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Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that may induce complications such as poor wound healing. Stem cell therapies have shown promise in treating diabetic wounds with pre‐clinical and clinical studies. However, little bibliometric analysis has been carried out on stem cells in the treatment of diabetic wounds. In this study, we retrieved relevant papers published from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2023, from Chinese and English databases. CiteSpace software was used to analyze the authors, institutions, and keywords by standard bibliometric indicators. Our analysis findings indicated that publications on stem cells in the treatment of diabetic wounds kept increasing. The most prolific author was Qian Cai (n = 7) and Mohammad Bayat (n = 16) in Chinese and English databases, respectively. Institutions distribution analysis showed that Chinese institutions conducted most publications, and the most prolific institution was the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital (n = 9) and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (n = 17) in Chinese and English databases, respectively. The highest centrality keyword in Chinese and English databases was "wound healing" (0.54) and "in vitro" (0.13), respectively. There were 8 and 11 efficient and convincing keyword clusters produced by a log‐likelihood ratio in the Chinese and English databases, respectively. The strongest burst keyword was "exosome" (strength 3.57) and "endothelial progenitor cells" (strength 7.87) in the Chinese and English databases, respectively. These findings indicated a direction for future therapies and research on stem cells in the treatment of diabetic wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A kind of new mesoporous hydroxyapatite (noted as mesoHA) with about 2.4 nm average porous diameter was successfully prepared by casting Ca2+ and H2PO4− ions on the inner channel surface of Si‐MCM‐41 and dissolving the Si‐MCM‐41 in alkali soluble, and the porous material was used as a pH‐responsive platform to adsorb and release ciprofloxacin molecules. A maximum mass of 0.51 mg of ciprofloxacin (noted as Cip) was loaded on 1.00 mg of the host, and the release rate of the drug was found increasing with the acidic increase of the external solution environment (based on the stability of mesoHA) that simulated basic composition to human plasma. About 88.5% of Cip was released from the platform when environmental pH value was about 4.8, which provides a new method on utilizing antibiotics drugs efficiently, for the host mesoHA is friendly to human body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WB2 powders were successfully prepared at 1000°C using NaCl–KCl salts as molten salts. Compared to the conventional solid‐state reaction, the introduction of NaCl–KCl salts decreased the synthesis temperature of WB2 phase, which was related to the faster diffusion rate of particles in the liquid state than in the solid‐state. The effect of reaction temperature, time, and the amount of molten salts on the synthesis of WB2 were studied in detail. The template formation mechanism was considered to have played an essential part in the synthesis process. Transmission electron microscope analysis showed that the as‐synthesized WB2 powders exhibited a hexagonal crystal structure. Furthermore, the oxidation protective performance of as‐synthesized WB2 powders was investigated by TG‐DSC measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Solid predominant lung adenocarcinomas (LUAD) have distinct histopathological and clinical characteristics compared with nonsolid subtypes. A comprehensive comparison of altered genes found in solid and nonsolid subtypes has not previously been performed. In this study, we analyzed differences in gene expression, genetic mutations, and DNA methylation to better understand the risk factors for these two subtypes of LUAD. Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially mutated genes (DMGs) were analyzed from RNA‐seq data downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Broad Institute database. To understand the functional significance of molecular changes, we examined the DEGs and DMGs with Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis. Results: A total of 184 patients in the TCGA cohort and 140 patients in the Broad Institute cohort were included in this study. We identified 75 DEGs, of which 15 were upregulated and 56 downregulated in the solid group relative to the nonsolid group. The DEGs were mainly involved in the regulation of water and fluid transport. We discovered 38 significantly differentially expressed genes that overlapped in the two groups. The DMGs were mainly enriched for pathways involved in cell–cell adhesion, cell adhesion, biological adhesion, and hemophilic cell adhesion. We additionally discovered nine significantly methylated genes between solid and nonsolid LUAD. Conclusions: Our study identified distinct DEGs, DMGs, and methylation genes for solid and nonsolid LUAD subtypes. These findings improve our understanding of the different carcinogenesis mechanisms in LUAD and will help to develop new therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effect of neoadjuvant radiotherapy (NRT) was controversial in non‐cervical esophageal cancer. The aim of this study was to identify which stage of non‐cervical esophageal cancer would get benefit from NRT using propensity score matching (PSM) and survival analysis based on the Surveillance Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Methods: A selection process was used for case screening from the SEER database. Seven baseline variables were included in PSM. The survival analysis were based on T stage (T2 and T3) and status of lymph node involvement (N0 and N+) using Kaplan‐Meier method and log‐rank test for comparing the overall survival of patient with NRT plus surgery versus those who with surgery alone (SA). Results: A total of 1631 cases were included in this study. After PSM, 225 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and 606 cases of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) were enrolled in survival analysis. We found that only T3N+ stage of EAC would got survival benefit from NRT (P = 0.0052), while NRT showed no significant benefit in overall survival in other stages of EAC and ESCC. Conclusions: NRT followed by resection had a significant survival benefit in non‐cervical EAC patients with T3N+ stage. For patients with ESCC and other EAC stages, NRT versus SA did not demonstrate a statistical significant survival difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methanogens are known to inhabit not only the anaerobic bulk soil but also the rhizosphere of rice plants. The release of root exudates, a major carbon source for CH4 production in the rhizosphere, is closely coupled to plant photosynthesis. In the present study we hypothesized that the diel cycle of plant photosynthetic activity may shape the structure and function of methanogens in the rhizosphere of rice. We performed a field experiment to determine the diel dynamics of methanogen mcrA and their transcripts in the rhizosphere and bulk soil. The chemistry of NH4+, NO3−, SO42− and Fe( II) in the rice rhizosphere remained constant over a diel sampling. The mcrA copy number and their transcripts were greater in the rice rhizosphere compared with the bulk soil, indicating the enhanced activity of methanogens in the rhizosphere. The hydrogenotrophic Methanomicrobiales in particular increased in the rhizosphere whereas Methanosarcinaceae were more abundant in the bulk soil. Both the phylogenetic affiliation and copy numbers of methanogen mcrA in the rice rhizosphere did not display diel dynamics. The mcrA transcripts, however, significantly increased in the night compared with the daytime. The diel pattern of physical factors like temperature appeared not to affect the methanogen dynamics. The response of mcrA transcripts is probably due to the plant attributes, which release less O2 from roots in the night and hence stimulate the methanogen gene transcription and activity compared with the daytime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To test the hypothesis that declining fertility would affect the number of cesarean sections (c-sections) on maternal demand, but not medically indicated c-sections. Data Sources. The 1996–2004 National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan for all singleton deliveries. Study Design. Retrospective population-based, longitudinal study. Estimation was performed using multinomial probit models. Principal Findings. Results revealed that declining fertility had a significant positive effect on the probability of having a c-section on maternal request but not medically indicated c-section. Conclusions. Our findings offer a precautionary note to countries experiencing a fertility decline. Policies to contain the rise of c-sections should understand the role of women's preferences, especially regarding cesarean deliveries on maternal request. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corrosion behavior of (Cr2/3Ti1/3)3AlC2 and Ti3AlC2 in static oxygen‐saturated liquid lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE) at 550°C and (Cr2/3Ti1/3)3AlC2 in static oxygen‐depleted LBE at 500°C were investigated. In oxygen‐saturated corrosion, the loose and porous corrosion layer consisting of (PbTiO3 + TiO2) was generated on the surface of Ti3AlC2. In contrast, (Cr2/3Ti1/3)3AlC2 formed the protective Cr2O3 layer with better corrosion resistance. Moreover, dissolution corrosion of (Cr2/3Ti1/3)3AlC2 in oxygen‐depleted corrosion was intensified without a protective oxide film. And impurity phase TiC on the surface also caused the decomposition of matrix, thus impairing corrosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adebrelimab, a novel anti‐PD‐L1 antibody, has been approved by the National Medical Products Administration of China as an intravenous infusion for use in combination with carboplatin and etoposide as first‐line treatment for extensive‐stage small‐cell lung cancer in 2023. A two‐compartment model with empirical time‐varying CL for adebrelimab was established based on data from 263 patients receiving body weight‐based doses from two clinical studies. Significant covariate effects of baseline body weight, albumin levels, tumor size, neutrophil counts, and presence of anti‐drug antibodies were identified on CL of debrelimab, none of which were clinically significant or warranted dose adjustment. The degree of decrease in CL was higher in patients who responded to treatment with adebrelimab than in non‐responders. Adebrelimab exposures (AUC, Ctrough, or Cmax) were not identified as a statistically significant factor related to efficacy or safety endpoint in the exposure–response analysis. Distribution of simulated exposure metrics from the flat dose regimen (1200 mg q3w) was similar to the marketed weight‐based dosing regimen (20 mg/kg q3w), supporting the alternative flat dose regimen in the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The microbiota–gut–brain axis plays a critical role in neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly anxious depression, and attracts more attention gradually. Zhi Zi Chi decoction (ZZCD) consisting of Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis and Glycine max (L.) Merr, is a classic formula in clinic and widely applied in anxiety and depression treatment. However, the underlying mechanisms of regulating microbiota–gut–brain axis in the treatment of anxious depression by oral administration of ZZCD remain elusive. Materials and Methods: In this project, we clarified the origin and preparation methods of the Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis and Glycine max (L.) Merr and examined the chemical ingredients of ZZCD by liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer. Then, corticosterone combined with chronic restraint stress was applied to establish an anxious depression model. After treated with ZZCD standard decoction, based on enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), 16S rRNA technology, high‐throughput sequencing, quantitative RT‐PCR and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), the multiple associations between nucleus accumbens and intestinal flora in anxious depression mice were determined to clarify the mechanism of ZZCD in the treatment of anxiety and depression disorder. Results: We found various substances with antidepressant and antianxiety properties in ZZCD such as rosiridin and oleanolic acid. ZZCD could alleviate depressive and anxiety behaviors in anxious depression mice via regulating the disturbance of gut microbiota. Meanwhile, the bioactive compounds of ZZCD might directly active on neurodevelopment and neuroimmune‐related genes. Furthermore, the secretion of prolactin and estrogen, and interfering with mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathways were mainly involved in the multi‐target therapeutic effects of ZZCD against anxiety and depression. Conclusions: These findings suggested that ZZCD exerts antidepressant effects pleiotropically through modulating the microbiota‐gut‐brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air‐sea exchanges across oceanic fronts are critical in powering cloud formation, precipitation, and atmospheric storms. Oceanic submesoscale fronts of scales 1–10 km are characterized by strong sea surface temperature (SST) gradients. However, it remains elusive how submesoscale fronts affect the overlying atmosphere due to a lack of high‐resolution observations or models. Based on rare high‐resolution in situ observations in the Kuroshio Extension region, we quantify the air‐sea exchanges across an oceanic submesoscale front. The cross‐front SST and turbulent heat flux gradients reaches 2.4°C/km and 47 W/m2/km, respectively, far stronger than that typically found in mesoscale‐resolving products. The stronger SST gradient drives substantially stronger air‐sea fluxes and vertical mixing than mesoscale fronts, enhancing cloud formations. The intense air‐sea exchanges across submesoscale fronts are confirmed in idealized model simulations, but not resolved in mesoscale‐resolving climate models. Our finding provides essential knowledge for improving simulations of cloud formation, precipitation, and storms in climate models. Plain Language Summary: Oceanic fronts, characterized by large sea surface temperature (SST) gradients, are ubiquitous in the global ocean. Through intense heat and moisture release, these oceanic fronts induce large horizontal gradient of sea level pressure or increasing vertical mixing intensity in the lower atmosphere, are critical in powering cloud formation, precipitation, and atmospheric storms, but are sensitive to SST gradients. Oceanic submesoscale fronts of spatial scales 1–10 km are characterized by strong SST gradients. However, our knowledge of how the submesoscale fronts affect the overlying atmosphere is by and large void, due to a lack of high‐resolution observations or models. Here, based on high‐resolution in situ observations and model simulations, we show that submesoscale fronts drive much stronger air‐sea exchanges and vertical mixing as compared to mesoscale fronts, with significant implications for marine atmosphere boundary layer changes and cloud formations. Limited by the coarse resolution, the intense air‐sea exchanges across submesoscale fronts are not resolved in mesoscale‐resolving climate models. These results highlight the importance of submesoscale air‐sea interactions and call for a proper representation of submesoscale air‐sea exchanges in the next generation of climate models. Key Points: Observations show strong gradient in sea surface temperature and turbulent heat flux across a submesoscale oceanic frontSubmesoscale fronts drive substantially stronger air‐sea fluxes and vertical mixing than mesoscale frontsThe intense air‐sea exchanges across submesoscale fronts are not resolved in mesoscale‐resolving climate models [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Primary pure mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung (PMA) is a rare subtype. However, correlations between clinicopathological features and genetic phenotypes with survival have not been described comprehensively. Methods: Pure mucinous adenocarcinoma patient information collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University (FDZSH), and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were extracted, evaluated, and compared with other lung adenocarcinomas (LUAD) patient data. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses were performed to explore the functional importance of underlying molecular changes. Overall survival (OS) was evaluated with the Kaplan‐Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analysis through Cox proportional hazard regression identified risk factors that predicted OS, and the results were used to construct a nomogram to predict OS for PMA patients. Results: Overall, 3622 patients, 41 patients, and 15 patients with PMA were identified from the SEER, FDZSH, and TCGA databases, respectively. There were 345 differentially expressed genes, 30 differentially mutated genes and 72 differentially methylated genes were identified between PMA and other LUAD samples. In the SEER database, PMA had a better prognosis compared to other LUAD. Compared with patients with other LUAD, patients with PMA exhibited unique clinicopathological features, including fewer grade III/IV tumors, less pleural invasion, more early‐stage cancer, and more lower lobe carcinomas. Multivariate analyses showed that age, race, T stage, N stage, surgery, and chemotherapy were independent risk factors. The nomogram had a calibration index of 0.724. Conclusions: Our research identified unique clinicopathological characteristics and genetic phenotypes for PMA and other LUAD. The nomogram accurately predicted OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the effects of oral administration of magnesium‐L‐threonate, a novel magnesium compound, on the analgesic effect of opioids in patients with advanced cancer. Methods: We performed a prospective, randomized, double‐blind trial at a tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China. Eligible cancer patients who took opioids orally were assigned randomly to receive L‐TAMS capsules (1.5 g or 2.0 g according to weight) or a placebo (starch capsules). The primary outcome was the increase in the daily oral dose of morphine in each of the two groups, measured at 7, 14, 21, 30, 60, and 90 days during this trial. Results: A total of 116 patients from the oncology and pain departments, including inpatients and outpatients, were screened; 83 were enrolled. The increases in daily morphine doses began to differ from day 30 (L‐TAMS group 9.85 mg/d vs. Placebo group 20.49 mg/d, p < 0.05); the differences persisted on day 60 (L‐TAMS group 15.96 mg/d vs. Placebo group 29.06 mg/d, p < 0.05) and on day 90 (L‐TAMS group 21.20 mg/d vs. Placebo group 40.44 mg/d, p < 0.01). Conclusions: L‐TAMS outperforms a placebo in enhancing the analgesic effect of opioids and reducing the necessary opioid dosage. Moreover, L‐TAMS can significantly relieve opioid‐induced constipation. These advantages may be beneficial to patients with advanced cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evolutionary breakdown from rigorous outbreeding to self‐fertilization frequently occurs in angiosperms. Since the pollinators are not necessary, self‐compatible populations often reduce investment in floral display characteristics and pollination reward. Primula forbesii is a biennial herb with distribution restricted to southwest China; it was initially a self‐incompatible distylous species, but after 20 years of artificial domestication, homostyly appeared. This change in style provides an ideal material to explore the time required for plant mating systems to adapt to new environmental changes and test whether flower attraction has reduced following transitions to selfing. We did a survey in wild populations of P. forbesii where its seeds were originally collected 20 years ago and recorded the floral morph frequencies and morphologies. The floral morphologies, self‐incompatibility, floral scent, and pollinator visitation between distyly and homostyly were compared in greenhouse. Floral morph frequencies of wild populations did not change, while the cultivated population was inclined to L‐morph and produced homostyly. Evidence from stigma papillae and pollen size supports the hypothesis that the homostyly possibly originated from mutations of large effect genes in distylous linkage region. Transitions to self‐compatible homostyly are accompanied by smaller corolla size, lower amounts of terpenoids, especially linalool and higher amounts of fatty acid derivatives. The main pollinators in the greenhouse were short‐tongued Apis cerana. However, homostyly had reduced visiting frequency. The mating system of P. forbesii changed rapidly in just about 20 years of domestication, and our findings confirm the hypothesis that the transition to selfing is accompanied by decreased flower attraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To analyze the causes of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis in spinal osteoid osteoma, and to put forward solutions to improve diagnosis accuracy and treatment efficacy in patients. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study on patients with spinal osteoid osteoma in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from January 1983 to September 2019. All patients underwent surgery. The outcome measures were the extent of local pain, nocturnal pain, radicular symptoms of extremities after surgery, and reduction or disappearance of lesions on CT after surgery. Results: Thirty‐seven patients with spinal osteoid osteoma were recruited in the study. A total of 27% were female, and the mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 21.3 (8.7) years. A total of 87.0% of patients presented with nocturnal pain, and 94.7% of patients were responsive to NSAIDS treatment. The mean (SD) time from the initial onset of symptoms to the final diagnosis was 14.7 (12.5) months. Only four of 37 (10.8%) patients were correctly diagnosed with spinal osteoid osteoma on the first visit to the local hospital. CT is associated with a higher diagnosis rate than X‐ray or MRI on the first visit. Surgical navigation was used in 88.9% of patients who underwent curettage resection, and in 10% of patients who underwent en bloc resection. A total of 37 of 37 patients (100%) reported relief of local pain and radicular symptoms of extremities after surgery, and no recurrence of tumors was found during follow‐ups. Conclusions: Spinal CTs are recommended to be performed if osteoid osteoma is suspected based on clinical manifestation, including nocturnal pain and responsiveness to NSAIDS treatment, to avoid misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis of spinal osteoid osteoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Ca2+‐activated Cl− channels (Ano1 channels) contribute to the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. Honokiol is known to inhibit cell proliferation and tumour growth in colorectal cancer. However, the molecular target of honokiol remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether honokiol inhibited cell proliferation of colorectal cancer by targeting Ano1 channels. Experimental Approach Patch‐clamp techniques were performed to study the effect of honokiol on Ca2+‐activated Cl− currents in HEK293 cells overexpressing Ano1‐ or Ano2‐containing plasmids or in human colorectal carcinoma SW620 cells. Site‐directed mutagenesis was used to identify the critical residues for honokiol‐induced Ano1 inhibition. Proliferation of SW620 cells or human intestinal epithelial NCM460 cells by CCK‐8 assays. Key Results: Honokiol blocked Ano1 currents in Ano1‐overexpressing HEK293 cells and SW620 cells. Honokiol more potently inhibited Ano1 currents than Ano2 currents. Three amino acids (R429, K430 and N435) were critical for honokiol‐induced Ano1 inhibition. The R429A/K430L/N435G mutation reduced the sensitivity of Ano1 to honokiol. Honokiol inhibited SW620 cell proliferation, and this effect was reduced by Ano1‐shRNAs. Furthermore, Ano1 overexpression promoted proliferation in NCM460 cells with low Ano1 endogenous expression and resulted in an increased sensitivity to honokiol. Overexpression of the R429A/K430L/N435G mutation reduced WT Ano1‐induced increase in the sensitivity of NCM460 cells to honokiol. Conclusion and Implications: We identified a new anticancer mechanism of honokiol, through the inhibition of cell proliferation, by targeting Ano1 Ca2+‐activated Cl− channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of thermal stress on the antioxidant system was investigated in two invasive plants, Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng. and E. odoratum L. The former is sensitive to high temperature, whereas the latter is sensitive to low temperature. Our aim was to explore the relationship between the response of antioxidant enzymes and temperature in the two invasive weeds with different distribution patterns in China. Plants were transferred from glasshouse to growth chambers at a constant 25 °C for 1 week to acclimatize to the environment. For the heat treatments, temperature was increased stepwise to 30, 35, 38 and finally to 42 °C. For the cold treatments, temperature was decreased stepwise to 20, 15, 10 and finally to 5 °C. Plants were kept in the growth chambers for 24 h at each temperature step. In E. adenophorum, the coordinated increase of the activities of antioxidant enzymes was effective in protecting the plant from the accumulation of active oxygen species (AOS) at low temperature, but the activities of catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR) were not accompanied by the increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD) during the heat treatments. As a result, the level of lipid peroxidation in E. adenophorum was higher under heat stress than under cold stress. In E. odoratum, however, the lesser degree of membrane damage, as indicated by low monodehydroascorbate content, and the coordinated increase of the oxygen. Detoxifying enzymes were observed in heat-treated plants, but the antioxidant enzymes were unable to operate in cold stress. This indicates that the plants have a higher capacity for scavenging oxygen radicals in heat stress than in cold stress. The different responses of antioxidant enzymes may be one of the possible mechanisms of the differences in temperature sensitivities of the two plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crofton weed is an invasive weed in southwestern China. The activities of several antioxidative enzymes involved in plant protection against oxidative stress were assayed to determine physiological aspects of the crofton weed that might render the plant vulnerable to environmental stress. Stresses imposed on crofton weed were heat (progressively increasing temperatures: 25 °C, 30 °C, 35 °C, 38 °C and 42 °C at 24 h intervals), cold (progressively decreasing temperatures: 25 °C, 20 °C, 15 °C, 10 °C and 5 °C at 24 h intervals), and drought (without watering up to 4 days). The three stresses induced oxidative damage as evidenced by an increase in lipid peroxidation. The effect varied with the stress imposed and the length of exposure. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased in response to all stresses but was not significantly different from the controls ( P < 0.05) when exposed to cold stress. Catalase (CAT) activity decreased in response to heat and drought stress but increased when exposed to cold conditions. Guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities increased in response to cold and drought but decreased in response to heat stress. The activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) responded differently to all three stresses. Monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) activity decreased in response to heat and drought, and slightly increased in response to the cold stress but was not significantly different from the controls ( P < 0.05). The activity of dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) increased in response to all three stresses. Taken together, the co-ordinate increase of the oxygen-detoxifying enzymes might be more effective to protect crofton weed from the accumulation of oxygen radicals at low temperatures rather than at high temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbivorous insects acquire microorganisms from host plants or soil, but it remains unclear how the diversity and functional composition of host plants contribute to structuring herbivore microbiomes. Within a controlled tree diversity setting, we used DNA metabarcoding of 16S rRNA to assess the contribution of Lepidoptera species and their local environment (particularly, tree diversity, host tree species, and leaf traits) to the composition of associated bacterial communities. In total, we obtained 7,909 bacterial OTUs from 634 caterpillar individuals comprising 146 species. Tree diversity was found to drive the diversity of caterpillar‐associated bacteria both directly and indirectly via effects on caterpillar communities, and tree diversity was a stronger predictor of bacterial diversity than diversity of caterpillars. Leaf toughness and dry matter content were important traits of the host plant determining bacterial species composition, while leaf calcium and potassium concentration influenced bacterial richness. Our study reveals previously unknown linkages between trees and their characteristics, herbivore insects, and their associated microbes, which contributes to developing a more nuanced understanding of functional dependencies between herbivores and their environment, and has implications for the consequences of plant diversity loss for trophic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Massively parallel sequencing (MPS) is a promising supplementary method for forensic casework in short tandem repeats (STRs) genotyping, owing to several advantageous features in comparison to traditional capillary electrophoresis (CE). However, the application of MPS in casework requires accessible datasets from the worldwide population to enrich the allele frequencies of sequence‐based STR genotypes. Methods: In this study, we report the characterization of sequence‐based allele frequencies of 58 STRs from a Tibetan population comprising 120 unrelated individuals using the ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep Kit. A concordance study evaluating MPS and CE allele data was performed to ensure that MPS is compatible with current CE‐based forensic databases. The diversity of observed alleles, allele frequencies, and forensic parameters per locus by length (LB), sequence without flanking region (RSB), and sequence with flanking region (FSB) were analyzed and compared. Results: The concordance study demonstrated a concordance rate exceeding 99%. The combined random match probability (RMP) for the 26 A‐STRs was 2.04 × 10–29, 1.93 × 10–31, and 9.56 × 10–33 for LB, RSB, and FSB, respectively. Similar trends were observed in other forensic parameters resulting from the increase in the number of unique alleles available. A total of 111 and 113 unique haplotypes in the Y‐STR loci were observed when using length‐based and sequence‐based alleles, respectively. In addition, we identified 35 novel alleles at 25 loci and 25 polymorphisms in the flanking regions at 17 STRs. Conclusions: Our data suggest that MPS‐ and CE‐derived alleles are compatible. MPS‐based analysis of the STR data substantially increased the allele diversity and improved the forensic parameters, which clearly demonstrated the advantages of MPS in comparison to CE. With more pooled data and larger‐scale validation, MPS could play a valuable role in forensic genetics and might be an additional tool for routine casework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 20-year-old man who was taken to a clinic because of uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP). He had an increased IOP that had been detected seven years ago with the use of slit-lamp assisted biomicroscopy wherein it revealed a deep anterior chamber and a widely open anterior chamber angle at gonioscopy in both eyes. The patient's development of glaucomatous optic nerve damage may have his abnormally thick cornea or other cornea related factors.

With the growing penetration of doubly‐fed induction generator (DFIG)‐based wind farms (WFs) in power systems, short‐term voltage stability problem has become more prominent. This study proposes a new approach for post‐fault short‐term voltage stability analysis by establishing a quantitative relationship between the system states/outputs and external disturbances. The concept of the integral‐integral estimate, which is equivalent to input‐to‐state stability, was adopted to perform quantitative analysis at the subsystem level, and practical algorithms were developed to study the local input‐to‐state/output stability properties of subsystems. System‐level quantitative analysis was achieved through the proposed criterion considering the stability properties of subsystems and their connections. The proposed method reveals the dynamic responses of the system under external disturbances and quantifies the size of the external disturbance that the system can tolerate, thus facilitating the operation of the power system integrated with DFIG‐based WFs. The short‐term voltage stability of a test power system was analysed using the proposed quantitative stability analysis approach, and the results were verified through time‐domain simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to traditional Chinese medicine, lily bulb and Rehmannia decoction (LBRD) is a specialized formula for the treatment of "lily disease", the symptoms of which resemble the clinical manifestations of major depression. However, the molecular basis of the antidepressant mechanism of LBRD and the quality marker ingredients of LBRD remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the quality marker ingredients of LBRD and to show the molecular mechanism of its antidepressant activities. In this study, we adopted the chronic unpredicted mild stress paradigm to construct a depression model. High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the levels of the main markers in LBRD. The underlying mechanism of LBRD was explored by measuring neurotransmitter and cytokine levels using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and by quantifying differentially expressed gene (DEG) of transcriptome in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) tissue through RNA sequencing. HPLC results showed that the average levels of quality marker ingredients of LBRD (ferulic acid, dioscin, verbascoside and catalpol) were 0.00079%, 0.00039%, 0.7% and 1.6% (w/w), respectively. LBRD intervention significantly attenuated the depressive phenotype compared with that in the depressed group. LBRD treatment altered the enriched DEGs in the signaling pathways of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate neurotransmitter, synaptic plasticity and axon guidance, circadian rhythm and neural‐immunity. GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses as well as brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/TrkB‐dependent phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin‐1 (mTOR1), might be the main signaling pathways underlying the multi‐target therapeutic effects of LBRD against depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) G‐308A gene is the most studied regarding susceptibility to major depressive disorder (MDD). However, results have been controversial perhaps due to the heterogeneous genetic backgrounds influenced by race as well as subtypes of depression. Methods and materials: A systematic MEDLINE search was performed to retrieve all published studies that identified the connection between the TNF‐α G‐308A gene polymorphism and the risk of MDD. Results: There was no statistical difference between the allele frequencies or genotypes of TNF‐α G‐308A gene and the depressive patients or healthy subjects in the five models tested. Further, subgroup analyses showed that the TNF‐α G‐308A gene polymorphism also did not confer susceptibility to poststroke, late‐life, maternal, or major depression. Publication bias analysis showed p values were more than.05, suggesting that the 9 articles included in the current analysis had no publication bias. Conclusion: Neither the allele frequencies nor genotypes of TNF‐α G‐308A gene could be served as an independent risk factor of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LAD) is a highly aggressive malignant tumor which threatens the health and life of the population. Long non‐coding RNA X‐inactive specific transcript (XIST) and mouse double minute clone 2 (MDM2) are connected with the tumorigenesis of LAD. Nevertheless, whether MDM2 is regulated by XIST has not previously been reported in LAD. Methods: Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was employed to detect the expression of XIST, microRNA‐363‐3p (miR‐363‐3p) and MDM2 in LAD tissues and cells. The proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of LAD cells were determined by 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐YI)‐2, 5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), transwell or flow cytometry assay, respectively. MDM2 protein level was detected using western blot analysis. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay and RNA pulldown assay were performed to determine the interaction among XIST, miR‐363‐3p and MDM2. A xenograft tumor model was constructed to validate the effect of XIST on LAD cells in vivo. Results: We found that XIST and MDM2 were remarkably elevated while miR‐363‐3p was reduced in LAD tissues and cells. Both XIST and MDM2 downregulation restrained proliferation, migration and invasion, and facilitated apoptosis of LAD cells in vitro. Importantly, XIST bound to miR‐363‐3p to modulate MDM2 expression in LAD cells. Moreover, miR‐363‐3p knockdown or MDM2 elevation reversed the effects of XIST downregulation on the proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of LAD cells. Furthermore, XIST knockdown constrained tumor growth on LAD cells in vivo. Conclusions: XIST knockdown repressed proliferation, migration and invasion, and accelerated apoptosis of LAD cells by downregulating MDM2 expression via binding to miR‐363‐3p. Key points: Significant findings of the studyXIST and MDM2 were abnormally enhanced in LAD tissues and cells.Both downregulation of XIST and MDM2 repressed proliferation, migration and invasion, and boosted apoptosis of LAD cells in vitro.XIST bound to miR‐363‐3p to regulate MDM2 expression in LAD cells.Downregulation of XIST impeded tumor growth on LAD cells in vivo.What this study addsThis study confirmed that XIST was a potential target for inhibiting the development of LAD, and affords a possible strategy for the treatment of LAD in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Previous studies have identified potential risk factors for pulmonary carcinoid tumors and evaluated the effect of various treatments; however, the results were not entirely consistent. We conducted a population‐based study to further explore relevant prognostic issues. We extracted cases with pulmonary carcinoid tumors from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database. Cox proportional hazard regression was utilized to identify potential significant risk factors, which helped establish a nomogram for predicting long‐term survival. Survival analysis and a competing risk study were conducted to evaluate the value of different surgical approaches. There were 7057 cases included in the study. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that age, sex, tumor size, stage, histology, surgical type, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy were all significant prognostic factors. A nomogram with good accuracy for predicting 10‐year survival was formulated. Furthermore, patients who had undergone surgery had a significantly better survival than those who did not undergo surgery. There was no significant prognostic difference between lobectomy and sublobectomy stratified by tumor stage; however, lobectomy was associated with a significantly better survival in atypical tumors, especially those with regional disease. Our research identified possible risk factors in a large cohort and constructed a nomogram to visually predict 10‐year survival of pulmonary carcinoid tumors. We showed that lobectomy and sublobectomy should be considered as the mainstay of treatment, especially lobectomies for atypical tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elucidating interactions of above-ground and below-ground communities in different habitat types is essential for understanding biodiversity maintenance and ecosystem functioning., Using 454 pyrosequencing of ITS2 sequences we examined the relationship between subtropical mountain forest soil fungal communities, abiotic conditions, and plant communities using correlation and partial models., Ridge and valley habitats with differing fungal communities were delineated. Total, saprotrophic and pathogenic fungal richness were significantly correlated with plant species richness and/or soil nutrients and moisture in the ridge habitat, but with habitat convexity or basal area of Castanopsis eyrei in the valley habitat. Ectomycorrhizal ( EM) fungal richness was significantly correlated with basal area of C. eyrei and total EM plants in the ridge and valley habitats, respectively. Total, saprotrophic, pathogenic and EM fungal compositions were significantly correlated with plant species composition and geographic distance in the ridge habitat, but with various combinations of plant species composition, plant species richness, soil C : N ratio and pH or no variables in the valley habitat., Our findings suggest that mechanisms influencing soil fungal diversity and community composition differ between ridge and valley habitats, and relationships between fungal and woody plant assemblages depend on habitat types in the subtropical forest ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose The molecular identity of calcium-activated chloride channels ( Ca CCs) in vascular endothelial cells remains unknown. This study sought to identify whether anoctamin-1 ( Ano1, also known as TMEM16 A) functions as a CaCC and whether hypoxia alters the biophysical properties of Ano1 in mouse cardiac vascular endothelial cells ( CVECs). Experimental Approach Western blot, quantitative real-time PCR, confocal imaging analysis and patch-clamp analysis combined with pharmacological approaches were used to determine whether Ano1 was expressed and functioned as CaCC in CVECs. Key Results Ano1 was expressed in CVECs. The biophysical properties of the current generated in the CVECs, including the Ca2+ and voltage dependence, outward rectification, anion selectivity and the pharmacological profile, are similar to those described for Ca CCs. The density of ICl( Ca) detected in CVECs was significantly inhibited by T16 Ainh- A01, an Ano1 inhibitor, and a pore-targeting, specific anti- Ano1 antibody, and was markedly decreased in Ano1 gene knockdown CVECs. The density of ICl( Ca) was significantly potentiated in CVECs exposed to hypoxia, and this hypoxia-induced increase in the density of ICl( Ca) was inhibited by T16 Ainh- A01 or anti- Ano1 antibody. Hypoxia also increased the current density of ICl( Ca) in Ano1 gene knockdown CVECs. Conclusions and Implications Ano1 formed CaCC in CVECs of neonatal mice. Hypoxia enhances Ano1-mediated ICl( Ca) density via increasing its expression, altering the ratio of its splicing variants, sensitivity to membrane voltage and to Ca2+. Ano1 may play a role in the pathophysiological processes during ischaemia in heart, and therefore, Ano1 might be a potential therapeutic target to prevent ischaemic damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor which discusses the effect of glucagon-like peptide produced intravitreally on retinal ganglion cell count in rats with optic nerve crush is presented.

Purpose To examine the effect of intraocularly produced glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) on the survival rate of retinal ganglion cells in an optic nerve crush model. Methods Forty‐one Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into a study group (21 animals) in which 4 beads with 3000 genetically modified cells to produce GLP‐1 were intravitreally implanted into the right eye; a saline control group (n=12) with intravitreal saline injection; and a GLP‐1 negative bead control group (n=8) in which 4 beads with 3000 cells without GLP‐1 production were intravitreally implanted. The right optic nerves of all animals were crushed in a standardized manner. After labeling the retinal ganglion cells by injecting 3% fluorogold into the superior colliculus, the animals were sacrificed, and the ganglion cells were counted on retinal flat mounts. Results The retinal ganglion cell density of the right eyes was significantly higher in the study group (2030±470 cells/mm2) than in the GLP‐1 bead negative control group (1390±367 cells/mm2;P=0.001) and than in the saline control group (1734±424 cells/mm2;P=0.07). Correspondingly, the survival rate (ratio of retinal ganglion cell density of right eye / left eye) was significantly higher in the study group (71±19%) than in the GLP‐1 bead negative control group (49±14%; P=0.003) and than in the saline control group (57±16%;P=0.03). Conclusion Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 produced by intravitreally implanted cell beads was associated with a higher survival rate of retinal ganglion cells after an experimental optic nerve crush in rats. Commercial interest [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]