Vertical differences in carbon metabolic diversity and dominant flora of soil bacterial communities in farmlands

The carbon cycle in soil is significantly influenced by soil microbes. To investigate the vertical distribution of the dominant groups in agricultural soil and the carbon metabolic diversity of soil bacteria, 45 soil samples from the 0 ~ 50 cm soil layer in Hunan tobacco-rice multiple cropping farmland were collected in November 2017, and the carbon diversity of the soil bacterial community, bacterial community composition and soil physical and chemical properties were determined. The results showed that the carbon metabolic capabilities and functional diversity of the soil bacterial community decreased with depth. The three most widely used carbon sources for soil bacteria were carbohydrates, amino acids, and polymers. The dominant bacterial groups in surface soil (such as Chloroflexi, Acidobacteriota, and Bacteroidota) were significantly positively correlated with the carbon metabolism intensity. The alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen content, soil bulk density and carbon-nitrogen ratio were the key soil factors driving the differences in carbon metabolism of the soil bacterial communities in the different soil layers.

Boosted charge transfer in a naturally formed Ca(Al2Si2O8)/Fe2O3 heterojunction for piezocatalytical formation of H2O2 and solidification of U(VI)

Energy and environmental issues make the generation of H2O2 and the separation of U(VI) from water very important topics. In this work, we disclosed a low-cost, high-efficiency method for separating U(VI) from water based on the naturally formed catalyst (red volcanic stone powders, RVSP) of Ca(Al2Si2O8)/Fe2O3 heterojunction through a piezocatalytic pathway induced by ultrasonication. The charges were found to be elevatedly separated due to the formation of the heterojunction. It is found that under ultrasonication, charges were effectively separated and then reacted with water to form H2O2 with a high yield of 196.7 μmol·g-1 in 4 h, which further solidifies U(VI) to form a solid of UO2O2. The removal rate of U(VI) in water reached 96 % (50 ppm) within 150 min. Furthermore, the results calculated by VASP show that the cyclic variation of the conduction bands under a cyclic force field facilitates the charge separation, and thus may promote piezocatalysis. Most importantly, the application study in real seawater indicates that U(VI) piezocatalysis based on natural minerals has great potential. This work presents a comprehensive investigation of U(VI) piezocatalysis by Ca(Al2Si2O8)/Fe2O3 and provides a new idea for piezocatalytic extraction of uranium.

The imaging findings of migraine with visual aura in a CADASIL patient

Head MRI images of cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) patients during migraine attacks are rare.

Improving new energy subsidy efficiency considering learning effect: A case study on wind power

Subsidy policies are instrumental in driving the development of new energy. However, the effective allocation of new energy subsidies over time is challenging given fiscal constraints. This study addresses this challenge by considering the learning effect associated with the new energy industry. A two-stage dynamic programming model is proposed to capture the investment decision-making process of companies under new energy subsidy policies and government subsidy setups. Theoretical findings suggest that company investment decisions in new energy are influenced by a guiding principle: The subsidy rate should be negatively correlated with the variation rate of production scale increment (VRPSI). We calibrate this investment decision principle using wind power data from 14 countries. According to this principle, excessive subsidy rates may result in a low VRPSI, thereby diminishing future investment profitability in the new energy industry and leading to subsidy inefficiency. Upon investigating the efficiency of annual subsidy allocation, we find that the subsidy rates were potentially set too high in 2014, 2016, and 2017. Furthermore, the government should exercise caution regarding an inefficient subsidy pattern whereby companies invest in new energy only when the subsidy rate exceeds a certain threshold, neglecting traditional power sources. It is crucial to note that although this study uses wind power industry data for calibration and simulation, the theoretical model can be broadly applied to other new energy industries and emerging industries with increasing marginal net profit.

Activation and functional modification of mucosal-associated invariant T cells in patients with intracranial infection following craniotomy

Intracranial infections are among the most common complications of neurosurgery, with their incidence remaining high despite advancements in current neurosurgical techniques and aseptic technology. While the role of mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, a subset of innate-like T lymphocytes, in bacterial defense is well-established, their involvement in intracranial infections remains unclear. In this study, we utilized flow cytometry to assess the phenotype and function of circulating and CSF MAIT cells. Our findings revealed that MAIT cells were higher in the CSF compared to blood. Notably, a higher percentage of IL-17A + MAIT cells was detected in the CSF of patients with intracranial infections. Moreover, markers indicating activation and exhaustion were significantly upregulated in CSF MAIT cells. Furthermore, elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-12, and IL-18, were detected in the CSF supernatants. We hypothesized that the elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-12, and IL-18 in the inflammatory milieu synergistically activate MAIT cells in the CSF. In particular, CD25 and Tim-3 expression of MAIT cells was increased by stimulation with IL-1β, IL-12, and IL-18 or CSF supernatants of intracranial infection patients. Collectively, these findings provide important information underlying the innate immune response of patients with intracranial infections.

Glucosylceramide accumulation in microglia triggers STING-dependent neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in mice

Mutations in the gene encoding the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase) are responsible for Gaucher disease (GD) and are considered the strongest genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD) and Lewy body dementia (LBD). GCase deficiency leads to extensive accumulation of glucosylceramides (GCs) in cells and contributes to the neuropathology of GD, PD, and LBD by triggering chronic neuroinflammation. Here, we investigated the mechanisms by which GC accumulation induces neuroinflammation. We found that GC accumulation within microglia induced by pharmacological inhibition of GCase triggered STING-dependent inflammation, which contributed to neuronal loss both in vitro and in vivo. GC accumulation in microglia induced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage to the cytosol to trigger STING-dependent inflammation. Rapamycin, a compound that promotes lysosomal activity, improved mitochondrial function, thereby decreasing STING signaling. Furthermore, lysosomal damage caused by GC accumulation led to defects in the degradation of activated STING, further exacerbating inflammation mediated by microglia. Thus, limiting STING activity may be a strategy to suppress neuroinflammation caused by GCase deficiency.

Ensemble learning for integrative prediction of genetic values with genomic variants

BACKGROUND

Whole genome variants offer sufficient information for genetic prediction of human disease risk, and prediction of animal and plant breeding values. Many sophisticated statistical methods have been developed for enhancing the predictive ability. However, each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so far, no one method can beat others.

RESULTS

We herein propose an Ensemble Learning method for Prediction of Genetic Values (ELPGV), which assembles predictions from several basic methods such as GBLUP, BayesA, BayesB and BayesCπ, to produce more accurate predictions. We validated ELPGV with a variety of well-known datasets and a serious of simulated datasets. All revealed that ELPGV was able to significantly enhance the predictive ability than any basic methods, for instance, the comparison p-value of ELPGV over basic methods were varied from 4.853E-118 to 9.640E-20 for WTCCC dataset.

CONCLUSIONS

ELPGV is able to integrate the merit of each method together to produce significantly higher predictive ability than any basic methods and it is simple to implement, fast to run, without using genotype data. is promising for wide application in genetic predictions.

Electroacupuncture protects the intestinal mucosal barrier in diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome rats by regulating the MCs/Tryptase/PAR-2/MLCK pathway

OBJECTIVE

The pathogenesis of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is related to damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier function. Based on the Mast cell (MC)/Tryptase/Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2)/Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) pathway, this study explored the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on IBS-D rats and its possible mechanism of protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier.

METHODS

The IBS-D rat model was established by mother-offspring separation, acetic acid enema, and chronic restraint stress. The efficacy of EA on IBS-D rats was evaluated by observing the rate of loose stool (LSP) and the minimum volume threshold of abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) in rats. Mast cells and the ultrastructure of intestinal mucosa were observed by H&E staining, toluidine blue staining, and transmission electron microscopy. The expression levels of Tryptase, PAR-2, MLCK, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and Occludin in rats were detected by ELISA, qRT-PCR, and western blot.

RESULTS

After 7 days of intervention, compared to the IBS-D group, the loose stool rates of rats in IBS-D + EA group and IBS-D + ketotifen group were decreased (P < 0.01), the minimum volume thresholds of AWR were improved (P < 0.01), the inflammation of colon tissue decreased, the number of MCs were decreased (P < 0.01), the expression of Tryptase, PAR-2, and MLCK were lowered (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the expression of ZO-1 and Occludin were enhanced (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared to the EA group, there was no significant difference in each index between the ketotifen groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

EA has a good therapeutic effect on IBS-D rats. Regulating the MCs/Tryptase/PAR-2/MLCK pathway may be a mechanism to protect the intestinal mucosal barrier.

Single-cell integrative analysis reveals consensus cancer cell states and clinical relevance in breast cancer

High heterogeneity and complex interactions of malignant cells in breast cancer has been recognized as a driver of cancer progression and therapeutic failure. However, complete understanding of common cancer cell states and their underlying driver factors remain scarce and challenging. Here, we revealed seven consensus cancer cell states recurring cross patients by integrative analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing data of breast cancer. The distinct biological functions, the subtype-specific distribution, the potential cells of origin and the interrelation of consensus cancer cell states were systematically elucidated and validated in multiple independent datasets. We further uncovered the internal regulons and external cell components in tumor microenvironments, which contribute to the consensus cancer cell states. Using the state-specific signature, we also inferred the abundance of cells with each consensus cancer cell state by deconvolution of large breast cancer RNA-seq cohorts, revealing the association of immune-related state with better survival. Our study provides new insights for the cancer cell state composition and potential therapeutic strategies of breast cancer.

Effect of moxibustion on colonic low-grade inflammatory response in rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome based on mast cell degranulation

OBJECTIVES

To observe the effects of moxibustion on colonic mast cell degranulation and inflammatory factor expression in rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), and explore the potential mechanism of moxibustion in treating IBS-D.

METHODS

Forty-five rat pups born from 5 healthy SPF-grade pregnant SD rats, with 8 rats were randomly selected as the normal group. The remaining 37 rats were intervened with maternal separation, acetic acid enema, and chronic restraint stress to establish the IBS-D model. The successfully modeled 32 rats were then randomly assigned to a model group, a ketotifen group, a moxibustion group, and a moxibustion-medication group, with 8 rats in each group. The rats in the ketotifen group were intervened with intragastric administration of ketotifen solution (10 mL/kg); the rats in the moxibustion group were intervened with suspended moxibustion on bilateral "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST 37); the rats in the moxibustion-medication group were intervened with suspended moxibustion combined with intragastric administration of ketotifen solution. All interventions were administered once daily for 7 consecutive days. The diarrhea rate and minimum volume threshold of abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) were calculated before and after modeling, as well as after intervention. After intervention, colonic tissue morphology was observed using HE staining; colonic mucosal ultrastructure was examined by scanning electron microscopy; colonic mast cell ultrastructure was observed using transmission electron microscopy; mast cell degranulation was assessed by toluidine blue staining; serum and colonic levels of histamine, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-1α, trypsin-like enzyme, and protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) were measured by ELISA; the Western blot and real-time quantitative PCR were employed to evaluate the protein and mRNA expression of colonic IL-1β, IL-6, IL-1α, trypsin-like enzyme, and PAR-2; the immunofluorescence was used to detect the positive expression of histamine, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-1α, trypsin-like enzyme, and PAR-2 in the colonic tissue.

RESULTS

Compared to the normal group, the rats in the model group exhibited extensive infiltration of inflammatory cells in colonic tissue, severe damage to the colonic mucosa, disordered arrangement of villi, reduced electron density, and a significant decrease in granule quantity within mast cells. The diarrhea rate and mast cell degranulation rate were increased (P<0.01), AWR minimum volume threshold was decreased (P<0.01); the serum and colonic levels of histamine, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-1α, trypsin-like enzyme, and PAR-2 were elevated (P<0.01); the positive expression of histamine, as well as protein, mRNA and positive expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-1α, trypsin-like enzyme, and PAR-2 in the colon were all elevated (P<0.01). Compared to the model group, the rats in the ketotifen group, the moxibustion group, and the moxibustion-medication group exhibited significantly reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells in colonic tissue, relatively intact colonic mucosa, orderly arranged villi, increased electron density, and an augmented number of mast cell granules; the diarrhea rate and mast cell degranulation rate were decreased (P<0.01), and AWR minimum volume threshold was increased (P<0.01); the serum and colonic levels of histamine, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-1α, trypsin-like enzyme, and PAR-2 were reduced (P<0.01); the positive expression of histamine, as well as protein, mRNA and positive expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-1α, trypsin-like enzyme, and PAR-2 in the colon were all decreased (P<0.01). Compared to the ketotifen group, the moxibustion group showed decreased serum levels of histamine, IL-6, and trypsin-like enzyme (P<0.01, P<0.05), as well as reduced colonic levels of IL-1β and IL-6 (P<0.01, P<0.05); the protein expression of colonic IL-1β, IL-1α, and PAR-2 was reduced (P<0.05), and the positive expression of colonic IL-1β and trypsin-like enzyme was reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared to both the ketotifen group and the moxibustion group, the moxibustion-medication group exhibited decreased diarrhea rate and mast cell degranulation rate (P<0.01), an increased AWR minimum volume threshold (P<0.01), reduced serum and colonic levels of histamine, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-1α, trypsin-like enzyme, and PAR-2 (P<0.01), decreased protein expression of colonic IL-1β, trypsin-like enzyme, and PAR-2 (P<0.01, P<0.05), reduced mRNA and positive expression of colonic IL-1β, IL-6, IL-1α, trypsin-like enzyme, and PAR-2 (P<0.01, P<0.05), and decreased positive expression of colonic histamine (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Moxibustion on "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST 37) might inhibit low-grade inflammatory reactions in the colon of IBS-D model rats. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of histamine and trypsin-like enzyme secreted by mast cell, thereby reducing the expression of related inflammatory factors.

Value of the Air Bronchogram Sign and Other Computed Tomography Findings in the Early Diagnosis of Lung Adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVES

The present study aims to explore the application value of the air bronchogram (AB) sign and other computed tomography (CT) signs in the early diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).

METHOD

The pathological information and CT images of 130 patients diagnosed with N0 and M0 solitary pulmonary nodules (diameter ≤3 cm) and treated with surgical resection in our hospital between June 2021 and June 2022 were analyzed.

RESULTS

The patients were divided into the benign pulmonary nodule (BPN) group (14 cases), the AIS group (30 cases), the MIA group (10 cases), and the IAC group (76 cases). Among the 116 patients with AIS and LUAD, 96 showed an AB sign. Among the 14 patients with BPN, only 4 patients showed an AB sign. The average CT value and maximum diameter were significantly higher in the IAC group than in the AIS and MIA groups. In the BPN group, 5 patients had an average CT value of >80 HU. Among all LUAD-based groups, there was only 1 patient with a CT value of >60 HU.

CONCLUSIONS

The identification of the AB sign based on CT imaging facilitates the differentiation between benign and malignant nodules. The CT value and maximum diameter of pulmonary adenocarcinoma nodules increase with the increase of the malignancy degree. The nodule type, CT value, and maximum diameter are useful for predicting the pathological type and prognosis. If the average CT value of pulmonary nodules is >80 HU, LUAD may be excluded.

High performance solar-blind UV detector with Mg0.472Zn0.528O/Mg0.447Zn0.553O double layer structure on MgO substrate

Mg0.472Zn0.528O/Mg0.447Zn0.553O double layer structure UV detectors are made on single structure MgO substrate by PLD method, and the effect of different thickness top MgZnO layer on the UV response characteristics of the detector are studied. Compared with the single layer MgZnO detector that made by Mg0.3Zn0.7O target, the Mg0.472Zn0.528O/Mg0.447Zn0.553O double layer detector with 30 nm top layer, shows much higher deep UV response (21.3 A W-1at 265 nm), much smaller dark current(66.9 pA) and much higher signal-to-noise ratio (2.8 × 105) at 25 V bias voltage. And the device also shows relative high response (23.1 A W-1) at 235 nm deep UV light at 25 V bias voltage, which is mainly attributed by the bottom MgZnO layer with higher Mg composition. When the top layer is 66.7 nm thick, the response of the Mg0.472Zn0.528O/Mg0.447Zn0.553O detector reached 228.8 A W-1at 255 nm under 25 V bias voltage, the signal-to-noise ratio of which is 10573 under 20 V bias voltage, and the near UV response of the device is also big because of more h-MgZnO in top MgZnO layer. When the top layer reached 90.2 nm, there are much more h-MgZnO in the top MgZnO layer, the peak response of the Mg0.472Zn0.528O/Mg0.447Zn0.553O detector is just 6.65 A W-1at 320 nm under 25 V bias voltage, the signal-to-noise ratio of which is 1248. The high Mg composition bottom MgZnO decrease the dark current of the Mg0.472Zn0.528O/Mg0.447Zn0.553O detector, both the 2DEG effect of the double layer structure and the amplify effect of the mix-phase MgZnO top layer, increased theIuvand deep UV response of the Mg0.472Zn0.528O/Mg0.447Zn0.553O detector. Therefore, the double layer Mg0.472Zn0.528O/Mg0.447Zn0.553O detector is more sensitive at faint deep UV light compared with previous reported MgZnO detectors, and the MgxZn1-xO/MgyZn1-yO detector shows similarIuvand signal-noise-ratio at faint deep UV light as high-temperature fabricated AlxGa1-xN/AlyGa1-yN detectors.

Deep integrated fusion of local and global features for cervical cell classification

Cervical cytology image classification is of great significance to the cervical cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Recently, convolutional neural network (CNN) and visual transformer have been adopted as two branches to learn the features for image classification by simply adding local and global features. However, such the simple addition may not be effective to integrate these features. In this study, we explore the synergy of local and global features for cytology images for classification tasks. Specifically, we design a Deep Integrated Feature Fusion (DIFF) block to synergize local and global features of cytology images from a CNN branch and a transformer branch. Our proposed method is evaluated on three cervical cell image datasets (SIPaKMeD, CRIC, Herlev) and another large blood cell dataset BCCD for several multi-class and binary classification tasks. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in cervical cell classification, which could assist medical specialists to better diagnose cervical cancer.

Arsenic trioxide suppresses lung adenocarcinoma stem cell stemness by inhibiting m6A modification to promote ferroptosis

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is well known for its inhibitory effects on cancer progression, including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), but the molecular mechanism remains elusive. This study aimed to investigate the roles of ATO in regulating LUAD stem cells (LASCs) and the underlying mechanisms. To induce LASCs, cells cultured in an F12 medium, containing B27, epidermal growth factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor, induced LASCs. LASCs stemness was assessed through tumor sphere formation assay, and percentages of CD133+ cells were detected by flow cytometry. The Cell Counting Kit-8 method was used to assess LASCs viability, while reactive oxygen species (ROS) and iron ion levels were quantitated by fluorescence microscopy and spectrophotometry, respectively, and total m6A levels were measured by dot blot. Additionally, LASCs mitochondrial alterations were analyzed via transmission electron microscopy. Finally, the tumorigenicity of LASCs was assessed using a cancer cell line-based xenograft model. Tumor sphere formation and CD133 expression were used to validate the successful induction of LASCs from A549 and NCI-H1975 cells. ATO significantly inhibited proliferation, reduced ZC3H13 expression and total m6A modification levels, and increased ROS and iron ion content, but repressed sphere formation and CD133 expression in LASCs. ZC3H13 overexpression or ferrostatin-1 treatment abrogated LASCs stemness inhibition caused by ATO treatment, and interference with ZC3H13 inhibited LASCs stemness. Furthermore, the promotion of LASCs ferroptosis by ATO was effectively mitigated by ZC3H13 overexpression, while interference with ZC3H13 further promoted ferroptosis. Moreover, si-ZC3H13 promoted ferroptosis and impaired stemness in LASCs, which ferrostatin-1 abrogated. Finally, ZC3H13 overexpression alleviated the inhibitory effects of ATO on LASCs tumorigenicity. Taken together, ATO treatment substantially impaired the stemness of LUAD stem cells by promoting the ferroptosis program, which was mediated by its ZC3H13 gene expression inhibition to suppress m6A medication.

Electrodynamic modeling of threshold-free lasing in photonic time crystals

An electrodynamic model is presented in this Letter to describe thresholdless lasers, utilizing the application of photonic time crystals (PTCs). By integrating the distinctive physical properties of PTCs and employing a comprehensive model based on a four-level system, the feasibility of achieving thresholdless laser operation is demonstrated. The proposed electrodynamic model comprehensively captures the intricate interplay between the electromagnetic field and the PTC medium. The model takes into account the ultrafast periodic variations in the refractive index of the PTCs, which arise from their time crystal-like behavior. Additionally, the dynamic response of the four-level system is considered, factoring in the processes of population inversion and relaxation. This Letter seeks to elucidate the underlying mechanisms that facilitate thresholdless laser operation in PTC-based systems. Through our electrodynamic modeling approach, we demonstrate that the ultrafast variations in the refractive index of PTCs give rise to a self-sustaining laser action, obviating the need for a lasing threshold. Moreover, we investigate the impact of various parameters, including pump power and modulation period, on the laser's performance and output characteristics. The developed electrodynamic model provides a comprehensive framework for comprehending and designing thresholdless lasers based on photonic time crystals. This research contributes to the advancement of thresholdless laser technology and opens up possibilities for applications in optical communications, sensing, and quantum photonics.

APTES-mediated Cu2(OH)3(NO3) nanomaterials on the surface of silicone catheters for abscess

Metal-based nanomaterials have remarkable bactericidal effects; however, their toxicity cannot be disregarded. To address this concern, we developed a simple synthesis route for antibacterial catheters using metal-based nanomaterials to reduce toxicity while harnessing their excellent bactericidal properties. The grafting agent (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) forms -NH2 groups on the catheter surface, onto which copper ions form a nanomaterial complex known as Cu2(OH)3(NO3) (defined as SA-Cu). The synthesized SA-Cu exhibited outstanding contact antibacterial effects, as observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which revealed cell membrane crumbing and bacterial rupture on the catheter surface. Furthermore, SA-Cu exhibited excellent biosafety characteristics, as evidenced by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, which showed no significant cytotoxicity. SA-Cu demonstrated sustained antimicrobial capacity, with in vivo experiments demonstrating over 99% bactericidal efficacy against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for two weeks. The transcriptome sequencing results suggested that SA-Cu may exert its bactericidal effects by interfering with histidine and purine metabolism in MRSA. This study presents a straightforward method for synthesizing antimicrobial silicone catheters containing copper nanomaterials using copper ions.

Influence of periodic pulse intake on the ventilation efficiency of positive pressure explosion-proof robot

The ventilation work is an important step to be completed before the start of the positive pressure explosion-proof robot. The existing explosion-proof technology uses constant pressure inflation, which will cause explosive gas to accumulate in the corner area of the cavity for a long time. In order to solve this problem, a ventilation method with periodic pulse intake is proposed. Based on the finite element method, the cleaning and ventilation process of the positive pressure explosion-proof robot is simulated and analyzed. The concentration of explosive gas in the robot cavity with time under constant pressure intake and pulse intake with different periods and amplitudes is compared. The simulation results show that the pulse intake is beneficial to the ventilation of the corner position. The period and amplitude of the pulse intake has an effect on the ventilation efficiency, when the period is the same, the greater the amplitude of the pulse intake, the higher the ventilation efficiency; when the amplitude is the same, the smaller the period of the pulse intake, the higher the ventilation efficiency. After experimental verification, the validity of the simulation results is proved. This study helps to improve the ventilation efficiency of positive-pressure explosion-proof robots and provides guidance for practical applications.

Characterization of an NDM-1-Producing Citrobacter koseri Isolate from China

Purpose

The continuous rise in carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae infections is a major public health concern. However, there is limited information available on New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) producing Citrobacter koseri. In this study, we isolated a blaNDM-1-carrying C. koseri from a stool sample of an inpatient. Our aim was to investigate the phenotypic and genomic features of this clinically derived carbapenem-resistant C. koseri isolate and to characterize the transmission pattern of the IncFII/IncN plasmid that carries the blaNDM-1 gene.

Methods and Results

S1-PFGE, Southern blot and conjugation assay confirmed the presence of blaNDM-1 gene in a conjugative plasmid. C. koseri L2395 and transconjugant L2395-EC600 strains showed similar resistance spectrum. Whole-genome analysis revealed that pL2395_NDM is an IncFII/IncN plasmid with a length of 67,839 bp. Moreover, blaNDM-1 gene was found encoded in the ISKpn19-blaNDM-1-ble-tnpF-dsbD-cutA-ISKpn19 cassette array. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that strain L2395 was close to an IMP-4-bearing C. koseri from Australia.

Conclusion

Ongoing surveillance will be essential to control and prevent the spread of carbapenem-resistant Citrobacter spp. in the future.

Centrosomal protein of 192 kDa (Cep192) fragment possesses bactericidal and parasiticidal activities in Larimichthys crocea

A novel AMP Lc1773, derived from centrosomal protein of 192 kDa (Cep192), was isolated from Larimichthys crocea using a Bacillus subtilis system. After cDNA libraries construction, repeating selection of B. subtilis system, extraction of extracellular protein, and expression of recombinant protein, we found that B. subtilis 1773, extracellular protein, and rLc1773 had a strong potential to kill Vibrio. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus. Further analysis of the antibacterial mechanism revealed that rLc1773 not only disrupted the integrity of bacterial membrane (as confirmed by SEM, TEM, and confocal microscopy observation, and flow cytometry assays), resulting in bacterial cell membrane pore conformation, bacterial rupture, and leakage of cellular contents, but also targeted to block protein synthesis rather than damage nucleic acids (as confirmed by SDS-PAGE, enzyme expression, and gel retardation assays). In addition, rLc1773 had the ability to kill parasite Scuticociliatida in a high rate and low concentration. Critically, the antibacterial activity of rLc1773 had good thermal stability and UV radiation tolerance, but it was affected by pH 9-11 and diverse enzyme to some extent. Lc1773 had neither hemolysis on fish, shrimp, and rabbit erythrocytes，nor significant cytotoxicity. To our knowledge, Cep192 fragment was first demonstrated to possess bactericidal and parasiticidal activities.

Photo-activatable Reagents for Bioorthogonal Ligation Reactions

Light-induced bioorthogonal reactions offer spatiotemporal control over selective biomolecular labeling. This review covers the recent advances in the design of photo-activatable reagents for bioorthogonal conjugation reactions in living systems. These reagents are stable in the absence of light, but transformed into reactive species upon light illumination, which then undergo rapid ligation reactions. The light wavelength has been tuned from ultraviolet to near infrared to enable efficient photo-activation in reactions in deep tissues. The most prominent photo-activatable reagents are presented, including tetrazoles, tetrazines, 9,10-phenanthrenequinone, diarylsydnones, and others. A particular focus is on the strategies for improving reaction kinetics and biocompatibility accomplished through careful molecular engineering. The utilities of these photo-activatable reagents are illustrated through a broad range of biological applications, including in vivo protein labeling, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, responsive hydrogels, and fluorescence microscopy. The further development and optimization of these biocompatible photo-activatable reagents should lead to new chemical biology strategies for studying biomolecular structure and function in living systems.

Synthesis of medium-sized heterocycles from oxetanes based on an allylic amination/ring-opening strategy

The construction of medium-sized ring compounds has been a prominent research area in synthetic chemistry. In this study, we developed a tandem strategy that combines allylic amination and ring-opening of oxetanes to synthesize medium-sized heterocycles. Specifically, N-aryl oxetan-3-amines undergo allylic amination with zwitterionic π-allylpalladium, followed by intramolecular ring-opening, resulting in the formation of medium-sized heterocycles. Notably, we are able to achieve the synthesis of 7-8 membered heterocycles with moderate to good yields by employing different types of zwitterionic π-allylpalladium species.

Single-crystal ZrCo nanoparticle for advanced hydrogen and H-isotope storage

Hydrogen-isotope storage materials are essential for the controlled nuclear fusion. However, the currently used smelting-ZrCo alloy suffers from rapid degradation of performance due to severe disproportionation. Here, we reveal a defect-derived disproportionation mechanism and report a nano-single-crystal strategy to solve ZrCo's problems. Single-crystal nano-ZrCo is synthesized by a wet-chemistry method and exhibits excellent comprehensive hydrogen-isotope storage performances, including ultrafast uptake/release kinetics, high anti-disproportionation ability, and stable cycling, far superior to conventional smelting-ZrCo. Especially, a further incorporation of Ti into nano-ZrCo can almost suppress the disproportionation reaction. Moreover, a mathematical relationship between dehydrogenation temperature and ZrCo particle size is established. Additionally, a microwave method capable of nondestructively detecting the hydrogen storage state of ZrCo is developed. The proposed disproportionation mechanism and anti-disproportionation strategy will be instructive for other materials with similar problems.

Toxicity of fungal-derived volatile organic compounds against root-knot nematodes

BACKGROUND

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs), including Meloidogyne species, are among the most destructive plant-parasites worldwide. Recent evidence suggests that entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) can antagonize RKNs. Such antagonistic effects are likely mediated by toxic metabolites, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), produced by the fungi. However, how widespread these effects are across EPF species, and which VOCs mediate negative interactions between EPF and RKNs needs to be further elucidated.

RESULTS

First, we evaluated the nematicidal effect of VOCs emitted by 46 EPF isolates against Meloidogyne incognita and found variable toxicity depending on the isolate. Second, we measured the nematicidal effect of highly toxic isolates, including species in the genus Talaromyces, Aspergillus, Clonostachys, and Purpureocillium and, third, we analyzed the nematicidal effect of major VOCs, including 2-methyl-1-propanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, isopropyl alcohol and 2-methyl-3-pentanone. The mortality of M. incognita juveniles (J2s) was generally high (50%) either via airborne or in-solution contact with VOCs. Moreover, the tested VOCs significantly inhibited egg hatching, and repelled J2s away from the VOCs.

CONCLUSION

This study not only provides insights into the ecological function of VOCs in the rhizosphere, but also provides new approaches for developing environmentally friendly control methods of RKNs in agroecosystems. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

High temperature stress induced oxidative stress, gut inflammation and disordered metabolome and microbiome in tsinling lenok trout

Tsinling lenok trout (Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis Li) is a species of cold-water salmon that faces serious challenges due to global warming. High temperature stress has been found to damage the gut integrity of cold-water fish, impacting their growth and immunity. However, limited research exists on the causal relationship between gut microbial disturbance and metabolic dysfunction in cold-water fish induced by high temperature stress. To address this gap, we conducted a study to investigate the effects of high temperature stress (24 °C) on the gut tissue structure, antioxidant capacity, gut microorganisms, and metabolome reactions of tsinling lenok trout. Our analysis using 16 S rDNA gene sequencing revealed significant changes in the gut microbial composition and metabolic profile. Specifically, the abundance of Firmicutes and Gemmatimonadetes decreased significantly with increasing temperature, while the abundance of Bacteroidetes increased significantly. Metabolic analysis revealed a significant decrease in the abundance of glutathione, which is synthesized from glutamate and glycine, under high temperature stress. Additionally, there was a notable reduction in the levels of adenosine, inosine, xanthine, guanosine, and deoxyguanosine, which are essential for DNA/RNA synthesis. Conversely, there was a significant increase in the abundance of D-glucose 6 P. Furthermore, high temperature stress adversely affects intestinal structure and barrier function. Our findings provide valuable insights into the mechanism of high temperature stress in cold-water fish and serve as a foundation for future research aimed at mitigating the decline in production performance caused by such stress.

Epidemiological characteristics and spatio-temporal analysis of brucellosis in Shandong province, 2015-2021

BACKGROUND

Brucellosis is one of the major public health problems in China, it not only causes huge economic losses to the society, but also threatens the human's physical and mental health. The reported cases of brucellosis in Shandong province were at a high level, therefore, it is necessary for us to understand the epidemic characteristics and distribution trend of Brucellosis in Shandong province. This study aims to describe the epidemiological characteristics and spatial clustering characteristics of brucellosis in Shandong Province, provide a reference for the scientific prevention and control.

METHODS

Human brucellosis data in Shandong province from 2015 to 2021 were obtained from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention, the data were analyzed by descriptive epidemiological methods, spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatial-temporal cluster analysis methods use ArcGIS and SaTScan software, the results were presented in ArcMap.

RESULTS

A total of 22,251 human cases of brucellosis were reported, the annual incidence ranged between 2.41/100,000 and 4.07/100,000 from 2015 to 2021 in Shandong province, incidence has been decreasing year by year, while there was a significant increase in 2021. The distribution of brucellosis was of a seasonal trend, mainly concentrating during March to August. The age of the cases was mainly concentrated in the 30-74 age ranges, the average annual incidence rate was significantly higher in males than in females. The spatial analysis showed that the epidemics were mainly concentrated in the north and southwest. For the spatial autocorrelation analysis, a high global autocorrelation was observed at the county level, and the high-high clusters mainly distributed in the north and southwest region. For the spatio-temporal scanning, the most likely cluster areas mainly distributed in the north area, and then gradually moved southward, and the radius of clustered narrowed.

CONCLUSIONS

Human brucellosis remains a common challenge, particularly in northern region in spring and summer. More disease prevention and control measures should be taken in high-risk populations, and such higher-risk susceptible areas to reduce the incidence of brucellosis and ensure the health of the people.

Facet-dependent U(VI) removal of hematite with confined ferrous ions

The presence of ferrous minerals has been demonstrated to have a significant impact on the destiny, migration, and availability of uranyl (U(VI)) in natural surroundings. The iron oxide/Fe(II) system is a multifaceted iron reduction system anchored to surfaces, encompassing various forms of iron and ferrous ions. Several studies have investigated the effectiveness of adsorbed ferrous iron on iron-based minerals to facilitate the reduction of heavy metal ions and radioactive nuclides. A range of techniques for characterization, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Mössbauer spectroscopy, were employed to explore the process of U(VI) adsorption and deposition, focusing on the limited region containing ferrous iron on the exposed crystalline surface of hematite. In this specific investigation, two kinds of hematite nanocrystals primarily exposing {001} and {012} crystal facets, referred to as HNPs and HNCs, were synthesized. Their ability to remove U(VI) was examined. Ferrous ions (Fe(II)) adsorbed onto the surface of hematite nanocrystals significantly enhanced the efficiency of U(VI) remediation. Furthermore, the HNCs/Fe(II) system showed better U(VI) reduction ability than the HNPs/Fe(II) system. Remarkably, HNCs produced and consumed more electrons and hydroxyl radicals, indicating a more intense response. This finding serves to highlight the significance of their role in interfacial effects and in predicting the spatial distribution of U(VI) in aqueous systems.

Locoregional radiotherapy improves survival outcomes in de novo metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with chemoimmunotherapy

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate the efficacy of locoregional radiotherapy (LRRT) in patients with de novo metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (dmNPC) receiving chemotherapy combined with anti-programmed cell death receptor-1 monoclonal antibodies (anti-PD-1 mAbs) as first-line treatment and identify optimal candidates for LRRT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We enrolled patients with dmNPC receiving platinum-based palliative chemotherapy and anti-PD-1 mAbs followed or not followed by LRRT from four centers. The endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and overall survival (OS). We used the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to balance the baseline characteristics of the LRRT and non-LRRT groups to minimize selection bias before comparative analyses. Multivariate analyses were carried out using the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

We included 163 patients with dmNPC (median follow-up: 22 months). The median PFS was 20 months, and the ORR was 92.0%; the median OS was not achieved. After IPTW adjustments, patients who received LRRT had a significant survival benefit over those not receiving LRRT (median PFS: 28 versus 15 months, P < 0.001). The Epstein-Barr virus DNA (EBV DNA) level after four to six cycles of anti-PD-1 mAbs [weighted hazard ratio (HR): 2.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22-3.92, P = 0.008] and LRRT (weighted HR: 0.58, 95% CI 0.34-0.99, P = 0.04) were independent prognostic factors. Patients with undetectable EBV DNA levels after four to six cycles of anti-PD-1 mAbs (early EBV DNA clearance) benefitted from LRRT (HR: 0.41, 95% CI 0.22-0.79, P = 0.008), whereas those with detectable levels did not (HR: 1.30, 95% CI 0.59-2.87, P = 0.51).

CONCLUSIONS

Palliative chemotherapy combined with anti-PD-1 mAbs followed by LRRT was associated with improved PFS in patients with dmNPC, especially for patients with early EBV DNA clearance.

Dicarboxylic Amino Acid Permease 7219 Regulates Fruiting Body Type of Auricularia heimuer

Auricularia heimuer is a widely cultivated jelly mushroom. The fruiting bodies are categorized into cluster and chrysanthemum types. With changing consumer demands and the need to reduce bio-waste, the demand for clustered fruiting bodies is increasing. Therefore, gene mining for fruiting body types is a matter of urgency. We determined that the A. heimuer locus for fruiting body type was located at one end of the genetic linkage map. The locus was localized between the markers D23860 and D389 by increasing the density of the genetic linkage map. BlastN alignment showed that the marker SCL-18 was also located between D23860 and D389, and a total of 25 coding genes were annotated within this interval. Through parental transcriptome analysis and qRT-PCR verification, the locus g7219 was identified as the gene controlling the fruiting body type. A single-nucleotide substitution in the TATA box of g7219 was detected between the parents. By PCR amplification of the promoter region of g7219, the TATA-box sequences of the cluster- and chrysanthemum-type strains were found to be CATAAAA and TATAAAA, respectively. This study provides a foundation for the breeding of fruiting body types and strain improvement of A. heimuer.

Controlled Fabrication of Hierarchically Structured MnO2@NiCo-LDH Nanoarrays for Efficient Electrocatalytic Urea Oxidization

Urea, a prevalent component found in wastewater, shows great promise as a substrate for energy-efficient hydrogen production by electrolysis. However, the slow kinetics of the anodic urea oxidation reaction (UOR) significantly hamper the overall reaction rate. This study presents the design and controlled fabrication of hierarchically structured nanomaterials as potential catalysts for UOR. The prepared MnO2@NiCo-LDH hybrid catalyst demonstrates remarkable improvements in reaction kinetics, benefiting from synergistic enhancements in charge transfer and efficient mass transport facilitated by its unique hierarchical architecture. Notably, the catalyst exhibits an exceptionally low onset potential of 1.228 V and requires only 1.326 V to achieve an impressive current density of 100 mA cm-2, representing a state-of-the-art performance in UORs. These findings highlight the tremendous potential of this innovative material designing strategy to drive advancements in electrocatalytic processes.

[Analysis of changes in reporting and diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis among children in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province from 2019 to 2021]

Objective: To compare the characteristics of children's pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) cases reported from 2019 to 2021 before and during the implementation of the Action Plan to Stop Tuberculosis. Methods: Based on the reported incidence data and population data of child pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) notified to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Tuberculosis Information Management System (TBIMS) from 2019 to 2021, the population information and clinically relevant information in different years were compared. Results: From 2019 to 2021, the reported cases of PTB in children were 363, 664 and 655, respectively. The number of reported cases increased significantly. The median age of the cases in children increased from 10.4 years in 2019 to 11.7 years in 2021 (P=0.005) over a three-year period. The etiological positive rate increased significantly from 11.6% (42/363) in 2019 to 32.2% (211/655) in 2021 (P<0.001). The positive rate of molecular testing increased most significantly, which became the main means of etiological detection and accounted for 16.7% (7/42), 62.0% (57/92) and 75.4% (159/211) of the children with positive etiological results, respectively. The resistance rates of isoniazid and rifampicin were analyzed in children with PTB who underwent drug sensitivity tests. The results showed that the resistance rates of isoniazid and/or rifampicin were 2/9, 3.9% (2/51) and 6.7% (11/163), respectively, with an average of 6.7% (15/223) over three years. The median patients' delay was 27 (12, 49) days in 2019. It was reduced to 19 (10, 37) days in 2020 and 15 (7, 34) days in 2021, both significantly lower than 2019 (P=0.009 and 0.000 2, respectively). Conclusion: From 2019 to 2021, the reported numbers of children with PTB and children with positive etiological results increase significantly in Liangshan Prefecture, while the diagnosis delay of patients significantly reduces.

Systematic Structural Tuning Yields Hydrazonyl Sultones for Faster Bioorthogonal Protein Modification

We report the synthesis of a series of hydrazonyl sultones (HS) containing an ortho-CF3 group, a five- or six-membered sultone ring, and a varying N-aryl substituent, and characterization of their aqueous stability and reactivity toward bicyclo[6.1.0]non-4-yn-9-ylmethanol (BCN) in a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction. To avoid purification of highly polar intermediates, we employed two protecting groups in our synthetic schemes. Most HS were obtained in moderate to good yields under optimized reaction conditions. The X-ray crystal structure analysis of two HS revealed that the partially negative-charged fluorine atoms in CF3 electrostatically shield the electrophilic nitrile imine (NI) center from a nucleophilic attack, underpinning their extraordinary aqueous stability. In addition, the N-aryl substituents further modulate HS reactivity and stability, with the electron-rich six-membered HS displaying excellent aqueous stability and increased cycloaddition reactivity. The utility of these improved HS reagents was demonstrated through fast and selective modification of a BCNK-encoded nanobody with second-order rate constants as high as 1500 M-1  s-1 in phosphate-buffered saline-ethanol (9 : 1), representing the fastest HS-BCN ligation reported in the literature.

Characterization, antioxidant activity, and mineral profiling of Auricularia cornea mushroom strains

Background

Mushrooms are considered as next-generation healthy food components. Owing to their low-fat content, high-quality proteins, dietary fiber, and rich source of nutraceuticals. They are ideally preferred in formulation of low-caloric functional foods. In this view, the breeding strategies of mushroom Auricularia cornea (A. cornea) focusing on high yield and higher quality with rich nutritional values and health benefits are still needed.

Materials and methods

A total of 50 strains of A. cornea were used to analyze the bio efficiency and the time required for fruiting body formation following the cultivation experiment. The calorimetric method was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity and quantify the crude polysaccharides and minerals content thereafter.

Results

The results showed that the time required for fruiting body formation and biological efficiency varied significantly among the selected strains. Noticeably, the wild domesticated strain Ac13 of A. cornea mushroom showed the shortest fruit development time (80 days). Similarly, the hybrid strains including Ac3 and Ac15 possessed the highest biological efficiency (82.40 and 94.84%). Hybrid strains Ac18 (15.2%) and cultivated strains Ac33 (15.6%) showed the highest content of crude polysaccharides, while cultivated strains Ac1 and Ac33, demonstrated the highest content of total polysaccharides in the fruiting body (216 mg. g^-1 and 200 mg. g^-1). In the case of mineral content, the highest zinc contents were observed from the cultivated strain Ac46 (486.33 mg·kg^-1). The maximum iron content was detected from the hybrid strain Ac3 (788 mg·kg^-1), and the wild domesticated strain Ac28 (350 mg·kg^-1). The crude polysaccharides of the A. cornea strain showed significant antioxidant potential, and the ability of Ac33 and Ac24 to scavenge DPPH radicals and ABTS, which was significantly improved compared to other strains, respectively. Principal component analysis was applied to examine the agronomic traits and chemical compounds of various strains of A. cornea mushrooms. The results revealed that cultivated, wild domesticated, and hybrid strains of A. cornea exhibited distinct characteristics in terms of growth, yield, and nutritional properties.

Conclusion

The crude polysaccharides from A. cornea mushroom strains act as natural antioxidants, the wild, hybrid, and commercial A. cornea mushroom strains can achieve rapid growth, early maturation, and high yields. The evaluation of biochemical indexes and nutritional characteristics of strains with excellent traits provided a scientific basis for initiating high-quality breeding, provided germplasm resources for the production of "functional food" with real nutritional and health value.

High-quality genome assembly and multi-omics analysis of pigment synthesis pathway in Auricularia cornea

Owing to its great market potential for food and health care, white Auricularia cornea, a rare edible fungus, has received increased attention in recent years. This study presents a high-quality genome assembly of A. cornea and multi-omics analysis of its pigment synthesis pathway. Continuous Long Reads libraries, combined with Hi-C-assisted assembly were used to assemble of white A. cornea. Based on this data, we analyzed the transcriptome and metabolome of purple and white strains during the mycelium, primordium, and fruiting body stages. Finally, we obtained the genome of A.cornea assembled from 13 clusters. Comparative and evolutionary analysis suggests that A.cornea is more closely related to Auricularia subglabra than to Auricularia heimuer. The divergence of white/purple A.cornea occurred approximately 40,000 years ago, and there were numerous inversions and translocations between homologous regions of the two genomes. Purple strain synthesized pigment via the shikimate pathway. The pigment in the fruiting body of A. cornea was γ-glutaminyl-3,4-dihydroxy-benzoate. During pigment synthesis, α-D-glucose-1P, citrate, 2-Oxoglutarate, and glutamate were four important intermediate metabolites, whereas polyphenol oxidase and other 20 enzyme genes were the key enzymes. This study sheds light on the genetic blueprint and evolutionary history of the white A.cornea genome, revealing the mechanism of pigment synthesis in A.cornea. It has important theoretical and practical implications for understanding the evolution of basidiomycetes, molecular breeding of white A.cornea, and deciphering the genetic regulations of edible fungi. Additionally, it provides valuable insights for the study of phenotypic traits in other edible fungi.

[Mechanism of the Notch1 signaling pathway regulating osteogenic factor influences lumbar disc calcification]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the mechanism of the Notch1 signaling pathway in regulating osteogenic factors and influencing lumbar disc calcification.

METHODS

Primary annulus fibroblasts from SD rats were isolated and subcultured in vitro. The calcification-inducing factors bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) were added to separate groups to induce calcification, which were referred to as the BMP-2 group and the b-FGF group, respectively. A control group was also set up, which was cultured in normal medium. Subsequently, cell morphology and fluorescence identification, alizarin red staining, ELISA, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) were performed to determine the effect of calcification induction. Cell grouping was performed again, including the control group, the calcification group (adding the inducer BMP-2), the calcification + LPS group(adding the inducer BMP-2 and the Notch1 pathway activator LPS), and the calcification + DAPT group (adding the inducer BMP-2 and the Notch1 pathway inhibitor DAPT). Alizarin red staining and flow cytometry were used to detect cell apoptosis, ELISA was used to detect the content of osteogenic factors, and Western blot was used to detect the expression of BMP-2, b-FGF, and Notch1 proteins.

RESULTS

The induction factor screening results showed that the number of mineralized nodules in fibroannulus cells in BMP-2 group and b-FGF group was significantly increased, and the increase was greater in the BMP-2 group Meanwhile, ELISA and Western blot results showed that BMP-2, b-FGF and mRNA expression levels of BMP-2, b-FGF and Notch1 in the induced group were significantly increased (P<0.01). The results of the mechanism of Notch1 signaling pathway affecting lumbar disc calcification showed that compared to calcified group, the number of fibroannulus cell mineralization nodules, apoptosis rate, BMP-2, b-FGF content, the expression levels of BMP-2, b-FGF, and Notch1 proteins were further increased significantly However, the number of mineralization nodules, apoptosis rate, BMP-2 and b-FGF levels, BMP-2, b-FGF and Notch1 protein expression levels were decreased in the calcified +DAPT group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Notch1 signaling pathway promotes lumbar disc calcification through positive regulation of osteogenic factors.

Auxiliary differential equation (ADE) method based complying-divergence implicit FDTD method for simulating the general dispersive anisotropic material

The preceding works introduced the leapfrog complying divergence implicit finite-difference time-domain (CDI-FDTD) method, which exhibits high accuracy and unconditional stability. In this study, the method is reformulated to simulate general electrically anisotropic and dispersive media. The auxiliary differential equation (ADE) method is employed to solve the equivalent polarization currents, which are then integrated into the CDI-FDTD method. The iterative formulae are presented, and the calculation method is similar to that of the traditional CDI-FDTD method. Additionally, the Von Neumann method is utilized to analyze the unconditional stability of the proposed method. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, three numerical cases are conducted. These include calculating the transmission and reflection coefficients of a monolayer graphene sheet and a monolayer magnetized plasma, as well as the scattering properties of a cubic block plasma. The numerical results obtained by the proposed method demonstrate its accuracy and efficiency in simulating general anisotropic dispersive media, compared to both the analytical method and the traditional FDTD method.

Style and influencing factors of tutors-postgraduates' interactions in Chinese medical colleges: a cross-sectional survey in Heilongjiang Province

OBJECTIVES

This study assesses the style of tutor-postgraduate interactions in Chinese medical colleges and explores the association between postgraduates' demographic factors and tutors' demographic characteristics.

METHODS

With the stratified sampling method, a cross-sectional online survey was used. A total of 813 medical postgraduates were recruited as participants, with an effective response rate of 85.49%. The two dimensions of "Professional Ability Interaction" and "Comprehensive Cultivation Interaction" in the self-developed "Instructor-Graduate Interaction Scale for Medical Colleges" were used as dependent variables. And tutors' demographic characteristics and postgraduates' demographic characteristics were taken as independent variables. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of Tutor-Postgraduates Interactions in medical colleges.

RESULTS

The Tutor-Postgraduates Interaction scale consists of 14 items from the two dimensions of "Professional Ability Interaction" and "Comprehensive Cultivation Interaction". The results of the logistic regression analysis show the reasons for selecting the mentor students (industry recognition, the tutor's research direction, charm in attracting mentors, and recommendations for mentor selection); student to mentor satisfaction; student to study life satisfaction; and regular academic seminars. Indirect guidance and a high postgraduate grade high are the protective factors of interaction between tutors and postgraduates of medical colleges and universities postgraduates. Older mentors and more graduate tutors are the risk factors for Tutor-Postgraduates Interaction in medical colleges (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The current study proposes that managers should pay more attention to the double-track promotion of "Professional Ability Interaction" and "Comprehensive Cultivation Interaction". We should not only pay attention to the cultivation of postgraduates' professional ability but also pay more attention to the comprehensive cultivation including postgraduates' mental and psychological aspects. The interaction between tutors and postgraduates in medical colleges is generally good, but much attention should be given to the dual-track promotion mentioned above. Regular academic seminars play an important role in the process of postgraduate training. The research findings, including the influencing factors regarding tutor-postgraduate interactions, the Professional Ability Interaction and Comprehensive Cultivation Interaction, are very informative and can contribute to strategies for postgraduate management systems that enhance this relationship.

Intensivist-Led Transportation of Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Single Center Experience

This study evaluated the suitability, feasibility, safety, and outcomes of transport of the ECMO-dependent patient (EDP) by EDP transport team (EDPTT) in China. Eighty-two EDPs (forty-one cases on VV ECMO and forty-one cases on VA ECMO) received transport between June 2018 and June 2021 and were retrospectively analyzed. ECMO circulation was performed by the outlying hospital, mainly using percutaneous ECMO cannulation. The EDPTT consists of three intensive therapists, one of whom serves as a team leader, and one intensive care unit nurse. Of these, 81 (98.8%) patients were transferred by ambulance, no deaths occurred during transport, the EDP-related complications were 19% (n = 16); bleeding at the cannula site (n = 7, 8.5%) was the most prominent; equipment-related problems accounted for 14.6% of the problems requiring urgent intervention, with hand cranking being the most common (9.7%). The survival rate during transport was 100%, with 36 (43.9%) patients surviving to discharge. The ECMO weaning rate was 61% for VV ECMO and 63.7% for VA ECMO. The results demonstrated the suitability, feasibility, and safety of transporting EDP in a team led by an intensivist, with few complications and no deaths during transport. This may be the recommended staffing model for EDP transport in developing countries.

Insights into the highly efficient SPR enhanced photodegradation of tetracycline by Bi/Bi2MoO6 composites

A Bi/Bi₂MoO₆ nanocomposite is fabricated utilizing a simple one-pot solvothermal method, which shows great photodegradation ability to tetracycline (TC). The effect of Bi⁰ nanoparticles on the photodegradation of TC was investigated, and it is ascribed to the surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) effect. The light energy could be strongly absorbed by the Bi⁰ nanoparticles, and then transferred to the adjacent Bi₂MoO₆, to enhance the photocatalytic performance. The results of the sacrifice experiment and quantitative analysis of active radicals showed that the photoelectrons could react with soluble O₂ and ·OH to form ·O₂^-, which finally dominates in the process of photocatalytic degradation of TC. This work proposed a way to construct a highly efficient photocatalyst based on SPR effect, which has great application potential in environmental treatment.

Hydrazonyl Sultones as Stable Tautomers of Highly Reactive Nitrile Imines for Fast Bioorthogonal Ligation Reaction

Here we report the design and synthesis of a new class of bioorthogonal reagents called hydrazonyl sultones (HS) that serve as stable tautomers of highly reactive nitrile imines (NI). Compared to the photogenerated NI, HS display a broad range of aqueous stability and tunable reactivity in a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction, depending on substituents, sultone ring structure, and solvent conditions. DFT calculations have provided vital insights into the HS → NI tautomerism, including a base-mediated anionic tautomerization pathway and a small activation barrier. Comparative kinetic analysis of tetrazole vs HS-mediated cycloadditions reveals that a tiny fraction of the reactive NI (∼15 ppm) is present in the tautomeric mixture, underpinning the extraordinary stability of the six-membered HS. We further demonstrate the utilities of HS in selective modification of bicyclo[6.1.0]non-4-yn-9-ylmethanol (BCN)-lysine-containing nanobodies in phosphate buffered saline and fluorescent labeling of a BCN-lysine-encoded transmembrane glucagon receptor on live cells.

High-Performance Thin-Film Transistors with ZnO:H/ZnO Double Active Layers Fabricated at Room Temperature

H doping can enhance the performance of ZnO thin-film transistors (TFTs) to a certain extent, and the design of double active layers is an effective way to further improve a device's performance. However, there are few studies on the combination of these two strategies. We fabricated TFTs with ZnO:H (4 nm)/ZnO (20 nm) double active layers by magnetron sputtering at room temperature, and studied the effect of the hydrogen flow ratio on the devices' performance. ZnO:H/ZnO-TFT has the best overall performance when H₂/(Ar + H₂) = 0.13% with a mobility of 12.10 cm²/Vs, an on/off current ratio of 2.32 × 10⁷, a subthreshold swing of 0.67 V/Dec, and a threshold voltage of 1.68 V, which is significantly better than the performance of single active layer ZnO:H-TFTs. This exhibits that the transport mechanism of carriers in double active layer devices is more complicated. On one hand, increasing the hydrogen flow ratio can more effectively suppress the oxygen-related defect states, thus reducing the carrier scattering and increasing the carrier concentration. On the other hand, the energy band analysis shows that electrons accumulate at the interface of the ZnO layer close to the ZnO:H layer, providing an additional path for carrier transport. Our research exhibits that the combination of a simple hydrogen doping process and double active layer construction can achieve the fabrication of high-performance ZnO-based TFTs, and that the whole room temperature process also provides important reference value for the subsequent development of flexible devices.

Reductive C-O Cleavage of Ethereal Solvents and 18-Crown-6 in Ln(NR2)3/KC8 Reactions (R = SiMe3)

The high reactivity accessible from the reduction of the tris(amide) complexes Ln(NR₂)₃ (R = SiMe₃) with potassium graphite in the presence of a variety of ethers is demonstrated by crystal structures of six different types of products of C-O bond cleavage reactions with Ln = Y, Ho, Er, and Lu. Specifically, 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) can be cleaved in Ln(NR₂)₃/KC₈ reactions as shown by three different types of crystals: [K (crypt)][(R₂N)₃Y(OCH₂CH₂OCH₃)], 1-Y, [(R₂N)₂Y(μ-OCH₂CH₂OCH₃-κO,κO')]₂, 2-Y, and [K₂(18-c-6)₃]{[(R₂N)₃Lu]₂[(μ-OCH₂CH₂O)]}, 3-Lu (18-c-6 = 18-crown-6; crypt = 2.2.2-cryptand). THF can be ring opened by the Y(NR₂)₃/KC₈ reaction system, as shown by crystals of the butoxide, [K(crypt)][(R₂N)₃Y(OCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃)], 4-Y. The cyclic ether, oxetane, OC₃H₆, ring opens in Ln(NR₂)₃/KC₈ reactions to form crystals of the propoxide, [K(18-c-6)(OC₃H₆)][(R₂N)₃Ln(OCH₂CH₂CH₃)], 5-Ln, for Ln = Ho and Er. In Et₂O, the Y(NR₂)₃/KC₈ reactions do not attack the solvent, but C-O cleavage of 18-c-6 is observed to form {[(R₂N)₂]Y[μ-η¹:η¹-O₂(C₁₀H₂₀O₄)K]}₂, 6-Y. These Ln(NR₂)₃/KC₈ C-O cleavage reactions are typically accompanied by C-H bond activation reactions, which form cyclometalates such as [K(crypt)]{(R₂N)₂Ln[N(SiMe₃)(SiMe₂CH₂)-κC,κN]}, 7-Ln (Ln = Y, Ho, Er), and [K(18-c-6)]{(R₂N)₂Y[N(SiMe₃)(SiMe₂CH₂)-κC,κN]}, 8-Y, which are common decomposition products of Ln(NR₂)₃ reactions. In addition, in this study, the hydride complex, [K(18-c-6)][(R₂N)₃YH], 9-Y, was isolated. NMR analysis indicates that the yttrium reactions form mixtures that consistently contain the yttrium cyclometalates 7-Y and 8-Y as major components. These results show the diversity of available reaction pathways for the Ln(NR₂)₃/KC₈ system and highlight the inherent difficulties in isolating Ln(II) complexes containing the [Ln(NR₂)₃]^1- anion.

Velvet Family Members Regulate Pigment Synthesis of the Fruiting Bodies of Auricularia cornea

Color is a crucial feature to consider when breeding and improving strains of Auricularia cornea. To uncover the mechanism of white strain formation in A. cornea, this study selected parental strains that were homozygous for the color trait and analyzed the genetic laws of A. cornea color through genetic population construction, such as test-cross, back-cross, and self-cross populations, and the statistical analysis of color trait segregation. Moreover, the study developed SSR molecular markers to construct a genetic linkage map, perform the fine mapping the color-controlling genetic locus, and verify candidate genes using yeast two-hybrid, transcriptome analysis, and different light treatments. The results of the study indicated that the color trait of A. cornea is controlled by two pairs of alleles. When both pairs of loci are dominant, the fruiting body is purple, while when both pairs of loci are recessive or one pair of loci is recessive, the fruiting body is white. Based on the linkage map, the study finely mapped the color locus within Contig9_29,619bp-53,463bp in the A. cornea genome and successfully predicted the color-controlling locus gene A18078 (AcveA), which belongs to the Velvet factor family protein and has a conserved structure domain of the VeA protein. It can form a dimer with the VelB protein to inhibit pigment synthesis in filamentous fungi. Lastly, the study validated the interaction between AcVeA and VelB (AcVelB) in A. cornea at the gene, protein, and phenotype levels, revealing the mechanism of inhibition of pigment synthesis in A. cornea. Under dark conditions, dimerization occurs, allowing it to enter the nucleus and inhibit pigment synthesis, leading to a lighter fruiting body color. However, under light conditions, the dimer content is low and cannot enter the nucleus to inhibit pigment synthesis. In summary, this study clarified the mechanism of white strain formation in A. cornea, which could aid in improving white strains of A. cornea and studying the genetic basis of color in other fungi.

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant under a Dynamic Clearance Strategy in Shandong, China

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron caused a large wave of COVID-19 cases in China in spring 2022. Shandong was one of the most affected regions during this epidemic yet was also among those areas that were able to quickly contain the transmission. We aimed to investigate the origin, genetic diversity, and transmission patterns of the Omicron epidemic in Shandong under a dynamic clearance strategy. We generated 1,149 Omicron sequences, performed phylogenetic analysis, and interpreted results in the context of available epidemiological information. We observed that there were multiple introductions of distinct Omicron sublineages into Shandong from foreign countries and other regions in China, while a small number of introductions led to majority of local cases. We found evidence suggesting that some local clusters were potentially associated with foreign imported cases. Superspreading events and cryptic transmissions contributed to the rapid spread of this epidemic. We identified a BA.1.1 genome with the R493Q reversion mutation in the spike receptor binding domain, potentially associated with an escape from vaccine and Omicron infection elicited neutralizing immunity. Our findings illustrated how the dynamic clearance strategy constrained this epidemic's size, duration, and geographical distribution. IMPORTANCE Starting in March 2022, the Omicron epidemic caused a large wave of COVID-19 cases in China. Shandong was one of the most affected regions during this epidemic but was also among those areas that were able to quickly contain the transmission. We investigated the origin, genetic diversity, and transmission patterns of Omicron epidemic in Shandong under a dynamic clearance strategy. We found that there were multiple introductions of distinct Omicron sublineages into Shandong from foreign countries and other regions in China, while a small number of introductions led to most local cases. We found evidence suggesting that some local clusters were associated with foreign imported cases. Superspreading events and cryptic transmissions contributed to the rapid spread of this epidemic. Our study illustrated the transmission patterns of Omicron epidemic in Shandong and provided a looking glass onto this epidemic in China.

Molecular identification and physiological functional analysis of NtNRT1.1B that mediated nitrate long-distance transport and improved plant growth when overexpressed in tobacco

Although recent physiological studies demonstrate that flue-cured tobacco preferentially utilizes nitrate ( NO 3 - ) or ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃), and possesses both high- and low-affinity uptake systems for NO 3 - , little is known about the molecular component(s) responsible for acquisition and translocation in this crop. Here we provide experimental data showing that NtNRT1.1B with a 1,785-bp coding sequence exhibited a function in mediating NO 3 - transport associated with tobacco growth on NO 3 - nutrition. Heterologous expression of NtNRT1.1B in the NO 3 - uptake-defective yeast Hp△ynt1 enabled a growth recovery of the mutant on 0.5 mM NO 3 - , suggesting a possible molecular function of NtNRT1.1B in the import of NO 3 - into cells. Transient expression of NtNRT1.1B::green fluorescent protein (GFP) in tobacco leaf cells revealed that NtNRT1.1B targeted mainly the plasma membrane, indicating the possibility of NO 3 - permeation across cell membranes via NtNRT1.1B. Furthermore, promoter activity assays using a GFP marker clearly indicated that NtNRT1.1B transcription in roots may be down-regulated by N starvation and induced by N resupply, including NO 3 - , after 3 days' N depletion. Significantly, constitutive overexpression of NtNRT1.1B could remarkably enhance tobacco growth by showing a higher accumulation of biomass and total N, NO 3 - , and even NH 4 + in plants supplied with NO 3 - ; this NtNRT1.1B-facilitated N acquisition/accumulation could be strengthened by short-term ¹⁵N- NO 3 - root influx assays, which showed 15%-20% higher NO 3 - deposition in NtNRT1.1B-overexpressors as well as a high affinity of NtNRT1.1B for NO 3 - at a K _m of around 30-45 µM. Together with the detection of NtNRT1.1B promoter activity in the root stele and shoot-stem vascular tissues, and higher NO 3 - in both xylem exudate and the apoplastic washing fluid of NtNRT1.1B-transgenic lines, NtNRT1.1B could be considered as a valuable molecular breeding target aiming at improving crop N-use efficiency by manipulating the absorption and long-distance distribution/transport of nitrate, thus adding a new functional homolog as a nitrate permease to the plant NRT1 family.

Digital workflow for periodontal splinting with a guided device

OBJECTIVE

To detail a technique for bonding periodontal splint precisely in a digital workflow.

CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Periodontal splinting can be considered to stabilize the mobile teeth, especially for mandibular anterior teeth. Reliable bonding of periodontal splints is a prerequisite for successful clinical performance. However, when bonding the indirect splint to place or making direct splint intraorally, there is a significant risk of mobile teeth drifting away from the splint. To guide accurate insertion of periodontal splint with no risk of displacement of mobile teeth, a guide device fabricated by digital workflow is introduced in this article.

CONCLUSIONS

Periodontal compromised teeth can be provisionally fixed during splinting, with the help of the guided device, and precise bonding of the splint is readily accomplished by using such digital workflow. This technique is not only applicable to the lingual splints, but also suitable for the labial ones.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The use of a guided device, after being digitally designed and fabricated, enables to stabilize the mobile teeth, in case of any displacement during splinting. It is straightforward, and beneficial to reduce the risk of complications, such as debonding of the splint, and secondary occlusal trauma.

[Construction and evaluation of an artificial intelligence-based risk prediction model for death in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To screen the risk factors for death in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) using artificial intelligence (AI) technology and establish a risk prediction model.

METHODS

The clinical data of NPC patients obtained from SEER database (1973-2015). The patients were randomly divided into model building and verification group at a 7∶3 ratio. Based on the data in the model building group, R software was used to identify the risk factors for death in NPC patients using 4 AI algorithms, namely eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Decision Tree (DT), Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and random forest (RF), and a risk prediction model was constructed based on the risk factor identified. The C-Index, decision curve analysis (DCA), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve (CC) were used for internal validation of the model; the data in the validation group and clinical data of 96 NPC patients (collected from First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College) were used for internal and external validation of the model.

RESULTS

The clinical data of a total of 2116 NPC patients were included (1484 in model building group and 632 in verification group). Risk factor screening showed that age, race, gender, stage M, stage T, and stage N were all risk factors of death in NPC patients. The risk prediction model for NPC-related death constructed based on these factors had a C-index of 0.76 for internal evaluation, an AUC of 0.74 and a net benefit rate of DCA of 9%-93%. The C-index of the model in internal verification was 0.740 with an AUC of 0.749 and a net benefit rate of DCA of 3%-89%, suggesting a high consistency of the two calibration curves. In external verification, the C-index of this model was 0.943 with a net benefit rate of DCA of 3%-97% and an AUC of 0.851, and the predicted value was consistent with the actual value.

CONCLUSIONS

Gender, age, race and TNM stage are risk factors of death of NPC patients, and the risk prediction model based on these factors can accurately predict the risks of death in NPC patients.

Predicting Acute Onset of Heart Failure Complicating Acute Coronary Syndrome: An Explainable Machine Learning Approach

Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are at high risk of heart failure (HF). Early prediction and management of HF among ACS patients are essential to provide timely and cost-effective care. The aim of this study is to train and evaluate a machine learning model to predict the acute onset of HF subsequent to ACS. A total of 1,028 patients with ACS admitted to Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital between October 2019 and May 2022 were included in this study. 128 clinical features were ranked using Shapley additive exPlanations (SHAP) values and the top 20% of features were selected for building a balanced random forest (BRF) model. We compared the discriminatory capability of BRF with linear logistic regression (LLR). In the hold-out test set, the BRF model predicted subsequent HF with areas under the curve (AUC) of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.75-0.77), sensitivity of 0.97 (95% CI: 0.96-0.97), positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.72-0.74), negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.63 (95% CI: 0.60-0.66), and accuracy of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.72-0.73), respectively. BRF outperforms linear logistic regression by 15.6% in AUC, 3.0% in sensitivity, and 60.8% in NPV. End-to-end machine learning approaches can predict the acute onset of HF following ACS with high prediction accuracy. This proof-of-concept study has the potential to substantially advance the management of ACS patients by utilizing the machine learning model as a triage tool to automatically identify clinically significant patients allowing for prioritization of interventions.