern with traditional EO-EC activation within sensory systems, suggesting the divergent functional roles of ALFF and activation. However, the underlying mechanism is far from clear. Since the thalamus plays an essential role in sensory processing, one critical step toward understanding the divergences is to depict the relationships between the thalamus and the ALFF modulation in sensory regions. In this preliminary study, we examined the association between the changes of ALFF and the changes of thalamic functional connectivity (FC) between EO and EC. We focused on two visual thalamic nuclei, the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and the pulvinar (Pu). FC results showed that LGN had stronger synchronization with regions in lateral but not in medial visual networks, while Pu had a weaker synchronization with auditory and sensorimotor areas during EO compared with EC. Moreover, the patterns of FC modulation exhibited considerable overlaps with the ALFF modulation, and there were significant correlations between them across subjects. Our findings support the crucial role of the thalamus in amplitude modulation of low-frequency spontaneous activity in sensory systems, and may pave the way to elucidate the mechanisms governing distinction between evoked activation and modulation of low-frequency spontaneous brain activity.

Chemical protective clothing (CPC) is major equipment to protect human skin from hazardous chemical warfare agents (CWAs), especially nerve agents and blister agents. CPC performance is mainly dominated by the chemical protective material, which needs to meet various requirements, such as mechanical robustness, protective properties, physiological comfort, cost-effectiveness, and dimensional stability. In this study, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) based sodium sulfonate membranes with different ion exchange capacities (IECs) are prepared simply from low-cost materials. Their mechanical properties, contact angles, permeations, and selectivities have been tested and compared with each other. Results show that membranes with IEC in the range of 1.5–2 mmol g−1 have high selectivities of water vapor permeation over CWA simulant vapor permeation and good mechanical properties. Therefore, PVDF-based sodium sulfonate membranes are potential materials for CPC applications.

SCP1 as a nuclear transcriptional regulator acts globally to silence neuronal genes and to affect the dephosphorylation of RNA Pol ll. However, we report the first finding and description of SCP1 as a plasma membrane-localized protein in various cancer cells using EGFP- or other epitope-fused SCP1. Membrane-located SCP1 dephosphorylates AKT at serine 473, leading to the abolishment of serine 473 phosphorylation that results in suppressed angiogenesis and a decreased risk of tumorigenesis. Consistently, we observed increased AKT phosphorylation and angiogenesis followed by enhanced tumorigenesis in Ctdsp1 (which encodes SCP1) gene - knockout mice. Importantly, we discovered that the membrane localization of SCP1 is crucial for impeding angiogenesis and tumor growth, and this localization depends on palmitoylation of a conserved cysteine motif within its NH2 terminus. Thus, our study discovers a novel mechanism underlying SCP1 shuttling between the plasma membrane and nucleus, which constitutes a unique pathway in transducing AKT signaling that is closely linked to angiogenesis and tumorigenesis.

The tubular network is a critical part of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The network is shaped by the reticulons and REEPs/Yop1p that generate tubules by inducing high membrane curvature, and the dynamin-like GTPases atlastin and Sey1p/RHD3 that connect tubules via membrane fusion. However, the specific functions of this ER domain are not clear. Here, we isolated tubule-based microsomes from Saccharomyces cerevisiae via classical cell fractionation and detergent-free immunoprecipitation of Flag-tagged Yop1p, which specifically localizes to ER tubules. In quantitative comparisons of tubule-derived and total microsomes, we identified a total of 79 proteins that were enriched in the ER tubules, including known proteins that organize the tubular ER network. Functional categorization of the list of proteins revealed that the tubular ER network may be involved in membrane trafficking, lipid metabolism, organelle contact, and stress sensing. We propose that affinity isolation coupled with quantitative proteomics is a useful tool for investigating ER functions.

Drought is a major adversity that limits crop yields. Further exploration of wheat drought tolerance-related genes is critical for the genetic improvement of drought tolerance in this crop. Here, comparative proteomic analysis of two wheat varieties, XN979 and LA379, with contrasting drought tolerance was conducted to screen for drought tolerance-related proteins/genes. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) technology was used to verify the functions of candidate proteins. A total of 335 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were exclusively identified in the drought-tolerant variety XN979. Most DAPs were mainly involved in photosynthesis, carbon fixation, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, and several other pathways. Two DAPs (W5DYH0 and W5ERN8), dubbed TaDrSR1 and TaDrSR2, respectively, were selected for further functional analysis using VIGS. The relative electrolyte leakage rate and malonaldehyde content increased significantly, while the relative water content and proline content significantly decreased in the TaDrSR1- and TaDrSR2-knock-down plants compared to that in non-knocked-down plants under drought stress conditions. TaDrSR1- and TaDrSR2-knock-down plants exhibited more severe drooping and wilting phenotypes than non-knocked-down plants under drought stress conditions, suggesting that the former were more sensitive to drought stress. These results indicate that TaDrSR1 and TaDrSR2 potentially play vital roles in conferring drought tolerance in common wheat.

Background. Failure to achieve delayed primary fascial closure (DPFC) is one of the main complications of open abdomen (OA), certainly when abdominal sepsis is present. This retrospective cohort study aims to evaluate the effect of combined therapy of vacuum-assisted mesh-mediated fascial traction and topical instillation (VAWCM-instillation) on DPFC in the open septic abdomen. Methods. The patients with abdominal sepsis who underwent OA using VAWCM were included and divided into the instillation and noninstillation (control) groups. The DPFC rate and other outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results. Between 2007 and 2013, 73 patients with open septic abdomen were treated with VAWCM-instillation and 61 cases with VAWCM-only. The DPFC rate in the instillation group was significantly increased (63% versus 41%, P=0.011). The mortality with OA was similar (24.6% versus 23%, P=0.817) between the two groups. However, time to DPFC (P=0.003) and length of stay in hospital (P=0.022) of the survivals were significantly decreased in the instillation group. In addition, VAWCM-instillation (OR 1.453, 95% CI 1.222–4.927, P=0.011) was an independent influencing factor related to successful DPFC. Conclusions. VAWCM-instillation could improve the DPFC rate but could not decrease the mortality in the patients with open septic abdomen.