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Oestrogen related receptor α participated in the regulation of oxidative metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis, and was overexpressed in many cancers including triple-negative breast cancer. A set of new ERRα inverse agonists based on p-nitrobenzenesulfonamide template were discovered and compound 11 with high potent activity (IC50 = 0.80 μM) could significantly inhibit the transcription of ERRα-regulated target genes. By regulating the downstream signalling pathway, compound 11 could suppress the migration and invasion of the ER-negative MDA-MB-231 cell line. Furthermore, compound 11 demonstrated a significant growth suppression of breast cancer xenograft tumours in vivo (inhibition rate 23.58%). The docking results showed that compound 11 could form hydrogen bonds with Glu331 and Arg372 in addition to its hydrophobic interaction with ligand-binding domain. Our data implied that compound 11 represented a novel and effective ERRα inverse agonist, which had broad application prospects in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.

Abstract Selecting optimum planting time (PT) in maize–soybean relay intercropping system (MSRI) is important to obtain higher intercrop yields because planting time decides the co‐growth duration and competitive ability of intercrop species in MSRI. However, little is known on how planting time (co‐growth duration) changes the interspecific interaction resulting in a seed‐yield difference between intercropping and sole cropping system. Therefore, this field study was initiated to determine the effects of changing co‐growth duration on competitive interactions, growth, and yield of intercrop species under MSRI. The sole soybean and relay‐cropped soybean were planted on PT1 (15–20 May, 90 days of co‐growth duration in MSRI); PT2 (5–10 June, 70 days of co‐growth duration in MSRI); and PT3 (25–30 June, 50 days of co‐growth duration in MSRI) to generate different size‐asymmetric competition between component crops in MSRI. Results showed that sole soybean produced the mean highest (2.93 t/ha) seed yield under PT2, and the mean lowest (2.51 t/ha) seed yield under PT1. However, in MSRI, PT3 increased the soybean yield by 29.1% and 13.3% compared to PT1 and PT2, respectively. The PT3 also increased the maize yield by 7.4% and 2.9% than PT1 and PT2, respectively, and it reduced the yield differences of maize and soybean between relay intercropping and sole cropping systems. In MSRI, decreased co‐growth duration promoted the soybean plants to achieve the higher crop growth rate, and biomass accumulation, which ultimately improved the soybean resilience toward size‐asymmetric competition created by maize plants. Furthermore, as compared to PT1 and PT2, planting time PT3 significantly increased the competitive ratio (by 10.1% and 17.3%, respectively) of soybean plants. Overall, the PT3 achieved the average highest land equivalent ratio of 1.63, which is significantly higher than PT1 (by 12.3%) and PT2 (by 10.6%). In conclusion, this study implied that in MSRI, the determination of proper soybean planting time (co‐growth duration) is one of the most critical factors to reduce the competition between the intercrops and to obtain higher crop yields.

Estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα), which is overexpressed in a variety of cancers has been considered as an effective target for anticancer therapy. ERRα inverse agonists have been proven to effectively inhibit the migration and invasion of cancer cells. As few crystalline complexes have been reported, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out in this study to deepen the understanding of the interaction mechanism between inverse agonists and ERRα. The binding free energy was analyzed by the MM-GBSA method. The results show that the total binding free energy was positively correlated with the biological activity of an inverse agonist. The interaction of the inverse agonist with the hydrophobic interlayer composed of Phe328 and Phe495 had an important impact on the biological activity of inverse agonists, which was confirmed by the decomposition of energy on residues. As Glu331 flipped and formed a hydrogen bond with Arg372 in the MD simulation process, the formation of hydrogen bond interaction with Glu331 was not a necessary condition for the compound to act as an inverse agonist. These rules provide guidance for the design of new inverse agonists.

To capture more nutrients, root systems of maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) exhibit morphological and physiological plasticity to a localized supply of phosphorus (P). However, the mechanisms of the interaction between light intensity and P affecting root morphological and physiological alterations remain unclear. In the present study, the regulation of P uptake capacity of maize and soybean by light intensity and localized P supply was investigated in a low solar radiation area. The plants were grown under continual and disrupted light conditions with homogeneous and heterogeneous P supply. Light capture of maize and soybean increased under the disrupted light condition. Plant dry weight and P uptake were increased by more light capture, particularly when plants were grown in soil with heterogeneous P supply. Similarly, both localized P supply and disrupted light treatment increased the production of fine roots and specific root length in maize. Both homogeneous P supply and disrupted light treatment increased the malate and citrate exudation in the root of soybean. Across all of the experimental treatments, high root morphological plasticity of maize and root physiological plasticity of soybean were associated with lower P concentrations in leaves and greater sucrose concentrations in roots. It is suggested that the carbon (C), exceeded shoot growth capabilities and was transferred to roots as sucrose, which may serve as both a nutritional signal and a C-substrate for root morphological and physiological changes.

In this study, soybean root distribution in an inter-cropping system was influenced by various environmental and biotic cues. However, it is still unknown how root development and distribution in inter-cropping responds to aboveground light conditions. Herein, soybeans were inter- and monocropped with P (phosphorus) treatments of 0 and 20 kg P ha yr−1 (P0 and P20, respectively) in field experiment over 4 years. In 2019, a pot experiment was conducted as the supplement to the field experiment. Shade from sowing to V5 (Five trifoliolates unroll) and light (SL) was used to imitate the light condition of soybeans in a relay trip inter-cropping system, while light then shade from V5 to maturity (LS) was used to imitate the light condition of soybeans when monocropped. Compared to monocropping, P uptake and root distribution in the upper 0–15 cm soil layer increased when inter-cropped. Inter-cropped soybeans suffered serious shade by maize during a common-growth period, which resulted in the inhibition of primary root growth and a modified auxin synthesis center and response. During the solo-existing period, plant photosynthetic capacity and sucrose accumulation increased under ameliorated light in SL (shade-light). Increased light during the reproductive stage significantly decreased leaf P concentration in SL under both P-sufficient and P-deficient conditions. Transcripts of a P starvation response gene (GmPHR25) in leaves and genes (GmEXPB2) involved in root growth were upregulated by ameliorated light during the reproductive stage. Furthermore, during the reproductive stage, more light interception increased the auxin concentration and expression of GmYUCCA14 (encoding the auxin synthesis) and GmTIR1C (auxin receptor) in roots. Across the field and pot experiments, increased lateral root growth and shallower root distribution were associated with inhibited primary root growth during the seedling stage and ameliorated light conditions in the reproductive stage. Consequently, this improved topsoil foraging and P uptake of inter-cropped soybeans. It is suggested that the various light conditions (shade-light) mediating leaf P status and sucrose transport can regulate auxin synthesis and respond to root formation and distribution.

In the title polymer, [Hg2(SCN)4(C26H16N2)]n, the two equivalent HgII atoms are coordinated by one N atom of a bridging 4,4′-bis(pyridin-3-ylethynyl)-1,1′-biphenyl ligand, two S atoms of two thiocyanates and one N atom of a thiocyanate, giving rise to a distored tetrahedral coordination environment. Two thiocyanate ligands bridge symmetry-related metal atoms to form a polymeric chain extending parallel to [001], and another bridging mode is accomplished by the organic ligand that is located about an inversion centre. The dihedral angle between the coordinating pyridine ring and the benzene ring is 11.4 (2)°, and the two coordinating pyridine rings in the organic ligand are parallel by symmetry. The point group of the ligand in the compound is thus close to C2h. The result of the mode of the organic ligands is the formation of zigzag sheets connected via bridging thiocyanate ligands.

Objective: To explore the imaging characteristics of patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) combined with different underlying diseases. Materials and methods: COVID-19 was diagnosed in 153 patients at Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from November 16, 2022 to December 16, 2022, and data were retrospectively collected. All patients underwent chest CT scan from 1 to 14 days after onset and were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of underlying diseases. Forty-three patients had underlying diseases, and 110 patients had none. We compared the differences between the two groups. Result: The comparison between the two groups showed statistically significant differences in age, cough, bilateral lung distribution, diffuse distribution, honeycomb-like changes in the lungs, patchy distribution, large patchy distribution, band distribution, crazy-paving sign, air bronchogram sign, traction bronchiectasis, and pleural effusion. Conclusion: Fever and cough are the most common clinical symptoms in patients with COVID-19. Chest CT showed multiple lesions in both lungs. The most common types of lesions were thickening of bronchovascular bundle and GGO. Patients with underlying diseases had more honeycomb-like changes, crazy-paving sign, air bronchogram sign, traction bronchiectasis, and pleural effusion than those without underlying diseases. Chest thin-slice CT scan provides a key reference for the early detection and diagnosis of the disease.

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of thin-section chest computed tomography (CT) in the typing of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 134 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in our hospital’s Department of Infectious Diseases from December 20, 2022, to December 31, 2022. All patients underwent thin-section chest CT scan with complete clinical data. According to clinical classification, patients were divided into the non-severe and severe groups. Clinical data and imaging features of the two groups were compared and analyzed, and statistical analysis was conducted. Results: There was a statistically significant difference with respect to diabetes mellitus between the two groups, and the incidence of diabetes mellitus in the severe group (45.8%) was higher than that in the non-severe group (25.5%); There were no significant differences in sex, age, average course of disease, and clinical symptoms between the two groups; There were significant differences in the number of lesions, symmetrical distribution, predominant peripheral distribution, diffuse distribution, blurred edge, morphology of large flake and band, vascular bundle thickening, paving stone sign, arcade sign, and fried egg sign between the two groups, the number of lesions >10, diffuse distribution, morphology of large flake and band, vascular bundle thickening, paving stone sign, and arcade sign were more common in the severe group than in the non-severe group, while predominant peripheral distribution, blurred edge, and fried egg sign were more common in the non-severe group than in the severe group. Conclusions: Thin-section chest CT scan can identify the abnormal imaging manifestations of the lung in patients with COVID-19 and evaluate the number, distribution range, and morphological characteristics of the lesions. Combined background diseases, number, distribution characteristics, blurred edge, large flake and band morphology, vascular bundle thickening, paving stone sign, arcade sign, and fried egg sign can effectively indicate the classification of patients with COVID-19. This can provide imaging evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.

Objective: To investigate the applicability of DR Bedside chest radiography and chest computed tomography (CT) scanning for the imaging and clinical diagnosis of severe novel coronavirus pneumonia. Methods: Imaging and clinical data of 43 patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia who were admitted to Beijing Shijitan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from December 10, 2022 to January 10, 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Joint diagnoses by multidisciplinary experts according to the clinical and laboratory diagnosis criteria confirmed that all the 43 enrolled patients were severely infected with novel coronavirus pneumonia. All 43 patients underwent digital DR Bedside chest radiography; of these, 6 patients underwent chest CT scanning as they had relatively mild symptoms. The time interval for chest X-ray reexamination was 1~5 days, with 1~4 reexaminations. The chest CT scan review interval was 1~4 days, with 2 reviews. The imaging findings of chest radiography and chest CT scanning were observed and analyzed. Results: Among 43 patients with severe novel coronavirus pneumonia, 25 cases showed the first digital DR Bedside chest radiographs showing plaques and solid shadows in both lungs, 6 cases of pleural effusion in both lungs, 18 cases of unilateral lung exudation and solid shadows, 4 cases of unilateral pleural effusion, 7 cases of cardiac enlargement combined with pulmonary edema, and 2 cases of suspected pulmonary tumor mass shadows. There were multiple ground glass shadows in both lungs in 6 patients who underwent chest CT scanning. Spot shadows, grid shadows, thickened interlobular septum, and thickened pulmonary vessels and subbronchus were identified in the lesion area. Double lung spot density increased in the chest radiographs; the shadow area expanded in 5 cases and pleural effusion increased in 2 cases. Reexamination of chest CT images showed that 4 cases of increased ground-glass shadow transformed into irregular patchy high CT value shadow, 1 case of new atelectasis and 1 case of new pleural effusion. Conclusion: Digital DR Bedside chest radiography and chest CT scanning are the primary imaging methods for the diagnosis of novel coronavirus pneumonia. In particular, the former plays an important auxiliary diagnostic role when chest CT scan cannot be performed in patients with severe disease, and can greatly assist in the later review and clinical evaluation of the disease during active treatment.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Materials and Methods: NLR and chest HRCT findings of 132 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in the department of infectious diseases of Beijing Shijitan Hospital Capital Medical University from December 1, 2022 to February 1, 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups with NLR cut-off value of 3.0, and their HRCT characteristics and imaging manifestation patterns were analyzed. For the measurement data of normal distribution, the t-test of continuous variables was used between the groups. The data of non-normal distribution are expressed as median and quartile and compared using Mann-Whitney U test. The counting data are expressed as frequency, and the chi-squared or Fisher's exact test was used for comparison between the groups. P10 and the proportion of lesions >50% were higher in the high NLR group than that in the low NLR group. The high NLR group was prone to mixed density shadow, crazy-paving pattern, mosaic sign, anti-halo sign, subpleural black belt, arcade-like sign than that in the low NLR group. The high NLR group was most likely to have nonspecific interstitial pneumonia-like, organizing pneumonia-like, and diffuse alveolar damage-like patterns than that in the low NLR group. Conclusion: Different NLRs have different manifestations of COVID-19 chest HRCT. The high NLR group is more prone to mixed density shadow, crazy-paving pattern, mosaic sign, anti-halo sign, subpleural black belt, and arcade-like sign, as well as most likely to have radiologic patterns of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, organizing pneumonia, diffuse alveolar damage.

Objective: To explore the characteristics findings of early COVID-19 on chest thin-slice non-enhanced CT. Materials and methods: From November to December 2022, data from 153 patients with COVID-19 with positive chest CT findings confirmed by the Department of Infectious Diseases of our hospital were collected. All patients had relatively complete clinical data and underwent chest CT 1-14 days after the onset. The patients were divided into two groups according to their age (≤60 years old and >60 years old) and the time interval between the onset and CT examination (≤7 days old and >7 days old), and the differences in CT features between the two groups were compared. Result: Among 153 patients with COVID-19, the lung (100%), blood vessels (93.5%), airways (73.4%), and pleura (70.1%) were involved. The comparison between the age groups showed statistically significant differences in the number, location, size, volume, and band shadow of the lesions. There were statistically significant differences in the shape, density, organization, fibrosis, and pleural involvement of the lesions between the patients in the time interval between the onset and CT examination. Conclusion: Chest thin-slice CT can clarify the location and scope of early COVID-19. Some characteristics findings can help for accurate diagnosis and differentiation, such as the diversity of morphology, intrapleural and perivascular distribution, interstitial lesions with alveoli as a unit, early mixed ground-glass shadow often accompanied by obvious organization and fibrosis, localized thickening of the pleura, and few pleural effusions.

CT lymphangiography (CTL) is a multimodal imaging method combining direct lymphangiography (DLG) and MSCT. It is an important imaging technology for the diagnosis of lymphatic reflux disorders. In order to better popularize and improve the utilization and success rate of this technology in clinic, this paper reviews the imaging technology and scanning parameters, indications or advantages and disadvantages of CTL, as well as its clinical application value in the diagnosis of lymphatic diseases. The purpose is to enable clinical physicians and radiologist to further understand and to realize the effective development and accurate diagnosis of this technology.

Abstract Logic‐in‐memory devices are a promising and powerful approach to realize data processing and storage driven by electrical bias. Here, an innovative strategy is reported to achieve the multistage photomodulation of 2D logic‐in‐memory devices, which is realized by controlling the photoisomerization of donor–acceptor Stenhouse adducts (DASAs) on the surface of graphene. Alkyl chains with various carbon spacer lengths (n = 1, 5, 11, and 17) are introduced onto DASAs to optimize the organic–inorganic interfaces: 1) Prolonging the carbon spacers weakens the intermolecular aggregation and promotes isomerization in the solid state. 2) Too long alkyl chains induce crystallization on the surface and hinder the photoisomerization. Density functional theory calculation indicates that the photoisomerization of DASAs on the graphene surface is thermodynamically promoted by increasing the carbon spacer lengths. The 2D logic‐in‐memory devices are fabricated by assembling DASAs onto the surface. Green light irradiation increases the drain–source current (Ids) of the devices, while heat triggers a reversed transfer. The multistage photomodulation is achieved by well‐controlling the irradiation time and intensity. The strategy based on the dynamic control of 2D electronics by light integrates molecular programmability into the next generation of nanoelectronics.

Abstract Aim To evaluate the prevalence and influencing factors of anxiety and depression symptoms in surgical nurses during the COVID‐19 epidemic in Anhui, China. Methods A cross‐sectional, multic'entre quantitative study was conducted among surgical nurses in Anhui province. SAS, SDS and SSRS scales were used for the investigation. Data were collected between 3 March 2020 to 19 March 2020. Results A total of 3,492 surgical nurses completed the survey. The average level of anxiety and depression of surgical nurses were higher than that of the Chinese norm. Levels of social support for surgical nurses were significantly negatively associated with the degree of anxiety and depression. Fertility status, participation in care for COVID‐19 patients, likelihood of being infected with COVID‐19 and social support were significantly influencing surgical nurses’ anxiety degree. Similarly, these characteristics were significantly associated with the odds of depression symptoms in surgical nurses. Conclusion These findings suggest that targeted psychological interventions to promote mental health of surgical nurses need to be immediately implemented.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the second common rheumatic immune disease with chronic, invasive inflammatory characteristics. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs (SAARDs), or glucocorticoid drugs can improve RA patients' symptoms, but fail to cure. Broton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors have been proven to be an efficacious target against autoimmune indications and B-cell malignancies. Among the current 11 clinical drugs, only BMS-986142, classified as a carbazole derivative, is used for treating RA. To design novel and highly potent carbazole inhibitors, molecular docking and three dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) were applied to explore a dataset of 132 new carbazole carboxamide derivatives. The established comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) (q² = 0.761, r² = 0.933) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) (q² = 0.891, r² = 0.988) models obtained high predictive and satisfactory values. CoMFA/CoMSIA contour maps demonstrated that bulky substitutions and hydrogen-bond donors were preferred at R1 and 1-position, respectively, and introducing hydrophilic substitutions at R1 and R4 was important for improving BTK inhibitory activities. These results will contribute to the design of novel and highly potent BTK inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) is associated with an incremental risk of esophageal varices and overt clinical decompensations. However, hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement, the gold standard for defining CSPH (HVPG≥10 mm Hg) is invasive and therefore not suitable for routine clinical practice. This study aims to develop and validate a radiomics-based model as a noninvasive method for accurate detection of CSPH in cirrhosis.The prospective multicenter diagnostic trial (CHESS1701, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03138915) involved 385 patients with cirrhosis from five liver centers in China between August 2016 and September 2017. Patients who had both HVPG measurement and contrast-enhanced CT within 14 days prior to the catheterization were collected. The noninvasive radiomics model, termed rHVPG for CSPH was developed based on CT images in a training cohort consisted of 222 consecutive patients and the diagnostic performance was prospectively assessed in 163 consecutive patients in four external validation cohorts.rHVPG showed a good performance in detection of CSPH with a C-index of 0·849 (95%CI: 0·786–0·911). Application of rHVPG in four external prospective validation cohorts still gave excellent performance with the C-index of 0·889 (95%CI: 0·752–1·000, 0·800 (95%CI: 0·614–0·986), 0·917 (95%CI: 0·772–1·000), and 0·827 (95%CI: 0·618–1·000), respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficients for inter- and intra-observer agreement were 0·92–0·99 and 0·97–0·99, respectively.A radiomics signature was developed and prospectively validated as an accurate method for noninvasive detection of CSPH in cirrhosis. The tool of rHVPG assessment can facilitate the identification of CSPH rapidly when invasive transjugular procedure is not available. Keywords: Portal hypertension, Liver cirrhosis, Hepatic venous pressure gradient, Radiomics, Noninvasive

Polyacrylonitrile nan of iber (PANN) membrane fabricated by electrospinning was adopted for the first time as the reactive medium to remove metal ions from the contaminated soils. Characteristics of metal ion remediation by electrokinetics/PANN permeable reactive barrier (EK/PANNPRB) were investigated. Applied voltages, initial metal ion concentrations and soil pH were changed to explore the adsorb and complexion behavior of PANN with metal ions. The results showed EK/PANNPRB had higher removal efficiency than EK without PRB. The metal ion removal efficiencies by PANNPRB decreased when the applied voltage was increased. The lower the initial metal ion concentrations and soil pH, the better were the removal rates. At the applied voltage of 25 V, metal ion concentrations of 5, 10, and 100 mg L-1 and pH of 1.2, the removal rates of Zn2+, Fe3+, and Ca2+ were 99.15%, 98.03%, and 99.73%, respectively. The results indicated that EK/PANNPRB system was suitable for the remediation of soil contaminated by metal ions with removal rates much higher than those exhibited by the EK system without modified PRB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]