Search

Abstract Streptococcus gallolyticus is a non-motile, gram-positive bacterium that causes infective endocarditis. S. gallolyticus has developed resistance to existing antibiotics, and no vaccine is currently available. Therefore, it is essential to develop an effective S. gallolyticus vaccine. Core proteomics was used in this study together with subtractive proteomics and reverse vaccinology approach to find antigenic proteins that could be utilized for the design of the S. gallolyticus multi-epitope vaccine. The pipeline identified two antigenic proteins as potential vaccine targets: penicillin-binding protein and the ATP synthase subunit. T and B cell epitopes from the specific proteins were forecasted employing several immunoinformatics and bioinformatics resources. A vaccine (360 amino acids) was created using a combination of seven cytotoxic T cell lymphocyte (CTL), three helper T cell lymphocyte (HTL), and five linear B cell lymphocyte (LBL) epitopes. To increase immune responses, the vaccine was paired with a cholera enterotoxin subunit B (CTB) adjuvant. The developed vaccine was highly antigenic, non-allergenic, and stable for human use. The vaccine's binding affinity and molecular interactions with the human immunological receptor TLR4 were studied using molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (MMGBSA), molecular docking, and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation analyses. Escherichia coli (strain K12) plasmid vector pET-28a ( +) was used to examine the ability of the vaccine to be expressed. According to the outcomes of these computer experiments, the vaccine is quite promising in terms of developing a protective immunity against diseases. However, in vitro and animal research are required to validate our findings.

Abstract As a crucial industrial process for the production of bulk and fine chemicals, semi-hydrogenation of alkynes faces the trade-off between activity and selectivity due to undesirable over-hydrogenation. By breaking the energy linear scaling relationships, we report an efficient additive-free WO3-based single-atom Pd catalytic system with a vertical size effect of hydrogen spillover. Hydrogen spillover induced hydrophilic polar layer (HPL) with limited thickness on WO3-based support exhibits unconventional size effect to Pd site, in which over-hydrogenation is greatly suppressed on Pd1 site due to the polar repulsive interaction between HPL and nonpolar C=C bonds, whereas this is invalid for Pd nanoparticles with higher altitudes. By further enhancing the HPL through Mo doping, activated Pd1/MoWO3 achieves recorded performance of 98.4% selectivity and 10200 h−1 activity for semi-hydrogenation of 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol, 26-fold increase in activity of Lindlar catalyst. This observed vertical size effect of hydrogen spillover offers broad potential in catalytic performance regulation.

Abstract The reconstruction of rutile TiO2 (110) holds significant importance as it profoundly influences the surface chemistry and catalytic properties of this widely used material in various applications, from photocatalysis to solar energy conversion. Here, we directly observe the asymmetric surface reconstruction of rutile TiO2 (110)-(1×2) with atomic-resolution using in situ spherical aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. Density functional theory calculations were employed to complement the experimental observations. Our findings highlight the pivotal role played by repulsive electrostatic interaction among the small polarons −formed by excess electrons following the removal of neutral oxygen atoms− and the subsequent surface relaxations induced by these polarons. The emergence and disappearance of these asymmetric structures can be controlled by adjusting the oxygen partial pressure. This research provides a deeper understanding, prediction, and manipulation of the surface reconstructions of rutile TiO2 (110), holding implications for a diverse range of applications and technological advancements involving rutile-based materials.

Abstract Euglena gracilis, a model organism of the eukaryotic supergroup Discoba harbouring also clinically important parasitic species, possesses diverse metabolic strategies and an atypical electron transport chain. While structures of the electron transport chain complexes and supercomplexes of most other eukaryotic clades have been reported, no similar structure is currently available for Discoba, limiting the understandings of its core metabolism and leaving a gap in the evolutionary tree of eukaryotic bioenergetics. Here, we report high-resolution cryo-EM structures of Euglena’s respirasome I + III2 + IV and supercomplex III2 + IV2. A previously unreported fatty acid synthesis domain locates on the tip of complex I’s peripheral arm, providing a clear picture of its atypical subunit composition identified previously. Individual complexes are re-arranged in the respirasome to adapt to the non-uniform membrane curvature of the discoidal cristae. Furthermore, Euglena’s conformationally rigid complex I is deactivated by restricting ubiquinone’s access to its substrate tunnel. Our findings provide structural insights for therapeutic developments against euglenozoan parasite infections.

Abstract Identification of active sites in catalytic materials is important and helps establish approaches to the precise design of catalysts for achieving high reactivity. Generally, active sites of conventional heterogeneous catalysts can be single atom, nanoparticle or a metal/oxide interface. Herein, we report that metal/oxide reverse interfaces can also be active sites which are created from the coordinated migration of metal and oxide atoms. As an example, a Pd1/CeO2 single-atom catalyst prepared via atom trapping, which is otherwise inactive at 30 °C, is able to completely oxidize formaldehyde after steam treatment. The enhanced reactivity is due to the formation of a Ce2O3-Pd nanoparticle domain interface, which is generated by the migration of both Ce and Pd atoms on the atom-trapped Pd1/CeO2 catalyst during steam treatment. We show that the generation of metal oxide-metal interfaces can be achieved in other heterogeneous catalysts due to the coordinated mobility of metal and oxide atoms, demonstrating the formation of a new active interface when using metal single-atom material as catalyst precursor.

Abstract Background Retention of doctors is a global challenge and doctors working in different departments may face different problems. The study aimed to explore the turnover behavior and intention and correlated factors among Chinese dentists and medical doctors in other clinical fields. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted online in 5 regions of China from March 12th to April 12th, 2020. The questionnaire included 3 parts, socio-demographic characteristics, turnover behavior and intention, and concerns about work-related factors. Chi-square test and/or Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney test were applied for comparison, and binary logistic regression was used for finding the factors. Results A total of 2428 eligible questionnaire were received, comprising 1954 responses from dentists and 474 from medical doctors. Rates of turnover behavior among dentists and medical doctors were 2.87% and 6.96%, respectively. Similarly, rates of turnover intention were 51.79% among dentists and 71.20% among medical doctors. Educational level was negatively correlated with turnover behavior of both medical doctors and dentists, and concern about salary was a unique negatively correlated factor for dentists. Age was negatively correlated with turnover intention in both medical doctors and dentists. Conversely, concerns about workload and doctor-patient relationship were positively correlated with turnover intention in both groups. Concern about salary was the distinct correlated factor of medical doctors’ turnover intention, while gender and annual household income were correlated with turnover intention among dentists. Conclusions Low turnover rate but high turnover intention rate was the current status of Chinese doctors’ employment. Turnover behavior and intention were more optimistic among dentists than medical doctors. Factors related to turnover behavior and turnover intention were not identical among dentists and medical doctors. Therefore, personalized retention measures were necessary for dentists and medical doctors.

[Objective] In order to reduce the impact of high-speed maglev harmonics on traction network, and to ensure the normal operation of high-speed maglev trains, it is necessary to study the harmonic characteristics of the high-speed maglev traction power suppl system, and the corresponding harmonic suppression methods. [Method] The composition of the high-speed maglev traction power supply system is studied, the dual three-phase half-controlled 12-pulse multiple rectifier circuit and its harmonics are theoretically analyzed and simulated. Based on the principle of the Adaline neural network algorithm and the harmonic characteristics of high-speed maglev trains, a high-speed maglev harmonic detection model based on Adaline is constructed. A harmonic compensation control strategy is used to generate compensating signal of current with equal magnitude but opposite direction to the detected harmonics, for harmonic suppression of the system distorted currents. [Result & Conclusion] Simulation results indicate that before adopting the harmonic detection and suppression method based on Adaline algorithm, the harmonic distortion rate is 11.16%. After applying this method, the content of each harmonic decreases significantly, and the harmonic distortion rate decreases to 1.41%. The research results demonstrate that the proposed harmonic detection and suppression method can effectively reduce harmonic distortion, thereby improving the stability and operational efficiency of the traction power supply system.

Abstract Glycans are complex biomolecules that encode rich information and regulate various biological processes, such as fertilization, host‐pathogen binding, and immune recognition, through interactions with glycan‐binding proteins. A key driving force for glycan‐protein recognition is the interaction between the π electron density of aromatic amino acid side chains and polarized C─H groups of the pyranose (termed the CH–π interaction). However, the relatively weak binding affinity between glycans and proteins has hindered the application of glycan detection and imaging. Here, computational modeling and molecular dynamics simulations are employed to design a chemical strategy that enhances the CH–π interaction between glycans and proteins by genetically incorporating electron‐rich tryptophan derivatives into a lectin PhoSL, which specifically recognizes core fucosylated N‐linked glycans. This significantly enhances the binding affinity of PhoSL with the core fucose ligand and enables sensitive detection and imaging of core fucosylated glycans in vitro and in xenograft tumors in mice. Further, the study showed that this strategy is applicable to improve the binding affinity of GafD lectin for N‐acetylglucosamine‐containing glycans. The approach thus provides a general and effective way to manipulate glycan‐protein recognition for glycoscience applications.

Abstract Layered two‐dimensional (2D) materials have garnered marvelous attention in diverse fields, including sensors, capacitors, nanocomposites and transistors, owing to their distinctive structural morphologies and superior physicochemical properties. Recently, layered quasi‐2D materials, especially layered bismuth oxyselenide (Bi2O2Se), are of particular interest, because of their different interlayer interactions from other layered 2D materials. On this basis, this material offers richer and more intriguing physics, including high electron mobility, sizeable bandgap, and remarkable thermal and chemical durability, rendering it an utterly prospective contender for use in advanced electronic and optoelectronic applications. Herein, this article reviews the recent advances related with Bi2O2Se. Initially, its structural characterization, band structure, and basic properties are briefly introduced. Further, the synthetic strategies for the preparation of Bi2O2Se are presented. Furthermore, the diverse applications of Bi2O2Se in the field of electronics and optoelectronics, photocatalytic, solar cells and sensing were summarized in detail. Ultimately, the challenges and future perspectives of Bi2O2Se are included.

Abstract Nanodrugs capable of aggregating in the tumor microenvironment (TME) have demonstrated great efficiency in improving the therapeutic outcome. Among various approaches, the strategy utilizing electrostatic interaction as a driving force to achieve intratumor aggregation of nanodrugs has attracted great attention. However, the great difference between the two nanodrugs with varied physicochemical properties makes their synchronous transport in blood circulation and equal‐opportunity tumor uptake impossible, which significantly detracts from the beneficial effects of nanodrug aggregation inside tumors. We herein propose a new strategy to construct a pair of extremely similar nanodrugs, referred to as “twins‐like nanodrugs (TLNs)”, which have identical physicochemical properties including the same morphology, size, and electroneutrality to render them the same blood circulation time and tumor entrance. The 1:1 mixture of TLNs (TLNs‐Mix) intravenously injected into a mouse model efficiently accumulates in tumor sites and then transfers to oppositely charged nanodrugs for electrostatic interaction‐driven coalescence via responding to matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) enriched in tumor. In addition to enhanced tumor retention, the thus‐formed micron‐sized aggregates show high echo intensity essential for ultrasound imaging as well as ultrasound‐triggered penetrative drug delivery. Owing to their distinctive features, the TLNs‐Mix carrying sonosensitizer, immune adjuvant, and ultrasound contrast agent exert potent sonodynamic immunotherapy against hypovascular hepatoma, demonstrating their great potential in treating solid malignancies.

Abstract Magnetic insulators, especially Y3Fe5O12 (YIG), are considered promising candidates for spin‐based device applications due to their ultralow damping, high spin injection efficiency, and long‐distance spin propagation. However, these intriguing features are widely studied based on crystallization YIG films. Pure spin phenomena, like spin transport in YIG films with structural evolution, remain unclear. Herein, pure spin transportation is systematically investigated in the sandwich structure formed by YIG, the inserted layer‐nominal YIG (n‐YIG) with a varied crystalline structure and heavy metal Platinum (Pt). By applying ferromagnetic resonance (FMR)‐driven inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE) measurement, the detected ISHE voltage signal presented a strong correlation with the thickness of n‐YIG and its crystalline phase. A significant increasement in spin transportation is obtained for the crystallized n‐YIG via a high‐temperature annealing. These results demonstrate that pure spin current is transported availably in the structural evolution of YIG films. Furthermore, the element‐specific X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X‐ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectra on the n‐YIG films showed a distinction for the crystallized n‐YIG which indicates that the spin propagation is correlated to its magnetic order. These findings are instructive for low‐dissipation spin‐based devices.

Abstract Perovskite single crystals have attracted tremendous attention owing to their excellent optoelectronic properties and stability compared to typical multicrystal structures. However, the growth of high‐quality perovskite single crystals (PSCs) generally relies on temperature gradients or the introduction of additives to promote crystal growth. In this study, a vacuum evaporation crystallization technique is developed that allows PSCs to be grown under extremely stable conditions at constant temperature and without requiring additives to promote crystal growth. The new method enables the growth of PSCs of unprecedented quality, that is, MAPbBr3 single crystals that exhibit an ultranarrow full width at half maximum of 0.00701°, which surpasses that of all previously reported values. In addition, the MAPbBr3 single crystals deliver exceptional optoelectronic performance, including a long carrier lifetime of 1006 ns, an ultralow trap‐state density of 3.67 × 109 cm−3, and an ultrahigh carrier mobility of 185.86 cm2 V−1 s−1. This method is applicable to various types of PSCs, including organic–inorganic hybrids, fully inorganic structures, and low‐dimensional structures.

In the contemporary epoch, cancer stands as the predominant cause of premature global mortality, necessitating a focused exploration of molecular markers and advanced therapeutic strategies. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most prevalent mRNA modification, undergoes dynamic regulation by enzymes referred to as methyltransferases (writers), demethylases (erasers), and effective proteins (readers). Despite lacking methylation activity, RNA-binding motif protein 15 (RBM15), a member of the m6A writer family, assumes a crucial role in recruiting the methyltransferase complex (MTC) and binding to mRNA. Although the impact of m6A modifications on cancer has garnered widespread attention, RBM15 has been relatively overlooked. This review briefly outlines the structure and operational mechanism, and delineates the unique role of RBM15 in various cancers, shedding light on its molecular basis and providing a groundwork for potential tumor-targeted therapies.

Background. Vascularized composite allograft transplantation is a treatment option for complex tissue injuries; however, ischemia reperfusion injury and high acute rejection rates remain a challenge. Hypothermic machine perfusion using acellular storage perfusate is a potential solution. This study evaluated the University of Wisconsin Kidney Preservation Solution-1 (KPS-1) compared with normal saline (NS) for preservation of donor rat hindlimbs subjected to 24 h of ex vivo perfusion cold storage. Methods. Hindlimbs were subjected to 24-h perfusion cold storage with heparinized KPS-1 (n = 6) or heparinized NS (n = 6). Flow, resistance, and pH were measured continuously. At the end of the 24-h period, tissue was collected for histological analysis of edema and apoptosis. Results. KPS-1 perfused limbs showed significantly less edema than the NS group, as evidenced by lower limb weight gain (P

Maillard conjugation to modify protein functionality results in the formation of a protein-polysaccharide complex. The resultant conjugate mixture is rich in different Maillard reaction products (MRP) and unreacted components. The investigation pertaining to the digestion and intestinal fate of these components is challenging due to the multitude of effects and interactions between different components. This study attempts to understand gastrointestinal behaviour and diffusion/release patterns of different components from a complex system made of the amaranth-Gracilaria seaweed system. Data acquired from in-vitro INFOGEST protocol and intestinal dialysis absorption model were used to investigate the amino acid release and antioxidant diffusion during different phases of digestion. The analysis suggests a significant improvement in the radical scavenging capacity of overall antioxidants released from the conjugate-MRP system compared to that of amaranth protein alone based on different antioxidant assays (DPPH, FRAP, ICred) during each stage of digestion. The permeability and overall intestinal absorption ratio of antioxidants through a dialysis membrane shows an improvement of up to 55 % compared to that of the plant protein. Moreover, amino acid and phyto-compounds release patterns of the conjugate-MRP system exhibit selective shielding effects towards the gastric phase, which can potentially be investigated for targeted release of bioactive compounds.

The realization of high-parameter, long-pulse operation of a tokamak inevitably faces a number of safety and operational constraints, which need to be achieved through comprehensive in-situ monitoring and control of the wall materials. Laser speckle interferometry (LSI) has been proposed to diagnose changes in the surface topography of wall materials. An LSI-based experimental system has been established and a quantitative evaluation process has made for it. The accuracy, range, and uncertainty of measurement are determined by measuring the topography change resulting from laser ablation and pulsed laser deposition. The calculation of measurement uncertainty considers various sources of error such as measurement noise, residual flatness, measurement errors, and measurement repeatability. This evaluation provides an overview of the measurement performance and reliability of the experimental system and helps to clarify the advantages and limitations of LSI for wall surfaces diagnosis. The evaluation can also serve as a useful reference for optimizing the LSI-based measurement system for better adaption to the EAST diagnostic conditions.

Environmental managers have sought to optimize landscape structure to maintain regional ecosystem health (EH). However, we still lack a full understanding of the effects of changing landscape structure on EH, especially in terms of shorter time scales (e.g., monthly or seasonal scales) and spatial heterogeneity. To address this gap, this study used the vigor-organization-resilience-services (VORS) model to assess the annual and seasonal variation of EH in the Loess Plateau (LP) during 2000–2015, and then applied the geographically weighted regression (GWR) model to investigate the spatial effects of different aspects (i.e., landscape composition and configuration) of the landscape structure change on EH over time. Our results showed that the EH level in the LP from 2000 to 2015 displayed temporal non-stationarity at annual and seasonal scales, and a spatial pattern of decreasing from southeast to northwest. The effects of landscape structure on EH had obvious spatial and temporal heterogeneity, depending on the local landscape composition and configuration. In general, landscape configuration exerted a greater impact on EH than landscape composition apart from Shannon’s diversity index and percentage of forestland area, but the intensity and direction of the impact displayed higher temporally instability and therefore should receive more attention. Furthermore, regulation of the dominant patch size, landscape connectivity and forest spatial spacing is the optimal choice for regional ecosystem management. The results suggest that EH responses to changes in landscape structure in the LP vary by time and place, and that the integrating temporal variation and spatial characteristics can help decision-makers make precise spatial arrangements and temporal adjustments to keep the negative ecological impacts within reasonable limits.

The interval time between successive filling processes in a stope is a critical parameter for metal mines. It is imperative to accurately determine this interval time. The relationship curves between curing time and heavy hammer settlement height under various types of cementing materials and slurry concentration conditions were obtained through the self-developed heavy hammer experiment. The mathematical model for the relationship between curing time and heavy hammer settlement height was fitted and regressed, with further analysis of the impact of slurry concentration and cementing material type on initial setting time. The results demonstrate an exponential relationship between curing time and heavy hammer settlement height, wherein the heavy hammer settlement height gradually decreases with increasing curing time. The initial setting time is significantly influenced by both the concentration of slurry and the type of cementing materials. Generally, with the same cementing material conditions, higher backfill concentrations result in shorter initial setting times. When the slurry concentration is 68 %, the initial setting time of A-type cementing materials occurs approximately 36.8 % earlier compared to that of C-type cementing materials, highlighting the crucial significance of selecting appropriate cementing materials for mine filling. The implementation of a consecutive filling strategy based on heavy hammer experimentation holds significant implications for enhancing the efficiency of mine filling, as exemplified by an iron mine in China.

This study is aimed to investigate the impact of low-temperature treatment on growth, antioxidant enzyme activity, flowering physiology and transcriptome change of the cultivated strawberry, cultivar 'Baiyu'. The runner plants were subjected to 16 ± 1 °C as low-temperature for 5, 10, and 15 days. By comparison with the plants just before treatment (at day 0), it was shown that during the 15-day low temperature treatment, plant height, leaf area, and dry weight significantly, amino acid and soluble sugar contents all decreased with concurrent calyx formation, while the levels of MDA, activities of SOD and CAT increased significantly. Flower bud differentiation began before day 5, as evidenced by significant upregulation in expression of several known flower -related genes including FaAP1, FaSVP, FaCO1, and FaLFY. Tissues from plants treated for 5d and 0d at 16 ± 1 °C were used for transcriptome analysis and the results showed that significant changes in more than 20,179 genes under low-temperature treatment, among which, the expression of genes in metabolic processes, catalytic activity and binding of the molecular function, signal transduction and encoding transcription factors were mostly affected.

The cathode in lithium-selenium (Li-Se) batteries has garnered extensive attention owing to its superior specific capacity and enhanced conductivity compared to sulfur. Nonetheless, the adoption and advancement of Li-Se batteries face significant challenges due to selenium’s low reactivity, substantial volume fluctuations, and the shuttle effect associated with polyselenides. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are under the spotlight for their outstanding catalytic efficiency and optimal atomic utilization. To address the challenges of selenium’s low chemical activity and volume expansion in Li-Se batteries, through electrospun, we have developed a lotus root-inspired carbon nanofiber (CNF) material, featured internal multi-channels and anchored with molybdenum (Mo) single atoms (Mo@CNFs). Mo single atoms significantly enhance the conversion kinetics of selenium (Se), facilitating rapid formation of Li2Se. The internally structured multi-channel CNF serves as an effective host matrix for Se, mitigating its volume expansion during the electrochemical process. The resulting cathode, Se/Mo@CNF composite, exhibits a high discharge specific capacity, superior rate performance, and impressive cycle stability in Li-Se batteries. After 500 cycles at a current density of 1 C, it maintains a capacity retention rate of 82% and nearly 100% coulombic efficiency (CE). This research offers a new avenue for the application of single-atom materials in enhancing advanced Li-Se battery performance.

Plant synthetic biology research requires diverse bioparts that facilitate the redesign and construction of new-to-nature biological devices or systems in plants. Limited by few well-characterized bioparts for plant chassis, the development of plant synthetic biology lags behind that of its microbial counterpart. Here, we constructed a web-based Plant Synthetic BioDatabase (PSBD), which currently categorizes 1677 catalytic bioparts and 384 regulatory elements and provides information on 309 species and 850 chemicals. Online bioinformatics tools including local BLAST, chem similarity, phylogenetic analysis, and visual strength are provided to assist with the rational design of genetic circuits for manipulation of gene expression in planta. We demonstrated the utility of the PSBD by functionally characterizing taxadiene synthase 2 and its quantitative regulation in tobacco leaves. More powerful synthetic devices were then assembled to amplify the transcriptional signals, enabling enhanced expression of flavivirus non-structure 1 proteins in plants. The PSBD is expected to be an integrative and user-centered platform that provides a one-stop service for diverse applications in plant synthetic biology research.

RNA cytidine-to-uridine editing is essential for plant organellar gene expression. Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR)-E+ proteins have been proposed to bind to target sites and recruit the cytidine deaminase AtDYW2, facilitated by AtNUWA. Here we analyze the function of ZmNUWA, ZmDYW2A, and ZmDYW2B and their relationships with other editing factors in maize. The zmdyw2a and zmdyw2b single mutants are normal, but the zmdyw2a::zmdyw2b and zmnuwa mutants are severely arrested in seed development. ZmNUWA, ZmDYW2A, and ZmDYW2B are dual localized in mitochondria and plastids. Loss of ZmNUWA decreases the editing at 99 mitochondrial sites and 8 plastid sites. Surprisingly, loss of ZmDYW2A:ZmDYW2B affects almost the same set of sites targeted by PPR-E+ proteins. ZmNUWA interacts with ZmDYW2A and ZmDYW2B, suggesting that ZmNUWA recruits ZmDYW2A/2B in the editing of PPR-E+-targeted sites in maize. Further protein interaction analyses show that ZmNUWA and ZmDYW2A/2B interact with ZmMORF1, ZmMORF8, ZmMORF2, and ZmMORF9 and that ZmOZ1 interacts with ZmORRM1, ZmDYW2A, ZmDYW2B, ZmMORF8, and ZmMORF9. These results suggest that the maize mitochondrial PPR-E+ editosome contains PPR-E+, ZmDYW2A/2B, ZmNUWA, and ZmMORF1/8, whereas the plastid PPR-E+ editosome is composed of PPR-E+, ZmDYW2A/2B, ZmNUWA, ZmMORF2/8/9, ZmORRM1, and ZmOZ1.

BackgroundMany studies demonstrated the safety and efficacy of SBRT in the treatment of elderly patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, those studies focused on patients with peripheral lung cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and toxicity of SBRT in elderly patients with stage I-II central NSCLC in single institution.MethodsFrom April 2009 to January 2020, a retrospective study was conducted on patients ≥ 65 years old with stage I-II NSCLC that was centrally localized and treated with SBRT at a single institution. Absolute C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin ratio (CAR) and body mass index (BMI) recorded at pretreatment were analyzed. Endpoints included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), cancer-specific death, noncancer-specific death, local progression (LP) and distant progression (DP).ResultsStereotactic body radiation treatment (SBRT) was administered to a total of 44 patients. The most common dose fractionation schedule was 60 Gy given in 5 fractions. The median PFS of the cohort was 31 months (95% CI, 19.47–42.53 months). The median OS of all patients was 69 months (95% CI, 33.8–104.2 months). The median time to noncancer-specific death was 54.5 months. The median time to cancer-specific death was 36 months. The cumulative incidences of cancer-specific death at 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years were 11.63% (95%CI, 4.2–23.23%), 42.99% (95%CI, 27.56–57.53%), and 65.94% (95%CI, 45.76–80.1%), respectively. pre-SBRT BMI of ≤ 22.77 (HR 4.60, 95% CI 1.84–11.51, P=0.001) and pre-SBRT CAR of ≤0.91 (HR 5.19, 95% CI 2.15–12.52, P

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate whether quantitative radiomics features extracted from conventional ultrasound (CUS) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of primary breast lesions can help noninvasively predict axillary lymph nodes metastasis (ALNM) in breast cancer patients.MethodA total of 111 breast cancer patients with 111 breast lesions were prospectively enrolled. All the included patients received presurgical CUS screening and CEUS examination and were randomly assigned to the training and validation sets at a ratio of 7:3 (n = 78 versus 33). Radiomics features were respectively extracted based on CUS and CEUS using the PyRadiomics package. The max-relevance and min-redundancy (MRMR) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analyses were used for feature selection and radiomics score calculation in the training set. The variance inflation factor (VIF) was performed to check the multicollinearity among selected predictors. The best performing model was selected to develop a nomogram using binary logistic regression analysis. The calibration and clinical utility of the nomogram were assessed.ResultsThe model combining CUS reported ALN status, CUS radiomics score (CUS-radscore) and CEUS radiomics score (CEUS-radscore) exhibited the best performance. The areas under the curves (AUC) of our proposed nomogram in the training and external validation sets were 0.845 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.739-0.950] and 0.901 (95% CI, 0.758-1). The calibration curves and decision curve analysis (DCA) demonstrated the nomogram’s robust consistency and clinical utility.ConclusionsThe established nomogram is a promising prediction tool for noninvasive prediction of ALN status. The radiomics features based on CUS and CEUS can help improve the predictive performance.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by cartilage degradation, inflammatory responses, and osteophyte formation. Matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) is a hallmark of OA development, and increased MMP13 expression is closely associated with extracellular matrix degradation. MMP13 expression varies significantly at different stages of OA progression. While cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitors are commonly used to treat OA, their long-term systemic administration increases the risks of adverse effects. Therefore, with the aim of achieving localized and responsive delivery of the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib, the current study investigated an innovative MMP13-responsive micro-nano hydrogel microsphere system. Celecoxib-loaded cationic liposomes are non-covalently attached within the microsphere, enabling controlled drug release for OA treatment. In an OA environment with elevated MMP13 expression, the system is degraded via the action of MMP13 substrate peptide (MMP13sp), facilitating accelerated release of drug-loaded liposomes to improve the inflammatory microenvironment and treat OA rapidly. Compared to a phosphate-buffered saline solution with hyaluronidase (HAase), the prepared hyaluronic acid methacrylate microspheres HAMA/MMP13sp/Lipo@celecoxib exhibited rapid degradation in a solution containing a physiological concentration of MMP13/HAase, demonstrating specific enzyme responsiveness for precise anti-inflammatory drug release. The MMP13-responsive hydrogel microsphere system achieves intelligent and controllable drug release in OA, effectively decelerating disease progression and promoting articular cartilage repair.

The temperature experienced by avian embryos during development has important impacts on their growth and post‐hatching phenotypes. Ambient temperature can directly affect avian nest temperature and indirectly affect it through its impact on parental incubation behaviours. Because the nests of uniparental incubators are usually left unattended more frequently than the nests of biparental incubators whose nests can be attended by another bird when one bird leaves the nest, we predict that the effect of ambient temperature on nest temperature and thus on embryonic development (specifically, incubation period length and hatching success) and post‐hatching phenotype (i.e. potential carry‐over effect on nestling body mass and condition) should be greater in uniparental incubators than in biparental incubators. To test this prediction, we studied two congeneric species, the biparental incubating black‐throated tits Aegithalos concinnus and the uniparental incubating silver‐throated tits A. glaucogularis. We found that although the embryos of the two species both developed faster (shorter incubation period length) when ambient temperature was higher, the slope was significantly greater for silver‐throated tits than for black‐throated tits, consistent with our prediction of a greater effect of ambient temperature on embryonic development in silver‐throated tits. However, the result was not due to a greater effect of ambient temperature on nest temperature, because nest temperatures of the two species had positive relationships with ambient temperature in a similar way. Therefore, it implies a greater response of silver‐throated tit embryos to temperature change. In addition, ambient temperature during the incubation stage did not affect either hatching success or nestling body mass and condition in both species. Although our predictions were not fully supported, our findings highlight the different responses of embryonic development to environmental changes between a uniparental incubator and a biparental incubator, and suggest further research to explore the mechanisms.

Technique: We describe improvements to the previously proposed “U-tied anastomosis” with the aim of broadening its indications, especially in left hemicolectomy. After bowel mobilization and vascular ligation, the proximal and distal colon were aligned in a U-shape using a ligature. An anastomosis was constructed using a linear stapler through the common enterotomies. Following resection of the bowel using laparoscopic coagulation shears, the common opening was closed using 3-0 barbed sutures. Results: Eight consecutive patients underwent colectomy using the U-tied semi-manual technique between May and July 2023. In all cases, the U-tied procedures were completed using one cartridge and two sutures. No complications or mortality were observed after one month of follow-up. Conclusions: The U-tied semi-manual anastomosis is a straightforward and effective method for intracorporeal anastomosis. The simplified reconstruction technique of U-tied series, together with the minimization of technique variability, results in consistent outcomes when performed by surgeons with different levels of experience. The streamlined process enhances the homogeneity of the intracorporeal anastomosis while reducing cartridge use.

The cultural shift of work from on-premises to remote home offices allows hackers to access corporate data by compromising devices attached to home-based broadband routers. Currently, home devices are growing at an exponential rate, e.g., in the form of smartphones, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and corporate laptops. Presently, there is a lack of cost-effective, practical, and lightweight Unified Threat Management (UTM) systems designed to protect home users from the wide range of existing cyber threats. This applied research article introduces a sophisticated Smart UTM System (SUTMS) that is designed to tackle the contemporary security issues encountered in home networks while running on a Raspberry Pi single-board computer. The proposed integrated SUTMS design consists of flow detection, intrusion detection, and firewall core engines, as well as optional routing and log collection engines. The flow detection engine in SUTMS discovers anomalies and detects the active protocols, which are a basis for signature optimization in the SUTMS intrusion detection system (IDS). By ingesting Indicator of Compromise (IoC) feeds, the SUTMS firewall engine provides dynamic anti-bot protection. Evaluations indicate that SUTMS with IDS signature optimization can provide 99% accuracy with approx. 55% memory utilization reduction compared to traditional signature-based IDS.

The development of autonomous vehicles has recently received substantial impetus, fueled by researchers and industry personnel. The need for powerful steering control in autonomous vehicles is critical for assuring the vehicle’s safety and reliability. Robust steering control allows for precise and accurate maneuvering, allowing the vehicle to traverse complicated road conditions. Comparative research on the certification of a robust steering system for autonomous vehicles is presented in this paper. Traditional controllers (PD and PID) are compared with a modern Model Predictive Control (MPC) controller that uses a multi-turn potentiometer and incremental encoder for position feedback. The controllers are designed in MATLAB Simulink and deployed for real-time testing on a Speedgoat performance real-time target Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) machine. The study focuses on evaluating the steering system’s real-time performance in terms of accuracy and robustness. The novelty is that this work is carried out in a real experimental modified electric vehicle and presents real-time results obtained using the HIL machine and Rapid Control Prototyping (RCP) technique. The research covers a thorough examination of the experimental hardware configuration, system identification, controller design, and data-gathering technologies. A significant contribution of this research is the use of the HIL machine for real-time performance testing of different controllers with different velocities and sample times, specifically in a speed breaker scenario. To analyze each controller’s response, real-time data is logged at a high sampling rate of 0.1 milliseconds. The research contributes to the advancement of driverless vehicles by providing insights into the optimal performance of steering systems. It also emphasizes the importance of real-time testing of the robust performance of different controllers to ensure human safety in driverless cars.

Traditional nonlinear elements of the electromagnetic transient simulation program (EMTP) use the numerical integration method, often employing the trapezoidal integration method as an implicit algorithm. However, when the number of nonlinear elements is high, the iterative format becomes computationally cumbersome. The semi-implicit format algorithms, based on the Rosenbrock real-time integration method, do not require iterations and can be applied directly in a recursive manner. However, as the number of nonlinear elements increases, it becomes necessary to invert the matrix that contains the Jacobian matrix, resulting in an increase of both algorithmic computation and inversion time with the dimensionality of the system. In this paper, a new numerical solution method is adopted, which combines the precise integration method. Specifically, the Calahan algorithm, with 2-stage and 3-order, is used to numerically integrate the Duhamel integration terms, and the accuracy of the Calahan algorithm is enhanced through Richardson extrapolation. The new algorithm can avoid the inverse of the matrix containing the Jacobian matrix, and the computational efficiency is equivalent to an explicit method, which greatly improves the computational efficiency of the Rosenbrock integration algorithm. The results verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the algorithm for typical power system nonlinear element electromagnetic transient simulation cases.

In response to the evolving pharmaceutical supply chain market, which is shifting from a seller’s to a buyer’s market, this study introduces an innovative decision-making model that addresses the volatility in output and demand. Our primary innovation lies in the development of a “revenue-sharing plus margin” collaborative decision-making optimization model, designed to enhance supply chain coordination amidst uncertainty. By establishing a revenue function, we propose a coordinated approach that leverages both revenue-sharing coefficients and profit margins to achieve Pareto improvements for supply chain partners. Through numerical analysis, we identify an optimal value range for the model’s parameters, demonstrating the model’s efficacy in balancing the expected returns for both suppliers and retailers. The study’s contributions are threefold: (1) the introduction of a novel decision-making model tailored to the pharmaceutical supply chain, (2) the provision of a clear framework for comparing collaborative versus decentralized decision-making outcomes, and (3) the empirical validation of the model through case studies, showcasing its superiority in overall supply chain efficiency. This research significantly extends the current literature by providing a nuanced understanding of how supply chain coordination can be optimized under conditions of uncertainty. The findings underscore the importance of collaborative decision-making in achieving supply chain stability and offer practical insights for supply chain management in the pharmaceutical industry.

In Software-Defined Networks (SDN), the ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) capacity in switches is limited, making them vulnerable to low-rate flow table overflow attacks. Most existing research in this field has not focused on the influence of flow entry eviction mechanisms on the effectiveness of such attacks. This paper proposes an adaptive low-rate flow table overflow attack (ALFO), which can adopt corresponding attack modes under different flow entry eviction mechanisms, significantly degrading network service quality. Due to the different features of ALFO under different attack modes, the existing attack detection methods are ineffective in this attack. Therefore, this paper proposes a detection and mitigation framework, which is called adaptive low-rate flow table overflow attack guard framework (ALFO-Guard). It extracts flow features from flow entry information in the switch and aggregates them into a current-time graph model. Then, combining graph neural networks, it performs graph anomaly detection and flow entry classification to identify attack flow entries. Finally, the attack can be eliminated by deleting the identified attack flow entries and blocking the attack flows. The effectiveness of ALFO and ALFO-Guard is validated through extensive experiments, and the experimental results demonstrate that ALFO-Guard can effectively defend against ALFO.

With the continuous improvement of Internet of Things technology, Internet of Things devices are gradually popularized in people’s lives and work, bringing convenience to people, but also there are many security risks. There are more and more types of attacks on IoT devices, and the security of their firmware has become a focus of attention. Aiming at firmware vulnerabilities in devices, a firmware vulnerability detection algorithm based on pattern-specific features and structural features is proposed in this study. The algorithm uses the two-stage method to filter and match the functions precisely, so as to find the functions matching the vulnerability functions. By reducing the local call graph from five layers to three layers, the algorithm operation and detection efficiency are improved, and the accurate matching method of weighted three-layer local call graph is implemented. The experimental results showed that the Top1 index value of the five-layer local call graph ranges from 81.99 to 90.19. The indexes of control flow chart and attribute control flow chart fluctuated greatly, ranging from 61.57 to 91.08 and 54.62 to 87.55, respectively. The Top1 index value of the weighted three-layer local call graph increased by 3.73%, and the average increased by 1.47%, indicating a significant improvement in the whole. It can be concluded that the firmware vulnerability detection algorithm based on the matching of pattern-specific numerical features and structural features can effectively find the function that actually matches the vulnerability function, and improve the efficiency of firmware vulnerability detection.

Abstract Objective This study aimed to explore the characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) in different regions of Henan Province to provide evidence for the targeted prevention and treatment of CRE. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. CRE screening was conducted in the ICUs of 78 hospitals in Henan Province, China, on March 10, 2021. The patients were divided into provincial capital hospitals and nonprovincial capital hospitals for comparative analysis. Results This study involved 1009 patients in total, of whom 241 were CRE-positive patients, 92 were in the provincial capital hospital and 149 were in the nonprovincial capital hospital. Provincial capital hospitals had a higher rate of CRE positivity, and there was a significant difference in the rate of CRE positivity between the two groups. The body temperature; immunosuppressed state; transfer from the ICU to other hospitals; and use of enemas, arterial catheters, carbapenems, or tigecycline at the provincial capital hospital were greater than those at the nonprovincial capital hospital (P

Abstract Background This study aims to evaluate the difference of three-dimensional (3D) reconstructed palatal morphology between subjects with skeletal Class III and skeletal Class I in different vertical patterns using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods In this study, 89 subjects with skeletal Class III (49 females, 40 males; 25.45 ± 3.81 years) and 85 subjects with skeletal Class I (45 females, 40 males; 23.95 ± 4.45 years) were collected retrospectively and divided into hyperdivergent, normodivergent and hypodivergent groups. Dolphin software was used to reorient the CBCT images of these subjects. After segmenting 3D object of maxilla from the 3D skull by ProPlan software, Geomagic Studio was used to reconstruct 3D palatal morphology and establish an average 3D palatal morphology for each group. The differences of 3D palatal morphology between different groups were compared by deviation patterns on 3D colored map analysis. Results 3D colored map analysis showed the posterior part of male’s palate was higher and wider than that of female’s palate in skeletal Class III subjects. In skeletal Class III subjects, males with hyperdivergent pattern had a higher and narrower palate compared with hypodivergent subjects, while females with hyperdivergent had a higher but not obviously narrower palate compared with hypodivergent subjects. In the similar vertical patterns, skeletal Class III subjects had a flatter but not narrower palate compared with skeletal Class I subjects, along with a smaller palate volume. Conclusions This method allows more intuitive between-group comparisons of the differences of 3D palatal morphology. In skeletal Class III subjects, as the vertical dimension increased, the palate tends to be higher and narrower. Therefore, the influence of vertical patterns on the palatal morphology should be fully considered in the orthodontic and orthognathic treatment of skeletal Class III subjects.

The creative path of B. L. Pasternak has been a popular subject of research in China for many years. All works on the topic can be roughly divided into three stages: 1) the first stage (1980s) — the formation of mass interest among literary scholars in the works of B. L. Pasternak; 2) the second stage (1990s) — the expansion and deepening of research; 3) the third stage (after the 2000s) – the systematization of research and the emergence of new directions in the study of B. L. Pasternak’s works. This article provides an overview of the main trends in Pasternak studies in China. It is noted that research on the legacy of B. L. Pasternak conducted in China covers key areas such as biography, poetry, prose (with special attention from Chinese scholars focused on the novel “Doctor Zhivago”). The research conducted by Chinese scholars also explores topics such as the fate of the intelligentsia, ideological aspirations, cultural, religious, and spiritual components, the art of language, literary techniques, and devices. It is reported that in November 2020, Zhejiang University held an international scientific conference “Celebrating the 130th Anniversary of B. L. Pasternak’s Birth.” The authors of the article conclude that research on the legacy of B. L. Pasternak in China is systematic and diverse, and Pasternak studies as a discipline have broad prospects for development.

In order to improve the prediction accuracy, this paper proposes a traffic accident risk prediction method of tunnel based on multi-source heterogeneous data fusion. Firstly, the feature extraction and coding model based on Gabor cloud image is constructed, and the unstructured cloud image is enhanced by amplitude feature level and then encoded by fusion. Secondly, the long sequence formed after the sample concatenation of the multi-source heterogeneous data of tunnel is used as the input of the prediction model GRU (Gate Recurrent Unit), and AdaBoost (Adaptive Boosting) is introduced to learn the prediction results to further improve the robustness of the prediction model. The experimental results show that the proposed GRU-AdaBoost model achieves the prediction accuracy of 84.59% when the data volume is 3 years and the time interval is 5 weeks. When the data volume is 1 year and the time interval is 3 weeks, the prediction accuracy can reach 80.85%, which is 9.61% higher than traditional prediction models.

Numerous bacterial species employ diffusible signal factor (DSF)-based quorum sensing (QS) as a widely conserved cell–cell signaling communication system to collectively regulate various behaviors crucial for responding to environmental changes. cis-11-Methyl-dodecenoic acid, known as DSF, was first identified as a signaling molecule in Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris. Subsequently, many structurally related molecules have been identified in different bacterial species. This review aims to provide an overview of current understanding regarding the biosynthesis and regulatory role of DSF signals in both pathogenic bacteria and a biocontrol bacterium. Recent studies have revealed that the DSF-based QS system regulates antimicrobial factor production in a cyclic dimeric GMP-independent manner in the biocontrol bacterium Lysobacter enzymogenes. Additionally, the DSF family signals have been found to be involved in suppressing plant innate immunity. The discovery of these diverse signaling mechanisms holds significant promise for developing novel strategies to combat stubborn plant pathogens. [Graphic: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Recently, fuzzy dispersion entropy (DispEn) has attracted much attention as a new nonlinear dynamics method that combines the advantages of both DispEn and fuzzy entropy. However, it suffers from limitation of insensitivity to dynamic changes. To solve this limitation, we proposed fractional fuzzy dispersion entropy (FFDispEn) based on DispEn, a novel fuzzy membership function and fractional calculus. The fuzzy membership function was defined based on the Euclidean distance between the embedding vector and dispersion pattern. Simulated signals generated by the one-dimensional (1D) logistic map were used to test the sensitivity of the proposed method to dynamic changes. Moreover, 29 subjects were recruited for an upper limb muscle fatigue experiment, during which surface electromyography (sEMG) signals of the biceps brachii muscle were recorded. Both simulated signals and sEMG signals were processed using a sliding window approach. Sample entropy (SampEn), DispEn and FFDispEn were separately used to calculate the complexity of each frame. The sensitivity of different algorithms to the muscle fatigue process was analyzed using fitting parameters through linear fitting of the complexity of each frame signal. The results showed that for simulated signals, the larger the fractional order q, the higher the sensitivity to dynamic changes. Moreover, DispEn performed poorly in the sensitivity to dynamic changes compared with FFDispEn. As for muscle fatigue detection, the FFDispEn value showed a clear declining tendency with a mean slope of −1.658 × 10−3 as muscle fatigue progresses; additionally, it was more sensitive to muscle fatigue compared with SampEn (slope: −0.4156 × 10−3) and DispEn (slope: −0.1675 × 10−3). The highest accuracy of 97.5% was achieved with the FFDispEn and support vector machine (SVM). This study provided a new useful nonlinear dynamic indicator for sEMG signal processing and muscle fatigue analysis. The proposed method may be useful for physiological and biomedical signal analysis.

Accurate prognostic prediction in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) is a core clinical concern and a formidable challenge in neuroscience. Resting-state EEG has shown promise in identifying electrophysiological prognostic markers and may be easily deployed at the bedside. However, the lack of brain dynamic modeling and the spatial mixture of signals in scalp EEG have constrained our exploration of biomarkers and comprehension of the mechanisms underlying consciousness recovery. Here, we introduce EEG source space analysis and brain dynamics to investigate the brain networks of patients with DOC (n = 178) with different outcomes (six-month follow-up), followed by graph theory and high-order topological analysis to explore the relationship between network structure and prognosis, and finally assess the importance of features. We show that a positive prognosis is associated with large-scale lower levels of low-frequency hypersynchrony. Moreover, we provide evidence that this pattern is driven not by all brain states but only by specific states. Analyses reveal that the positive prognosis is attributed to the network retaining lower segregation, higher integration, and stronger stability compared to the negative prognosis. Furthermore, our results highlight the importance of brain networks derived from brain dynamics in prognosis. The prognosis models based on clinical and neural features can achieve acceptable and even excellent performance under different outcome definitions (AUC = 0.714–0.893). Overall, our study offers new perspectives for the identification of prognostic biomarkers and provides avenues for profound insights into the mechanisms underlying consciousness improvement or recovery.

Abstract Background Viral diseases are posing threat to annual production and quality of tobacco in China. Recently, tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV) has been reported to infect three major crops including tobacco. Current study was aimed to investigate the population dynamics and molecular diversity of the TSWV. In the current study, to assess and identify the prevalence and evolutionary history of TSWV in tobacco crops in China, full-length genome sequences of TSWV isolates from tobacco, were identified and analyzed. Methods After trimming and validation, sequences of new isolates were submitted to GenBank. We identified the full-length genomes of ten TSWV isolates, infecting tobacco plants from various regions of China. Besides these, six isolates were partially sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to assess the relativeness of newly identified sequences and corresponding sequences from GenBank. Recombination and population dynamics analysis was performed using RDP4, RAT, and statistical estimation. Reassortment analysis was performed using MegaX software. Results Phylogenetic analysis of 41 newly identified sequences, depicted that the majority of the Chinese isolates have separate placement in the tree. RDP4 software predicted that RNA M of newly reported isolate YNKM-2 had a recombinant region spanning from 3111 to 3811 bp. The indication of parental sequences (YNKMXD and YNHHKY) from newly identified isolates, revealed the conservation of local TSWV population. Genetic diversity and population dynamics analysis also support the same trend. RNA M was highlighted to be more capable of mutating or evolving as revealed by data obtained from RDP4, RAT, population dynamics, and phylogenetic analyses. Reassortment analysis revealed that it might have happened in L segment of TSWV isolate YNKMXD (reported herein). Conclusion Taken together, this is the first detailed study revealing the pattern of TWSV genetic diversity, and population dynamics helping to better understand the ability of this pathogen to drastically reduce the tobacco production in China. Also, this is a valuable addition to the existing worldwide profile of TSWV, especially in China, where a few studies related to TSWV have been reported including only one complete genome of this virus isolated from tobacco plants.

Abstract H. pylori is a gram-negative bacterium that is usually acquired in childhood and can persistently colonize the gastric mucosa of humans, affecting approximately half of the world’s population. In recent years, the prevalence of H. pylori infection has steadily reduced while the risk of allergic diseases has steadily climbed. As a result, epidemiological research indicates a strong negative association between the two. Moreover, numerous experimental studies have demonstrated that eradicating H. pylori increases the risk of allergic diseases. Hence, it is hypothesized that H. pylori infection may act as a safeguard against allergic diseases. The hygiene hypothesis, alterations in gut microbiota, the development of tolerogenic dendritic cells, and helper T cells could all be involved in H. pylori’s ability to protect against asthma. Furthermore, Studies on mice models have indicated that H. pylori and its extracts are crucial in the management of asthma. We reviewed the in-depth studies on the most recent developments in the relationship between H. pylori infection and allergic diseases, and we discussed potential mechanisms of the infection’s protective effect on asthma in terms of microbiota and immunity. We also investigated the prospect of the application of H. pylori and its related components in asthma, so as to provide a new perspective for the prevention or treatment of allergic diseases.

To understand the effect of Mg treatment on the precipitation, growth, and transformation of inclusions in 430 ferritic stainless steel during solidification, slag refining and Mg treatment experiments with different cooling methods were conducted at 1873 K (1600 °C). Experimental results showed that the oxide inclusions in 430 stainless steel without Mg treatment were mainly Al2O3–SiO2–MnO (slag phase), Al2O3–Cr2O3–MnO (spinel phase), high-Al2O3 (corundum phase) and CaO–SiO2–Al2O3–MnO (slag phase), while all of the oxides except CaO–SiO2–Al2O3–MnO inclusions transformed to MgO–Al2O3–Cr2O3–MnO (spinel phase) after Mg treatment. With water quenching, the average inclusion diameters were about 1.4 μm in both of the Mg-free and Mg-bearing steels, while they increased to approximate 3.1 and 1.9 μm after furnace cooling, separately. With the decrease of cooling rate from 26.2 to 1.24 K s−1, in the Mg-free steel, the average Al2O3 and Cr2O3 contents in the inclusion increased from 19.6 to 42.6 mass% and from 12.22 to 19.44 mass%, respectively, and the average SiO2 content decreased from 43.5 to 17.1 mass%. However, the average composition of inclusions in Mg-bearing steel was relatively stable and independent of cooling rate. A kinetic model was established with the solute micro-segregation model to predict oxide inclusion growth during cooling and solidification. Without and with Mg treatment, under a cooling rate of 1 K s−1, the calculated final sizes of the most stable oxide inclusions were 3.27 and 1.88 μm, respectively. The predicted average compositions and diameters of oxide inclusions were generally consistent with the experimental results.

Abstract Cardiac cachexia is a deadly consequence of advanced heart failure that is characterised by the dysregulation of adipose tissue homeostasis. Once cachexia occurs with heart failure, it prevents the normal treatment of heart failure and increases the risk of death. Targeting adipose tissue is an important approach to treating cardiac cachexia, but the pathogenic mechanisms are still unknown, and there are no effective therapies available. Transcriptomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics were used to examine the underlying mechanisms of cardiac cachexia. Transcriptomics investigation of cardiac cachexia adipose tissue revealed that genes involved in fibrosis and monocyte/macrophage migration were increased and strongly interacted. The ECM-receptor interaction pathway was primarily enriched, as shown by KEGG enrichment analysis. In addition, gene set enrichment analysis revealed that monocyte chemotaxis/macrophage migration and fibrosis gene sets were upregulated in cardiac cachexia. Metabolomics enrichment analysis demonstrated that the sphingolipid signalling pathway is important for adipose tissue remodelling in cardiac cachexia. Lipidomics analysis showed that the adipose tissue of rats with cardiac cachexia had higher levels of sphingolipids, including Cer and S1P. Moreover, combined multiomics analysis suggested that the sphingolipid metabolic pathway was associated with inflammatory-fibrotic changes in adipose tissue. Finally, the key indicators were validated by experiments. In conclusion, this study described a mechanism by which the sphingolipid signalling pathway was involved in adipose tissue remodelling by inducing inflammation and fat fibrosis in cardiac cachexia.

Abstract Background In the present study, we explored the role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and its association with ferroptosis in lens epithelium cells (LECs) of age-related cataract (ARC). Methods Through m6A RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (m6A-RIP-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), we identified m6A mediated and differentially expressed lncRNAs (dme-lncRNAs) in ARC patients. Based on bioinformatics analysis, we selected critical dme-lncRNAs and pathways associated with ARC formation to reveal their potential molecular mechanisms. The downregulation of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), a key component of ferroptosis, was confirmed by real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting in age-related cortical cataract (ARCC) samples. Transmission electron microscopy was used to assess the change in mitochondrial in LECs. Results The analysis revealed a total of 11,193 m6A peaks within lncRNAs, among which 7043 were enriched and 4150 were depleted. Among those, lncRNA ENST00000586817(upstream of the GPX4 gene) was not only significantly upregulated in the LECs of ARCC but also potentially augmented the expression of GPX4 through a cis mechanism. The expression of m6A-modified lncRNA (ENST00000586817) was correlated with that of GPX4 and was downregulated in ARC patients. The TEM results indicated significant mitochondrial changes in ARCC samples. GPX4 downregulation enhanced LEC ferroptosis and decreased viability via RSL3 in SRA01/04 cells. Conclusions Our results provide insight into the potential function of m6A-modified lncRNAs. M6A-modified lncRNA ENST00000586817 might regulate the expression of GPX4 by a cis mechanism and be implicated in ferroptosis in ARCs.

This is an essay in the field of metallurgical engineering. Taking a lithium mica ore in Jiangxi as raw material, the roasting-leaching, mixed acid ripening, direct acid leaching and alkali pressure cooking process were explored. Finally, the sulfate roasting-water leaching method was used to extract lithium from lithium mica ore. At the same time, the effects of roasting temperature, roasting time, additive type, additive amount, liquid-solid ratio and leaching temperature on lithium leaching rate were studied. The results show that roasting temperature has a great influence on lithium leaching rate, and the leaching effect of lithium is better in the appropriate roasting temperature range. 40% potassium sulfate, 20% sodium sulfate and 20% calcium oxide were added to the lithium mica ore, calcinated at 900 ℃ for 1 h, and the calcine was leached at room temperature for 1 h according to the liquid-solid ratio of 1∶1. The lithium leaching rate reached 94.87%. This shows that the effect of using sulfate as an additive to roast and extract lithium is better. Through the study of the roasting mechanism, it can be seen that the mineral structure is reconstructed after the addition of sulfate after high temperature roasting. The sodium and potassium ions in the ore are replaced with lithium ions in the lithium mica, so that they are separated from the insoluble aluminum silicate minerals to generate soluble lithium sulfate, which is then immersed in water and then into the solution.

Based on rock mineral and geochemical analysis, microscopic observation, physical property measurement, and thin laminae separation test, etc., the characteristics of typical laminae of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation carbonate-rich shale in the Jiyang Depression were analyzed, and the organic matter abundance, reservoir properties, and oil-bearing properties of different laminae were compared. Typical shale reservoir-flow structures were classified, and the mobility of oil in different types of shale reservoir-flow structure was compared. The results show that the repeated superposition of mud laminae and calcite laminae are the main layer structure of carbonate-rich shales. The calcite laminae are divided into micritic calcite laminae, sparry calcite laminae and fibrous calcite vein. The mud-rich laminae are the main contributor to the organic matter abundance and porosity of shale, with the best hydrocarbon generation potential, reservoir capacity, and oil-bearing property. The micritic calcite laminae also have relatively good hydrocarbon generation potential, reservoir capacity and oil-bearing property. The sparry calcite laminae and fibrous calcite vein have good permeability and conductivity. Four types of shale reservoir-flow structure are developed in the carbonate-rich shale, and the mobility of oil in each type of reservoir-flow structure is in descending order: sparry calcite laminae enriched shale reservoir-flow structure, mixed calcite laminae enriched shale reservoir-flow structure, fibrous calcite vein enriched shale reservoir-flow structure, and micritic calcite laminae enriched shale reservoir-flow structure. The exploration targets of carbonate-rich shale in the Jiyang Depression Shahejie Formation are different in terms of reservoir-flow structure at different thermal evolution stages.