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Objective: Biomaterials loaded with ingredients derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are viewed as a promising strategy for treating spinal cord injury (SCI). However, a comprehensive analysis of the existing literature on this topic has not yet been conducted. Therefore, this paper systematically reviews researches related to this approach, aiming to identify gaps and shortcomings in the field. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched for retrieving studies on biomaterials loaded with TCM ingredients published from their inception to October 2024. Two reviewers performed screening of search results, information extraction, and literature quality assessment independently. Results: For this systematic review, 41 publications were included. Six TCM ingredients-paclitaxel, curcumin, tetramethylpyrazine, resveratrol, berberine, and tanshinone IIA were combined with biomaterials for treatment of SCI. Biomaterials were categorized into hydrogels, biodegradable scaffolds, nanoparticles, and microspheres according to the type of scaffold. These drug delivery systems exhibit commendable biocompatibility, drug-loading capacity, and drug-release capabilities, and in combination with TCM ingredients, synergistically contribute to anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-apoptotic effects. Conclusion: These studies demonstrated the efficacy of biomaterials loaded with TCM ingredients in facilitating motor function recovery and neuroprotection in SCI rats, providing evidence for future research. However, in the complex microenvironment of SCI, achieving the maximum drug loading capacity of TCM ingredients within biomaterials, along with sustained and controlled release to fully exert their pharmacological effects, remains a major challenge for future research. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ identifier CRD42024505000. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile Phone Addiction represents an emergent addictive disorder that gravely jeopardizes the physical and mental health of adolescents worldwide, necessitating exhaustive research. Current reviews of MPA are in dire need of updates and enhancements. Therefore, this review aggregates the extant research spanning the past two decades on the prevalence, pathogenesis, comorbidities, assessment, and treatment of MPA, aiming to furnish a reference for future investigations into this condition. Pathogenesis, pathophysiology, assessment and treatment of MPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Urine-derived exosomes could potentially be biomarkers for bladder cancer (BC) diagnosis. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the diagnostic worth of urine-derived exosomes in BC patients through a meta-analysis of diverse studies. Methods: A systematic search was carried out in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane, and CNKI databases to obtain the literature concerning the diagnosis of BC via urine-derived exosomes. A literature retrieval strategy was devised to pick articles and extract needed data from the literature. QUADS-2 was used to evaluate the quality of the included literatures, and the aggregated diagnostic effect was assessed by calculating the area under the aggregated SROC curve. All statistical analyses and plots were conducted with STATA 14.0 and RevMan5.3. Results: A total of 678 articles were retrieved by means of the search strategy of the online database. Through screening, 21 articles were obtained, involving 3348 participants and 77 studies. The meta-analysis of the results indicated that urinary exosomes had a combined sensitivity of 0.75, a specificity of 0.77, and a combined AUC of 0.83 for the diagnosis of BC, suggesting that urine-derived exosomes have a relatively satisfactory diagnostic effect in the detection of BC. Among the subgroups classified by biomarker, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) had the highest comprehensive sensitivity (SEN = 0.78), and miRNAs had the highest comprehensive specificity (SPN = 0.81). In other subgroup analyses, the biomarker panel for multiple exosomes combined diagnosis demonstrated the best diagnostic efficacy, with a combined the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.87. Conclusions: As a novel biomarker, urine-derived exosomes have significant diagnostic prospects in the diagnosis of BC. Nevertheless, their application in clinical settings still demands a considerable number of clinical trials to confirm their clinical feasibility and practicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a data set of a fire-induced collapse on an existing building with a truss roof. The data set contains the thermal and structural responses of the tested building, the mass loss of the fuel, the heat release rates, and the videos of the entire test. The test building and basic test scheme are introduced first. Then, the monitoring points and corresponding equipment are presented. All data obtained have been converted to a unified format and uploaded to a published data set. Detailed data formats and processing methods are introduced, and metadata are provided. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first open-access test data on fire-induced collapse of a real building, which is of great significance for further investigations on fire-induced building collapse and performance-based design for fire safety of buildings. This data set can be used to validate the existing temperature distribution models and develop deep-learning models in structural fire engineering. Moreover, the data set can validate and develop some cutting-edge theories and techniques in structural fire engineering, such as the approaches for the early-warning collapse of structures exposed to fire and the synchronous noncontact acquisition of structural deformation in fire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Insect pests have garnered increasing interest because of anthropogenic global change, and their sustainable management requires knowledge of population habitat use and spread patterns. To enhance this knowledge for the prevalent tea pest Empoasca onukii, we utilized a random forest algorithm and a bivariate map to develop and integrate models of its habitat suitability and genetic connectivity across China. RESULTS: Our modeling revealed heterogeneous spatial patterns in suitability and connectivity despite the common key environmental predictor of isothermality. Analyses indicated that tea cultivation in areas surrounding the Tibetan Plateau and the southern tip of China may be at low risk of population outbreaks because of their predicted low suitability and connectivity. However, regions along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River should consider the high abundance and high recolonization potential of E. onukii, and thus the importance of control measures. Our results also emphasized the need to prevent dispersal from outside regions in the areas north of the Yangtze River and highlighted the effectiveness of internal management efforts in southwestern China and along the southeastern coast. Further projections under future conditions suggested the potential for increased abundance and spread in regions north of the Yangtze River and the southern tip of China, and indicated the importance of long‐term monitoring efforts in these areas. CONCLUSION: These findings highlighted the significance of combining information on habitat use and spread patterns for spatially explicit pest management planning. In addition, the approaches we used have potential applications in the management of other pest systems and the conservation of endangered biological resources. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly integrated information sharing among people, vehicles, roads, and cloud systems, along with the rapid development of autonomous driving technologies, has spurred the evolution of automobiles from simple "transportation tools" to interconnected "intelligent systems". The intelligent cockpit is a comprehensive application space for various new technologies in intelligent vehicles, encompassing the domains of driving control, riding comfort, and infotainment. It provides drivers and passengers with safety, comfort, and pleasant driving experiences, serving as the gateway for traditional automobile manufacturing to upgrade towards an intelligent automotive industry ecosystem. This is the optimal convergence point for the intelligence, connectivity, electrification, and sharing of automobiles. Currently, the form, functions, and interaction methods of the intelligent cockpit are gradually changing, transitioning from the traditional "human adapts to the vehicle" viewpoint to the "vehicle adapts to human", and evolving towards a future of natural interactive services where "humans and vehicles mutually adapt". This article reviews the definitions, intelligence levels, functional domains, and technical frameworks of intelligent automotive cockpits. Additionally, combining the core mechanisms of human–machine interactions in intelligent cockpits, this article proposes an intelligent-cockpit human–machine interaction process and summarizes the current state of key technologies in intelligent-cockpit human–machine interactions. Lastly, this article analyzes the current challenges faced in the field of intelligent cockpits and forecasts future trends in intelligent cockpit technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This paper addresses the problem of adaptive tracking control for multi‐input and multi‐output (MIMO) non‐strict feedback systems with unmodeled dynamics and full state time‐varying constraints. To tackle the interference of unmodeled dynamics, the dynamic signal generated by the auxiliary system is used. Hyperbolic tangent function is used as a nonlinear mapping tool to transform the constrained system into an unconstrained one. Hysteresis quantizer is introduced to mitigate the chattering phenomenon and quantization error in the quantization signal. The derivative of virtual signal can be approximated more efficiently by command filter. Furthermore, an error compensation mechanism is established to mitigate the error introduced by the command filter. Unknown nonlinear functions are approximated by radial basis function neural networks (RBFNNs). Stability analysis of the proposed controller is performed through the Lyapunov stability theory and the output tracking error can be constrained within a specified range. Finally, simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, using a three‐dimensional multifluid MHD model, we studied the effects of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) clock angle and the latitude position of the intense crustal magnetic field (ICMF) on the escape of ions O+, O2+ ${\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{2}}^{+}$, and CO2+ ${\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{2}}^{+}$ at Mars. The main results are as follows: (a) The IMF clock angle affects the ion escape at Mars. When the ICMF is on the dayside, the ion escape rate reaches a maximum at the IMF clock angles close to 60°–90° and a minimum at the IMF clock angles close to 120°–150°, because the ICMF can change the topology of the magnetic field and affect the interaction between the solar wind and Mars. The difference between the maximum and minimum ion escape rates due to the IMF clock angle can reach over 50%. (b) Compared with the −ESW hemisphere, the escape flux of O2+ ${\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{2}}^{+}$ and CO2+ ${\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{2}}^{+}$ in the +ESW hemisphere is more significant. However, O+ generally has a larger escape flux in the −ESW hemisphere. The different results in the ±ESW hemispheres might be due to the larger distribution of the hot oxygen corona, which changes the flow pattern of O+. (c) The latitude location of the ICMF can also affect the ion escape. When the ICMF is on the dayside, as the subsolar point varies from 25°S to 25°N, that is, the intense crustal magnetic field position keeps shifting southward, the ion escape rate shows a gradual increase. Plain Language Summary: Ion escape on Mars refers to the process by which ions in the Martian atmosphere are carried away into space by the solar wind. Generally, the solar activity, the solar wind, the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), and the remaining crustal magnetic field can affect the ion escape. The effect of the IMF clock angle on the ion escape at Mars under a real crustal magnetic field model has not been investigated. In addition, the influence of the latitude location of the intense crustal field on the ion escape at Mars has not been reported. In this paper, using a three‐dimensional multifluid MHD model, we study the effects of the IMF clock angle and the latitude location of the intense crustal magnetic field on the escape of ions (O+, O2+ ${\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{2}}^{+}$, and CO2+ ${\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{2}}^{+}$) at Mars. The results show that the IMF clock angle affects the ion escape at Mars. Contrary to O2+ ${\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{2}}^{+}$ and CO2+ ${\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{2}}^{+}$ (O+ generally has a larger escape flux in the −ESW hemisphere. The ion escape rate increases when the intense crustal magnetic field is on the dayside and keeps shifting southward. Key Points: The IMF clock angle affects the ion escape at MarsContrary to O2+ ${\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{2}}^{+}$ and CO2+ ${\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{2}}^{+}$, O+ generally has a larger escape flux in the −ESW hemisphereWhen the intense crustal magnetic field is on the dayside and keeps shifting southward, the ion escape rate increases [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a crucial component of hierarchical diagnosis and treatment systems, medical alliances in China are responsible for promoting the downward allocation of high-quality medical resources. Remote consultation, as an essential means to achieve this goal, is of practical importance in the realization of resource sharing between hospitals within medical alliances in China. The existing research on the construction of remote consultations within medical alliances has achieved fruitful results in both theory and practice. However, the establishment of remote consultation involves many factors, and the current research mainly focuses on the influence of traditional economic profit and loss on the construction of remote consultation. In view of the practical problems existing in the operation of medical and health services in China, such as the need to improve the capacity of primary medical and health services and the poor sinking effect of high-quality medical resources, it is of great importance to systematically study the promotion strategy of the construction of remote consultation within the medical alliance to build a reasonable order of medical treatment. Therefore, by determining the logical path formed by the remote consultation channel and on the basis of traditional profit and loss parameters, this paper fully considers the relevant influence of the resource sinking utility caused by the remote consultation channel. The stability of the evolutionary system is analyzed, and a numerical simulation is used to explore the impact of key parameters on system evolution. The research results indicate that the establishment of a remote consultation system between hospitals at different levels is primarily influenced by factors such as the initial proportion of the establishment strategy chosen by both parties, the establishment cost, the distribution proportion of the government subsidy, the distribution proportion of the economic benefit, and the effectiveness proportion in the utility derived from the downward allocation of resources and reputational damage. The findings suggest that moderate to high levels of reputation loss do not significantly influence the final decision-making process for either party. Government subsidies can have an impact on hospital decision-making in the early stages, and in the long term, the resource sinking utility is more appealing than the economic benefits. To a certain extent, this study enriches the related research on remote consultation and the sinking of high-quality medical resources, provides reliable theoretical and method support for the sinking of high-quality medical resources, promotes the construction of remote consultation in medical alliances in China, and provides a decision-making reference and basis for the government and health administrative departments to formulate relevant policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intracellular bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila modulates host cell functions by secreting multiple effectors with diverse biochemical activities. In particular, effectors of the SidE family interfere with host protein ubiquitination in a process that involves production of phosphoribosyl ubiquitin (PR-Ub). Here, we show that effector LnaB converts PR-Ub into ADP-ribosylated ubiquitin, which is further processed to ADP-ribose and functional ubiquitin by the (ADP-ribosyl)hydrolase MavL, thus maintaining ubiquitin homeostasis in infected cells. Upon being activated by actin, LnaB also undergoes self-AMPylation on tyrosine residues. The activity of LnaB requires a motif consisting of Ser, His and Glu (SHxxxE) present in a large family of toxins from diverse bacterial pathogens. Thus, our study sheds light on the mechanisms by which a pathogen maintains ubiquitin homeostasis and identifies a family of enzymes capable of protein AMPylation. The bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila secretes effectors that affect protein ubiquitination within host cells, involving production of phosphoribosyl ubiquitin (PR-Ub). Here, the authors identify additional effectors that convert PR-Ub back into functional ubiquitin, thus maintaining ubiquitin homeostasis in infected cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the effect of endoplasmic reticulum associated protein VAPA on spermiogenesis in mice. Methods A conditional knockout mouse model with specific Vapa gene deletion in germ cells (Vapa CKO) was constructed using the loxP-cre strategy. Testes collected from wild-type and Vapa CKO adult male mice were weighed for statistical analysis. HE staining was performed to analyze the histological morphology of the seminiferous epithelium. Immunofluorescence staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to determine acrosome biogenesis in wild-type and Vapa CKO adult male mice. Results The weight of testes from Vapa CKO adult male mice exhibited a significant decrease (P <0.000 1). Specifically, spermatogenesis was arrested at round spermatids in Vapa CKO mice because round spermatids were unable to generate acrosome granule. Conclusion VAPA is involved in mouse spermiogenesis and plays an important role in acrosome biogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aberrant DNA methylation has been identified as biomarkers for breast cancer detection. Coiled-coil domain containing 12 gene (CCDC12) implicated in tumorigenesis. This study aims to investigate the potential of blood-based CCDC12 methylation for breast cancer detection. DNA methylation level of CpG sites (Cytosine-phosphate Guanine dinucleotides) in CCDC12 gene was measured by mass spectrometry in 255 breast cancer patients, 155 patients with benign breast nodules and 302 healthy controls. The association between CCDC12 methylation and breast cancer risk was evaluated by logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. A total of eleven CpG sites were analyzed. The CCDC12 methylation levels were higher in breast cancer patients. Compared to the lowest tertile of methylation level in CpG_6,7, CpG_10 and CpG_11, the highest quartile was associated with 82, 91 and 95% increased breast cancer risk, respectively. The CCDC12 methylation levels were associated with estrogen receptor (ER) and human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) status. In ER-negative and HER2-positive (ER-/HER2+) breast cancer subtype, the combination of four sites CpG_2, CpG_5, CpG_6,7 and CpG_11 methylation levels could distinguish ER−/HER2+ breast cancer from the controls (AUC = 0.727). The hypermethylation levels of CCDC12 in peripheral blood could be used for breast cancer detection. Breast cancer detection could be facilitated by novel blood-based DNA methylation biomarkers. The methylation levels of CpG sites in CCDC12 were higher in breast cancer than those in controls. The combination of four sites CpG_2, CpG_5, CpG_6,7 and CpG_11 methylation levels could distinguish ER-/HER2+ breast cancer subtype from the controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human-level driving is the ultimate goal of autonomous driving. As the top-level decision-making aspect of autonomous driving, behavior decision establishes short-term driving behavior strategies by evaluating road structures, adhering to traffic rules, and analyzing the intentions of other traffic participants. Existing behavior decisions are primarily implemented based on rule-based methods, exhibiting insufficient generalization capabilities when faced with new and unseen driving scenarios. In this paper, we propose a novel behavior decision method that leverages the inherent generalization and commonsense reasoning abilities of visual language models (VLMs) to learn and simulate the behavior decision process in human driving. We constructed a novel instruction-following dataset containing a large number of image–text instructions paired with corresponding driving behavior labels, to support the learning of the Drive Large Language and Vision Assistant (DriveLLaVA) and enhance the transparency and interpretability of the entire decision process. DriveLLaVA is fine-tuned on this dataset using the Low-Rank Adaptation (LoRA) approach, which efficiently optimizes the model parameter count and significantly reduces training costs. We conducted extensive experiments on a large-scale instruction-following dataset, and compared with state-of-the-art methods, DriveLLaVA demonstrated excellent behavior decision performance. DriveLLaVA is capable of handling various complex driving scenarios, showing strong robustness and generalization abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulex simulans and Polygenis gwyni are vectors of many flea‐borne diseases. They were widely recorded in the United States and Mexico between 1970 and 2000. Maximum entropy models were used to explore the habitats of both fleas under different climate scenarios to provide the scientific basis for the surveillance and control of flea‐borne diseases. We screened climate variables by principal component analysis and Pearson's correlation test and evaluated model performance by ROC curve. ArcMap was used to visualize expressions. Under current climatic conditions, the medium and highly suitable areas for P. simulans are estimated to be 9.16 × 106 km2 and 4.97 × 106 km2, respectively. These regions are predominantly located in South America, along the Mediterranean coast of Europe, the southern part of the African continent, the Middle East, North China, and Australia. For P. gwyni, the medium and highly suitable areas under current climatic conditions are approximately 4.01 × 106 and 2.04 × 106 km2, respectively, with the primary distribution in North China extending to the Himalayas, near the Equator in Africa, and in a few areas of Europe. Under future climate scenarios, in the SSP3‐7.0 scenario for the years 2081–2100, the area of high suitability for P. simulans is projected to reach its maximum. Similarly, in the SSP2‐4.5 scenario for 2061–2080, the area of high suitability for P. gwyni is expected to reach its maximum. Under global climate change, there is a large range in the potential distribution for both fleas, with an overall upward trend in the area of habitat under future climate scenarios. Governments should develop scientific prevention and control measures to prevent the invasive alien species flea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the low clearance rate issue of the anti-blocking mechanism for maize no-till planters in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China, experiments and simulations were conducted to analyze the individual and collective movements of straw under the action of the round roller-claw anti-blocking mechanism. A tracer-based measurement method for straw displacement was applied firstly. Experimental results showed that the straw forward displacement could be characterized by the average horizontal displacements of longitudinal and lateral tracers, while the straw side displacement could be characterized by the lateral displacement of the longitudinal tracer. The straw forward displacement was 58.95% greater than the side displacement. Forward, side, and total displacements of straw increased as the mechanism's forward speed increased from 3 km/h to 7 km/h, with corresponding rates of increase at 233.98%, 43.20%, and 162.47%, respectively. Furthermore, a model of straw–soil–mechanism interaction was constructed in EDEM 2022 software. The relative error between experimental and simulated straw clearance rates was 11.20%, confirming the applicability of the simulation model for studying straw–soil–mechanism interaction. Based on the simulation model, three straw tracers of different lengths were selected to study the motion behavior of straw. It was inferred that despite differences in straw length, the movement behaviors of the three straw tracers under the influence of the anti-blocking mechanism were similar. Additionally, longer straws exhibited greater displacements in all directions. This paper serves as a reference for studying straw motion behavior influenced by anti-blocking mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although revolutionary power conversion efficiency progress has been realized for inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs), the selection and optimization of the hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) are still crucial for fabricating high‐efficiency, stable, and low‐cost PSCs. Nickel oxide (NiOx) is widely used in the PSCs community for material design and modification. However, various NiOx synthesis processes lead to kinds of NiOx, and it is difficult to determine which NiOx is suitable for application in PSCs. Herein, two kinds of NiOx HTMs are synthesized using sol–gel processed and chemical‐calcination‐processed (CCP) routes for the preparation of PSCs. Based on the physical properties of two kinds of NiOx HTMs as well as the corresponding photovoltaic parameters of PSCs, it is demonstrated that superior NiOx HTMs is obtained by the CCP method with the following properties: high transmittance to ensure sufficient sunlight capture of perovskite, appropriate energy levels to promote hole extraction and transfer, high conductivity to support charge transfer, and a good wetting surface to boost perovskite spreading and film formation. Thus, in this study, the direction for the reasonable selection of HTMs is pointed out to prepare efficient PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are hundreds of genes typically overexpressed in breast cancer cells and it's often assumed that their overexpression contributes to cancer progression. However, the precise proportion of these overexpressed genes contributing to tumorigenicity remains unclear. To address this gap, we undertook a comprehensive screening of a diverse set of seventy-two genes overexpressed in breast cancer. This systematic screening evaluated their potential for inducing malignant transformation and, concurrently, assessed their impact on breast cancer cell proliferation and viability. Select genes including ALDH3B1, CEACAM5, IL8, PYGO2, and WWTR1, exhibited pronounced activity in promoting tumor formation and establishing gene dependencies critical for tumorigenicity. Subsequent investigations revealed that CEACAM5 overexpression triggered the activation of signaling pathways involving β-catenin, Cdk4, and mTOR. Additionally, it conferred a growth advantage independent of exogenous insulin in defined medium and facilitated spheroid expansion by inducing multiple layers of epithelial cells while preserving a hollow lumen. Furthermore, the silencing of CEACAM5 expression synergized with tamoxifen-induced growth inhibition in breast cancer cells. These findings underscore the potential of screening overexpressed genes for both oncogenic drivers and tumor dependencies to expand the repertoire of therapeutic targets for breast cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The onset and progression of periodontitis involves complicated interactions between the dysbiotic oral microbiota and disrupted host immune-inflammatory response, which can be mirrored by the changes in salivary metabolites profile. This pilot study sought to examine the saliva microbiome and metabolome in the Chinese population by the combined approach of 16s rRNA sequencing and high-throughput targeted metabolomics to discover potential cues for host-microbe metabolic interactions. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected from eighteen Stage III and IV periodontitis patients and thirteen healthy subjects. Full-mouth periodontal parameters were recorded. The taxonomic composition of microbiota was obtained by 16s rRNA sequencing, and the metabolites were identified and measured by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry-based metabolomic analysis. The oral microbiota composition displayed marked changes where the abundance of 93 microbial taxa differed significantly between the periodontitis and healthy group. Targeted metabolomics identified 103 differential metabolites between the patients and healthy individuals. Functional enrichment analysis demonstrated the upregulation of protein digestion and absorption, histidine metabolism, and nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism pathways in the dysbiotic microbiota, while the ferroptosis, tryptophan metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and carbon metabolism pathways were upregulated in the patients. Correlation analysis confirmed positive relationships between the clinical parameters, pathogen abundances, and disease-related metabolite levels. The integral analysis of the saliva microbiome and metabolome yielded an accurate presentation of the dysbiotic oral microbiome and functional alterations in host-microbe metabolism. The microbial and metabolic profiling of the saliva could be a potential tool in the diagnosis, prognosis evaluation, and pathogenesis study of periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The X-ray spectra of L-shell transitions in Neon-like Xenon ion (Xe44+) have been precisely measured at the Shanghai Electron-Beam Ion Trap using a high-resolution crystal spectrometer. Focusing on the line-intensity ratio of the 3F {2p6-(2p51/23s1/2)J=1} and 3D {2p6-(2p53/23d5/2)J=1} lines (3F/3D), our measurements have achieved remarkable precision improvements over the previous studies. These spectra have been simulated using the collisional-radiative model (CRM) within the Flexible Atomic Code, showing good agreement with the measurements. The previously reported discrepancies, approximately ranging from 10% to 20%, have been significantly reduced in this work to below 1.4% for electron-beam energies exceeding 6 keV and to around 7% for lower energies. Furthermore, our analysis of population fluxes of the involved levels reveals a very high sensitivity of the 3F line to radiation cascades. This suggests that the current CRM, which conventionally excludes interionic population transfer processes, may underestimate the population of the upper level of the 3F line and the cascade-related higher levels, thus explaining the remaining discrepancies. These findings provide a solid foundation for further minimizing these discrepancies and are crucial for understanding the atomic structure and plasma model of these ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversified soil microbiomes are the key drivers of carbon fixation and plant residue decomposition in forest ecosystems. Revealing the elevation patterns of soil microbial carbon cycling in forests is essential for utilization of forest ecological resources. However, the soil microbial diversity and carbon cycle processes in Platycladus orientalis plantations across different elevations are still unclear. Here, we established a gradient with three elevations (118 m, 300 m, and 505 m) on the Beijing Ming Dynasty Tombs Forest Farm, which is located in Changping District, Beijing. The metagenomics method was applied to study the soil microbiome, with a special focus on the carbon cycle process at each elevation. We found the diversity and composition of the soil microbiomes significantly varied across the elevation gradients. The structure of bacteria and archaea was mainly driven by soil total potassium, pH and NH4+, but the eukaryota had no significant relationship with the environmental factors. The relative abundance of genes involved in microbial carbon fixation and decomposition of organic carbon were also significantly impacted by elevation, with the former showing increasing, u-shaped, or hump trends with increasing elevation, but the latter only showing hump trends. The rTCA cycle and 3-hydroxypropionate pathway were the dominant carbon fixation pathways in the Platycladus orientalis plantations. The elevation gradient shaped the microbial decomposition of plant-derived organic carbon by changing soil properties and, furthermore, led to soil organic carbon stock losses. These findings increase our understanding of soil microbial diversity and the carbon cycle across different elevations and provide a theoretical basis for the utilization of forest ecological resources to promote carbon sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskite solar cells (PSCs), the energy level misalignment between the hole transport layer (HTL) and the perovskite layer, coupled with the high-density defects at their buried interface, causes severe non-radiative recombination within PSCs. Herein, CuanCl (carbamoyl-guanidine amidino urea salt, hydrochloride salt) with multifunctional molecular groups is introduced to optimize the WBG perovskite/HTL interface. This strategic introduction aims to suppress non-radiative recombination, consequently mitigating open-circuit voltage loss (Vloss). The findings demonstrate the bifunctional chemical passivation effect of the carbonyl (C＝O) and imine cations (＝NH+–) within CuanCl molecules on surface defects of perovskite, effectively suppressing diverse defect-assisted non-radiative recombination. Furthermore, the surface-bound CuanCl on the perovskite provides supplementary electronic states at the valence band maximum, achieving a more harmonized energy level alignment and effectively inhibiting charge recombination at the interface. The resultant CuanCl-treated WBG PSCs produce a high open-circuit voltage of 1.27 V, and a decent fill factor of 77.28%, which leads to a power conversion efficiency of 19.36%. Furthermore, the devices exhibit superior stability, maintaining 84% of their initial efficiency after 1000 hours in air with a humidity of 40%. This work provides new insight for optimizing a defective interface with the molecular engineering approach for fabricating efficient and stable WBG PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Using in vivo neuroimaging techniques, growing evidence has demonstrated that the choroid plexus (CP) volume is enlarged in patients with several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. However, although animal and postmortem findings suggest that CP abnormalities are likely important pathological mechanisms underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the third most common neurodegenerative disease, no available study has been conducted to thoroughly assess CP abnormalities and their clinical relevance in vivo in ALS patients to date. Thus, we aimed to determine whether in vivo CP enlargement may occur in ALS patients. We also aimed to identify the relationships of CP volume with clinical disabilities and blood-CSF barrier (BCSFB) permeability in ALS patients. Methods: In this retrospective study, based on structural MRI data, CP volume was assessed using a Gaussian mixture model and underwent further manual correction in 155 ALS patients and 105 age- and sex-matched HCs from October 2021 to April 2023. The ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) was used to assess clinical disability. The CSF/serum albumin quotient (Qalb) was used to assess BCSFB permeability. Moreover, all the ALS patients completed genetic testing, and according to genetic testing, the ALS patients were further divided into genetic ALS subgroup and sporadic ALS subgroup. Results: We found that compared with HCs, ALS patients had a significantly higher CP volume (p < 0.001). Moreover, compared with HCs, CP volume was significantly increased in both ALS patients with and without known genetic mutations after family-wise error correction (p = 0.006 and p < 0.001, respectively), while there were no significant differences between the two ALS groups. Furthermore, the CP volume was significantly correlated with the ALSFRS-r score (r = -0.226; p = 0.005) and the Qalb (r = 0.479; p < 0.001) in ALS patients. Conclusion: Our study first demonstrates CP enlargement in vivo in ALS patients, and continues to suggest an important pathogenetic role for CP abnormalities in ALS. Moreover, assessing CP volume is likely a noninvasive and easy-to-implement approach for screening BCSFB dysfunction in ALS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of various intraocular lenses (IOLs), including standard monofocal, bifocal, trifocal, extended depth of focus (EDOF), and enhanced monofocal IOLs, post-cataract surgery through a network meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science was conducted to identify relevant studies from the past 5 years. Parameters such as binocular visual acuities, spectacle independence, contrast sensitivity (CS), and optical quality were used to evaluate efficacy and safety. Data from the selected studies were analyzed using Review Manager 5.4 and STATA 17.0 software. Results: Twenty-eight Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) comprising 2465 subjects were included. Trifocal IOLs exhibited superior uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) compared to monofocal IOLs (MD: -0.35; 95% CI: -0.48, -0.22). Both trifocal (AcrySof IQ PanOptix IOLs group MD: -0.13; 95% CI: -0.21, -0.06) and EDOF IOLs (MD: -0.13; 95% CI: -0.17, -0.09) showed better uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA) than monofocal IOLs. Trifocal IOLs ranked highest in spectacle independence at various distances (AT LISAtri 839MP group: SUCRA 97.5% for distance, 80.7% for intermediate; AcrySof IQ PanOptix group: SUCRA 83.0% for near). Conclusions: For cataract patients who want to treat presbyopia, trifocal IOLs demonstrated better visual acuity and spectacle independence at near distances. Different types of trifocal IOL characteristics differ. EDOF and enhanced monofocal IOLs have improved visual quality at intermediate distances.Therefore, It is very important to select the appropriate IOLs based on the lens characteristics and patient needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for medical treatments to prevent radiation-induced damage to gastrointestinal tissue is crucial as such injuries can be fatal. This study aimed to investigate the effects of apigenin (AP) on the gut microbiome of irradiated mice, as it is a promising radiation countermeasure. Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups, with six mice in each group. Two groups were given food with apigenin (20 mg/kg body weight or AP 20) before and after exposure to 0 or 50 cGy of silicon (28Si) ions, while another two groups of mice received regular diet without apigenin (0 mg/kg body weight or AP 0) before and after irradiation. The duodenum, the primary site for oral AP absorption, was collected from each mouse seven days after radiation exposure. Using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, we found significant differences in microbial diversity among groups. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the major phyla for all groups, while actinobacterial and proteobacterial sequences represented only a small percentage. Mice not given dietary apigenin had a higher Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio and an imbalanced duodenal microbiota after exposure to radiation, while irradiated mice given apigenin had maintained homeostasis of the microbiota. Additionally, irradiated mice not given apigenin had decreased probiotic bacteria abundance and increased inflammation, while apigenin-supplemented mice had reduced inflammation and restored normal histological structure. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the potential of dietary apigenin as a countermeasure against radiation-induced gut injuries due to its anti-inflammatory activity, reduction of gut microbiota dysbiosis, and increase in probiotic bacteria (e.g., Lachnospiraceae, Muribaculaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The performance of oil-filled pressure cores is very much affected by the corrugated diaphragm and the oil filling volume. The purpose of this paper is to show the effects of different corrugated diaphragms, different oil filling volumes and different treatments of the corrugated diaphragms on the performance of pressure sensors. Design/methodology/approach: Pressure-sensitive cores with different diaphragm diameters, different diaphragm ripple numbers and different oil filling volumes are produced, and thermal cycling is introduced to improve the diaphragm performance, and finally the performance of each pressure-sensitive core is tested and the test data are analyzed and compared. Findings: The experimental results show that the larger the diameter of the corrugated diaphragm used for encapsulation, the better the performance. For pressure-sensitive cores using smaller diameter corrugated diaphragms, the performance of one corrugation is better than that of two corrugations. When the number of corrugations and the diameter are the same size, the performance of the outer ring of the diaphragm with concave corrugations is better than that with convex corrugations. At the same time, the diaphragm after thermal cycling treatment and appropriate reduction of encapsulated oil filling can improve the performance of the pressure-sensitive core. Originality/value: By exploring the effects of corrugated diaphragm and oil filling volume on the performance of oil-filled pressure cores, the design of oil-filled pressure sensors can be guided to improve sensor performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study set out to investigate the relationship between serum neurofilament light chain (NFL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and various non‐motor symptoms (NMSs) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: The study included 37 healthy controls (HCs) and 51 PD patients. Clinical assessments of PD symptoms were conducted for all PD patients. The NMSS was utilised to evaluate the NMS burden (NMSB) in individuals. Based on the severity of NMSB, we further categorised the PD group into two subgroups: mild–moderate NMSB group and severe–very severe NMSB group. The amounts of NFL and GFAP in the serum were measured using an extremely sensitive single molecule array (Simoa) method. Statistical analyses were performed on the collected data using SPSS 26.0 and R (version 3.6.3). Results: Serum GFAP and NFL levels in the PD group with severe–very severe NMSB were significantly higher than those in the mild–moderate NMSB group (GFAP: P < 0.007; NFL: P < 0.009). Serum NFL and GFAP levels had positive correlations with NMSS total scores (GFAP: r = 0.326, P = 0.020; NFL: r = 0.318, P = 0.023) and multiple subdomains. The relationship between the attention/memory domains of NMSS and NFL levels is significantly positive (r = 0.283, P = 0.044). Similarly, the mood/apathy domains of NMSS are also significantly positively correlated with GFAP levels (r = 0.441, P = 0.001). Patients with emotional problems or cognitive impairment had higher GFAP or NFL levels, respectively. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that NMSs play a mediating role in the quality of life of patients with PD. Moreover, the combination of NFL and GFAP has proven to be more effective than using a single component in identifying PD patients with severe–very severe NMSB. Conclusions: The severity of NMSs in PD patients, particularly cognitive and emotional symptoms, was found to be associated with the levels of serum NFL and GFAP. This study marks the first attempt to examine the connection between NMSs of PD and the simultaneous identification of NFL and GFAP levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer etiology represents an intricate, multifactorial orchestration where metabolically associated insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and insulin foster cellular proliferation and growth throughout tumorigenesis. The insulin receptor (IR) exhibits two splice variants arising from alternative mRNA processing, namely IR-A, and IR-B, with remarkable distribution and biological effects disparities. This insightful review elucidates the structural intricacies, widespread distribution, and functional significance of IR-A and IR-B. Additionally, it explores the regulatory mechanisms governing alternative splicing processes, intricate signal transduction pathways, and the intricate association linking IR-A and IR-B splicing variants to breast and prostate cancer tumorigenesis. Breast cancer and prostate cancer are the most common malignant tumors with the highest incidence rates among women and men, respectively. These findings provide a promising theoretical framework for advancing preventive strategies, diagnostic modalities, and therapeutic interventions targeting breast and prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite numerous observational studies, the causal relationship between obesity—measured by body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC)—as well as type 2 diabetes (T2D), lifestyle habits, and susceptibility to low back pain (LBP) remains obscure. Methods: This investigation employed two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to explore causality, using genetic variants linked to relevant factors from genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Specifically, we selected independent genetic variants related to BMI, WC, T2D, smoking, alcohol consumption, and coffee intake from established GWASs, all of which demonstrated genome-wide significance. The comparative data for LBP were derived from a GWAS involving European subjects, under the auspices of the renowned MRC-IEU (Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit) consortium. Results: Elevated BMI and WC were associated with odds ratios of 1.002 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.001–1.004, p < 0.001) and 1.003 (95% CI = 1.002–1.004, p < 0.001) for LBP per standard deviation (SD) increase, respectively. Regarding smoking initiation and coffee consumption, the odds ratios stood at 1.002 (95% CI = 1.001–1.004, p = 0.001) and 1.004 (95% CI = 1.001–1.008, p = 0.034) for LBP, respectively. However, an augmented log odds ratio for T2D and each SD rise in alcohol consumption frequency revealed no significant causal impact on LBP risk. Conclusion: Our findings indicate a potential causal link between obesity, smoking, and coffee intake in the genesis of LBP, suggesting that mitigating these factors could contribute to LBP prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freezing of gait (FoG) is one of the most distressing symptoms of Parkinson's Disease (PD), commonly occurring in patients at middle and late stages of the disease. Automatic and accurate FoG detection and prediction have emerged as a promising tool for long-term monitoring of PD and implementation of gait assistance systems. This paper reviews the recent development of FoG detection and prediction using wearable sensors, with attention on identifying knowledge gaps that need to be filled in future research. This review searched the PubMed and Web of Science databases to collect studies that detect or predict FoG with wearable sensors. After screening, 89 of 270 articles were included. The data description, extracted features, detection/prediction methods, and classification performance were extracted from the articles. As the number of papers of this area is increasing, the performance has been steadily improved. However, small datasets and inconsistent evaluation processes still hinder the application of FoG detection and prediction with wearable sensors in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Polysomnographic studies have been performed to investigate the first‐night effect in insomnia disorder. However, these studies have revealed discrepant findings. This meta‐analysis aimed to summarise and quantify the characteristics of the first‐night effect in insomnia disorder. We performed a systematic search of the PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science and PsycINFO databases to identify studies published through October 2019. A total of 11,862 articles were identified, and seven studies with eight independent populations were included in the meta‐analysis. A total of 639 patients with insomnia disorder and 171 healthy controls underwent more than 2 consecutive nights of in‐laboratory polysomnography. Pooled results demonstrated that both variables of sleep continuity and sleep architecture, other than slow‐wave sleep were significantly altered in the first‐night effect in insomnia disorder. Furthermore, the results indicated that patients with insomnia disorder had a disruption of sleep continuity in the first‐night effect, including increased sleep onset latency and reduced total sleep time, compared to healthy controls. Overall, the findings show that patients with insomnia disorder experience the first‐night effect, rather than reverse first‐night effect, and the profiles of the first‐night effect in patients with insomnia are different from healthy controls. These indicate that an adaptation night is necessary when sleep continuity and sleep architecture is to be studied in patients with insomnia disorder. More well‐designed studies with large samples are needed to confirm the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat suitability analysis using species distribution models (SDMs) presents a valuable approach for determining appropriate land utilization strategies and crop planting decisions, which are vital to achieve optimal agricultural productivity and ensure environmental sustainability in the context of rapid global change. Aside abiotic conditions, pests emerge as the most important biological factor affecting crop growth. It can be an effective avenue to comprehensively assess land use suitability by building and integrating SDMs for both crops and their pests. Using the MaxEnt model and a bivariate map, we predicted and integrated the habitat suitability of tea (Camellia sinensis) and its primary insect herbivore (Empoasca onukii) in China. Our study explicitly revealed spatial heterogeneity in suitability between the two species, despite finding that they shared common environmental predictors (i.e., temperature, elevation, and soil pH). Results support South China and Southwest China as the most favorable areas for tea cultivation, while highlighting the adverse climatic challenges on tea growth in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and in the northern regions of the Yangtze River. Meanwhile, analyses emphasize the necessity of sustainable leafhopper management strategies in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and in regions along the southeast coast. These findings demonstrate the significance of comparative analysis on the habitat suitability of both crops and insect herbivores, providing valuable insights for agricultural production planning and sustainable pest management. Furthermore, the methods employed in this study hold potential for the application in diverse context, ranging from the control of invasive species to the conservation of endangered biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein‐stabilized high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs), which are pseudoplastic fluids with shear thinning and high viscoelasticity, are suitable for 3D printing inks. However, owing to the lack of a universal approach to the 3D printing of HIPEs, existing printing materials are unable to meet the developmental, biocompatibility, and safety requirements of various applications. Herein, it is demonstrated that post‐acidification of protein HIPEs enhances 3D printing performance. This method has the advantage of breaking through protein limitations, pH, and other environmental factors. The self‐supporting property required for 3D printing is achieved through the self‐assembly of continuous‐phase proteins into particle aggregates, and interfacial stability is maintained owing to the constant interfacial tension and contact angle. The acid‐induced protein aggregates in the continuous phase do not affect the stability of the modified HIPEs. This work provides a valuable new idea for advancing the application of protein HIPEs in 3D printing through a post‐acidification strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Argonaute (Ago) proteins are ubiquitous across all kingdoms of life. Eukaryotic Agos (eAgos) use small RNAs to recognize transcripts for RNA silencing in eukaryotes. In contrast, the functions of prokaryotic counterparts (pAgo) are less well known. Recently, short pAgos in conjunction with the associated TIR or Sir2 (SPARTA or SPARSA) were found to serve as antiviral systems to combat phage infections. Herein, we present the cryo-EM structures of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-bound SPARSA with and without nucleic acids at resolutions of 3.1 Å and 3.6 Å, respectively. Our results reveal that the APAZ (Analogue of PAZ) domain and the short pAgo form a featured architecture similar to the long pAgo to accommodate nucleic acids. We further identified the key residues for NAD+ binding and elucidated the structural basis for guide RNA and target DNA recognition. Using structural comparisons, molecular dynamics simulations, and biochemical experiments, we proposed a putative mechanism for NAD+ hydrolysis in which an H186 loop mediates nucleophilic attack by catalytic water molecules. Overall, our study provides mechanistic insight into the antiphage role of the SPARSA system. Short prokaryotic Argonaute and Sir2 proteins function as an antivirus system. Here the authors describe structures of SPARSA (a heterodimer of Sir2-APAZ and prokaryotic Argonaute) with and without template DNA and guide RNA, providing structural basis of its assembly and activation by the recognition of the invading virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five undescribed steroids and one sesquiterpene, named Aglaians A–F, along with sixteen known analogs, have been isolated from the branches and leaves of Aglaia lawii. Its structure was elucidated by IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, quantum-chemical calculations, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of six human tumor cell lines were evaluated (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, Ln-cap, A549, HeLa, and HepG-2), and four strains of bacteria (Bacterium subtilis, Phytophthora cinnamomic, Acrogenic bacterium, and Ralstonia solanacearum). The bioassay results indicated that compounds 3 and 5 exhibited moderate antitumor activity with IC50 values ranging from 16.72 to 36.14 μM. Furthermore, compounds 3–5 possess antibacterial activities against four bacteria with MIC values of 25–100 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating studies have shown that chronic exposure to iAs correlates with an increased incidence of diabetes. In recent years, miRNA dysfunction has emerged both as a response to iAs exposure and independently as candidate drivers of metabolic phenotypes such as T2DM. However, few miRNAs have been profiled during the progression of diabetes after iAs exposure in vivo. In the present study, high iAs (10 mg/L NaAsO2) exposure mice models of C57BKS/Leprdb (db/db) and C57BLKS/J (WT) were established through the drinking water, the exposure duration was 14 weeks. The results showed that high iAs exposure induced no significant changes in FBG levels in either db/db or WT mice. FBI levels, C-peptide content, and HOMA-IR levels were significantly increased, and glycogen levels in the livers were significantly lower in arsenic-exposed db/db mice. HOMA-β% was decreased significantly in WT mice exposed to high iAs. In addition, more different metabolites were found in the arsenic-exposed group than the control group in db/db mice, mainly involved in the lipid metabolism pathway. Highly expressed glucose, insulin, and lipid metabolism-related miRNAs were selected, including miR-29a-3p, miR-143-3p, miR-181a-3p, miR-122-3p, miR-22-3p, and miR-16-3p. And a series of target genes were chosen for analysis, such as ptp1b, irs1, irs2, sirt1, g6pase, pepck and glut4. The results showed that, the axles of miR-181a-3p-irs2, miR-181a-3p-sirt1, miR-22-3p-sirt1, and miR-122-3p-ptp1b in db/db mice, and miR-22-3p-sirt1, miR-16-3p-glut4 in WT mice could be considered promising targets to explore the mechanisms and therapeutic aspects of T2DM after exposure to high iAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Thermal reactions affect flavour, but how different thermal reactions influence the flavour of cooked soup has rarely been investigated. Herein, the effect of heat treatment (0–50 min) at different temperatures (120, 140 and 160 °C) on Ruditapes philippinarum soup was studied. The acceptable heating of Ruditapes philippinarum soup was assigned at 140 °C for 30 min by human sensory evaluation and compound analysis. In addition, the detailed relationship between the formation of key volatile compounds and heating temperature was revealed by partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) and the odour coding method. A total of 28 key volatile compounds were selected according to the results of variables important in the projection (VIP) and odour activity value (OAV). Whereas 3‐ethyl‐2,5‐dimethyl pyrazine and 2‐heptylfuran were the most important volatiles produced only in the thermal reaction at 140 °C and associated with cocoa and roasted nut odours. These results indicated the relationship between thermal reactions and flavour formation. The odour coding obtained from OAV could be as a reference benchmark for heating seafood soup products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The epididymis is crucial for post-testicular sperm development which is termed sperm maturation. During this process, fertilizing ability is acquired through the epididymis-sperm communication via exchange of protein and small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs). More importantly, epididymal-derived exosomes secreted by the epididymal epithelial cells transfer sncRNAs into maturing sperm. These sncRNAs could mediate intergenerational inheritance which further influences the health of their offspring. Recently, the linkage and mechanism involved in regulating sperm function and sncRNAs during epididymal sperm maturation are increasingly gaining more and more attention. Methods: An epididymal-specific ribonuclease T2 (RNase T2) knock-in (KI) mouse model was constructed to investigate its role in developing sperm fertilizing capability. The sperm parameters of RNase T2 KI males were evaluated and the metabolic phenotypes of their offspring were characterized. Pandora sequencing technology profiled and sequenced the sperm sncRNA expression pattern to determine the effect of epididymal RNase T2 on the expression levels of sperm sncRNAs. Furthermore, the expression levels of RNase T2 in the epididymal epithelial cells in response to environmental stress were confirmed both in vitro and in vivo. Results: Overexpression of RNase T2 caused severe subfertility associated with astheno-teratozoospermia in mice caput epididymis, and furthermore contributed to the acquired metabolic disorders in the offspring, including hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hyperinsulinemia. Pandora sequencing showed altered profiles of sncRNAs especially rRNA-derived small RNAs (rsRNAs) and tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) in RNase T2 KI sperm compared to control sperm. Moreover, environmental stress upregulated RNase T2 in the caput epididymis. Conclusions: The importance was demonstrated of epididymal RNase T2 in inducing sperm maturation and intergenerational inheritance. Overexpressed RNase T2 in the caput epididymis leads to astheno-teratozoospermia and metabolic disorder in the offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel pyrazolone-based copper complex [Cu(L)(bpy)]∙CH3OH (P-FAH-Cu-bpy) was synthesized and previously characterized to have antitumor properties. This study aimed to investigate its antibacterial properties and action modes against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. By agar diffusion assay, P-FAH-Cu-bpy showed strong antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus with the diameter of inhibition zone of 10.17–12.50 mm and 11.83–14 mm, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the complex were 1.5 and 3 μM, respectively. Destroyed bacteria cells and debris were clearly observed by SEM. At 2 MIC and 4 MIC of P-FAH-Cu-bpy, 1.1683 and 1.9083 pg copper per cell was taken by E. coli, and 4.5670 and 8.5250 pg per cell by S. aureus, respectively. Multi-step resistance selection showed both bacteria were sensitive to P-FAH-Cu-bpy without induction of resistance within 30 generations. With P-FAH-Cu-bpy treatment, the release of nucleotides and proteins and alkaline phosphatase was increased, but the activity of K+-Na+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase and membrane conductivity were decreased in both pathogens. In conclusion, P-FAH-Cu-bpy induced death of both bacteria by destroying the cell membrane structure and blocking energy and exhibited strong antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus without inducing microbial resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clearances in joints are unavoidable due to assemblage, manufacturing errors and wear, which will lead to poor dynamic performances and undesirable vibrations due to impact forces in clearance joints. In dynamics analysis of planar mechanical system, it is usually assumed that the revolute joint is planar joint with radial clearance. However, the axial clearance in the revolute joint and the clearance in the translational joint are ignored. In fact, even planar mechanical systems may exhibit out-of-plane motion due to misalignments. In this work, a planar slider-crank mechanism is used as the example to investigate the effects of mixed clearances on the dynamic responses of planar mechanical system considering radial and axial clearances in spatial revolute joint due to axis misalignment as well as clearance in planar translational joint. The dynamic responses of the planar slider-crank mechanism system with two spatial revolute clearance joints and a planar translation clearance joint are investigated using computational and experimental methodology. The mathematic model of the spatial revolute clearance joint and the planar translational clearance joint are presented. The clearance joints are considered as force constraints and the joint components of an imperfect joint with clearance are modeled as contact bodies. The normal contact force model of clearance joint is established using continuous contact force model. The friction effect is considered using modified Coulomb friction model. Different case studies are presented and discussed to investigate the effects of the mixed clearances on the dynamic responses of the planar slider-crank mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The heat transfer properties play significant roles in the thermal comfort of the clothing products. The purpose of this paper is to find the relationship between heat transfer properties and fabrics' structure, yarn properties and predict the effective thermal conductivity of single layer woven fabrics by a parametric mathematical model. Design/methodology/approach: First, the weave unit was divided into four types of element regions, including yarn overlap regions, yarn crossing regions, yarn floating regions and pore regions. Second, the number and area proportion of each region were calculated respectively. Some formulas were created to calculate the effective thermal conductivity of each element region based on serial model, parallel model or series–parallel mixing model. Finally, according to the number and area proportion of each region in weave unit, the formulas were established to calculate the fabric overall effective thermal conductivity in thickness direction based on the parallel models. Findings: The influences of yarn spacing, yarn width, fabric thickness, the compressing coefficients of air layers and weave type on the effective thermal conductivity were further discussed respectively. In this model, the relationships between the effective thermal conductivity and each parameter are some polynomial fitting curves with different orders. Weave type affects the change of effective thermal conductivity mainly through the numbers of different elements and their area ratios. Originality/value: In this model, the formulas were created respectively to calculate the effective thermal conductivity of each element region and whole weave unit. The serial–parallel mixing characteristics of yarn and surrounding air are considered, as well as the compression coefficients of air layers. The results of this study can be further applied to the optimal design of mixture fabrics with different warp and filling yarn densities or different yarn thermal properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous process architectures for fabric molding are investigated because fiber braided structure is closely related to the performance of fiber‐reinforced composites. However, existing methods for calculating process architectures have to deal with the coordinates of each fiber when modeling the three‐dimensional braiding method without individually controlled switches. The amount of data grows geometrically as the number of fibers and braiding steps increases. A methodology that enables simple and efficient computation of a model of the relationship between braiding parameters and fiber structure is urgently needed. This paper proposes a novel algorithm to trace the yarn carrier trajectories through machine simulation with Euler rotation‐matrix operations. To predict the real fabric architecture, a contraction factor is introduced to optimize the yarn trajectory while considering the volume of the yarn. The optimized fabric architecture is explored and the braiding process architecture with different braiding parameters is simulated according to the algorithm. Based on the exploration of the relationship between the braiding parameters and the process structure, a hexagonal‐annular braiding machine was established, which can fabricate fabrics with different cross‐sectional shapes. The simulation results were verified by the braiding experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is an ophthalmic emergency that typically results in permanent vision damage even despite vigorous treatment. In this article, we describe a case of acute vaso-occlusive retinopathy that presented as the primary manifestation of SLE in the absence of elevated levels of APLAs. After treatment with intravenous steroids, immunoglobulin, intrathecal injection of dexamethasone, plasma exchange, and intravenous cyclophosphamide, SLE was well controlled in the patient, but her vision was permanently lost in the left eye. We also go over a brief review of the currently available literature on retinal vaso-occlusive disease present in SLE. The pathology mechanism of CRAO is related to immune complex-mediated "vasculitis", which is typically associated with neuropsychiatric lupus. However, the literature review identified antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) in only 6 of 19 patients, indicating that other mechanisms besides APS are associated with CRAO. Systemic immunosuppression and anticoagulants are required for the treatment of this severe vaso-occlusive retinopathy. Early recognition and aggressive intervention may prevent severe loss of vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metaverse has attracted great attention from industry and academia in recent years. Metaverse for the ocean (Meta-ocean) is the implementation of the Metaverse technologies in virtual emersion of the ocean which is beneficial for people yearning for the ocean. It has demonstrated great potential for tourism and education with its strong immersion and appealing interactive user experience. However, quite limited endeavors have been spent on exploring the full possibility of Meta-ocean, especially in modeling the movements of marine creatures. In this paper, we first investigate the technology status of Metaverse and virtual reality (VR) and develop a prototype that builds the Meta-ocean in VR devices with strong immersive visual effects. Then, we demonstrate a method to model the undersea scene and marine creatures and propose an optimized path algorithm based on the Catmull-Rom spline to model the movements of marine life. Finally, we conduct a user study to analyze our Meta-ocean prototype. This user study illustrates that our new prototype can give us strong immersion and an appealing interactive user experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NiOx‐based inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted growing attention due to their low cost and large‐scale application potential. However, the efficiency and stability of inverted planar heterojunction PSCs is still unsatisfactory owing to insufficient charge‐extraction caused by undesirable interfacial contact between perovskite and NiOx hole transport layers (HTLs). Herein an interfacial passivation strategy with guanidinium salts (guanidinium thiocyanate (GuASCN), guanidine hydrobromide (GuABr), guanidine hydriodate (GuAI)) as passivator is employed to solve this problem. We systematically study the effect of various guanidinium salts on the crystallinity, morphology, and photophysical properties of perovskite films. Guanidine salt as interfacial passivator can decrease interface resistance, reduce carrier non‐radiative recombination, and boost carrier extraction. Notably, the GuABr‐treated unencapsulated devices can still maintain more than 90 % of their initial PCE after aging for 1600 h at 16–25 °C and 35 %–50 % relative humidity in ambient conditions. This work reveals the significance of counterions in improving the photovoltaic performance and stability of PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the natural environment continues to deteriorate, countries have begun to shift their emphasis to sustainable development, and the study of green shipping—as the main realization of international trade—is an important prerequisite for global sustainable trade. This paper measures the green maritime transport efficiency considering greenhouse gas emissions using the Super-slacks-based measurement (Super-SBM) method, then extrapolates the theoretical model of trade decision covering maritime transport efficiency and maritime transport distance based on the transcendental logarithmic utility function. A panel econometric model based on this theoretical model was constructed, and then the trade effects of green maritime transport efficiency and its transmission mechanism were studied empirically based on the data of 60 sample countries (regions) in five continents from the years 2010 to 2020. The study shows that green maritime transport efficiency significantly promotes China's foreign trade through three channels: promoting technological progress, reducing trade costs and curbing environmental deterioration. Additionally, this effect tends to be stronger for countries that are IMO members and have higher incomes. This article's research helps to provide new empirical evidence to explain the growth of international trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]