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Abstract Murals carry cultural significance and historical information, and are an important channel for understanding ancient social norms, artistic styles, and religious beliefs. At present, the digitization of murals is an important technical means for the protection of cultural heritage. Orthogonal images of murals play a vital role in high-precision recording, preservation, academic research, educational expansion, mural protection, digital exhibition and dissemination. At present, orthogonal images of murals are mostly realized by plane projection, but this method is not suitable for making orthogonal images of arched and dome-shaped murals. To address this problem, this paper proposes a method for generating orthogonal expansion images of arched and dome-shaped murals. This method combines a three-dimensional virtual space simulation model with an RTT virtual camera and adopts a spatial reference orthogonal ray scanning model. First, the detailed three-dimensional color model is fitted to the geometric reference of cylindrical and spherical objects to determine its parameters. Next, for the cylindrical murals on the arch, the orientation of the model is initialized using quaternions, and the viewport matrix is adjusted to obtain the required resolution. Then, the RTT camera is used to perform line orthogonal projection in the viewport, and the fringe projection image is generated by rotating around the cylinder axis according to the inversely calculated rotation angle. For the murals on the dome ceiling, this method is used to segment them according to a certain longitude, and the circumscribed cylinder of the fitted sphere is rotated to perform cylindrical orthogonal line scanning in the segmented area. These individual orthogonal line scan images are carefully spliced together to form a complete orthogonal unfolded image. Finally, a fringe projection image is generated with the central meridian of the unfolded part as the center line, and the fringe projection images are spliced together to obtain the final orthogonal unfolded image. Experiments show that compared with existing methods, this method can generate two-dimensional orthogonal unfolded images with high texture fidelity, minimal texture deformation, and uniform deformation distribution. This study provides a novel perspective on the orthogonal unfolding of quasi-cylindrical and quasi-spherical painted objects, and provides an accurate and diverse data basis for the digitization of murals.

Abstract Background Several studies have reported that combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) enhances the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance rate in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1/Hepatitis B Virus (HIV/HBV) coinfected patients, yet the associated immunological characteristics remain unclear. Methods Global and specific immune phenotypic profiles were examined in 48 patients with HIV/HBV coinfection before cART and at 1-year, and 3-year after cART using flow cytometry. In addition, 61 patients with HBV monoinfection were included for comparison. Results HBsAg response (sAg-R) was defined as > 0.5 log decrease within six months of cART initiation, and 16 patients achieved it. Patients with sAg-R (the sAg-R group) exhibited distinct immune phenotypes compared to those of HBsAg-retained patients (the sAg-NR group). Notably, patients with sAg-R had lower CD4+ T cell counts and a higher number of HBcAg-specific T cells. Further, the sAg-R group exhibited upregulation of HLA-DR, Ki67, and PD-1 in CD4+ T cells and heightened HLA-DR and T-bet in CD8+ T cells. However, the sAg-R group had fewer TEMRA cells but more TEM and Th17 cells than those in the sAg-NR group. Expression of various markers, including HLA-DR+CD4+, Ki67+CD4+, PD-1+CD4+, CD38+CD8+, HLA-DR+CD8+, TIM-3+CD8+, HBV-specific CD4+ T cell secreting IFN-γ and IL-2, and specific CD8+ T cell secreting IFN-γ and IL-2, correlated with HBsAg decrease. Conclusion The decline in HBsAg levels during cART in HIV/HBV coinfection involves significant alterations in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells phenotypes, offering a novel perspective on a functional HBV cure.

Objective·To verify the accuracy and clinical feasibility of fluoroscopic stereophotogrammetric analysis (FSA) technology based on two dimension (2D)-three dimension (3D) registration for early migration detection of aseptic loosening of joint prostheses.Methods·2D-3D registration algorithms centering on the light source and projected object respectively in FSA technology were verified under various working conditions through image synthesis experiments, and the feasibility of clinical application was verified through real model experiments. The image synthesis experiment established a perspective projection environment with the same parameters as the real environment in a virtual environment, the 2D perspective images of the 3D model (bone or prosthesis) during the six degrees of freedom transformation were recorded, and the six degrees of freedom transformation of the 3D model was restored by using different 2D-3D registration algorithms. The error of each registration algorithm was calculated. For real model validation, the migration between bone and prosthesis after joint replacement surgery was simulated with a high precision bone prosthesis migration simulator. The 3D model of the bone or prosthesis was reconstructed by using computed tomograph (CT) images and optical scanning, and the 2D perspective images before and after prosthesis migration were captured by using a fluoroscopy device. The migration of the prosthesis was restored by using FSA technology based on 2D-3D registration, and the error of FSA technology was calculated.Results·The accuracy of the 2D-3D registration algorithm centering on the light source was higher than that of the algorithm centering on the projected object under different working conditions. When the initial registration conditions were favorable, the algorithm centering on the light source reduced the rotation error compared to the algorithm centering on the projected object, with a statistical difference (P=0.021), and the displacement error decreases, with a significant statistical difference (P=0.000). Moreover, algorithms centering on the light sources required lower similarity and fewer registration times to meet clinical application requirements.Conclusion·The accuracy of FSA technology based on 2D-3D registration in early migration detection of artificial joint prostheses meets clinical application requirements. This technology can warn of late aseptic loosening of prostheses by detecting early migration of prostheses after joint replacement surgery, and is expected to be applied to clinical practice through further research.

Abstract Owing to patient-derived tumor tissues and cells, significant advances have been made in personalized cancer treatment and precision medicine, with cancer stem cell-derived three-dimensional tumor organoids serving as crucial in vitro models that accurately replicate the structural, phenotypic, and genetic characteristics of tumors. However, despite their extensive use in drug testing, genome editing, and transplantation for facilitating personalized treatment approaches in clinical practice, the inadequate capacity of these organoids to effectively model immune cells and stromal components within the tumor microenvironment limits their potential. Additionally, effective clinical immunotherapy has led the tumor immune microenvironment to garner considerable attention, increasing the demand for simulating patient-specific tumor–immune interactions. Consequently, co-culture techniques integrating tumor organoids with immune cells and tumor microenvironment constituents have been developed to expand the possibilities for personalized drug response investigations, with recent advancements enhancing the understanding of the strengths, limitations, and applicability of the co-culture approach. Herein, the recent advancements in the field of tumor organoids have been comprehensively reviewed, specifically highlighting the tumor organoid co-culture-related developments with various immune cell models and their implications for clinical research. Furthermore, this review delineates the current state of research and application of organoid models regarding the therapeutic approaches and related challenges for gynecological tumors. This study may provide a theoretical basis for further research on the use of patient-derived organoids in tumor immunity, drug development, and precision medicine.

[Introduction] In order to improve heat exchange efficiency, the condensate pipelines, main water supply pipelines drain pipelines and partial extraction pipelines of nuclear power plants are all coated outside the pipelines. At present, the test methods of ferromagnetic pipelines are mainly conventional ultrasound and ultrasonic guided waves. These test methods are limited by the detection environment and preconditions, which increase the difficulty of test. In order to improve the test efficiency of pipelines with insulation layer, we shall enrich technical methods, shorten maintenance period and improve economic benefit of nuclear power plant. [Method] This paper mainly studied the feasibility and reliability of pulsed eddy current testing method under low frequency electromagnetic interference in nuclear power plant, and used the measured and calculated values of the induced voltage to establish the optimal parameter inversion problem. In combination with the coupling relationship between the parameters and based on the time-domain analytical solution of the pipeline pulsed eddy current field, the paper established the specific relationship between the measured value and the calculated value of the induced voltage, and established the optimization parameter inversion problem. In combination with the coupling relationship between the parameters, the paper proposed a pulsed eddy current detection method for in-service operation and maintenance of insulated pipes in nuclear power plants. [Result] Using the pulsed eddy current detection method for the relative wall thickness of ferromagnetic pipelines proposed in this paper, in-service sample pipelines of nuclear power plant are tested and the testing result is compared with conventional ultrasonic testing. The error of the two testing results is about 5%. [Conclusion] The testing results of impulse eddy current testing are reliable and it is suitable for non-destructive testing and evaluation of nuclear power plant ferromagnetic pipeline wall thickness corrosion thinning.

[Introduction] In the nuclear power plant, the steam pipeline is generally installed with an insulation layer on the outer wall to improve heat transfer efficiency. Currently, the main detection means for ferromagnetic pipelines are conventional ultrasound and ultrasonic guided waves. Prior to the inspection, the insulation layer on the outer wall of the pipeline needs to be removed, leading to extended inspection time, increased labor costs, and an inability to meet the requirements for high-quality development in nuclear power plants. The application of the pulsed eddy current (PEC) technique for nuclear power plants can eliminate the need for insulation layer removal, enabling non-stop online screening. The defects testing by coil placement is an essential indicator of the PEC technique. [Method] In this paper, the modeling and simulation of the pipelines was conducted by applying ANSYS Maxwell, coaxial and vertical detection coils were designed respectively to simulate the detection capability of PEC on flat bottom defects with consistency in the lift-off distance, materials and other conditions. Sample pipes were selected from the nuclear power plant for coaxial and vertical PEC testing. The pulsed eddy current testing (PECT) results were cross-validated with ultrasonic thickness measurement, and the effects of two coil placement methods on PECT were compared. [Result] The results show that vertical coils are more effective in defect detection compared to coaxial coils. [Conclusion] The defects testing by coil placement has great significance for implementing PEC in the nuclear power sector.

Adding rubber particles to concrete can improve its brittleness, but it also significantly reduces its compressive strength. In order to maintain the compressive strength of concrete unchanged and enhance its tensile strength and toughness, waste steel fibers are added to rubber concrete (RC). This not only achieves the reuse of solid waste materials, but also achieves the goal of high-performance concrete. By adding different amounts of scrap steel fibers to three different strength grades of rubber concrete, scrap steel fiber rubber concrete (SSFRC) is formed. Compression strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength tests were conducted on SSFRC with different mix ratios. The toughness of SSFRC was evaluated by introducing the tensile compression ratio, flexural compression ratio, and toughness index. The microscopic characteristics of SSFRC were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the strengthening and toughening mechanism of waste steel fibers on RC was analyzed. The results show that: adding rubber decreases the mechanical properties of concrete with various matrix strengths; adding steel fiber admixture causes a trend in the mechanical strengths of SSFRC with various matrix strengths to increase and then decrease; getting the greatest compressive strength at 1 % and the peak tensile and flexural strengths at 1.5 %; Steel fibers and rubber particles can cooperate at a specific admixture amount to increase the toughness of RC. The local hydration of the scrap steel fibers may have taken place, according to the microscopic morphology of the Transition zone at the interface between the matrix and the scrap steel fiber. In conclusion, the best mechanical strength enhancement effect and the best toughness of SSFRC are achieved at 10 % of rubber and 1.5 % of scrap steel fiber.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of a novel transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device known as "Halo Sport" on pain and mood in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP), by specifically targeting the bilateral primary motor cortex (M1 region).MethodsForty-two patients with NSCLBP who were treated in the Rehabilitation Medicine Department of Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from July 2023 to March 2024 were recruited. According to the random number table method, the patients were divided into control group and experimental group, with 21 patients in each group. During the course of treatment, one patient withdrew in each group and 20 patients were included in both groups. The experimental group received treatment using the new "Halo Sport" tDCS at 2.0 mA for 20 minutes with bilateral M1 anodes, followed by 45-minute exercise treatment, including 5 minutes of stretching exercises, 20 minutes of core training exercises, and 20 minutes of aerobic training exercises. The control group received sham tDCS in combination with exercise therapy. The treatment period for both groups was three days a week for four weeks. Before and after 4 weeks of treatment, the numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to evaluate pain intensity, the oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate lumbar dysfunction degree, while the pain catastrophizing scale (PCS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were used to assess related negative emotions.Results1) Pain intensity: After treatment, the NRS scores in the experimental and control groups significantly decreased compared with those at the baseline (PPPP>0.05). 3) Negative emotions: After treatment, both groups showed a significant decrease in PCS, SDS and SAS scores compared to the baseline (PP>0.05).ConclusionBilateral M1 area anodal tDCS with the Halo Sport device can significantly reduce pain in patients with NSCLBP. Whether combined with tDCS or not, exercise therapy can improve lumbar spine dysfunction and alleviate negative emotions in NSCLBP patients.

Abstract Photovoltaic (PV) arrays are usually installed in open areas; hence, they are vulnerable to lightning strikes that can result in cell degradation, complete damage, service disruption, and increased maintenance costs. As a result, it is imperative to develop an effective and efficient lightning protection system by evaluating the transient behaviour of PV arrays during lightning events. The aim is to evaluate the transient analysis of large‐scale PV systems when subjected to lightning strikes using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) technique. Transient overvoltages are calculated at various points within the mounting system. To optimise the FDTD method's execution time and make it more suitable for less powerful hardware, a variable cell size approach is employed. Specifically, larger cell dimensions are used in the earthing system and smaller cell dimensions are used in the mounting system. The FDTD method is utilised to calculate the temporal variation of transient overvoltages for large‐scale PV systems under different scenarios, including variations in the striking point, soil resistivity, and the presence of a metal frame. Simulation results indicate that the highest transient overvoltages occur at the striking point, and these values increase with the presence of a PV metal frame as well as with higher soil resistivity. Furthermore, a comparison is performed between the overvoltage results obtained from the FDTD approach and the partial element equivalent circuit (PEEC) method at the four corner points of the mounting systems to demonstrate the superior accuracy of the FDTD method. Besides, a laboratory experiment is conducted on a small‐scale PV system to validate the simulation results. The calculated overvoltages obtained from the FDTD and PEEC methods are compared with the measured values, yielding a mean absolute error of 5% and 11% for the FDTD and PEEC methods, respectively, thereby confirming the accuracy of the FDTD simulation model.

Abstract C-1 Glycals serve as pivotal intermediates in synthesizing diverse C-glycosyl compounds and natural products, necessitating the development of concise, efficient and user-friendly methods to obtain C-1 glycosides is essential. The Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of glycal boronates is notable for its reliability and non-toxic nature, but glycal donor stability remains a challenge. Herein, we achieve a significant breakthrough by developing stable glycal boronates, effectively overcoming the stability issue in glycal-based Suzuki–Miyaura coupling. Leveraging the balanced reactivity and stability of our glycal boronates, we establish a robust palladium-catalyzed glycal-based Suzuki-Miyaura reaction, facilitating the formation of various C(sp 2)-C(sp), C(sp 2)-C(sp 2 ), and C(sp 2)-C(sp 3) bonds under mild conditions. Notably, we expand upon this achievement by developing the DNA-compatible glycal-based cross-coupling reaction to synthesize various glycal-DNA conjugates. With its excellent reaction reactivity, stability, generality, and ease of handling, the method holds promise for widespread appication in the preparation of C-glycosyl compounds and natural products.

Abstract Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and oxidative stress (OS) are adaptive responses of the body to stressor stimulation. Although it has been verified that Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis) can induce ERS and OS in the host, their association is still unclear. Therefore, this study explored whether T. spiralis-secreted serpin-type serine protease inhibitor (TsAdSPI) is involved in regulating the relationship between ERS and OS in the host intestine. In this study, mice jejunum and porcine small intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) were detected using qPCR, western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), and detection kits. The results showed that ERS- and OS-related indexes changed significantly after TsAdSPI stimulation, and Bip was located in IECs, indicating that TsAdSPI could induce ERS and OS in IECs. After the use of an ERS inhibitor, OS-related indexes were inhibited, suggesting that TsAdSPI-induced OS depends on ERS. When the three ERS signalling pathways, ATF6, IRE1, and PERK, were sequentially suppressed, OS was only regulated by the PERK pathway, and the PERK-eif2α-CHOP-ERO1α axis played a key role. Similarly, the expression of ERS-related indexes and the level of intracellular Ca2+ were inhibited after adding the OS inhibitor, and the expression of ERS-related indexes decreased significantly after inhibiting calcium transfer. This finding indicated that TsAdSPI-induced OS could affect ERS by promoting Ca2+ efflux from the endoplasmic reticulum. The detection of the ERS and OS sequences revealed that OS occurred before ERS. Finally, changes in apoptosis-related indexes were detected, and the results indicated that TsAdSPI-induced ERS and OS could regulate IEC apoptosis. In conclusion, TsAdSPI induced OS after entering IECs, OS promoted ERS by enhancing Ca2+ efflux, and ERS subsequently strengthened OS by activating the PERK-eif2α-CHOP-ERO1α axis. ERS and OS induced by TsAdSPI synergistically promoted IEC apoptosis. This study provides a foundation for exploring the invasion mechanism of T. spiralis and the pathogenesis of host intestinal dysfunction after invasion.

Abstract Various substances in the blood plasma serve as prognostic indicators of the progression of COVID-19. Consequently, multi-omics studies, such as proteomic and metabolomics, are ongoing to identify accurate biomarkers. Cytokines and chemokines, which are crucial components of immune and inflammatory responses, play pivotal roles in the transition from mild to severe illness. To determine the relationship between plasma cytokines and the progression of COVID-19, we used four study cohorts to perform a systematic study of cytokine levels in patients with different disease stages. We observed differential cytokine expression between patients with persistent-mild disease and patients with mild-to-severe transformation. For instance, IL-4 and IL-17 levels significantly increased in patients with mild-to-severe transformation, indicating differences within the mild disease group. Subsequently, we analysed the changes in cytokine and chemokine expression in the plasma of patients undergoing two opposing processes: the transition from mild to severe illness and the transition from severe to mild illness. We identified several factors, such as reduced expression of IL-16 and IL-18 during the severe phase of the disease and up-regulated expression of IL-10, IP-10, and SCGF-β during the same period, indicative of the deterioration or improvement of patients’ conditions. These factors obtained from fine-tuned research cohorts could provide auxiliary indications for changes in the condition of COVID-19 patients.

Abstract Indan and tetralin are widely used as fuel additives and the intermediates in the manufacture of thermal-stable jet fuel, many chemicals, medicines, and shockproof agents for rubber industry. Herein, we disclose a two-step route to selectively produce 5-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-indene (abbreviated as methylindan) and tetralin with xylose or the hemicelluloses from agricultural or forestry waste. Firstly, cyclopentanone (CPO) was selectively formed with ~60% carbon yield by the direct hydrogenolysis of xylose or hemicelluloses on a non-noble bimetallic Cu-La/SBA-15 catalyst. Subsequently, methylindan and tetralin were selectively produced with CPO via a cascade self-aldol condensation/rearrangement/aromatization reaction catalyzed by a commercial H-ZSM-5 zeolite. When we used cyclohexanone (another lignocellulosic cycloketone) in the second step, the main product switched to dimethyltetralin. This work gives insights into the selective production of bicyclic aromatics with lignocellulose.

Abstract The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a primary cell surface viral binding receptor for SARS-CoV-2, so finding new regulatory molecules to modulate ACE2 expression levels is a promising strategy against COVID-19. In the current study, we utilized islet organoids derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), animal models and COVID-19 patients to discover that fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) enhances ACE2 expression within the islets, facilitating SARS-CoV-2 infection and resulting in impaired insulin secretion. Using hESC-derived islet organoids, we demonstrated that FGF7 interacts with FGF receptor 2 (FGFR2) and FGFR1 to upregulate ACE2 expression predominantly in β cells. This upregulation increases both insulin secretion and susceptibility of β cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Inhibiting FGFR counteracts the FGF7-induced ACE2 upregulation, subsequently reducing viral infection and replication in the islets. Furthermore, retrospective clinical data revealed that diabetic patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms exhibited elevated serum FGF7 levels compared to those with mild symptoms. Finally, animal experiments indicated that SARS-CoV-2 infection increased pancreatic FGF7 levels, resulting in a reduction of insulin concentrations in situ. Taken together, our research offers a potential regulatory strategy for ACE2 by controlling FGF7, thereby protecting islets from SARS-CoV-2 infection and preventing the progression of diabetes in the context of COVID-19.

Abstract To summarize the existing evidence on the effects of ultrasound-guided recruitment maneuver (RM) during perioperative period on atelectasis, oxygenation and other clinical outcomes in adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang databases were searched from inception to May 2023 for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the perioperative use of ultrasound-guided RM with a control group in adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery. The primary outcome was the incidence of early postoperative atelectasis (within 24 h after surgery). A total of 12 RCTs with 895 patients were included. The ultrasound-guided RM significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative atelectasis (RR [risk ratio]: 0.44, 95% CI [confidence interval]: 0.34 to 0.57, P

Abstract Background Gut microbiota is significantly influenced by altitude. However, the dynamics of gut microbiota in relation to altitude remains undisclosed. Methods In this study, we investigated the microbiome profile of 610 healthy young men from three different places in China, grouped by altitude, duration of residence, and ethnicity. We conducted widely targeted metabolomic profiling and clinical testing to explore metabolic characteristics. Results Our findings revealed that as the Han individuals migrated from low altitude to high latitude, the gut microbiota gradually converged towards that of the Tibetan populations but reversed upon returning to lower altitude. Across different cohorts, we identified 51 species specifically enriched during acclimatization and 57 species enriched during deacclimatization to high altitude. Notably, Prevotella copri was found to be the most enriched taxon in both Tibetan and Han populations after ascending to high altitude. Furthermore, significant variations in host plasma metabolome and clinical indices at high altitude could be largely explained by changes in gut microbiota composition. Similar to Tibetans, 41 plasma metabolites, such as lactic acid, sphingosine-1-phosphate, taurine, and inositol, were significantly elevated in Han populations after ascending to high altitude. Germ-free animal experiments demonstrated that certain species, such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, which exhibited altitude-dependent variations in human populations, might play crucial roles in host purine metabolism. Conclusions This study provides insights into the dynamics of gut microbiota and host plasma metabolome with respect to altitude changes, indicating that their dynamics may have implications for host health at high altitude and contribute to host adaptation. Video Abstract

Jilin Province is a crucial region of interest for agricultural and forestry development in China. The deterioration of its ecological environment could have a severe impact on agricultural production and ecological conservation. A systematic assessment of ecological environment quality in Jilin Province is essential for its sustainable development. In this study, we utilized Landsat data from 1990 to 2020 (every 5 years) to construct the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) for Jilin Province. We applied the Sen’s slope estimator and the Mann-Kendall trend test to examine the spatiotemporal changes in ecological environment quality over a 30-year period. Additionally, we employed the Geo-detector to explore the socioeconomic and natural factors influencing ecological environment quality. The results revealed: 1) From 1990 to 2020, the average RSEI index in Jilin Province ranged from 0.586 to 0.699, indicating overall good ecological environment quality. Spatially, ecological environment quality gradually declined from east to west. 2) The RSEI in Jilin Province exhibited an initial increase, followed by a decrease, and then another increase trend. This improvement can be attributed to the implementation of government policies, which reversed the expansion of saline-alkali land. Ecological environment quality significantly improved in the western region of Jilin Province over the 30-year period. 3) Socioeconomic and natural factors both influence ecological environment quality in Jilin Province. Among these factors, vegetation coverage has the most significant impact on the ecological environment quality in the study area, with natural factors exerting a more significant influence than socioeconomic factors. Our research can provide relevant data support for policy-making in Jilin Province.

BackgroundGut microbiota (GM) and metabolic alterations play pivotal roles in lung cancer (LC) development and host genetic variations are known to contribute to LC susceptibility by modulating the GM. However, the causal links among GM, metabolite, host genes, and LC remain to be fully delineated.MethodThrough bidirectional MR analyses, we examined the causal links between GM and LC, and utilized two-step mediation analysis to identify potential mediating blood metabolite. We employed diverse MR methods, including inverse-variance-weighted (IVW), weighted median, MR-Egger, weighted mode, and simple mode, to ensure a robust examination of the data. MR-Egger intercept test, Radial MR, MR-PRESSO, Cochran Q test and Leave-one-out (LOO) analysis were used for sensitivity analyses. Analyses were adjusted for smoking, alcohol intake frequency and air pollution. Linkage disequilibrium score regression and Steiger test were used to probe genetic causality. The study also explored the association between specific host genes and the abundance of gut microbes in LC patients.ResultsThe presence of Bacteroides clarus was associated with an increased risk of LC (odds ratio [OR] = 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.11, p = 0.012), whereas the Eubacteriaceae showed a protective effect (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.75–0.89, p = 0.001). These findings remained robust after False Discovery Rate (FDR) correction. Our mediator screening identified 13 blood metabolites that significantly influence LC risk after FDR correction, underscoring cystine and propionylcarnitine in reducing LC risk, while linking specific lipids and hydroxy acids to an increased risk. Our two-step mediation analysis demonstrated that the association between the bacterial pathway of synthesis of guanosine ribonucleotides and LC was mediated by Fructosyllysine, with mediated proportions of 11.38% (p = 0.037). LDSC analysis confirmed the robustness of these associations. Our study unveiled significant host genes ROBO2 may influence the abundance of pathogenic gut microbes in LC patients. Metabolic pathway analysis revealed glutathione metabolism and glutamate metabolism are the pathways most enriched with significant metabolites related to LC.ConclusionThese findings underscore the importance of GM in the development of LC, with metabolites partly mediating this effect, and provide dietary and lifestyle recommendations for high-risk lung cancer populations.

Protein lysine crotonylation (Kcr) is one conserved form of posttranslational modifications of proteins, which plays an important role in a series of cellular physiological and pathological processes. Lysine ε-amino groups are the primary sites of such modification, resulting in four-carbon planar lysine crotonylation that is structurally and functionally distinct from the acetylation of these residues. High levels of Kcr modifications have been identified on both histone and non-histone proteins. The present review offers an update on the research progression regarding protein Kcr modifications in biomedical contexts and provides a discussion of the mechanisms whereby Kcr modification governs a range of biological processes. In addition, given the importance of protein Kcr modification in disease onset and progression, the potential viability of Kcr regulators as therapeutic targets is elucidated.

The chemokine co-receptors CXCR4 and CCR5 mediate HIV entry and signal transduction necessary for viral infection. However, to date only the CCR5 antagonist maraviroc is approved for treating HIV-1 infection. Given that approximately 50% of late-stage HIV patients also develop CXCR4-tropic virus, clinical anti-HIV CXCR4 antagonists are needed. Here, we describe a novel allosteric CXCR4 antagonist TIQ-15 which inhibits CXCR4-tropic HIV-1 infection of primary and transformed CD4 T cells. TIQ-15 blocks HIV entry with an IC50 of 13 nM. TIQ-15 also inhibits SDF-1α/CXCR4-mediated cAMP production, cofilin activation, and chemotactic signaling. In addition, TIQ-15 induces CXCR4 receptor internalization without affecting the levels of the CD4 receptor, suggesting that TIQ-15 may act through a novel allosteric site on CXCR4 for blocking HIV entry. Furthermore, TIQ-15 did not inhibit VSV-G pseudotyped HIV-1 infection, demonstrating its specificity in blocking CXCR4-tropic virus entry, but not CXCR4-independent endocytosis or post-entry steps. When tested against a panel of clinical isolates, TIQ-15 showed potent inhibition against CXCR4-tropic and dual-tropic viruses, and moderate inhibition against CCR5-tropic isolates. This observation was followed by a co-dosing study with maraviroc, and TIQ-15 demonstrated synergistic activity. In summary, here we describe a novel HIV-1 entry inhibitor, TIQ-15, which potently inhibits CXCR4-tropic viruses while possessing low-level synergistic activities against CCR5-tropic viruses. TIQ-15 could potentially be co-dosed with the CCR5 inhibitor maraviroc to block viruses of mixed tropisms.

Summary: Indanone and its analogs are widely used intermediates for many useful chemicals. Decalin and its alkylated analogs are major components of thermal-stable aviation fuels and the additives used to improve the thermal stability of aviation fuel. In this work, we develop an integrated route to selectively produce trimethyl-indanone or alkylated decalin with cellulose. First, cellulose was hydrogenolyzed to 2,5-hexanedione in a biphasic reaction system of toluene/NH4Br aqueous solution over Pd/C catalyst. Under the catalysis of alkali hydroxide, 2,5-hexanedione was converted to a mixture of C12 oxygenates (with trimethyl-indanone as the main component) at room temperature. Trimethyl-indanone can be used as an intermediate for many useful chemicals. Moreover, the C12 oxygenates can be hydrodeoxygenated to a mixture of dimethyl decalin and C12 monocycloalkanes with a low freezing point (200 K) and high density (0.85 g mL−1). This work provides insights on the preparation of indanone or advanced aviation fuel with cellulose. Science for society: The production of valuable chemicals and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with renewable, cheap, and abundant lignocellulose has drawn a lot of attention. Indanone and its analogs are widely used as intermediates in the manufacture of many useful chemicals. Currently, these compounds are obtained from fossil resources at low yields. Decalin and alkylated decalins are additives to improve the thermal stability of aviation fuel. Herein, we report an integrated route for the selective preparation of trimethyl-indanone or alkylated decalins with cellulose, the most abundant biomass. Compared with the reported processes to produce indanone analogs or SAF, this new process has several advantages, such as renewable feedstock, mild reaction conditions, fewer steps, and excellent fuel properties (e.g., lower freezing point, higher volumetric heat value, thermal stability of final products, etc.). This work paves a new way for the high-value utilization of cellulose.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) 2C protein is a conserved non-structural protein and crucial for replication of the virus. In this study, FMDV 2C protein was prepared and the enzymatic activities were investigated in detail. The protein could digest ssDNA or ssRNA into a small fragment at about 10 nt, indicating that the protein has nuclease activity. But it did not show digestion to blunt-end dsDNA or dsRNA. The nuclease activity of 2C protein could be inhibited in 2 mM Zn2+ or Ca2+ while enhanced by Mg2+ or Mn2+. FMDV 2C protein exhibited unwinding activity to all the three kinds of dsDNA and dsRNA (5′ protruded, 3′ protruded, and blunt-end). The unwinding velocity to 5′ protruded dsRNA was higher than to the blunt-end dsRNA. 2C protein only showed unwinding activity in high concentration of Mg2+, but no unwinding activity in physiological concentrations of Mg2+ and Ca2+, as well as in cell lysate. The 2C protein could catalyze two structured ssRNA to form double strand, thus it was proved to have RNA chaperone activity. The Mg2+ and ATP in different concentrations did not show promotion to the RNA chaperone activity. Finally, six mutant proteins (K116A, D160A, D170A, N207A, R226A, and F316A) were constructed and the enzymatic activities were analyzed. All the six mutations reduced the ATPase activity, D170A and F361A could inactivate the nuclease activity, while the N207A and F316A could inactivate the helicase activity. Our study provides a comprehensive understanding of the enzymatic activities of FMDV 2C protein.

Abstract Metabolic reprogramming, a hallmark of cancer, is closely associated with tumor development and progression. Changes in glycolysis play a crucial role in conferring radiation resistance to tumor cells. How radiation changes the glycolysis status of cancer cells is still unclear. Here we revealed the role of TAB182 in regulating glycolysis and lactate production in cellular response to ionizing radiation. Irradiation can significantly stimulate the production of TAB182 protein, and inhibiting TAB182 increases cellular radiosensitivity. Proteomic analysis indicated that TAB182 influences several vital biological processes, including multiple metabolic pathways. Knockdown of TAB182 results in decreased lactate production and increased pyruvate and ATP levels in cancer cells. Moreover, knocking down TAB182 reverses radiation-induced metabolic changes, such as radioresistant-related lactate production. TAB182 is necessary for activating LDHA transcription by affecting transcription factors SP1 and c-MYC; its knockdown attenuates the upregulation of LDHA by radiation, subsequently suppressing lactate production. Targeted suppression of TAB182 significantly enhances the sensitivity of murine xenograft tumors to radiotherapy. These findings advance our understanding of glycolytic metabolism regulation in response to ionizing radiation, which may offer significant implications for developing new strategies to overcome tumor radioresistance.

Abstract Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is a prototypical conducting polymer. When a polar solvent is used during film fabrication, the hole-doped PEDOT oligomers form crystalline clusters in the films, exhibiting high conductivity. However, whether hole carriers exhibit band transport has not been clarified yet. Here, we employ a multilayer spin-coating method using an aqueous solution with ethylene glycol, with additional procedures of dipping the films in ethylene glycol or dropping sulfuric acid onto the films, to achieve a high DC conductivity of ∼1000 S cm−1 or higher. Using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and far-infrared-to-ultraviolet reflection spectroscopy, we derive complex optical conductivity $$\widetilde{\sigma }$$ σ ̃ spectra, which are reproduced by the sum of the Drude response, and Lorentz-oscillator responses due to phonons. These results demonstrate the band transport, which is further confirmed by the Hall effect measurements. The hole mobility estimated from the spectral analyses is 7–11 cm2 V−1 s−1, a significantly large value. The reported evaluation methods for broadband $$\widetilde{\sigma }$$ σ ̃ spectra can help elucidate carrier transport mechanisms in various conducting films.

【Objective】 The Urumqi River is one of the most important rivers in northwestern China. The objective of this paper is to study the change in vegetation coverage in its basin and the underlying determinants in attempts to help improve its management. 【Method】 The study is based on the Landsat TM/OLI remote sensing imageries from 2000 to 2020. Spatiotemporal variations in vegetation coverage (FVC) in the basin during this period are extracted using the image dichotomy and vegetation cover transfer matrix, from which we analyze the changes in land use and topographic features in the basin. The factors that are responsible for the change in FVC in the basin are calculated using the geo-detector model, reclassification and other methods. 【Result】 From 2000 to 2020, vegetation coverage in the basin decreased first and then increased. Vegetation coverage was high in the upper reaches and low in the middle and low reaches. Vegetation coverage in different land usage was ranked in the order of forest land > cropland > grassland > construction land > water bodies > unused land. The change in vegetation coverage was influenced by topographic factors and fluctuated with elevation, with the vegetation coverage being the highest in elevations air temperature > elevation > surface temperature > precipitation > soil moisture > slope > slope direction. The results of the interaction detection analysis show that elevation-land use, land use-temperature are the coupling factors that influenced vegetation coverages more than coupling of other factors. 【Conclusion】 The average vegetation coverage in the Urumqi River basin varied from 0.348 to 0.456 in 2000—2020; it varied spatially. Overall, it is high in the upper reach and low in the middle and lower reaches. Variation in land use explains the variation in the vegetation coverage more than any other natural factors.

We designed an intelligent vehicle terminal based on UWB accurate positioning technology, which integrates multiple functions such as precise positioning, 4G/5G wireless communication, video monitoring, data acquisition, voice call and other functions. The intelligent vehicle terminal uses Android platform, takes ARM RK3399 as the control core and UWB communication transceiver chip DW1000 as the precise positioning core, realizing the precise positioning, intelligent scheduling, information collection, safety warning, voice call, human-computer interaction and other functions of the underground vehicle. The test results show that the maximum dynamic positioning error of the vehicle terminal is no more than 7.3 meters, which meets the functional requirements of the coal mine for intelligent auxiliary transportation.

Abstract. Background:. Pathological scars are a disorder that can lead to various cosmetic, psychological, and functional problems, and no effective assessment methods are currently available. Assessment and treatment of pathological scars are based on cutaneous manifestations. A two-photon microscope (TPM) with the potential for real-time non-invasive assessment may help determine the under-surface pathophysiological conditions in vivo. This study used a portable handheld TPM to image epidermal cells and dermal collagen structures in pathological scars and normal skin in vivo to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment in scar patients. Methods:. Fifteen patients with pathological scars and three healthy controls were recruited. Imaging was performed using a portable handheld TPM. Five indexes were extracted from two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) perspectives, including collagen depth, dermo-epidermal junction (DEJ) contour ratio, thickness, orientation, and occupation (proportion of collagen fibers in the field of view) of collagen. Two depth-dependent indexes were computed through the 3D second harmonic generation image and three morphology-related indexes from the 2D images. We assessed index differences between scar and normal skin and changes before and after treatment. Results:. Pathological scars and normal skin differed markedly regarding the epidermal morphological structure and the spectral characteristics of collagen fibers. Five indexes were employed to distinguish between normal skin and scar tissue. Statistically significant differences were found in average depth (t = 9.917, P

Accurate information on microwave land surface emissivity (MLSE) is important for satellite data assimilation. In this article, a new random forest (RF) algorithm is developed for retrieving MLSE under all-sky conditions. Using Level-1 brightness temperature data from the FengYun-3D (FY-3D) microwave radiation imager in 2022, two global MLSE daily product datasets, clear-sky (FY-3D1) and clear/cloudy (FY-3D2), were obtained by using one-dimensional variational method and microwave radiative transfer method, respectively. Based on the global spatiotemporal consistency assessment, a high-quality daily MLSE training dataset for the Tibetan Plateau was selected from the two datasets. Then, ten land surface parameters from routine observation were chosen as input features to the RF model to simulate the MLSE under all-sky conditions in the Tibetan Plateau. The results show that both FY-3D1 and FY-3D2 MLSE datasets are comparable to the international mainstream MLSE products in quality, while the clear sky FY-3D1 is likely to be better than the clear/cloudy FY-3D2 MLSE. Land surface roughness, vegetation optical thickness, normalized vegetation index, and land cover type are identified as the most important factors affecting MLSE in the Tibetan Plateau. The RF model can effectively simulate the MLSE in the frequency range of 10.65–89.0 GHz under all-sky conditions. The coefficients of determination (R2) for horizontal polarization and vertical polarization range from 0.86 (10.65 GHz) to 0.91 (18.7 GHz) and from 0.60 (10.65 GHz) to 0.74 (89.0 GHz), respectively. The root mean square errors for horizontal polarization and vertical polarization range from 0.017 (23.8 GHz) to 0.023 (10.65 GHz) and from 0.016 (10.65 GHz) to 0.019 (89.0 GHz), respectively. These results indicate that machine learning is likely to be an effective method for future all-sky simulation of MLSE.

Portable Sensor Nodes (PSNs) can supplement geographically sparse government-run static air quality monitoring stations (AQMSs). A PSN typically consists of several low-cost pollution sensors for different air pollutants, which must be calibrated to improve the accuracy of measurements. These sensors can be co-located with the high accuracy monitoring equipment (HAME) at AQMSs for calibration. Existing studies have suggested that different pollution sensors may favor different calibration models; even the same pollution sensors in different PSNs may favor different models. However, it is impractical to co-locate each PSN with HAME due to limited access to AQMSs, making large-scale sensor calibration difficult. This study proposes UNI-CAL for calibrating different pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), based on a novel AI-driven model with residual blocks capturing the complex non-linear interactions of raw measurements plus citywide domain-specific information, including meteorology, background pollution, and temporal characteristics. UNI-CAL further allows transfer calibration, i.e., the calibration of sensors from calibrated ones. UNI-CAL has improved the performance of direct calibration by 3.143% on average compared to the best baseline across all pollutants and PSNs on all evaluation metrics. Moreover, domain-specific information has significantly improved the direct calibration performance of UNI-CAL by 4.852% on average. Furthermore, UNI-CAL has demonstrated a strong capability in transfer calibration and achieved the best performance in most scenarios after incorporating domain-specific information. In the future, one can collect more data covering different environmental conditions and explore advanced semi-supervised learning techniques to improve the consistency, robustness, generalizability, and transferability of the proposed calibration framework.

Abstract Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a radiotherapy technique based on the enrichment of tumour cells with suitable 10-boron concentration and on subsequent neutron irradiation. Low-energy neutron irradiation produces a localized deposition of radiation dose caused by boron neutron capture reactions. Boron is vehiculated into tumour cells via proper borated formulations, able to accumulate in the malignancy more than in normal tissues. The neutron capture releases two high-LET charged particles (i.e., an alpha particle and a lithium ion), losing their energy in a distance comparable to the average dimension of one cell. Thus BNCT is selective at the cell level and characterized by high biological effectiveness. As the radiation field is due to the interaction of neutrons with the components of biological tissues and with boron, the dosimetry requires a formalism to express the absorbed dose into photon-equivalent units. This work analyzes a clinical case of an adenoid cystic carcinoma treated with carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT), located close to optic nerve and deep-seated as a practical example of how to apply the formalism of BNCT photon isoeffective dose and how to evaluate the BNCT dose distribution against CIRT. The example allows presenting different dosimetrical and radiobiological quantities and drawing conclusions on the potential of BNCT stemming on the clinical result of the CIRT. The patient received CIRT with a dose constraint on the optic nerve, affecting the peripheral part of the Planning Target Volume (PTV). After the treatment, the tumour recurred in this low-dose region. BNCT was simulated for the primary tumour, with the goal to calculate the dose distribution in isoeffective units and a Tumour Control Probability (TCP) to be compared with the one of the original treatment. BNCT was then evaluated for the recurrence in the underdosed region which was not optimally covered by charged particles due to the proximity of the optic nerve. Finally, a combined treatment consisting in BNCT and carbon ion therapy was considered to show the consistency and the potential of the model. For the primary tumour, the photon isoeffective dose distribution due to BNCT was evaluated and the resulted TCP was higher than that obtained for the CIRT. The formalism produced values that are consistent with those of carbon-ion. For the recurrence, BNCT dosimetry produces a similar TCP than that of primary tumour. A combined treatment was finally simulated, showing a TCP comparable to the BNCT-alone with overall dosimetric advantage in the most peripheral parts of the treatment volume. Isoeffective dose formalism is a robust tool to analyze BNCT dosimetry and to compare it with the photon-equivalent dose calculated for carbon-ion treatment. This study introduces for the first time the possibility to combine the dosimetry obtained by two different treatment modalities, showing the potential of exploiting the cellular targeting of BNCT combined with the precision of charged particles in delivering an homogeneous dose distribution in deep-seated tumours.

Abstract This study evaluated the outcomes of a bare metal stent (BMS), DCB alone, atherectomy plus a drug-coated balloon (AT + DCB) and AT alone for the treatment of femoropopliteal artery occlusion. Four groups were included in this retrospective cohort study: 119 patients underwent the BMS procedure, 89 patients underwent DCB alone, 52 patients underwent AT + DCB, and 61 patients underwent AT alone. Patients were followed-up at 1, 6, 12 and 24 months after the procedure, the clinical outcomes and complications were assessed, and the primary outcomes were primary patency and restenosis. AT + DCB showed a lower bailout stent, and BMS displayed a higher retrograde puncture, flow-limiting dissection and postdilation (p

Background and Objectives: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is practiced worldwide. Sugammadex was proven to have multiple benefits in reversing neuromuscular blockade (NMB) for patients with obesity undergoing MBS, but its effects on complications of various systems are not clear and concrete. Materials and Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted as per the PRISMA guidelines and registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42023491171). A systematic search was conducted in multiple databases for studies comparing sugammadex with neostigmine in MBS. Continuous data are reported as mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Dichotomous data are reported as relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs. A two-sided p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was performed to evaluate the reliability of the conclusions. Results: Nine studies with 633 patients met the inclusion criteria. Compared with those from the neostigmine group, patients from the sugammadex group were characterized by a significantly shorter recovery time from the administration of the study drug to a train-of-four (TOF) ratio of ≥90% (MD [95% CI]: −15.40 [−26.64; −4.15]; I2 = 96.6%; p = 0.0073; n = 380; random effects model), a lower risk of postoperative residual curarization (PORC) (RR [95% CI]: 0.18 [0.09; 0.38]; p < 0.0001; I2 = 27.9%; n = 344; common effect model), postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) (RR [95% CI]: 0.67 [0.48; 0.93]; p = 0.0164; I2 = 0%; n = 335; common effect model), and cardiovascular complications (RR [95% CI]: 0.48 [0.26; 0.88]; p = 0.0186; I2 = 14.7%; n = 178; common effect model). TSA confirmed the conclusions regarding the recovery time and PORC risk. Conclusions: In conclusion, our systemic review and meta-analysis with TSA revealed that sugammadex provided a faster and more reliable choice to reverse NMB in patients with obesity undergoing MBS, with a lower risk of PORC. Sugammadex reduced the risk of cardiovascular complications and postoperative nausea and vomiting. However, the conclusions were not confirmed, and, so, further studies may be necessary.

In this paper, the optical response to a terahertz pulse was investigated in the transition metal chalcogenide Ta_{2}NiSe_{5}, a candidate excitonic insulator. First, by irradiating a terahertz pulse with a relatively weak electric field (0.3 MV/cm), the spectral changes in reflectivity near the absorption edge due to third-order optical nonlinearity were measured, and the absorption peak characteristic of the excitonic phase just below the interband transition was identified. Next, by irradiating a strong terahertz pulse with a strong electric field of 1.65 MV/cm, the absorption of the excitonic phase was found to be reduced, and a Drude-like response appeared in the mid-infrared region. These responses can be interpreted as carrier generation by exciton dissociation induced by the electric field, resulting in the partial melting of the excitonic phase and metallization. The presence of a distinct threshold electric field for carrier generation indicates exciton dissociation via quantum-tunneling processes. The spectral change due to metallization by the electric field is significantly different from that due to the strong optical excitation across the gap, which can be explained by the different melting mechanisms of the excitonic phase in the two types of excitations.

Single-season rice describes the area under rice cultivation from May–October of the year. Many scholars have used lower-resolution data to study single-season rice in different regions, but using high-precision and high-resolution single-season rice data can reveal new phenomena. This paper uses a long-time-series, high-precision, and high-resolution single-season rice cultivation dataset to conduct an in-depth analysis of the spatial–temporal variability characteristics of single-season rice in Jiangsu Province, China, from 2017 to 2021. It explores the correlation between meteorological factors and greenhouse gasses for single-season rice. It analyzes the driving role of social factors on single-season rice. The results showed that single-season rice was mainly grown in the central and northeastern regions of the study area. The single-season rice cultivation was significantly reduced in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19. Single-season rice strongly correlates with meteorological factors in time but shows a weak spatial correlation. This is because human factors largely dominate the area under single-season rice cultivation. Methane emissions in the study area are mainly influenced by anthropogenic activities rather than single-season rice. Social factors are essential in controlling single-season rice cultivation in the study area. This study was conducted in Jiangsu Province, China. Still, the methodology and results have important implications for agricultural production and environmental management studies in other regions, and some findings have general applicability.

Reynoutria ciliinervis (Nakai) Moldenke (R. ciliinervis) root, a traditional Chinese medicine, was found to exhibit remarkable pharmacological properties through a series of comprehensive investigations. Our study commenced with a qualitative phytochemical analysis that identified 12 bioactive compounds within the plant. Subsequently, utilizing ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, the methanol extract emerged as the optimal solvent extract, which was abundant in diverse classes of compounds such as carbohydrates, phenolics, steroids, alkaloids, phenolic acids, and tannins. In vitro antioxidant assays underscored the exceptional free radical scavenging, metal ion chelation, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, singlet oxygen quenching, and β-carotene bleaching capabilities of the methanol extract, significantly outperforming other solvent extracts. Further ultra high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–quadrupole time of flight–mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of 45 compounds, predominantly anthraquinones and phenolics, in the methanol extract. The extract demonstrated robust stability under various conditions, including high temperatures, varying pH levels, and simulated gastrointestinal digestion as well as efficacy in inhibiting the oxidation in edible oils. Acute toxicity tests in mice confirmed the safety of the methanol extract and provided a valuable dosage reference for future studies. Importantly, high-dose methanol extract exhibited a significant pre-protective effect against D-galactosamine-induced liver injury in rats, as evidenced by reduced alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, malondialdehyde levels, and elevated catalase and albumin levels. These findings suggest a potential role for the methanol extract of R. ciliinervis root in treating oxidative stress-related disorders, highlighting the plant’s immense medicinal potential. Our research offers a thorough evaluation of the bioactive components, antioxidant properties, stability, and liver-protecting effects of the methanol extract, setting the stage for deeper investigation and potential clinical applications.

An accurate and dynamic evaluation of the latent heat flux (LE) of greenhouse crops is imperative for advancing precision irrigation. Previous studies used the Penman-Monteith model to evaluate LE and treated the canopy as a holistic leaf, overlooking the discrepancies in structure and microclimate across canopy vertical sections. This study divided the canopy into a shaded and a sunlit layer in line with the structural characteristics of the tomato canopy and the shift in solar elevation angle β. A full-layer model (PMI) and a semi-layer model (PMT) were established based on the layering difference in the evaluation of canopy resistance (rc) and aerodynamic resistance (ra). Eight models: PMI1, PMI2, PMI3, PMI4, PMT1, PMT2, PMT3, and PMT4, were obtained using meteorological data from 2 m above the ground and 2/3 of the canopy height in 2022 and 2023. The performance was compared with the big leaf model (PMB) and verified based on the LE measured by the lysimeter (LEm). The results indicated that LE had the highest sensitivity to canopy absorbed net radiation during the flowering stage (1≤LAI≤3), while PMI2 and PMI4 overestimated LE with the fitting slopes (LE-LEm) of 1.72 and 1.67 in 2022 and 1.70 and 1.55 in 2023, respectively. PMT3 and PMB underestimated LE; the fitting slopes in two years were both 0.83 and 0.80, respectively; PMI3 with the fitting slopes were 0.99 and 0.96 in two years, respectively. In the picking period (LAI≥5), LE was the most sensitive to vapor pressure deficit (VPD); PMI3 and PMB accurately simulated LE with the fitting slops, both over 0.9 in two years. Therefore, the canopy was layered when evaluating rc while treating it as a unit in evaluating ra, PMI3 showed the best comprehensive performance when simulating LE in different seasons and growth periods using meteorological data at 2 m above the ground.

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is characterized by painful and occasionally disfiguring cutaneous manifestations with sepsis-like systemic symptoms, and is a rare severe variant of psoriasis. Currently, there is no standard treatment for GPP. Here, we report a case of a female patient with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and mild scalp psoriasis, who developed GPP and alopecia following three courses of adalimumab therapy. The patient’s condition gradually improved following cessation of adalimumab and treatment with secukinumab and acitretin. After eight weeks of treatment, the patient achieved almost complete clearance of her psoriasis, her alopecia improved, and her AS was relieved. Therefore, we believe that a combination of secukinumab with acitretin may be a rational approach for the treatment of severe GPP.

Background: Chronic Rhinosinusitis is a common disease in children. The main function of CFTR is to maintain the thickness of the mucous layer on the surface of the nasal mucosa. CFTR disease-causing variant can cause CFTR protein dysfunction and induce or aggravate chronic infection. However, the carrying status of the CFTR variants in the Chinese population is not clear. Objective: To study the frequency and variants of CFTR in Chinese children with CRS and to analyze the CFTR variants and the clinical characteristics and susceptibility to CRS. Methods: Whole Exome Sequencing was performed to analyze the CFTR genes in a total of 106 CRS children from the Chinese mainland area. The CFTR variants, frequency and clinical data were summarized and analyzed. Results: A total of 31 CFTR variants were detected, of which the carrying rate of 7 sites was significantly higher than that of the population database. 88 patients carried more than 2 variants. 37 people carried variants (MAF

Abstract The oral delivery of nano-drug delivery systems (Nano-DDS) remains a challenge. Taking inspirations from viruses, here we construct core–shell mesoporous silica nanoparticles (NPs, ~80 nm) with virus-like nanospikes (VSN) to simulate viral morphology, and further modified VSN with L-alanine (CVSN) to enable chiral recognition for functional bionics. By comparing with the solid silica NPs, mesoporous silica NPs and VSN, we demonstrate the delivery advantages of CVSN on overcoming intestinal sequential barriers in both animals and human via multiple biological processes. Subsequently, we encapsulate indomethacin (IMC) into the nanopores of NPs to mimic gene package, wherein the payloads are isolated from bio-environments and exist in an amorphous form to increase their stability and solubility, while the chiral nanospikes multi-sited anchor and chiral recognize on the intestinal mucosa to enhance the penetrability and ultimately improve the oral adsorption of IMC. Encouragingly, we also prove the versatility of CVSN as oral Nano-DDS.

The exogenous application of oxalic acid is a potential approach to amplifying phytoremediation performance on Cd-contaminated soils. However, few studies explore the optimal oxalic acid application regime from a perspective of coupling different concentrations and timings to maximize Cd removal rate. Given this, a pot experiment was conducted using oil sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as the test plant. Oxalic acid was added to the pots at concentrations of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 mmol/kg at 20, 30, 40, and 50 days after emergence. A control (CK) without exogenous oxalic acid was also included. We examined the discrepancies in various soil Cd forms, sunflower height, plant non-protein thiol (NPT) levels, and soil Cd remediation efficiency under different oxalic acid application regimes. The results showed that applying oxalic acid at a concentration of 4 mmol/kg reduced the proportion of Fe-Mn oxide Cd and organic Cd compared to the control (CK), while increased the proportion of available Cd. The optimal application time is 30 or 40 days after emergence. The addition of exogenous oxalic acid promoted the growth of sunflowers, with the greatest increase in plant height observed when 4 mmol/kg oxalic acid was applied at 30 days after emergence. Exogenous oxalic acid enhanced the absorption of Cd by sunflower roots, with the total Cd accumulation in roots, stems, and leaves being higher than in the control (CK). When 4 mmol/kg oxalic acid was applied at 30 days after emergence, the total Cd accumulation in roots, stems, and leaves was highest. Under different application times and concentration levels of oxalic acid, Cd accumulation was highest in roots, followed by leaves, with stems showing the lowest accumulation. The NPT content in each part is as follows: root > stem > leaf. Applying 5 mmol/kg oxalic acid after 30 days of sunflower emergence resulted in relatively higher total NPT content in roots, stems, and leaves compared to the control (CK). The TOPSIS model was used for comprehensive evaluation, which showed that 4 mmol/kg oxalic acid application at 30 days after emergence could be used as the optimal oxalic acid application regime for phytoremediation. These findings indicate that the addition of oxalic acid effectively promoted the absorption of Cd by sunflower and increased the efficiency of Cd removal from the rhizosphere soil, with the optimal removal of soil Cd achieved by applying oxalic acid at a concentration of 4 mmol/kg 30 days after the emergence of oilseed sunflower seedlings.

In this study, in order to obtain excellent mechanical properties in TiB2/Al–Cu–Mn–Cd composite, an optimized heat treatment, i.e., short-time solution treatment at 535 °C for 1 h following long-time solution at 523 °C for 11 h, and aging treatment, i.e., aged at 170 °C for 12 h, is proposed. In addition, this study investigated the connection between microstructure evolution and mechanical properties during heat treatment. The results show that with adoption of the optimized solution treatment, the area fraction of second and eutectic Al2Cu phases decreased from 5.08% in the as-cast state to less than 0.36% owing to improvement of dissolution efficiency in the high-temperature short-time solution. Comparing mechanical properties of the composite in the as-cast state and in the peak-aged state, average ultimate tensile strength and yield strength increased from 211.9 MPa to 523.0 MPa and from 115.8 MPa to 451.8 MPa, respectively. However, average elongation slightly decreased from 8.78% to 8.24%. Strength contribution of the peak-aged TiB2/Al–Cu–Mn–Cd composite was mainly ascribed to Cd-rich, θ″ and θ′ precipitates. In the peak-aged state, number density and average diameter of the plate-like θ″ and θ′ precipitates reached 4.266 × 1021 m3 and 64.30 nm, respectively, and severe lattice distortions occurred around the Cd-rich precipitates, providing the strongest precipitation strengthening. These findings indicate that the two-stage solution treatment successfully solved the problem of the eutectic phase at the triangular grain boundary being difficult to dissolve in a TiB2/Al-Cu-Mn-Cd composite, and excellent mechanical properties were acquired with the optimized aging treatment.

The root of Paeonia lactiflora pall. is a significant component of traditional Chinese medicine, with terpenoids and their glycosides, such as paeoniflorins, serving as key active ingredients known for their anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and analgesic properties. By generating a transcriptome and functionally characterizing 32 terpene synthases (TPSs) from P. lactiflora, we successfully constructed 24 pESC-Trp-PlTPS expression vectors. Through expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae engineered strains, we identified four mono-TPSs and five sesqui-TPSs that produce 18 compounds, including eight monoterpenes and ten sesquiterpenes in vitro. This includes a bifunctional enzyme (PlTPS22). Additionally, PlTPS21 was characterized as a pinene synthase with α-pinene as its main product. The expression pattern of PlTPS21 aligns closely with the accumulation patterns of paeoniflorins and α-pinene in the plant, suggesting that PlTPS21 is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of paeoniflorin.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–endolysosome interactions regulate cholesterol exchange between the ER and the endolysosome. ER–endolysosome membrane contact sites mediate the ER–endolysosome interaction. VAP-ORP1L (vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein- OSBP-related protein 1L) interaction forms the major contact site between the ER and the lysosome, which is regulated by Rab7. RILP (Rab7-interacting lysosomal protein) is the downstream effector of Rab7, but its role in the organelle interaction between the ER and the lysosome is not clear. In this study, we found RILP interacts with ORP1L to competitively inhibit the formation of the VAP–ORP1L contact site. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that RILP induces late endosome/lysosome clustering, which reduces the contact of endolysosomes with the ER, interfering with the ER–endolysosome interaction. Further examination demonstrated that over-expression of RILP results in the accumulation of cholesterol in the clustered endolysosomes, which triggers cellular autophagy depending on RILP. Our results suggest that RILP interferes with the ER–endolysosome interaction to inhibit cholesterol flow from the endolysosome to the ER, which feedbacks to trigger autophagy.

Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (D. citri) is one of the major pests in the citrus industry, which spreads Citrus Huanglongbing disease. It has developed resistance to chemical insecticides. Therefore, searching for greener solutions for pest management is critically important. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the repellent and insecticidal efficacy of essential oils (EOs) from four species of Myrtaceae plants: Psidium guajava (PG), Eucalyptus robusta (ER), Eucalyptus tereticornis (ET), and Baeckea frutescens (BF) against D. citri and to analyze their chemical compositions. GC-MS analysis was performed, and the results indicated that the EOs of PG, ER, ET, and BF were rich in terpenoids, ketones, esters, and alcohol compounds. The repellent rate of all four EOs showed that it decreased with exposure time but increased with the concentration of EOs from 80.50% to 100.00% after treating D. citri for 6 h with four EOs at 100% concentration and decreased to 67.71% to 85.49% after 24 h of exposure. Among the compounds from the EOs tested, eucalyptol had the strongest repellent activity, with a 24 h repellency rate of 100%. The contact toxicity bioassay results showed that all EOs have insecticidal toxicity to D. citri; the LC50 for nymphs was 36.47–93.15 mL/L, and for adults, it was 60.72–111.00 mL/L. These results show that when PG is used as the reference material, the ER, ET, and BF EOs have strong biological activity against D. citri, which provides a scientific basis for the further development of plant-derived agrochemicals.