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Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a gram-negative halophilic bacterium widespread in temperate and tropical coastal waters; it is considered to be the most frequent cause of Vibrio-associated gastroenteritis in many countries. BolA-like proteins, which reportedly affect various growth and metabolic processes including flagellar synthesis in bacteria, are widely conserved from prokaryotes to eukaryotes. However, the effects exerted by BolA-like proteins on V. parahaemolyticus remain unclear, and thus require further investigation. In this study, our purpose was to investigate the role played by BolAlike protein (IbaG) in the pathogenicity of V. parahaemolyticus. We used homologous recombination to obtain the deletion strain 1ibaG and investigated the biological role of BolA family protein IbaG in V. parahaemolyticus. Our results showed that IbaG is a bacterial transcription factor that negatively modulates swimming capacity. Furthermore, overexpressing IbaG enhanced the capabilities of V. parahaemolyticus for swarming and biofilm formation. In addition, inactivation of ibaG in V. parahaemolyticus SH112 impaired its capacity for colonizing the heart, liver, spleen, and kidneys, and reduced visceral tissue damage, thereby leading to diminished virulence, compared with the wild-type strain. Finally, RNA-sequencing revealed 53 upregulated and 71 downregulated genes in the deletion strain ΔibaG. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the two-component system, quorum sensing, bacterial secretion system, and numerous amino acid metabolism pathways had been altered due to the inactivation of ibaG. The results of this study indicated that IbaG exerts a considerable effect on gene regulation, motility, biofilm formation, and pathogenicity of V. parahaemolyticus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic study on the role played by IbaG in V. parahaemolyticus infections. Thus, our findings may lead to a better understanding of the metabolic processes involved in bacterial infections and provide a basis for the prevention and control of such infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Coronaviruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), canine coronavirus (CCoV), and feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), have the potential for interspecies transmission. These viruses can be present in complex environments where humans, dogs, and cats coexist, posing a significant threat to both human and animal safety. Methods and results: In this study, we developed a novel multiplex TaqManprobe-based real-time PCR assay for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of SARS-CoV-2, CCoV, and FIPV. Specific primers and TaqMan fluorescent probes were designed based on the N region of SARS-CoV-2 and FIPV, as well as the S region of CCoV, which demonstrated a remarkable sensitivity and specificity toward the targeted viruses, as few as 21.83, 17.25 and 9.25 copies/μL for SARS-CoV-2, CCoV and FIPV, respectively. The standard curve constructed by the optimized method in our present study showed a high amplification efficiency within or near the optimal range of 91% to 116% and R(2) values were at least 0.95 for the abovementioned coronaviruses. A total of 91 samples, including six plasmid mixed mock samples, four virus fluid mixing simulated samples, and 81 clinical samples, were analyzed using this method. Results demonstrated strong agreement with conventional approaches. Discussion: By enabling the simultaneous detection of three viruses, this method enhances testing efficiency while decreasing costs. Importantly, it provides a valuable tool for the prevalence and geographical distribution of suspected and coinfected animals, ultimately contributing to the advancement of both animal and public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Previous observational studies have reported that thyroid dysfunction is associated with hallux valgus (HV). However, the causal effect of thyroid dysfunction on hallux valgus is still unknown. To assess whether there is a causal relationship between thyroid dysfunction and hallux valgus, we performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study. Methods: The data of the two-sample Mendelian randomization study were obtained from public databases. In this study, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, free thyroxine (FT4), and thyrotropin (TSH) were chosen as exposures. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism were from the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of the IEU database, including 337,159 subjects. Data for FT4 and TSH (72,167 subjects) were extracted from the ThyroidOmics Consortium. HV was used as the outcome. The SNPs associated with HV were selected from a GWAS of 202,617 individuals in the fignngen database. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the primary analysis. Four complementary methods were applied, including MR-presso, MR-Egger, and weighted median. In addition, Cochran's Q test, MR-presso, MR-Egger regression, and the leave-one-out test were used as sensitivity analysis, and the MR-pleiotropy test was performed to examine pleiotropy. Results: According to the results of IVW, we found that there was a causal relationship between hypothyroidism and HV, and hypothyroidism increased the incidence of HV (OR = 2.838 (95% CI: 1.116-7.213); p = 0.028). There were no significant causal effects of hyperthyroidism, FT4, and TSH on HV (p > 0.05). Sensitivity analyses showed that the results were robust and reliable, and no horizontal pleiotropy was detected. Conclusions: Our findings provided genetic support that hypothyroidism might increase the risk of HV. It will predict the occurrence of HV in patients with hypothyroidism and provide suggestions for early prevention and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyimide (PI) films with extremely high breakdown strength (451 kV/mm), energy density (5.2 J/cm³), and discharge efficiency (86.7%) at the room temperature are fabricated by simple solution casting method. Barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanoparticles are introduced into PI matrix, giving rise to enhanced dielectric permittivity (6.8) and low dielectric loss (0.012). Dielectric and energy storage performances of the BTO/PI nanocomposites are thoroughly investigated up to 200 °C. The breakdown strengths of both pure PI and BTO/PI nanocomposites decrease dramatically with the increase in the temperature, owing to the low thermal conductivity of PI and the consequent thermal runaway caused by the accumulation of Joule heat under high electric field. Despite of the enhanced electric displacement, BTO/PI nanocomposites exhibit low discharge energy density due to the substantially compromised breakdown strength induced by the BTO nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to analyze the effect of lyophilized recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide on the endothelial function of patients with acute myocardial infarction. Methods: One hundred and thirty-six patients with acute myocardial infarction in our hospital were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group (68 cases each). The patients in the control group were treated by conventional treatment. The patients in the experimental group were treated with lyophilized recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide besides the conventional treatment. The levels of flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), serum nitric oxide (NO), and endothelin-1 were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results: Before treatment, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the level of FMD (P>0.05); after treatment, the level of FMD in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); before treatment, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the levels of serum NO and endothelin-1 (P>0.05); after treatment, the levels of serum NO and endothelin-1 in the experimental group significantly improved, which were better than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Lyophilized recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide can improve the FMD, increase the content of NO in the blood, and effectively reduce the level of endothelin-1, which is of great significance to improve the endothelial function of patients with acute myocardial infarction and is worth clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photophysical properties of two previously synthesized, highly efficient, bright red emitting complexes [Eu(btfa)3DPEPO] (CIE, 0.672; 0.326) (Eu-1) and [Eu(nta)3DPEPO] (CIE, 0.673; 0.326) (Eu-2) (btfa = 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione, nta = 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-naphthyl)-1,3-butanedione and DPEPO = bis(2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)ether oxide) are reported. The complexes have been used as dopants to fabricate several single and double emitting layer (EML) electroluminescent (EL) devices. At the optimum doping concentration of 4 wt%, the single EML device of Eu-1 exhibited a pure red color with an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 2.9% and a maximum brightness (B) = 1320 cd m-2, maximum current efficiency (Zc) = 4.08 cd A-1, maximum power efficiency (Zp) = 3.37 lm W-1 with a very low turn-on voltage (Vturn-on) = 3.8 V. Importantly, the single EML device of Eu-2 at the optimum doping concentration exhibited pure red EL with EQE of 6.0% with the best EL performance: B = 2108 cd m-2, Zc = 8.45 cd A-1, and Zp = 6.98 lm W-1 at a very low Vturn-on = 3.5 V. The performances of this device are among the best reported for devices incorporating a europium complex as a red emitter. Furthermore, the EL performances were achieved at the current density of 10 mA cm-2, thereby alleviating a serious efficiency rolloff as a major obstacle to the development of Eu-complex based EL devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effects and safety of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP) in the treatment of elderly acute myocardial infarction induced cardiac failure. Methods: One hundred and forty-six patients who were diagnosed as elderly acute myocardial infarction induced cardiac failure in the hospital from July 2014 to July 2015 were selected. They were divided into a test group and a control group, 73 each. Patients in both groups were given conventional treatment such as stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques, anti-platelet and remodeling and reversion of myocardium. The curative effects and the incidence of adverse reactions of the two groups were observed. Results: The overall efficacy of the test group and the control group was 87.7% and 65.8% respectively and the difference had statistical significance (P<0.05). The heart rate, urine volume, n-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide level and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of both groups significantly improved after treatment, and the improvement of the test group was superior to that of the control group (P<0.05). The serum creatinine of the test group remarkably reduced after treatment (P<0.05). The incidence of hypotension and arrhythmia of the test group was lower than that of the control group during hospitalization period (P<0.05). Conclusion: rhBNP can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms, cardiac function indexes and hemodynamic indexes of patients with elderly acute myocardial infarction induced cardiac failure, with a high safety. It can be extensively applied in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction in combination with cardiac failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although deep carbon recycling plays an important role in the atmospheric CO2 budget and climate changes through geological time, the precise mechanisms remain poorly understood. Since recycled sedimentary carbonate through plate subduction is the main light-δ26Mg reservoir within deep-Earth,Mg isotope variation in mantle-derived melts provides a novel perspective when investigating deep carbon cycling. Here, we show that the Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic continental basalts from 13 regions covering the whole of eastern China have low δ26Mg isotopic compositions, while the Early Cretaceous basalts from the same area and the island arc basalts from circum-Pacific subduction zones have mantle-like or heavy Mg isotopic characteristics. Thus, a large-scalemantle low δ26Mg anomaly in eastern China has been delineated, suggesting the contribution of sedimentary carbonates recycled into the upper mantle, but limited into the lower mantle. This large-scale spatial and temporal variation of Mg isotopes in the mantle places severe constraints on deep carbon recycling via oceanic subduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Our previous research showed that icariin (1) and its phosphorylated structural modification (2) improved the survival and attenuated oxidative stress and liver dysfunction induced by duck virus hepatitis. In this paper, we were one step closer to determine the structure of phosphorylation icariin (2) by the FT-IR, HRESIMS and 13C NMR. Anti-DHAV activities of 1 and 2 were compared in duck embryonic hepatocytes (DEHs) cultured in vitro and by artificial infection method in vivo. Additionally, the antiviral mechanisms of replication/release in vitro and the DHAV gene expression in vivo of 1 and 2 were analyzed. Results: Compound 2's molecular formula was C33H42O18P. The results indicated that 1 and 2 effectively resisted DHAV invading DEHs, that they decreased the mortality of ducklings challenged with DHAV, and that 2 performed more effectively. 1 and 2 performed evenly on DHAV release; however, 2 restrained virus replication far more effectively. Since the anti-DHAV mechanisms of 1 and 2 in vitro probably involve suppression of replication and release, 2's better performance in anti-DHAV may result from its far more effectively inhibiting virus replication. Conclusions: The compound 2's chemical structure was defined as 8-prenylkaempferol-4'-methylether-3-rhamnosyl-7-(6"-phosphate)-glycoside. 1 and 2 exhibited anti-virus activity on DHAV. Our results suggest that 1 and 2 might become an anti-virus plant material candidate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large and sudden increase in radiocarbon (14C) aroundAD773 are documented in coral skeletons from the South China Sea. The 14C increased by ~15%during winter, and remain elevated for more than 4 months, then increased and dropped down within two months, forming a spike of 45%high in late spring, followed by two smaller spikes. The 14C anomalies coincide with an historic comet collision with the Earth's atmosphere on 17 January AD 773. Comas are known to have percent-levels of nitrogen by weight, and are exposed to cosmic radiation in space. Hence they may be expected to contain highly elevated 14C/12C ratios, as compared to the Earth's atmosphere. The significant input of 14C by comets may have contributed to the fluctuation of 14C in the atmosphere throughout the Earth's history, which should be considered carefully to better constrain the cosmic ray fluctuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method has been developed to determine high-precision Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios in corals by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (LA-ICP-OES) using aqueous solution standard calibration. Simultaneous determination of the signals of the entire analytical wavelengths by ICP-OES and the high performance of the new type of LA system (Resonetics 193 nm ArF excimer laser-ablation system, RESOlution M-50) improve the precision for elemental ratios. Repeated measurements on a coral base synthesized working standard, BH-7, provide precisions of about 0.4% and 0.8% for the Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios, respectively, which are better than the formerly reported precision by the LA-ICP-MS method, about 1%. Such precision is comparable to those obtained by the solution nebulization-ICP-OES (SN-ICP-OES) method, and is adequate for paleoclimate reconstruction. In addition, the LA-ICP-OES can provide results with much higher spatial/time resolution. Comparisons between the LA and SN methods were handled by measuring along the same track of a coral. The Sr/Ca results by these two methods agree quite well with each other. The LA-ICP-OES method is very promising for the analysis of element/Ca ratios in coral and other carbonates used in paleoclimate studies such as stalagmite. Systematic discrepancy, however, was observed in the Mg/Ca ratios, likely due to the existing state of magnesium in the coral skeleton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which observed the neodymium and strontium isotopic disequilibriums between garnet and retrograded omphacite as well as secondary phengite in eclogite from the Yangkou area, near Qingdao, eastern China. Geological setting and samples; Analytical procedures; Results and discussion.

Presents information on a study which established the U-series dating procedure using the isotropic diluting and thermal ionization mass spectrometric (TIMS) technique. Comparison between TIMS and alpha-spectrometry; Results and discussion; Conclusion.

Presents a study which determined the rhenium-osmium concentrations and the osmium isotopic compositions of the Dongling iron meteorite using the negative thermal ionization mass-spectrometry technique. Analytical methods and results; Discussion; Conclusion.

The article discusses cretaceous gold deposits of North China Craton (NCC), China and Carlin-type gold deposits of Nevada collectively referred to as decratonic gold deposits, describes their formation and exploration opportunities, and presents a geological map of NCC indicating gold deposits.