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The desynchronization of circadian rhythms affected by light may induce physiological and psychological disequilibrium. We aimed to elucidate changes of growth, depression-anxiety like behaviors, melatonin and corticosterone (CORT) secretion, and gut microbiota in rats influenced by long-term light inputs. Thirty male Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to a 16/8 h light/dark regime for 8 weeks. The light period was set to 13 h of daylight with artificial light (AL group, n = 10), or with natural light (NL group, n = 10), or with mixed artificial-natural light (ANL group, n = 10), and 3 h of artificial night light after sunset. The obtained findings indicated that the highest weight gain and food efficiency were observed in the AL group and the lowest in NL group. In the behavioral tests, the NL and ANL groups showed lower anxiety level than AL group, and ANL groups showed lower depression level than AL group. The NL and ANL groups had delayed acrophases and maintained higher concentrations of melatonin compared to AL group. The circadian rhythm of CORT was only found in ANL group. At the phylum level, the mixed light contributed to a lower abundance of Bacteroidetes. The genus level results recommend a synergistic effect of artificial light and natural light on Lactobacillus abundance and an antagonistic effect on the Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group abundance. The study indicated that the mixture of artificial and natural light as well as the alignment of the proportions had beneficial influences on depression-anxiety-like levels, melatonin and corticosterone secretion, and the composition of the gut microbiota. Key points: • The mixed light can reduce the depression-anxiety level • The mixed light can maintain the secretion rhythm of melatonin and CORT • The mixed light can increase Lactobacillus and decrease Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We purified and characterized a novel ene-reductase (KaDBR1) from Kazachstania exigua HSC6 for the synthesis of dihydro-β-ionone from β-ionone. Methods: KaDBR1 was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation and phenyl-Sepharose Fast Flow and Q-Sepharose chromatography. The purified enzyme was characterized by measuring the amount of dihydro-β-ionone from β-ionone with LC–MS analysis method. Results: The molecular mass of KaDBR1 was estimated to be 45 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The purified KaDBR1 enzyme had optimal activity at 60 °C and pH 6.0. The addition of 5 mM Mg2+, Ca2+, Al3+, Na+, and dithiothreitol increased the activity of KaDBR1 by 25%, 18%, 34%, 20%, and 23%, respectively. KaDBR1 favored NADH over NADPH as a cofactor, and its catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) toward β-ionone using NADH was 8.1-fold greater than when using NADPH. Conclusion: Owing to its unique properties, KaDBR1 is a potential candidate for the enzymatic biotransformation of β-ionone to dihydro-β-ionone in biotechnology applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the abrupt change of winter temperature (ACWT) over the Mongolian Plateau (MP, including Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and State of Mongolia) is of great significance for understanding the spatiotemporal distribution of temperature and the mechanism of global climate change. Monthly temperature data during 1961–2017 was collected, and the abrupt change point was determined by the Mann–Kendall test and sliding t-test, to analyze the characteristics and causes of ACWT. The results showed that (a) The winter temperature has rapidly increased with a trend of 0.41°C/10a, which was significantly higher than that of the rest area of Chinese mainland, indicating that climate change in the MP was more sensitive to global warming. (b) The abrupt change point occurred in 1988, with temperature of −15.5 °C and −14.1 °C before and after abrupt change, respectively. The ACWT in 50°N was 1–3 years later than that in 40°N, and the isotherms of different temperatures moved northward by 10–200 km, especially −16°C isotherms moved approximately 200 km northward after 1988. (c) The Arctic Oscillation (AO) and Mongolian High (MH) anomaly affects winter temperature over the MP. When the AO is unusually strong, the MH and East Asian winter monsoon are weak, and southerly winds prevail in most regions, which is not conducive to the cold air developing southward, leading to higher winter temperature in the MP. Overwise, abnormally northerly winds prevail and temperature is low. Meanwhile, the abrupt change time of AO occurred in 1987 before winter temperature. It shows that the AO indirectly causes winter temperatures to rise by influencing the MH and is also the main driving factor of ACWT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Jianpi Jieyu Decoction (JJD) for treating patients with mild-to-moderate depression of Xin (Heart)-Pi (Spleen) deficiency (XPD) syndrome. Methods: In this multi-center, randomized, controlled study, 140 patients with mild-to-moderate depression of XPD syndrome were included from Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Botou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from December 2017 to December 2019. They were randomly divided into JJD group and paroxetine group by using a random number table, with 70 cases in each group. The patients in the JJD group were given JJD one dose per day (twice daily at morning and evening, 100 mL each time), and the patients in the paroxetine group were given paroxetine (10 mg/d in week 1; 20 mg/d in weeks 2–6), both orally administration for a total of 6 weeks. The primary outcome was the change of 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) score at week 6 from baseline. The secondary outcomes included the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) score, Traditional Chinese Medicine Symptom Scale (TCMSS), and Clinlcal Global Impression (CGI) scores at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th weekends of treatment, HAMD-17 response (defined as a reduction in score of >50%) and HAMD-17 remission (defined as a score of ⩽7) at the end of the 6th week of treatment. Adverse events (AEs) were also recorded. Results: From baseline to week 6, the HAMD-17 scores decreased 10.2 ± 4.0 and 9.1 ± 4.9 points in the JJD and paroxetine groups, respectively (P=0.689). The HAMD-17 response occurred in 60% of patients in the JJD group and in 50% of those in the paroxetine group (P=0.292); HAMD-17 remission occurred in 45.7% and 30% of patients, respectively (P=0.128). The differences of CGI scores at the 6th week were not statistically significant (P>0.05). There were significant differences in HAMD-17 scores between the two groups at 2nd and 4th week (P=0.001 and P=0.014). The HAMA scores declined 8.1 ± 3.0 and 6.9 ± 4.3 points from baseline to week 6 in the JJD and paroxetine groups, respectively (P=0.905 between groups). At 4th week of treatment, there was a significant difference in HAMA between the two groups (P=0.037). TCMSS decreased 11.4 ± 5.1, and 10.1 ± 6.8 points in the JJD and paroxetine groups, respectively (P=0.080 between groups). At the 6th week, the incidence of AEs in the JJD group was significantly lower than that in the paroxetine group (7.14% vs. 22.86%, P<0.05). Conclusion: Compared with paroxetine, JJD was associated with a significantly lower incidence of AEs in patients with mild-to-moderate depression of XPD syndrome, with no difference in efficacy at 6 weeks. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR2000040922) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the effects of Zishen Yutai Pills (ZYPs) on the quality of oocytes and embryos, as well as pregnancy outcomes in patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) receiving in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). The possible mechanisms, involving the regulation of bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), were also investigated. Methods: A total of 120 patients with DOR who underwent their IVF-ET cycle were randomly allocated to 2 groups in a 1:1 ratio. The patients in the treatment group (60 cases) received ZYPs from the mid-luteal phase of the former menstrual cycle by using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol. The patients in the control group (60 cases) received the same protocol but without ZYPs. The primary outcomes were the number of oocytes retrieved and high-quality embryos. Secondary outcomes included other oocyte or embryo indices as well as pregnancy outcomes. Adverse events were assessed by comparison of the incidence of ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy complications, pregnancy loss, and preterm birth. Contents of BMP15 and GDF9 in the follicle fluids (FF) were also quantified with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Compared with the control group, the numbers of oocytes retrieved and high-quality embryos were significantly increased in the ZYPs group (both P<0.05). After treatment with ZYPs, a significant regulation of serum sex hormones was observed, including progesterone and estradiol. Both hormones were up-regulated compared with the control group (P=0.014 and 0.008), respectively. No significant differences were observed with regard to pregnancy outcomes including implantation rates, biochemical pregnancy rates, clinical pregnancy rates, live birth rates, and pregnancy loss rates (all P>0.05). The administration of ZYPs did not increase the incidence of adverse events. The expressions of BMP15 and GDF9 in the ZYPs group were significantly up-regulated compared with the control group (both P<0.05). Conclusions: ZYPs exhibited beneficial effects in DOR patients undergoing IVF-ET, resulting in increments of oocytes and embryos, and up-regulation of BMP15 and GDF9 expressions in the FF. However, the effects of ZYPs on pregnancy outcomes should be assessed in clinical trials with larger sample sizes (Trial reqistration No. ChiCTR2100048441). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the factors related to renal impairment in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) from the perspective of integrated Chinese and Western medicine. Methods: Totally 492 patients with DKD in 8 Chinese hospitals from October 2017 to July 2019 were included. According to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) staging guidelines, patients were divided into a chronic kidney disease (CKD) 1–3 group and a CKD 4–5 group. Clinical data were collected, and logistic regression was used to analyze the factors related to different CKD stages in DKD patients. Results: Demographically, male was a factor related to increased CKD staging in patients with DKD (OR=3.100, P=0.002). In clinical characteristics, course of diabetes >60 months (OR=3.562, P=0.010), anemia (OR=4.176, P<0.001), hyperuricemia (OR=3.352, P<0.001), massive albuminuria (OR=4.058, P=0.002), atherosclerosis (OR=2.153, P=0.007) and blood deficiency syndrome (OR=1.945, P=0.020) were factors related to increased CKD staging in patients with DKD. Conclusions: Male, course of diabetes >60 months, anemia, hyperuricemia, massive proteinuria, atherosclerosis, and blood deficiency syndrome might indicate more severe degree of renal function damage in patients with DKD. (Registration No. NCT03865914) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent advancement of nanocatalysis offers great promise for cancer therapy, and the development of efficient nanozymes for catalytic biological reactions is highly desirable, but still challenging. Herein, we report the synthesis of ultra-small FeOx nanozymes which is enabled by the introduction of Cu2+. The obtained nanozymes exhibit versatile catalytic activities integratively for effective cancer treatment. In particular, the as-synthesized nanozymes display pH-dependent peroxidase (POD)-like catalytic activity and approach the optimal performance at around pH = 4, endowing it with the possibility for the precise treatment of tumors with acidic microenvironment. Furthermore, the FeOx nanozyme possesses a promising glutathione (GSH) depleting capability and allows to reverse the abnormal GSH level in the tumor issues. Additionally, the fabricated nanozymes are able to catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to O2, allowing to alleviate the hypoxic environment of the tumors and improving the function of immune system for the treatment of tumors. More importantly, the FeOx nanozymes showed remarkable stability and maintained the enzymatic activity after six months in storage. Collectively, the FeOx nanozyme was demonstrated as a promisingly effective nanomedicine for tumor treatment by 4T1 cells, providing insight into the rational design of efficient nanozymes for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess whether an enzyme-treated pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) pulp (EPP) could be applied as an ingredient in bread making. The results showed that EPP treated by pectinase, cellulase, and α-amylase had increased content in reducing sugar but decreased contents in pectin, cellulose, and starch. When EPP was added into wheat flour to replace the added water by 25% or 50% (on fresh basis), the generated dough samples after yeast fermentation showed reduced dough volume but enhanced textural indices including hardness, springiness, and adhesiveness than the control dough. The EPP-supplemented bread samples showed close weight and similar composition in moisture, lipid, protein, and reducing sugar to the control bread, but had higher ash and crude fiber contents. Compared with the control bread, the EPP-supplemented bread samples also showed less baking loss, higher values in four textural indices including hardness, chewiness, springiness, and adhesiveness, lower bread volume and specific volume, and were more red and yellow. Image analysis results confirmed that EPP caused higher cell density but lower cell area and porosity in the bread samples. Interestingly, the untreated pumpkin pulp (PP) was more potent than EPP to affect these assessed indices in both dough and bread samples, while a higher PP/EPP level caused more index changes. Although EPP induced several adverse impacts on both dough and bread quality, it could be regarded a potential ingredient in bread making, because its application at lower level could enhance dietary fiber content and only had less influence on bread quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to identify changes in gene expression before and after 5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy (5-ALA-PDT) and to investigate the potential mechanism of 5-ALA-PDT based on ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis. Methods: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) primary cells were isolated from surgically excised specimens and exposed to laser light. The transcription profiles of SHPT primary cells were identified through RNA-Seq. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Enrichment of functions and signaling pathway analysis were performed based on Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot analysis were used to validate genes based on RNA-Seq results. Results: In total, 1320 DEGs were identified, of which 1019 genes were upregulated and 301 genes were downregulated. GO and KEGG pathway analyses identified significantly enriched pathways in DEGs, including TGF beta in extracellular matrix (ECM), negative regulation of triglyceride biosynthetic process, protein heterodimerization activity, systemic lupus erythematosus, ECM–receptor interaction, focal adhesion and protein digestion and absorption. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analyses identified potential heat shock protein (HSP) interactions among the DEGs. Eight HSP genes were also identified that were most likely involved in 5-ALA-PDT, which were further validated by RT-qPCR and western blotting. Conclusions: The findings of this descriptive study reveal changes in the transcriptome profile during 5-ALA-PDT, suggesting that gene expression and mutation, signaling pathways, and the molecular network are altered in SHPT primary cells. The above findings provide new insight for further studies on the mechanisms underlying 5-ALA-PDT in SHPT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of water salinity (0‰, 15‰, and 30‰) on osmoregulation, physiological metabolism, antioxidant capacity, inflammatory response, and anti-stress factors of Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis, 91.21 ± 2.91 g) in a short period of time. The results showed that the serum osmolality increased significantly with the increase of water salinity, but the activity and mRNA expression of Na+/K+-ATPase in the posterior gills decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The glucose (GLU) content of serum in salinity groups decreased first and then increased, while the GLU content in hepatopancreas decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Serum triglyceride (TG) in the 30‰ group increased significantly at 12–72 h, and total cholesterol (T-CHO) in the 15‰ group increased significantly at 48–72 h (P < 0.05). The TG of hepatopancreas in the 15‰ group decreased significantly at 48–72 h, and T-CHO in the salinity group increased significantly (P < 0.05). The content of hemocyanin decreased significantly at 6 to 24 h, but increased significantly from 48 to 72 h (P < 0.05). The antioxidant capacity of hepatopancreas and gills in salinity groups increased first and then decreased, and finally stabilized, and inflammation and stress resistance genes are significantly up-regulated. To sum up, E. sinensis belongs to a strong osmoregulator with wide salinity. The body mainly provides energy by its own metabolism to adapt to the changes of environmental salinity, in which GLU is the direct energy supply for osmoregulation. Oxidative stress and inflammation are caused by salinity stress, but the body protects the body from damage in a short time through the response of the antioxidant system and anti-stress mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weeping forsythia is a wide-spread shrub in China with important ornamental, medicinal and ecological values. It is widely distributed in China's warm temperate zone. In plants, WRKY transcription factors play important regulatory roles in seed germination, flower development, fruit ripening and coloring, and biotic and abiotic stress response. To date, WRKY transcription factors have not been systematically studied in weeping forsythia. In this study, we identified 79 WRKY genes in weeping forsythia and classified them according to their naming rules in Arabidopsis thaliana. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that, except for IIe subfamily, whose clustering was inconsistent with A. thaliana clustering, other subfamily clustering groups were consistent. Cis-element analysis showed that WRKY genes related to pathogen resistance in weeping forsythia might be related to methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid-mediated signaling pathways. Combining cis-element and expression pattern analyses of WRKY genes showed that more than half of WRKY genes were involved in light-dependent development and morphogenesis in different tissues. The gene expression results showed that 13 WRKY genes were involved in drought response, most of which might be related to the abscisic acid signaling pathway, and a few of which might be regulated by MYB transcription factors. The gene expression results under cold stress showed that 17 WRKY genes were involved in low temperature response, and 9 of them had low temperature responsiveness cis-elements. Our study of WRKY family in weeping forsythia provided useful resources for molecular breeding and important clues for their functional verification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human beings perceive the world through the senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, space, and balance. The first five senses are prerequisites for people to live. The sensing organs upload information to the nervous systems, including the brain, for interpreting the surrounding environment. Then, the brain sends commands to muscles reflexively to react to stimuli, including light, gas, chemicals, sound, and pressure. MXene, as an emerging two-dimensional material, has been intensively adopted in the applications of various sensors and actuators. In this review, we update the sensors to mimic five primary senses and actuators for stimulating muscles, which employ MXene-based film, membrane, and composite with other functional materials. First, a brief introduction is delivered for the structure, properties, and synthesis methods of MXenes. Then, we feed the readers the recent reports on the MXene-derived image sensors as artificial retinas, gas sensors, chemical biosensors, acoustic devices, and tactile sensors for electronic skin. Besides, the actuators of MXene-based composite are introduced. Eventually, future opportunities are given to MXene research based on the requirements of artificial intelligence and humanoid robot, which may induce prospects in accompanying healthcare and biomedical engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Brassica seed meals (BSMs) are widely used as biofumigants to control various soil-borne plant diseases. However, the mechanism of bacterial community reconstruction following fumigation with BSMs remains poorly understood. Methods: In the present study, to decipher the mechanism of bacterial community reconstruction in fumigated soil and to understand the effect of bacterial communities in fumigated soil on rhizosphere recruitment and subsequent disease control, we investigated the bulk soil and rhizosphere bacterial communities using field experiments in soils treated with various fumigants (Brassica campestris seed meal, Brassica juncea seed meal, and the chemical fumigant dazomet) in two greenhouses subsequently used to grow tomato and cantaloupe, respectively. Results: This study revealed that bulk soil bacterial community composition changed significantly after fumigation extinction and recovery. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, showing high resistance and resilience in the extinction and recovery processes, respectively, represented the key microorganisms for community reconstruction and rhizosphere recruitment. Moreover, nutrients supplied by BSMs, especially available phosphorus (AP), in fumigated soils determined the post-restoration changes in bacterial community composition. Additionally, BSMs showed greater potential than chemical fumigant dazomet in rebuilding beneficial bacterial communities and controlling potential soil pathogens by enriching gram-positive phyla Firmicutes and Actinobacteria and their respective affiliated genera Bacillus and Streptomyces. Conclusion: These results provide a fundamental ecological understanding of the response of soil-inhabiting microbes to fumigation and the reconstruction of soil beneficial bacterial communities after BSM fumigation. Thus, this study improves the understanding of the effects of biofumigants on soil-borne plant disease control in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas that can be emitted during the biological treatment of wastewater. In this study, a comparison of the long-term performance characteristics and N2O production of sequencing batch reactors (SBR) and continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR) during nitrite-based denitrification was undertaken. It was found that both reactors had NO2−-N removal efficiencies over 99.9 %, but the N2O-N emissions from the SBR reached ∼2.3 % of the removal nitrite-N load, while in the CSTR it never exceeded 0.1 %. High frequency sampling during one operation cycle of the SBR demonstrated that the N2O accumulation ratio was ∼0.1 % during the feast period, increased to ∼1.9 % in the first five hours of the famine period, and then gradually reached ∼2.3 % at the end of famine. Batch experiments showed that limiting extracellular electron donor is required for N2O accumulation in cells from the SBR-famine period and that cells from the CSTR do not accumulate N2O when either nitrite or carbon is limiting. Another notable difference in the two reactor communities was the high level of accumulation of intracellular granules, most likely polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), in cells during the feast period in the SBR. Metagenome assembly and binning found that one genome (PRO1), which is a Thauera, accounted for over half the metagenomic reads in both reactors. Neither shifts in gene regulation nor community composition explained the observed differences in reactor performance suggesting some post-transcriptional regulation obligatorily linked to antecedent conditions underly increased N2O production in the SBR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune and inflammatory responses have an important function in the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, little is known about the immune landscape in peripheral circulation in patients with high-altitude pulmonary hypertension (HAPH). We apply single-cell transcriptomics to characterize the monocytes that are significantly enriched in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of HAPH patients. We discover an increase in C1 (non-classical) and C2 (intermediate) monocytes in PBMCs and a decrease in hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-1α (HIF-1α) in all monocyte subsets associated with HAPH. In addition, we demonstrate that similar immune adaptations may exist in HAPH and PH. Overall, we characterize an immune cell atlas of the peripheral blood in HAPH patients. Our data provide evidence that specific monocyte subsets and HIF-1α downregulation might be implicated in the pathogenesis of HAPH. Single cell transcriptomic sequencing (scRNA) can identify genes that are differentially expressed in cell populations in specific diseases. Here the authors perform scRNA sequencing in a high-altitude pulmonary hypertension (HAPH) cohort and show transcriptional differences in monocyte populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Even though the great progress in the field of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) has been achieved, ferroptosis and its molecular mechanism in CRSwNP remain blank. We are the first to study the relationship between CRSwNP and ferroptosis, aiming to identify ferroptosis-related genes in the process of CRSwNP. Methods: Using the GEO database and the FerrDb database, significantly differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes (DEFGs) were selected between CRSwNP-NP and CRSwNP-IT specimens. Then, the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of ferroptosis-related genes was constructed. Functional enrichment analyses (GSVA, GO, KEGG, and GeneCodis analyses) were introduced in our study. Besides, based on the GSE136825 data set, DEFGs between CRSwNP-NP and CS-IT specimens were also analyzed. Finally, qRT-PCR was performed to validate the selected ferroptosis-related genes with clinical samples. Results: 31 significantly DEFGs were identified between CRSwNP-NP and CRSwNP-IT specimens. Functional enrichment analyses and the analysis of GeneCodis 4 pointed out that DEFGs may potentially be involved in some related KEGG pathways. 8 DEFGs were selected between CRSwNP-NP and CS-IT specimens. The experimental verification indicated that 4 genes (GPX2, CDO1, CAV1, and TP53) were the important DEFGs of CRSwNP. The Venn diagrams proved that CDO1 and GPX2 were considered as the most important DEFGs genes of CRSwNP, especially GPX2. Conclusions: Though a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis and the experimental verification, CDO1 and GPX2 were considered as the important ferroptosis-related genes of CRSwNP, especially GPX2. However, further molecular biological experiments would be still required to uncover the underlying mechanism between ferroptosis and CRSwNP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating the seismic vulnerability of regional group structures is essential for effectively quantifying the seismic resilience and risk analysis of regional cities. To study the degree of damage caused by a typical earthquake to the overall group of buildings in a specific area, this paper takes the field observation data of the Wenchuan earthquake on May 12, 2008, in China as the research background and makes empirical vulnerability statistics and classification on all the inspection data of structural groups in Dujiangyan city. The seismic risk experience database (8621 building samples) based on the overall regional group buildings is developed. Using nonlinear regression, probabilistic risk prediction, and a cumulative damage conditional probability model, the empirical vulnerability matrices of six typical groups of buildings in different seismic intensity zones are established. Considering the effects of seismic design, age, purpose, number of floors, and plane shape features on the seismic resilience and vulnerability of regional group structures, a multifactor vulnerability innovation comparison model based on updating the quantitative scale of vulnerability level is developed. Ultimately, an innovative seismic vulnerability update index domain assessment model is proposed to quantify the damage modes of regional group structures. Zonal fragility prediction models of six typical regional structure groups are established. In the analysis results of the multidimensional empirical vulnerability model, it is found that with the increase in the macroseismic intensity grade, the sample number distribution shows a decreasing trend. Additionally, an essential finding is that the damage of the regional reinforced concrete structure is relatively light, indicating that it has a certain seismic resilience. The empirical vulnerability database is used within the proposed model to obtain a seismic vulnerability index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue ghosting flame and self-extinguishing are two typical flame behaviors in ventilation-controlled compartment fires. However, the study of the evolution of these two behaviors with opening factor and heat release rate (HRR) is incomplete. In this study, the experiments were performed in a 1/2-scale compartment model with openings of six different sizes. The temperature, oxygen concentration and carbon monoxide concentration in the compartment under different propane supply rates were recorded and analyzed. The results showed that the flame transformed from the stable stage to blue ghosting flame or extinguishment with the increase of the total HRR. When there is a blue ghosting flame and self-extinguishing, the combustion spontaneously regulates the oxygen concentration in the compartment and changes the trend of the oxygen concentration decreasing with the total HRR. The blue flame not only reflects that the real HRR is in an unstable state, but also changes the evolutionary trend of the ceiling temperature. The critical HRR for the appearance of blue ghosting flame and self-extinguishing behavior increases linearly with the opening factor. The value of the Global Equivalence Ratio stabilized around 0.73 only after the opening factor was greater than 0.0145. The blue ghosting flame cannot return to stability and is extinguished when the difference between the entrainment rate and the air consumption rate exceeds the limit of spontaneous regulation of combustion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporal control of delivery and release of drugs in tumors are important in improving therapeutic outcomes to patients. Here, we report a sequential stimuli-triggered in situ self-assembly and disassembly strategy to direct delivery and release of theranostic drugs in vivo. Using cisplatin as a model anticancer drug, we design a stimuli-responsive small-molecule cisplatin prodrug (P-CyPt), which undergoes extracellular alkaline phosphatase-triggered in situ self-assembly and succeeding intracellular glutathione-triggered disassembly process, allowing to enhance accumulation and elicit burst release of cisplatin in tumor cells. Compared with cisplatin, P-CyPt greatly improves antitumor efficacy while mitigates off-target toxicity in mice with subcutaneous HeLa tumors and orthotopic HepG2 liver tumors after systemic administration. Moreover, P-CyPt also produces activated near-infrared fluorescence (at 710 nm) and dual photoacoustic imaging signals (at 700 and 750 nm), permitting high sensitivity and spatial-resolution delineation of tumor foci and real-time monitoring of drug delivery and release in vivo. This strategy leverages the advantages offered by in situ self-assembly with those of intracellular disassembly, which may act as a general platform for the design of prodrugs capable of improving drug delivery for cancer theranostics. Manipulating molecular self-assembly and disassembly in vivo may permit temporal control of drug delivery and release. Here, the authors report a fluorogenic cisplatin prodrug for cancer theranostics by leveraging stimuli-triggered in situ self-assembly and intracellular disassembly processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urine albumin concentration and albumin–creatinine ratio are important for the screening of early-stage kidney damage. Commutable urine certified reference materials (CRMs) for albumin and creatinine are necessary for standardization of urine albumin and accurate measurement of albumin–urine ratio. Two urine CRMs for albumin and creatinine with certified values determined using higher-order reference measurement procedures were evaluated for their commutability on five brands/models of clinical analyzers where different reagent kits were used, including Roche Cobas c702, Roche Cobas c311, Siemens Atellica CH, Beckman Coulter AU5800, and Abbott Architect c16000. The commutability study was conducted by measuring at least 26 authentic patient urine samples and the human urine CRMs using both reference measurement procedures and the routine methods. Both the linear regression model suggested by the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines and log-transformed model recommended by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) Commutability Working Group were used to evaluate the commutability of the human urine CRMs. The commutability of the human urine CRMs was found to be generally satisfactory on all five clinical analyzers for both albumin and creatinine, suggesting that they are suitable to be used routinely by clinical laboratories as quality control or for method validation of urine albumin and creatinine measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covalent organic frameworks have shown considerable application potential and exceptional properties in the construction of stimulus-responsive materials. Here, we designed a sweat-responsive covalent organic framework film for material-based fingerprint liveness detection. When exposed to human sweat, the COFTPDA-TFPy film can transform from yellow to red. The COFTPDA-TFPy film, when touched by living fingers, can produce the naked-eye-identified fingerprint pattern through the sweat-induced color change, while artificial fake fingerprints cannot. This technique, which we named material-based liveness detection, can thus intuitively discern living fingers from fake fingerprints with a 100% accuracy rate. Additionally, the distribution of sweat pores on human skin can also be collected and analyzed by shortening the contact time. By merely washing them with ethanol, all the samples can be utilized again. This work inventively accomplished material-based liveness detection and naked-eye-identified sweat pore analysis and highlighted their potential for use in clinical research and personal identification. Covalent organic frameworks are more and more used in the design of stimuli responsive materials. Here, the authors expand the application range of COFs by demonstrating a sweat induced colour change for detection of fingerprints using a sweat responsive COF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the unclear understanding of the development and distribution characteristics of the intra-platform shoal of the Changxing formation in the southern Sichuan Basin, analysis and summary of the petrological characteristics and sedimentary cycle characteristics of the intra-platform shoal in the Changxing formation in the Gaoshiti area were conducted. In this study, the idea of seismic sedimentology is adopted, the top geomorphology and the root mean square (RMS) amplitude attributes of the Changxing formation were used as constraints, combined with the granular rock thickness/stratum thickness (G/S) of wells to depict the planar distribution characteristics of the intra-platform shoal in the study area. Through the research and analysis, it is concluded that the Changxing formation in the Gaoshiti area has a geomorphological pattern of ‘three uplifts and two depressions’ at the end of the deposition. The geomorphological differentiation characteristics are highly consistent with the variation law of the RMS amplitude in the plane, and there is a good correlation between the two and the G/S of the strata. Thus, three belts of intra-platform shoals with NW–SE distribution are identified in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is associated with psoriasis, featured by its irreversible joint symptoms. Despite the significant impact on the healthcare system, it is still challenging to leverage machine learning or statistical models to predict PsA and its progression, or analyze drug efficacy. With 3961 patients' clinical records, we developed a machine learning model for PsA diagnosis and analysis of PsA progression risk, respectively. Furthermore, general additive models (GAMs) and the Kaplan–Meier (KM) method were applied to analyze the efficacy of various drugs on psoriasis treatment and inhibiting PsA progression. The independent experiment on the PsA prediction model demonstrates outstanding prediction performance with an AUC score of 0.87 and an AUPR score of 0.89, and the Jackknife validation test on the PsA progression prediction model also suggests the superior performance with an AUC score of 0.80 and an AUPR score of 0.83, respectively. We also identified that interleukin-17 inhibitors were the more effective drug for severe psoriasis compared to other drugs, and methotrexate had a lower effect in inhibiting PsA progression. The results demonstrate that machine learning and statistical approaches enable accurate early prediction of PsA and its progression, and analysis of drug efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interface mechanical behavior of a monopile is an important component of the overall offshore wind turbine structure design. Understanding the soil—structure interaction, particularly the initial soil—structure stiffness, has a significant impact on the study of natural frequency and dynamic response of the monopile. In this paper, a simplified method for estimating the interface mechanical behavior of monopiles under initial lateral loads is proposed. Depending on the principle of minimum potential energy and virtual work theory, the functions of soil reaction components at the interface of monopiles are derived; MATLAB programming has been used to simplify the functions of the initial stiffness by fitting a large number of examples; then the functions are validated against the field test data and FDM results. This method can modify the modulus of the subgrade reaction in the p—y curve method for the monopile-supported offshore wind turbine system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The present study aimed to reveal the spatial distribution of soil nutrients in southwest China and to quantitatively evaluate the effect of environmental factors on spatial variability of soil nutrients under different cropping systems. Methods: Semivariogram, random forest (RF), and partial dependence plots (PDP) were applied to investigate the relationships between environmental factors and soil nutrients variability. A total of 142 samples were collected from topsoil under rice and maize cropping systems in southwest China. Results: Soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in the topsoil of the study area were higher than their corresponding background and geochemical baseline values of China. Semivariogram analysis indicated that SOC and TN have weak spatial dependence, and TP has strong spatial dependence. The soil nutrient contents were predicted well by the RF models. The mean absolute error, root mean square error, and coefficient of determination were 0.14–0.47 g/kg, 0.19–3.67 g/kg, and 0.30–0.46, respectively. For different soil nutrients, the relative importance of environmental variables varied greatly. Cropping system, topographic wetness index (TWI), and slope were critical factors that controlled SOC variability. Cropping system, TWI, and mean annual temperature explained most variation of TN. Soil pH, aspect, and cropping system were dominant factors affecting TP variability. Conclusion: In this study, SOC and TN had weak spatial autocorrelation, while TP had strong spatial autocorrelation. Meanwhile, cropping system and topography had greatly impact on the variability of soil nutrients, which should be considered in formulating agricultural measures in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Recently, an increasing number of studies relied on the assumption that visually induced changes in choroidal thickness can serve as a proxy to predict future axial eye growth. The retinal signals controlling choroidal thickness are, however, not well defined. We have studied the potential roles of dopamine, released from the retina, in the choroidal response in the chicken. Methods: Changes in retinal dopamine release and choroidal thickness changes were induced by intravitreal injections of either atropine (250 µg or 360 nMol), atropine combined with a dopamine antagonist, spiperone (500 µMol), or spiperone alone and were tracked by optical coherence tomography (OCT). To visually stimulate dopamine release, other chicks were exposed to flicker light of 1, 10, or 400 Hz (duty cycle 0.2) and choroidal thickness was tracked. In all experiments, dopamine and 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) were measured in vitreous, retina, and choroid by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HLPC-ED). The distribution of the rate-limiting enzyme of dopamine synthesis, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and alpha2A adrenoreceptors (alpha2A-ADR) was studied in the choroid by immunofluorescence. Results: The choroid thickened strongly in atropine-injected eyes, less so in atropine + spiperone–injected eyes and became thinner over the day in spiperone alone-, vehicle-, or non-injected eyes. Flickering light at 20 lx, both 1 and 10 Hz, prevented diurnal choroidal thinning, compared to 400 Hz, and stimulated retinal dopamine release. Correlation analysis showed that the higher retinal dopamine levels or release, the thicker became the choroid. TH-, nNOS-, VEGF-, and alpha2A adrenoreceptor–positive nerve fibers were localized in the choroid around lacunae and in the walls of blood vessels with colocalization of TH and nNOS, and TH and VEGF. Conclusions: Retinal DOPAC and dopamine levels were positively correlated with choroidal thickness. TH-positive nerve fibers in the choroid were closely associated with peptides known to play a role in myopia development. Findings are in line with the hypothesis that dopamine is related to retinal signals controlling choroidal thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal nitride/carbide (TMN/C) have been actively explored as low-cost hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts owing to their Pt-like physical and chemical properties. Unfortunately, pure TMN/C suffers from strong hydrogen adsorption and lacks active centers for water dissociation. Herein, we developed a switchable WO3-based in situ gas—solid reaction for preparing sophisticated Fe-N doped WC and Fe-C doped WN nanoarrays. Interestingly, the switch of codoping and phase can be effectively manipulated by regulating the amount of ferrocene. Resultant Fe-C-WN and Fe-N-WC exhibit robust electrocatalytic performance for HER in alkaline and acid electrolytes, respectively. The collective collaboration of morphological, phase and electronic effects are suggested to be responsible for the superior HER activity. The smallest ∣ΔGH⋆∣ value of Fe-N-WC indicates preferable hydrogen-evolving kinetics on the Fe-N-WC surface for HER under acid condition, while Fe-C-WN is suggested to be beneficial to the adsorption and dissociation of H2O for HER in alkaline electrolyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platinum (Pt) catalysts are the most practical electrocatalysts; however, their low abundance and high cost severely limit their large-scale applications. Efficient recovery is a key issue to be resolved before the use of Pt-based electrocatalysts can be broadly extended. Herein, the newly designed polyoxometalate [PtII(NH3)4]2[Mo8O26] (Mo8Pt) acts as an ideal recycling medium for renewable and highly effective Pt electrocatalysts. Starting from Mo8Pt, by a facile reduction reaction, the formed Pt/Mo2C/Mo2N@C-N electrocatalyst shows superior electrocatalytic activity as compared to commercial Pt/C (20%) under both acidic and alkaline conditions. Notably, the reaction of Pt/Mo2C/Mo2N@C-N in H2O2 solution can regenerate Mo8Pt for Pt renew-ability. It is also demonstrated that the Pt electrocatalyst can be used for at least five rounds of recycling and regeneration, showing its efficiency and stability as well as its effectiveness. This work highlights a recycling medium strategy to the new generation of renewable Pt-based catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of the insulin superfamily regulate pleiotropic biological processes through two types of target-specific but structurally conserved peptides, insulin/insulin-like growth factors and relaxin/insulin-like peptides. The latter bind to the human relaxin family peptide receptors (RXFPs). Here, we report three cryo-electron microscopy structures of RXFP4–Gi protein complexes in the presence of the endogenous ligand insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5) or one of the two small molecule agonists, compound 4 and DC591053. The B chain of INSL5 adopts a single α-helix that penetrates into the orthosteric pocket, while the A chain sits above the orthosteric pocket, revealing a peptide-binding mode previously unknown. Together with mutagenesis and functional analyses, the key determinants responsible for the peptidomimetic agonism and subtype selectivity were identified. Our findings not only provide insights into ligand recognition and subtype selectivity among class A G protein-coupled receptors, but also expand the knowledge of signaling mechanisms in the insulin superfamily.Relaxin family peptide receptor 4 (RXFP4) regulates pleiotropic biological processes. Here, authors report cryo-EM structures revealing the ligand-binding modes and key determinants of peptidomimetic agonism and subtype selectivity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants have demonstrated extensive evasion from monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) developed for clinical use, which raises an urgent need to develop new broad-spectrum mAbs. Here, we report the isolation and analysis of two anti-RBD neutralizing antibodies BA7208 and BA7125 from mice engineered to produce human antibodies. While BA7125 showed broadly neutralizing activity against all variants except the Omicron sublineages, BA7208 was potently neutralizing against all tested SARS-CoV-2 variants (including Omicron BA.1–BA.5) except Mu. By combining BA7208 and BA7125 through the knobs-into-holes technology, we generated a biparatopic antibody BA7208/7125 that was able to neutralize all tested circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants. Cryo-electron microscopy structure of these broad-spectrum antibodies in complex with trimeric Delta and Omicron spike indicated that the contact residues are highly conserved and had minimal interactions with mutational residues in RBD of current variants. In addition, we showed that administration of BA7208/7125 via the intraperitoneal, intranasal, or aerosol inhalation route showed potent therapeutic efficacy against Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 in hACE2-transgenic and wild-type mice and, separately, effective prophylaxis. BA7208/7125 thus has the potential to be an effective candidate as an intervention against COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how an increase in home value affects fertility decisions of homeowners in China by exploiting regional heterogeneity in housing markets driven by local regulatory and geographic land constraints. In sharp contrast to the literature on developed countries, our instrumental variable results show a negative fertility response to house value growth driven by the recent housing boom in China, where a 100,000-yuan increase in lagged home values—about 43% of the average housing wealth at baseline—results in a 14% decrease in the likelihood of home-owning women giving birth. Further evidence suggests that underdeveloped credit markets may suppress the positive wealth effect of house value growth on childbearing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with no standard first-line treatment, and the disease is still incurable. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy, safety, and prognostic factors of bortezomib-based chemotherapy as initial treatment in WM patients. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data collected from 44 newly diagnosed WM patients treated with bortezomib-based regimens at the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from December 2011 to June 2021. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). The median age was 67 years old, with an overall response rate (ORR) of 93.2%, complete response (CR) rate of 6.8%, and very good partial response (VGPR) rate of 29.5%. With a median follow-up of 39 months, the 2-year overall survival (OS) and 2-year PFS rates were 88.0% and 59.0%, respectively. By the last follow-up, eight patients (18.2%) had died. Univariate analysis showed patients with B symptoms, elevated LDH, international prognostic stage system of WM (IPSSWM) stage III, high Revised IPSSWM (R-IPSSWM) score, and those who did not achieve VGPR were associated with shorter PFS. And patients with B symptoms, with high R-IPSSWM score, and who do not achieve VGPR also had shorter OS than their counterparts. Multivariate analysis confirmed that failure to achieve VGPR was an independent adverse prognostic factor for OS and PFS. In conclusion, we showed that bortezomib-based chemotherapy effectively treated newly diagnosed patients with WM. However, combinations of drugs with different mechanisms are recommended for patients with a high tumor burden. In addition, deep remission can improve patients' survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coupling between giant atoms and waveguides is expected to be of great importance in the field of quantum information science. In this paper, we study the influence of frequency detuning between incident photons and giant atoms on photon scattering based on the model of giant atoms coupling with one-dimensional waveguide where atoms are placed in a braided structure. The system may be designed with microwave transmission line and superconducting quantum bits. Comparing with various simulation results with different numbers of giant atoms and different atom–waveguide dipole interaction intensities, we confirm that the system can produce multi-Fano-like resonance, which may be useful in the field of quantum sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ideal reaction chromatography model can be regarded as a semi-coupled system of two hyperbolic partial differential equations, in which, one is a self-closed nonlinear equation for the reactant concentration and another is a linear equation coupling the reactant concentration for the resultant concentration. This paper is concerned with the initial-boundary value problem for the above model. By the characteristic method and the truncation method, we construct the global weak entropy solution of this initial initial-boundary value problem for Riemann type of initial-boundary data. Moreover, as examples, we apply the obtained results to the cases of head-on and wide pulse injections and give the expression of the global weak entropy solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate whether Leech-Centipede (LC) Granules can improve erectile function in rats with diabetes mellitus-associated erectile dysfunction (DMED) through endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) inhibition. Methods: Components of LC Granules were identified via ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography. Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats were injected with streptozotocin and fed continuously for 8 weeks to establish the DMED rat model. Rats with erectile dysfunction symptoms diagnosed using apomorphine were divided into DMED and low-, medium-, and high-doses LC groups (n=6 in each). The negative control (NC, n=6) and DMED groups were given 5 mL of deionized water via intragastric gavage, and the low-, medium- and the high-doses LC groups were administered LC at 1.6, 3.2, and 6.4 g/kg, respectively, via intragastric gavage for 4 weeks. The intracavernous pressure (ICP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and nitric oxide (NO) levels in cavernous tissue were measured for each group. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to detect mRNA and protein expressions of endothelial and mesenchymal markers. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe α-SMA, and Masson's trichrome staining was performed to determine the myofiber/collagen ratio. Results: A total of 474 active components were identified. After treatment, the ICP/MAP value and NO level were significantly higher in the medium- and high-dose LC groups than in the DMED group (P<0.05). Compared with the DMED groups, the medium- and high-dose groups LC significantly increased and decreased endothelial and mesenchymal markers expression, respectively (P<0.05). Tumor growth factor (TGF)β R II, p-Smad2, and p-Smad3 levels were considerably higher following diabetes onset but reduced following LC intervention (P<0.05), except for TGF β 1 (P>0.05). α-SMA expression was significantly higher in the DMED group and was reduced in all LC intervention groups (P>0.05). The myofiber/collagen ratio in the LC groups was higher than that in the DMED group but lower than that in the NC group (all P<0.05). Conclusions: LC Granules may improve the erectile function of DMED rats by suppressing TGF-β/Smad pathway to reverse EndMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Lysine-Specific Demethylase 1 (LSD1) inhibitors have been developed and reached the clinic, but its effect in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy is unclear. Here, we investigated the anti-tumor effect of LSD1 inhibitor GSK-LSD1 and its anti-tumor effect with the DNA damage drug doxorubicin (DOX) in gastric cancer (GC) cells. Methods: Cells were treated with different concentrations of GSK-LSD1 to examine the anti-tumor effect versus cell viability by MTT and cell cycle arrest by flow cytometry. To explore whether LSD1 inhibitors can increase the anti-tumor effect of DNA damage drugs, cells were treated with DOX for 48 h after pretreatment with GSK-LSD1 for 48 h. Cell viability was detected by MTT and apoptosis-related proteins were examined by Western blot. Furthermore, anti-tumor efficacy of combination GSK-LSD1 with DOX was also measured in MGC-803 xenografts model in nude mice. Results: The results showed that LSD1 was highly expressed in GC cell lines. Inhibition of LSD1 has a weak effect on cell viability and cell cycle. Moreover, LSD1 inhibitors pretreatment could significantly increase the anti-tumor effect of DOX. Further study found that inhibition of LSD1 can significantly enhance DOX-induced the apoptosis, accompanied by down-regulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 expression and up-regulation of proapoptotic Bax expression. We also confirmed that inhibition of LSD1 can sensitize the anti-tumor effect of DOX in vivo. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the LSD1 inhibitor GSK-LSD1 has a weak inhibitory effect on the viability and cell cycle of GC cells, but can enhance the sensitivity of DOX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Separation of vanadium from black shale leaching solution at low pH is very meaningful, which can effectively avoid the generation of alkali neutralization slag and the resulting vanadium loss. In this study, coordination mechanism of vanadium in acid leaching solution at low pH was investigated with the intervention of chloride ions. Under the conditions of pH 0.8, di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid concentration of 20%, phase ratio of 1:2, and extraction time of 8 min, the vanadium extraction could reach 80.00%. The Fourier transform infrared and electrospray ionization results reveal that, despite the fact that the chloride ion in the leachate could significantly promote vanadium extraction, the chloride ion does not enter the organic phase, indicating an intriguing phenomenon. Among Cl−−V, SO42−−V, and H2O−V, the V−Cl bond is longer and the potential difference between coordinate ions and vanadium is smaller. Therefore, VO2+ gets easily desorbed with chloride ions and enter the organic phase. At the same time, the hydrogen ions of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid also enter the water phase more easily, which reduces the pH required for the extraction reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the universal behavior of quantum information-theoretic quantities in thermalized isolated quantum many-body systems and evaporating black holes. In particular, we study a genuine mixed-state entanglement measure called the logarithmic negativity, other correlation measures including the Renyi negativities and the mutual information, and a signature of multipartite entanglement called the reflected entropy. We also probe the feasibility of recovering quantum information from subsystems of a thermalized quantum many-body system or from the radiation of an evaporating black hole, using quantities such as relative entropy and Petz map fidelity. A recently developed technique called the equilibrium approximation allows us to probe these quantities at finite temperature. We find striking qualitative differences from the infinite temperature case, which has been the topic of previous studies using Haar-random states. In particular, we find regimes where the logarithmic negativity is extensive but the mutual information is sub-extensive, indicating a large amount of undistillable, bound entanglement in thermalized states. For evaporating black holes at finite temperature, both the logarithmic negativity and the Petz map fidelity reveal an important new time scale tb, which is earlier than the Page time tp by a finite fraction of the total evaporation time. We find that tb, as opposed to tp, is the time scale at which quantum entanglement between different parts of the radiation becomes extensive, and the fidelity of information recovery for a large diary thrown into the black hole starts to grow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation of brain oscillations and connectivity has become an important topic in the recent decade. There are several types of interactions between neuronal oscillations, and one of the most interesting among these interactions is phase-amplitude coupling (PAC). Several methods have been proposed to measure the strength of PAC, including the phase-locking value, circular-linear correlation, and modulation index. In the current study, we compared these traditional PAC methods with simulated electroencephalogram signals. Further, to assess the PAC value at each time point, we also compared two recently established methods, event-related phase-locking value and event-related circular-linear correlation, with our newly proposed event-related modulation index (ERMI). Results indicated that the ERMI has better temporal resolution and is more tolerant to noise than the other two event-related methods, suggesting the advantages of utilizing ERMI in evaluating the strength of PAC within a brain region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Senile plaques composed of β-amyloid protein (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) composed of intracellular hyper-phosphorylated tau are major causes of cognitive impairment and neuronal damage in Alzheimer disease (AD). Astragalin (AST), a naturally-occurring flavonoid compound, was reported to have neuroprotective effects in the brain, but its effects in AD remain unknown. Herein, the learning and memory deficits were alleviated and neuronal damage in the hippocampus were inhibited after the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mouse were given AST (5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg) daily by gavage for 2 months. Furthermore, AST reduced Aβ1−40 and Aβ1−42 deposition, decreased β-carboxyl-terminal fragment (β-CTF) protein level and tau hyper-phosphorylation, but increased α-CTF protein level and glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3β) phosphorylation in hippocampus of SAMP8 mice. Meanwhile, the effects of AST on AD were also explored in vitro by treating primary neurons with amyloid-β1–42 oligomers (Aβ1−42O). Consistently, AST also alleviated amyloid-β1–42 oligomers (Aβ1−42O)-induced neuronal damage, amyloid plaques, and tau phosphorylation in vitro model. Of note, estrogen receptor (ER)α and ERβ expression in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice and Aβ1−42O-treated neurons was significantly decreased but their levels were increased by AST. Moreover, in vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that ER antagonist, Fulvestrant, reversed the effects caused by AST. Altogether, our investigation indicates that AST may ameliorate cognitive deficits and AD-type pathologies in SAMP8 mice and Aβ1−42O-treated neurons through upregulating ERα and ERβ expression. Our findings indicate the value of AST as a potential reagent for AD treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key summary points: Aim: This study aimed to explore the potential mediating effects of cognitive reserve on the association between frailty and cognition in the older people without dementia. Findings: Negative effect of frailty on cognition was partially mediated by a reduction in cognitive reserve. Message: Our results support the possibility that enhancing cognitive reserve, especially engagement in social and cognitive activities may protect cognitive health against frailty. Purpose: This study aimed to explore the potential mediating effects of cognitive reserve on the association between frailty and cognition in the older people without dementia. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data from 3122 community-dwelling older adults (≥ 65-years-old) without dementia of the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study in Wales. A 31-item frailty index was used to assess frailty. A cognitive lifestyle score was constructed to evaluate cognitive reserve, which includes participants' educational level, occupational attainment, and engagement in social and cognitive activities in later life. Linear regression and mediation modeling were used to investigate the relationship between frailty and cognition and the mediating effects of cognitive reserve as well as social and cognitive activities, an alterable component of cognitive reserve for older adults. Results: Frailty was negatively associated with cognition. Cognitive reserve was a mediator of the association between frailty and global cognition (− 1.92; 95% CI: − 2.50, − 1.35), as well as individual cognitive domains, with indirect effects contributing to 13-59% of the total effects. Social and cognitive activities have smaller but similar mediating effects on these associations. Conclusions: Negative effect of frailty on cognition was partially mediated by a reduction in cognitive reserve. Our results support the possibility that enhancing cognitive reserve, especially engagement in social and cognitive activities may protect cognitive health against frailty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotid plaque is one of the predominant causes of stroke. We sought to build a nomogram using ultrasonography (US)-based radiomics and clinical features for identification of symptomatic carotid plaques. We prospectively enrolled 548 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 63 ± 10 years; 373 men) were randomly divided into training and test cohorts. Clinical and conventional US features of carotid plaques were used to generate a clinical and conventional US model. US-based radiomics model was constructed by extracting radiomics features from grayscale and strain elasticity images. Multivariate logistic regression was performed using the radiomics scores together with clinical and conventional US data, and a final nomogram was subsequently developed. The performance of the final nomogram was assessed with respect to discrimination and clinical usefulness in the training of the test cohorts and contrast-enhanced US test cohort. All the radiomics scores were significantly higher in patients with symptomatic carotid plaques. The US-based radiomics model [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.930 and 0.922 for training and test cohorts, respectively] and final nomogram (AUC = 0.927 and 0.919, respectively) outperformed the clinical and conventional US model (AUC = 0.723 and 0.580, respectively). The decision curve analysis indicated that the final nomogram was clinically useful. In patients undergoing the contrast-enhanced US, the prevalence of plaque enhancement was higher in high-risk patients than in low-risk patients based on the final nomogram-score (P = 0.008). Nomogram has a high diagnostic performance for identification of symptomatic carotid plaques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hetrombopag is the only CFDA-approved thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist for severe aplastic anemia (SAA) in China. Its chemical structure has an iron chelation domain. To explore the iron chelation effect of hetrombopag, we performed a post hoc analysis of the phase II clinical trial (NCT03557099). Thirty-five immunosuppressive therapy (IST)–refractory SAA patients were enrolled in the study, and the longitudinal changes of serum ferritin (SF) were assessed. At 18 weeks post-hetrombopag initiation, 51.4% of patients showed decreased SF levels by a median of 49.0 (18.1–95.5) % from baseline (median ΔSF decrease value, 917.2 ng/ml, range from 104.0 to 7030.0 ng/ml). A decrease in SF was found in 75.0% of hematologic responders and 31.6% of non-responders. Among the 24 patients with iron overload, 12 had decreased SF levels by up to 51% of the baseline. Patients with normal SF levels also showed decreased SF levels, and iron deficiency occurred in two patients. In conclusion, hetrombopag showed a powerful and rapid iron chelation effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies suggest that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and exposure therapies have been used to reduced footshock-induced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, the therapeutic effect of the combination of SSRIs treatment with exposure therapy remains a matter of debate. This study aimed to evaluate these therapeutic effect through the behavioural and the neuroimaging changes by positron emission tomography (PET) in model rats. Methods: Pavlovian fear conditioning paradigm to establish model rats, and serial PET imaging with 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose ([18F]FDG) was performed during the control, fear-conditioning, and extinction-retrieval phases. The expression of c-Fos was used to identify neural activity. Results: We report that fear conditioning increased glucose metabolism in the right amygdala and left primary visual cortex but decreased glucose metabolism in the left primary somatosensory cortex. After extinction retrieval, there was increased [18F]FDG uptake in the left striatum, left cochlear nucleus and right primary visual cortex but decreased uptake in the anterior cingulate cortex in the extinction group. Fluoxetine increased [18F]FDG uptake in the left hippocampus and right primary visual cortex but decreased uptake in the bilateral primary somatosensory cortex, left primary/secondary motor cortex and cuneiform nucleus. The combined therapy increased [18F]FDG uptake in the left hippocampus, left striatum, right insular cortex, left posterior parietal cortex, and right secondary visual cortex but reduced uptake in the cerebellar lobule. c-Fos expression in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and anterior cingulate cortex in the fluoxetine and combined groups was significantly higher than that in the extinction group, with no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions: Chronic fluoxetine enhanced the effects of extinction training in a rat model of PTSD. In vivo PET imaging may provide a promising approach for evaluation chronic fluoxetine treatment of PTSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer/conductor composites are used in energy storage capacitors; however, they exhibit high interface leakage currents, causing low breakdown strength. Here, a ternary-blend strategy was used to synthesize polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/titanium carbide transition-metal carbide two-dimensional nanolayered material (Ti2C MXene)/diamond composites using solution casting. The PVC matrix exhibited low polarity and high insulation, while the Ti2C MXene and diamond fillers exhibited high conductivities and ultrahigh insulation properties, respectively. Overall, the PVC/Ti2C/diamond ternary composites exhibited better electrical properties than the PVC/Ti2C binary composites. In the ternary composites, PVC/Ti2C interface polarization caused high dielectric constants, while low leakage currents induced by diamond caused low dielectric losses and high breakdown strength. The optimum-composition (12 wt.% Ti2C and 4 wt.% diamond) ternary composite exhibited a high dielectric constant (~153 at 100 Hz), low dielectric loss (~0.14 at 100 Hz), low conductivity (~1.4 × 10−6 S m−1 at 100 Hz), and high breakdown strength (~312 MV m−1 under a direct current field). This study indicates a synergistic effect between Ti2C MXene and diamond in the composite dielectrics, and could guide the fabrication of dielectric films for capacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Mitophagy protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (CI/R)–induced neuronal apoptosis via mitochondrial clearance. Although taurine-upregulated gene 1 (lncRNA TUG1) has been proposed to be involved in the neuronal apoptosis evoked by CI/R, its specific role in mitophagy during the progression of CI/R injury remains unknown. Methods: The CI/R rat model was established using middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R). Human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y was subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R). Ubiquitination assay, co-immunoprecipitation assay, RNA pull-down, and RNA immunoprecipitation were used to determine the interplay among TUG1, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBXW7). Results: The upregulation of the TUG1 level and downregulation of the mitophagy were observed in both MCAO/R-treated rats and OGD/R-treated cells. The administration of si-TUG1 (a siRNA directed against TUG1) potentiated mitophagy and suppressed neuronal apoptosis in OGD/R-treated cells. However, the neuroprotective effect of si-TUG1 was reversed by mitophagy inhibitor or SIRT1 knockdown in vitro. Functionally, TUG1 enhanced FBXW7-mediated SIRT1 ubiquitination by upregulating FBXW7 expression. The overexpression of FBXW7 abrogated the si-TUG1-reinforced mitophagy by decreasing SIRT1 expression, thus aggravating neuronal apoptosis in the OGD/R+si-TUG1-treated cells. In rats with MCAO/R, the interference of TUG1 clearly decreased neuronal apoptosis, lessened the infarct volume, and relieved the neurological deficits. Conclusion: TUG1 knockdown promotes SIRT1-induced mitophagy by suppressing FBXW7-mediated SIRT1 degradation, thus relieving the neuronal apoptosis induced by CI/R injury. LncRNA TUG1 promotes neuronal apoptosis through inhibition of mitophagy. TUG1 decreased SIRT1 expression by promoting FBXW7-mediated SIRT1 ubiquitination. FBXW7/SIRT1 axis mediated the effect of TUG1 on OGD/R-induced neuronal apoptosis by regulating mitophagy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the design and implementation of green heterogeneous scheduling algorithm based on the theory and technology hotspot of energy saving and emission reduction in cloud computing, since intelligent scheduling algorithms often have defects such as insufficient dynamic optimization power or poor parallel framework design. Following that, a distributed swarm intelligence optimization algorithm for greener heterogeneous scheduling, is proposed, including ⓵ an optimal blending pattern of particle swarm intelligence and nonlinear geometric Brownian motion, based on the related physical sciences and stochastic mathematical analyses, and ⓶ a parallel fusion model that is suitable for the management server processor hybrid system, i.e., coarse-grained parallelism between nodes and CPU/GPU master-slave in a single node. Then, a large number of experimental results are given, whose evaluation indicators can be divided into two categories: static and dynamic optimization performance. Compared with most newly published scheduling algorithms, there are significant advantages of the proposed algorithm on the dynamic optimization performance for consistent or semiconsistent and large inconsistent scheduling instances, although with the lower improvement for the small inconsistent instances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]