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Understanding thermal transport in graphite intercalation compounds can facilitate the development of novel methods to design materials with tunable thermal conductivities. This study reports the effective modulation of the cross-plane lattice thermal conductivity of graphite by co-intercalation with MnCl2 and FeCl3. Scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy indicated that the predominant phase in the system corresponded to stage-3 structural ordering with the preferential intercalation of MnCl2, despite the significantly higher amount of FeCl3 used for synthesis (300 times) compared with that of MnCl2, indicating an extremely high intercalation selectivity of MnCl2 in the adopted process-parameter window. Time-domain thermoreflectance measurements demonstrate that intercalation reduced the thermal conductivity of graphite by up to six times at 298 K and 10 times at lower temperatures. The significant tunability of thermal conductivity was obtained for a wide range of thicknesses, varying from 30 nm to 1.5 μm. A semi-empirical Debye–Callaway model that considered the effect of intercalation in an interfacial-scattering fashion explains the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity of graphite on intercalation. It revealed that intercalation suppressed the effective phonon-transport length of the system by two orders of magnitude. This study could guide future studies on the fabrication of novel materials with excellent cross-plane thermal-conductivity tunability through intercalation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiac lipid metabolism reprogramming is recognized as a critical pathological factor in the progression of chronic heart failure (CHF). The therapeutic potential of digilanid C and electroacupuncture stimulation (ES) in enhancing lipid metabolism and cardiac function has been established. However, the optimal synergistic regulatory strategies of these interventions on cardiac lipid metabolism have yet to be elucidated. Methods: This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the impact of a digilanid C-ES combination on cardiac steatosis remodeling in CHF. Assessments were conducted across various dimensions, including myocardial oxygen consumption, mitochondrial function, and lipid metabolism. Additionally, we sought to uncover the underlying neuromolecular mechanisms. Results: Our findings, at both molecular and morphological levels, indicated that the synergistic application of digilanid C and ES significantly inhibited myocardial fibrosis and steatosis. This combination therapy facilitated the repair of cardiac neuro-vascular uncoupling and induced a reprogramming of lipid metabolism. Notably, the digilanid C-ES combination ameliorated cardiomyocyte apoptosis and enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis in CHF, leading to a restructured energy supply pattern. Cardiac immunofluorescence analyses revealed the aggregation of cardiac glial cells (CGCs) at sites of abnormal neurovascular coupling, a response to cardiac lipid degeneration. This was accompanied by a marked reduction in the abnormally elevated expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and glutamatergic signaling, which correlated with the severity of cardiac steatosis and the aberrant activation of CGCs. The combined therapy was found to activate the Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway, effectively attenuated lipid accumulation and overrecruitment of CGCs and deprivation of glutamatergic nerves. Conclusion: These findings underscore the potential of digilanid C and ES combination therapy as a novel approach to modulate the complex interplay between neurovascular dynamics and metabolic dysregulation in CHF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The administration of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) before mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has been a subject of debate, and its potential benefits remain uncertain. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the effect of preoperative IVT on glycocalyx damage in patients with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Methods: A cohort of 106 patients with acute large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation treated with mechanical thrombectomy was enrolled. The levels of the glycocalyx damage marker, syndecan-1, were measured in the peripheral blood of these patients to assess glycocalyx damage during IRI, and clinical outcomes were compared between patients receiving MT alone vs. combined IVT and MT. Results: The study results indicate that thrombolytic drugs have a significant impact on syndecan-1 levels in the blood. Compared to patients who underwent direct MT, those who received preoperative IVT had significantly lower levels of syndecan-1 in their blood. Although preoperative IVT did not alter the final clinical outcomes, the levels of syndecan-1 shedding reflect the extent of damage to the endothelial glycocalyx. Discussion: This suggests that using thrombolytic drugs before mechanical thrombectomy may reduce endothelial glycocalyx damage in patients with ischemia-reperfusion injury. These findings provide indirect clinical evidence supporting the preoperative use of intravenous thrombolysis in such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Batch scheduling is a crucial part of pipeline enterprise operation management, especially in the context of market-oriented operation. It involves 3 main tasks: quickly preparing batch plans, accurately tracking interface movement, and operation condition in real time. Normally, the completion of multi-product pipeline batch scheduling depends on simulation models or optimization models and corresponding conventional solving algorithm. However, this approach becomes inefficient when applied to large-scale systems. The rapid development of machine learning has brought new ideas to batch scheduling research. This paper first reviews the current state of batch scheduling technology, and suggests that applying machine learning to it is a promising development direction. Then, we summarize the progress of machine learning applications in batch planning, interface movement tracking, and operational condition monitoring, and point out their limitations. Finally, considering the separation of refined oil production, transportation, and sales processes, 5 recommendations are put forward: oil supply and demand prediction and pipeline capacity prediction, batch planning, batch interface movement tracking, mixed oil development monitoring, and pipeline operation condition identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is crucial in numerous spinally related illnesses and is common among the elderly, the complete understanding of its pathogenic mechanisms is still an area of ongoing study. In recent years, it has revealed that liposomes are crucial in the initiation and progression of IVDD. However, their intrinsic mediators and related mechanisms remain unclear. With the development of genomics, an increasing amount of data points to the contribution of genetics in the etiology of disease. Accordingly, this study explored the causality between liposomes and IVDD by Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis and deeply investigated the intermediary roles of undetected metabolites. Methods: According to MR analysis, 179 liposomes and 1400 metabolites were evaluated for their causal association with IVDD. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are strongly associated with the concentrations of liposomes and metabolites. Consequently, they were employed as instrumental variables (IVs) to deduce if they constituted risk elements or protective elements for IVDD. Furthermore, mediation analysis was conducted to pinpoint possible metabolic mediators that link liposomes to IVDD. The inverse variance weighting (IVW) was the main analytical technique. Various confidence tests in the causality estimates were performed, including consistency, heterogeneity, pleiotropy, and sensitivity analyses. Inverse MR analysis was also utilized to estimate potential reverse causality. Results: MR analysis identified 13 liposomes and 79 metabolites markedly relevant to IVDD. Moreover, the mediation analysis was carried out by choosing the liposome, specifically the triacylglycerol (48:2) levels, which were found to be most notably associated with an increased risk of IVDD. In all, three metabolite-associated mediators were identified (3-methylcytidine levels, inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP) to phosphate ratio, and adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) to glycine ratio). Conclusion: The analysis's findings suggested possible causal connections between liposomes, metabolites, and IVDD, which could act as both forecast and prognosis clinical indicators, thereby aiding in the exploration of the pathogenesis behind IVDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Regional Pest Control program represents a strategic intervention aimed at optimizing pesticide use in crop production, thereby mitigating the environmental impact of agricultural non-point source pollution from pesticides and fostering the development of high-quality agriculture. This study examines the influence of farmers' perceived risks on the adoption of the Regional Pest Control program and evaluates its effect on pesticide application across a nationally representative dataset from Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, and Sichuan provinces. To account for unobserved heterogeneity, an endogenous switching regression model was employed. The findings reveal that farmers' perceived risks associated with the Regional Pest Control program significantly deter its adoption. Furthermore, the program has been effective not only in reducing the frequency of pesticide applications but also in increasing the usage of pesticides with lower acute toxicity levels. Notably, the impact of the Regional Pest Control program on pesticide application demonstrates considerable variation in accordance with farmers' risk attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent decades, the Loess Plateau is one of the regions in China that urgently needs ecological governance due to the severe situation of soil erosion and land desertification. Due to the impact of climate change and human activities, the threat to the ecological space security of the Loess Plateau has intensified. This paper reveals the time lag effect of ecological engineering construction on the changes in the ecosystem service capacity index of the Loess Plateau, providing a scientific basis and decision-making reference for the sustainable development of the study area and improving the quality and management of ecological engineering construction, which is of great significance for building a solid ecological security barrier on the Loess Plateau. Methods: Based on the hierarchical analysis method, quantitative indicator method, spatial correlation analysis method and two-way fixed effect model, this paper analyzes the temporal and spatial changes of the ecosystem service capacity index of the Loess Plateau under the background of ecological engineering implementation. Results: The results showed that: 1) the vegetation coverage of the Loess Plateau increased with the increase of the area of ecological engineering construction, and showed a fluctuating growth distribution characteristic from southeast to northwest in space; 2) the water conservation capacity index, wind and sand fixation capacity index, biodiversity capacity index and comprehensive service capacity index of the Loess Plateau from 2000 to 2020 all showed exponential growth, which were highly coupled with the growth and change of vegetation coverage area in time and space; 3) the cold spots and hot spots of the ecosystem service capacity index of the Loess Plateau showed a step-by-step decrease of "hot in the south and cold in the north" in spatial distribution; the hot spots and sub-hot spots showed a reciprocating cycle from aggregation to fragmentation in time and space; the cold spots and sub-cold spots were mainly distributed in the northwest region. 4) The changes in the ecosystem service capacity index of the Loess Plateau were mainly affected by factors such as the cumulative project implementation area, urbanization rate and precipitation. Conclusion: The construction of ecological engineering on the Loess Plateau has achieved remarkable results. The growth of vegetation coverage area and ecosystem service capacity index on the Loess Plateau from 2000 to 2020 has promoted the recovery of ecosystem functions. Therefore, we should actively promote the construction of ecological projects to provide scientific decisionmaking references for solving regional ecological security issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An individual's quality of life is greatly affected by Parkinson's disease (PD), a prevalent neurological degenerative condition. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a prominent non-motor symptom commonly associated with PD. Previous studies have shown a close relationship between PD and RBD. In addition to being a prodromal symptom of PD, RBD has a major negative impact on the prognosis of PD patients. This intrinsic connection indicates that there is a bidirectional relationship between PD and RBD. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the pathological mechanism related to PD and RBD, including the α-synuclein pathological deposition, abnormal iron metabolism, neuroinflammation, glymphatic system dysfunction and dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. Increasing evidence has shown that RBD patients have the same pathogenic mechanisms that underlie PD, but relatively little research has been done on how RBD contributes to PD progression. Therefore, a more thorough investigation is warranted to characterise how RBD affects the course of PD, in order to prepare for future therapeutic trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A synthesis strategy of calcium alginate/silver nanosheet microencapsulated phase change material (Alg/Ag-MEPCM) with controlled morphology was proposed, which is assisted with calcium carbonate microencapsulated phase change material (CaCO3-MEPCM) as a template. After successively adsorbing alginate and Ag+ on the template surface, the addition of l-ascorbic acid dissolved CaCO3 in the template to synthesize calcium alginate, while Ag+ was reduced to silver nanosheets by controlling the concentrations of the alginate and Ag+. The Alg/Ag-MEPCM exhibited a satisfactory latent heat storage capacity of 99.51 J/g, which enabled the PVA hydrogels containing Alg/Ag-MEPCM to have favorable temperature regulation ability. Moreover, the abundant silver nanosheets in Alg/Ag-MEPCM provided the PVA hydrogel containing Alg/Ag-MEPCM with a favorable antimicrobial capacity. Thus, the Alg/Ag-MEPCM prepared in this work has a promising application in the fields of thermal energy storage, thermoregulation, and antimicrobials, specifically as wound dressings and food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Rhizosphere microorganisms play crucial roles in the growth and development of plants, disease resistance, and environmental adaptability. As the only wild pepper variety resource in China, domesticated Capsicum frutescens Linn. (Xiaomila) exhibits varying beneficial traits and affects rhizosphere microbial composition compared with its wild counterparts. In this study, we aimed to identify specific rhizosphere microbiome and metabolism patterns established during the domestication process. Methods: The rhizosphere microbial diversity and composition of domesticated and wild C. frutescens were detected and analyzed by metagenomics. Non-targeted metabolomics were used to explore the differences of metabolites in rhizosphere soil between wild and domesticated C. frutescens. Results: We found that the rhizosphere microbial diversity of domesticated variety was significantly different from that of the wild variety, with Massilia being its dominant bacteria. However, the abundance of certain beneficial microbes such as Gemmatimonas, Streptomyces, Rambibacter, and Lysobacter decreased significantly. The main metabolites identified in the wild variety included serylthreonine, deoxyloganic acid, vitamin C, among others. In contrast, those identified in the domesticated group were 4-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid and benzoic acid. Furthermore, the differentially enriched pathways were concentrated in tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, histidine and purinederived alkaloids biosynthesis, benzoic acid family, two-component system, etc. Conclusion: This study revealed that C. frutescens established specific rhizosphere microbiota and metabolites during domestication, which has important significance for the efficient utilization of beneficial microorganisms in breeding and cultivation practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemotherapy has already proven widely effective in treating cancer. Chemotherapeutic agents usually include DNA damaging agents and non-DNA damaging agents. Assessing genotoxic effect is significant during chemotherapy drug development, since the ability to attack DNA is the major concern for DNA damaging agents which relates to the therapeutic effect, meanwhile genotoxicity should also be evaluated for chemotherapy agents' safety especially for non-DNA damaging agents. However, currently applicability of in vitro genotoxicity assays is hampered by the fact that genotoxicity results have comparatively high false positive rates. γ-H2AX has been shown to be a bifunctional biomarker reflecting both DNA damage response and repair. Previously, we developed an in vitro genotoxicity assay based on γ-H2AX quantification using mass spectrometry. Here, we employed the assay to quantitatively assess the genotoxic effects of 34 classic chemotherapy agents in HepG2 cells. Results demonstrated that the evaluation of cellular γ-H2AX could be an effective approach to screen and distinguish types of action of different classes of chemotherapy agents. In addition, two crucial indexes of DNA repair kinetic curve, i.e., k (speed of γ-H2AX descending) and t50 (time required for γ-H2AX to drop to half of the maximum value) estimated by our developed online tools were employed to further evaluate nine representative chemotherapy agents, which showed a close association with therapeutic index or carcinogenic level. The present study demonstrated that mass spectrometric quantification of γ-H2AX may be an appropriate tool to preliminarily evaluate genotoxic effects of chemotherapy agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Verticillium wilt, caused by Verticillium dahliae, is a soil-borne disease affecting eggplant. Wild eggplant, recognized as an excellent disease-resistant resource against verticillium wilt, plays a pivotal role in grafting and breeding for disease resistance. However, the underlying resistance mechanisms of wild eggplant remain poorly understood. This study compared two wild eggplant varieties, LC-2 (high resistance) and LC-7 (sensitive) at the phenotypic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic levels to determine the molecular basis of their resistance to verticillium wilt. These two varieties exhibit substantial phenotypic differences in petal color, leaf spines, and fruit traits. Following inoculation with V. dahliae, LC-2 demonstrated significantly higher activities of polyphenol oxidase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, b-1,3 glucanase, and chitinase than did LC-7. RNA sequencing revealed 4,017 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with a significant portion implicated in processes associated with disease resistance and growth. These processes encompassed defense responses, cell wall biogenesis, developmental processes, and biosynthesis of spermidine, cinnamic acid, and cutin. A gene co-expression analysis identified 13 transcription factors as hub genes in modules related to plant defense response. Some genes exhibited distinct expression patterns between LC-2 and LC-7, suggesting their crucial roles in responding to infection. Further, metabolome analysis identified 549 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) between LC-2 and LC-7, primarily consisting of compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, lipids, and other metabolites. Integrated transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed the association of 35 gene-metabolite pairs in modules related to the plant defense response, highlighting the interconnected processes underlying the plant defense response. These findings characterize the molecular basis of LC-2 resistance to verticillium wilt and thus have potential value for future breeding of wilt-resistant eggplant varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the excavation of tunnels in mountainous areas, groundwater may be lost, which affects the surface plants and ecology. In this article, taking Hengwu Tunnel in China as an example, based on the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (SPAC) model, the relevant parameters were obtained by field test first, and then from the perspective of soil water matrix potential (SWMP) and soil water migration (SWM), the effect of groundwater level decline induced by mountain tunnel excavation on plant growth was studied, and the calculation method of ecological water level was put forward. The results show the following: (1) The wilting of plant roots is a dynamic process of gradual expansion from the middle of the root to both ends, and the response of SWMP in the root region to changes in atmosphere and groundwater level is lagging and non-uniform; (2) SWMP can be used to predict the degree of wilting of plant roots, while the final distribution and value of SWMP are only related to the position of the groundwater level, but not related to the decline rate of the groundwater level; (3) groundwater level and rainfall (P) will affect the value and proportion of each flux in the SPAC model, in which the relative transpiration ratio can be used to evaluate the growth of the plant and calculate the ecological water level of the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flower color is a classic example of an ecologically important trait under selection in plants. Understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying shifts in flower color can provide key insights into ecological speciation. In this study, we investigated the genetic basis of flower color divergence in Barthea barthei, a shrub tree species exhibiting natural variation in flower color. We assembled a high-quality genome assembly for B. barthei with a contig N50 of 2.39 Mb and a scaffold N50 of 16.21 Mb. The assembly was annotated with 46,430 proteincoding genes and 1,560 non-coding RNAs. Genome synteny analysis revealed two recent tetraploidization events in B. barthei, estimated to have occurred at approximately 17 and 63 million years ago. These tetraploidization events resulted in massive duplicated gene content, with over 70% of genes retained in collinear blocks. Gene family members of the core regulators of the MBW complex were significantly expanded in B. barthei compared to Arabidopsis, suggesting that these duplications may have provided raw genetic material for the evolution of novel regulatory interactions and the diversification of anthocyanin pigmentation. Transcriptome profiling of B. barthei flowers revealed differential expression of 9 transcription factors related to anthocyanin biosynthesis between the two ecotypes. Six of these differentially expressed transcription factors were identified as high-confidence candidates for adaptive evolution based on positive selection signals. This study provides insights into the genetic basis of flower color divergence and the evolutionary mechanisms underlying ecological adaptation in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of rapid urbanization, protecting landscape connectivity has become an effective measure to mitigate habitat fragmentation and curb biodiversity decline. However, in the current research on simulating optimization processes, the ecological constraints often set are dispersed, isolated, and fixed. They fail to form a comprehensive protective spatial framework and struggle to align with the multifaceted objectives of future development. This study, taking the main urban area of Hangzhou, China as a case study and employing small mammals as indicator species, utilizes the PLUS model to predict the potential threats to landscape connectivity of biological habitats posed by artificial surface expansion from 2020 to 2035. It constructs a coupled mechanism that integrates multi-level ecological security patterns (ESPs) and multi-scenario simulation for landscape connectivity, successfully demonstrating the effectiveness of this mechanism in future landscape connectivity preservation. The results indicate that under the scenarios of business-as-usual (BAU), priority given to urban development (PUD), and priority given to ecological protection (PEP), the overall level of landscape connectivity in the main urban area of Hangzhou is projected to decrease by 18.42%, 7.02%, and 4.39% respectively from 2020 to 2035. The reduction in core area is estimated to be 9.08%, 7.85%, and 6.34%, respectively, while highly important patches are expected to decrease by 12.91%, 7.51%, and 5.86%, respectively. Both PEP and PUD scenarios effectively mitigate the degree of landscape connectivity disruption. This study provides valuable insights for the future optimization of landscape connectivity and contributes to biodiversity conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a metal-free photocatalytic method for the amination and heteroarylation of gem-difluoroalkenes, which are commonly used in fluorine chemistry. The method uses heteroaryl carboxylic acid oxime esters as substrates and allows for the rapid construction of heteroaryl difluoroethylamine scaffolds. The reaction is environmentally friendly, with mild conditions and good functional group compatibility. The authors propose a possible reaction mechanism involving the sensitization of an oxime ester and the formation of aryl and imine radicals. This method has potential applications in materials science and pharmaceutical chemistry. [Extracted from the article]

China's constantly rapid economic growth accompanying by a low overall inflation has long been mysterious in macroeconomics. The core purpose of this paper is to solve this puzzle. Therefore, we integrate overdetermined set of equations into a MUCSVO model to explore the volatility mechanism of the overall inflation from a sectoral perspective. Our key findings include: 1) the hedging effect of sectoral inflation fluctuations principally accounts for China's long-run stable overall inflation; 2) the main contradiction of China's inflation has been shifting from high price levels in the traditional food and residence categories to rising prices in the health care category; 3) as the proportions of inflation in the food and residence categories fall steadily, sectoral inflation weights become more evenly distributed. In conclusion, China's overall inflation and deflation will be much less likely to occur, while inflation is still of sectoral imbalance. Unusual price fluctuations in the food and health care categories, which are highly relevant to basic living standards of the low-income group, deserve close attention in particular. Overall, besides solving the puzzle of China's low inflation, our model is applicable to economies that do not publish inflation weights, which is a useful extension of core inflation measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the post-genomic era, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) has played an important role in research on reverse genetics in plants. Commonly used Agrobacterium-mediated VIGS inoculation methods include stem scratching, leaf infiltration, use of agrodrench, and air-brush spraying. In this study, we developed a root wounding-immersion method in which 1/3 of the plant root (length) was cut and immersed in a tobacco rattle virus (TRV)1:TRV2 mixed solution for 30 min. We optimized the procedure in Nicotiana benthamiana and successfully silenced N. benthamiana, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), eggplant (Solanum melongena), and Arabidopsis thaliana phytoene desaturase (PDS), and we observed the movement of green fluorescent protein (GFP) from the roots to the stem and leaves. The silencing rate of PDS in N. benthamiana and tomato was 95-100%. In addition, we successfully silenced two disease-resistance genes, SITL5 and SITL6, to decrease disease resistance in tomatoes (CLN2037E). The root wounding-immersion method can be used to inoculate large batches of plants in a short time and with high efficiency, and fresh bacterial infusions can be reused several times. The most important aspect of the root wounding-immersion method is its application to plant species susceptible to root inoculation, as well as its ability to inoculate seedlings from early growth stages. This method offers a means to conduct large-scale functional genome screening in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroptosis, a lipid peroxidation-mediated programmed cell death, is closely linked to tumor development, including prostate cancer (PCa). Despite established connections between ferroptosis and PCa, a comprehensive investigation is essential for understanding its impact on patient prognosis. Methods: A risk model incorporating four ferroptosis-related genes was developed and validated. Elevated risk scores correlated with an increased likelihood of biochemical recurrence (BCR), diminished immune infiltration, and adverse clinicopathological characteristics. To corroborate these results, we performed validation analyses utilizing datasets from both the Cancer Genome Atlas Cohort (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Synthesis Cohort (GEO). Moreover, we conducted further investigations into the pivotal gene identified in our model to explore its impact on tumor characteristics through cell proliferation and invasion assays, as well as animal studies conducted in vivo. Additionally, we conducted further experiments involving ferroptosis-related analysis to validate its association with ferroptosis. Results: The risk model demonstrated exceptional predictive capabilities for prognosis and therapeutic outcomes in PCa patients. Mitogen-activated protein kinase 9 (MAPK9) emerged as a crucial gene within the model. In vivo and in vitro experiments explored MAPK9's role in ferroptosis and its influence on tumor migration and proliferation. Conclusion: The findings provide a novel perspective for advancing ferroptosis exploration in PCa, bridging basic research and clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ultraviolet (UV) light is a known trigger of both cutaneous and systemic disease manifestations in lupus patients. Lupus skin has elevated expression of type I interferons (IFNs) that promote increased keratinocyte (KC) death after UV exposure. The mechanisms by which KC cell death is increased by type I IFNs are unknown. Methods: Here, we examine the specific cell death pathways that are activated in KCs by type I IFN priming and UVB exposure using a variety of pharmacological and genetic approaches. Mice that overexpress Ifnk in the epidermis were exposed to UVB light and cell death was measured. RNA-sequencing from IFN-treated KCs was analyzed to identify candidate genes for further analysis that could drive enhanced cell death responses after UVB exposure. Results: We identify enhanced activation of caspase-8 dependent apoptosis, but not other cell death pathways, in type I IFN and UVB-exposed KCs. In vivo, overexpression of epidermal Ifnk resulted in increased apoptosis in murine skin after UVB treatment. This increase in KC apoptosis was not dependent on known death ligands but rather dependent on type I IFN-upregulation of interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1). Discussion: These data suggest that enhanced sensitivity to UV light exhibited by lupus patients results from type I IFN priming of KCs that drives IRF1 expression resulting in caspase-8 activation and increased apoptosis after minimal exposures to UVB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most common malignancies in the world, urgently requires more treatment strategies. Although there has been much research on probiotics, limited research has been done in treating cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum) in the prevention and treatment of CRC. Through Cell Counting Kit-8 and Colony Formation Assays, 8 h and a B. longum count of 1 × 108 CFU/ml were chosen as the best cocultivation conditions with CRC cells. The role of B. longum in inhibiting the progression of CRC cells was verified by a series of functional and immunofluorescence assays. For instance, in vivo assays have verified that B. longum could alleviate CRC progression. In addition, according to the results of in vivo assays and clinical statistical analysis, B. longum could reduce diarrhea symptoms. Mechanistically, by 16S and RNA sequencing, it was found that B. longum could affect the development of CRC by regulating the composition of gut microbes and enhancing immune function. The B. longum might inhibit the occurrence and development of CRC and relieve diarrhea symptoms by regulating intestinal microbes and immune function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vincetoxicum gongshanense Wen B. Xu & J. Y. Shen (Apocynaceae), a new species from Gongshan County, Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. It is similar to V. silvestre (Tsiang) Meve & Liede, V. kerrii (Craib) A. Kidyoo and V. biondioides (W. T. Wang) C. Y. Wu & D. Z. Li, but can be distinguished by the leathery leaves, five basal veins, ovate-triangular sepals, yellow corolla, lanceolate corolla lobes, wide triangular corona and reniform pollinia. Photographs, line drawing, distribution, comparison with related species, and a parallel conservation assessment are provided for this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The texture properties after cooking for 12 min were selected to optimize the sheeting parameters, and the results were verified using the comprehensive quality of dried noodles. The distribution of water, characteristics of gluten protein, and interaction between gluten network and starch were analyzed to clarify the mechanism of the quality of dried noodles. Results showed that the optimal folding angle was 45°, under this condition, the largest anti-extension displacement perpendicular to the rolling direction and the smallest cooking loss were obtained. The hardness and smoothness of cooked noodles increased by about 14% to 17%. Further, the transverse relaxation time of strongly bound water significantly decreased, while the relative content and binding strength increased. The hydrogen bonds and α-helix contents increased by about 68.8% and 53.1%, respectively. Folding and sheeting enhanced the combination of starch granules and gluten network causing, decreased in the average length and porosity of the gluten network. It is depicted from the results that the method of optimizing the sheeting process based on the texture of dried noodles cooked for 12 min was feasible. And the 45° folding and sheeting could help to improve the quality of dried noodles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actuator control takes a pivotal role in achieving stability and accuracy, particularly in the context of multi-axial real-time hybrid simulation (maRTHS). In maRTHS, multiple hydraulic actuators are necessitated to apply precise motions to experimental substructures thus necessitating the application of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)control strategies. This study evaluates the data-driven nonlinear autoregressive with external input (NARX) based compensation for the servo-hydraulic dynamics within the maRTHS benchmark model. Different from previous study, nonlinear terms are incorporated into the NARX model. Online least square and ridge regression techniques are utilized to estimate the model coefficients to achieve optimal compensation. The influence of various model order and window length is assessed for the NARX model-based compensation. The findings of this research demonstrate that NARX-based compensation has significant potential not only in facilitating precise actuator control for maRTHS but also in enabling robust control in the presence of unknown uncertainties inherent to the servo-hydraulic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the "dual carbon" strategy, how to leverage green finance to promote China's wind power industry is a hot topic. Unlike existing literature, this article uses a nonparametric additive model to investigate the impact and mechanism of green finance on wind power development. Research has found that green finance has an inverted U-shaped nonlinear impact on wind power development, indicating that green finance has a more prominent contribution to the wind power industry in the early stages. Further mechanism research indicates that green finance affects the wind power industry through foreign direct investment and green technology innovation. Specifically, with the relaxation of foreign direct investment conditions in the energy sector, the role of foreign direct investment in promoting the wind power industrymore prominent in the later stages. In the early stages, government support was greater, and green technology patents grew rapidly, driving green technology innovation to have a more significant impact on the wind power industry. In addition, the impact of fiscal decentralization, wind power prices, and environmental regulations on the wind power industry also exhibits significant nonlinear characteristics. This article helps to comprehensively understand themechanismand impact of green finance on wind power development, and provides a reliable basis for optimizing green finance policy and effectively promoting wind power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exhausted CD8+T cells represent a distinct cellular lineage that emerges during both chronic infections and cancers. Recent studies have shown that persistent antigen exposure can drive the differentiation of precursor exhausted CD8+T cells, termed Tpex cells, which are characterized as TCF-1+PD-1+CD8+T cells. Elevated Tpex cell frequencies in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are associated with improved overall survival (OS) in cancer patients and heightened responsiveness to anti-PD-1 therapy. In our present study, we utilized multi-color immunohistochemistry (mIHC) to determine the localization and clinical implications of tumor-infiltrating Tpex cells within the TME of human colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues. We also conducted a multi-omics integrative analysis using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data derived from both the murine MC38 tumor model and human CRC tissues. This analysis helped delineate the transcriptional and functional attributes of Tpex cells within the CRC TME. Furthermore, we employed spatial transcriptome sequencing data from CRC patients to investigate the interactions between Tpex cells and other immune cell subsets within the TME. In conclusion, our study not only established a method for Tpex cell detection using mIHC technology but also confirmed that assessing Tpex cells within the CRC TME could be indicative of patients’ survival. We further uncovered the transcriptional and functional characteristics of Tpex cells in the TME and ascertained their pivotal role in the efficacy of immunotherapy against CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linear regression, inverse distance weighting analyses, and Budyko's hypothesis were applied to the Shiyang River Basin. The spatial and temporal characteristics of runoff from the main stream and tributaries in the Shiyang River Basin from 1959 to 2017 were analyzed. Furthermore, the contributions of climate change and human activities to runoff in the Shiyang River Basin were quantitatively resolved. The annual runoff showed a decreasing trend (0.06 × 108 m3/10a), with a spatial distribution pattern decreasing from southwest to northeast. Runoff in the Shiyang River Basin accelerated significantly after 1990, and the growth rate was most significant in the main stem. In addition, precipitation and potential evapotranspiration increased at a rate of 7.44 and 8.46 mm/10a, respectively. The areas of farmland and urban land increased to different degrees, whereas the areas of the remaining land types decreased. The construction of hydropower stations was concentrated in the period 2004–2011. Finally, the contributions of climate change and human activity to runoff in the upper reaches were 81.17 and 18.83%, and the main factor of runoff change is climate change. The contributions of climate change and human activity to runoff in the middle and lower reaches were 15.83 and 84.17%, respectively. The main factor affecting runoff change was human activity. Climate change and human activity are the main factors affecting runoff from inland river basins in arid regions. The results provide parameter support for quantifying the impacts of climate change and human activities on inland river basin runoff and for modeling. The findings also provide a scientific basis for the rational allocation, planning, and management of water resources and the sustainable development of arid inland river basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This meta-analysis aims to refine the understanding of the optimal choice between different cage shapes in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) by systematically comparing perioperative data, radiological outcomes, clinical results, and complications associated with banana-shaped and straight bullet cages. Methods: A meticulous literature search encompassing PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, China Knowledge Network, and Wanfang Data was executed up to October 5, 2023. Inclusion criteria focused on studies comparing banana-shaped and straight bullet cages in TLIF. The quality of included studies was assessed using appropriate tools such as the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for nonrandomized studies. Rigorous evaluations were performed for radiographic outcomes, including disc height (DH), segmental lordosis (SL), lumbar lordosis (LL), subsidence, and fusion rates. Clinical outcomes were meticulously evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and complications. Results: The analysis incorporated 7 studies, involving 573 patients (297 with banana-shaped cages, 276 with straight cages), all with NOS ratings exceeding 5 stars. No statistically significant differences were observed in operative time, blood loss, or hospitalization between the 2 cage shapes. Banana-shaped cages exhibited greater changes in DH (p = 0.001), SL (p = 0.02), and LL (p = 0.01). Despite statistically higher changes in ODI for straight cages (26.33, p < 0.0001), the actual value remained similar to banana-shaped cages (26.15). Both cage types demonstrated similar efficacy in VAS, complication rates, subsidence, and fusion rates. Conclusion: Although banana-shaped cages can excel in restoring DH, SL, and LL, straight bullet cages can provide comparable functional improvements, pain relief, and complication rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about below-ground competition in mixed-species plantations under increasing nitrogen (N) deposition. This study aims to determine the effects of N addition on root competition in coniferous and broad-leaved species mixed plantations. A pot experiment was conducted using the coniferous species Cunninghamia lanceolata and the broad-leaved species Phoebe chekiangensis planted in mixed plantations with different competition intensities under N addition (0 or 45 kg N ha-1 yr-1). Biomass allocation, root morphology, root growth level, and competitive ability were determined after five months of treatment. Our findings indicated that root interactions in mixed plantations did not influence biomass allocation in either C. lanceolata or P. chekiangensis but promoted growth in C. lanceolata when no N was added. However, N addition decreased biomass accumulation in both species in the mixed plantation and had a negative effect on the root growth of C. lanceolata due to intensified competition. Addition of N increased the relative importance of root predatory competition in P. chekiangensis, and increased the allelopathic competitive advantage in C. lanceolata. This suggests that N addition causes a shift in the root competitive strategy from tolerance to competition. Overall, these findings highlight the significant impact that the addition of N can have on plant interactions in mixed plantations. Our results provide implications for the mechanisms of root competition in response to increasing atmospheric N deposition in mixed plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Babesia is a unique apicomplexan parasite that specifically invades and proliferates in red blood cells and can be transmitted via blood transfusion, resulting in transfusion-transmitted babesiosis. However, detecting Babesia in blood before transfusion has not received enough attention, and the risk of transfusing blood containing a low density of Babesia microti (B. microti) is unclear, possibly threatening public health and wellness. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the lower detection limit of B. microti in blood and to evaluate the transmission risk of blood transfusion containing lowdensity B. microti. Methods: Infected BALB/c mouse models were established by transfusing infected whole blood with different infection rates and densities of B. microti. Microscopic examination, nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (nested PCR), and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to evaluate the infection status of the mouse models. Meanwhile, the nested PCR detection limit of B. microti was obtained using pure B. microti DNA samples with serial concentrations and whole blood samples with different densities of B. microti-infected red blood cells. Thereafter, whole mouse blood with a B. microti density lower than that of the nested PCR detection limit and human blood samples infected with B. microti were transfused into healthy mice to assess the transmission risk in mouse models. The infection status of these mice was evaluated through microscopic examination, nested PCR tests, and ELISA. Results: The mice inoculated with different densities of B. microti reached the peak infection rate on different days. Overall, the higher the blood B. microti density was, the earlier the peak infection rate was reached. The levels of specific antibodies against B. microti in the blood of the infected mice increased sharply during the first 30 days of infection, reaching a peak level at 60 days postinfection, and maintaining a high level thereafter. The nested PCR detection limits of B. microti DNA and parasite density were 3 fg and 5.48 parasites/mL, respectively. The whole blood containing an extremely low density of B. microti and human blood samples infected with B. microti could infect mice, confirming the transmission risk of transfusing blood with low-density B. microti. Conclusion: Whole blood containing extremely low density of B. microti poses a high transmission risk when transfused between mice and mice or human and mice, suggesting that Babesia detection should be considered by governments, hospitals, and disease prevention and control centers as a mandatory test before blood donation or transfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forecasting the electricity-to-water conversion coefficient (EWCC) can help manage and plan irrigation water in arid and semiarid areas. However, the EWCC is influenced by several factors, making it difficult to develop an analytical model for validation or prediction. Therefore, this study selected 206 typical irrigation wells in Baicheng City to conduct EWCC tests in a field investigation to gather information regarding the results and related influencing factors. Subsequently, machine learning models (multiple linear regression model, support vector model, and backpropagation neural network) were trained, validated, and tested, and their precisions were evaluated and compared. The backpropagation neural network model was the most accurate, followed by the support vector and multiple linear regression models. The backpropagation neural network model results were consistent with those of the field survey, and this model was thus used to forecast the EWCC for all the townships in Baicheng City. The forecasting models revealed that most towns had an EWCC from 3 to 7 m3/kW·h, with an EWCC greater than 7 observed in the Tao'er River Fan and Yueliangpao District. The BP models developed in this study proved to be dependable and applicable for forecasting the EWCC in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: T cells are the core of the cellular immunity and play a key role in the regulation of intestinal immune homeostasis. In order to explore the impact Moniezia benedeni (M. benedeni) infection on distributions of CD3+ T cells in the small intestine of the sheep. Methods: In this study, sheep pET-28a-CD3 recombinant plasmid were constructed and expressed in BL21 receptor cells, then the rabbit anti-sheep CD3 polyclonal antibody was prepared through recombinant protein inducing. The M. benedeni-infected sheep (infection group, n = 6) and healthy sheep (control group, n = 6) were selected, and the distributions of CD3+ T cells in intestinal laminae propria (LP) and mucous epitheliums were observed and analyzed systematically. Results: The results showed that the rabbit anti-sheep CD3 polyclonal antibody had good potency and specificity. In the effector area of small intestine, a large number of CD3+ T cells were mainly diffusely distributed in the intestinal LP as well as in the mucous epitheliums, and the densities of intestinal LP from duodenum to jejunum to ileum were 6.01 cells/104 µm², 7.01 cells/104 µm² and 6.43 cells/104 µm², respectively. Their distribution densities in mucous epitheliums were 6.71 cells/104 µm², 7.93 cells/104 µm² and 7.21 cells/104 µm², respectively; in the infected group, the distributions of CD3+ T cells were similar to that of the control group, and the densities in each intestinal segment were all significantly increased (p < 0.05), meanwhile, the total densities of CD3+ T cells in duodenum, jejunum and ileum were increased by 33.43%, 14.50%, and 34.19%. In LP and mucous epitheliums, it was increased by 33.57% and 27.92% in duodenum; by 25.82% and 7.07% in jejunum, and by 27.07% and 19.23% in ileum, respectively. Discussion: It was suggested that M. benedeni infection did not change the spatial distributions of CD3+ T cells in the small intestine of sheep, but significantly increased their densities, which lays a foundation for further research on the regulatory mechanism of sheep intestinal mucosal immune system against M. benedeni infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The study aims to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of Gegen Qinlian decoction in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: We systematically searched a total of nine databases from the time of creation to 20 March 2023. The quality of the literature was assessed using the risk of bias assessment tool in the Cochrane Handbook. RevMan 5. 3 and Stata 14.0 were applied to conduct meta-analysis. Results: A total of 17 studies, encompassing 1,476 patients, were included in the study. Gegen Qinlian decoction combined with conventional treatment was found to significantly reduce FBG (MD = -0.69 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.84 to -0.55, p < 0.01; I2 = 67%, p<0.01), 2hPG (MD = -0.97 mmol/L, 95% CI -1.13 to -0.81, p < 0.01; I2 = 37%, p=0.09), HbA1c (MD = -0.65%, 95% CI -0.78 to -0.53, p < 0.01; I2 = 71%, p<0.01), TC (MD = -0.51 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.62 to -0.41, p < 0.01; I2 = 45%, p=0.09), TG (MD = -0.17mmol/L, 95% CI -0.29 to -0.05, p < 0.01; I2 = 78%, p<0.01), LDL-C (MD = -0.38mmol/L, 95% CI -0.53 to -0.23, p < 0.01; I2 = 87%, p<0.01), HOMA-IR (SMD = -1.43, 95% CI -2.32 to -0.54, p < 0.01; I2 = 94%, p<0.01), and improved HDL-C (MD = 0.13 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.09-0.17, p < 0.01; I2 = 30%, p=0.24). Only three studies explored the differences in efficacy between GQD alone and conventional treatment in improving glucose-lipid metabolism and insulin resistance, and some of the outcome indicators, such as 2hPG and HDL-C, were examined in only one study. Therefore, the effect of GQD alone on glucose-lipid metabolism and insulin resistance cannot be fully determined, and more high-quality studies are needed to verify it. Publication bias analysis revealed no bias in the included studies. Conclusion: Gegen Qinlian Decoction has certain efficacy and safety in enhancing glycolipid metabolism and alleviating insulin resistance, potentially serving as a complementary therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Rigorous, large-sample, multicenter RCTs are needed to verify this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Babesia is a unique apicomplexan parasite that specifically invades and proliferates in red blood cells and can be transmitted via blood transfusion, resulting in transfusion-transmitted babesiosis. However, detecting Babesia in blood before transfusion has not received enough attention, and the risk of transfusing blood containing a low density of Babesia microti (B. microti) is unclear, possibly threatening public health and wellness. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the lower detection limit of B. microti in blood and to evaluate the transmission risk of blood transfusion containing lowdensity B. microti. Methods: Infected BALB/c mouse models were established by transfusing infected whole blood with different infection rates and densities of B. microti. Microscopic examination, nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (nested PCR), and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to evaluate the infection status of the mouse models. Meanwhile, the nested PCR detection limit of B. microti was obtained using pure B. microti DNA samples with serial concentrations and whole blood samples with different densities of B. microtiinfected red blood cells. Thereafter, whole mouse blood with a B. microti density lower than that of the nested PCR detection limit and human blood samples infected with B. microti were transfused into healthy mice to assess the transmission risk in mouse models. The infection status of these mice was evaluated through microscopic examination, nested PCR tests, and ELISA. Results: The mice inoculated with different densities of B. microti reached the peak infection rate on different days. Overall, the higher the blood B. microti density was, the earlier the peak infection rate was reached. The levels of specific antibodies against B. microti in the blood of the infected mice increased sharply during the first 30 days of infection, reaching a peak level at 60 days postinfection, and maintaining a high level thereafter. The nested PCR detection limits of B. microti DNA and parasite density were 3 fg and 5.48 parasites/mL, respectively. The whole blood containing an extremely low density of B. microti and human blood samples infected with B. microti could infect mice, confirming the transmission risk of transfusing blood with low-density B. microti. Conclusion: Whole blood containing extremely low density of B. microti poses a high transmission risk when transfused between mice and mice or human and mice, suggesting that Babesia detection should be considered by governments, hospitals, and disease prevention and control centers as a mandatory test before blood donation or transfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The severe erosion and inadequate mechanical strength are prominent challenges for high-energy gun propellants. To address it, novel PTW@PDA composites was prepared by polydopamine(PDA)-modifying onto potassium titanate whisker(PTW, K2Ti6O13), and after was incorporated into gun propellant as erosion-reducing and mechanical-reinforcing fillers. The interfacial characterizations results indicated that as-prepared PTW@PDA composites exhibits an enhanced surface compatible with propellant matrix, thereby facilitating their dispersion into propellants more effectively than raw PTW materials. Compared to original propellants, PTW@PDA-modified propellants exhibited significant less erosion, with a TieKbased protective coating being detected on the eroded steel. And 0.5 wt% and 1.0 wt% addition of PTW@PDA significantly improved impact, compressive and tensile strength of propellants. Despite the inevitably reduction in relative force, PTW@PDA slightly increase propellant burning rate while exerting little adverse impact on propellant dynamic activity. This strategy can provide a promising alternative to develop high-energy gun propellant with less erosion and more mechanical strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a long preclinical phase. Although late-stage AD/dementia may be robustly differentiated from cognitively normal individuals by means of a clinical evaluation, PET imaging, and established biofluid biomarkers, disease differentiation between cognitively normal and various subtypes of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remains a challenging task. Differential biomarkers for early-stage AD diagnosis with accessible biofluid samples are urgently needed. Misfolded phosphorylated tau aggregates (p-tau) are present in multiple neurodegenerative diseases known as "tauopathies", with the most common being AD. P-tau181 is a well-established p-tau biomarker to differentiate AD dementia from non-AD pathology. However, it is unclear if p-tau181 is capable of diagnosing MCI, an early AD stage, from cognitively normal subjects, or if it can discriminate MCI subtypes amnestic MCI (aMCI) from non-amnestic MCI (naMCI). Here we evaluated the capability of p-tau181 in diagnosing MCI from cognitively normal subjects and discriminating aMCI from naMCI subtypes. We collected matching plasma and CSF samples of a clinically diagnosed cohort of 35 cognitively normal, 34 aMCI, 17 naMCI, and 31 AD dementia cases (total 117 participants) with supplemental CSF Ab42 and total tau AD biomarker levels and performed Simoa p-tau181 assays. The diagnostic capabilities of Simoa p-tau181 assays to differentiate these cohorts were evaluated. We found (i) p-tau181 can robustly differentiate MCI or aMCI from cognitively normal cohorts with matching plasma and CSF samples, but such differentiation is weaker in diagnosing naMCI from cognitively normal groups, (ii) p-tau181 is not capable of differentiating aMCI from naMCI cohorts, and (iii) either factor of Ab or total tau burden markedly improved differentiation power to diagnose aMCI from cognitively normal group. Plasma and CSF p-tau181 levels may serve as a promising biomarker for diagnosing aMCI from normal controls in the preclinical phase. But more robust new biomarkers are needed to differentiate naMCI from cognitively normal cases or to discriminate between MCI subtypes, aMCI from naMCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most effective and widely used chemotherapeutic drugs. However, DOX resistance is a critical risk problem for breast cancer treatment. Previous studies have demonstrated that metadherin (MTDH) involves in DOX resistance in breast cancer, but the exact mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we found that glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase (QPCT) was a MTDH DOX resistance-related downstream gene in breast cancer. Elevated expression of QPCT was found in the GEPIA database, breast cancer tissue, and breast cancer cells. Clinical data showed that QPCT expression was positively associated with poor prognosis in DOX-treated patients. Overexpression of QPCT could promote the proliferation, invasion and migration, and reduce DOX sensitivity in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Mechanistically, MTDH positively regulates the expressions of NF-κB (p65) and QPCT, and NF-κB (p65) directly regulates the expression of QPCT. Therefore, MTDH/NF-κB (p65)/QPCT signal axis was proposed. Collectively, our findings delineate the mechanism by which the MTDH/NF-κB (p65) axis regulate QPCT signaling and suggest that this complex may play an essential role in breast cancer progression and affect DOX sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the safety and feasibility of using a novel purpose-built single-port robotic system (the SHURUI Robotic Surgical System) with deformable surgical instruments to perform retroperitoneal single-port partial nephrectomy. Materials and methods: A prospective study was conducted to recruit patients with a single renal tumor no more than 4 cm. Robot-assisted single-port partial nephrectomy was performed by using the novel purpose-built single-port robotic system with deformable surgical instruments. Patients' demographics, tumor characteristics, and perioperative parameters were recorded and analyzed. Results: Sixteen patients were recruited to the study. The median tumor size was 2.0 cm (IQR: 1.2-2.4 cm). The median R.E.N.A.L score was 6 (IQR: 4-4.5). In 3 cases, pure single-port surgery was carried out, and all the assistance was through the robotic port. Median docking time was 15.5 min (IQR: 14.25-22.25 min). Median operating time was 148.5 min (IQR: 178-238.5 min). Median console time was 107 min (IQR: 92.75-149.75 min). Median warm ischemic time was 26.5 min (IQR: 24.5-30 min). Median blood loss was 17.5 ml (IQR: 10-50 ml). Conclusions: Retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy can be safely performed with this novel purpose-built single-port robotic system (SHURUI) with deformable surgical instruments. Further studies are needed to fully evaluate the role of this new platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]