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Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has become an important etiological driver of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), leading to unique tumor characteristics. However, the interplay between HPV-associated tumor cells and tumor microenvironment (TME) remains an enigma. Methods: We performed a single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) on HPV-positive (HPV+) and HPV-negative (HPV‒) OPSCC tumors, each for three samples, and one normal tonsil tissue. Ex vivo validation assays including immunofluorescence staining, cell line co-culture, and flow cytometry analysis were used to test specific subtypes of HPV+ tumor cells and their communications with T cells. Results: Through a comprehensive single-cell transcriptome analysis, we uncover the distinct transcriptional signatures between HPV+ and HPV‒ OPSCC. Specifically, HPV+ OPSCC tumor cells manifest an enhanced interferon response and elevated expression of the major histocompatibility complex II (MHC-II), potentially bolstering tumor recognition and immune response. Furthermore, we identify a CXCL13+CD4+ T cell subset that exhibits dual features of both follicular and pro-inflammatory helper T cells. Noteworthily, HPV+ OPSCC tumor cells embrace extensive intercellular communications with CXCL13+CD4+ T cells. Interaction with HPV+ OPSCC tumor cells amplifies CXCL13 and IFNγ release in CD4+T cells, fostering a pro-inflammatory TME. Additionally, HPV+ tumor cells expressing high MHC-II and CXCL13+CD4+ T cell prevalence are indicative of favorable overall survival rates in OPSCC patients. Conclusions: Together, our study underscores a synergistic inflammatory immune response orchestrated by highly immunogenic tumor cells and CXCL13+CD4+ T cells in HPV+ OPSCC, offering useful insights into strategy development for patient stratification and effective immunotherapy in OPSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proprioceptive sensory reflex (e.g. stretch reflex) plays an important role in perturbed arm stabilization. Neuroscience studies have widely identified the heteronymous spinal pathways in the human arm, which may contribute to stabilized movement. However, their interactions in living systems pose challenges for specific functional investigations through human experiments. Therefore, this paper concentrates on understanding the effects of two heteronymous pathways, specifically the transmission of monoarticular sensory feedback to innervate biarticular muscles, using the robot. We replicate specific reflex pathways on a 2-DoF musculoskeletal robot equipped with pneumatic artificial muscles. By adjusting the weights of pathways, which resemble human motor control, we evaluate our robot arm performance under the forearm and upper arm disturbances. The outcomes validate their effects on regulating biarticular muscle stimulation, resulting in more stable and coordinated end-effectory trajectories. These reflexive pathways provide insights into the mechanisms underlying human arm perturbations and stabilization. Additionally, the proposed bioinspired system with applicable reflex weights holds great potential in the adaptive response of musculoskeletal robots, guiding robotics researchers in controller design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Cytochrome P450 proteins (CYPs) play critical roles in plant development and adaptation to fluctuating environments. Previous reports have shown that CYP86A proteins are involved in the biosynthesis of suberin and cutin in Arabidopsis. However, the functions of these proteins in rice remain obscure. In this study, a rice mutant with incomplete male sterility was identified. Cytological analyses revealed that this mutant was defective in anther development. Cloning of the mutant gene indicated that the responsible mutation was on OsCYP86A9. OsMYB80 is a core transcription factor in the regulation of rice anther development. The expression of OsCYP86A9 was abolished in the anther of osmyb80 mutant. In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that OsMYB80 binds to the MYB‐binding motifs in OsCYP86A9 promoter region and regulates its expression. Furthermore, the oscyp86a9 mutant exhibited an impaired suberin deposition in the root, and was more susceptible to drought stress. Interestingly, genetic and biochemical analyses revealed that OsCYP86A9 expression was regulated in the root by certain MYB transcription factors other than OsMYB80. Moreover, mutations in the MYB genes that regulate OsCYP86A9 expression in the root did not impair the male fertility of the plant. Taken together, these findings revealed the critical roles of OsCYP86A9 in plant development and proposed that OsCYP86A9 functions in anther development and root suberin formation via two distinct tissue‐specific regulatory pathways. Significance Statement: The cytochrome P450 subfamily CYP86A is very important for plant development. However, their functions remain obscure in rice. Here, we reported that OsCYP86A9, a member of CYP86A subfamily, is critical for the development of anther and root suberin, and these functions are determined by two distinct tissue‐specific regulatory pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polarization crossfire (PCF) suite carried onboard the Chinese GaoFen-5B satellite is composed of a Particulate Observing Scanning Polarimeter (POSP) and a Directional Polarimetric Camera (DPC), which can provide multi-angle, multi-spectral, and polarization data. In this paper, the influence of polarization and the directionality of reflectance in open oceans on the inversion of chlorophyll a (Chla) concentrations are investigated, from 410 nm to 670 nm. First, we exploit a vector radiative transfer model to simulate the absolute and relative magnitudes of the water-leaving radiance signal (I) and the parallel polarization radiance (PPR) to the top-of-atmosphere (TOA) radiation field. The simulation results show that the PPR can enhance the relative contribution of the water-leaving signal, especially in sunglint observation geometry. The water-leaving signal for PPR exhibits significant directional and spectral variations relative to the observation geometries, and the maximum value of the water-leaving signal for PPR occurs in the backscattering direction. In addition, the sensitivity of the PPR to the Chla concentration is sufficient. The synthetic datasets are utilized to develop retrieval algorithms for the Chla concentrations based on the back-propagation neural network (BPNN). The inversion results show that the PCF strategy improves the accuracy of Chla retrieval, with an RMSE of 0.014 and an RRMSE of 6.57%. Thus, it is an effective method for retrieving the Chla concentration in open oceans, by utilizing both the directionality and polarization of the reflectance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is caused by an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. This study aimed to determine the effects and mechanisms of 2′,4′‐dihydroxy‐6′‐methoxy‐3′,5′‐dimethylchalcone (DMC) on exercise tolerance in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐fed mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into two categories (7 groups [n = 8]): sedentary (control [CON], HFD, 200 mg/kg DMC, and 500 mg/kg DMC) and swimming (HFD, 200 mg/kg DMC, and 500 mg/kg DMC). Except the CON group, all other groups were fed HFD with or without DMC intervention for 33 days. The swimming groups were subjected to exhaustive swimming (three sessions/week). Changes in swimming time, glucolipid metabolism, body composition, biochemical indicators, histopathology, inflammation, metabolic mediators, and protein expression were assessed. DMC combined with regular exercise improved endurance performance, body composition, glucose and insulin tolerance, lipid profile, and the inflammatory state in a dose‐dependent manner. Further, DMC alone or combined with exercise could restore normal tissue morphology, reduce fatigue‐associated markers, and boost whole‐body metabolism and the protein expression of phospho‐AMP‐activated protein kinase alpha/total‐AMP‐activated protein kinase alpha (AMPK), sirtuin‐1 (SIRT1), peroxisome‐proliferator‐activated receptor gamma coactivator 1alpha (PGC‐1α), and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha in the muscle and adipose tissues of HFD‐fed mice. DMC exhibits antifatigue effects by regulating glucolipid catabolism, inflammation, and energy homeostasis. Furthermore, DMC exerts a synergistic exercise‐related metabolic effect via the AMPK‐SIRT1‐PGC‐1α signaling pathway, suggesting that DMC is a potential natural sports supplement with mimicked or augmented exercise effects for obesity prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beer is susceptible to mycotoxin contamination originating from infected grains. It could be that mycotoxins are not completely removed during the brewing process and remain in the final product. Nevertheless, there have been no surveys of exposure to mycotoxin for Chinese inhabitants through beer consumption. This study aimed to investigate the presence of eight mycotoxins in 158 beer samples purchased in Shanghai, the largest megacity in China. The multiple mycotoxins determination was carried out using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Our findings revealed that 48.1% (76/158) of the beer samples were contaminated with Fusarium toxins. Deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (D3G) and zearalenone (ZEN) were detected in 34.81% and 16.46% of the total samples, respectively. The significant differences between D3G/ZEN contamination and various beer types were performed. Furthermore, this study performed a health risk assessment for Shanghai residents based on data for Fusarium toxins and ochratoxin A (OTA) present in beer for the first time. The results revealed that the 95th percentile dietary exposures of Shanghai residents did not pose any chronic or acute health risks, either individually or in combination. Dietary exposures to Fusarium toxins revealed different risk levels among residents. The cumulative health risk for women is higher than that for men at the same beer consumption. In addition, the acute risk of DONs exposure for adults deserves concern. The insights obtained from this study may be of assistance for beer manufacturers and governmental regulators to further develop beer monitoring and guarantee public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]