Search

Abstract Objectives Gout is caused by the response of the innate immune system to monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. A recent gout GWAS identified a signal of genetic association at a locus encompassing IL1RN-IL1F10. Colocalisation analysis using Genotype Tissue Expression Database (GTEx) eQTL data showed that the signal overlaps with genetic control of IL1RN/IL1F10 gene expression. We assess the functional implications of IL1RN rs9973741, the lead gout-associated variant. Methods We conducted functional validation of IL1RN rs9973741 in patients with gout and controls. The transcription level of IL1RN/IL1F10 was investigated in unstimulated or MSU-crystal co-stimulated PBMCs. Ex vivo functional assays were performed in PBMCs stimulated with C16 + MSU crystals or LPS for 24 h. Cytokine levels were assessed by ELISA. Results In unstimulated PBMCs, no association of IL1RN rs9973741 (gout risk allele G) to IL1RN expression was observed while IL-1F10 was hindered by low expression at both transcriptional and protein levels. However, G allele carriers showed lower IL1RN expression in PBMCs stimulated with C16/MSU crystal and lower concentrations of circulating IL-1Ra in both controls and gout patients. PBMCs depicted less spontaneous IL-1Ra release in GG homozygous controls and lower IL-1Ra production in response to C16 + MSU crystal costimulation in patients with gout. The G allele was associated with elevated IL-1β cytokine production in response to C16 + MSU crystal stimulation in controls. Conclusions The gout risk allele G associates with lower circulating IL-1Ra, lower IL-1Ra production in PBMC assays and elevated IL-1β production in PBMCs challenged with C16 + MSU crystals but not in unchallenged cells. Our data indicate that the genetic signal that associates with gout at IL1RN-IL1F10 region functions to alter expression of IL-1Ra when stimulated by MSU crystals.

Sodium iodide (NaI) detector has wide applications in Prompt Gamma-ray Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) due to its excellent detection efficiency and relatively low cost. In order to obtain the response of the detector to gamma-rays during PGNAA measurement process，a Monte Carlo model was established for the NaI detector to simulate the transport processes of neutrons and gamma-rays. Measurements and analyses were conducted on standard point sources of 60Co，137Cs，152Eu，133Ba，and 241Am，as well as a waterborne source of 137Cs. These measurements were compared with MCNP simulation calculations，and the results demonstrated agreement between the two methodologies. Then，measurements were conducted on aqueous solutions using a D-D neutron generator，and the 2.223 MeV characteristic gamma-ray produced by the H element radiative capture reaction was analyzed. The research results show that the deviations between MCNP simulation calculations of characteristic peaks for the H element and experimental measurements were consistently within 13%，demonstrating that the NaI measurement system model established by MCNP can simulate the transport processes of gamma and neutrons，laying a foundation for the subsequent optimization of the system and other related work.

Abstract The pathogenesis of Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) remains unclear, though increasing evidence suggests inflammatory processes play key roles. In this study, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was used to decipher the immunometabolic profile in 4 ME/CFS patients and 4 heathy controls. We analyzed changes in the composition of major PBMC subpopulations and observed an increased frequency of total T cells and a significant reduction in NKs, monocytes, cDCs and pDCs. Further investigation revealed even more complex changes in the proportions of cell subpopulations within each subpopulation. Gene expression patterns revealed upregulated transcription factors related to immune regulation, as well as genes associated with viral infections and neurodegenerative diseases.CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in ME/CFS patients show different differentiation states and altered trajectories, indicating a possible suppression of differentiation. Memory B cells in ME/CFS patients are found early in the pseudotime, indicating a unique subtype specific to ME/CFS, with increased differentiation to plasma cells suggesting B cell overactivity. NK cells in ME/CFS patients exhibit reduced cytotoxicity and impaired responses, with reduced expression of perforin and CD107a upon stimulation. Pseudotime analysis showed abnormal development of adaptive immune cells and an enhanced cell-cell communication network converging on monocytes in particular. Our analysis also identified the estrogen-related receptor alpha (ESRRA)-APP-CD74 signaling pathway as a potential biomarker for ME/CFS in peripheral blood. In addition, data from the GSE214284 database confirmed higher ESRRA expression in the monocyte cell types of male ME/CFS patients. These results suggest a link between immune and neurological symptoms. The results support a disease model of immune dysfunction ranging from autoimmunity to immunodeficiency and point to amyloidotic neurodegenerative signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of ME/CFS. While the study provides important insights, limitations include the modest sample size and the evaluation of peripheral blood only. These findings highlight potential targets for diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic interventions. Further research is needed to validate these biomarkers and explore their clinical applications in managing ME/CFS.

Abstract Background Growth hormone-secreting pituitary neuroendocrine tumors can be pathologically classified into densely granulated (DGGH) and sparsely granulated types (SGGH). SGGH is more aggressive and associated with a poorer prognosis. While epigenetic regulation is vital in tumorigenesis and progression, the role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in aggressive behavior has yet to be elucidated. Methods We performed m6A-sequencing on tumor samples from 8 DGGH and 8 SGGH patients, complemented by a suite of assays including ELISA, immuno-histochemistry, -blotting and -fluorescence, qPCR, MeRIP, RIP, and RNA stability experiments, aiming to delineate the influence of m6A on tumor behavior. We further assessed the therapeutic potential of targeted drugs using cell cultures, organoid models, and animal studies. Results We discovered a significant reduction of m6A levels in SGGH compared to DGGH, with an elevated expression of fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO), an m6A demethylase, in SGGH subtype. Series of in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that FTO inhibition in tumor cells robustly diminishes hypoxia resistance, attenuates growth hormone secretion, and augments responsiveness to octreotide. Mechanically, FTO-mediated m6A demethylation destabilizes desmoplakin (DSP) mRNA, mediated by the m6A reader FMR1, leading to prohibited desmosome integrity and enhanced tumor hypoxia tolerance. Targeting the FTO-DSP-SSTR2 axis curtailed growth hormone secretion, therefor sensitizing tumors to octreotide therapy. Conclusion Our study reveals the critical role of FTO in the aggressive growth hormone-secreting pituitary neuroendocrine tumors subtype and suggests FTO may represent a new therapeutic target for refractory/persistent SGGH.

Abstract Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most aggressive and lethal type of lung cancer, characterized by limited treatment options, early and frequent metastasis. However, the determinants of metastasis in SCLC are poorly defined. Here, we show that estrogen-related receptor gamma (ERRγ) is overexpressed in metastatic SCLC tumors, and is positively associated with SCLC progression. ERRγ functions as an essential activator of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and cell adhesion, two critical steps in metastasis, by directly regulating the expression of major genes involved in these processes. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of ERRγ markedly reduces collagen production, cell-matrix adhesion, microfilament production, and eventually blocks SCLC cell invasion and tumor metastasis. Notably, ERRγ antagonists significantly suppressed tumor growth and metastasis and restored SCLC vulnerability to chemotherapy in multiple cell-derived and patient-derived xenograft models. Taken together, these findings establish ERRγ as an attractive target for metastatic SCLC and provide a potential pharmacological strategy for treating this lethal disease.

Abstract Background The treatment of the displaced proximal humerus fractures (PHF) still facing a lot of unsolved problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effect of MultiLoc nails for the treatment of PHF and present outcomes of patients with different Neer’s classification and reduction quality. Methods Adult patients with PHFs were recruited and treated with MultiLoc nail. Intraoperative data, radiographic and functional outcomes, as well as occurrence of postoperative complications were assessed. Results 48 patients met inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included in this study. The DASH Score were 32.2 ± 3.1 points at 12 months, and 37.3 ± 2.5 points at the final follow-up. The mean ASES score at 12 months and final follow-up were 74.4 ± 6.2 and 78.8 ± 5.1, respectively. The mean CM Score in all 48 patients reached 68 ± 6.4 points at the final follow-up, relative side related CM Score 75.2 ± 7.7% of contralateral extremity. The incidence rate of complications was 20.8%. Patients with fracture mal-union, adhesive capsulitis were observed but no secondary surgeries were performed. There was no significantly difference of DASH Score 12 months after surgery and at the last follow-up among patients with different Neer’s classification or reduction quality. However, functional outcomes such as ASES score and CM score were significantly influenced by severity of fracture and the quality of fracture reduction. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that MultiLoc nails is well suited for proximal humeral fractures, with satisfactory health status recovery, good radiographic results, positive clinical outcomes and low rates of complications. The treatment for four part PHF still faces great challenges. Accurate fracture reduction was an important factor for good functional result.

Abstract Background APRI and FIB-4 scores are used to exclude clinically significant fibrosis (defined as stage ≥ F2) in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. However, the cut-offs for these scores (generated by Youden indices) vary between different patient cohorts. This study aimed to evaluate whether serum dithiothreitol-oxidizing capacity (DOC), i.e., a surrogate test of quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase-1, which is a matrix remodeling enzyme, could be used to non-invasively identify significant fibrosis in patients with various chronic liver diseases (CLDs). Methods Diagnostic performance of DOC was compared with APRI and FIB-4 for identifying significant fibrosis. ROC curve analyses were undertaken in: a) two chronic hepatitis B (CHB) cohorts, independently established from hospitals in Wenzhou (n = 208) and Hefei (n = 120); b) a MASLD cohort from Wenzhou hospital (n = 122); and c) a cohort with multiple CLD etiologies (except CHB and MASLD; n = 102), which was identified from patients in both hospitals. Cut-offs were calculated using the Youden index. All CLD patients (n = 552) were then stratified by age for ROC curve analyses and cut-off calculations. Results Stratified by CLD etiology or age, ROC curve analyses consistently showed that the DOC test was superior to APRI and FIB-4 for discriminating between clinically significant fibrosis and no fibrosis, when APRI and FIB-4 showed poor/modest diagnostic performance (P 0.05 in 11 cohort comparisons). DOC had a significant advantage over APRI or FIB-4 scores for establishing a uniform cut-off independently of age and CLD etiology (coefficients of variation of DOC, APRI and FIB-4 cut-offs were 1.7%, 22.9% and 47.6% in cohorts stratified by CLD etiology, 2.0%, 26.7% and 29.5% in cohorts stratified by age, respectively). The uniform cut-off was 2.13, yielded from all patients examined. Surprisingly, the uniform cut-off was the same as the DOC upper limit of normal with a specificity of 99%, estimated from 275 healthy control individuals. Hence, the uniform cut-off should possess a high negative predictive value for excluding significant fibrosis in primary care settings. A high DOC cut-off with 97.5% specificity could be used for detecting significant fibrosis (≥ F2) with an acceptable positive predictive value (87.1%). Conclusions This proof-of-concept study suggests that the DOC test may efficiently rule out and rule in significant liver fibrosis, thereby reducing the numbers of unnecessary liver biopsies. Moreover, the DOC test may be helpful for clinicians to exclude significant liver fibrosis in the general population.

Abstract River basin cities are areas with remarkable conflicts between the human activity and the ecological environment. They are also important targets for policy implementation of sustainable and high-quality development (HD) in various countries around the world. This article exploits the panel data of 99 cities located in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) from 2006 to 2019 to empirically analyze the spatial effect of financial growth on HD. Spatial weights participated econometric models are utilized to analyze this spatial effect. Empirical results reveal that: (1) the HD in the YRB shows a strong positive spatial autocorrelation. (2) Financial growth exerts an N-shaped curve effect on the HD from a long-term perspective. When this influence spills out to the surroundings, it exhibits an inverted U-shaped characteristic. (3) Green innovation can be an important intermediary factor in the influence of financial growth on HD. (4) The influence of financial growth on HD appears stronger in regions with higher economic levels, where N-shaped effects can be transmitted to the surrounding regions. However, the backward economic development in low-economy regions prevents the spatial spillover of N-shaped effects. This study can be instrumental for countries to formulate financial policies that aim to promote HD in river basin cities.

ABSTRACT Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has not been considered a public health emergency of international concern since last year, intermittent regional impacts still persist, and accurate testing remains crucial. Ribonuclease P protein subunit P30 (RPP30) RNA, known for its broad and stable expression in tissue cells, was used to evaluate samples from 10 hospitals with over 3,000 negative nucleic acid tests. The results revealed that the overall pass rate for the collected samples was consistently low and exhibited significant heterogeneity. After reassessing the evaluative effectiveness of RPP30 RNA Ct values from the samples of 132 positive individuals under quarantine observation, it was used to identify factors affecting sampling quality. These factors included different stages ranging from sample collection to PCR processing, various characteristics of both samplers and individuals being sampled, as well as sampling season and location. The results indicated that post-sampling handling had minimal impact, winter and fever clinic samples showed higher quality, whereas children’s samples had lower quality. The key finding was that the characteristics of samplers were closely related to sampling quality, emphasizing the role of subjectivity. Quality control warnings led to substantial improvements, confirming this finding. Consequently, although there are various factors during the testing process, the most critical aspect is to improve, supervise, and maintain standardized practices among sampling staff.IMPORTANCEThis study further confirmed the reliability of internal references (IRs) in assessing sample quality, and utilized a large sample IR data to comprehensively and multidimensionally identify significant interference factors in nucleic acid test results. By further reminding and intervening in the subjective practices of specimen collectors, good results could be achieved.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been extensively documented as posing significant health risks to human populations. However, there is a lack of research of their impact on endangered species, which significantly affects the effectiveness of conservation efforts and maintenance of these populations. In this study, we examined the levels of PFAS pollution in adults and juveniles of the vulnerable Saunders’s gull (Larus saundersi), along with their various food sources using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and Ecopath model. Long-chain PFAS, predominantly composed of perfluorooctanoic acid (accounting for 51.4% of the total), were identified as the main pollutants in the gull, its food, and the environment. Saunders’s gulls showed significant bioaccumulation and magnification of PFAS, with contamination levels significantly above those recorded in other species. Mean PFAS levels between juveniles (904.26 ng/g wet weight) and adults (407.40 ng/g wet weight) revealed a significant disparity, indicating that PFAS pollution may severely threaten these birds. Among the food sources analyzed, bivalves and polychaetes emerged as the primary contributors to PFAS contamination in Saunders’s gulls, with high transfer efficiency. The fundamental cause of PFAS pollution in benthic organisms and the gulls appears to be baseline environmental pollution, which was highly consistent across all examined pollutant types. Moreover, chemical plants close to breeding areas may cause severe environmental pollution, threatening organisms at various trophic levels through the food web. We suggest enhancing the pollution monitoring of important biological habitats for timely prediction and early warning of chemical risks. Additionally, ecological restoration of key habitats should be strengthened to ensure the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation.

Summary: Non-invasive, real-time monitorable indicators for early assessment of sepsis-associated myocardial injury (SMI) are still lacking. We aimed to develop non-invasive, real-time indicators for early assessment of SMI using bedside heart rate (HR) and diastolic arterial pressure (DAP) monitors. In this multi-center cohort study, piece-wise exponential additive mixed models were used to estimate the exposure window and time fraction of the hazardous exposure proportion, and secondarily to analyze the exposure characterization on this basis to identify high-risk exposure pattern. In total, 20,043 patients were finally included; we found that SMI patients had the highest survival rate when HR was 0.3 and 0.2, respectively, and exposure window on admission day 1). H1D-1 exposure pattern using glucocorticoids significantly increased the risk of mortality in H1D-1. Validation against various methodologies and data sources demonstrated acceptable consistency.

The bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus employs a thick cell wall for protection against physical and chemical insults. This wall requires continuous maintenance to ensure strength and barrier integrity, but also to permit bacterial growth and division. The main cell wall component is peptidoglycan. Accordingly, the bacteria produce so-called peptidoglycan hydrolases (PGHs) that cleave glycan strands to facilitate growth, cell wall remodelling, separation of divided cells and release of exported proteins into the extracellular milieu. A special class of PGHs contains so-called ‘cysteine, histidine-dependent amidohydrolase/peptidase’ (CHAP) domains. In the present study, we profiled the roles of 11 CHAP PGHs encoded by the core genome of S. aureus USA300 LAC. Mutant strains lacking individual CHAP PGHs were analysed for growth, cell morphology, autolysis, and invasion and replication inside human lung epithelial cells. The results show that several investigated CHAP PGHs contribute to different extents to extracellular and intracellular growth and replication of S. aureus, septation of dividing cells, daughter cell separation once the division process is completed, autolysis and biofilm formation. In particular, the CHAP PGHs Sle1 and SAUSA300_2253 control intracellular staphylococcal replication and the resistance to β-lactam antibiotics like oxacillin. This makes the S. aureus PGHs in general, and the Sle1 and SAUSA300_2253 proteins in particular, attractive targets for future prophylactic or therapeutic anti-staphylococcal interventions. Alternatively, these cell surface-exposed enzymes, or particular domains of these enzymes, could be applied in innovative anti-staphylococcal therapies.

Abstract The sensitivity of soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition in seasonally frozen soils, such as alpine ecosystems, to climate warming is a major uncertainty in global carbon cycling. Here we measure soil CO2 emission during four years (2018–2021) from the whole-soil warming experiment (4 °C for the top 1 m) in an alpine grassland ecosystem. We find that whole-soil warming stimulates total and SOC-derived CO2 efflux by 26% and 37%, respectively, but has a minor effect on root-derived CO2 efflux. Moreover, experimental warming only promotes total soil CO2 efflux by 7-8% on average in the meta-analysis across all grasslands or alpine grasslands globally (none of these experiments were whole-soil warming). We show that whole-soil warming has a much stronger effect on soil carbon emission in the alpine grassland ecosystem than what was reported in previous warming experiments, most of which only heat surface soils.

Abstract This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the perioperative and postoperative follow-up data of patients with super obesity who had undergone RYGB, SG, BPD/DS, and SADI-S. A retrospective observational study was conducted to analyze the perioperative and postoperative follow-up data of 60 patients with super obesity who had undergone bariatric surgery. A total of 34 men and 26 women were included in this study. The participants had an average preoperative BMI of 53.81 ± 3.25 kg/m2. The body weight and BMI of all four patient groups decreased significantly at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively compared with the preoperative values. Additionally, the TWL (%) and EWL (%) of all four groups increased gradually over the same period. Compared with the preoperative values, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glycosylated hemoglobin, uric acid, triglycerides, and total cholesterol decreased to varying degrees in the four groups 1 year postoperatively. RYGB, SG, BPD/DS, and SADI-S are all safe and effective in treating super obese patients and improving their metabolic diseases to a certain extent.

Abstract Background Non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a type of lung cancer that occurs in the cells of the respiratory tract, and its development is influenced by the regulation of circular RNAs (circRNAs). However, the role of circRNA carboxypeptidase A4 (circCPA4) in the progression of NSCLC and the underlying mechanism remain relatively clear. Methods The study utilized both real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and western blot techniques to evaluate the levels of circCPA4, microRNA‐145‐5p (miR‐145‐5p), alanine, serine, or cysteine‐preferring transporter 2 (ASCT2). To assess cell proliferation, cell counting kit‐8 (CCK8) and 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine (EdU) assays were performed. Apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry, while cell migration and invasive capacity were evaluated through transwell and wound‐healing assays. Intracellular levels of glutamine, glutamate, and α‐KG were measured using specific kits. The relationship between miR‐145‐5p and circCPA4 or ASCT2 was confirmed using dual‐luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. Results CircCPA4 and ASCT2 RNA levels were elevated, while miR‐145‐5p was downregulated in both NSCLC tissues and cells. Depletion of circCPA4 significantly inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and intracellular levels of glutamine, glutamate, and α‐KG, and promoted apoptosis. Moreover, circCPA4 knockdown delayed tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, circCPA4 was found to bind to miR‐145‐5p, thereby regulating the progression of NSCLC in vitro. ASCT2 was also identified as a downstream target of miR‐145‐5p, and its upregulation rescued the effects of miR‐145‐5p overexpression on NSCLC cell processes. Conclusion CircCPA4 knockdown inhibited tumor property of NSCLC cells by modulating the miR‐145‐5p/ASCT2 axis.

Abstract To evaluate the efficacy and nutrition of single-anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) in Chinese obese patients in the first postoperative year. Clinical data of 66 obese patients who underwent SADI-S surgery at China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University from November 2018 to May 2022 were retrospectively collected. The weight, body mass index (BMI), percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL), and percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) were recorded at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Moreover, metabolic disease remission and nutrient deficiencies were assessed at 1 year postoperatively. Overall, 66 patients (38 males and 28 females) were recruited, with a mean age of 35 (18–61) years and an average preoperative BMI of 42.94 kg/m2. Before surgery, 38 patients had type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), 46 patients had hyperuricemia (HUA), 45 patients had hypertension (HTN), 35 patients had hyperlipidemia, 12 patients had hypercholesterolemia, 12 patients had hyper-low-density lipoproteinemia, and 14 patients had gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms (GERD). All patients had undergone a DaVinci robotic or laparoscopic SADI-S surgery, and none converted to laparotomy or died. Four patients developed postoperative complications and were cured and discharged after conservative treatment or surgical treatment. At 3, 6 and 12 months, the average %EWL was 62.07 ± 26.56, 85.93 ± 27.92, and 106.65 ± 29.65%, %TWL was 22.67 ± 4.94, 32.10 ± 5.18, and 40.56 ± 7.89%, respectively. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), uric acid (UA), triglycerides (TG), blood pressure (BP), and other indexes were significantly lower after one year post-surgery compared with the preoperative period (P

Abstract Soft magnetic materials with stable permeability up to hundreds of megahertz (MHz) are urgently needed for integrated transformers and inductors, which are crucial in the more-than-Moore era. However, traditional frequency-stable soft magnetic ferrites suffer from low saturation magnetization and temperature instability, making them unsuitable for integrated circuits. Herein, we fabricate a frequency-stable soft magnetic composite featuring a magnetic vortex structure via cold-sintering, where ultrafine FeSiAl particles are magnetically isolated and covalently bonded by Al2SiO5/SiO2/Fe2(MoO4)3 multilayered heterostructure. This construction results in an ultrastable permeability of 13 up to 1 gigahertz (GHz), relatively large saturation magnetization of 105 Am2/kg and low coercivity of 48 A/m, which we ascribe to the elimination of domain walls associated with almost uniform single-vortex structures, as observed by Lorentz transmission electron microscopy and reconstructed by micromagnetic simulation. Moreover, the ultimate compressive strength has been simultaneously increased up to 337.1 MPa attributed to the epitaxially grown interfaces between particles. This study deepens our understanding on the characteristics of magnetic vortices and provides alternative concept for designing integrated magnetic devices.

Currently, applying lime to cadmium (Cd)-contaminated paddy fields to increase pH and reduce Cd availability is an effective method to control excessive Cd levels in rice grain. However, under hydroponic conditions, the impact of increased pH on Cd accumulation in different rice varieties remains unclear. This study employed three rice varieties (Yuzhenxiang, Shaoxiang 100, Xiangwanxian 12) with different Cd accumulation characteristics under different pH and long-term treatment with 1 μM CdCl2, to study the effect of pH on growth and Cd accumulation in different rice varieties. The result showed that as pH shifted from 5 to 8, the SPAD values, shoot dry weight, and plant height of the three rice varieties significantly decreased. The main root length, root volume, and root dry weight of Yuzhenxiang, and Shaoxiang100 significantly decreased. Conversely, the root architecture indicators of Xiangwanxian 12 did not change significantly. As for element accumulation, increasing the pH significantly increased the content of Mn in both the shoots and roots of all three varieties. Yuzhenxiang significantly reduced Cd content in both the shoots and roots of rice, while Shaoxiang100 significantly increased Cd content in both parts. Xiangwanxian 12 showed a significant increase in Cd content in the shoots but a decrease in the roots. In terms of subcellular distribution, Yuzhenxiang significantly reduced Cd concentrations in the cell wall and organelles of root cells, resulting in lower Cd concentrations in the root tissue. Conversely, Shaoxiang100 significantly increased Cd concentrations in the cell wall, organelles, and soluble fractions of root cells, leading to higher Cd concentrations in the root tissue. Xiangwanxian 12 also exhibited a decrease in Cd concentrations in the cell wall, organelles, and soluble fraction of root cells, resulting in lower Cd concentrations in the root tissue. Additionally, the expression of the OsNRAMP5 and OsHMA3 gene was significantly increased in Shaoxiang 100, while no significantly change in Yuzhenxiang and Xiangwanxian 12. These results provide important guidance on the impact of pH on Cd accumulation during the vegetative growth stage of different rice varieties.

AbstractExosomes carry large cargo of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, serving as versatile biomarkers for disease diagnosis and vehicles for drug delivery. However, up to date, no well recognized standard procedures for exosome storage were available for clinical application. This study aimed to determine the optimal storage conditions and the anticoagulants for plasma-derived exosome isolation. Fresh whole blood samples were collected from healthy participants and preserved in four different anticoagulants including sodium citrate (SC1/4), sodium citrate (SC1/9), lithium heparin (LH), or Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), respectively. Exosomes were extracted from the plasma by differential ultracentrifugation and stored at three different temperatures, 4°C, −20°C or − 80°C for a duration ranging from one week to six months. All plasma samples for storage conditions comparison were pretreated with LH anticoagulant. Exosome features including morphological characteristics, pariticles size diameter, and surface protein profiles (TSG101, CD63, CD81, CD9, CALNEXIN) were assessed by transmission electron microscopy, Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis, and Western Blotting, respectively. Exosomes preserved in LH and SC1/4 group tended to remain intact microstructure with highly abundant protein biomarkers. Exosomes stored at 4°C for short time were prone to be more stable compared to thos at −80°C. Exosomes stored in plasma were superior in terms of ultrastructure, size diameter and surface protein expression to those stored in PBS. In conclusion, plasma-dervied exosome characteristics strictly depend on the anticoagulants and storage temperature and duration.

The advent of cloud computing platforms (e.g., Google Earth Engine (GEE)) and the massive amounts of optical and radar Earth Observation (EO) data hosted by these platforms present new opportunities for mapping soil pH at large scales. However, existing studies generally lack consensus on the effects of satellite and radar sensor parameters on GEE-based soil pH prediction models. In this study, we assessed the suitability of long-term radar (C-band Sentinel-1 and L-band PALSAR-1/2) and optical (Sentinel-2) EO data on GEE for the digital mapping of soil pH on a continental (Europe) scale and determined the most appropriate radar sensor parameters. Thirteen scenarios with different data configurations were simulated and combined with the 2018 LUCAS soil database and two machine learners (boosted regression trees and extreme gradient boosting) to develop soil prediction models. Results showed that the selection of modeling techniques, satellite sensors and radar system parameters largely affected the model output. Models involving a single polarization mode of PALSAR-1/2 data performed the worst (RPD = 1.24). Models based on Sentinel-1 data performed better than those built using PALSAR-1/2 data. The model performance was improved when a model involved more polarization bands, orbital directions, and band frequencies. The multiband model built using the two radar datasets achieved a comparable accuracy to the model based on optical data. Moreover, the model that fused radar-optical data achieved better results, with RPD values of 1.56 and 1.46 for the models with and without radar data, respectively; its performance was comparable to that of models built with commonly used variables (topography and climate). The analysis of importance indicated that long-term optical and radar EO data on GEE were important in our model. The modelling of soil pH at the continental scale largely benefits from GEE. The predicted maps exhibited strong spatial heterogeneity among different biogeographic regions, with similar spatial patterns under different modelling scenarios.

Abstract Background Sporadic parathyroid adenoma (PA) is the most common cause of hyperparathyroidism, yet the mechanisms involved in its pathogenesis remain incompletely understood. Methods Surgically removed PA samples, along with normal parathyroid gland (PG) tissues that were incidentally dissected during total thyroidectomy, were analysed using single‐cell RNA‐sequencing with the 10× Genomics Chromium Droplet platform and Cell Ranger software. Gene set variation analysis was conducted to characterise hallmark pathway gene signatures, and single‐cell regulatory network inference and clustering were utilised to analyse transcription factor regulons. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were performed to validate cellular components of PA tissues. siRNA knockdown and gene overexpression, alongside quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and cell proliferation assays, were conducted for functional investigations. Results There was a pervasive increase in gene transcription in PA cells (PACs) compared with PG cells. This is associated with high expression of histone‐lysine N‐methyltransferase 2A (KMT2A). High KMT2A levels potentially contribute to promoting PAC proliferation through upregulation of the proto‐oncogene CCND2, which is mediated by the transcription factors signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3). PA tissues are heavily infiltrated with myeloid cells, while fibroblasts, endothelial cells and macrophages in PA tissues are commonly enriched with proinflammatory gene signatures relative to their counterparts in PG tissues. Conclusions We revealed the previously underappreciated involvement of the KMT2A‒STAT3/GATA3‒CCND2 axis and chronic inflammation in the pathogenesis of PA. These findings underscore the therapeutic promise of KMT2A inhibition and anti‐inflammatory strategies, highlighting the need for future investigations to translate these molecular insights into practical applications. Highlights Single‐cell RNA‐sequencing reveals a transcriptome catalogue comparing sporadic parathyroid adenomas (PAs) with normal parathyroid glands. PA cells show a pervasive increase in gene expression linked to KMT2A upregulation. KMT2A‐mediated STAT3 and GATA3 upregulation is key to promoting PA cell proliferation via cyclin D2. PAs exhibit a proinflammatory microenvironment, suggesting a potential role of chronic inflammation in PA pathogenesis.

In order to study the adaptability of heap spraying technology to gob-side entry retaining, based on the engineering practice of gob-side entry retaining in 11212-2 working face, the support body beside the gob-side entry of the heap spraying technology was studied by means of numerical simulation, physical test and theoretical analysis. The results are as follows: under the condition of roof cutting, the fracture characteristic of the surrounding rock on the roof of the support body is an inverted trapezoid. The support resistance of the support body calcucated by a mechaincal model is 4.16 MPa. The numerical simulation shows that under the condition of roof cutting, the surrounding rock of the roof collapses sufficiently, and the broken edge of the surrounding rock on the upper part of the support body is similar to an inverted trapezoid, which verifies the rationality of the previous analysis. The sprayed concrete material has early strength, the 1 d strength reaches 12 MPa, the resistance increase speed is fast, and the 28 d strength reaches 40.6 MPa, the final strength is high and there is no strength loss. In the early stage, the support body is prone to lateral deformation. After the steel mesh structure is built in, the lateral deformation is reduced by 78%. In the later stage, there are tension-compression stress areas and shear stress areas in the support body, which are prone to damage. The design has built-in tension steel bars and bolts are applied at the bottom.

Abstract Soft magnetic materials with flake geometry can provide shape anisotropy for breaking the Snoek limit, which is promising for achieving high-frequency ferromagnetic resonances and microwave absorption properties. Here, two-dimensional (2D) Fe3C microflakes with crystal orientation are obtained by solid-state phase transformation assisted by electrochemical dealloying. The shape anisotropy can be further regulated by manipulating the thickness of 2D Fe3C microflakes under different isothermally quenching temperatures. Thus, the resonant frequency is adjusted effectively from 9.47 and 11.56 GHz under isothermal quenching from 700 °C to 550 °C. The imaginary part of the complex permeability can reach 0.9 at 11.56 GHz, and the minimum reflection loss (RL min ) is −52.09 dB (15.85 GHz, 2.90 mm) with an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB≤−10 dB) of 2.55 GHz. This study provides insight into the preparation of high-frequency magnetic loss materials for obtaining high-performance microwave absorbers and achieves the preparation of functional materials from traditional structural materials.

This paper presents a digital image encryption scheme based on an amnesic super chaotic system. First, the performance of the hyperchaotic system with the addition of a memristor is analyzed, such as phase track map, Lyapunov exponential map, Pangaea cross-section, and other tests. The test results prove that the system has better hyper-chaotic properties. The encryption system proposed in this paper generates the initial value of the system through the SHA3-256 function to realize ‘one map, one secret.’ Chaotic sequences are generated by the memristive hyperchaotic system and used to encrypt the image. The encryption process, goes through row, column disruption, Arnold disruption, DNA encryption, and improved heterogeneous or diffusion encryption. The encrypted image is analyzed by Matlab. It is verified that the pixel dis-tribution of the encrypted image is uniform through a 3D pixel distribution graph, correlation coefficient graph, and histogram. The NPCR, UACI values of the system are obtained experimentally are close to the ideal values 99.6064%, 33.4635%, which verifies the key sensitivity of the system. The encryption system has been tested to have good ability against anti-shearing attack and noise attacks. Encrypting images of different sizes, the entropy of the image information after encryption by the system is close to 8, which verifies that the system has good encryption effect. Finally, the data loss problem of the encryption system is experimentally analyzed. The experiments show that the encryption system proposed in this paper has good anti-data loss performance. Compared to the existing techniques, the encryption of hyper chaotic systems has a high degree of complexity and unpredictability, as well as sensitivity to initial values and parameters to obtain encrypted images with better confidentiality performance.

To address the urgent need to improve the ship type discrimination capability in maritime target detection, this article explores synthetic aperture radar (SAR) three-dimensional (3-D) imaging of moving ships, which can provide high robustness and stability of 3-D structural characteristics for ship type discrimination. This paper defines the three-degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) micro-Doppler frequency of ship scatterers, specifically referring to the Doppler frequency caused by the three-axis rotation of the ship when the motion of the radar platform and the ship's planar motion are both compensated. The 3-DOF micro-Doppler frequency of the ship scatterers is closely related to the roll, pitch, and yaw three-axis rotation parameters of the ship and contains the 3-D coordinate information of the scatterers. Building upon the high-precision extraction of the 3-DOF micro-Doppler frequency of ship scatterers, this paper proposes an SAR 3-D imaging method for moving ships based on this frequency. The proposed method describes the ship's rotational characteristics using 27 parameters and converts the variation in the 3-DOF micro-Doppler frequency of the scatterer into a set of weighted coefficients of B-spline basis functions. Two long short-term memory networks are constructed to estimate the 27 parameters describing the ship's rotation and invert the 3-D coordinates of the scatterers. Finally, through the processing of simulated and experimental data, the feasibility of using the 3-DOF micro-Doppler frequency of ship scatterers to achieve high-precision estimation of the ship's three-axis rotation parameters and high-precision inversion of 3-D coordinates was verified.

The central environmental protection inspection (CEPI) system in China is a significant institutional innovation in national environmental governance. The CEPI applies a joint supervision strategy to address salient environmental issues and strictly enforce the environmental responsibilities of local governments. This study collects and organizes CEPI inspection reports covering three stages that encompass the first round, the “look back”, and the second round, applying text analysis to obtain sample data and conduct statistical quantification of word frequency in inspection reports and identify notable changes. The study explores the allocation of CEPI attention between policy objectives and the intensity of policy instruments. We determine that in conjunction with public opinion feedback, the CEPI conducts targeted inspections and focuses more on pollutant governance, which has high severity and can be addressed quickly. The CEPI fills the gap of normalized governance with a campaign-style governance approach. Regarding the intensity of policy measures, the CEPI primarily uses economic incentive policy instruments, supplemented by command-and-control and public guidance approaches, advancing the sustainability of regulatory effectiveness through economic, social, and political activities. This study extends knowledge in the field of CEPI policy priorities and implementation, expanding the literature related to outcomes of environmental policy in developing countries.

The order Bunyavirales belongs to the class of Ellioviricetes and is classified into fourteen families. Some species of the order Bunyavirales pose potential threats to human health. The continuously increasing research reveals that various viruses within this order achieve immune evasion in the host through suppressing interferon (IFN) response. As the types and nodes of the interferon response pathway are continually updated or enriched, the IFN suppression mechanisms and target points of different virus species within this order are also constantly enriched and exhibit variations. For instance, Puumala virus (PUUV) and Tula virus (TULV) can inhibit IFN response through their functional NSs inhibiting downstream factor IRF3 activity. Nevertheless, the IFN suppression mechanisms of Dabie bandavirus (DBV) and Guertu virus (GTV) are mostly mediated by viral inclusion bodies (IBs) or filamentous structures (FSs). Currently, there are no effective drugs against several viruses belonging to this order that pose significant threats to society and human health. While the discovery, development, and application of antiviral drugs constitute a lengthy process, our focus on key targets in the IFN response suppression process of the virus leads to potential antiviral strategies, which provide references for both basic research and practical applications.

Knowing how functional diversity varies across environmental gradients is crucial in investigating biodiversity formation and community assembly processes. The majority of studies concerning functional diversity are based on one fixed plot size, resulting in weakened sensitivity of the spatial patterns to sampling resolution. This weakness may obscure the true mechanisms behind community assemblage. In this study, we utilized hyperspectral imagery collected by Orbita hyperspectral satellites (OHS) to explore the spatial distribution patterns of functional traits and diversity in alpine meadows at four sampling radii (25 m, 50 m, 100 m, 200 m). We examined how functional traits and their diversity responded to variations in climatic and soil conditions at different sampling resolutions. Our findings revealed a significant influence of solar radiation and soil depth on the patterns of functional traits in alpine meadows. Scale dependency was evident in the functional richness (FRic), functional evenness (FEve), and functional dispersion (FDis) of different traits, indicated by a notable difference from the null model. In the presence of stronger soil nutrient and water limitation, chlorophyll a content (CAC), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf thickness (LT), and plant height (Height) exhibited increased clustering and convergence at larger sampling resolutions, illustrating environmental filtering in habitat patch assembly in the alpine meadow. For the first time, this study explores scale dependency in functional diversity patterns in alpine meadows using satellite-based hyperspectral imagery. It unveils the environmental filtering effect of soil nutrient limitation on shaping vegetation patch structures at a landscape level from a remote sensing perspective. The study underscores the significance of accounting for sampling resolution in future related research.

Duanwu Tea is a popular and ancient biodiversity-related traditional knowledge in Songyang, China. It has the remarkable function of dispelling dampness and relieving summer heat. However, systematic research on Duanwu Tea has been limited, and its biodiversity characteristics remain relatively unknown beyond the borders of Songyang. This study aims to investigate the bio-resources involved in making Duanwu Tea and its correlation with local geography and social conditions. To achieve this, semi-structured interviews were conducted and 23 formulations of Duanwu Tea were collected from the northern, central, and southern regions of Songyang. The results indicated that: (1) A total of 49 species of bio-resources belonging to 37 families and 46 genera were involved in the formulations. (2) There were no significant differences in the amounts of bio-resources in formulations between various regions. However, there were significant differences in the diversity indices of richness, Shannon-Weiner diversity, and Simpson with the diversity indices descending in the order of southern, central, and northern regions. (3) In terms of the processing of stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits as medicinal ingredients, there were significant differences between the regions. We concluded that the biodiversity characteristics of Duanwu Tea formula are related to the geographical environment, which provides a reference for further study and an opportunity for sustainable utilization. Through this study, we hope more people will pay attention to this valuable traditional knowledge and give it adequate protection and inheritance in the future.

Abstract Early fracture fixation is the critical factor in fracture healing. Common internal fracture implants are made of metallic materials, which often affects the imaging quality of CT and MRI. Most patients will choose secondary surgery to remove the internal fixation implants, which causes secondary damage to them. The development of new degradable internal fracture implants has attracted more and more attention from orthopedic surgeons and researchers. Based on these problems, we improved the various properties of medical grade polycaprolactone (PCL) by adding poly(L-lactide) (PLLA). We produced PCL/PLLA strapping bands with different mass ratios by injection molding. We compared the mechanical properties, degradation properties, cell biocompatibility, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) adhesion, proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and fracture fixation effect of these strapping bands. The results showed that the tensile strength and yield force of the strapping bands increased with the increase of the content of PLLA. The addition of PLLA could significantly improve the mechanical strength in the early stage and accelerate the degradation rate of the strapping band. PCL/PLLA (80/20) strapping band had no significant cytotoxicity toward rBMSCs and could promote osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs. The strapping band could ensure femoral fracture healing of beagles in 3 months and didn’t cause damage to the surrounding tissues and main organs. This study will provide some new insights into the biodegradable products of PCL/PLLA blends for internal fixation of fracture. Graphical Abstract We produced novel degradable PCL/PLLA strapping bands with different mass ratios by injection molding. We tested the biological safety of the prepared internal fixation strapping bands for fracture, such as cell experiment in vitro and animal experiment, and studied the degradation behavior in vitro. The strapping bands could ensure femoral fracture healing of beagles. This study will provide some new insights into the biodegradable products of PCL/PLLA blends for internal fixation of fracture. A Immunofluorescence staining of rBMSCs (live cells: green; dead cells: red). B Young’s modulus change curve during strapping bands degradation. C The implantation process of strapping bands. D Micro-CT images of the beagle’s fracture recovery after the operation.

Abstract Background In 2022, a global outbreak of monkeypox occurred with a significant shift in its epidemiological characteristics. The monkeypox virus (MPXV) belongs to the B.1 lineage, and its genomic variations that were linked to the outbreak were investigated in this study. Previous studies have suggested that viral genomic variation plays a crucial role in the pathogenicity and transmissibility of viruses. Therefore, understanding the genomic variation of MPXV is crucial for controlling future outbreaks. Methods This study employed bioinformatics and phylogenetic approaches to evaluate the key genomic variation in the B.1 lineage of MPXV. A total of 979 MPXV strains were screened, and 212 representative strains were analyzed to identify specific substitutions in the viral genome. Reference sequences were constructed for each of the 10 lineages based on the most common nucleotide at each site. A total of 49 substitutions were identified, with 23 non-synonymous substitutions. Class I variants, which had significant effects on protein conformation likely to affect viral characteristics, were classified among the non-synonymous substitutions. Results The phylogenetic analysis revealed 10 relatively monophyletic branches. The study identified 49 substitutions specific to the B.1 lineage, with 23 non-synonymous substitutions that were classified into Class I, II, and III variants. The Class I variants were likely responsible for the observed changes in the characteristics of circulating MPXV in 2022. These key mutations, particularly Class I variants, played a crucial role in the pathogenicity and transmissibility of MPXV. Conclusion This study provides an understanding of the genomic variation of MPXV in the B.1 lineage linked to the recent outbreak of monkeypox. The identification of key mutations, particularly Class I variants, sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed changes in the characteristics of circulating MPXV. Further studies can focus on functional domains affected by these mutations, enabling the development of effective control strategies against future monkeypox outbreaks.

Abstract Background Preoperative stratification is critical for the management of patients with esophageal cancer (EC). To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of PET-CT-based radiomics in preoperative prediction of clinical and pathological stages for patients with EC. Methods Histologically confirmed 100 EC patients with preoperative PET-CT images were enrolled retrospectively and randomly divided into training and validation cohorts at a ratio of 7:3. The maximum relevance minimum redundancy (mRMR) was applied to select optimal radiomics features from PET, CT, and fused PET-CT images, respectively. Logistic regression (LR) was applied to classify the T stage (T1,2 vs. T3,4), lymph node metastasis (LNM) (LNM(−) vs. LNM(+)), and pathological state (pstage) (I–II vs. III–IV) with features from CT (CT_LR_Score), PET (PET_LR_Score), fused PET/CT (Fused_LR_Score), and combined CT and PET features (CT + PET_LR_Score), respectively. Results Seven, 10, and 7 CT features; 7, 8, and 7 PET features; and 3, 6, and 3 fused PET/CT features were selected using mRMR for the prediction of T stage, LNM, and pstage, respectively. The area under curves (AUCs) for T stage, LNM, and pstage prediction in the validation cohorts were 0.846, 0.756, 0.665, and 0.815; 0.769, 0.760, 0.665, and 0.824; and 0.727, 0.785, 0.689, and 0.837 for models of CT_LR_Score, PET_ LR_Score, Fused_ LR_Score, and CT + PET_ LR_Score, respectively. Conclusions Accurate prediction ability was observed with combined PET and CT radiomics in the prediction of T stage, LNM, and pstage for EC patients. Critical relevance statement PET/CT radiomics is feasible and promising to stratify stages for esophageal cancer preoperatively. Key points • PET-CT radiomics achieved the best performance for Node and pathological stage prediction. • CT radiomics achieved the best AUC for T stage prediction. • PET-CT radiomics is feasible and promising to stratify stages for EC preoperatively. Graphical Abstract

Abstract The Viridiplantae comprise two main clades, the Chlorophyta (including a diverse array of marine and freshwater green algae) and the Streptophyta (consisting of the freshwater charophytes and the land plants). Lineages sister to core Chlorophyta, informally refer to as prasinophytes, form a grade of mainly planktonic green algae. Recently, one of these lineages, Prasinodermophyta, which is previously grouped with prasinophytes, has been identified as the sister lineage to both Chlorophyta and Streptophyta. Resolving the deep relationships among green plants is crucial for understanding the historical impact of green algal diversity on marine ecology and geochemistry, but has been proven difficult given the ancient timing of the diversification events. Through extensive taxon and gene sampling, we conduct large-scale phylogenomic analyses to resolve deep relationships and reveal the Prasinodermophyta as the lineage sister to Chlorophyta, raising questions about the necessity of classifying the Prasinodermophyta as a distinct phylum. We unveil that incomplete lineage sorting is the main cause of discordance regarding the placement of Prasinodermophyta. Molecular dating analyses suggest that crown-group green plants and crown-group Prasinodermophyta date back to the Paleoproterozoic-Mesoproterozoic. Our study establishes a plausible link between oxygen levels in the Paleoproterozoic-Mesoproterozoic and the origin of Viridiplantae.

Microbes may play an important role in the sugarcane leaf degradation and nutrient conversion process. Soil bacterial communities are more or less involved in material transformation and nutrient turnover. In order to make better use of the vast sugarcane leaf straw resources and reduce the overuse of chemical fertilizers in the subtropical red soil region of Guangxi, a pot experiment, with three sugarcane leaf return (SLR) amounts [full SLR (FS), 120 g/pot; half SLR (HS), 60 g/pot; and no SLR (NS)] and three fertilizer reduction (FR) levels [full fertilizer (FF), 4.50 g N/pot, 3.00 g P2O5/pot, and 4.50 g K2O/pot; half fertilizer (HF), 2.25 g N/pot, 1.50 g P2O5/pot, and 2.25 g K2O/pot; and no fertilizer (NF)], was conducted to assess the interactions of different SLR amounts and chemical FR levels in the soil bacterial network and the relationship between the soil properties and bacterial network by using Illumina Miseq high-throughput sequencing technology. According to the results of the soil bacterial community compositions and diversity, the soil bacterial network was changed during maize growth. SLR exerted a stronger effect on soil bacterial function than FR. Returning the sugarcane leaf to the field increased the diversity of the soil bacteria network. The bacterial communities were consistently dominated by Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes across all treatments, among which Actinobacteria was the most abundant bacteria type by almost 50% at the phylum level. The analysis results of the experimental factor on maize growth showed that the effect of SLR was lower than that of FR; however, this was opposite in the soil bacterial community structure and diversity. The soil bacterial network was significantly correlated with the soil total K, available N and organic matter contents, and EC. The soil bacteria community showed different responses to SLR and FR, and the FF in combination with FS partly increased the complexity of the soil bacteria network, which can further benefit crop production and soil health in the red soil region.

Grain size is a primary determinant of grain weight, which is one of the three essential components of rice grain yield. Mining the genes that control grain size plays an important role in analyzing the regulation mechanism of grain size and improving grain appearance quality. In this study, two closely linked quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling grain size, were dissected and fine-mapped in a 515.6-kb region on the long arm of chromosome 10 by using six near isogenic line populations. One of them, qGS10.2, which controlled 1000 grain weight (TGW) and grain width (GW), was delimited into a 68.1-kb region containing 14 annotated genes. The Teqing allele increased TGW and GW by 0.17 g and 0.011 mm with the R2 of 12.7% and 11.8%, respectively. The other one, qGL10.2, which controlled grain length (GL), was delimited into a 137.3-kb region containing 22 annotated genes. The IRBB52 allele increased GL by 0.018 mm with the R2 of 6.8%. Identification of these two QTL provides candidate regions for cloning of grain size genes.

The derivation of the particulate-backscattering coefficient (bbp) from Lidar signals is highly influenced by the parameter χp(π), which is defined by χp(π) = bbp/(2πβp(π)). This parameter facilitates the correlation of the particulate-volume-scattering function at 180°, denoted βp(π), with bbp. However, studies exploring the global and seasonal fluctuations of χp(π) remain sparse, largely due to measurement difficulties of βp(π) in the field conditions. This study pioneers the global data collection for χp(π), integrating bbp observations from Biogeochemical Argo (BGC-Argo) floats and βp(π) data from the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) spaceborne lidar. Our findings indicate that χp(π) experiences significant seasonal differences globally, peaking during summer and nadiring in winter. The global average χp(π) was calculated as 0.40, 0.48, 0.43, and 0.35 during spring, summer, autumn, and winter, respectively. The daytime values of χp(π) slightly exceeded those registered at night. To illuminate the seasonal variations in χp(π) in 26 sea regions worldwide, we deployed passive ocean color data MODIS bbp and active remote sensing data CALIOP βp(π), distinguishing three primary seasonal change patterns—the “summer peak”, the “decline”, and the “autumn pole”—with the “summer peak” typology being the most common. Post recalibration of the CALIOP bbp product considering seasonal χp(π) variations, we observed substantial statistical improvements. Specifically, the coefficient of determination (R2) markedly improved from 0.84 to 0.89, while the root mean square error (RMSE) declined from 4.0 × 10−4 m−1 to 3.0 × 10−4 m−1. Concurrently, the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) also dropped significantly, from 31.48% to 25.27%.

An electron donor–acceptor complex was utilized to generate alkoxy radicals from alcohols under mild conditions using visible light. This approach was combined with a hydroxybromination process to achieve the deconstructive functionalization of alkenes, leading to the production of geminal dibromides. Mechanistic investigations indicated the intermediacy of hypervalent iodine (III) compounds.

With the continuous development of hydrogen storage systems, power-to-gas (P2G) and combined heat and power (CHP), the coupling between electricity–heat–hydrogen–gas has been promoted and energy conversion equipment has been transformed from an independent operation with low energy utilization efficiency to a joint operation with high efficiency. This study proposes a low-carbon optimization strategy for a multi-energy coupled IES containing hydrogen energy storage operating jointly with a two-stage P2G adjustable thermoelectric ratio CHP. Firstly, the hydrogen energy storage system is analyzed to enhance the wind power consumption ability of the system by dynamically absorbing and releasing energy at the right time through electricity–hydrogen coupling. Then, the two-stage P2G operation process is refined and combined with the CHP operation with an adjustable thermoelectric ratio to further improve the low-carbon and economic performance of the system. Finally, multiple scenarios are set up, and the comparative analysis shows that the addition of a hydrogen storage system can increase the wind power consumption capacity of the system by 4.6%; considering the adjustable thermoelectric ratio CHP and the two-stage P2G, the system emissions reduction can be 5.97% and 23.07%, respectively, and the total cost of operation can be reduced by 7.5% and 14.5%, respectively.

To further optimize the low-carbon economy of the integrated energy system (IES), this paper establishes a two-stage P2G hydrogen-coupled electricity–heat–hydrogen–gas IES with carbon capture (CCS). First, this paper refines the two stages of P2G and introduces a hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) with a hydrogen storage device to fully utilize the hydrogen energy in the first stage of power-to-gas (P2G). Then, the ladder carbon trading mechanism is considered and CCS is introduced to further reduce the system’s carbon emissions while coupling with P2G. Finally, the adjustable thermoelectric ratio characteristics of the combined heat and power unit (CHP) and HFC are considered to improve the energy utilization efficiency of the system and to reduce the system operating costs. This paper set up arithmetic examples to analyze from several perspectives, and the results show that the introduction of CCS can reduce carbon emissions by 41.83%. In the CCS-containing case, refining the P2G two-stage and coupling it with HFC and hydrogen storage can lead to a 30% reduction in carbon emissions and a 61% reduction in wind abandonment costs; consideration of CHP and HFC adjustable thermoelectric ratios can result in a 16% reduction in purchased energy costs.

Abstract Background & aims This study aimed to establish multivariate prediction models according to a response-guided therapy (RGT) based strategy at baseline and week 12 and 24 of follow-up to predict the functional cure for HBeAg-negative patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treated with pegylated interferonα (PEG-IFNα). Methods A total of 242 HBeAg-negative patients with CHB were treated with PEG-IFNα for 52 weeks and followed up for 24 weeks. Responses at the end of follow-up (EOF) were defined as hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss, and patients were defined as either responders or non-responders. Results The three most meaningful predictors were an age ≤ 40 years, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels ≤ 40 U/L, and HBsAg levels ≤ 100 IU/mL at baseline; ALT levels ≥ 80 U/L, anti-HBc levels ≤ 8.42 S/CO, and HBsAg levels ≤ 50 IU/mL at week 12; and ALT levels ≥ 40 U/L, anti-HBc levels ≤ 8.46 S/CO, and HBsAg levels ≤ 0.2 IU/mL at week 24. The response rates of patients with a score of 0–1 and 4–5 at baseline, week 12, and 24 were 13.5%, 7.8%, and 11.7%; and 63.6%, 68.1%, and 98.1%, respectively. At week 12, the cumulative scores were 0–2, 3–4, 5–7, and 8–10 (response rates 5.0%, 18.9%, 41.3%, and 71.4%, respectively). At week 24, the cumulative scores were 0–3, 4–6, 7–10, and 11–15 (response rates: 1.3%, 12.3%, 37.0%, and 92.5%, respectively). At baseline, patients with scores of 0–1 were slightly recommended; at week 12, patients with 0–1 or 0–2 cumulative scores were recommended to stop treatment. At week 24, patients with a score of 0–1 or a cumulative score of 0–6 were recommended to stop treatment. Conclusion We established a multi-parameter prediction model for the functional cure of HBeAg-negative patients with CHB treated with PEG-IFNα.

PurposeAnalyze the relationship between changes in the proportion of X-chromosome deletions and clinical manifestations in children with Turner syndrome (TS).MethodsX-chromosome number abnormalities in 8,635 children with growth retardation were identified using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Meanwhile, the relationship between the proportion of X-chromosome deletions and the clinical manifestations of TS, such as face and body phenotype, cardiovascular, renal, and other comorbidities in children with TS was analyzed.ResultsA total of 389 children had X-chromosome number abnormalities, with an average age at diagnosis of 9.2 years. There was a significant increase in diagnoses around the ages of 3 and 7 years and highest number of diagnoses at 10 years of age. 130 with XO (complete loss of an X-chromosome), 205 with XO/XX, 8 with XO/XXX, 23 with XO/XX/XXX, 19 with XO/XY, and 4 with XO/XY/XYY. Body and facial phenotypes increased with higher mosaicism proportions, with a relatively high correlation shown with Pearson correlation analysis (r = 0.26, p = 1.7e-06). The incidence of congenital heart malformations was 25.56%, mainly involving a bicuspid aortic valve, and were more common in patients who had complete loss of an X-chromosome. However, this relationship was not present for renal disease (p = 0.26), central nervous system, thyroid, or liver disease.ConclusionThe mosaicism (XO/XX) is the most common karyotype of TS in screened cases. The phenotypes in children with TS may increase with the proportion of X-chromosome deletions, but the renal disease and comorbidities did not show the same characteristics.

The Antarctic krill is a pivotal species in the Southern Ocean ecosystem, primarily due to its extraordinary nutritional content and plentiful resources. Studying the distribution of these resources and their environmental impact factors is crucial for the successful development of Antarctic krill fisheries. Traditional methodologies such as acoustic measurements, however, often face limitations in their capacity to provide a comprehensive and uninterrupted assessment. Moreover, the six-month duration of polar nights in polar regions presents significant challenges for traditional satellite observations. In this context, LiDAR, an active remote sensing observation method, offers a promising alternative. Known for their high resolution, flexibility, and efficiency, LiDAR systems can obtain detailed information on diurnal ocean parameters in polar regions on a vast scale and in a systematic way. Our study utilizes the spaceborne LiDAR system, CALIPSO, to successfully attain continuous Antarctic krill CPUE over the past decade, using various models such as the generalized linear model (GLM), artificial neural network (ANN), and support vector machine (SVM). A comparative analysis of the prediction results reveals that while both ANN and SVM models outperform the GLM, the SVM’s prediction capabilities are somewhat unstable. Our findings reveal CALIPSO’s potential in overcoming challenges associated with traditional satellite observations during polar winters. In addition, we found no obvious pattern of interannual variation in krill CPUE, with high values predominantly occurring from February to May. This suggests that krill is mainly located around the South Shetland Islands during January-April, before moving offshore towards South Georgia in May-June. A substantial krill aggregation community is found in the South Atlantic waters, indicating high potential for krill fishing. The optimum mix layer depth range for high krill CPUE is 270-390 m, with a chlorophyll concentration of approximately 0.1 mg m-3. The optimum sea surface temperature range is between -1.4-5.5°C, and the sea ice coverage range is approximately 0-0.1×106 km2. The predicted Antarctic krill bioresource has risen from 2.4×108 tons in 2011 to 2.8×108 tons in 2020. This increase in krill biomass aligns with the biomass of krill assessed by CCAMLR.

Half-metallic chromium dioxide (CrO2) is a promising candidate in magnetic random-access memory (MRAM) devices due to its nearly full spin polarization and ultralow Gilbert damping at room temperature. In this study, we succeeded in fabricating (110) and (100)-oriented RuO2/CrO2 bilayers with different thicknesses of CrO2 film using two-step method. The CrO2 film epitaxially grown on a RuO2 layer exhibits a perfect in-plane magnetic uniaxial anisotropy. The magnetic relaxation of CrO2 films can be strongly modulated via the proximity to RuO2 layer, which may relate to the enhancement of the two-magnon scattering due to effects of antiferromagnetic order in RuO2 film. In addition, electronic transport measurements indicate that the electronic characteristic is strongly related to the film growth orientation, and a linear magnetoresistance is observed stemming from intergrain tunneling magnetoresistance and double-exchange mechanism. Angle-dependent ferromagnetic resonance measurements indicates that the uniaxial anisotropy in CrO2 film is strongly related to the strain effect, which is consistent with reciprocal space mapping results. This work lays a foundation for current-drive MRAM based on RuO2/CrO2 bilayer and provides a feasible damping modulation method for CrO2 film.

Heavy irrigation and soil compaction cause hypoxic stress in plant roots, which limits crop growth. This issue can be solved by root-zone aeration, but the photophysiological responses of crop plants to the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in irrigation water remain unclear. Here, a greenhouse plot experiment was conducted to investigate the changes in leaf photosynthesis and plant growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. ‘Omanda 3′) under aerated irrigation with various DO concentrations. Plants were treated with three different levels of aeration: 5 mg L–1 DO (conventional subsurface irrigation as a non-aeration control), 15 mg L–1 DO (low aeration treatment), and 30 mg L–1 DO (high aeration treatment). Compared with the control, the aeration treatments promoted electron transport from the primary to secondary plastoquinone acceptors (QA to QB) of photosystem II (PSII) and increased leaf net photosynthetic rate in plants at the seedling, fruit expansion, and maturation stages. The opposite effects of aeration treatments were observed at the flowering and fruit-setting stage. The enhancement of leaf photosynthetic performance contributed to improved plant growth, fruit yield, and quality of tomato as a result of increased oxygen supply in the root zone. The aeration treatments additionally facilitated the biosynthesis and transport of photosynthetic carbon assimilates in plant tissues, as evidenced by increased starch and sucrose contents in the leaves and sucrose content in the roots. However, under the high aeration level, excessive transport of sucrose from leaves to roots hindered further improvements in tomato yield and biomass at the maturation stage. Based on plant photophysiological and yield performance, aerated irrigation with a low concentration of DO (15 mg L–1) is recommended for greenhouse tomato crops during the seedling, fruit expansion, and maturation stages, and there is no need of root-zone aeration at the flowering and fruit-setting stage.

China is transitioning into the digital economy era. The advancement of the digital economy could offer a fresh mechanism to attain carbon peak and carbon neutrality objectives. Applications of the digital economy, such as smart energy management, intelligent transport systems, and digital agricultural technologies, have significantly reduced carbon emissions by optimizing resource use, reducing energy waste, and improving production efficiency. This research does so by devising a theoretical model that looks into the multi-faceted power of the digital economy under a two-sector paradigm. Utilising a panel model, a mediation effect model and a spatial Durbin model to assess the digital economy's power on carbon emissions. This research has determined that the digital economy can significantly diminish carbon emissions, with green tech innovations and industrial transformation being key contributors. The spatial spillover effect was used for the digital economy to aid in lowering carbon emissions in adjacent districts and upgrading better environmental stewardship. The influence of the digital economy has better performance in lowering carbon emissions in mid-western China than in the eastern area. This paper deepens understanding of the drivers of low-carbon growth and the significance, mechanism and regional disparities of the digital economy's effect on reducing carbon emissions. It offers valuable policy insights and guidance for globally achieving digital economy growth, reducing carbon emissions and reaching carbon peak and neutrality goals.

We here describe the external morphology and complete mitochondrial genome characteristics of Mecidea indica Dallas, 1851, and clarify the evolutionary rate and divergence time. The M. indica mitochondrial genome length is 15,670 bp, and it exhibits a typical high A+T-skew (76.31%). The sequence shows strong synteny with the original gene arrangement of Drosophila yakuba Burla, 1954 without rearrangement. The M. indica mitochondrial genome characteristics were analyzed, and phylogenetic trees of Pentatomidae were reconstructed using Bayesian methods based on different datasets of the mitochondrial genome datasets. Phylogenetic analysis shows that M. indica belongs to Pentaotominae and form a sister-group with Anaxilaus musgravei Gross, 1976, and Asopinae is highly supported as monophyletic. Molecular clock analysis estimates a divergence time of Pentatomidae of 122.75 Mya (95% HPD: 98.76-145.43 Mya), within the Mesozoic Cretaceous; the divergence time of M. indica and A. musgravii was no later than 50.50 Mya (95% HPD: 37.20-64.80 Mya). In addition, the divergence time of Asopinae was 62.32 Mya (95% HPD: 47.08-78.23 Mya), which was in the Paleogene of the Cenozoic era. This study is of great significance for reconstructing the phylogeny of Pentatomidae and providing insights into its evolutionary history.

BackgroundDespite the significant progress made in radiotherapy and chemotherapy for the treatment of cervical cancer, patients with lymph node metastasis still have a poor prognosis. It is widely accepted that lymph node metastasis plays a crucial role in the spread of cancer to other organs and is considered an independent factor in predicting a poor prognosis. However, recent research suggests that the importance of lymph nodes in tumor therapy needs to be reevaluated, as preserving the integrity of lymph nodes before immunotherapy can enhance treatment effectiveness.Case presentationIn this report, we present two cases of advanced cervical cancer patients with giant metastatic lymph node lesions in the neck. These patients were effectively treated with a combination of local radiotherapy and immunotherapy after conventional chemoradiotherapy had failed. The combination therapy resulted in significant clinical improvements, with patient 1 achieving over 12 months of progression-free survival (PFS) and patient 2 maintaining sustained remission for an impressive 24 months.ConclusionsThe combination of local radiotherapy and immunotherapy shows promise as a viable treatment option for cervical cancer patients with distant lymph node metastasis, and the giant lymph node metastases may play an important role in this process, which might provide a new opportunity for cancer radioimmunotherapy.

BackgroundTreatment of metastatic cervical cancer is a tricky issue. Currently, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline recommends chemotherapy combined with bevacizumab for recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer. Still, the recurrence rate is high and the survival rate is low after standard treatment. We urgently need to achieve a multimodal therapy approach for recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer.Case descriptionWe report the case of a patient with stage IB2 cervical squamous carcinoma who developed multiple metastases within a short term after receiving first-line standard treatment, and she underwent interstitial brachytherapy after systemic therapy with an encouraging outcome. The patient developed suspected inguinal lymph node metastases after 9 months at the end of first-line therapy and multiple metastases in the inguinal lymph nodes, anterior abdominal wall, and right lung after 17 months. As the patient had residual inguinal lymph nodes after systemic therapy, she received 3D-printed template-guided interstitial brachytherapy to the inguinal lymph nodes and maintenance therapy. By Sep 2023, she had achieved a good treatment outcome with a progression-free survival (PFS) of 36 months.ConclusionBased on our patient response, when multiple metastases develop in the short term in early-stage cervical squamous carcinoma after first-line therapy, we may consider implementing local therapy combined with systemic therapy.