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The transfer of surplus rural labor is crucial for urbanization and rural revitalization in developing countries. This study specifically examines China, which focuses on how household registration reform and land transfer influence the willingness to urbanize. Logit analysis indicates that land transfer significantly deters institutional urbanization, positively influences residential urbanization, and has a marginal yet positive impact on psychological assimilation urbanization. In addition, this study identifies that the land factor is negligible in affecting psychological assimilation urbanization; instead, the inclusiveness and acceptance that is offered by the city significantly enhance migrant workers' psychological sense of belonging. Heterogeneity analysis highlights varied urbanization settlement preferences among different demographics, particularly noting the distinct tendencies of newer generations, highly educated individuals, those with limited local interactions, cross-regional migrants, and those moving to highly urbanized areas. Based on these observations, this study proposes targeted policy recommendations. These include enhancing basic education in rural regions, upgrading vocational training for migrant workers, broadening the scope of labor mobility, and improving the urban environment in tangible and intangible aspects. Overall, this study enriches the understanding of the dynamics of surplus rural labor transfer and its urbanization implications, which could provide a scientific foundation for crafting more precise and effective policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Genetic variations in endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase (ERAP1, ERAP2) genes are associated with the pathogenesis of multiple diseases, including infectious diseases. The objective of our study was to assess whether ERAP1, ERAP2 genes polymorphisms and methylation levels affect the risk of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Methods: We genotyped ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ERAP1, ERAP2 genes among 497 PTB patients and 502 controls by SNPscan technique. Additionally, we detected the ERAP1, ERAP2 genes methylation levels in 98 PTB patients and 97 controls through Illumina Hiseq platform. Results: Our results showed that the GG genotype, G allele frequencies of ERAP2 gene rs2549782 were significantly increased in PTB patients compared to controls, and rs2549782 polymorphism was related to the increased risk of PTB under recessive model. In addition, no significant relationship was found between ERAP1 gene rs13167972, rs17086651, rs469783, rs26618, rs3734016, ERAP2 gene rs17524572, rs1230358, rs2549794, rs117041256 and PTB susceptibility. Among PTB patients, the frequencies of rs17524572 TT genotype, T allele were significantly associated with drug-induced liver injury, and rs1230358, rs2549782, rs2549794 polymorphisms were linked to the occurrence of fever. Haplotype analysis of ERAP2 gene suggested that the frequency of CTGGT haplotype was higher, while the frequency of CTGTT haplotype was lower in PTB patients. When compared with controls, the ERAP1 methylation level was lower in PTB patients, while the ERAP2 methylation level was significantly increased. Moreover, rs1230358 polymorphism was found to affect the ERAP2 methylation level. Conclusion: The ERAP2 rs2549782 variant and altered methylation levels of ERAP1, ERAP2 genes were related to susceptibility to PTB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial function is essential for synaptic function. ATAD1, an AAA+ protease involved in mitochondrial quality control, governs fission–fusion dynamics within the organelle. However, the distribution and functional role of ATAD1 in neurons remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that ATAD1 is primarily localized to mitochondria in dendrites and, to a lesser extent, in spines in cultured hippocampal neurons. We found that ATAD1 deficiency disrupts the mitochondrial fission–fusion balance, resulting in mitochondrial fragmentation. This deficiency also impairs dendritic branching, hinders dendritic spine maturation, and reduces glutamatergic synaptic transmission in hippocampal neuron. To further investigate the underlying mechanism, we employed an ATP hydrolysis-deficient mutant of ATAD1 to rescue the neuronal deficits associated with ATAD1 loss. We discovered that the synaptic deficits are independent of the mitochondrial morphology changes but rely on its ATP hydrolysis. Furthermore, we show that ATAD1 loss leads to impaired mitochondrial function, including decreased ATP production, impaired membrane potential, and elevated oxidative stress. In conclusion, our results provide evidence that ATAD1 is crucial for maintaining mitochondrial function and regulating neurodevelopment and synaptic function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To investigate the effectiveness of the intervention with critical value management and push short messaging service (SMS), and to determine improvement in the referral rate of patients with positive hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV). Methods: No intervention was done for patients with positive anti-HCV screening results from 1 January 2015 to 31 October 2021. Patients with positive anti-HCV results at our hospital from 1 November 2021 to 31 July 2022 were informed vide critical value management and push SMS. For inpatients, a competent physician was requested to liaise with the infectious disease physician for consultation, and patients seen in the OPD (outpatient department) were asked to visit the liver disease clinic. The Chi-square correlation test, one-sided two-ratio test and linear regression were used to test the relationship between intervention and referral rate. Results: A total of 638,308 cases were tested for anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) in our hospital and 5983 of them were positive. 51.8% of the referred patients were aged 18-59 years and 10.8% were aged ≥75 years. The result of Chi-square correlation test between intervention and referral was p = .0000, p < .05. One-sided two-ratio test was performed for statistics of pre-intervention referral rate (p1) and post-intervention referral rate (p2). Normal approximation and Fisher's exact test for the results obtained were 0.000, p < .05, and the alternative hypothesis p1 - p2 < 0 was accepted. The linear regression equation was referral = 0.1396 x intervention + 0.3743, and the result model p = 8.79e-09, p < .05. The model was significant, and the coefficient of intervention was 0.1396. Conclusions: The interventions of critical value management and push SMS were correlated with the referral rate of patients with positive anti-HCV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prognostic significance of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with unstable angina (UA) based on remnant cholesterol (RC) or triglyceride (TG) levels remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the effects of the interaction between RC, TG, and OSA on cardiovascular outcomes in UA patients. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, OSA was diagnosed when apnea-hypopnea index of ≥ 15 events/h. Patients with high RC (HRC, n = 370) or high TG (HTG, n = 362) included RC or TG in the highest tertile, and those in the middle and lowest tertiles were defined as normal RC (NRC, n = 736) or normal TG (NTG, n = 744). The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, ischemia stroke, ischemia-driven revascularization, or hospitalization for UA. Results: A total of 1,106 eligible UA patients were enrolled, among which 560 (50.6%) had OSA. RC and TG levels were increased in OSA patients, but there was no difference in the prevalence of OSA between the NRC and HRC or NTG and HTG groups. During a median follow-up of 1.9 (1.1, 3.0) years, OSA was associated with an increased risk of MACCE occurrence compared to non-OSA in UA patients with HRC (adjusted HR 2.06; 95% CI 1.20–3.51, P = 0.008), but not in those with NRC (adjusted HR 1.21; 95% CI 0.84–1.75, P = 0.297). The incremental risk in HRC was attributable to higher rates of hospitalization for UA and ischemia-driven revascularization. Results for HTG and NTG were similar. Conclusion: OSA was associated with a worse prognosis in UA patients with HRC or HTG, emphasizing the necessity of identifying OSA presence in this population. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov; No: NCT03362385. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) is a growing global health problem, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is recognized as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, the impact of OSA on the prognosis of CMM patients remains unclear. Methods: This study was a sub-study of OSA-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and included 1, 927 hospitalized ACS patients. Patients were divided into the CMM group and the non-CMM group. OSA was diagnosed using the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). The secondary endpoint included cardiac events, all-cause death and all repeat revascularizations. Results: This study enrolled 1, 927 patients hospitalized for ACS, with a median follow-up of 3 years. Among them, 723 patients (37.5%) had CMM, while 1, 204 patients (62.5%) did not have CMM. Over half of the patients in each group had OSA. OSA patients exhibited worse cardiometabolic profiles than their non-OSA counterparts, including higher body mass index (BMI), glycemic indices, lipids and inflammation. In the CMM group, OSA patients had a significantly higher incidence of MACCE than non-OSA patients (34.7% vs. 23.7%, p = 0.004). These results remained significant after adjustment, indicating that OSA substantially increased the risk of MACCE in the CMM group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.432; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.017–2.016; p = 0.040). Conversely, the incidence of MACCE was similar between OSA and non-OSA subgroups within the non-CMM cohort. Subgroup analyses showed that OSA increased the risk of MACCE in CMM patients aged ≥ 60 years (adjusted HR: 1.642; 95% CI: 1.031–2.615; p = 0.037) and in those with specific clinical characteristics. Conclusion: OSA significantly impacts the prognosis of CMM patients, highlighting the need for targeted OSA screening and management strategies to improve outcomes in this population potentially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine health is consistently affected by the circulation of the H3N2 strain of canine influenza virus (CIV). Prior research has indicated that the isolation rate of H3N2 CIVs in dogs has gradually increased in China, and these viruses have progressively adapted to humans over the course of their evolution within canine hosts, posing a significant public health threat. However, the key factors influencing the spread of CIVs remain elusive. From January 2020 to December 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic, strict epidemic prevention policies were implemented in China. Thus, this measure provides an ideal model for studying factors influencing the prevalence of CIVs. In this study, we continuously monitored the prevalence of CIVs in China before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that the pathogen detection rate and seropositivity rate of domestic CIVs significantly declined after the implementation of epidemic control measures. However, after restrictions on human movement were lifted in 2023, the circulation of CIVs gradually increased. Our results demonstrate that restricting human activity directly impacts the epidemic caused by CIVs and provide a theoretical basis for the implementation of control measures during outbreaks of zoonotic diseases in human companion animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are among the most common diarrhea-causing pathogens in humans and livestock. This was the first study to systematically and molecularly detect the prevalence of three intestinal protozoa in cattle in Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China. Our findings indicate that a variety of species/genotypes are prevalent in cattle in Heilongjiang Province and that some of them are zoonotic, indicating a risk of zoonotic disease transmission in endemic areas. This study helps to understand the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in cattle in Heilongjiang Province. Crytosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are important diarrheal pathogens with a global distribution that threatens the health of humans and animals. Despite cattle being potential transmission hosts of these protozoans, the associated risks to public health have been neglected. In the present study, a total of 1155 cattle fecal samples were collected from 13 administrative regions of Heilongjiang Province. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis, and E. bieneusi were 5.5% (64/1155; 95% CI: 4.2–6.9), 3.8% (44/1155; 95% CI: 2.7–4.9), and 6.5% (75/1155; 95% CI: 5.1–7.9), respectively. Among these positive fecal samples, five Cryptosporidium species (C. andersoni, C. bovis, C. ryanae, C. parvum, and C. occultus), two G. duodenalis assemblages (E and A), and eight E. bieneusi genotypes (BEB4, BEB6, BEB8, J, I, CHS7, CHS8, and COS-I) were identified. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all eight genotypes of E. bieneusi identified in the present study belonged to group 2. It is worth noting that some species/genotypes of these intestinal protozoans are zoonotic, suggesting a risk of zoonotic disease transmission in endemic areas. The findings expanded our understanding of the genetic composition and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis, and E. bieneusi in cattle in Heilongjiang Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent evidence has demonstrated that the transsynaptic nanoscale organization of synaptic proteins plays a crucial role in regulating synaptic strength in excitatory synapses. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this transsynaptic nanostructure in inhibitory synapses still remains unclear and its impact on synapse function in physiological or pathological contexts has not been demonstrated. In this study, we utilized an engineered proteolysis technique to investigate the effects of acute cleavage of neuroligin- 2 (NL2) on synaptic transmission. Our results show that the rapid cleavage of NL2 led to impaired synaptic transmission by reducing both neurotransmitter release probability and quantum size. These changes were attributed to the dispersion of RIM1/2 and GABAA receptors and a weakened spatial alignment between them at the subsynaptic scale, as observed through superresolution imaging and model simulations. Importantly, we found that endogenous NL2 undergoes rapid MMP9- dependent cleavage during epileptic activities, which further exacerbates the decrease in inhibitory transmission. Overall, our study demonstrates the significant impact of nanoscale structural reorganization on inhibitory transmission and unveils ongoing modulation of mature GABAergic synapses through active cleavage of NL2 in response to hyperactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the strong magneto-elastic coupling in ferromagnetic/ferroelectric heterostructures and the potential applications in low-power magnetoelectric nanodevices, ferroelastic domains and the corresponding dynamic evolution under external stimuli have attracted intense research interest. Using pulsed laser deposition method, we have successfully grown layered-perovskite Bi2WO6 thin films on SrTiO3 (001) substrates. Interestingly, for the as-grown thin films with step-flow morphology, the relationship between ferroelastic domain number and size shows a normal distribution, which is similar to the Boltzman distribution for confined gas molecules at equilibrium. In addition, with post-annealing, the thin films with as-grown island-like morphology can be optimized for layered morphology, and the initial small ferroelastic domains can grow into large domains. This study provides an effective strategy for ferroelastic domain engineering, which can be applied for the design of multiferroic heterostructures and low-power nanodevices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroelectric materials are widely used in the applications of electronic devices due to their robust spontaneous polarization. The surface roughness of ferroelectric thin films, which is closely related to the morphology, can play an important role in determining the ferroelectric domain structures. In this work, we have investigated the influence of annealing conditions on the surface morphology of epitaxial BiFeO3 and SrRuO3 thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition on SrTiO3 (001) substrates. It is found that the morphology of the thin films is sensitive to the annealing time and cooling rate, and the corresponding surface roughness decreases with increasing annealing time and decreasing cooling rate. In addition, the ferroelectric domain structures of BiFeO3 films have been investigated by piezoelectric force microscopy, which shows a significant improvement in domain size and reverse piezoelectric response in the thin films with decreasing surface roughness. This work provides a simple way to predict and improve the ferroelectric domain structures by in situ annealing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study was aimed at investigating the effects of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on the long-term prognosis of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: This prospective study enrolled patients with ACS and OSA at Anzhen Hospital between June 2015 and January 2020. OSA was defined by an apnea-hypopnea index ≥15 events·h−1. Baseline NLR was classified as high or low, according to the median. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), comprising cardiovascular death, recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, and ischemia-driven revascularization. Results: A total of 1011 patients with ACS and OSA were enrolled, 506 of whom were in the high NLR (≥2.54) group. No significant differences in sleep monitoring indicators were observed. During a median follow-up of 2.8 (1.4, 3.6) years, a non-linear correlation between NLR and the incident risk of MACE was observed. After adjustment for clinically relevant confounders, a high NLR was independently associated with elevated MACE risk (adjusted HR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.02–2.06, P = 0.040). Conclusions: In patients with ACS and OSA, a high NLR was associated with poorer clinical outcomes during long-term follow-up. Trial registration:ClinicalTrials.gov; Number: NCT03362385; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducing 3-aminotyrosine (aY), a noncanonical amino acid (ncAA), into green fluorescent protein (GFP)-like chromophores shows promise for achieving red-shifted fluorescence. However, inconsistent results, including undesired green fluorescent species, hinder the effectiveness of this approach. In this study, we optimized expression conditions for an aY-derived cpGFP (aY-cpGFP). Key factors like rich culture media and oxygen restriction pre- and post-induction enabled high-yield, high-purity production of the red-shifted protein. We also engineered two variants of aY-cpGFP with enhanced brightness by mutating a few amino acid residues surrounding the chromophore. We further investigated the sensitivity of the aY-derived protein to metal ions, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Incorporating aY into cpGFP had minimal impact on metal ion reactivity but increased the response to RNS. Expanding on these findings, we examined aY-cpGFP expression in mammalian cells and found that reductants in the culture media significantly increased the red-emitting product. Our study indicates that optimizing expression conditions to promote a reduced cellular state proved effective in producing the desired red-emitting product in both E. coli and mammalian cells, while targeted mutagenesis-based protein engineering can further enhance brightness and increase method robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Liver disease caused by Fasciola is a significant zoonotic and parasitic disease with substantial economic impacts on humans and animals. Many studies have looked at the prevalence of fasciolis worldwide, yet the overall prevalence and risk factors in cattle, ruminants, and humans remains unknown. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the global prevalence and risk factors of fascioliasis in humans and domestic ruminants. With this aim, we searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus from inception to 8 December 2022 for studies reporting the prevalence of fascioliasis in humans or domestic ruminants post-2000. We then used random effects models to describe the prevalence of fascioliasis; trim-and-fill analysis and Egger’s test to assess publication bias; and meta-regression and sensitivity analyses to examine the risk factors for prevalence and heterogeneity. Results We retrieved 4422 articles, with 371 being included in the analysis, as they concerned fascioliasis in humans and ruminants globally. The pooled prevalence of bovine fasciolosis was 17%, while ovine fasciolosis and human fascioliasis had pooled prevalences of 13% and 5%, respectively. We also conducted subgroup analyses by continents, countries, Fasciola species, sampling years, altitude, rainfall, temperature, humidity, age, sex, feeding mode, and residence. Here, altitude and age emerged as risk factors associated with an increased prevalence of fascioliasis. Both the trim-and-fill analysis and Egger’s test confirmed the presence of publication bias, while the sensitivity analysis showed that the omission of any single study did not significantly influence the combined pooled prevalence. Conclusions Fascioliasis is a widely prevalent zoonosis among humans and livestock worldwide. Strategies targeting risk factors such as altitude and age are urgently needed for prevention and control of this disease, which will consequently reduce Fasciola infection. Additionally, given the inadequacy or absence of data in some countries, greater attention should be paid to Fasciola infection, with further epidemiological studies focussing on improving data quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sporadic studies have examined the impact of OSA on ACS patients by homocysteine (Hcy) level. This study attempted to comprehensively evaluate the effects of the interaction between Hcy and OSA on long-term cardiovascular outcomes in ACS patients. Methods: In this prospective, large-scale cohort study, 2160 patients admitted for ACS were recruited to undergo overnight sleep monitoring. OSA was diagnosed when apnea–hypopnea index ≥ 15 events/h. Patients with normohomocysteinemia (NHcy) were defined as having serum Hcy ≤ 15 μmol/L, and the others had hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy). The primary endpoint was major adverse cerebrocardiovascular event (MACCE), a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, ischemia-driven revascularization and hospitalization for unstable angina and heart failure. Results: A total of 1553 eligible ACS patients (average age: 56.3 ± 10.5 years) were enrolled, among which 819 (52.7%) had OSA, and 988 (63.6%) were with NHcy. OSA did not significantly affect the level of Hcy. During a median follow-up of 2.9 (1.6, 3.5) years, after adjustment for clinical confounders, OSA was associated with increased risk for MACCE occurrence versus non-OSA ones in ACS patients with NHcy (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.83, P = 0.039), but not in those with HHcy (adjusted HR = 0.92, 95%CI 0.62–1.36, P = 0.668). There was an absence of interaction between homocysteine level and OSA in relation to MACCE (interaction P = 0.106). Conclusions: OSA was independently associated with worse prognosis in ACS patients with NHcy. Our study emphasized the necessity to identify potential presence of OSA in such a population. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov; Number: NCT03362385; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims This study sought to evaluate the association of coronary angiography-derived index of microcirculatory resistance (angio-IMR) measured after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) with the evolution of infarct pathology during 3-month follow-up after ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods and Results Patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI were prospectively enrolled between October 2019 and August 2021. Angio-IMR was calculated using computational flow and pressure simulation immediately after PPCI. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging was performed at a median of 3.6 days and 3 months. A total of 286 STEMI patients (mean age 57.8 years, 84.3% men) with both angio-IMR and CMR at baseline were included. High angio-IMR (>40 U) occurred in 84 patients (29.4%) patients. Patients with angio-IMR >40 U had a higher prevalence and extent of MVO. An angio-IMR >40 U was a multivariable predictor of infarct size with a three-fold higher risk of final infarct size >25% (adjusted OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.23–7.32, P = 0.016). Post-procedure angio-IMR >40 U significantly predicted presence (adjusted OR 5.52, 95% CI 1.65–18.51, P = 0.006) and extent (beta coefficient 0.27, 95% CI 0.01–0.53, P = 0.041) of myocardial iron at follow-up. Compared with patients with angio-IMR ≤40 U, those with angio-IMR >40 U had less regression of infarct size and less resolution of myocardial iron at follow-up. Conclusions Angio-IMR immediately post-PPCI showed a significant association with the extent and evolution of infarct pathology. An angio-IMR >40 U indicated extensive microvascular damage with less regression of infarct size and more persistent iron at follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the detailed mechanisms for how particulate matter (PM) causes adverse health effects in the lungs remain largely unknown, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been implicated in PM-induced lung injury. The present study was undertaken to examine how/if ER stress might regulate PM-induced inflammation, and to begin to define potential underlying molecular mechanisms. Here, ER stress hallmarks were examined in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells exposed to PM. To confirm roles of certain pathways, siRNA targeting ER stress genes and an ER stress inhibitor were employed. Expression of select inflammatory cytokines and related signaling pathway components by the cells were assessed as well. The results showed that PM exposure induced elevations in two ER stress hallmarks, i.e. GRP78 and IRE1a, in time-and/or dose-related manners in the HBE cells. Inhibition of ER stress by siRNA for GRP78 or IRE1a significantly alleviated the PM-induced effects. Further, ER stress appeared to regulate PM-induced inflammation -- likely through downstream autophagy and NF-jB pathways -- as implied by studies showing that inhibition of ER stress by siRNA of GRP78 or IRE1a caused significant amelioration of PM-induced autophagy and subsequent activation of NF-jB pathways. Moreover, the ER stress inhibitor 4-PBA were used to confirm the protective effects against PM-induced outcomes. Together, the results suggest ER stress plays a deleterious role in PM-induced airway inflammation, possibly through activation of autophagy and NF-jB signaling. Accordingly, protocols/treatments that could lead to inhibited ER stress could potentially be effective for treatment of PM-related airway disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prosthogonimiasis poses a threat to the reproductive system of poultry and wild birds, which are the definitive hosts of the parasite causing this disease. However, the parasite infection of the second intermediate host (dragonfly), the primary vector of this pathogen, is rarely reported. In this study, the prevalence of Prosthogonimus infection in dragonflies was investigated from June 2019 to October 2022 in Heilongjiang Province, northeast China. The species of metacercariae isolated from dragonfly were identified by morphological characteristics, molecular biology techniques, and animal infection experiments. The results showed that 11 species of dragonflies and one damselfly were identified and among six of the dragonflies infected by Prosthogonimus metacercariae, Sympetrum depressiusculum (28.53%) had the highest infection rate among all positive dragonflies, followed by Sympetrum vulgatum (27.86%) and Sympetrum frequens (20.99%), which are preferred hosts, and the total prevalence was 20.39% (2061/10,110) in Heilongjiang Province. Three species of Prosthogoniumus metacercariae were isolated, including Prosthogonimus cuneatus, Prosthogonimus pullucidus, and Prosthogonimus sp., among which P. cuneatus was the dominant species in dragonflies in Heilongjiang Province. This is the first report on the prevalence of Prosthogonimus in dragonflies in China, which provides baseline data for the control of prosthogonimiasis in Heilongjiang Province and a reference for the prevention of prosthogonimiasis in other areas of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the impacts of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) intervention on the neuronal withering and autophagy in rats after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats and its process. Methods: forty-eight SD rats (males), were randomly assigned to the followings: sham surgery (Sham) group, modeling (SAH) group, modeling group + bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) group, the modeling group + BMSCs + AMPK inhibitor (Compound C) group, twelve rats in each group. Except Sham group, other groups formed SAH samples with intravascular points. Separate groups Compound C and BMSCs, respectively Compound C and 10 µL of normal saline were injected into the left lateral ventricle of rats using a stereoscope brain machine 30 minutes before modeling, and 2 µL concentration is 1x108/mL cell suspension was injected into the ventricles of the brain 1 hour after the model was established. Observe whether the rats have severe brain swelling. Garcia were used to test the neural function of rats. TUNEL staining was used to monitor neuronal apoptosis in the rat hippocampal gyrus. Immunohistochemical fluorescence reflected the expression of two proteins, LC3-II and Beclin-1, in rat hippocampal gyrus. Western blotting is applied to measure the expressions of autophagy-associated proteins in the AMPK pathway. Results: Compared with the group undergoing sham-surgery, brain edema worsened in the model group, neuronal apoptosis rate was increased, neural function was weakened, Protein granules decreased (P<0.05) and expression levels of p-AMPK and other proteins decreased (P<0.05); brain swelling and neuronal apoptosis were reduced in the BMSCs group by comparison with the modeling group's, with substantial elevation in the expression of proteins comprising LC3-II, Beclin-1, and p-AMPK. And the standard of p-mTOR protein expression was considerably lessened (P<0.05); rats belonging to group compound C showed increased brain swelling which is relative to that of BMSCs group, increased neuronal apoptosis, decreased neuronal function (P<0.05), increased p-AMPK protein expression, and decreased LC3-II, Beclin-1, and p-mTOR protein expression (P<0.05). Conclusion: BMSCs transplantation can reduce neuronal apoptosis after SAH; its principle may be to activate AMPK/mTOR pathway, strengthen autophagy of neurons, and thus inhibit their transformation to apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The clinical outcome of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with acute coronary syndrome in relation to hyperuricemia is still unclear. We aimed to explore the clinical prognosis of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with acute coronary syndrome in relation to hyperuricemia status. This was a prospective cohort study. We included consecutively eligible patients with acute coronary syndrome who underwent cardiorespiratory polygraphy between June 2015 and January 2020. According to apnea–hypopnea index ≥ 15 events per hr and serum uric acid level, the population was divided into four groups: hyperuricemia with obstructive sleep apnea; hyperuricemia with non‐obstructive sleep apnea; no hyperuricemia with obstructive sleep apnea; and no hyperuricemia with non‐obstructive sleep apnea. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, ischaemia‐driven revascularization, and readmission for unstable angina or heart failure. Spearman correlation analysis and Cox regression model were mainly used to estimate the data. The median follow‐up was 2.9 years. Among 1925 patients with acute coronary syndrome, 29.6% had hyperuricemia and 52.6% had obstructive sleep apnea. Uric acid was negatively correlated with minimum arterial oxygen saturation and mean arterial oxygen saturation, and positively correlated with apnea–hypopnea index, oxygen desaturation index and the duration of time with arterial oxygen saturation < 90% (p < 0.001). During 2.9 (1.5, 3.6) years of follow‐up, obstructive sleep apnea was associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in patients with hyperuricemia (23.5% versus 13.4%; adjusted hazard ratio: 1.834; 95% confidence interval: 1.192–2.821, p = 0.006), but not in patients without hyperuricemia (21.9% versus 19.2%; adjusted hazard ratio: 1.131; 95% confidence interval: 0.880–1.453, p = 0.336). There was a correlation between uric acid levels and sleep respiratory indicators. Obstructive sleep apnea was associated with increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome with hyperuricemia, but not in patients without hyperuricemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As an integral ingredient of human sociality, prosocial behavior requires learning what acts can benefit or harm others. However, it remains unknown how individuals adjust prosocial learning to avoid punishment or to pursue reward. Given that arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a neuropeptide that has been involved in modulating various social behaviors in mammals, it could be a crucial neurochemical facilitator that supports prosocial learning. Methods: In 50 placebo controls and 54 participants with AVP administration, we examined the modulation of AVP on the prosocial learning characterized by reward and punishment framework, as well as its underlying neurocomputational mechanisms combining computational modeling, event-related potentials and oscillations. Results: We found a self-bias that individuals learn to avoid punishment asymmetrically more severely than reward-seeking. Importantly, AVP increased behavioral performances and learning rates when making decisions to avoid losses for others and to obtain gains for self. These behavioral effects were underpinned by larger responses of stimulus-preceding negativity (SPN) to anticipation, as well as higher punishment-related feedback-related negativity (FRN) for prosocial learning and reward-related P300 for proself benefits, while FRN and P300 neural processes were integrated into theta (4–7 Hz) oscillation at the outcome evaluation stage. Conclusions: These results suggest that AVP context-dependently up-regulates altruism for concerning others' losses and reward-seeking for self-oriented benefits. Our findings provide insight into the selectively modulatory roles of AVP in prosocial behaviors depending on learning contexts between proself reward-seeking and prosocial punishment-avoidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondria are in a constant balance of fusion and fission. Excessive fission or deficient fusion leads to mitochondrial fragmentation, causing mitochondrial dysfunction and physiological disorders. How the cell prevents excessive fission of mitochondria is not well understood. Here, we report that the fission yeast AAA-ATPase Yta4, which is the homolog of budding yeast Msp1 responsible for clearing mistargeted tail-anchored (TA) proteins on mitochondria, plays a critical role in preventing excessive mitochondrial fission. The absence of Yta4 leads to mild mitochondrial fragmentation in a Dnm1-dependent manner but severe mitochondrial fragmentation upon induction of mitochondrial depolarization. Overexpression of Yta4 delocalizes the receptor proteins of Dnm1, i.e., Fis1 (a TA protein) and Mdv1 (the bridging protein between Fis1 and Dnm1), from mitochondria and reduces the localization of Dnm1 to mitochondria. The effect of Yta4 overexpression on Fis1 and Mdv1, but not Dnm1, depends on the ATPase and translocase activities of Yta4. Moreover, Yta4 interacts with Dnm1, Mdv1, and Fis1. In addition, Yta4 competes with Dnm1 for binding Mdv1 and decreases the affinity of Dnm1 for GTP and inhibits Dnm1 assembly in vitro. These findings suggest a model, in which Yta4 inhibits mitochondrial fission by inhibiting the function of the mitochondrial divisome composed of Fis1, Mdv1, and Dnm1. Therefore, the present work reveals an uncharacterized molecular mechanism underlying the inhibition of mitochondrial fission. Mitochondria are in a constant balance of fusion and fission, but how the cell prevents excessive fission is unclear. This study shows that the evolutionarily conserved AAA-ATPase Yta4 interacts with the mitochondrial divisome (Fis1, Mdv1 and Dnm1) to inhibit mitochondrial fission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the impacts of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) intervention on the neuronal withering and autophagy in rats after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats and its process. Methods: forty-eight SD rats (males), were randomly assigned to the followings: sham surgery (Sham) group, modeling (SAH) group, modeling group + bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) group, the modeling group + BMSCs + AMPK inhibitor (Compound C) group, twelve rats in each group. Except Sham group, other groups formed SAH samples with intravascular points. Separate groups Compound C and BMSCs, respectively Compound C and 10 µL of normal saline were injected into the left lateral ventricle of rats using a stereoscope brain machine 30 minutes before modeling, and 2 µL concentration is 1-108/mL cell suspension was injected into the ventricles of the brain 1 hour after the model was established. Observe whether the rats have severe brain swelling. Garcia were used to test the neural function of rats. TUNEL staining was used to monitor neuronal apoptosis in the rat hippocampal gyrus. Immunohistochemical fluorescence reflected the expression of two proteins, LC3-II and Beclin-1, in rat hippocampal gyrus. Western blotting is applied to measure the expressions of autophagy-associated proteins in the AMPK pathway. Results: Compared with the group undergoing sham-surgery, brain edema worsened in the model group, neuronal apoptosis rate was increased, neural function was weakened, Protein granules decreased (P<0.05) and expression levels of p-AMPK and other proteins decreased (P<0.05); brain swelling and neuronal apoptosis were reduced in the BMSCs group by comparison with the modeling group's, with substantial elevation in the expression of proteins comprising LC3-II, Beclin-1, and p-AMPK. And the standard of p-mTOR protein expression was considerably lessened (P<0.05); rats belonging to group compound C showed increased brain swelling which is relative to that of BMSCs group, increased neuronal apoptosis, decreased neuronal function (P<0.05), increased p-AMPK protein expression, and decreased LC3-II, Beclin-1, and p-mTOR protein expression (P<0.05). Conclusion: BMSCs transplantation can reduce neuronal apoptosis after SAH; its principle may be to activate AMPK/mTOR pathway, strengthen autophagy of neurons, and thus inhibit their transformation to apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Synaptic strength depends strongly on the subsynaptic organisation of presynaptic transmitter release and postsynaptic receptor densities, and their alterations are expected to underlie pathologies. Although synaptic dysfunctions are common pathogenic traits of Alzheimer's disease (AD), it remains unknown whether synaptic protein nano‐organisation is altered in AD. Here, we systematically characterised the alterations in the subsynaptic organisation in cellular and mouse models of AD. Methods: We used immunostaining and super‐resolution stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy imaging to quantitatively examine the synaptic protein nano‐organisation in both Aβ1–42‐treated neuronal cultures and cortical sections from a mouse model of AD, APP23 mice. Results: We found that Aβ1–42‐treatment of cultured hippocampal neurons decreased the synaptic retention of postsynaptic scaffolds and receptors and disrupted their nanoscale alignment to presynaptic transmitter release sites. In cortical sections, we found that while GluA1 receptors in wild‐type mice were organised in subsynaptic nanoclusters with high local densities, receptors in APP23 mice distributed more homogeneously within synapses. This reorganisation, together with the reduced overall receptor density, led to reduced glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Meanwhile, the transsynaptic alignment between presynaptic release‐guiding RIM1/2 and postsynaptic scaffolding protein PSD‐95 was reduced in APP23 mice. Importantly, these reorganisations were progressive with age and were more pronounced in synapses in close vicinity of Aβ plaques with dense cores. Conclusions: Our study revealed a spatiotemporal‐specific reorganisation of synaptic nanostructures in AD and identifies dense‐core amyloid plaques as the major local inductor in APP23 mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Standard modifiable risk factors (SMuRFs) increase the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and are also strongly associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a bidirectional relationship. However, the association of OSA with recurrent cardiovascular events in ACS patients based on the number of SMuRFs remains unclear. Hence, we aimed to elucidate the prognostic implication of OSA in ACS patients stratified by the number of SMuRFs. Methods: This was a post hoc analysis of the OSA-ACS study (NCT03362385), including 1927 patients admitted for ACS and undergoing portable sleep monitoring. OSA was defined as an apnea hypopnea index ≥ 15 events/h. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina or heart failure, and ischemia-driven revascularization. Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to investigated the relationship between OSA and subsequent cardiovascular events after patients were stratified by the number of SMuRFs. Results: Among 1927 patients enrolled, 130 (6.7%) had no SMuRF, 1264 (65.6%) exhibited 1–2 SMuRFs and 533 (27.7%) presented 3–4 SMuRFs. With the increase of the number of SMuRFs, the proportion of OSA in ACS patients tended to increase (47.7% vs. 51.5% vs. 56.6%), but there was no significant difference between them (P = 0.08). After the stratification of ACS patients via SMuRF numbers and adjustment for confounding factors, fully adjusted Cox regression indicated that OSA increased the risk of MACCE (adjusted HR, 1.65; 95%CI, 1.06–2.57; P = 0.026) and ischemia-driven revascularization (adjusted HR, 2.18; 95%CI, 1.03–4.65; P = 0.042) in ACS patients with 3–4 SMuRFs. Conclusions: In hospitalized ACS patients, OSA is associated with an increased risk of MACCE and ischemia-driven revascularization among patients with 3–4 SMuRFs. Therefore, screening for OSA should be emphasized in ACS patients with 3–4 SMuRFs, and intervention trials should be prioritized in these high-risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A close relationship exists between OSA and obesity. The impact of obesity on the prognostic significance of OSA in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains unclear. Do the effects of OSA on subsequent cardiovascular events in patients with ACS vary with obesity status? This is a prospective cohort study. Patients 18 to 85 years of age who were hospitalized for ACS were consecutively enrolled and underwent portable sleep monitoring after clinical stabilization. OSA was defined as an apnea hypopnea index ≥ 15 events/h. The primary end point was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE), including cardiovascular death, hospitalization for ACS, stroke, ischemia-driven revascularization, or hospitalization for heart failure. Among 1,920 patients enrolled (84.5% male; mean age ± SD, 56.4 ± 10.5 years), 1,013 (52.8%) had OSA, and 718 (37.4%) were obese (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2). During 2.9 years (1.5, 3.6 years) follow-up, the incidence of MACCE was significantly higher in patients with obesity than in patients without obesity (hazard ratio [HR], 1.29; 95% CI, 1.06-1.58; P =.013). Although the prevalence of OSA was lower in patients without obesity than in those with obesity (43.9% vs 67.5%; P <.001), OSA independently predicted the incidence of MACCE only in patients without obesity (adjusted HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.03-1.75; P =.03), but not in patients with obesity (adjusted HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.78-1.55; P =.58). No significant interaction between obesity and OSA was noted (P for interaction =.35). The incremental risk associated with OSA in patients without obesity might be explained by more hospitalization for ACS and ischemia-driven revascularization. For patients with ACS, OSA was independently associated with an increased risk of subsequent events, particularly among patients without obesity. These findings highlight the importance of identifying OSA in nonobese patients with ACS. ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT03362385; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trematodes of the genus Ogmocotyle are intestinal flukes that can infect a variety of definitive hosts, resulting in significant economic losses worldwide. However, there are few studies on molecular data of these trematodes. In this study, the mitochondrial (mt) genome of Ogmocotyle ailuri isolated from red panda (Ailurus fulgens) was determined and compared with those from Pronocephalata to investigate the mt genome content, genetic distance, gene rearrangements and phylogeny. The complete mt genome of O. ailuri is a typical closed circular molecule of 14 642 base pairs, comprising 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and 2 non-coding regions. All genes are transcribed in the same direction. In addition, 23 intergenic spacers and 2 locations with gene overlaps were determined. Sequence identities and sliding window analysis indicated that cox 1 is the most conserved gene among 12 PCGs in O. ailuri mt genome. The sequenced mt genomes of the 48 Plagiorchiida trematodes showed 5 types of gene arrangement based on all mt genome genes, with the gene arrangement of O. ailuri being type I. Phylogenetic analysis using concatenated amino acid sequences of 12 PCGs revealed that O. ailuri was closer to Ogmocotyle sikae than to Notocotylus intestinalis. These data enhance the Ogmocotyle mt genome database and provide molecular resources for further studies of Pronocephalata taxonomy, population genetics and systematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incorporation of noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) into fluorescent proteins is promising for red-shifting their fluorescence and benefiting tissue imaging with deep penetration and low phototoxicity. However, ncAA-based red fluorescent proteins (RFPs) have been rare. The 3-aminotyrosine modified superfolder green fluorescent protein (aY-sfGFP) represents a recent advance, yet the molecular mechanism for its red-shifted fluorescence remains elusive while its dim fluorescence hinders applications. Herein, we implement femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy to obtain structural fingerprints in the electronic ground state and reveal that aY-sfGFP possesses a GFP-like instead of RFP-like chromophore. Red color of aY-sfGFP intrinsically arises from a unique "double-donor" chromophore structure that raises ground-state energy and enhances charge transfer, notably differing from the conventional conjugation mechanism. We further developed two aY-sfGFP mutants (E222H and T203H) with significantly improved (∼12-fold higher) brightness by rationally restraining the chromophore's nonradiative decay through electronic and steric effects, aided by solvatochromic and fluorogenic studies of the model chromophore in solution. This study thus provides functional mechanisms and generalizable insights into ncAA-RFPs with an efficient route for engineering redder and brighter fluorescent proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are each increasingly common in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Whether OSA increases cardiovascular consequences in ACS patients with MetS has not been investigated. Hypothesis: OSA increases cardiovascular risk in ACS patients with MetS. We aimed to examine the association between OSA and cardiovascular consequences in ACS patients with MetS. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we consecutive recruited 2160 ACS patients who underwent portable sleep breathing monitoring. OSA is defined as an apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 15 events/h. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, ischemia‐driven revascularization, or hospitalization for unstable angina or heart failure. Results: A total of 1927 patients with ACS were enrolled. Among them, 1486 (77.1%) had MetS and 1014 (52.6%) had OSA. During 2.9 years of follow‐up, the cumulative incidence of MACCE was similar between OSA and non‐OSA groups in patients with MetS (21.9% vs. 17.9%, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.29 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.99–1.67, p =.06) and patients without MetS (24.4% vs. 17.3%, adjusted HR = 1.21 95% CI: 0.73–2.03, p =.46). Patients with MetS and OSA had a significantly higher risk of MACCE than patients with MetS and without OSA in women (27.8% vs. 18.1%, adjusted HR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.01–3.09, p =.04) but not in men (21.0% vs. 17.9%, adjusted HR = 1.19, 95% CI: 0.91–1.59, p =.21). Conclusions: In hospitalized ACS patients with MetS, comorbid OSA was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular consequences among women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial oils produced by Yarrowia lipolytica offer an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to petroleum as well as traditional lipids from animals and plants. The accurate measurement of fermentation parameters, including the substrate concentration, dry cell weight, and lipid accumulation, is the foundation of process control, which is indispensable for industrial lipid production. However, it remains a great challenge to measure the complex parameters online during the lipid fermentation process, which is nonlinear, multivariate, and characterized by strong coupling. As a type of AI technology, the artificial neural network model is a powerful tool for handling extremely complex problems, and it can be employed to develop a soft sensor to monitor the microbial lipid fermentation process of Y. lipolytica. In this study, we first analyzed and emphasized the volume of sodium hydroxide and dissolved oxygen concentration as central parameters of the fermentation process. Then, a soft sensor based on a four‐input artificial neural network model was developed, in which the input variables were fermentation time, dissolved oxygen concentration, initial glucose concentration, and additional volume of sodium hydroxide. This provides the possibility of online monitoring of dry cell weight, glucose concentration, and lipid production with high accuracy, which can be extended to similar fermentation processes characterized by the addition of bases or acids, as well as changes of the dissolved oxygen concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new, highly catalysis and stable liquid crystal 5CB-loaded nanogold (Au/5CB) nanosol was prepared through template method and was characterized in details. It was found that Au/5CB can strongly catalyze the new indicator reaction of fructose-Cu(II) tartrate complex to generate Cu2O cube particles (CPs) with high resonance Rayleigh scattering effect. Combined the nanocatalytic amplification indicator reaction with the label-free aptamer (Apt) reaction, a new RRS aptasensing platform was developed to detect 0.05–1.0 ng mL−1 oxytetracycline (OTC) and the limit of detection was 0.02 ng mL−1. The developed RRS aptasensing platform can be also utilized to detect 7.5–60 ng mL−1 malathion and 1–3.5 ng mL−1 tetracyclines. Finally, the nanocatalytic reaction mechanism was studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chicken is rich in various proteins, fatty acids, polysaccharides, trace elements, and other human essential nutrients that contribute to its high nutritional value. In this study, the expression levels of nutrition‐related genes (acetyl‐CoA acyltransferase, ACAA) of native chicken breeds were investigated. The level of GgalACAA1‐2 transcripts expression in the liver of chicken was significantly higher than that of muscle and heart. Moreover, three protein extracts were isolated from the muscle, heart, and liver tissues from the chicken, and their nutritional function was evaluated in the present study. These protein extracts had excellent DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging capacities and exhibited significant superoxide anion scavenging ability. Moreover, the protein extracts of muscle tissue showed an important mouse splenocyte proliferation activity and could be used as an immunomodulator of natural origin. In addition, this report presented an automatic visual inspection of chicken viscera using the active contour algorithms and the image processing method for eviscerating by the parallel robot. The recognition and positioning rate of chicken viscera obtained by the proposed method could reach 96.45%. These methods provided basic data for automated poultry slaughter and segmentation, avoiding unnecessary health risks by a pathogenic microorganism, such as avian influenza, Newcastle disease virus, and coronavirus. Moreover, the internal organs of the chicken could be fully harvested by the image segmentation of automatic evisceration, which also facilitated the processing value of these internal organs as by‐products of poultry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anhedonia is a key symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric diseases. The neural basis of anhedonia has been widely examined, yet the interindividual variability in neuroimaging biomarkers underlying individual‐specific symptom severity is not well understood. Methods: To establish an individualized prediction model of anhedonia, we applied connectome‐based predictive modeling (CPM) to whole‐brain resting‐state functional connectivity profiles of MDD patients. Results: The CPM can successfully and reliably predict individual consummatory but not anticipatory anhedonia. The predictive model mainly included salience network (SN), frontoparietal network (FPN), default mode network (DMN), and motor network. Importantly, subsequent computational lesion prediction and consummatory‐specific model prediction revealed that connectivity of the SN with DMN and FPN is essential and specific for the prediction of consummatory anhedonia. Conclusions: This study shows that brain functional connectivity, especially the connectivity of SN‐FPN and SN‐DMN, can specifically predict individualized consummatory anhedonia in MDD. These findings suggest the potential of functional connectomes for the diagnosis and prognosis of anhedonia in MDD and other disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers online input signal design for kernel-based estimation of impulse responses where the input signal is designed one bit at a time while simultaneously performing the identification. A method referred to as the direct spectrum shaping (DSS) method is proposed based on the biased Cramér–Rao lower bound, combined with detailed analysis of two popular choices of kernels. With no gradient computations, the DSS technique is able to achieve comparable accuracy but with a significant reduction in computational times by a factor of more than 370 compared with the existing Bayesian A-optimality (BAO) technique. The BAO technique, in general, attains higher estimation accuracy for oscillatory systems whereas the DSS approach is superior for systems with smoother impulse responses. The DSS method possesses further advantages of simplicity of implementation and low crest factor due to the signal being binary. An application example on a simulated curing oven in the glove manufacturing industry illustrates the potential impact of the DSS method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a modifiable risk factor for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), with high prevalence but low diagnostic rates. Therefore, it is particularly important to develop strategies for better screening for OSA in newly admitted ACS patients.Methods: From March 2017 to October 2019, consecutive eligible patients with ACS underwent cardiorespiratory polygraphy during hospitalization. OSA was defined as an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 15 events/h. All anthropometric and oropharyngeal parameters are measured by specialist nurses.Results: Finally, 761 ACS patients were recruited in the present study. Prevalence of moderate/severe OSA was 53.2% based on diagnostic criteria of AHI ≥ 15. Correlation analysis illustrated that AHI was positively correlated with anthropometric characteristics. In the multivariate model, only micrognathia (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.02-4.00, P = 0.044), waist circumference (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04-1.11, P < 0.001), and STOP-BANG Questionnaire (SBQ) score (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.27-1.66, P < 0.001) were independently associated with the prevalence of OSA. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis showed that the area under curve (AUC) of multivariable joint diagnosis (waist circumference, micrognathia combined with SBQ) was significantly better than the AUC of Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and SBQ (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0002, respectively), and the results showed that AUC was 0.728. Under the optimal truncation value, the sensitivity was 73%, and the specificity was 61%, which was higher than the single index. Finally, we also constructed a nomogram model based on multiple logistic regression, to easily determine the probability of OSA in ACS patients.Conclusions: The new screening tool has greater power than single questionnaire or measurements in screening of OSA among ACS patients.Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03362385, registered December 5, 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A tandem dearomative electrophilic thiocyanation/cyclization/acylation of indoles was developed for the first time, which is enabled by acyl chloride. A variety of 3‐SCN pyrroloindolines were obtained with moderate to excellent yields. Interestingly, following replacement of acyl chloride with methanesulfonic acid, 2‐SCN tryptamines were obtained using the same starting substrates and reagents. Furthermore, catalytic enantioselective manner of thiocyanation/cyclization/acylation reaction was also studied. An enantiomer self‐disproportionation effect of 3‐SCN pyrroloindolines was discovered. A series of chiral 3‐SCN pyrroloindolines were obtained with high enantioselectivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cadmium is one of the major metal pollutants in grain, threatening food safety and human health. There is an urgent need to find an organism that is prevalent in grain and which can be used as a biological model for determining and assessing the effects of long-term heavy metal contamination in offspring. The findings in this study showed that long-term cadmium exposure could adversely affect the development, reproduction and physiology of Aleuroglyphus ovatus (Acari: Acaridae). A. ovatus was sensitive to cadmium, which could be a valuable tool for studying the toxicity of long-term heavy metal exposure on offspring. Simultaneously, there is little report about this study, providing a basis for future evaluation of cadmium pressure on genetic evolution. Grain contaminated by cadmium (Cd) has become a serious food security problem, and it is necessary to determine and evaluate the toxic effect and defense mechanism of long-term heavy metal pollution in grain. In order to evaluate the effects of long-term heavy metal Cd stress on the stored grain pests, Aleuroglyphus ovatus were fed with an artificial diet supplemented with different concentrations of Cd (0, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg). The development, fecundity and detoxification enzymes of A. ovatus were analyzed and observed. In this study, the immature duration of A. ovatus was significantly prolonged under long-term Cd stress. Moreover, the survival duration of female adults was significantly shortened. The total number of eggs laid and the daily number laid per female adult decreased significantly. There were significant differences in protein content at protonymph and tritonymph stages when the concentration of Cd exceeded 10 mg/kg. The protein content of female adults was higher than that of male adults. The activity of detoxification enzymes showed differences in different conditions, such as development stage, Cd concentration and gender. These findings confirmed that A. ovatus were sensitive to Cd, and their offspring were severely affected under long-term Cd stress. Therefore, A. ovatus is a good model for evaluating the toxicity of long-term heavy metal Cd stress. The study provides the basis and enriches the research content of heavy metal pollution on mites, contributing to the harmonious and healthy development between the environment and human beings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although fluorescent indicators have been broadly utilized for monitoring bioactivities, fluorescence imaging, when applied to mammals, is limited to superficial targets or requires invasive surgical procedures. Thus, there is emerging interest in developing bioluminescent indicators for noninvasive mammalian imaging. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) of neuronal activity is highly desired but hindered by insufficient photons needed to digitalize fast brain activities. In this work, we develop a luciferase prosubstrate deliverable at an increased dose and activated in vivo by nonspecific esterase. We further engineer a bright, bioluminescent indicator with robust responsiveness to calcium ions (Ca2+) and appreciable emission above 600 nm. Integration of these advantageous components enables the imaging of the activity of neuronal ensembles in awake mice minimally invasively with excellent signal-to-background and subsecond temporal resolution. This study thus establishes a paradigm for studying brain function in health and disease. Bioluminescence imaging of neuronal activity is desired. Here the authors report a luciferase prosubstrate activatable in vivo by nonspecific esterase and engineer a bioluminescent indicator with responsiveness to calcium ions: integration of these components enabled imaging of neuronal activity in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phosphoric acid catalyzed electrophilic thiocyanation of 3‐aryl indoles, which provides an efficient and modular approach to SCN‐containing 3‐aryl indole compounds, was developed for the first time. A variety of 2‐SCN‐3‐aryl indoles were obtained with moderate to excellent yields. Furthermore, catalytic asymmetric manner of this reaction was also studied. Using chiral phosphoric acid as the catalyst, axially chiral SCN‐containing 3‐aryl indoles were obtained in moderate to good yields with moderate enantioselectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Due to the rapid rise in arboviral disease cases, there is a need for alternative methods of vector control since fast growing insecticides resistance is a matter of great concern. Recent studies have shown the potential of entomopathogenic fungi in controlling mosquito vectors, but behavioural responses of the mosquitoes encountering with entomopathogenic fungi are still unclear. RESULTS: In this study, behavioural responses induced by the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin in adult female Aedes aegypti mosquito were evaluated. The survival of female mosquitoes was significantly reduced after exposure to medium and high concentrations of fungal conidia. A significant increase in frequencies and durations of different self‐grooming types was observed in mosquitoes exposed to medium or high concentrations of fungal conidia. Mosquitoes were able to differentiate between active and inactive fungal conidia as application of inactive conidia showed non‐significant effect on survival and self‐grooming parameters. A concentration‐specific reduction in flight locomotor activity of the female mosquitoes was found after fungal treatments. Fungal‐exposed mosquitoes showed significantly higher antifungal activity 72 h post‐application. CONCLUSION: These findings provide greater understanding of behavioural responses of the mosquitoes to resist fungal infections and suggest that mosquitoes can remove the lower amounts of fungal conidia through self‐grooming behaviour, which they encounter within natural field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]